Percent Response Rate Research Articles

Illegitimate tasks and job satisfaction among employees of micro informal enterprises

This study addresses the illegitimate task-related stressor that establishes a threat to the employees’ self-image. The objective of this study is to provide a clear picture on how illegitimate tasks impact on employees’ mind who work in micro informal enterprises. No single study examined this relationship among employees of informal enterprises. An active employee of micro informal enterprises (MIE’s) within Lahore city is the unit of analysis of this study. The questionnaire of the study was sent to 500 employees of informal enterprises. Participants were 425 full-time employees in informal enterprises at various position levels, representing an 85 percent response rate. SPSS 21 and AMOS 16 statistical packages were used to analyze the collected data. Normality of variables was checked with the help of Skewness and Kurtosis scores. To test the hypotheses of this study, structural equation modeling (SEM) was implemented. The analysis comprises confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings of this study show that illegitimate tasks also boost the stress level of employees who work in informal entrepreneurship. Consequently, owners and managers of MIE should organize and design such training programs that increase the level of understanding about assigned tasks.

Engaging employees through compensation fairness, job Involvement, organizational commitment: The roles of employee spirituality

This paper aims to investigate the role of Employee Spirituality to moderate between Compensation fairness and Employee Engagement, Job involvement and Employee Engagement, organizational commitment, and employee engagement. In this survey, 279 respondents were collected with a 75 percent response rate (139 respondents) from May to July 2020 and a 93.3 percent rate (140 questionnaires) from August until September 2020. Validity used Confirmatory Factor Analysis used KMO and Bartlett’s test, and the reliability test was based on Cronbach-Alpha. Moreover, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test is used for normality test, Park test is implemented for Heteroscedasticity and Multicollinearity test. Moderator Regression Analysis is used to identify the moderator types. The results indicate that Employee Spirituality fully moderated (Pure moderator) between Compensation fairness and Employee Engagement and between Organizational Commitment and Employee Engagement. Moreover, Employee Spirituality partially moderated between Job Involvement and Employee Engagement. The research suggests to implement the model in a narrow scope and considers many variables outside the Compensation fairness, Job Involvement, and Organizational Commitment.

Creating as an entrepreneurial competence, innovation and performance of value-system actors in Kenya's leather industry

The purpose of this paper was to explore creating as a behavioural attribute of entrepreneurship and its relationship with innovation and performance outcomes from an industry ecosystem perspective. A mixed design approach was adopted which involved exploration of the creating, innovation and performance constructs as adapted from previous studies, and a diagnosis of their hypothesized relationship. Quantitative data was collected in a mixed sampling of fifty-eight Nairobi-based Leather Articles Entrepreneurs Association (LAEA) members and ten industry support organizations. A seventy-six percent response rate was achieved from leaders as key informants of a representative sample of the leather value-system actors in Kenya. Instrument reliability was established using the Delphi Technique and a pilot study (Cronbach's Alpha 0.717 – 0.761). Principal Component Analysis was used to explore the constructs before inferential analysis.The study showed creating, innovation and performance as valid constructs. Creating and innovation had a significant and positive causal relationship with performance of value-system actors in Kenya's leather industry (R2=0.135 p<0.05). Further, innovation fully mediated the creating-performance link. Therefore, creating, innovation and performance can be studied as valid entrepreneurial attributes of value-system actors in an industry ecosystem. Creating can be understood as an entrepreneurial competence construct comprising six behavioural indicators. This paper recommends the development of creating as a competence for value-system actors in an industry through training and policies for improved competitiveness. In addition, the validity variables studied as entrepreneurial attributes, their relationships and the methodology applied here should be tested further in diverse industries.

