Low Return Rate Research Articles

From pandemic to participation: A two-year follow-up of blood donors in the Netherlands who registered during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), people were urged to minimize movements. Nevertheless, the Netherlands observed a huge increase in new donor registrations in early 2020. It is unclear whether such "pandemic" donors are willing to become repeat donors. The aim of this study was to analyze the donation behavior of these "pandemic" donors during 2 years after registration. All donors registered in weeks 11-20 of 2020 were followed for 2 years and their turnout for the new donor screening (NDS), their first-time donation (FTD), their donation(s) in the follow-up period, and their availability at the end of the follow-up period was compared with donors registered in weeks 11-20 of the previous years, 2017-2019. Totally 26,463 donors registered during week 11-20 in 2020; more than double as in the same period in previous years. Their turnout for the NDS (80%) and FTD (60%) was like donors registered in 2017-2019. On the longer term, we saw lower donor availability with a shift in number of whole blood and plasma donations. During the first phase of the pandemic, more people registered than usual. Their show rates for the NDS and the FTD were comparable with previous years, suggesting that "pandemic" donors show identical behavior as regular donors. On the long term, however, donation behavior differed (lower return rates and shift in donation types). Further research is needed to disentangle impacts of the pandemic especially on the long-term changes as they happened simultaneously with policy and recruitment changes.

Research on the influencing factors of the characteristics of anchors with goods in e-commerce live broadcast on users' Purchase Intention

With the development of information technology, major shopping websites and short video platforms have actively explored and made extensive layouts in the field of e-commerce live broadcast, but at the same time of their rapid development, there are still problems such as low consumer satisfaction and high return rate. Therefore, it is still necessary and realistic to explore the factors affecting consumers' purchase intention in the context of e-commerce live streaming. Starting from the characteristic dimension of anchors with goods, one of the important factors affecting purchase intention, this paper uses the questionnaire survey method to put forward four characteristics that may affect purchase intention: professionalism, interactivity, authority, and uniqueness based on relevant experience and literature, and then draws the final conclusion that affects purchase intention by studying the relationship between variables: the interactivity, authority and uniqueness of anchors with goods in the live broadcast room will have a positive impact on users' purchase intention. Uniqueness has the most significant effect, while professionalism has no effect on purchase intention. Based on the data results and my own learning and shopping experience, this study deeply analyzes the mechanism between anchor characteristics and consumers' purchase intentions, and puts forward suggestions from the perspectives of anchor influencers, merchants and consumers, and looks forward to the development trend of the e-commerce live broadcast industry.

Return to Work After Breast Cancer Treatment: An Electronic Health Record-based Study in North Norway.

Breast cancer treatment may interfere with work ability. Previous return-to-work studies have often focused on participants who were invited to participate after treatment completion. Participation varied, resulting in potential selection bias. This is a health-record-based study evaluating data completeness, both at baseline and one year after diagnosis. Correlations between baseline variables and return to work were also analyzed. This is a retrospective review of 150 relapse-free survivors treated in Nordland county between 2019 and 2022 (all-comers managed with different types of systemic treatment and surgery). Work status was assessed in the regional electronic patient record (EPR). A 65-years age cut-off was employed to define two subgroups. At diagnosis, occupational status was assessable in all 150 patients. Almost all patients older than 65 years of age were retired (79%) or on disability pension for previously diagnosed conditions (19%). Data completeness one year after diagnosis was imperfect, because the EPR did not contain required information in 19 survivors. The majority of those ≤65 years of age at diagnosis returned to work. Only 14 of 88 patients (16%) did not return to work. Postoperative nodal stage was the only significant predictive factor. Those with pN1-3 had a lower return rate (68%) than their counterparts with lower nodal stage. This pilot study highlights the utility and limitations of EPR-based research in a rural Norwegian setting, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, individualized interventions to support breast cancer survivors in returning to work. The findings underscore the importance of considering diverse sociodemographic and clinical factors, as well as the potential benefits of long-term, population-based studies to address these complex challenges.

