Research Gaps Research Articles

The impact of leadership on workplace safety climate and employees' well-being with particular focus on transformational leadership.

Objectives. Interest regarding the associated impact of leadership style on employee safety and well-being across organizational settings is on the rise. Transformational leadership forms part of the six leadership constructs with significant research-focused settings. On this premise, this study examines the role played by the transformational leadership style in enhancing a positive safety climate that promotes safety participation and employee well-being in organizations. Method. Data were generated using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). A qualitative literature review of 350 published studies between 2013 and 2023 was performed and 31 studies informed the study outcome. Results. Based on the analysis of each article, the study concluded that transformational leadership does have a positive role in the development of a strategic workplace safety climate and enhancement of employees' psychological well-being and productivity. The study also reveals existing research gaps in this context and provides useful suggestions for future research in both academia and industry. Conclusion. Further research that examines other factors that mediate the relationship between leadership behaviour and employee well-being will assist with understanding of the role of transformational leadership and the promotion of job satisfaction and performance.

Urban Heat and Burden of Hyponatremia.

Hyponatremia (sodium level <135 mEq/L), the most prevalent electrolyte disorder in clinical practice, is associated with considerable clinical and economic burdens. Despite its recognized effect and indication of seasonal patterns, there is a research gap regarding heat-related hyponatremia. Addressing this issue is crucial, especially regarding projected increases in environmental temperature, particularly in urban areas. To comprehensively analyze the association of heat in an urban setting with hyponatremia prevalence. This cross-sectional study using retrospective time series analysis was conducted among all adult patients (age ≥18 years) presenting to the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin between March 1, 2000, and August 31, 2023, with a blood sodium measurement. The daily heat index, which accounts for both outdoor air temperature and relative humidity. The primary outcome measure was the daily number of hyponatremia cases, further categorized by severity. Differences in prevalence across age groups (adult patients, aged 18-65 years; and older patients, aged >65 years) and sexes were also examined. A total of 7 135 688 sodium measurements from 2 028 537 hospital visits were analyzed. The mean (SD) age at admission was 57.8 (17.8) years, and 51.7% of patients were male. A clear seasonal pattern of heat-related hyponatremia was evident among older patients, especially for moderate (sodium level, 125-129 mEq/L) and severe hyponatremia (sodium level, <125 mEq/L), where the cumulative risk over a lag period of 5 days reached a maximum relative risk (RR) of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.07-1.48) when the heat index reached 30 °C, compared with the temperature at which hyponatremia occurred least frequently. Older women were disproportionately more likely to experience hyponatremia compared with older men, with a cumulative RR of 1.10 (95% CI, 1.03-1.18) at a heat index of 26 °C. The highest RR was on lag day 0 for all subgroups (older patients: RR, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.00-1.08]; moderate and severe hyponatremia in older patients: RR, 1.05 [1.01-1.10]; and older women: RR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.01-1.12]) and significantly increased when the heat index exceeded 15 °C (RR, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00-1.02]). This cross-sectional study of patients with sodium measurements suggests that older people, especially women, were vulnerable to heat-related hyponatremia. Environmental heat was associated with an immediate exacerbation of hyponatremia. This finding highlights the importance of implementing prevention strategies to mitigate heat-related hyponatremia, as an increased burden in the future due to climate change is likely.

Gender Social Norms among Internal Migrant Communities in South-West Nigeria

This study delves into the complex relationship between migration, gender social norms, and child marriage within internal migrant communities in Southwest Nigeria. Existing research has demonstrated that the dynamics of child marriage and migration are intricately interwoven and contingent upon specific contextual factors. This relationship is further nuanced by the dual pressures of conflict and forced displacement, which can exert both upward and downward influences on child marriage practices. Drawing from the prevalence of child marriage across multiple boards, specific normative factors were identified, such as a girl's chastity as a means to preserve family honour, a preference for male education and opportunities, the perception of girls as a financial burden leading to early marriage, and the societal view of girls primarily in roles as wives and mothers. These norms constrain girls' participation in decision-making processes and reinforce their subservient roles. The intersecting impact of these social norms on poverty and prolonged insecurity contributes to the perpetuation of child marriage. Insights from studies on legalities surrounding the permissible age for marriage underscore the significant sway of societal norms in determining marriage timing. These insights provide a foundation for the development of interventions and policies promoting gender equality and safeguarding the rights of individuals affected by child marriage. Despite a growing volume of research on child marriage, there remains a research gap within humanitarian contexts, particularly migration. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring the complex interplay between migration, gender, and social norms in shaping child marriage practices, specifically within the Nigerian context.