Cash management practice, SACCO size and Kenya’s deposit taking saving and credit co-operatives financial sustainability

Deposit taking Savings and Credit Co-operatives (SACCO) are solution to social dilemmas like abject poverty, living standards and unemployment. Nevertheless, 14 percent do not maintain sound cash management practices despite SACCOs oversight authority in Kenya offering guidelines and supervision to the enterprises that would assist in maintaining their financial sustainability. This necessitated for the evaluation of the moderating effect of SACCO size on cash management practice and financial sustainability. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a positivism philosophical paradigm was adopted. Emailed questionnaire and data collection sheet were used in data collection which registered a 95 percent response rate. A binary logistic regression results established that with presence of a moderator for the predictor sub-variables, the strength of the relationship between variables registered an insignificant change but with introduction of interaction term, the strength of relationship between variables changed. The study concluded that SACCO size portrayed a statistically significant moderating effect on predictor sub-variables and response variable. The study thus recommends that the management need to consider increasing their SACCO sizes through merging, acquiring the non-performing SACCOs or even conducting intensive marketing since large size SACCO have low chances of being financially unsustainable

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that impact disaster health research.

To characterize the strengths and weaknesses of the current status of disaster research evidence; and to identify potential interventions specific to the disciplines of medicine, public health, and social sciences. A mixed method study using nominal group technique and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. Subject matter experts (SMEs) in the fields of medicine, public health, and social sciences who are engaged in disaster research. The nominal group technique achieved 100 percent response rate. After coding and analysis, ten distinct disaster research evidence themes were identified: awareness; evidence quality; funding; human resources; interdisciplinary studies; politics; research process; research topics; sectoral collaboration; and "other." Strengths in each area were limited but focused on quality and workforce pipeline. Weaknesses were limited funding and low research quality. Opportunities included improving methods and increased interdisciplinary collaboration. The threats most consistently identified were limited funding and political influences on disaster research funding. Disaster research experts from three disciplines identified a number of barriers and facilitators to improving disaster-related research. The limited, inconsistent, and episodic funding and the politics related to it were the greatest and most common barriers. This weakness needs to be strategically addressed to significantly advance the field of disaster research.

Melting the Plastic Ceiling: Where We Currently Stand on Measures to Support Women in Academic Plastic Surgery.

Previous studies have provided recommendations for increasing female leadership in academic plastic surgery. This study quantifies the extent to which these recommendations have been met in plastic surgery residency programs and identifies remaining institutional barriers to the advancement of women in academic plastic surgery. An electronic survey was designed to quantify select recommendations for promoting female leadership in academic plastic surgery. The survey was distributed to either a female faculty member or a male program director at each academic plastic surgery program. An optional phone interview discussing current barriers to women's advancement followed the survey. Forty-nine of 92 survey recipients participated (52.7 percent response rate). Women constituted 25 percent of faculty, 22 percent of program directors, and 20 percent of program leaders of participating programs. Programs on average provided three of 11 resources. Programs with female leaders provided 6.20 resources versus 2.28 resources at departments with male chairs (p = 0.015). Programs with female program directors provided 5.50 resources versus 2.18 resources at programs with male program directors (p = 0.008). Of the 49 survey respondents, nine completed the interview (18.4 percent completion rate). The most frequently identified barriers to aspiring women leaders were opaque promotion criteria (cited by 77.8 percent of interviewees), motherhood bias (77.8 percent), and unequal recruitment practices (55.6 percent). The presence of a female chair or program director is associated with a greater quantity of resources for promoting female leaders. Remaining barriers to women seeking academic leadership positions include compensation and promotion disparities, motherhood bias, and unequal recruitment practices.

The Effect of Supply Chain Management on the Competitiveness of the Telecommunications Industry in Zimbabwe

The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of supply chain management (SCM) on the competitiveness of the telecommunications industry in Zimbabwe. Key objectives of the study were to figure out the extent to which SCM contributes to organisational competitive advantage in the telecommunications industry in Zimbabwe, to determine the level of bargaining power when making local and off shore purchases, the extent of risk exposure due to global transactions and finally, to ascertain the strategies used on supplier ratings. Interviews and questionnaires were used as the main instruments for data collection. Questionnaires were distributed to 50 respondents with 36 responding, representing a 72 percent response rate. Data were analysed using SPSS and the resulted presented in graphs and tables. Interviews were carried out using a structured interview guide for uniformity of questions being asked. Three interviews were carried out with procurement managers from all the organisations represented namely, Econet, TelOne and NetOne. The results showed that SCM is a strong contributor to organisational competitiveness. If organisations in the telecommunications sector prudently apply SCM policies, strategies and practices, the performance in terms of profitability realised and competitive advantage will increase. Recommendations are that quality of products; better supplier management and competitive pricing may be realised if firms can adopt SCM principles and practices.

