Control systems and interorganizational identification in technology parks cooperation

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the design of management control systems (MCSs) on interorganizational cooperation and the moderating role of companies’ identification with their technology park. The conditions that promote the emergence of interorganizational cooperation are indicated in the literature as an important research gap, as well as the little evidence about how MCS design influences cooperation, especially in relationships based on innovation. MCSs in interorganizational partnerships have been shown to be relevant for the coordination and maintenance of the relationship, and this study reveals that MCSs promotes cooperative behaviors among the companies associated with the technology parks. The interorganizational identification of the companies with their park was moderately present, thus prompting the inclusion of social and relational aspects in interorganizational studies, which remain scarcely explored in the literature. The MCSs of the parks are focused on stimulating the companies’ cooperation, which is one purpose of this partnership. By not confirming the moderating effect of identification, it was verified that this construct drives cooperation in a way that is dissociated from the MCSs. A survey was conducted in organizations associated with Porto Digital and with the São José dos Campos Technology Park, and it had the participation of 187 managers. To analyze the data the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique was applied and the differences between the two parks were further analyzed. The MCSs design and interorganizational identification act as antecedents of the companies’ cooperation with their technology park. On the other hand, the direct and positive effect of the MCS design on cooperation is not moderated by how much these companies identify with the interorganizational relationship established. The paper contributes by identifying ways of fostering cooperation, one of the purposes of interorganizational agreements, as well as by providing evidence in a context that is scarcely addressed in the literature.

Empirical Study on the Influencing Factors of WeChat Business Integrity

With the increasing popularity of the smart phones and electronic payment, WeChat shopping has become a trendy lifestyle for many people. However, the issue of WeChat business integrity has gradually appeared due to the virtuality of the Internet. This paper analyzed the development of WeChat business and its business integrity. The influencing factors of WeChat business integrity and related hypotheses had been studied based on theoretical and practical analysis. The reliability and validity of the data collected through questionnaires were tested with SPSS24.0. Empirical analysis was done to the hypotheses by using the structural equation model. The results indicated that products and service quality, after-sale guarantee, payment security and Word-of-mouth had a prominent positive effect on the integrity of WeChat business.

Empirical Study on the Influencing Factors of WeChat Business Integrity

With the increasing popularity of the smart phones and electronic payment, WeChat shopping has become a trendy lifestyle for many people. However, the issue of WeChat business integrity has gradually appeared due to the virtuality of the Internet. This paper analyzed the development of WeChat business and its business integrity. The influencing factors of WeChat business integrity and related hypotheses had been studied based on theoretical and practical analysis. The reliability and validity of the data collected through questionnaires were tested with SPSS24.0. Empirical analysis was done to the hypotheses by using the structural equation model. The results indicated that products and service quality, after-sale guarantee, payment security and Word-of-mouth had a prominent positive effect on the integrity of WeChat business.

Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) Transplantation Can Repair Rat Femoral Head Necrosis and Inhibit the Expression of Omgp

To study the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on femoral head necrosis and whether it can inhibit the growth of OMgP. 15 healthy rats were divided into ZZ group (normal group), GT group (femoral head necrosis) and MM group (BMSCs transplantation). At 1 h, 3 h, 1 d, and 3 d, the expression of OMgP in GT group were higher than ZZ group (P <0.05) and MM group, indicating that BMSCs transplantation can decreased OMgP expression. At 1 d, 7 d, and 14 d, BBB scores of the GT group were lower than ZZ group (P < 0.05) and MM group (P < 0.05), indicating that BMSCs transplantation can improve spinal cord injury behavior. The cells in ZZ group were well stained and morphologically intact, the femoral head was not damaged, and the articular surface was smooth, GT group had cartilage necrosis with disordered inferior epiphysis, and the femoral head of the MM group had less damage and increased osteoblasts. The blood vessel counts in necrotic area in GT group were higher than ZZ group and MM group with decreased new bone area in repair area compared to ZZ and MM group (P <0.05), indicating that the area of femoral head necrosis after BMSCs transplantation was improved. The levels of ALP and BGP in GT group were lower than ZZ group (P <0.05) and MM group (P <0.05). Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can effectively repair new bone area, up-regulate ALP and BGP, and have a positive effect on femoral head necrosis, possibly by inhibiting OMGP activity.

Intention to adopt cryptocurrency: a robust contribution of trust and the theory of planned behavior

PurposeAt present, the adoption of cryptocurrency investment has brought consideration to the globe. The present paper attempts to investigate the intention to adopt cryptocurrency (IACR) among the potential investors of Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThe theory of planned behavior (TPB) is applied to underpin the conceptual framework. The study uses a quantitative approach. The study collects cross-sectional data through an online survey questionnaire. In the last, the authors utilized 334 samples for outcomes.FindingsFindings of the SEM reveal a significant positive effect of attitude, subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavioral control (PBC) and trust on IACR.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of an investigation would develop further intention and trust towards cryptocurrency adoption. The results would support developing favorable policies regarding the reduction of the ban on cryptocurrency in Pakistan to make easier transactions of the investors further. Possibly, it brings several opportunities in all segments of society in making the digital transaction modes through cryptocurrency. Finally, the findings would further validate the TPB in the context of cryptocurrency.Originality/valueThe study provides a better understanding of cryptocurrency and investors IACR. The empirical evidence further develops the other individuals' intentions towards cryptocurrency usage.

