Mediated Mechanism Research Articles

Socially Responsible Human Resource Management for Sustainable Performance in a Moderated Mediation Mechanism

Socially Responsible Human Resource Management for Sustainable Performance in a Moderated Mediation Mechanism

Carbon offset payment intentions in aviation industry: Altruism vs. Egoism and airline sustainability

Purpose The issue of excessive carbon emissions continues to be a critical global challenge. As a prominent mode of transportation for long-distance travel, aircraft is widely acknowledged as a significant source of these emissions. Carbon offset initiatives function as ecological measures, helping to reduce the negative environmental impact. This study aims to explore how benefit appeals (BA) within the aviation industry impact tourists’ carbon offset payment intentions (COPIt). Design/methodology/approach In Studies 1 and 2, scenario-based experiments were conducted to explore how goal framing (GF) and (BA) interact to influence COPIt. Study 2 further investigated the mediating roles of moral responsibility and trust in airlines within this interaction. Study 3 used real-world surveys to examine the moderating influence of moral elevation, thereby supporting the interactive effects and mediation mechanisms identified in the earlier studies. Findings Across three studies, the authors consistently identified pivotal factors shaping COPIt in the context of air travel. Study 1 revealed that the combination of BA and GF significantly impacts COPIt, with egoistic appeals linked to loss framing and altruistic appeals connected to gain framing being particularly effective in encouraging COPIt. Study 2 extended these insights by showing that moral responsibility and trust in airlines serve as mediators between BA, GF and COPIt. In Study 3, moral elevation was found to moderate the influence of BA and GF on both moral responsibility and COPIt, deepening the understanding of these dynamics. Originality/value This study expands the range of factors affecting COPIt and delves into the underlying mechanisms through which BA and GF shape COPIt. Additionally, it advances current understanding by revealing the intricate processes influenced by moral elevation. The findings not only contribute to the existing knowledge on COPIt determinants but also offer practical guidance for the aviation industry and related sectors in promoting tourists’ participation in carbon offset programs.

Mobile phone addiction and self-injury in adolescents with MDD: mediation by self-esteem and depression, and the failure of usage restrictions

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested a significant association between mobile phone addiction (MPA) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in general adolescents. However, limited research has analyzed this relationship in clinical populations, such as those with major depressive disorder (MDD), and the potential mediation mechanisms remain unclear.MethodsThis cross-sectional observational study analyzed data from 2343 adolescents with MDD (77.9% females; mean age = 14.99 years, SD = 1.65). Using mediation models, we explored the roles of self-esteem and depression severity (measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9) in the relationship between MPA and NSSI. Additionally, we evaluated the associations between existing school-implemented mobile phone usage policies and levels of MPA, self-esteem, depression symptoms, and NSSI.ResultsMPA was significantly associated with NSSI, with low self-esteem and increased depression severity almost entirely mediating this effect (log-odds = 0.016, 95%CI = 0.02–0.013). Subdomains of MPA, including inability to control craving, feelings of anxiety, and productivity loss, followed similar mediation models, while the subdomain of withdrawal/escape had a partial effect mediated by depression severity. Additionally, enforced restrictions on mobile phone usage in schools did not show positive effects on related variables and even exacerbated MPA by increasing cravings and reducing productivity.ConclusionOur study suggests that MPA in adolescents with MDD may be an important risk factor for NSSI occurrence, and that reducing the negative impact of mobile phone usage on self-esteem and depressive symptoms, rather than simply restricting usage, may be crucial for effective intervention.