EXPRESS: Shame or pride? The effect of emotional appeals on overordering intentions in social dining

Food waste is a significant global issue in which the hospitality industry plays an increasingly important role. In behavioral economics, emotions can serve as interventions to promote sustainable customer behavior. However, the effectiveness of self-conscious emotions, such as shame and pride, in reducing food waste in social dining contexts remains uncertain. Using the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion, we examine how shame and pride appeals influence customers’ overordering intentions (OOIs) in the Clean Your Plate Campaign in China. Our findings suggest that shame appeals associated with waste and pride appeals linked to frugality effectively reduce OOI by arousing impression management motivation. Additionally, including authoritative information in these appeals significantly enhances the interactivity of emotional appeals and impression management motivation and further reduces OOI. This study fills the research gap of emotions in overordering decision-making, offering practical guidance for preventing food waste and promoting environmental sustainability.

A Comprehensive Review of Disease Detection Techniques for Tomato Leaves

Tomato plants plays vital role in global agriculture, significantly impacting food security and economic stability. However, diseases affecting tomato leaves present substantial challenges to crop yields and quality, highlighting the need for effective detection methods. This paper presents a comprehensive review of disease detection techniques for tomato leaves, emphasizing the transformative impact of advancements in image processing, machine learning, and deep learning. Approaches are categorized based on their methodologies, including traditional image processing, machine learning, and cutting-edge deep learning frameworks. Key concepts such as disease segmentation, feature extraction, and transfer learning are defined to provide a foundational understanding. The review also identifies critical research gaps, particularly concerning the generalizability of solutions to real-world conditions and the necessity for computational efficiency in field applications. Organized by method categories, evaluation metrics, and dataset utilization, this review encompasses recent advancements up to 2024, focusing on improving accuracy, scalability, and practical implementation. Ultimately, this work aims to serve as an insightful reference for researchers and practitioners, facilitating the advancement of disease detection systems for tomato leaves for real-world deployment

Unveiling Linguistic Frontiers in the 21st Century: A Systematic Literature Review of the Rise of Big Data’s Role in Data-Driven Language Learning in the Saudi Arabian Context

This study delves into the potential role of big data and data-driven language learning in shaping the language learning landscape within the Saudi Arabian context. A comprehensive literature review, following the four main phases of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines involving Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to employ specific inclusion/exclusion criteria as well as truncation techniques across major academic databases and prominent journal publishers, revealed a significant gap in research about how data-driven approaches influence language teaching in the Saudi educational context and sociocultural environment. As such, this study aims to illuminate the need to fill the identified gap by providing insight into future avenues for exploring big data’s role in language pedagogy specific to Saudi Arabia. By addressing the main research question of how big data can influence and enhance language learning, this research underscores the importance of developing innovative, data-informed strategies that align with Saudi Arabia’s educational goals. Ultimately, findings will inform and recommend various approaches to empower language educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in harnessing the transformative potential of big data. This will enable the development of data-driven strategies to foster linguistic competence, promote lifelong language learning, and cultivate a data-driven culture of language proficiency among Saudi students. The research provides valuable insights into an understudied area at the intersection of big data, language pedagogy, and the distinct Saudi educational landscape

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) bioactive constituents and their applications as natural multifunctional ingredients in health-promoting foods and nutraceuticals: A comprehensive review.

Foods that support human health and longevity are becoming increasingly relevant as substitutes for or adjuncts to pharmacological drugs, either through direct consumption or incorporation into designer foods fortified with health-promoting ingredients. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits, seeds, and pollen are a cornerstone of diverse food and medicine traditions. Their reported metabolic activities include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, antitumor, antianemia, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. Beneficial effects on gut health and vascular health, as well as effectiveness in alleviating certain dysfunctions of the reproductive system, have also been noted. The genomic diversity of this versatile tree and the diverse agroecological conditions in which it grows lead to appreciable variations in the occurrence of protective nutrients and other high-value bioactive phytochemicals, including flavonoid and non-flavonoid phenolics, carotenoids, phytosterols, and oxylipins, whose potential remains underutilized in the food sector. As food ingredients, date fruits and their co-products can improve the sensory, nutritional, and nutraceutical qualities of a broad range of dietary items. Their high nutritional density can assist with the design of novel or improved products that meet the demand for healthier foods. This review summarizes the current state of evidence on the potentialities of date palm fruits and co-products in functional food development, focusing on the nutrients and extra-nutritional compounds of interest, their biofunctional activities, and factors that influence their abundance and bioactivity. Proofs of concept across food and beverage categories, new developments, and clinical evidence are discussed, followed by recommendations for addressing research gaps.

