Indirect Impact Research Articles

Impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on the number of residential fires in Catalonia

PurposeThis article analyses how lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted in residential fire numbers in 2020 in Catalonia, Spain, and how their temporal distribution changed throughout the year. The results stand to inform public authorities responsible for emergency prevention and to generate new streams of research on residential fires during the pandemic and beyond.Design/methodology/approachWe compared the number of residential fires in 2020 with the number of fires in the two previous years (i.e. 2018 and 2019) and in 2021, both throughout full years and in five subperiods identified by analysing daily residential fire anomalies. We also analysed differences in the number of residential fires on weekdays versus weekends and in four daily time slots.FindingsThe results show a reduction of more than one-third in the first two weeks of the first lockdown in mid-March 2020 and of more than one-quarter in the first half of the second lockdown in autumn 2020. The pandemic’s positive indirect impact was short-lived, even more so than the reduction in pollutants discharged into the atmosphere and the decrease in the number of traffic accidents and injuries.Originality/valueTo our knowledge, our study was the first to involve a temporal analysis of the incidence of residential fires in Catalonia as impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns.

Accurate and Real-time Hierarchical Ensemble Network for Activity Classification in Construction Worker.

Accurate and real-time locomotion classification is crucial for exoskeletons to assist construction workers in completing multiple tasks. However, state-of-the-art algorithms for classifying multiple activities face multifaceted challenges in both accuracy and real-time capability. In addition, advanced studies typically provide a single solution based on certain sensor combinations, which may have an indirect impact on different assistive devices (e.g., an algorithm using feet IMUs is not suited for bilateral portable hip exoskeletons or unilateral knee exoskeletons), limiting its practicality and applicability in diverse applications. To fill these two gaps, first, we developed a novel hierarchical ensemble network framework that can accurately and real-time classify 11 typical lower limb activities of construction workers. Second, building upon this hierarchical ensemble network framework, we developed 6 configurations wearing IMU sensors on different body segments, which are potentially used for different wearable devices. Experimental results with leave-one-out cross-validation obtained from 10 able-bodied subjects validated the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Compared to the baseline ANN-based algorithm, our algorithm under 6 configurations on average was able to improve accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score by 4.97%, 3.40%, 4.97%, and 5.31%, respectively, and reduce the number of parameters and inference time by 71.86% and 47.85%, respectively. This study showcases multiple solutions with different wearable sensor configurations, offering high accuracy and strong real-time performance for classifying multiple activities, which can be deployed to controllers for multiple types of assistive devices targeting construction workers.

Driving factors of Vietnamese youth in using compressed natural gas bus for environmental protection and sustainable development

PurposeHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s financial center, faces challenges such as air pollution, noise and traffic congestion due to its growing population. In response, going by bus, especially those run by compressed natural gas (CNG), is increasingly popular among young people, thus promoting sustainable urban development. This study aims to explore the habits of the young in the city in comparison between CNG bus and private transport by employing the stimulus-organism-response theory.Design/methodology/approachKey stimulus variables include trip characteristics, infrastructure, transportation services, environmental awareness and work characteristics. Organism variables encompass travel experience and personal attitudes, while the response variable focuses on CNG bus usage and private transport usage. The online survey resulted in 452 responses. Data were statistically examined using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique.FindingsThe findings demonstrated that the choice of CNG bus and private transportation was indirectly influenced by the stimulus variables – trip features, infrastructure, environment and work characteristics – through organism factors (attitude and travel experience). When travel experience served as the stimulus variable, there was a considerable indirect impact on using public transportation through attitude as the organism variable. Depending on the organism and stimulus given, the reaction to the usage of transport modalities displayed dynamic behavior among Vietnamese youth. Based on the findings, stakeholders in the field of urban planning should prioritize mixed-use developments that connect residential areas with public transport hubs, reducing reliance on private vehicles for work-related travel.Research limitations/implicationsFirst of all, because it is limited to Ho Chi Minh City, the results are less applicable to other areas or nations with distinct transportation circumstances and difficulties. Second, using self-reported data could lead to biases such as recollection errors or social desirability, which could compromise the veracity of the findings.Practical implicationsBased on the finding, stakeholders in the field of urban planning should prioritize mixed-use developments that connect residential areas with public transport hubs, reducing reliance on private vehicles for work-related travel.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies focusing on Vietnamese youth’s motivation to act for the environment by changing their travel habits daily.

