scholarly journals Grazing Reduces the Soil-Atmosphere Exchange of Greenhouse Gases During Freeze-Thaw Cycles in Meadow Steppes in Inner Mongolia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangfang Wang ◽  
Yongzhe Chen ◽  
Ting Li ◽  
Cong Wang ◽  
Dongbo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Inner Mongolia ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Freeze Thaw ◽  
Soil Atmosphere ◽  
Ghg Fluxes

Both livestock grazing and soil freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) can affect the soil-atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in grasslands. However, the combined effects of grazing and FTCs on GHG fluxes in meadow steppe soils remain unclear. In this study, we collected soils from paired grazing and enclosed sites and conducted an incubation experiment to investigate the effect of grazing on soil GHG fluxes in the meadow steppes of Inner Mongolia during three FTCs. Our results showed that FTCs substantially stimulated the emissions of soil N2O and CO2 and the uptake of CH4 in the meadow steppes. However, compared with enclosure treatments, grazing significantly reduced the cumulative N2O, CO2 and CH4 fluxes by 13.3, 14.6, and 26.8%, respectively, during the entire FTCs experiment. The soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), NH4+-N and NO3–-N, significantly increased after three FTCs and showed close correlations with N2O and CO2 emissions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that the increase in NO3–-N induced by FTCs dominated the variance in N2O emissions and that DOC strongly affected CO2 emissions during thawing periods. However, long-term grazing reduced soil substrate availability and microbial activity and increased soil bulk density, which in turn decreased the cumulative GHG fluxes during FTCs. In addition, the interaction between grazing and FTCs significantly affected CO2 and CH4 fluxes but not N2O fluxes. Our results indicated that livestock grazing had an important effect on soil GHG fluxes during FTCs. The combined effect of grazing and FTCs should be taken into account in future estimations of GHG budgets in both modeling and experimental studies.

An examination of innovative consumers’ playfulness on their pre-ordering behavior

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung-Ah Byun ◽  
Mayukh Dass ◽  
Piyush Kumar ◽  
Junghwan Kim
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Measurement Scales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Cues ◽  
Early Adoption ◽  
Congruity Theory

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of playfulness on innovative consumers’ pre-order behavior for new products. Design/methodology/approach Drawing upon self-congruity theory and early adoption literature, the effects of playfulness and innovativeness on pre-order behavior and the role of self-congruity are tested using four experimental studies that are analyzed using generalized linear model (GLM) and structural equation modeling. Findings Results indicate that playfulness amplifies the advance-purchasing propensity, especially when the pre-launch information cues come from a credible source. Originality/value This paper refines playfulness measurement scales and proposes how both enjoyment- and creativity-based playfulness amplify the purchase intention among innovative consumers. The results assist product managers in developing advanced marketing plans before a new product is launched.

Workplace spirituality: empirical evidence revisited

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 789-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anselmo Ferreira Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Workplace Spirituality ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the current outcomes of the empirical research on workplace spirituality (WS) theory, that is, it provides an updated review about the knowledge of this managerial domain, as well as its limitations, problems and opportunities.Design/methodology/approachThis study has searched for empirical articles of WS in the websites of relevant scientific publications such as Emerald, Sage, Taylor & Francis, as well as Google Academic, ProQuest and EBSCO. It has analyzed 882 published works, including books and book chapters. Overall, it has gathered 78 useful empirical studies.FindingsAlthough WS theory is strongly linked to management studies, the research output has been published by a set of outlets from different domains. As a consequence, WS has made inroads through an interdisciplinary view. Findings indicated that quantitative method was the most preferred alternative by WS researchers, whereas qualitative and mixed-methods were less used. Data revealed the shortage of experimental studies in this area. As expected, the USA has been the most studied country in terms of the WS theory. Factor analysis is the most commonly utilized statistical technique followed by regression analysis. Data also suggested that Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling continue to be valuable statistic techniques for researchers in this area of knowledge. At last, the content analysis has identified five themes: positive effects, experiences/perceptions, uncertainties, measures and outcomes.Originality/valueUnlike previous work, this study focuses exclusively on research output over a 16-year period (2000-2015). In doing so, it contributes to theory development by addressing the preferences of research designs, data collection methods, statistical techniques, countries surveyed, top journals of this field and major themes of research.

Authenticity, rapport and interactional justice in frontline service: the moderating role of need for uniqueness

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina K. Lindsey-Hall ◽  
Susana Jaramillo ◽  
Thomas L. Baker ◽  
Julian M. Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Interactional Justice ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Need For Uniqueness ◽  
Conditional Effects ◽  
Service Outcomes ◽  
Related Service

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how perceptions of employee authenticity and customer–employee rapport influence customers’ interactional justice assessments and related service evaluations, and how customers’ need for uniqueness impacts these relationships. Design/methodology/approach A multi-method, three-study design is used to test the research model. Specifically, structural equation modeling provides tests of the main hypotheses, and two supplemental experimental studies tease out conditional effects providing insightful managerial contributions. Findings Results indicate that customers’ perceptions of employee authenticity affect customers’ interactional justice evaluations, particularly when customers identify high levels of customer–employee rapport. Additionally, the aforementioned relationships are contingent upon customers’ need for uniqueness, such that customers with higher levels of need for uniqueness experience lower levels of customer–employee rapport and, consequently, provide poorer interactional justice assessments. Finally, conditional effects are found given the type of provider and frequency of visit. Originality/value This research extends prior efforts to understand how customer–employee dynamics influence customers’ service encounter evaluations. In particular, it furthers understanding of authentic FLE–customer encounters, explores drivers of interactional justice and explicates how consumers’ varying levels of need for uniqueness have differential effects on service outcomes.

