Search

Researchers have long been interested in how owners affect firms' corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. However, owners face diverging ethical preferences between funding and potentially benefiting from their firms' CSR performance. To better understand owners' influence on firms' CSR performance, we focus on ultimate controlling owners with the highest control rights over their firms. We theorize that ultimate controlling owners with more control rights have stronger motivations and greater decision-making power to promote firms' CSR performance to demonstrate that they are responsible owners and gain legitimacy and goodwill from their stakeholders. Moreover, we explore how this positive relationship is strengthened when ultimate controlling owners and their firms share similar corporate names and receive increased financial analyst coverage, as these conditions increase the likelihood of gaining legitimacy and goodwill through their firms' improved CSR performance. We test our theory using a sample of 852 publicly listed Chinese firms from 2008 to 2017. Our findings support our theoretical predictions and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how differences in ownership structure and owner type associated with ultimate controlling owners shape their motives and power to affect CSR performance in their firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to expand the scope and mitigate the biases of extant archival indexes. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use automatic entity recognition on the archives of the Dutch East India Company to extract mentions of underrepresented people. Findings: The authors release an annotated corpus and baselines for a shared task and show that the proposed goal is feasible. Originality/value: Colonial archives are increasingly a focus of attention for historians and the public, broadening access to them is a pressing need for archives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes that naming a firm eponymously is a mechanism that small private firms can use to signal their superior financial performance and commitment to fulfill debt contract obligations. Using 621,614 small private firms in Europe over the period 2008–2018, we find that small private eponymous firms pay significantly lower interest on their debts and have more long-term debt than non-eponymous firms. Our findings are robust to various controls and placebo tests. Additional analyses show that eponymy lowers the cost of debt and facilitates long-term debt via reputation signaling and private information. We also document that the effect of eponymy on debt contracting is most pronounced when there is less financial development and when firms' dependence on external financing is low, consistent with the idea that high-quality firms opt for eponymy when they consider less external financing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, ultrafiltration (UF) green membranes were prepared through a sustainable route by using PLA as a biopolymer and dihydrolevoclucosenone, whose trade name is Cyrene™ (Cyr), dimethyl isosorbide (DMI), and ethyl lactate (EL) as biobased solvents. The influence of physical-chemical properties of the solvent on the final membrane morphology and performance was evaluated. The variation of polymer concentration in the casting solution, as well as the presence of Pluronic® (Plu) as a pore former agent, were assessed as well. The obtained results highlighted that the final morphology of a membrane was strictly connected with the interplaying of thermodynamic factors as well as kinetic ones, primarily dope solution viscosity. The pore size of the resulting PLA membranes ranged from 0.02 to 0.09 μm. Membrane thickness and porosity varied in the range of 0.090–0.133 mm of 75–87%, respectively, and DMI led to the most porous membranes. The addition of Plu to the casting solution showed a beneficial effect on the membrane contact angle, allowing the formation of hydrophilic membranes (contact angle < 90°), and promoted the increase of pore size as well as the reduction of membrane crystallinity. PLA membranes were tested for pure water permeability (10–390 L/m2 h bar). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study to determine the impact of cyclosporine (Neoral), an inhibitor of P‐gp, on the pharmacokinetics of pralsetinib (trade name GAVRETO®) was conducted in 15 healthy adult volunteers. A single 200 mg dose of pralsetinib was administered orally alone and in combination with cyclosporine with a 9‐day washout between treatments. Co‐administration with cyclosporine resulted in a clinically relevant increase in pralsetinib maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0–∞) with associated geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of 148% (109, 201) and 181% (136, 241), respectively. These findings provide insight into concomitant dosing of pralsetinib with inhibitors of P‐gp given the increases in pralsetinib exposure observed when administered with cyclosporine. Based on these results, co‐administration of pralsetinib with P‐gp inhibitors is not recommended. In the event that co‐administration cannot be avoided, it is recommended that the dose of pralsetinib be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain from improved varieties of the perennial grass Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey is marketed under the trade name Kernza (common name intermediate wheatgrass, IWG). While a growing body of evidence is available on the nutritional quality of Kernza, gaps exist for components such vitamins and minerals and protein quality. Therefore, we performed two studies on early-generation breeding program material, characterizing nutritional quality by quantifying macronutrients, sugars, dietary fiber, amino acid profiles, fat composition, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, antioxidants, and antioxidant activity. The IWG studied frequently had concentrations significantly different from the reference values for whole wheat flour. For example, IWG had 50% higher protein, 129% higher dietary fiber, and 65% higher ash content than reference whole wheat flour. Calcium and selenium were 267% and 492% higher, respectively, in IWG than whole wheat flour. Riboflavin and folate were 43% and 447% higher, respectively, and niacin 74% lower in IWG versus whole wheat flour. We identified lysine as the limiting amino acid, although its concentration was 33% greater in IWG than in whole wheat flour. These results support potential benefits of Kernza for human nutrition. This work supports ongoing studies to further characterize and evaluate nutritional quality during the domestication and breeding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 34246 as a zootechnical feed additive for dogs and cats. The additive, with the trade name Canobios‐BL, is intended for use in feed for cats and dogs at a proposed minimum inclusion level of 5 × 109 CFU/kg complete feed. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment. Since the identity of the active agent has been clearly established and the additive is composed by dried cells of the active agent and an emulsifier, that are not expected to introduce any risk, the additive is considered safe for the target species. Canobios‐BL is not a skin or eye irritant but should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Canobios‐BL is considered to be efficacious in feedingstuffs for dogs and cats at the use level 5 × 109 CFU/kg complete feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimetindene is a sedating antihistamine indicated for the symptomatic treatment of allergic conditions. Dimetindene is marketed among others under the trade name Fenistil (oral solution). Toxicity data are limited, and there is no consensus on the dose at which children require hospitalization. Objective is to determine the potentially toxic dose in children. Data in children with age up to 15 years were obtained from hospital discharge reports. Of 139 paediatric hospital discharge reports, 23 cases (16.5%) were excluded because of uncertain ingestion. In 116 children (46 boys and 70 girls, mean age 2 years and 9 months ± 1 year and 1 month), the majority of children developed no symptoms (87 children, 75%, mean age 3 years±1 year) and the remaining 29 children (25%, mean age 2 years and 11 months ± 1 year and 3 months) developed only mild and spontaneously resolving symptoms of poisoning after a dose of 0.82 ± 0.32 mg/kg b.w. (range 0.26-1.82 mg/kg). In 98% of all cases, hospitalized children were observed for a maximum 24 h, and their condition did not require specific treatment. In conclusion, the prognosis for accidental dimetindene poisoning in children appears to be good and the minimum toxic dose has been determined to be 0.5 mg/kg b.w. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The travel and tourism industry was one of the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the pandemic was still weathered by the large companies with capital, but smaller travel and tourism companies had to completely reimagine their offerings and plans and yet scramble to sustain. This case study is of one such small travel and tourism company named "Junoon Adventures" located in India. This case study not only presents the survival of a small Indian company but also provides lessons on how "organizational memory", "geographical advantage", and "employee attitude" together formed the perfect mix to weather the wrath the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed on the travel and tourism industry. This case study is prepared with primary data from the extensive interviews of the company founder and other employees, supplemented by secondary data from public reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses recent changes to construction laws regarding the reporting of "Beneficial Ownership Information" (BOI) for small business entities. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires certain entities, including corporations, LLCs, and foreign companies registered in the US, to report BOI to a federal database maintained by the US Department of Treasury. There are exemptions for certain regulated industries, but law firms and construction industry participants are not specifically exempt. The article also outlines the reporting requirements, access to information, and information security measures. However, concerns have been raised about the storage of personally identifiable information and the access to such information by enforcement agencies. [Extracted from the article]

This article is based on an exploratory study of YouTube videos related to the COVID-19 pandemic released by the official accounts of several big brands in Indonesia. By analyzing the videos released by these companies, a combination of key messages that are professionally conveyed to present the actions taken by the brands, in response to the pandemic, with an empathetic feel was found. While there is ample evidence to map out the creative processes behind these videos, our findings show that the brands aim to cover up the techniques they employ in achieving their goals, such as the sending of excessively sympathetic messages. The findings of this study provide initial empirical evidence of Indonesian companies' tendency to assimilate the local culture of mutual assistance and the existence of branding activities that continue to be carried out during the pandemic. This article ends with a discussion of the communication processes carried out by commercial entities in challenging times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Computer und Recht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research on retail food environment (RFE) relies on data availability and accuracy. However, the discrepancies in RFE datasets may lead to imprecision when measuring association with health outcomes. In this research, we present a two-tier hierarchical point of interest (POI) matching framework to compare and triangulate food outlets across multiple geospatial data sources. Two matching parameters were used including the geodesic distance between businesses and the similarity of business names according to Levenshtein distance (LD) and Double Metaphone (DM). Sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine thresholds of matching parameters. Our Tier 1 matching used more restricted parameters to generate high confidence-matched POIs, whereas in Tier 2 we opted for relaxed matching parameters and applied a weighted multi-attribute model