Exploring consumers’ innovative products adoption process: based on technology readiness and value-based adoption

ABSTRACT This study seeks to empirically verify whether technology readiness composed of facilitating factor and inhibiting factor, affects consumer’s decision on innovation adoption. In addition, in an attempt to explore the mediation mechanism, the study sought to confirm whether technology readiness impacts consumers’ adoption decision through the dual paths, employing double sided perceptions with regards to perceived benefits and perceived sacrifices of the innovation. Finally, the study examines the moderating effect of psychological distance on the relationships between perceived benefits (and sacrifices) and adoption intention. Result of the study revealed that innovativeness affects the intention to adopt innovative products. Perceived benefits (and sacrifices) mediated the relationship between technology readiness and the intention to adopt innovative products. Finally, the study confirmed that the psychological distance moderates the relationship between perceived benefits (and sacrifices) and the intention to adopt innovative products.

Service robot performance and hospitality employees’ job loss insecurity and turnover*

Robots have gained researchers’ attention as new technologies advance in the hospitality industry. In recent years, the worldwide demand for automation has caused the idea of serving robots to raise business sustainability through technological innovations. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of service robots on employee job loss insecurity and turnover intention. A convoluted mediation and moderation mechanism among study constructs is uncovered using a quantitative process. Our results demonstrate that robot performance efficacy positively relates to robot perceived usefulness and speed of service and positively affects employees’ job loss insecurity. Robot perceived usefulness and speed of service mediate the relationship between robot performance efficacy and employees’ job loss insecurity. The study’s findings also revealed the effect of job loss insecurity on turnover intention. Psychological aspects positively mediate the relationship between job loss insecurity and turnover intention.

Role of workforce analytics in fulfillment experience of employees through work volition

Purpose Labor process theory explains that employers prefer technology and systems over employees for efficiency gains. However, the mechanisms explaining the influence of technology and systems on different work-related employee outcomes are still a question mark. The purpose of this study is to test a mediation mechanism explaining how workforce analytics influence the work fulfillment experience of employees through work volition. Design/methodology/approach This study collected dyadic data from 55 HR managers and 350 employees serving in 55 different subsidiaries of Multinational Corporations in Pakistan. Findings The statistical results demonstrate that workforce analytics negatively affect fulfillment at work. However, work volition may reduce the negative relationship between workforce analytics and fulfillment at work. This study also found a significant but negative relationship between work volition and fulfillment at work. Originality/value This study found that integrating the use of workforce analytics with the work volition of employees is critical for positive employee outcomes.

Tinjauan Yuridis terhadap Penyelesaian Sengketa Tanah di Jakarta Barat

T Land dispute resolution is a complex issue in Indonesia, especially in urban areas such as West Jakarta. These disputes often involve the sale and purchase of the land in question, as in case Number 59/Pdt.G/2023/PN Jkt.Brt. This study aims to analyze juridically the settlement of land disputes and how they are implemented in the Indonesian legal system. The method used in this study is normative legal research that focuses on literature review. The results of the study show that the implementation of mediation as one of the dispute resolution methods provides equal justice for both parties, and can result in a peace agreement that has legal force. The conclusion of this study is that the mediation mechanism has great potential in resolving land disputes more effectively than the litigation route.

Molecular Scarring in Relapsing Psoriasis: Crosstalk of Keratinocytes and Immune Cells

Abstract Introduction/Objective Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder with a tendency for relapse, characterized by immune- mediated mechanisms leading to papulosquamous lesions. Despite advances in treatment, many patients experience relapse, particularly in previously healed areas, referred to as “molecular scarring.” This scarring suggests a complex interaction between keratinocytes and immune cells, including tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs), cytokines, and epigenetic modifications, contributing to the pattern-specific recurrence of psoriasis. Methods/Case Report After reviewing 31 articles on PubMed, we focused on the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis, examining the role of TRMs, the balance between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 cells, and the impact of various treatment modalities on disease recurrence. It evaluates the expression of TRM markers and the effectiveness of treatments such as anti-IL-17 agents and phototherapy in altering disease progression. The study also explores the genomic characteristics of psoriatic lesions post-treatment and the duration of clinical remission associated with different therapeutic approaches. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) The findings demonstrate a significant role of TRMs in psoriasis relapse, with environmental triggers reactivating these cells and leading to the production of inflammatory cytokines. Treatments targeting IL-17 showed a rapid decrease in TRM markers, particularly in the dermis, and were associated with different durations of disease remission based on the therapeutic approach. The study also found that the genomic profile of treated lesions does not fully normalize, with variations in gene expression linked to the type of treatment and possibly influencing the size of the molecular scar and relapse duration. Conclusion Psoriasis relapse is intricately linked to the presence of TRMs and the molecular scarring of previously healed lesions, influenced by various treatment modalities. The study underscores the importance of targeting TRMs and adjusting therapeutic strategies to extend the period of clinical remission and prevent the transition to more severe disease forms. Future research should focus on elucidating the detailed mechanisms of psoriasis relapse and developing targeted treatments to normalize the genomic profile of healed skin, ultimately improving patient outcomes and management of the disease.