"Him, Me, or the Both of Us": Perceptions of Blame Among Israeli Ultraorthodox Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence.

This study investigated how Ultraorthodox Jewish Women (UJW) survivors attribute blame in intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences, addressing a significant research gap in understanding IPV within specific cultural contexts. The research employed a phenomenological approach through 15 semistructured face-to-face interviews with UJW IPV survivors. The findings revealed diverse patterns of blame attribution, including exclusive perpetrator blame, self-blame, and shared responsibility. The study suggests the need for a broader scientific framework to understand their experiences, emphasizing how IPV must be understood within both wider social and specific cultural contexts. This understanding is crucial for developing culturally sensitive interventions and support services for IPV survivors.

Visual discrimination learning in the Australian stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

AbstractKarl von Frisch's ground‐breaking research first demonstrated visual learning in the European honey bee (Apis mellifera). The study of Australian native bees and their cognitive abilities, however, is still a relatively new and emerging field. Here we examined visual cognition in the Australian stingless bee, Tetragonula carbonaria. First we tested for any colour preferences in T. carbonaria. Then we set stingless bees with three simple visual discrimination learning tasks using distinct colours (blue or yellow), oriented gratings (horizontal or vertical) and patterns (radial or concentric). In the colour preference task, we found evidence of a weak colour preference, with bees preferring colours blue and purple. In the visual discrimination task, T. carbonaria learned all three tasks in just 10 training trials. Bees learned equally well across the colour, orientation and pattern conditions, suggesting rapid visual learning. Future research should focus on closing knowledge gaps in Australian native bee cognition research, building upon the results of this study and exploring more complex non‐elemental learning.

Flexural Behavior and Failure Modes of Pultruded GFRP Tube Concrete-Filled Composite Beams: A Review of Experimental and Numerical Studies

Pultruded glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) materials are increasingly recognized in civil engineering for their exceptional properties, including a high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication, making them ideal for composite structural applications. The use of concrete infill enhances the structural integrity of thin-walled GFRP sections and compensates for the low elastic modulus of hollow profiles. Despite the widespread adoption of concrete-filled pultruded GFRP tubes in composite beams, critical gaps remain in understanding their flexural behavior and failure mechanisms, particularly concerning design optimization and manufacturing strategies to mitigate failure modes. This paper provides a comprehensive review of experimental and numerical studies that investigate the impact of key parameters, such as concrete infill types, reinforcement strategies, bonding levels, and GFRP tube geometries, on the flexural performance and failure behavior of concrete-filled pultruded GFRP tubular members in composite beam applications. The analysis includes full-scale GFRP beam studies, offering a thorough comparison of documented flexural responses, failure modes, and structural performance outcomes. The findings are synthesized to highlight current trends, identify research gaps, and propose strategies to advance the understanding and application of these composite systems. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations for future research, emphasizing the development of innovative material combinations, optimization of structural designs, and refinement of numerical modeling techniques.

Higher education expansion and emission trading scheme: A case study in China.

Despite the abundant empirical evidence of higher education impacting emission mitigation, few studies have uncovered the mechanism that higher education affects climate policy. In this paper, we attempt to narrow the aforementioned research gap by employing a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to quantify the relations between the higher education expansion (HEE) and emission trading scheme (ETS) in China. The CGE model results show that the HEE reduces labor employment, GDP, and emissions, whereas the ETS relieves these HEE impacts. Regardless of the HEE, the ETS causes emission abatement at the price of employment loss and GDP loss, whereas the HEE weakens the ETS effects on employment, GDP, and emissions. These findings imply that HEE negatively affects emission mitigation in climate policy implementation, whereas climate policy could be implemented to boost economic growth during college education expansion.

The Rural Health Initiative: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Access and Grant-Funded Research in Central Idaho

The Rural Health Initiative: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Access and Grant-Funded Research in Central Idaho

Modelling resilience dynamics for smart manufacturing systems: quantification and empirical analysis

ABSTRACT Smart manufacturing contributes to a better management of uncertainties and risks in today’s business environment, leading to a more resilient system. Despite its significance, the quantification of resilience in manufacturing environments is not well developed and is considered a pressing research gap. This study introduces a novel approach for assessing resilience through the development of a mathematical model for smart manufacturing systems. The sensitivity and applicability of the proposed model are investigated through simulation-based experimentation. The results demonstrate the level of resilience with the adaptability of smart manufacturing technologies. Interestingly, the trigger point derived from the simulation results is an indicator of the threshold limit for effective implementation of smart manufacturing technologies for the desired system resilience. The research provides a tool for decision-makers in industry that are considering investing in smart manufacturing solutions to increase their operational resilience. Decision-makers can design the deployment of smart manufacturing systems based on an informative trade-off to maintain the required resilience capabilities and achieve a competitive edge in the market.

