Branding advantage of agri-food companies in competitive export markets: a resource-based theory

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to investigate the antecedents of export performance and branding advantage, as a key type of competitive advantage in export markets among entrepreneurs and managers of agri-food exporters.Design/methodology/approachA sample of entrepreneurs from 182 exporting firms of the agriculture and food industry participated in a cross-sectional survey. The data were collected by a self-reporting questionnaire and partial least squares were used to analyse the data and assess the path model.FindingsResults revealed that experiential resources strongly promote communication capabilities. Also, communication, distribution and product development capabilities contribute to the creation of the branding advantage in export markets. In addition, a positive relationship between the branding advantage and export performance of agri-food products is confirmed.Research limitations/implicationsThe study targets exporters of agri-food products. Hence, the results should be interpreted regarding the context of low-technology firms. Further, this paper delineates branding advantage considerations that managers need to account for to achieve effective exporting. Practitioners can efficaciously exploit resources to achieve a competitive advantage, considering that they focus on building capabilities, and in particular, communication capabilities.Originality/valueThe present study highlights the role of the branding advantage as an important type of competitive advantage in international entrepreneurship and export markets. It attempts to examine the combined relationships of resources and capabilities with branding advantage and export performance.

Vaccination, politics and COVID-19 impacts

The development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines provides a clear path to bring the pandemic to an end. Vaccination rates, however, have been insufficient to prevent disease spread. A critical factor in so many people choosing not to be vaccinated is their political views. In this study, a path model is developed and tested to explore the impacts of political views on vaccination rates and COVID-19 cases and deaths per 100,000 residents in U.S. counties. The data strongly supported the model. In counties with a high percentage of Republican voters, vaccination rates were significantly lower and COVID-19 cases and deaths per 100,000 residents were much higher. Moving forward, it is critical to find ways to overcome political division and rebuild trust in science and health professionals.

Why Does Vascular Access Dysfunction Occur despite Brachial Artery Blood Flow Being Higher than Preset Blood Flow?

Background: In recent years, many reports have investigated the usefulness of brachial artery blood flow (BAF) measured by ultrasonography as an evaluation index for the vascular access (VA) stenosis of hemodialysis patients. However, the mechanism of VA dysfunction, despite BAF being higher than the preset blood flow, has not been clarified to date. Methods: The relationship between actual blood-removal flow and recirculation rate with decreasing VA flow was examined using a VA flow path model and pure water as a model fluid. The blood-flow rate was set at 180 mL/min, and the set VA flow rate was lowered stepwise from 350 to 50 mL/min. VA flow rate, blood-removal flow rate, and flow waveform measured between two needle-puncture sites were recorded, and then the actual blood-removal flow rate and recirculation rate were calculated. Results: Recirculation was observed at a VA flow rate < 300 mL/min. The recirculation was due to the VA flow rate, which was transiently reduced to the level below the blood-removal flow rate, resulting in backflow. In contrast, no decrease in the actual blood-removal flow rate was observed. Conclusion: It is suggested that the mechanism of the VA dysfunction, despite the BAF being higher than the preset blood-flow rate, was due to the diastolic BAF being lower than the blood-removal flow rate.

Social Support and a Sense of Purpose: The Role of Personal Growth Initiative and Academic Self-Efficacy

Objective: Studies have consistently found a positive relationship between social support and a sense of purpose; however, less is known about the underlying mechanisms of this relationship. The present study bridges this gap by proposing and testing a path model illustrating the mediating effects of personal growth initiative and academic self-efficacy on the linkage between social support and a sense of purpose.Method: A total of 2,085 Chinese college students completed the revised versions of the Social Support, Personal Growth Initiative, Academic Self-Efficacy, and Sense of Purpose Scales.Results: The results show that social support, personal growth initiative, and academic self-efficacy were all significantly associated with a sense of purpose. As predicted, personal growth initiative and academic self-efficacy mediated the relationship between social support and a sense of purpose, respectively. The results also support the hypothesized serial mediating effect.Conclusion: Individuals who feel more social support have a higher level of personal growth initiative, their academic self-efficacy is stronger, and their academic self-efficacy further enhances their sense of purpose. Additionally, comparisons among the three indirect effects indicated that the effect of personal growth initiative was significantly greater than those of the other two measures. Thus, it can be concluded that personal initiative plays a greater role in enhancing a sense of purpose. These findings not only help to understand how social support enhances the sense of purpose, but also provide insight into the underlying mechanism.