Comparing the willingness to invest returns among green, sustainability, and blue bonds

This study explores whether investors' willingness to invest returns (WTIR) differs across environmental and sustainability bonds (ESBs) with varying scopes. Employing the double-bound dichotomous choice contingent valuation method (DBDC-CVM), the research surveyed Japanese retail investors to estimate their average levels of WTIR for green, sustainability, and blue bonds, respectively. The study discovered that investors are willing to invest in bonds with a stronger environmental focus such as green and blue bonds at a lower return rate, in contrast to sustainability bonds that address broader social issues. This suggests the importance for issuers of ESBs to clarify the specific focus of the bonds when promoting investment in such securities. Moreover, knowledge of ESBs can increase the WTIR, highlighting the need for policies aimed at enhancing information dissemination. Additionally, the levels of social responsibility and altruism among investors can increase the WTIR, emphasizing the significance of environmental and sustainability education. This underscores the significance of educating individuals to foster greater interest in environmental and social issues, cultivating a mindset that extends to caring about the well-being of others.

E004 Question of the month; a simple method of patient engagement

Abstract Background/Aims Patient involvement at every stage of service development is key to driving forward meaningful change. It can however, be difficult to engage a broad demographic. Focus groups can gain in depth information but are time consuming and will only involve a small number of people. Questionnaires are often poorly completed or have a low return rate. Asking a ‘question of the month’ is a simple method of collecting a large amount of data on a single topic. We have recently reinstated patient education sessions following a break in their provision due to Covid-19 and were keen to optimise these by finding out what patients wanted. Methods A poster was place in the waiting room asking ‘What was the most useful information you were given when you were diagnosed with arthritis’. Patients were given a post-it note and asked to write an answer on it and stick it onto the poster. The same question was asked in paediatric, adolescent and general adult clinics to all follow up patients with inflammatory arthritis during September 2023. The question of the month concept was developed by the Rubis QI Team as part of the JIALearn project. Thematic analysis was performed for the three age groups separately. Results Themes common to all age groups: 1. Knowing that there are a range of effective treatment options available. 2. Hope: “it is not life changing”, “expect a long journey and try and remain positive” In paediatrics, effective, accessible communication was a dominant theme in “any concerns are important and are listened to” In adolescents and young adults being given hope and knowing that there were treatment options were the most dominant themes: “it doesn’t have to affect your life”, “knowing I had different choices out there to help me” In adults the most dominant theme was around self management, particularly around regular exercise, diet and weight loss. “I can manage my problem”, “allows you to stay in control”. Some patients used this project as an opportunity to leave positive feedback about their care to date. Clinicians involved reported good clinical engagement and an improved therapeutic relationship with patients. These themes will be used to guide future patient education sessions targeted at specific age groups. The results of this project will be developed into a poster for the waiting room to demonstrate that comments have been listened to and acted upon. Conclusion Adults newly diagnosed with arthritis place a strong emphasis on self management. The themes of open communication and hope emerged in children and young adults. The comments provided will help to guide and shape future patient education sessions. Question of the month is a simple way of engaging with a broad number of patients. Disclosure R. Waller: None.

Implementing Approach-Bias Modification as Add-On to Varieties of Clinical Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders: Results of a Multicenter RCT