Effect of Electronic Marketing on Customer Satisfaction: The Case of Four Star Hotels in Addis Ababa

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of e. marketing on customer satisfaction towards the service provided by four-star hotels in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A researcher used a probability technique which is systematic for the study a total of 260 questioners were distributed to the customer of the four international hotels which rated as four-star in Addis Ababa the response rate of 241 participants was collected which is a 92.7 percent response rate achieved and descriptive statics was used firstly to illustrate the main features of a data set in quantitative terms. The mean value for all variables ranged from 3.33 to 3.57, the standard deviation 0.651 to .736 kurtosis, and the skewness test demonstrated as the distribution was normal. The correlation analysis illustrated the relationship between location facet, technological facet, social skill, and customer satisfaction was moderately correlated (r=0.482, r=0.397 and r=0.477) respectively, the relationship between motivation, technical skill, and customer satisfaction was strongly correlated (r=0.635and r= 0.68) respectively and all were tested as statistically significant (sig. (2-tailed)=000). The final test was done by regression analysis the result indicated that the effect of location facet, technological facet, and social skill overall insignificant (sig. 0.177, 0.105, and 0.892 respectively) the effect of motivation (sig. 000) and technical skill (sig.000) the major finding Location facet, technological facet, and social skill are insignificant and also rejected on the other way the two variables (motivation and technical skill) has a significance, positive and also supported influence on customer satisfaction. Consequently, the researcher recommends for the management of the hotel to focus on the above statistically significant factors in order to satisfy their customers’ as well to make them loyal.

Influence Of Firm Resources, Organizational Characteristics and Macro-Environment on Export Performance of Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises in Nairobi City County, Kenya

The broad objective of this study was to determine the joint influence of firm resources, organizational characteristics, and macro environment on export performance of small and medium manufacturing enterprises in Nairobi city county, Kenya. A conceptual model was developed, and from it, a hypothesis was formulated to test the joint influence of firm resources, organizational characteristics, and macro environment on export performance. The study is anchored on four theories; the Resource Based Theory, Porters Theory of competitive advantage, The Industrial Organization Theory and Firm Internationalization Theory. The research was a cross-sectional survey of 265 companies in Nairobi City County, chosen from a population of 853 companies. The unit of analysis was the SMME involved in exporting. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to evaluate internal consistency and homogeneity among the study variables. Out of the 265 firms sampled, 238 completed the questionnaire resulting in 89.1 percent response rate. The responses were then used to evaluate the hypothesis of the research. A level of five percent was chosen when testing the coefficients' importance. The findings from the hypothesis was that, jointly,firm resources,organizational characteristics and macro-environment influence export performance. The study has contributed to theory, policy, management and practice, industry and methodology. Based on the research results, the national and county governments need to formulate legislation and policies that promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, such as creating an appropriate atmosphere for SMMES to acquire credit and recommending appropriate and effective production processes. Further, stakeholders in export promotion should appreciate and place an emphasis on the importance and impact of the economic factor in the macro-environment to guide existing and potential investors in manufacturing and exporting sector. The research had certain constraints primarily due to the categorization of the enterprises by the various government agencies and stakeholders. The limitations however did not have significant effect on the findings. Future studies should address the scope and geographical coverage of SMMEs.