Effects of Urbanization Intensity on Glomalin-Related Soil Protein in Nanchang, China: Influencing Factors and Implications for Greenspace Soil Improvement

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a stable and persistent glycoprotein secreted by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi that plays important roles in sequestering soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil quality improvement. Rapid urbanization has led to serious greenspace soil disturbances, resulting in soil degradation. However, few researches have examined the effects of urbanization on GRSP and its influencing factors. In this study, impervious surface area (ISA) was selected as an indicator of urbanization intensity. A total of 184 soil samples were collected from the 0-20 cm soil layer in the Nanchang greenspace, China (505 km2). The GRSP content, soil properties, urban forest characteristics, and land-use configuration were determined and investigated. The results showed that total GRSP (TG) and easily extractable GRSP (EEG) averages were 2.38 and 0.57 mg·g-1, respectively. TG and EEG decreased by 16.22 % and 19.68 %, respectively, from low to heavy urbanization areas. Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between SOC and GRSP/SOC. SOC decreased from 39.9 to 1.4 mg·g-1, while EEG/SOC and TG/SOC increased by about 17 % and 34 %, respectively, indicating the important contribution of GRSP to the SOC pool. Pearson and redundancy analysis showed that GRSP was positively correlated with soil SOC, P, N, vegetation richness, and tree height but negatively correlated with pH, bulk density, and impervious area. The partial least squares path model (PLS-PM) further showed that urbanization affected soil properties, forest characteristics, and land use factors leading to GRSP changes. This study revealed the effects and key influencing factors of urbanization on GRSP. In the future, urban greenspace soil improvement can be considered from the new perspective of enhancing GRSP soil content.

A Structural Equation Modeling Approach to Disentangling Regional-Scale Landscape Dynamics in Ghana

Land cover (LC) change is an integrative indicator of changes in ecosystems due to anthropogenic or natural forcings. There is a significant interest in the investigation of spatio-temporal patterns of LC transitions, and the causes and consequences thereof. While the advent of satellite remote sensing techniques have enhanced our ability to track and measure LC changes across the globe, significant gaps remain in disentangling specific factors that influence, or in certain cases, are influenced by, LC change. This study aims to investigate the relative influence of regional-scale bioclimatology and local-scale anthropogenic factors in driving LC and environmental change in Ghana. This analysis builds upon previous research in the region that has highlighted multiple drivers of LC change in the region, especially via drivers such as deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion. It used regional-scale remotely sensed, demographic, and environmental data for Ghana across 20 years and developed path models on causal factors influencing LC transitions in Ghana. A two-step process is utilized wherein causal linkages from an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) are constrained with literature-based theoretical constructs to implement a regional-scale partial least squares path model (PLSPM). The PLSPM reveals complex interrelationships among drivers of LC change that vary across the geography of Ghana. The model suggests strong effects of local urban expansion on deforestation and vegetation losses in urban and peri-urban areas. Losses of vegetation are in turn related to increases in local heating patterns indicative of urban heat island effects. Direct effects of heat islands are however masked by strong latitudinal gradients in climatological factors. The models confirm that decreases in vegetation cover results in increased land surface albedo that is indirectly related to urban and population expansion. These empirically-estimated causal linkages provide insights into complex spatio-temporal variations in potential drivers of LC change. We expect these models and spatial data products to form the basis for detailed investigations into the mechanistic underpinnings of land cover dynamics across Ghana. These analyses are aimed at building a template for methods that can be utilized to holistically design spatially-disaggregated strategies for sustainable development across Ghana.