Introduction: Abstinence rates after inpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) are modest (1-year rate around 50%). One promising approach is to re-train the automatically activated action tendency to approach alcohol-related stimuli (alcohol-approach bias) in AUD patients, as add-on to regular treatment. As efficacy has been demonstrated in well-controlled randomized controlled trials, the important next step is to add alcohol-approach-bias modification (alcohol-ApBM) to varieties of existing treatments for AUD. Therefore, this prospective, multicenter implementation-RCT examined whether adding alcohol-ApBM to regular treatments (various abstinence-oriented treatments including both individual and group-based interventions) would significantly increase abstinence rates compared to receiving regular treatment only, in a variety of naturalistic settings with different therapeutic approaches. Methods: A total of 1,586 AUD inpatients from 9 German rehabilitation clinics were randomly assigned to receive either ApBM in addition to regular treatment or not. Training satisfaction of patients and therapists was measured after training. Success rates were determined at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Results: Return rates of the post-treatment assessments varied greatly between clinics, often being low (18–76%). Nevertheless, ApBM significantly increased success rates after 3 months. After 6 and 12 months, the differences were not significant. ApBM was evaluated mostly positively by patients and therapists. Discussion/Conclusion: ApBM was an effective add-on to regular treatment of AUD at 3 months follow-up, across a variety of AUD treatment settings. However, low return rates for the clinical outcomes reduced the effect size of ApBM considerably. The application of ApBM proved feasible in varying clinical settings, offering the opportunity to modify automatic processes and to promote abstinence.

Risk-averse corporate investment behavior and the effectiveness of quantitative easing

This paper analyzes how risk-averse investment behavior in a liquidity trap can render quantitative easing ineffective under certain circumstances. For risk-averse firms that could lever either a risky investment project or a riskless alternative, I show that the real interest rate responsiveness of a relative net investment return causes both the interest-rate sensitivity of investment and the slope of the aggregate demand (AD) curve to bifurcate. Except for the scenario of sufficiently low investment return and high real interest rates, investment is positively related to real interest rates and the AD curve is downward sloping; under the circumstances, quantitative easing backfires but laissez faire helps stimulate investment instead.

Energy Colonialism in Europe: A Participatory Analysis of the Case of Granada (Spain)

The energy crisis and the exacerbation of climate change, along with the associated geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine, are accelerating the energy transition in Europe. A transition from fossil energy sources to renewable energy sources that have a low Energy Return Rate, involves, among many other issues, the use of wide areas to locate the necessary infrastructure for production, transport and storage, altering territories with agricultural, cultural and ecological values. This process is based on the deployment of renewable energy megaprojects in peripheric areas of the continent, mostly in the southern states creating a wide range of social conflicts and resistances. We analyse this process in the case study of the province of Granada, a peripheric territory of south-east Spain considering the category of energy colonialism and the six dimensions that characterise it, arguing that this is a proper approach to address internal colonialism related to the corporate energy transition. We also want to demonstrate the importance of using participatory methodologies for this analysis, so we have developed an online survey, semi-structured interviews and participatory cartography workshops, always focusing on the citizens and stakeholders who are resisting the deployment of renewable energy megaprojects in the province of Granada. The obtained results allow us to confirm the necessity of using participatory methodologies and the colonial aspect of this deployment, including the characteristics of social resistance, the territorial impacts, the land-grabbing process and the inequalities in the production, distribution and use of energy. We conclude with the need to articulate a decolonial energy transition where participatory methods constitute a fundamental tool both to attend the resistances and to build the alternatives.

PRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF DIFFERENT SOYBEAN GENOTYPES IN THE WESTERN REGION OF PARANÁ

The agribusiness sector is responsible for the largest percentage of the Brazilian GDP; nevertheless, agricultural activities have a low return rate and a high cost risk. To meet the financial needs of producers and agribusiness sectors, the choice of the genotype to be planted in commercial areas is one of the first decisions to be made. This study aimed to evaluate the production components of five different soybean genotypes in the western region of Paraná in the 2022/2023 season under standardized planting conditions. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block (RCB) with 5 treatments and 4 replications, totaling 20 experimental plots. The treatments consisted of planting different soybean genotypes (M 6100 XTD, AS 3615 I2X, P 96R10 IPRO, DM 60IX64 RSF I2X, and M 6110 I2X), all of indeterminate growth and early maturity. The genotypes AS 3615 I2X, DM 60IX64 RSF I2X, and M 6110 I2X have the Intacta2 Xtend technology, while M 6100 XTD has the Xtend Biotec technology, and P 96R10 has the Intacta RR2 PRO technology. Furthermore, all materials belong to the relative maturity group (GMR) 6.1, except for DM 60IX64 RSF I2X, which is in the GMR 6.0 group. The following parameters were evaluated: plant height (AP), number of racemes (NR), number of pods per plant (NVP), number of grains per pod (NGV), thousand-grain weight (MMG), productivity (PROD), and vegetative index (IV). After measuring the mentioned parameters, the results were subjected to the Tukey statistical test to compare the means, where significant differences (p<0.05) were observed among the genotypes (M 6100 XTD, AS 3615 I2X, P 96R10 IPRO, DM 60IX64 RSF I2X, and M 6110 I2X) for the morphological and productive variables NGV, MMG, and IV. For the productive component NGV, the genotype P 96R10 IPRO had the lowest mean (2.32 grains per pod) compared to the others. However, the same genotype had a higher mean MMG (153.59 g) when compared to AS 3615 I2X and DM 60IX64 RSF I2X. The variables that showed significant differences among the genotypes did not affect the final PROD of the experiment's genotypes because the evaluated genotypes have a high production capacity but different technologies. As there was no chemical management disruption, significant pest and disease attacks, or adverse weather conditions, all genotypes were able to develop their maximum production capacity.

Analisis Pengaruh TQM, Budaya Organisasi serta Sistem Penghargaan terhadap Kinerja Manajerial

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the influence of Total Quality Management (TQM), Organizational Culture, and Reward Systems on managerial performance in startup companies in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: This research considered a population of leaders/managers of service companies, with a total of 2,229 startup companies in Indonesia in 2021. Convenience sampling was used. In this case, 25 leaders and managers of start-up companies in Indonesia were the sample subjects., who answered the research questionnaire. This study was quantitative and used primary data. The primary data were obtained through field studies using questionnaires. The structural model in this study was measured using the coefficient of determination (R²) and the path coefficient to measure the relationship between variables. We then test the hypothesis using the t-test to determine the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Results: it is known that Total Quality Management (TQM) and Organizational Culture have a significant positive impact on managerial performance in start-up companies in Indonesia. However, the Reward System has not been proven to have an impact on managerial performance in the context of start-up companies in Indonesia, perhaps due to the company's limitations in creating an effective reward system as a motivation for employees. Limitations: Limitations in this research include the use of a survey method with a questionnaire without direct interviews with respondents. The sample was limited to 13 startup companies using a convenience sampling method due to time constraints and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the low return rate for questionnaires due to the lack of research permits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Contribution: This research is expected to provide a deeper understanding of the role of factors in research in facing the challenges faced by start-up companies in Indonesia today. Novelty: novelty in this research includes the use of new variables that have not been studied before and were carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic which provides a better picture from the worker's perspective.

Where is all the research software? An analysis of software in UK academic repositories

This research examines the prevalence of research software as independent records of output within UK academic institutional repositories (IRs). There has been a steep decline in numbers of research software submissions to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework from 2008 to 2021, but there has been no investigation into whether and how the official academic IRs have affected the low return rates. In what we believe to be the first such census of its kind, we queried the 182 online repositories of 157 UK universities. Our findings show that the prevalence of software within UK Academic IRs is incredibly low. Fewer than 28% contain software as recognised academic output. Of greater concern, we found that over 63% of repositories do not currently record software as a type of research output and that several Universities appeared to have removed software as a defined type from default settings of their repository. We also explored potential correlations, such as being a member of the Russell group, but found no correlation between these metadata and prevalence of records of software. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings with regards to the lack of recognition of software as a discrete research output in institutions, despite the opposite being mandated by funders, and we make recommendations for changes in policies and operating procedures.