Riding the wave of fintech, broad money growth and population dynamics: exploring its impact on ASEAN bank stability

PurposeThe research examines the influence of fintech, broad money and population growth on bank stability (Z-score). We examined the unique interaction of fintech, broad money and population growth to assess the relevance and direction of their association with bank stability.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample comprises seven ASEAN nations covering 2010–2022. We employed quantile regression models to identify the significance and directions of exogenous variables on the endogenous variable. Also, for robustness, we used the fixed effect method.FindingsFintech has a significant indirect impact on financial stability at almost all levels of quantiles. Broad money growth constantly demonstrates a significant negative influence on financial stability throughout most of the quantiles. Population growth exhibits a significant positive impact on financial stability at lower quantiles; however, it turns negative at higher quantiles. Finally, the interaction of fintech, broad money growth and population growth is positive and significant across all quantiles.Research limitations/implicationsThe study highlights the essential need to regulate broad money expansion, manage fintech adoption and synchronise population growth to mitigate the possible risks of beyond appropriate thresholds in ASEAN’s financial institutions and ensure financial stability. Ensuring structural resilience and promoting sustainable development requires a systematic and precisely calibrated approach.Originality/valueThis study offers a new examination of the intricate relationship of fintech adoption, overall money growth and demographic factors in influencing bank stability. Examining their collective impacts provides sophisticated insights into the structural factors affecting financial stability in developing ASEAN economies.

Connecting the dots: the interplay between individual and environmental factors on learning engagement and student performance via goal orientation

Purpose This paper aims to examine the indirect impact of both individual and institutional factors on learning engagement through the mediating role of goal orientation. Moreover, expectancy-value theory (EVT) is adopted to provide a holistic approach of identifying the antecedents of learning engagement. Furthermore, this paper aims to identify the indirect impact of online collaborative learning tools on student learning performance via learning engagement. Design/methodology/approach Two studies were conducted. Study 1 collected survey data from 249 undergraduate students in one of the higher educational institutions in Hong Kong and Study 2 collected survey data from 164 undergraduate students in China. Partial least squares structural equation modelling by using SmartPLS 3.0 software was adopted to analyse the data collected in the two studies. Findings The results found that both individual (computer/internet self-efficacy and online communication self-efficacy) and institutional academic support had indirect relationships with behavioural, emotional and cognitive engagement via goal orientations. Furthermore, this study found that online collaborative learning tools also have an indirect effect on student learning performance via learning engagement. Theoretical and practical implications were provided based on these findings. Originality/value The COVID-19 pandemic has forced all students to attend online lessons. However, existing research has limited knowledge about online learning engagement and the application of EVT to the online learning environment.

Investigating The Impact of Humble Leadership on Employee Performance in Tour Operators. The Mediating Role of Psychological Safety

This study investigates the direct influence of humble leadership (HMBL) on employee performance (EMPF) in Saudi Arabia's tourism industry, alongside its indirect impact through psychological safety (PSYSF). A total of 399 employees' responses were gathered for analysis using Excel v.15-2013 and SPSS v.29-2022 to generate descriptive statistics. The analysis of variable relationships and research hypothesis testing used partial least squares structural equation modeling with version 4.1.0.9.2024 (PLS-SEM v.4.1.0.9.2024) as the analytical tool. HMBL generates positive effects on both EMPF and PSYSF within significant parameters. Furthermore, PSYSF mediates the relationship between HMBL and EMPF. Researchers established that organizational success requires leaders who prioritize open communication alongside empowered employees and recognition of their contributions which in turn create workspace environments free from psychological stress. A leadership approach based on humility brings out motivated employees who generate innovative solutions vital for a service industry focused on customers and market competitiveness. Organizations that integrate psychological safety as a mediating factor will address workplace anxieties and build team collaboration while driving ongoing improvements through their initiatives. The study provides leadership teams with concrete strategies to boost workforce performance which results in long-term competitive success throughout the tourism industry's changing environment.

The impact of the internet of things on manufacturing performance: are smart supply chain innovation and big data-driven supply chain the missing link?

Purpose This study’s aim was to discover how the internet of things (IoT) impacts smart supply chain innovation (SSCI) and manufacturing performance (MP) in the Jordanian manufacturing firms. The study also examined the role of SSCI as a mediating and the impact of Big Data-Driven Supply Chain (BDDSC) as a moderating in these effects. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling (SEM) through maximum likelihood estimation was used to analyse responses from a sample of 440 management teams in manufacturing firms using SEM. This method meets all the requirements for confirmatory factor analysis, which is done through hypothesis testing. Findings The research revealed several key insights. Primarily, it established the direct influence of IoT and SSCI on MP. It also found that SSCI plays a crucial mediating role in the IoT’s indirect impact on MP. In addition, the study revealed that applying BDDSC moderates the correlation between IoT and SSCI. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate these specific relationships in this context. The study offers a novel contribution to the existing literature on the effects of IoT on MP. Moreover, it provides new perspectives and valuable recommendations for supply chain managers in manufacturing firms, particularly through its innovative moderated mediation model.

