scholarly journals The Inter-Relationship between Innovation Capability and SME Performance: The Moderating Role of the External Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9132
Author(s):  
Qinghua Fu ◽  
Muhammad Safdar Sial ◽  
Muhammad Zulqarnain Arshad ◽  
Ubaldo Comite ◽  
Phung Anh Thu ◽  
...  

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial part in a country’s economic growth and sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between innovation and the performance of SMEs. An external environmental factor acts as a moderating variable between the exogenous and endogenous variables. Data were collected from 350 textile SMEs operating in Pakistan using a cross-sectional study design through self-administered questionnaires. Of these, only 335 surveys were valid for further analysis. The structural equational modeling technique was used for analyzing the data and testing the hypotheses that innovation and the external environment affect an SME’s performance. The results indicate a significant association between innovation and SME performance, and the external environment has a moderating impact on innovation and SME performance. This paper offers valuable recommendations to senior managers and owners of SMEs to consider the innovation and external environment as crucial factors when assessing their SME’s performance. This study contributes towards the body of knowledge on this subject and can help practitioners and researchers explore the effects of innovation and the external environment on the performance of SMEs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-217
Author(s):  
Wiktor Razmus ◽  
Beata Zarzycka

Past research links a decrease in religiosity with the development of marketing and, in particular, with the growing role of brands in consumers’ lives. Building on James's (1920) theory of the self, we propose that focusing on brands as a strategy for self-expression (brand engagement in self-concept; BESC) does not exclude religious commitment and may even be related with higher levels of religious commitment. We also suggest that this relationship is moderated by grandiose narcissism. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 306 individuals in a cross-sectional study. The findings provide evidence that BESC is positively related to religious commitment and the higher an individual’s narcissism is, the stronger the positive relationship between BESC and religious commitment. These findings suggest that using brands as a strategy for self-expression is not a substitute for religious commitment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fifi Khoirul Fitriyah ◽  
Nur Hidayah ◽  
Muslihati Muslihati ◽  
Im Hambali ◽  
Mursyidul Ibad

Although many studies have examined the relationship between spirituality and empathy, very few studies have focused on demographic and spiritual dimensions in influencing empathy for pre-service teachers. This study analyzes the effect of gender, age, and years of formal education on spirituality and empathy and analyzes the influence of the spiritual dimensions on empathy. This research is a cross-sectional study, with 319 Muslim pre-service teachers as respondents. The data collection technique used an online questionnaire adapted from the Spirituality Assessment Scale (SAS) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The results show that age affects spirituality, while empathy is influenced by age and gender. One unanticipated finding was that years of formal education had no effect on either spirituality or empathy. The most important finding of this study is the higher the level of innerness, the more likely it is to have high empathy. This study's findings are useful as an assessment material and creating counseling designs to increase empathy for pre-service teachers. This is a part of forming the ideal profile of counselors in schools later. Integrating Islamic values ​​is also an essential alternative in counseling for Muslims.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 721-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Ehlke ◽  
Michelle L. Kelley

This cross-sectional study examined whether depressive symptoms strengthened the relationship between different forms of sexual coercion victimization and drinking to cope motivations, which was hypothesized to influence alcohol use. Participants were 214 female undergraduates who completed an online survey. Participants who experienced any lifetime sexual coercion and reported higher depressive symptoms were the most likely to report drinking to cope motivations, which in turn were associated with alcohol use. Depressive symptoms did not strengthen the relationship between specific forms of sexual coercion, drinking to cope, and alcohol use. Increasing emotion regulation strategies among sexual coercion victims may reduce drinking.


2021 ◽  
pp. 2150019
Author(s):  
Andriana Koufogianni ◽  
Asimakis K. Kanellopoulos ◽  
Konstantinos Vassis ◽  
Ioannis A. Poulis

Design: Cross-sectional study. Background: Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions in our society. A growing number of studies suggest the existence of central sensitization (CS) in a subgroup of osteoarthritic patients. One of the criteria included for the classification of CS pain is the expanded distribution of pain. As this criterion is a well-recognized sign of CS, a digital pain drawing (DPD) analysis would be useful to easily identify possible extended areas of pain distribution (PD) in patients with OA. Objective: To study the relationship between the percentage of distribution of pain in the lower limb for both knee and hip, in patients before hip or knee arthroplasty, and the Central Sensitization Inventory Questionnaire. Methods: Twenty women (mean [Formula: see text] years) with diagnosed chronic (over 3 months) knee ([Formula: see text]) and hip ([Formula: see text]) OA participated in the study, with intensity of pain from mild to severe, meaning pain [Formula: see text]/10 using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The PD was analyzed via software created for this research, called “Pain Distribution Application”. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation between CSI and PD to the lower extremity OA (hip and knee) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) was found. The distribution of pain has a linear correlation with the results in CSI, of patients who tested positive for CS, i.e. with a score of [Formula: see text]. Conclusions: As the distribution of pain on the surface of the body (diffusion) increases, so does the score of people who test positive for CSI. Our results showed that calculating the distribution of pain with our application may have a utility as a CS screening tool. The PD threshold of 10% of the body area is an index for CS for chronic pain lower limb OA patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (04) ◽  
pp. 204-207
Author(s):  
Shreyansh Talera ◽  
Saurabh Singhal ◽  
Nishant Wadhera ◽  
Mayank Arora ◽  
Ravi Pratap