Study on the Promotional Effect and Mechanism of New Quality Productive Forces on Green Development

The new quality productive forces have the potential to spur both the green transformation of the industrial structure and innovative advances in green technology, which will further strengthen the foundation for sustainable growth. This study analyzes panel data from 30 provinces between 2012 and 2022 to build an evaluation system for new quality productive forces and green development at the provincial level. The entropy weight TOPSIS approach is used to assign weights to each indicator. Methods including fixed effects, mediation effects, and spatial econometrics are used to examine the contribution of new quality productive forces to green development and its mediation mechanism. The study finds that: (1) New quality productive forces significantly promote green development, and the conclusion still holds after a robustness test using the instrumental variables method and excluding municipalities. (2) The new quality productive forces contribute significantly to green development by improving technology and optimizing industrial structure. (3) The new quality productive forces not only directly enhance the green development level of the region, but also positively influence the green development level of the neighboring regions through the spatial spillover effect. (4) The eastern and central regions are more affected by new productivity in terms of green development. Based on these, efforts should be made to develop new quality productive forces, increase technological research and investment, and promote the development of industrial structure to be more environmentally friendly and efficient to promote green development.

Air Pollution and Urban Economic Growth: A Study Based on Dynamic Models

<p class="Paragraph"><span lang="EN-US">With China's economic growth, the issue of air pollution has become increasingly prominent. As the core of political and economic development, 184 major cities in China face severe air pollution and significant environmental pressures due to high population density. Consequently, China has established key urban environmental monitoring stations in these cities to monitor pollution emissions in real time. This paper utilizes panel data from 184 Chinese cities spanning 2012-2022 and employs dynamic GMM models, fixed effects models, and mediation effect models to empirically examine the impact of air pollution on urban environmental pollution and its mediation mechanisms. From the perspective of cities with different income levels, a dynamic GMM model is established to determine the correlation between air pollution and various factors influencing urban economic growth. The study finds that air pollution significantly reduces economic growth in Chinese cities at the 1 per cent level, with each unit increase in air pollution reducing economic growth in Chinese cities by 0.84 units. Urbanization and human capital are identified as two crucial channels through which air pollution affects the economic development of Chinese cities. The negative impact of air pollution on economic growth is more pronounced in larger cities compared to smaller ones, and the adverse effects of haze pollution become increasingly significant over time. Therefore, policymakers should take the cultivation and application of new quality productivity as a key strategy to enhance the quality of economic development, and realise a win-win situation between economic growth and environmental protection through scientific and technological innovation and industrial restructuring. This will not only help alleviate the air pollution problem, but also inject new momentum into the high-quality development of China’s economy.</span></p>

Dimensions of ethical consumption: A systematic review and future outlook

AbstractUN's sustainable development goals view ethical consumption as a multi‐dimensional construct addressing production and consumption‐related sustainability challenges. The present study is the first to assimilate the five dimensions of ethical consumption—concern for environment, love of organic, preference for fair trade, regard for animal welfare, and anti‐consumption/boycott movements—in a single review. This framework‐based review using Theory‐Context‐Characteristic‐Methods (TCCM) and employing Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR‐4 SLR) protocol, thoroughly synthesizes the state of knowledge, identifies research gaps and proposes directions for future research in ethical consumption. The authors review 123 articles from 2000 to 2024 sourced from SCOPUS by thoroughly examining antecedents, mediators, moderators, outcome variables, and interrelationships for all five dimensions. The authors recommend applying new consumer personality theories instead of familiar frameworks, adopting qualitative methods and longitudinal designs with multicultural and cross‐national focus, and testing novel mediation and moderation mechanisms in clarifying interrelationships.