A Study on Financial Performance of Bank Using Financial Ratios Towards SBI

The banking system is made up of financial institutions like credit unions and banks that provide a variety of financial services to individuals, companies, and governmental entities. The main functions of these services are deposit taking, loan disbursement, transaction processing, and provision of various financial goods, including credit cards, loans, and savings accounts. Because it makes it easier for money to move around and supports economic activity, banking is important to the economy. Banking has an indirect or direct impact on every person's daily life as well as the trade of a nation. This economic sector handles cash, credit, and other financial transactions. The most significant financial institution for a country's economy or for extending credit to its customers is the commercial bank. Every business deal that takes place in India, including cash withdrawals, payments, investments, etc. are managed by a financial establishment. Keywords : SBI, Financial services, performance, banking, deposits

Impact of collaborative learning on student engagement in college English programs: mediating effect of peer support and moderating role of group size

Collaborative learning (CL) and student engagement have been extensively researched. There are few studies on the interaction between college students and its underlying mechanism. This research investigates how CL activities assist in boosting student engagement in English programs at public sector colleges. A purposive sampling of 425 intermediate students from a Chinese public college was used to evaluate the direct impact of CL on engagement, the mediating effects of peer support and the moderating influence of group class using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings show that CL positively relates to peer support but not students’ engagement, and the relationship between peer support and engagement is also significantly positive. However, the specific indirect impact indicates that specific peer support mediates CL activities and students’ engagement to a whole extent. Our results underscore CL’s potential to improve students’ engagement. The results indicated that peer support increases students’ engagement when the group size is less than others. This study is significant for instructors, administrators, educators, policymakers, students, and researchers seeking effective techniques to enhance student engagement in English programs and learning.

Evaluation of the Indirect and Nonmedical Impacts of Generalized Myasthenia Gravis on Patients and Caregivers (P9-11.032)

Evaluation of the Indirect and Nonmedical Impacts of Generalized Myasthenia Gravis on Patients and Caregivers (P9-11.032)

Green Universities as Catalysts for Sustainable Development: A Quantitative Study of Their Impact and Benefits in Thailand

This study examines the impact and benefits of green university practices on sustainability performance, academic excellence, and global recognition within the context of higher education institutions in Bangkok, Thailand. Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, the research adopts a quantitative approach using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze data collected from 1,120 respondents, including administrators, faculty, and students across public, autonomous, and private universities. The conceptual model encompasses key constructs, including green infrastructure, university governance and policy, sustainable curriculum, stakeholder engagement, sustainability impact, academic excellence, global recognition, and contribution to the SDGs. The findings reveal that institutional practices, specifically governance, infrastructure, and curriculum, have a significant direct and indirect impact on sustainability outcomes and academic performance. Moreover, academic excellence serves as a critical mediator linking internal strategies to international recognition. Stakeholder engagement also emerged as a strong predictor of global SDG alignment. The measurement and structural models demonstrated good reliability, validity, and predictive relevance, confirming the robustness of the proposed framework. This study contributes to the understanding of how integrated sustainability practices can elevate institutional performance in both academic and global sustainability dimensions. The proposed model provides a strategic tool for higher education institutions seeking to enhance their role in achieving SDG targets. Future research is encouraged to expand the model across regional and international contexts, assess longitudinal changes, and investigate the behavioral factors that influence the adoption of sustainability. The results position green universities as transformative agents in shaping a sustainable, inclusive, and academically excellent future.

Cloud computing in bridging the digital divide: transforming hospital information system in the Yangtze Delta region

ABSTRACT Cloud computing (CC) is playing a vital role in enhancing health information system (HIS), and this trend is expected to accelerate in worldwide emergencies. By effectively utilising CC, it is easy to collect patients’ data, segregate diseases by region, and improve the decision-making system. Moreover, analysing the factors that affect the level of satisfaction of healthcare professionals (HCP’s) is essential for boosting operational efficiency in the HIS. Therefore, in our study, we observe the factors influencing ISQ (Information & Service Quality), HCP’s satisfaction, and the impact of operational effectiveness (OPE), on the intention to adopt CC-HIS. Data for our cross-sectional study was collected in 2022 from 320 on-duty HCP’s in the Yangtze River Delta region, China, using an online questionnaire. The findings reveal that OPE has a significant positive impact, whereas information quality (INFQ) has a significant yet negative impact on HCP’s intention to adopt CC-HIS. Interestingly, while service quality (SERQ) does not directly influence HCP’s intention to adopt CC-HIS, it does have an indirect impact. Lastly, our findings suggest that healthcare authorities should focus on improving the ISQ of CC-HIS and make strategic plans to ensure OPE by improving operational cost, quality, reliability, flexibility, and speed.