Testing the Effectiveness of the Health Belief Model in Predicting Preventive Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Romania and Italy

We use a cultural psychology approach to examine the relevance of the Health Belief Model (HBM) for predicting a variety of behaviors that had been recommended by health officials during the initial stages of the COVID-19 lockdown for containing the spread of the virus and not overburdening the health system in Europe. Our study is grounded in the assumption that health behavior is activated based on locally relevant perceptions of threats, susceptibility and benefits in engaging in protective behavior, which requires careful attention to how these perceptions might be structured and activated. We assess the validity of the HBM in two European countries that have been relatively understudied, using simultaneous measurements during acute periods of infection in Romania and Italy. An online questionnaire provided a total of (N = 1863) valid answers from both countries. First, to understand individual difference patterns within and across populations, we fit a General Linear Model in which endorsement was predicted by behavior, country, their interaction, and a random effect for participants. Second, we assess the effect of demographics and health beliefs on prevention behaviors by fitting a multi-group path model across countries, in which each behavior was predicted by the observed health belief variables and demographics. Health beliefs showed stronger relationships with the recommended behaviors than demographics. Confirming previously reported relationships, self-efficacy, perceived severity, and perceived benefits were consistently related to the greater adoption of individual behaviors, whereas greater perceived barriers were related to lower adoption of health behaviors. However, we also point to important location specific effects that suggest that local norms shape protective behavior in highly contextualized ways.

A diesel engine air path model with a WG and an ETV for exhaust temperature controller design and embedded control

In this paper a mean value model of a turbocharged diesel engine air path with an electric wastegate (WG) and an exhaust throttle valve (ETV) is presented. The model is designed with regard to system analysis, controller design, and real-time feasibility. That means, care is taken to ensure that the model contains the relevant dynamics on the one hand and that the requirements for computing power and memory (RAM) are kept as low as possible on the other hand. New approaches for modeling the ETV and the exhaust gas temperature are presented. The latter is formulated via an artificial neural network (ANN) computed outside the model. The ANN is integrated into the model in such a way that the differentiation of the model still provides meaningful results for controller design. Thus, this model may also be used for online computation of nonlinear model predictive controllers (MPC) or nonlinear state observers. The parameters of the model are determined using GT-Power simulation data covering the entire working range of the engine. Only measured variables that are also accessible on the engine test bench are used. All optimization problems to be solved within the parameter determination are presented. It is analyzed which sensors are suitable to support the model in an implementation on an electronic control unit (ECU), and the effect without and with sensor correction is shown in a dynamic test bench measurement. Furthermore, the properties of the generated C code are presented, which are the number of mathematical operations, the runtimes, and the stack size. An evaluation of the real time capability is given based on eigenvalue analyses and the properties of the C code .

Mental health stigma and help-seeking intentions in police employees

Mental health problems among police employees are exacerbated by negative attitudes and beliefs around mental health help-seeking perpetuated by police culture. We collected anonymous survey data from 259 civilian and commissioned police employees to test hypothesized relationships among help-seeking stigma, help-seeking attitudes, and intended help-seeking behavior. Results demonstrated that mental help-seeking stigma was negatively associated with help-seeking attitudes, and in turn with reduced mental health help-seeking intentions. Structural equation modeling provided support for a model linking help-seeking stigma, help-seeking attitudes, and intentions to seek help. This path model was moderated by psychological distress and previous participation in mindfulness training, which had opposing effects on help-seeking stigma and (indirectly) on intended help-seeking. These results support the hypothesis that stigma around mental health help-seeking contributes to reduced help-seeking intentions, and provide insight into policies, practices, and interventions that police agencies may enact to combat stigma and positively influence mental health help-seeking.

A Path Model of Innovative Customer Orientation and Company Performance with the Moderating Influence of Company Training

This study used a sample of salespeople at various companies to substantiate a path model of innovativeness, customer orientation, and performance; thus, it offers a multi-disciplinary framework. Results indicated a moderating influence of company training programs on the relationship between customer orientation and performance, which can have several implications for human resource managers and sales contact employees. Two features, testing the influence of training activities and measuring customer orientation from the employees' perceptions, distinguish this study from previous studies.