BACKGROUND WHO has declared Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as a pandemic. Covid-19 leads to sickness and death. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most common circulating protein in the body having oncotic as well as non-oncotic properties. The role of albumin in death among Covid-19 subjects, especially in this part of the country has not been frequently reported. The aim of the study was to analyse the role of serum albumin level as prognostic marker for Covid-19 positive patients. METHODS The present study was conducted in the department of Medicine at Chhatrapati Shivaji Subharti Hospital, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, UP. The study comprised of 100 subjects who were Covid positive from May 2020 to July 2020. A detailed explanation was given to all the participating respondents regarding the study and their contribution to it. Covid-19 was diagnosed on the basis of the WHO interim guidelines. A questionnaire was prepared to collect the patients’ demographic profile. Patients date of admission and discharge was recorded along with the outcome i.e., whether patient expired or survived. Patients’ diagnosis was identified along with the comorbidity (if present). Laboratory investigations comprised of CBC and serum albumin detection. Data so collected was tabulated in an excel sheet, under the guidance of statistician. Collected data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 24 and the tests used were t test and Fisher’s exact test and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS The study comprised of 100 subjects, out of which 45 were males and 55 were females. The overall mean age of the study subjects was 37.52 years. In our study, mortality was 35.29 %, 9.33 % and 85.7 % of the subjects having Covid-19+ type 2 diabetes (T2DM), only Covid-19 and Covid-19+ hypertension respectively with statistically significant difference as p < 0.05. Albumin level was significantly lower in expired patients (2.99) as compared to survivors (3.85) as p < 0.05. Hospital stay was also higher in expired patients. CONCLUSIONS Covid-19 patients had low serum albumin levels and that might play a role in the survival of patient. KEYWORDS Covid-19, Mortality, Albumin


Author(s):  
Chipo Mukonza ◽  
Ilze Swarts

This chapter examines the role of green transformational leadership on promoting green organizational behavior. Green transformational leadership has been found to be influencing green organizational behavior. The study uses content analysis and website analysis. Nedbank is used in the chapter as an archetype of an organization with a green transformational leadership which has influenced green organizational behavior. Four characteristics of green transformational leadership namely idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration were used. The leadership engages its customer and rewards them for green behavior which is important for intellectual stimulation and motivating their employees. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on green transformational behavior by confirming the relationship. The chapter recommends that more trainings and educational awareness on green values be provided to the management so that ultimately this are emulated and practiced by their employees.


Author(s):  
Alessandra Costanza ◽  
Marc Baertschi ◽  
Hélène Richard-Lepouriel ◽  
Kerstin Weber ◽  
Isabella Berardelli ◽  
...  

Emergency departments (EDs) play an increasingly crucial role in the management of patients with suicidal behavior (SB). Demoralization has been associated with SB in various populations and conditions, but little is known about the effect of this construct in SB patients who attend an ED. Therefore, a more inclusive SB assessment which considers the demoralization construct could be useful in clinical practice. The main aim of this study was to assess the presence and severity of demoralization in patients visiting EDs for SB. Secondly, the maintenance of the relationship between demoralization and SB after controlling for depression and the proportion of variance which accounted for hopelessness was investigated. A cross-sectional study of patients (N = 199) visiting an ED for SB was performed, which examined the role of demoralization, hopelessness, and depression on suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SAs). Demoralization was strongly and positively correlated with SI. Demoralization was related to major depressive episodes, but it was confirmed to be a different and, probably, more sensitive construct for SB, validating its specificity in relation to depression. Hopelessness accounted for a small portion of the variance in SI, compared to demoralization. Formal support for the association of demoralization with SI was provided. Demoralization can improve SB assessment in EDs, particularly among patients whose suicide risk can be unnoticed. Furthermore, demoralization represents a clinically useful concept to increase comprehension of the suffering of the suicidal patient and a possible target for psychotherapeutic interventions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 3486-3489
Author(s):  
Gina Botnariu ◽  
Alina Popa ◽  
Geta Mitrea ◽  
Marius Manole ◽  
Mariana Pacurar ◽  
...  

Diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction is considered a long-term complication of diabetes. In this cross-sectional study was studied the relationship between cognitive dysfunction (assessed by using two standardized questionnaires), lipid profile parameters and fatty free acids intake, in outpatients, hospitalized for their periodical control. The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score were related to the body mass index (BMI), high density cholesterol (HDLc), glycated hemoglobin (Hb A1c) and intake of choline and eicosapentaenoic acid (all Ps [ .05, excepting the relationship between MMSE and HDLc). The implications of FFA intake in dementia development, in type 2 diabetics, is important for disease management and prevention.


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