Can a video game with a fictional minority group decrease intergroup biases towards non-fictional minorities? A social neuroscience study.

A critical scientific and societal challenge consists in developing and evaluating interventions that reduce prejudice towards outgroups. Video games appear to be a promising method but a number of falls in the current scientific literature prevents to fully understand the potential sizeable impact of video games on reducing prejudice. The present study investigated to what extent a video game designed to reduce prejudice towards minorities in a fictional society has the potential to reduce prejudice towards non-fictional minorities. Participants played either a recently developed game (Horns of Justice, HoJ) designed to reduce prejudice towards non-fictional minorities or a control game. After playing at home, participants performed two tasks in a lab context. We observed an overall positive effect of playing HoJ compared to the control game on attenuating prejudice towards an outgroup individual. We indeed observed that players of the control game had more midfrontal theta activity, reflecting more cognitive conflict, when they acted prosociality towards the outgroup participant and a lower neural response to the pain of the outgroup participant compared to the ingroup participant. These effects were attenuated for players of HoJ. We also observed that players of HoJ had a higher sense of agency when they decided to help the outgroup participant compared to when they did not help the outgroup participant, an effect not observable in players of the control game. These results are promising as they support evidence that using fictional characters in video game may induce positive changes on non-fictional individuals.

The Effect of Various Types of Basic Therapy on Laboratory and Immunological Parameters in Ankylosing Spondylitis

In this work examined the effect of various types of basic therapy on laboratory, including immunological parameters in ankylosing spondylitis. The influence of basic treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis with sulfasalazine, methotrexate and rituximab on laboratory indicators of the disease such as ESR, CRP, fibrinogen and immunological indicators such as IgM, IgG and IgA was evaluated. It has been established that all three basic drugs (sulfasalazine, methotrexate and rituximab) in ankylosing spondylitis have a positive effect on the dynamics of laboratory and immunological parameters. But at the same time, rituximab has a more pronounced and earlier effect.

Evaluation of metal nano-particles as growth promoters and fungi inhibitors for cereal crops

Background Nano-particles of metals can be routinely synthesized. The cereal seeds treatment with the particles can improve early growth and crop production. Moreover, the treatment is robust and economical. Methods Metal (Fe0, Cu0, Co0), zinc oxide (ZnO) and chitosan-stabilized silver nano-particles were synthesized and applied to cereal seeds. The germination rate, early plant development and inhibition effects on pathogenic fungi were quantified. Results It was found that all nano-particles had a positive effect on the development of healthy cereal seedlings. In particular, the length of the above-ground part of the seedlings was increased by 8–22%. The highest inhibition effect was observed on Helminthosporium teres with the application of Co0 and chitosan-Ag. Pre-sowing treatment with metal nano-particles reduced the number of infected grains by two times for wheat and 3.6 times for barley. The application also increases the chlorophylls and carotenoids in both uninfected and infected seedlings. Conclusions The results demonstrated a robust application of nano-particles in improving cereal production. Graphical Abstract

Factors Affecting the Income of Palm Sugar SMEs in Kaidipang District, North Bolaang Mongondow Regency

This study aims to determine the factors that influence the income of palm sugar SMEs in Kaidipang District, North Bolaang Mongondow Regency. This type of research is survey research. Survey research is research that takes a sample from one population and uses a questionnaire as the main data collection tool. The types of data used in this research are primary data and secondary data. primary data is data obtained directly from the first source of the field in the form of data obtained through interviews. The results of the study show that capital has a positive but not significant effect on the income of SMEs. Capital has a positive effect on the income of SMEs. The number of workers has a positive and significant effect on the income of SMEs in North Bolaang Mongondow district. Raw materials have a positive but not significant effect on MSME income. The level of education has a negative effect on the income of palm sugar SMEs. Technology has a positive but not significant effect on the income of palm sugar SMEs. MSME Income = 4.739 + 0.065 Capital + 0.298 Total Labor + 0.132 Raw Materials - 0.079 Education Level + 0.162 Technology + e

The cardiovascular benefits of GLP1-RA are directly related to their positive effect on glycaemic control: A meta-regression analysis

Review question / Objective: P (patient population) = Type 2 diabetes patients with high CV risk or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; I (intervention) = Received drugs: GLP1-RA; C (control group) = Compared to a control group that received a placebo; O (outcome) = Outcomes of interest included primary CV outcomes (MACE, CV death, MI, and Stroke). Condition being studied: To explore whether the heterogeneity associated with the primary outcomes benefits can be attributed to the metabolic improvements associated with GLP1-RA. The plan is to use HBA1c, weight, and SBP reduction as moderators attempting to explain any variance between the true and observed effect size.