Whether to offer return-freight insurance or open a physical showroom: A strategic analysis of an online retailer’s decisions

Return-freight insurance (RI) and physical showroom (PS) can be a double-edged sword for retailers, as they can help consumers reduce product mismatch and information uncertainty but may lead to higher return rates and operating and construction costs. In this study, we examine four corresponding configurations regarding whether to provide RI (yes-R, no-N) and whether to open a PS (yes-S, no-N): NN, RN, NS, and RS. First, we find that offering RI or opening a PS does not necessarily expand market demand. Whether demand grows is closely related to the RI premium. When the RI premium is low, the RN strategy, which offers only RI, can expand the market, and the NS and RS strategies, where retailers open a PS, can shrink the market. In addition, retailers offering RI charge a higher sales price, while those opening a PS adopt a price reduction strategy. Second, the optimal strategy configuration for retailers depends on four factors: the RI premium, the proportion of consumers, the retailer’s cost of handling returns and the PS construction cost. Retailers consider opening a PS only when both the proportion of high-cost consumers and the PS construction cost are low. An interesting result is that when the RI premium is higher, offering RI still benefits the retailer. Third, we present an intuitive decision support matrix to help retailers recommend the optimal strategy configuration, using the RI premium as a proxy for the product online return rate and the proportion of high-cost consumers as a proxy for the degree of product standardization. Depending on whether products with high (low) return rates are highly personalized or standardized, retailers decide whether to use an NS (RS) or NN (RN) strategy.

Mobile health follow-up screening to risk stratify patients in need of further care in a low resource setting: Results from a prospective multisite implementation study.

Routine in-person follow-up for injured patients after hospital discharge is unfeasible in low- and middle-income countries where trauma morbidity and mortality are the highest. Mobile technology screening may facilitate early detection of complications and timely treatment. In this prospective, multisite implementation study, we cross-validate the performance of a cellphone screening tool developed to risk stratify trauma patients in need of further care after discharge in Cameroon. Between June 2019 and August 2022, research assistants contacted trauma patients by cellphone 2 weeks after discharge to administer a 14-question follow-up survey. All surveyed patients were asked to return for a physical examination. Physicians blinded to survey results categorized patients as low or moderate or high risk (HR) for poor outcomes without further care. Logistic regression tested associations between each survey question and physician examination. Predictive survey questions generated a preliminary model with high sensitivity for identifying patients in need of further care. Of 1,712 successfully contacted patient households, 96% (1643) participated in telephone triage compared with 33% (560) who returned for physician examination. Physicians designated 39% (220) as being HR. On multiple logistic regression, 8 of 13 candidate triage questions were independently associated with HR. Positive survey response on the resultant eight question screen yielded 89.2% sensitivity for HR with a 10.8% false negative rate. Weighted for variable importance based on triage risk scores, 39% of triaged patients screened as low risk, 39% as moderate risk, and 22% as high risk for HR. Likelihood of HR was significantly greater for patients screening as high (odds ratio, 5.9) or moderate risk (odds ratio, 1.9; both p < 0.01). Cellphone triage provides sensitive risk stratification of patients in need of further care after hospital discharge in Cameroon. Given low in-person return rates, limited resources should highly prioritize efforts to repatriate patients screening as high risk for poor outcomes. Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Increasing the efficiency of delivery operations and customer profitability analysis with a time-driven activity-based costing model