A Comparative Review of Dynamic Analysis Techniques for Elevated Water Tanks: Time History Method Versus Response Spectrum Method

This paper presents a comprehensive review of dynamic analysis techniques for elevated water tanks, with a specific focus on comparing the Time History Method (THM) and Response Spectrum Method (RSM). Drawing upon a wide range of literature sources, the review synthesizes existing research efforts dedicated to understanding structural behavior, seismic performance, bracing configurations, material considerations, and soil-structure interaction in the context of elevated water tanks. Despite the extensive body of literature in this field, a notable research gap exists in the systematic comparison of dynamic analysis techniques, particularly between THM and RSM. This paper highlights the need for a comparative review to evaluate the advantages, limitations, and applicability of THM and RSM for dynamic analysis of elevated water tanks, providing valuable guidance for engineers and researchers in selecting the most suitable method based on project requirements and constraints.

Designing recovery-oriented care: a qualitative study to inform service design at Kyrie Therapeutic Farm in Ireland.

Recovery-oriented approaches are gaining increased attention in the mental health sector, including from the World Health Organization and the United Nations, for their potential to support people in recovering and building meaningful lives through strengths-based, person-centered principles. Kyrie Therapeutic Farm (KTF) is a new initiative in Ireland that seeks to develop recovery-oriented model of adult mental health care. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators of recovery-oriented models of practice in a small number of therapeutic farm settings across the world in order to inform service design at KTF whilst also addressing a gap in research on this topic. Three semi-structured focus-group interviews were conducted online via MS Teams with ten staff members in different roles and years of experience from three existing therapeutic community farms. reflexive thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Four themes emerged that illustrate how therapeutic farm communities operate in general and specifically in relation to recovery: 1. common humanity, 2. freedom and responsibility, 3. interdependence and community living, and 4. learning organisations. This study demonstrates the viability of recovery-oriented practices in community therapeutic farms, including KTF, thereby contributing to the broader trend toward more person-centered mental health services. The values inherent in the recovery-oriented approach - such as community, empowerment, and close, equitable, non-hierarchical relationships - act as facilitators. However, embedding these values in practice can generate tensions for staff which warrant attention. Implications for the integration into service design of KTF and further research are offered.

Lean healthcare: a science mapping of current progress and future research avenues.

This study intends to reveal the existing research stream and predict future research avenues for lean healthcare (LH). This paper analyzes the progress of LH research and identifies key trends, research gaps and future directions. By mapping the knowledge structure, the study offers insights into the effects of LH on healthcare efficiency, patient care and organizational performance. The review used the bibliometric approach, involving 319 journal articles retrieved from the Web of Science database. Two science mapping approaches (i.e. bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis) were performed to investigate the current knowledge structure and future research direction in LH. The current research trend in LH focuses on developing frameworks and strategic implementation by considering critical determinants and decision-making strategies. In the future, the research on LH will emphasize the holistic frameworks and efficient strategies for healthcare excellence, along with strategies to overcome barriers to its implementation. This study will benefit researchers and practitioners by advancing their understanding and applying LH principles. This study provides valuable practical implications for healthcare managers to navigate the complexities of lean implementation, optimize processes and drive sustainable improvements in the healthcare context.