Factors Affecting the Performance of University Lecturers: A Survey at the Academy of Policy and Development

This study analyzes the factors affecting the research performance of lecturers at the Academy of Policy and Development, including personal, organizational and academic environment factors. The research objective is to assess the impact of each factor on work performance, thereby proposing solutions to improve productivity and quality of scientific research. The research method combines qualitative and quantitative methods through a survey of 224 lecturers and in-depth interviews with leaders of professional units. The results show that support from the school, opportunities for research collaboration and personal motivation are the most influential factors, while research funding policies have an indirect impact. These findings provide the basis for the Academy of Policy and Development to develop appropriate research incentive policies, create a favorable academic environment and improve the quality of scientific research in the current context of higher education.

Encapsulation of L. fermentum with chitosan-alginate enhances its bioactivity against acrylamide toxicity in D.mel

Acrylamide (ACR), a neurotoxin typically present in thermally processed foods, is a substantial risk to people. The objective of this research is to develop synbiotic capsules with natural substances such as chitosan, alginate, and L. fermentum. Encapsulation is a significant tool in medicine, helping to improve targeted medication delivery and bioavailability. The chitosan/alginate-encapsulated probiotic (CAP) beads increase the bioavailability of probiotics in the gut, allowing for a more effective response to ACR-induced toxicity. The combination of prebiotic and probiotic activity improves stability, viability, and gastrointestinal delivery. We developed CAP beads and assessed their survivability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, encapsulating efficiency, and release profile. The efficacy of these beads in reducing the harmful effects of ACR was subsequently investigated using a Drosophilamelanogaster model. Under co-exposure and pre-treatment settings, in vivo studies revealed restoration of locomotor activities, redox balance, and ovarian mitochondrial membrane potential in flies treated with CAP beads. Furthermore, implying the indirect impact of CAP beads on gut microbiota and xenobiotic metabolism, pre-treatment with CAP more successfully restored the expression of important antioxidant and stress-related genes, including sod, cat, InR, rpr, and p53.

Molecular Detection of Genital Pathogens in Semen from Infertile and Fertile Men

There is a significant association between genital infections and infertility. Studies suggest that sex¬ually transmitted diseases can have a direct or indirect impact on fertility, possibly decreasing the ability to conceive. This study aims to examine the presence of Treponema pallidum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma species, and Trichomonas vaginalis in semen samples obtained from infertile men compared to fertile men, utilizing a molecular assay. The patient group consisted of 84 men aged 24-55 who were infertile, had no children, and had difficulty conceiving. The control group, on the other hand, included 50 fertile men aged 18-49 who had at least one child and underwent a regular seminal fluid check. The samples’ pH, volume, motility, and concentration were assessed through direct observation under a micro-scope and evaluated using the X1 PRO semen quality analyzer. The study revealed that the patient’s sperm morphology, progressive motility, and concentration are significantly higher than those of healthy individ¬uals, as indicated by a p-value of less than 0.0001. By utilizing the Amplisens® MULTIPRIME-FRT PCR method, this study found that 19 (22.6%) were infected with N. gonorrhoeae, 12 (14.2%) with T. pallidum, 7 (8.3%) with M. genitalium, and 5 (5.9%) with T. vaginalis. A single T. pallidum infection was detected in the control group of 50 individuals.

Absorptive capacity and technological innovation: ambidexterity and research and development

PurposeThis paper investigates the relationships between absorptive capacity, R&D, ambidexterity and technological innovation. The study explores the mediating roles of ambidexterity and R&D in the connection between absorptive capacity and technological innovation.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 139 technology-based businesses. Data analysis is conducted using the partial least squares (PLS) technique, and the SmartPLS3 software is utilized.FindingsOur result revealed absorptive capacity had a meaningful influence on technological innovation; also, the effect of ambidexterity on technological innovation is significant. Finally, R&D as a mediator had a negative significant indirect impact on the relationship between absorptive capacity and technological innovation. In addition, the findings show that ambidexterity has a considerable indirect influence on absorptive capacity and technological innovation.Originality/valueThe findings of this study advance our knowledge of the processes by which technological innovation is influenced by absorptive capacity and the mediating roles that ambidexterity and R&D play in this connection.