Investigation of Performance Management System and its Effectiveness with Special Reference to Garment Factories in Katunayake Export Processing Zone in Sri Lanka

Performance management deals with identifying, measuring and developing performance of individuals, groups and teams and aligning performance with the strategic goals of the organization with the ultimate objective of improving organizational performance. This research was conducted with special reference to large scale garment factories in the Katunayake Export Processing Zone in Sri Lanka. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the performance management system with the implications of a systematic process of managing employee performance. Data were collected from managerial and executive level employees of the selected garment sector organizations. A structured questionnaire developed by the researcher was used to collect data the sample was selected using convenient sampling method. Hypotheses testing was used to complete the research study and Sixty seven participants have responded with a forty two percent response rate. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21) was utilised as the statistical tool to analyse data. Findings of the research suggested that the effectiveness of the performance management system is at an effective level and the components of the performance management system; planning performance, monitoring performance, reviewing performance, improving performance and managing unsatisfactory performance are positively related with the effectiveness of the performance management system. Furthermore, it was found that monitoring and reviewing performance are the most critical variables which determine the effectiveness of performance management system. In addition to these findings, slight variations between managers and executive employees were found in terms of perception on the same performance management system.

Adoption of computerized information management systems (CIMS) functions: Urban versus rural primary healthcare providers

ABSTRACT This study examined whether there are differences in the adoption of specific Computerized Information Management Systems (CIMS) functionalities between urban and rural primary healthcare providers. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 1721 primary healthcare providers in both rural and urban areas in the state of Texas, with a 70 percent response rate (n = 1204). Chi-square goodness of fit was used to determine the frequency of adoption of specific CIMS functions and factor analyses for patterns of adoption. Findings revealed higher rates of adoption of key CIMS functions among urban primary healthcare providers compared with rural providers in the areas of clinical documentation and decision support. As such, many of the functions highlighted in the new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Promoting Interoperability (PI) seemingly are already being used by urban primary healthcare providers. Results also showed that higher rates of inadequate interoperability standards are related to clinical documentation, results viewing, and computerized order-entry functionalities by rural and urban primary healthcare providers. Accordingly, widespread technological interoperability inadequacy among rural and urban primary healthcare providers points to future challenges for federal policy makers as they seek to promote interoperability to demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT).

Combinatorial Pharmacogenomic Testing Improves Outcomes for Older Adults With Depression

Evaluate the clinical utility of combinatorial pharmacogenomic testing for informing medication selection among older adults who have experienced antidepressant medication failure for major depressive disorder (MDD). Post hoc analysis of data from a blinded, randomized controlled trial comparing two active treatment arms. Psychiatry specialty and primary care clinics across 60 U.S. community and academic sites. Adults age 65 years or older at baseline (n = 206), diagnosed with MDD and inadequate response to at least one medication on the combinatorial pharmacogenomic test report during the current depressive episode. Combinatorial pharmacogenomic testing to inform medication selection (guided-care), compared with treatment as usual (TAU). Mean percent symptom improvement, response rate, and remission rateat week 8, measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; medication switching; and comorbidity moderator analysis. At week 8, symptom improvement was not significantly different for guided-care than for TAU (∆ = 8.1%, t = 1.64, df = 187; p = 0.102); however, guided-care showed significantly improved response (∆ = 13.6%, t = 2.16, df = 187; p = 0.032) and remission (∆ = 12.7%, t = 2.49, df = 189; p = 0.014) relative to TAU. By week 8, more than twice as many patients in guided-care than in TAU were on medications predicted to have no gene-drug interactions (χ2 = 19.3, df = 2; p <0.001). Outcomes in the guided-care arm showed consistent improvement through the end of the open-design 24-week trial, indicating durability of the effect. Differences in outcomes between arms were not significantly impacted by comorbidities. Combinatorial pharmacogenomic test-informed medication selection improved outcomes over TAU among older adults with depression.