Recent Research on Iridium-Based Electrocatalysts for Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction from the Origin of Reaction Mechanism.

As the anode reaction of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is one of the main obstacles to the practical application of PEMWE due to its sluggish four-electron transfer process. The development of high-performance acidic OER electrocatalysts has become the key to improving the reaction kinetics. To date, although various excellent acidic OER electrocatalysts have been widely researched, Ir-based nanomaterials are still state-of-the-art electrocatalysts. Hence, a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the reaction mechanism of Ir-based electrocatalysts is crucial for the precise optimization of catalytic performance. In this review, the origin and nature of the conventional adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and the derived volcanic relationship on Ir-based electrocatalysts for acidic OER processes are summarized and some optimization strategies for Ir-based electrocatalysts based on the AEM are introduced. To further investigate the development strategy of high-performance Ir-based electrocatalysts, several unconventional OER mechanisms including dual-site mechanism and lattice oxygen mediated mechanism, and their applications are introduced in detail. Thereafter, the active species on Ir-based electrocatalysts at acidic OER are summarized and classified into surface Ir species and O species. Finally, the future development direction and prospect of Ir-based electrocatalysts for acidic OER are put forward.

Association between parental phubbing and short-form video addiction: A moderated mediation analysis among Chinese adolescents

BackgroundShort-form video applications have spread rapidly and gained popularity among adolescents for their interactivity, sociality, and personalization. However, excessive and uncontrolled use has also caused some adolescents to develop short-form video addiction (SFVA). Although parental phubbing has been shown to be a risk factor for SFVA in adolescents, its intermediate mechanisms, particularly the emotional mediation mechanisms, remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationships among parental phubbing, SFVA, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and neuroticism in adolescents. MethodsAdolescents aged 13–19 (N = 5785) were recruited from Shandong Province, China, as participants in 2023. Participants were asked to complete five self-report questionnaires, including the Parental Phubbing Behavior Questionnaire (PPBQ), Short-Form Video Addiction (SFVA) Scale, The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD20), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Scale, and Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory (Brief Version) (CBF-PI-B). ResultsThe results indicate that the influence of parental phubbing on short-form video addiction among adolescents is mediated by symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, neuroticism moderates the association between parental phubbing and symptoms of depression and anxiety. LimitationsCross-sectional design limits causal inferences. Reliance on self-report scales. ConclusionsThese findings contribute to a better understanding of the systemic impact mechanisms of negative family interactions on SFVA. Moreover, prevention and intervention strategies targeting high neuroticism and symptoms of depression and anxiety may help prevent the developmental pathway from parental phubbing to SFVA.

Exceptional Strength-Ductility Combinations of a CoCrNi-Based Medium-Entropy Alloy via Short/Medium-Time Annealing after Hot-Rolling.

Strong yet ductile alloys have long been desired for industrial applications to enhance structural reliability. This work produced two (CoCrNi)93.5Al3Ti3C0.5 medium-entropy alloys with exceptional strength-ductility combinations, via short/medium (3 min/30 min) annealing times after hot-rolling. Three types of intergranular precipitates including MC, M23C6 carbides, and L12 phase were detected in both samples. Noticeably, the high-density of intragranular L12 precipitates were only found in the medium-time annealed sample. Upon inspection of the deformed substructure, it was revealed that the plane slip is the dominant deformation mechanism of both alloys. This is related to the lower stacking fault energy, higher lattice friction induced by the C solute, and slip-plane softening caused by intragranular dense L12 precipitates. Additionally, we noted that the stacking fault and twinning act as the mediated mechanisms in deformation of the short-time annealed alloy, while only the former mechanism was apparent in the medium-time annealed alloy. The inhibited twinning tendency can be attributed to the higher energy stacking faults and the increased critical twinning stress caused by intragranular dense L12 precipitates. Our present findings provide not only guidance for optimizing the mechanical properties of high/medium-entropy alloys, but also a fundamental understanding of deformation mechanisms.