on the previously unmatched records. Our case study in San Diego County, California used government, commercial, and crowdsourced data and returned 20.2% matched records from Tier 1 and 18.6% matched from Tier 2. Our manual validation shows a 100% matching rate for Tier 1 and up to 30.6% for Tier 2. Matched and unmatched records from Tier 1 were further analyzed for spatial patterns and categorical differences. Our hierarchical POI matching framework generated highly confident food POIs by conflating datasets and identified some food POIs that are unique to specific data sources. Triangulating RFE data can reduce uncertain and invalid POI listings when representing food environment using multiple data sources. Studies investigating associations between food environment and health outcomes may benefit from improved quality of RFE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia's primary export, coffee, has been instrumental in its economic growth. A blockchain multinational company named Cardano advocated for the adoption of their technology in Ethiopia. However, instead of fostering development, the push for blockchain by developed nations perpetuates structural imperialism. This stems from disparities in economic distribution and ICT knowledge. This study examines Cardano's influence on Ethiopia's coffee sector in 2018, revealing a dynamic where developed countries exert influence over developing ones. Cardano's technological prowess positions it at the center, impacting Ethiopia as a peripheral player in blockchain adoption for coffee trade enhancement. Despite Ethiopia's coffee exports tripling in value, the collaboration also benefits Cardano, leading to unequal labor division and economic gains. Furthermore, Cardano's initiatives spawn additional blockchain applications, extending its influence across various sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on Oliver Williamson's new institutionalist analytical perspective on economic organizations to examine the rationality and implications of an increasingly popular business model named ghost or dark kitchens. To undertake the foregoing task, it employs an exploratory research strategy to claim that available contractual arrangements are natural manifestations of hybrid governance structures within the multifaceted universe of the platform economy. It concludes that transaction cost economics is necessary though insufficient to understand the prospects and challenges of virtual kitchens to the meal catering sector and overall restaurant industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims at revisiting some key concepts in translation studies by taking into account a new translation or multimodal practice called brand transcreation. Unlike translation proper or brand design proper, brand transcreation involves interlingual and multimodal production in the target culture. It relies on verbal instructions rather than the source text, and intersemiotically, transforms verbal messages into polished multimodal products. Using the systemic-functional sociosemiotic framework, this study delves into the types and dynamic orchestration of semiotic modes involved in two successful brand transcreations from a producer-researcher perspective. The findings reveal that brand transcreation can be defined as a goal-oriented textual production that configures multiple modes and serves specific communicative purposes. In this regard, the concepts of texts, contexts, meaning, and particularly (the categorization of) translation have evolved and require reconsideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acotaciones: Investigación y Creación Teatral is the property of Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramatico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Endeavoring to expand their global market presence, firms often launch products into emerging markets where managers face the daunting task of deploying products by managing available, and often limited, supply chain resources. Yet, literature has not empirically examined managerial resource orchestration in this context. Accordingly, by embedding resource orchestration theory (ROT) into the emerging market context, the authors offer middle-range theorizing on supply chain resource orchestration (SCRO) and empirically test how acquiring, bundling and leveraging activities impact new product launch performance. Design/methodology/approach: The authors test the model by analyzing empirical data from 175 individual product launches into emerging markets using a survey methodology. Findings: The authors' results suggest that SCRO holds the promise of being a viable middle-range theory in the supply chain field, especially where managers face limited resources and must "work with what they have to do what they can." Research limitations/implications: The authors' study also has some limitations. First, because a panel data service company was used to collect the data, the authors were not provided with any information regarding the respondents' company names or other identifying data. Second, because the authors did not directly interact with the respondents nor were the authors able to contact multiple individuals from their respective organizations, the study was limited to a single-respondent design. However, to counter issues associated with single-response bias, the central constructs in the study referenced phenomena related to a specific product launch project as opposed to constructs at the firm or inter-firm relational level. Practical implications: The authors' results reveal that SCRO activities can enhance the performance of new product launches, even in resource-starved emerging market contexts. Originality/value: The results validate measures for several of the SCRO processes (i.e. supply chain resource acquisition, supply chain resource bundling and supply chain leveraging) and provide evidence that supply chain resource bundling and supply chain leveraging mediate the relationship between supply chain resource acquisition and product launch performance. Further, soft logistics infrastructure is found to be an important boundary condition for these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The given text provides a summary of recent congressional developments