Consumption Pattern Model for Malaysian Consumers

Consumption is expenses towards household goods and services such as clothing, food, entertainment, health services. Malaysian consumption trend consumers have been changing since 2005 as reported by consumer price index (CPI), per capita income and inflation rate due to inflation rate hikes at the end of 2016 and early 2017. This study examines the factors contributing to the consumption model of Malaysian consumers in rural and urban areas. Eight antecedents of Malaysian consumption pattern, consumer lifestyle, consumer value, consumer motive, consumer preference, and marketing mix of price, product, place, and advertising were measured using 7-point Likert scales. 1400 were questionnaires distributed to households, 851 were returned representing 61 percent response rate. The findings indicate support for validity of measurement models of all variables utilized for both model rural and urban. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) of SMARTPLS 2.0 technique found that advertising is not a predictor for consumer motive for rural and urban. Apart from that, price hikes have been discussed. On the other hand, the rural model postulates better R2 than the other model. The finding implies that Malaysian government needs to conduct a continuous campaign to consumers regarding GST implementation and its consequences to them. Finally, the instability of the economy changed the consumption pattern throughout their lifestyle, value, motive and preferences.

A Structured Facial Feminization Fresh Tissue Surgical Simulation Laboratory Improves Trainee Confidence and Knowledge.

Plastic surgery has seen a dramatic rise in gender-affirming surgery over the past decade, in part because of an increase in social acceptance of transgender and gender-nonconforming identities.1 Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a 155 percent increase in gender-affirming–related operations.2 A key element of gender-affirming surgery includes facial feminization, which necessitates a detailed understanding of the anatomical features that differ between female and male bony and soft tissues.3 In this communication, we describe our experience with a structured facial feminization cadaver laboratory and evaluate its educational value in plastic surgery training. Eleven plastic and reconstructive surgery residents (postgraduate years 1 through 7) and five medical students (n = 16) participated in a structured facial feminization educational curriculum that included a lecture and facial feminization surgical cadaver laboratory. The lecture was approximately 1 hour in length and covered various topics in facial feminization surgery, including indications and surgical steps. The cadaver laboratory consisted of multiple donor heads with four participants per group. All necessary surgical instruments were provided. An anonymous, volunteer-based self-assessment and knowledge-based test was administered before and after the cadaver laboratory to all participants. (See Document, Supplemental Digital Content 1, which shows the survey and test distributed to participants before and after the cadaver laboratory, https://links.lww.com/PRS/E69.) The self-assessment component of the test included evaluation of the participant’s ability to describe the surgical options, indications, surgical steps, and overall confidence with facial feminization surgery on a five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = neither agree nor disagree, 4 = disagree, and 5 = strongly disagree). The knowledge-based component consisted of a series of objective-based questions testing centered on facial feminization surgical management and decision-making. The survey was piloted to a sample participant before administration. Facial feminization procedures covered in the laboratory included frontal setback, scalp advancement, brow lift, mandibular body reduction, and genioplasty. Pretest and posttest results were tabulated and statistically analyzed using a paired t test. The results are presented in Figure 1. Sixteen of 16 participants completed the pretest and posttest (100 percent response rate). A statistically significant improvement between pretest and posttest scores was observed within each self-assessment category of the test. Similarly, there was an observed increase within the knowledge-based section of the test between pretest and posttest scores (67.1 ± 22.4 percent versus 84.4 ± 11.7 percent; p = 0.011).Fig. 1.: Pretest and posttest results following a structured facial feminization cadaveric laboratory. A significant improvement was observed between pretest and posttest results in all categories. Results presented are obtained from a five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = neither agree nor disagree, 4 = disagree, and 5 = strongly disagree). Results presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01.The presented results demonstrate that a structured facial feminization curriculum can significantly improve surgical trainee understanding and knowledge. These findings are especially relevant given the imposed duty-hour restrictions for medical trainees implemented by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Such restrictions have pushed training programs to use alternative means of augmenting resident education, including surgical simulation models and cadaveric surgical simulation exercises. Simulation models are also valuable for less common procedures or where exposure of surgical trainees to such specialized cases may be limited but desired, as in gender-affirming surgery.5 Efforts to build on this curriculum and improve resident understanding within this relatively new and rapidly evolving field within the specialty are ongoing. DISCLOSURE None of the authors has any commercial associations or financial disclosures that would create a conflict of interest with the information in this article.