Sleep Mediates Age-Related Executive Function for Older Adults with Limited Cognitive Reserve

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Denise Parker ◽  
Romola S. Bucks ◽  
Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith ◽  
Erica Hodgson ◽  
Lara Fine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sleep Quantity ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: Sleep quantity and quality are associated with executive function (EF) in experimental studies, and in individuals with sleep disorders. With advancing age, sleep quantity and quality decline, as does the ability to perform EF tasks, suggesting that sleep disruption may contribute to age-related EF declines. This cross-sectional cohort study tested the hypothesis that poorer sleep quality (i.e., the frequency and duration of awakenings) and/or quantity may partly account for age-related EF deficits. Method: Community-dwelling older adults (N = 184) completed actigraphic sleep monitoring then a range of EF tasks. Two EF factors were extracted using exploratory structural equation modeling. Sleep variables did not mediate the relationship between age and EF factors. Post hoc moderated mediation analyses were conducted to test whether cognitive reserve compensates for sleep-related EF deficits, using years of education as a proxy measure of cognitive reserve. Results: We found a significant interaction between cognitive reserve and the number and frequency of awakenings, explaining a small (approximately 3%), but significant amount of variance in EF. Specifically, in individuals with fewer than 11 years of education, greater sleep disturbance was associated with poorer EF, but sleep did not impact EF in those with more education. There was no association between age and sleep quantity. Conclusions: This study highlights the role of cognitive reserve in the sleep–EF relationship, suggesting individuals with greater cognitive reserve may be able to counter the impact of disturbed sleep on EF. Therefore, improving sleep may confer some protection against EF deficits in vulnerable older adults.

How to develop brand attachment in various product categories?

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1198-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitra Shabani Nashtaee ◽  
Kambiz Heidarzadeh Hanzaei ◽  
Yazdan Mansourian
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Sales Promotion ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Construal Level ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Brand Attachment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Argument Strength

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the best interactions between sales promotion and advertisement plans as the resources of the brand attachment and its consequences in durable and fast-moving consumer goods. Design/methodology/approach The mixed methods research in the form of qualitative approach, using a phenomenological method and quantitative approach, using three experimental studies of factorial design types and a structural equation modeling method, have been used in this research. Findings The fit of plans to achieve the brand attachment is similar in both product categories. The financial gift, with the ability of liquidity and variety of shopping, fits with the advertisement messages at a high construal level and high argument strength. However, the financial gift, with the ability of purchase from particular stores, fits with the advertisement messages at the low construal level and high argument strength. Moreover, in both product categories, the brand attachment leads to the emotional and cognitive consequences. Originality/value This research provides experimental support with actual experiences to create a fit in marketing communication plans in order to achieve a lasting and strong relationship. Therefore, this paper offers a valuable insight relating to financial gifts and advertisement messages and their effects on consumers’ behavior. It can also be used by other managers and researchers to assess their communication options.

scholarly journals Different Household Livelihood Strategies and Influencing Factors in the Inner Mongolian Grassland

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Liu ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Qingfu Liu ◽  
Yongzhi Yan ◽  
Wanxin Hei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Inner Mongolia ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Livelihood Strategies ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Household Livelihood ◽  
Small Livestock

Household livelihood strategies affect grassland ecosystem services and the herder’s well-being. Understanding different household livelihood strategies and influencing factors is crucial for sustainable development in pastoral areas. We surveyed 241 households in the typical grassland region of Inner Mongolia to classify the different types of household livelihood strategies using income-based cluster analysis and to identify the major influencing factors of household livelihood strategies with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Our study has several findings. First, according to household income sources, there are five types of household livelihood strategies in this region, including breeding only small livestock (S), breeding mainly small livestock (SL), breeding mainly large livestock (LS), breeding only large livestock (L), and not breeding livestock (N), with the S strategy as the most dominant household livelihood strategy in this region. Second, among the five types of household livelihood strategies, the LS strategy had the highest household income (323,200 Chinese yuans) while the N strategy had the lowest household income (68,540 Chinese yuans). Third, among the five types of livelihood capitals, manufactured capital and natural capital had more substantial influences on household livelihood strategies. Manufactured capital directly influenced household livelihood strategies, while natural capital affected household livelihood strategies either directly or indirectly through manufactured capital. Our results suggest that the LS strategy would be the most economically profitable among the five household livelihood strategies in the typical grassland region of Inner Mongolia.

Examination of the relationships between gender, mathematics achievement and STEM activity preparation skills of prospective teachers with a structural equation model

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 784-790
Author(s):  
Özlem Sümen ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Elementary School Teachers ◽  
Prospective Teachers ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
School Level ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
And Mathematics

This study investigated the relationships between prospective teachers' STEM activity preparation skills (STEMaps), genders, and mathematics achievements (MA). In the research, a total of 89 prospective elementary school teachers participated. Data were collected by STEM Activity Preparation Forms requiring prospective teachers to prepare STEM activities about science experiments at the elementary school level. Relational screening model was used in the research and the relationships between STEMaps, gender and MA were tested using structural equation modeling. The findings indicated that MA has significant effects on STEMaps whereas gender has no significant effects. The path from MA to STEMaps was found to be a medium effect. It was also concluded that MA explains 20.25% of total variance of STEMaps. More longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to better understand the teachers’ and prospective teachers' skills to prepare STEM activities.

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