and legislative updates concerning Indigenous communities. It covers a range of topics, including President Biden's acknowledgment of tribal communities, the establishment of the Treasury's Office of Tribal and Native Affairs, and the Corporate Transparency Act's requirements for corporations. It also mentions the Not Invisible Act Commission's hearing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons and the potential impact of the Energy Opportunities for All Act on Chaco Canyon. Additionally, it highlights the advancement of bills such as the Native American Child Protection Act and the Wounded Knee Sacred Site and Memorial Land Act. The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) has been actively advocating for Native American issues, supporting the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act and lobbying for the Truth and Healing bill. The construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall under former President Donald Trump caused environmental damage, including the destruction of saguaro cactuses, endangering ocelots, and disturbing Native American burial grounds. Native communities are also facing challenges in accessing clean water and developing their energy resources. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing on the impact of fentanyl in Native communities, and the Not Invisible Act Commission submitted a report on missing and murdered Indigenous people. FCNL advocates for the passage of the Truth and Healing Commission Act and the recognition of Native American Heritage Month. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking input on the unmet needs of coastal Tribes facing relocation due to climate impacts [Extracted from the article]

Online retail search traffic is often concentrated at a "prominent" retailer for a product. The authors unpack the ramifications of this pattern on pricing, profit, and consumer welfare in an intrabrand setting. Prominence denotes a larger number of heterogenous-search-cost consumers starting their search at the prominent retailer than at any other retailer. These analyses show that search traffic concentration can intensify intrabrand competition, lower average prices of all retailers, and improve consumer welfare. Interestingly, the prominent retailer's incremental traffic advantage can increase or reduce its own profit; the authors denote these as the "blessing" and "curse" of prominence, respectively. The authors extend their analysis to a setting where consumers consider searching only among those retailers they are individually aware of; the prominent retailer is included in all these individual awareness sets. The effects on market average prices and welfare carry over, but only below a critical threshold level of the prominent retailer's first-search traffic advantage. Above this threshold, market average prices rise and welfare decreases, making this the region where search concentration warrants scrutiny from policy makers. The authors close with policy remedies and managerial implications of search concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a directory of brand and trade names related to water purification and treatment systems. It includes a wide range of products from various companies, such as activated alumina, UV water purifiers, iron and sulfur removal systems, drinking water filtration, corrosion control products, scale prevention, specialty carbon media, and more. The directory provides a comprehensive list of products available in the market for library patrons conducting research on water treatment topics. [Extracted from the article]

Brands come in many forms and perform multiple roles and functions for a variety of different types of individuals and organizations. Focusing on companies or non-profits marketing to consumers, this essay speculates on the future of branding in five main areas: brand elements, brand drivers, brand meaning, consumer heterogeneity, and consumer insights. Across these five areas, the main theme that emerges is that branding is increasingly being defined both by multiplicity, in terms of what marketers can do, and by heterogeneity, in terms of the consumers being marketed to. Successful brand marketers going forward will be those who can find integrative branding solutions that balance and blend multiplicity and heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of our conceptual introduction is to theorize how brands will continue to be relevant in the future marketplace. We identify three themes that emerge in this special issue that offer intriguing directions for future exploration and managerial action. The first theme is that because of brands' pervasiveness, consumers have developed a meta concept of "brands" that shapes how consumers think about the market, themselves, and others. While marketers consider the power of a particular brand as a valued consumer resource, this theme speaks to the power of "brands" as a category. The second theme contributes to a growing conversation highlighting consumer agency in relation to brands. Consumers manage their relationships with brands; selectively draw on media to create their own brand narratives; and can even upend the "rules" of brand management. The final theme is that brand owners must balance continuity and change, recognizing that brand contestation and cultural change are both inevitable. Brands need to actively consider the sometimes polarized, contesting and agentic voices of consumers and other actors, finding ways to positively influence firm and societal outcomes. We hope this special issue spurs continued new research to imagine future complex dynamics of consumers and brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bicultural consumers now represent a third of the US population and are the fastest growing demographic group in the United States. This shift in consumer markets presents a challenge for marketers as they try to design brand strategies to serve this important group. In this article, the authors show that certain types of brands, specifically paradox brands that incorporate contradictory brand meanings, are particularly appealing to bicultural consumers. Results from seven studies reveal that bicultural consumers evaluate paradox brands more favorably and choose paradox