Innovative HR practices and product quality mediated by employee outcomes: Case of SMEs of Oman

Innovative HR practices in the SME context is a relatively less understood and less researched topic. Furthermore, innovative HR practices have the potential to give SMEs a competitive edge in the market. However, the mechanism that leads innovative HR practices to favorable business and employee outcomes is less understood. In the present study, we investigated this issue using a mediation mechanism. The objective was to test the effects of innovative HR practices on a selected business outcome i.e. product quality while testing the employee outcomes as mediator. The study utilized a cross-sectional method of data collection from SMEs and data was analyzed quantitatively (n=383). The first major result indicates that innovative HR practices including recruitment and selection (β=.181, P<.05); performance appraisal (β=0.253, P<.05); and employee involvement (β=0.094, P<.05) exert a positive and significant influence on product quality. Whereas, the results for performance-based pay (β=0.056 P>.05; and learning and development (β=0.092 P>.05) turned out to be insignificant. Furthermore, we tested four employee outcomes including employee commitment, employee competency, employee congruence, and job satisfaction as mediators. The result shows that in all four proposed mediation models, only employee involvement turned out to be functioning as a mediator which shows that this is the most important variable in the innovative HR practices and product quality relationship. We concluded that employee outcomes are important and need greater attention.

Academic buoyancy, hope, and behavioral engagement in learning English as a foreign language: A mediation model

With the enhancement of positive psychology movement in educational field, the contributive role of academic buoyancy on academic and well-being outcomes has been validated. However, few studies have been conducted to explore the mediation mechanisms between academic buoyancy and engagement, especially in the field of teaching English as a foreign language (EFL). Inspired by the control-value theory (CVT), this study set out to examine how EFL buoyancy related to behavioral engagement, using a latent structural equation modelling (SEM). Gender, age, and family resources are controlled while validating the hypothesized model of “academic buoyancy—hope—behavioral engagement”. The sample comprised 542 students (47.7% female) in their second year of secondary education who responded to survey items in a cross-sectional design. Our findings reveal that academic buoyancy was positively correlated with hope, and behavioral engagement in the EFL settings. Also, it was found that the emotional experience of hope fully mediated the relationships between academic buoyancy and behavioral engagement. The hypothesized model accounts for 79.0% of the variance in EFL hope and 54.5% of the variance in behavioral engagement. These findings shed light on the influence mechanism of academic buoyancy on behavioral engagement in learning English as a foreign language. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Arbitration Trends and Challenges in Transnational Commercial Disputes

As globalization accelerates, cross-border business grows, leading to more disputes. Traditional litigation often fails to meet demands for efficient, flexible resolution. At this time, the alternative dispute mediation mechanism, such as arbitration, has emerged and demonstrated its irreplaceable utility in dealing with international commercial conflicts. The main purpose of this paper is to examine the practice trend and the existing difficulties of arbitration in the mediation of transnational commercial disputes in recent years. Firstly, through a systematic review of the literature, we can extract the fundamental characteristics of transnational commercial arbitration and outline its evolution.Secondly, it analyzes the latest practice of arbitration system in the world and the influence of technological innovation. Then, this paper deeply discusses the specific problems encountered in the practice of arbitration, including the obstacles in the application of law, the execution of awards, etc. Finally, based on the above research results, this paper puts forward strategies and suggestions to improve transnational commercial arbitration procedures, aiming at promoting fairer and more efficient operation in this field. It is expected that this research can contribute enlightening reference to the future evolution path of cross-domain commercial dispute arbitration.