Embracing ambiguity: the unspoken key to sales success

PurposeTolerance to ambiguity (TOLA) is a personal trait influencing one’s comfort and proficiency in navigating uncertain situations. While the concept of role ambiguity is well-established in sales literature, the broader trait of ambiguity has been largely overlooked in this context. In the dynamic landscape of modern business, uncertainty is a regular phenomenon, and navigating ambiguity is an invaluable skill. While salespeople are celebrated for their customer focus, negotiation skills and product knowledge, their capacity to embrace ambiguity-a skill that could be an important contributor to their success in the diverse global market is rarely studied. This study contributes by linking a salesperson’s TOLA and two well-established dimensions of emotional intelligence to adaptive selling behavior. Using responses from a sample of 209 employees of financial institutions in a large metropolitan city in India, this study shows that TOLA, understanding others' emotions and regulation of emotions positively influence a salesperson’s adaptive selling behavior. Further, results also point out that TOLA moderates the relationship between understanding other emotions and adaptive selling. To our knowledge, this is the first study that has explored the link between these two important skills of salespeople, thus extending TOLA as a critical construct to the sales field. Managerial implications and directions for future research are provided.Design/methodology/approachUsing responses from a sample of 209 employees of financial institutions, a model was tested using structural equation modeling. A measurement model was used to assess the validity of the scales used in the study. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using AMOS 28 with the scale items for understanding other’s emotions (UOE), regulation of emotions (ROE), adaptive selling behavior (ADPS), job performance (JOBP) and three mean-centered dimensions of the TOLA scale. A structural equation model was run using AMOS 28 to test the relationships among variables.FindingsThe study results show that TOLA has a strong positive relationship with adaptive selling. Further, results show that TOLA acts as a moderator in the relationship between understanding others’ emotions, a fact of emotional intelligence and adaptive selling behavior.Research limitations/implicationsTo our knowledge this is the first study that explored the link between TOLA and adaptive selling, a critical predictor of sales performance. While the concept of role ambiguity is well-established in sales literature, the broader trait of ambiguity has been largely overlooked in this context. By establishing the link between these two important skills of salespeople, this study extends the concept of TOLA as a critical construct to the sales field.Practical implicationsStudy results validate the important role of TOLA on salesperson’s ability to use adaptive selling behavior which is critical for sales performance. This study highlights the different ways sales professionals who possess a high TOLA can benefit. Field sales managers can play a crucial role in fostering a TOLA culture in the sale team and help leverage the relationship between TOLA, emotional intelligence and adaptive selling. By integrating qualities of TOLA into recruitment and training, managers can create a sales team that is not only effective in navigating uncertainties and thrive in dynamic and competitive business environments.Originality/valueIn sales settings, the concept of role ambiguity is well-established, but the broader trait of ambiguity has been largely overlooked and has rarely been part of sales research. A recent review of 15 studies on TOLA shows that almost all the studies used student samples and only a handful of them were done in organizational or sales settings. The current study aims to fill the gap in sales research by exploring how TOLA influences adaptive selling, one of the critical constructs in sales research.

Breakthrough cancer pain management: mixed-methods study of health care professionals

ObjectivesKnowledge gaps in defining, diagnosing, educating health practitioners and treatment options hinder breakthrough cancer pain (BtCP) management. A systematic review revealed a lack of clarity on health professional derived definitions,...

Development of a conceptual model on I4.0 technologies’ influence on SCR

Purpose In a dynamic and uncertain business environment, it is necessary for companies to adapt to be capable of addressing the changing circumstances and ensure business continuity. Hence, companies are employing advanced Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. This study aims to explore the role of advanced I4.0 technologies in facilitating companies’ development towards supply chain resilience (SCR).Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a structured approach of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to identify 234 articles. Under PRISMA, we adopted a three-phase methodology of planning, conducting and reporting the review results. The data of these articles were synthesized using a Scopus database to investigate the relationship between I4.0 technologies and SCR.Findings The study’s findings map the technologies appropriate in different supply chain nodes and bridge the literature gap in the intersection of I4.0 technologies and SCR. The study results indicate the role of I4.0 technologies role in achieving resilience in key functions of an organization through an I4.0 technologies-enabled sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and return resilience (I-SMDRR) framework. The I-SMDRR framework also depicts the relationship being moderated by internal and external risk factors.Originality/value The study offers a unique framework by mapping sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and return resilience through I4.0 technologies. Additionally, the review delineates the theory-mapped research gaps helpful for future researchers. In summary, this systematic review of the literature identifies the components that lead to developing SCR.

Identifying Gaps in Organizational Conflicts: A Path Forward for Research

Organizational Conflicts are inevitable. It is due to human nature, which contains differences of opinion, establishment of superiority and other related factors. This review highlighted the future research gaps in organizational conflicts. A systematic literature review was conducted using different databases, such as Google Scholar and Scopus. Rayyan, a powerful, cloud-based software, was employed to maximize transparency and provide an in-depth review of existing knowledge. The relevant journal articles and other contributions were considered in identifying research gaps in the existing knowledge. The search parameters were limited to data between 2009 and 2024. This review identified four research gaps. Firstly, the review ignites the need to comprehend the connection between organizational conflicts and other influential variables, e.g., employees' trust and commitment. Secondly, there is less empirical evidence of organizational conflicts in a Pakistani context. Thirdly, most studies on organizational conflicts are either quantitative or limited in addressing an interpretive stance. Lastly, the review emphasized the necessity for more longitudinal studies. Future researchers can further utilize these research gaps and enhance their understanding of organizational conflicts.