Critical success factors for digital library implementation in Africa: Solution focused rather than problem focused

Digital libraries continue to be an important source for indigenous content and research output in developing countries, especially in the context where traditional distribution mechanisms failed. It is therefore useful for continual research to maintain and enhance our standing on the topic and to improve ways of making digital libraries more usable and sustainable to the user community. It is with this effect that this study on the success factors of digital libraries was conducted, with the objective to identify and validate a set of critical success factors (CSFs) for digital library implementation in developing countries. To address this, a quantitative exploratory research design was employed using a web-based survey questionnaire as the data collection technique. A total of 56 item statements associated with the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework were developed and respondents were asked about their Perceived Importance and Actual Practices of those factors in digital library implementation. Digital libraries in Africa were sampled and an identified 155 digital libraries from this continent were obtained from OpenDOAR, with 111 sample size representative of the respondents. Based on a 70 percent response rate expectation, invitations were sent to respondents representing the digital libraries. After almost six months, there was a 67.7 percent response rate with 105 usable questionnaires obtained. This study revealed eight CSFs for digital library implementation in ranked order - Content, Architecture, People, Process, Standards, Location and Time, Policy and Advocacy. They are the salient factors that would not only assist to attain sustainable digital library development and implementation, but also provide guidance to library practitioners in appropriate decisions for digital library adoption. It may also help libraries to accomplish their digital library mission in the most cost effective way.

Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: Exploring Plastic Surgeon Practice Patterns and Perspectives.

Within the multidisciplinary management of breast cancer, variations exist in the reconstructive options offered and care provided. The authors evaluated plastic surgeon perspectives on important issues related to breast cancer management and reconstruction and provide some insight into factors that influence these perspectives. Women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (stages 0 to II) between July of 2013 and September of 2014 were identified through the Georgia and Los Angeles Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries. These women were surveyed and identified their treating plastic surgeons. Surveys were sent to the identified plastic surgeons to collect data on specific reconstruction practices. Responses from 134 plastic surgeons (74.4 percent response rate) were received. Immediate reconstruction (79.7 percent) was the most common approach to timing, and expander/implant reconstruction (72.6 percent) was the most common technique reported. Nearly one-third of respondents (32.1 percent) reported that reimbursement influenced the proportion of autologous reconstructions performed. Most (82.8 percent) reported that discussions about contralateral prophylactic mastectomy were initiated by patients. Most surgeons (81.3 to 84.3 percent) felt that good symmetry is achieved with unilateral autologous reconstruction with contralateral symmetry procedures in patients with small or large breasts; a less pronounced majority (62.7 percent) favored unilateral implant reconstructions in patients with large breasts. In patients requiring postmastectomy radiation therapy, one-fourth of the surgeons (27.6 percent) reported that they seldom recommend delayed reconstruction, and 64.9 percent reported recommending immediate expander/implant reconstruction. Reconstructive practices in a modern cohort of plastic surgeons suggest that immediate and implant reconstructions are performed preferentially. Respondents perceived a number of factors, including surgeon training, time spent in the operating room, and insurance reimbursement, to negatively influence the performance of autologous reconstruction.

Characterization of Delta Opioid Receptor Activity of MMP2200, a Mixed Efficacy Mu and Delta Opioid Receptor Agonist