Learning outcomes Upon completion of the case study discussion, successful students will be able to define and list the steps of time-driven activity-based costing system (TDABC); understand and explain the ideas behind the TDABC; implement the TDABC in customer profitability analysis; draw connections among the cost and profitability analysis; evaluate the importance of better costing techniques in profitability analysis; and make managerial decisions based on TDABC analysis. Case overview/synopsis Gluten Limited’s financial affairs and operations manager, Fatih, was aware that the company was making very little profit from its operations with its biggest customer. The main reason appeared to be that it delivered its products in bulk to the main warehouses of the customer, which then distributed them to the stores. Fatih believed that products were being sent to stores late, so that their expiration dates passed quickly and they ended up being returned. The case study documents the past year of Gluten Limited’s delivery operations with one of its biggest customers. It focuses on the effectiveness of its delivery operations and ways to increase profitability by reducing sales returns. The case dilemma involves the choices that Fatih faced following a six-month trial period: either delivering products in bulk to the customer’s main warehouses at lower cost but higher return rates or delivering small amounts directly to stores at higher cost but lower return rates. Fatih needed to decide which mode of customer operations was more profitable and continue that way. Knowing the importance of determining costs properly in profitability analysis, Fatih made the cost calculations using the TDABC system. Complexity academic level This case was written for use in Cost Accounting and Managerial Accounting classes at the undergraduate level. The focus of the case aligns well with discussions of customer profitability analysis, cost reductions, eliminating non-value-added activities, and profitability of operations. Instructors seeking to emphasize the most suitable costing methods for customer profitability analysis could assign this case. Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 7: Management Science

Assessment of IT Tools Used for Operational Budgeting in Polish and Lithuanian Companies

The paper aims to determine the quality of information and the quality of IT tools used for operational budgeting in Polish and Lithuanian companies. The questionnaires were distributed by e-mail and traditionally among controllers/management accountants. Due to the fact that the sample was non-random, the findings of the research cannot be statistically referred to all the companies. The authors opted for this method of data collection because of the difficulty with survey returnability (extremely low return rate due to the use of sensitive data). However, the authors have taken a number of steps to increase the reliability of the study conducted. The research was preceded by extensive literature studies, the respondents had knowledge of the analyzed phenomenon and the results of the conducted research were compared to the results received by other authors. IT tools supporting operational budgeting with the highest quality assessment were Excel/Access and a ready and parameterized budgeting modules in the Integrated Systems. The analysis shows that low-quality IT systems result in low information quality. The system that is flexible can be modified easily, thus meeting changed user information needs quickly and efficiently, which leads to relevant and up-to-date information outputs to users, implying high information quality. The research shows that the maintenance of high quality of the operational budgeting system is a determinant of the quality of information generated by this system, in its absence - there is no way to ensure the quality of information in the decision-making process. This study allows to interpret the results of prior studies and create directions for future research that will refer to system quality and information quality, but also to a more extensive analysis. The results allow for prioritization in the context of dissemination, but most of all for the evaluation of individual tools supporting operational budgeting. Consequently, it extends the scope of information regarding the choice or change of the tool used, and provides the basis for a deeper analysis of the assessment of the distinguished features characterizing a given tool. The study offers the possibility of continuing it, which would allow comparison of the results, both in other countries, as well as repeating the study in the future and the possibility of observing changes in the tools used and assessing their quality. The survey could serve as a prelude to in-depth qualitative research, which would enable analysis of the factors determining the quality of the system used and the information generated.

Review of strategies to investigate low sample return rates in remote tobacco trials: A call to action for more user-centered design research

Remote collection of biomarkers of tobacco use in clinical trials poses significant challenges. A recent meta-analysis and scoping review of the smoking cessation literature indicated that sample return rates are low and that new methods are needed to investigate the underlying causes of these low rates. In this paper we conducted a narrative review and heuristic analysis of the different human factors approaches reported to evaluate and/or improve sample return rates among 31 smoking cessation studies recently identified in the literature. We created a heuristic metric (with scores from 0 to 4) to evaluate the level of elaboration or complexity of the user-centered design strategy reported by researchers. Our review of the literature identified five types of challenges typically encountered by researchers (in that order): usability and procedural, technical (device related), sample contamination (e.g., polytobacco), psychosocial factors (e.g., digital divide), and motivational factors. Our review of strategies indicated that 35% of the studies employed user-centered design methods with the remaining studies relying on informal methods. Among the studies that employed user-centered design methods, only 6% reached a level of 3 in our user-centered design heuristic metric. None of the studies reached the highest level of complexity (i.e., 4). This review examined these findings in the context of the larger literature, discussed the need to address the role of health equity factors more directly, and concluded with a call to action to increase the application and reporting of user-centered design strategies in biomarkers research.