Exploring Homeowners’ Attitudes and Climate-Smart Renovation Decisions: A Case Study in Kronoberg, Sweden

This study aims to assess the factors influencing homeowner behaviour regarding climate-adaptive renovations. This study extends the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) by integrating additional factors such as inherent homeowner qualities (IHQs) and building attributes (BAs) to better capture climate-adaptive renovation decisions. Different configurations for the impacts of these additional factors were tested, and their correlation to homeowner attitudes (ATs) and homeowner intentions (INTs) was studied. The results indicate that attitudes related to beliefs about climate change impacts are the strongest predictors of climate-adaptive behaviour. It was also found that IHQ was a strong determinant of homeowner attitudes and had a strong indirect impact on homeowner intentions to perform climate-adaptive renovations. Given the significant role of cognitive attitudes in shaping climate-adaptive behaviours, policy interventions should focus on fostering more climate-conscious attitudes. Targeted public campaigns can highlight localised climate risks and the benefits of adaptive renovations. Sharing narratives from regions affected by severe climate events, potentially in the form of targeted workshop sessions, could make climate risks more tangible, especially for those without direct exposure, fostering greater public engagement and adaptive actions.

Correlation analysis between quality characteristics and rhizosphere microorganisms of different wine grape varieties during their ripening phase.

Wine grapes are the raw material used in wine brewing. The soil microenvironment is regulated by plant rhizosphere microorganisms, which can have a direct or indirect impact on plant growth and development. The population distribution of rhizosphere soil and endophytic microorganisms of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir was investigated in this study utilizing high-throughput sequencing technology in relation to the characteristics of wine quality during the ripening phase. The results showed that the community composition of dominant fungi and bacteria in the rhizospheric soil of the three wine grapes varieties was similar at the phylum level. The microbial richness of Cabernet Sauvignon rhizosphere soil was higher than that of Merlot and Pinot Noir, and the bacterial community structure of various wine grape rhizosphere soil varied at the genus level. There were more differential microorganisms in rhizosphere soil than endophytic microorganisms. At the phylum level, malic acid correlated favorably with Mortierellomycota, while flavonol in the fruit peel and flesh of wine grapes correlated favorably with Aphelidiomyceta and Calcarisporiellomycota in rhizosphere soil fungi; The fruit peel's malic acid showed a negative correlation with the soil bacterial community's verrucomicrobiota, while the fruit flesh's succinic and oxalate acids showed a favorable correlation. Proanthocyanidin in wine grape fruit flesh positively correlated with several fungal genera in rhizosphere soil at the genus level, including Hydnocystis, Schizothecium. Additionally, there was more negative correlation than positive correlation between wine grape quality and soil bacterial community. Several endophytic fungal communities showed good correlations with the proanthocyanidin in wine grapefruit flesh. The fruit peel's ascorbic acid, phenolics, and tannins showed a favorable correlation with rhizosphere endophytic bacteria that were highly abundant at the genus level. However, some endophytic bacteria negatively correlated with malic acid in the fruit flesh. This study provides new ideas and theoretical support for improving the quality of grapes for winemaking.

Financialisation, interdependence of futures markets and cereal prices’ volatility: what impact on major cereal importing countries? Algerian case study

The aim of our contribution is to take stock of recent developments on futures markets and their impact on physical commodity markets, particularly the cereals market, and how this affects the Algerian economy. To do this, we rely on a theoretical and descriptive analysis of the state of the world markets and local demand for cereals in order to identify the price transmission channels. The analysis reveals a bitter reality in terms of the dependence of physical markets on financial speculators, which does not rule out the hypothesis of an indirect negative impact on economic variables in developing countries, particularly the Algerian economy. However, the development of the agri-food industry is an asset for absorbing the impact of volatile world cereal prices.

Multi-objective model to protect infrastructure networks from disinformation diffusion

The spread of disinformation poses a global threat, influencing public trust and destabilizing critical systems. While existing studies focus on direct network attacks, the indirect impact of disinformation on system vulnerabilities remains underexplored. This work addresses this gap by proposing a multi-objective decision model to develop strategies for either amplifying or mitigating the effects of disinformation. Using a multi-layer framework, we model an information layer, where disinformation spreads via a susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) process (simulated through a cellular automata), and a physical layer, where system performance is evaluated through a defined function (e.g., max flow). From the attacker’s perspective, we introduce a tri-objective model to optimize node selection for disinformation injection and inter-layer links to minimize attack costs, reduce network flow, and accelerate disruption. A case study combining a social network and an electric power grid demonstrates the approach’s effectiveness in identifying trade-offs and decision-making strategies.