brands more than traditional brands without contradictions. Furthermore, bicultural consumers exhibit more favorable evaluations and greater choice of paradox brands than do monocultural consumers. These cultural differences are attributable to greater cognitive flexibility found among biculturals, particularly those who adopt an acculturation strategy of integrating their different cultural identities. Greater cognitive flexibility, in turn, prompts stronger engagement with a paradox brand, which contributes to more favorable brand evaluations and choice. Contributions of this research for understanding bicultural consumers, marketing to bicultural consumers, and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of unprecedented consumer access to media and the tools to control narrative delivery, speed, and exposure to transmedia content, there is no longer the illusion of a cohesive narrative managed by a recognized singular author or unified authorial voice. Instead, consumers carve their own trajectories through brand narratives. Our multimethod inquiry of television series viewing, based on a combination of interviews, diaries, video recordings followed by member-check interviews and online forum analyses, identifies two key forces that guide narrative navigation: how consumers manage a text's gravitational pull and its permeability to transmedia content. We find that consumers shape their own trajectories by adopting and/or moving between nine documented narrative positions. This more nuanced understanding of narrative consumption in a transmedia environment offers new insights for the study of narrative brand spaces and brand storytelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presented variabilities in physico-chemical and microbial qualities of raw and resulting ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked rice prepared by a cook-chill processing system utilizing commercially available Philippine rice, marketed under the trade name Super Angelica. Significant variations (p < 0.05) in raw rice physical qualities were established based on the results of the grading and classification evaluation system described by the Philippine National Standards-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards PNS/BAFS 290:2019 and amylose content. Likewise, variations in trends of texture cooked rice qualities were established in the resulting microwaved reheated chilled RTE rice stored up to 7 d in terms of hardness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness. The pH values and microbial quality of reheated cooked rice were significantly affected by processing and storage conditions. The study recommended the strict implementation of the National Food Authority (NFA) Circular OCS-2018-J-0 that limits the classification of local commercial rice into four categories - namely, regular, well-milled, premium, and special - as an official replacement to the current use of market trade or fancy names for rice supplies. Likewise, the study cited the need for drafting a national regulation that will eventually reflect the actual cultivar names of rice being marketed in the country to avoid the rumbling of commercial rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze the institutions involved in the conservation management of Litsea leytensis Merr., with the trade name Medang, a wood species preferred by carvers in the Philippines, particularly in Paete, Laguna. The art of wood carving is thriving as a culture and as a wood-based industry for Filipinos, intertwined with natural resource management, where the seeds and wildlings are collected as planting materials for the nationwide greening program, while the wood as raw material is carefully selected from a list of Philippine native species. Litsea leytensis Merr. represents the many endemic trees in the country that need serious attention for conservation because of their continuing decline in habitat and population. The study highlights in situ and ex situ conservation of L. leytensis by institutions in Laguna and Quezon. The results suggest that the rules-in-form guided the institutions in conservation management, and their interactions in the action arena were in downward, upward, and horizontal patterns. The outcomes of their interventions for L. leytensis were relevant, coherent, effective, and efficient, while project impact and sustainability were implied by the participation and community ownership of conservation activities, government policies, and funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "From the grape to the glass: intellectual property in the world of wine" analyzes the importance of protecting intellectual property in the wine industry. It mentions international treaties and agreements that regulate the protection of geographical indications, such as the Paris Convention and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). It also discusses the implementation of a Committee on Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin in a trade agreement between Uruguay and the European Union. Intellectual property, including the trade name, trademarks, and trade dress, is essential for the development of the wine industry. [Extracted from the article]

In this paper, we investigate the earnings management behavior of listed family firms holding the name of the family (eponymous FF). Specifically, we use a Swiss sample of 1,544 firm-year observations from 2006 to 2018 to examine the association of eponymous FF with accrual-based earnings management in general, and identify circumstances where this association does not hold. First, we find that, on average, eponymous FF exhibit less earnings management than non-FF. Second, we exploit a Swiss-specific option to voluntarily turn away from IFRS to local GAAP. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find that eponymous FF exhibit higher levels of earnings management immediately after the switch. Finally, we show that eponymous FF exhibit higher earnings management when the family is directly involved in the board of directors or the managing board. Our findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the effects of family identification on earnings management incentives in listed firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]