Characteristics of Suspected COVID-19 Discharged Emergency Department Patients Who Returned During the First Wave.

Limited information exists on patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who return to the emergency department (ED) during the first wave. In this study we aimed to identify predictors of ED return within 72 hours for patients with suspected COVID-19. Incorporating data from 14 EDs within an integrated healthcare network in the New York metropolitan region from March 2-April 27, 2020, we analyzed this data on predictors for a return ED visit-including demographics, comorbidities, vital signs, and laboratory results. In total, 18,599 patients were included in the study. The median age was 46 years old [interquartile range 34-58]), 50.74% were female, and 49.26% were male. Overall, 532 (2.86%) returned to the ED within 72 hours, and 95.49% were admitted at the return visit. Of those tested for COVID-19, 59.24% (4704/7941) tested positive. Patients with chief complaints of "fever" or "flu" or a history of diabetes or renal disease were more likely to return at 72 hours. Risk of return increased with persistently abnormal temperature (odds ratio [OR] 2.43, 95% CI 1.8-3.2), respiratory rate (2.17, 95% CI 1.6-3.0), and chest radiograph (OR 2.54, 95% CI 2.0-3.2). Abnormally high neutrophil counts, low platelet counts, high bicarbonate values, and high aspartate aminotransferase levels were associated with a higher rate of return. Risk of return decreased when discharged on antibiotics (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.0-0.3) or corticosteroids (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.0-0.9). The low overall return rate of patients during the first COVID-19 wave indicates that physicians' clinical decision-making successfully identified those acceptable for discharge.

Influences of the ongoing digital transformation of the Chinese Economy on innovation of sustainable green technologies

Green technology innovation (GI) is a key factor in reconciling environmental protection with sustainable economic development. Routinely, GI in private companies have been delayed due to suspicious of pitfalls investments, which result in low return rates. Nevertheless, the digital transformation of Nations' Economies (DE) might be sustainably sound in terms of natural resources demands and environmental pollution. Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Enterprises (ECEPEs) database was analyzed from 2011 to 2019 at the municipality level to measure the effect and influence of DE on GI in Chinese ECEPEs. The results suggest that DE has a significant positive influence on GI of ECEPEs. Moreover, the influencing mechanism statistical tests reveal that DE can promote GI of ECEPEs by improving internal controls and financing opportunities. Heterogeneous statistical analysis, however, indicates that the promotion of DE on GI might be constrained over the country. In general, DE can promote both high- and low-quality GI but preferably the latter.

Advancing the marketing‐operations interface in omnichannel retail

Advancing the marketing‐operations interface in omnichannel retail

Information disclosure, consumer returns, and operational costs in omnichannel retailing

AbstractIn the online retailing, consumers are commonly uncertain about the product's quality and fitness. To resolve these uncertainties, many pure e‐tailers adopt various omnichannel strategies to provide tactile product information for consumers. We build a model to investigate a pure e‐tailer's decision on whether to adopt an omnichannel strategy. Our result indicates that when the cost for each physical store is sufficiently low, the e‐tailer always adopts the omnichannel strategy regardless of the product quality. Moreover, the low‐quality e‐tailer's willingness to adopt the omnichannel strategy is nonmonotonic with the fitness probability when the travel cost factor is high. In contrast, if the cost for each physical store is moderate, the e‐tailer adopts the omnichannel strategy if and only if the product quality is above a threshold. The quality threshold may increase with the fitness probability. Higher fitness probability means a lower return rate and fewer benefits brought by the omnichannel strategy. Thus, the threshold of the quality is increased to guarantee a sufficiently large price increase when choosing the omnichannel strategy. Furthermore, when the cost for each physical store is high, the e‐tailer with a high‐quality product would abandon the omnichannel strategy if the fitness probability is moderate. Finally, we consider the scenarios in which the e‐tailer can endogenously determine the number of physical stores or provide a partial refund policy.