Digital transformation and corporate green total factor productivity: Based on double/debiased machine learning robustness estimation

With the rapid development of the digital economy, China's digital technology and industry continue to integrate deeply into all areas of society. Digital transformation(DT) has become an important engine and key pedestal for economic and social transformations and upgrades. This paper takes 3525 listed companies from 2013 to 2021 as a sample to measure the green total factor productivity(GTFP) of listed enterprises based on the super-efficiency slacks-based measure with the Global Malmquist-Luenberger Index (SBM-GML) and the super-efficiency epsilon-based measure with the Global Malmquist-Luenberger Index (EBM-GML). It draws on the two existing DT indicators to explore the impact and mechanism of enterprise DT on GTFP. The results show that DT can significantly enhance GTFP, and this conclusion still holds after double/debiased machine learning and other robustness tests; the heterogeneity analysis shows that DT of high-tech enterprises, manufacturing industries and low-financialisation enterprises has a more obvious effect on the enhancement of GTFP; and the four-stage mediated impact mechanism suggests that the effect of DT on GTFP can be achieved by improving internal control ability and technological innovation ability. This paper will provide relevant policy insights on how to better drive enterprise DT and green low-carbon development under the “dual-carbon” goal.

Enantioselectively generating imidazolone dIz by the chiral DNA intercalating and “light-switching” Ru(II) polypyridyl complex via a novel flash-quench method

The 2-aminoimidazolone is a major and ubiquitous in vitro product of guanine oxidation. The flash-quench method, combining spectroscopy and product analysis, offers a novel and tunable approach to study guanine oxidation on double helical DNA. Herein we found that imidazolone dIz (2-amino-5-[(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)amino]-4H-imidazole-4-one) and dZ (2,2-diamino-5-[2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)amino]-5(2H)-oxazolone) were the major oxidation products of double-strand DNA from the visible-light irradiation of the well-known DNA intercalating and light-switching Ru(OP)2dppz2+ (OP = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppz = dipyrido [3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) in the presence of a typical quencher methyl viologen (MV2+). Using ESR spin-trapping method, the radical intermediate MV•+ with typical hyperfine pattern was detected which indicated the successful formation of the corresponding Ru3+ intercalated oxidant. The formation of dIz and dZ decreased markedly with the addition of nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT), a typical O2•- reactant. With a more specific and highly sensitive O2•- probe CT02-H, its ESR signal decayed rapidly in the presence of Ru(OP)2dppz2+ and MV2+, suggesting that O2•- was indeed produced. More interestingly, enantio-selective generation of oxidation products from dsDNA was observed with the two chiral forms of Ru(OP)2dppz2+. This represents the first report that the flash-quench technique with MV2+ as the quencher can oxidize dsDNA effectively to form dIz and dZ via the Ru3+/O2•- mediated mechanism. Our new findings provide a novel method to generate two radicals simultaneously, G (-H)• and O2•-, in close proximity to one another in dsDNA.

Dispute Settlement Mechanisms in International Agreements of the European Union

This article attempts a systematisation of the types of dispute settlement mechanisms in EU international agreements, and it comments upon their most salient features from the perspective of EU law. All EU dispute settlement is peaceful dispute settlement. Within this type of dispute settlement, several categories can be distinguished: some EU international agreements contain no dispute settlement clause; some allow for the imposition of coercive measures such as sanctions; and most foresee the recourse to judicial or quasi-judicial avenues. In addition to judicial avenues in an independent court, EU international agreements in fact also include ‘softer’ mechanisms for consultation, mediation, or cooperation whereby the parties endeavour to reach a mutually agreed solution for solving any dispute before recurring to judicial avenues. This article suggests possible taxonomies of judicial or quasi-judicial mechanisms based on the body in charge of setting the dispute, on the procedure and on the subject matter, and it identifies common patterns in the inclusion of these forms of dispute settlement in EU international agreements.