Pharmacological modulation of the delta opioid receptor (DOR) in conjunction with a mu‐opioid receptor (MOR) agonist produces antinociceptive effects with potentially a better side effect profile. MMP2200 (a.k.a.Lactomorphin) is a CNS permeable, glycosylated peptide and an agonist at both MORs and DORs. Previous reports characterized the MOR agonist effects of MMP2200; however, the DOR agonist effects of MMP2200in vivo have not been explored. DOR agonists, such as SNC80, have been shown to produce convulsions and discriminative stimulus effects in rodents. Therefore, based on the DOR agonist activity of MMP2200, we hypothesized that MMP2200 would produce DOR‐mediated convulsions in mice and SNC80‐like discriminative stimulus effects in rats. Convulsions were evaluated by continual observation for up to 60 min in an observation cage. For SNC80 discrimination experiments, rats were trained to discriminate an injection of 3.2 mg/kg SNC80 from saline under a fixed ratio 10 schedule of food reinforcement, and different doses of SNC80 or MMP2200 were substituted to evaluate percent generalization and response rates. MMP2200 produced brief, non‐lethal convulsions in C57BL/6N, but not ICR, mice that were blocked by the DOR antagonist naltrindole and by genetic deletion of DOR, indicating that MMP2200‐induced convulsions are DOR mediated. Following acute drug administration, mice were then given a second dose of the DOR agonist 24 h later. These mice were tolerant to convulsions induced by SNC80, but not to MMP2200‐induced convulsions. Tolerance to the convulsive effects of MMP2200 was apparent 8 h following the initial injection. SNC80 induced convulsions were enhanced in mice lacking arrestin 2 but were unaltered in mice lacking arrestin 3. However, MMP2200‐induced convulsions were attenuated in mice lacking either arrestin 2 or 3. In rats trained to discriminate SNC80, MMP2200 fully generalized to the discriminative stimulus effects of SNC80 and only slightly decreased rates of responding. Overall, these results demonstrate that the dual MOR/DOR agonist MMP2200 produces many behavioral effects that are similar to the prototypical DOR agonist SNC80. Interestingly, there are some distinct differences in these DOR agonist effects, which may be mediated by concurrent MOR agonist activity with MMP2200 or by activating differential intracellular signaling molecules downstream of DOR activation. Future studies will evaluate the effects of DOR agonists and signaling pathways mediating these effects.

Concerns about Suicide among Asian Americans: The Need for Outreach?

Suicide was the ninth leading cause of death for Asian Americans in 2017. The growth of Asian American populations has led to more discussions about suicide prevention efforts. A 128-item needs assessment survey was administered at cultural events in 10 predominantly immigrant Asian communities. In five years, 1,840 respondents (61 percent response rate) filled out the survey anonymously to express their health and mental health concerns. This study aims to identify factors and help-seeking behaviors associated with having suicidal concerns among Asian Americans in various subgroups. Among the respondents, 1,314 rated the intensity of their concerns about suicide with an average of 0.74 (SD = 1.11) on a four-point rating scale in that 13.7 percent rated their concerns as severe. Taiwanese respondents expressed the highest intensity score (1.09) compared with other ethnic groups (from 0.29 to 1.04). A logistic regression analysis found that each unit of health concerns on a four-point rating scale significantly increases the likelihood of suicide concerns by 46 times among Asian Americans. Consistent with previous studies, immigrants were likely to share mental health problems with friends and physicians. Effective suicide prevention requires mental health awareness programming for the Asian American community.

From e-Commerce Overall Quality to e-Loyalty: A Purchase-centred Framework

The e-commerce market becomes one of the markets with the most promising growth. A number of studies on e-commerce have been investigated, but only a little attention is paid to the factors that may create e-commerce customer loyalty, even though customer loyalty is one of the primary keys to improve the performance of e-commerce businesses. This research offers a conceptual model focused on purchases to investigate the factors that affect customer's loyalty and when it is formed. Specifically, this paper intends to examine the relationship between the e-commerce overall quality on the perceived usefulness, perceived value, satisfaction and trust. This paper also verifies the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived value, satisfaction and trust in the e-loyalty. The method of online survey is used for the data collection. From 1457 of the distributed questionnaires, 960 were completed and returned, resulted 65.8 percent response rate. The data is then analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method. The research findings contribute to filling the knowledge gap regarding the defining factors of customer loyalty which may help the e-commerce provider in developing e-loyalty to increase e-commerce profitability.

Leadership and quality management measurement models: an empirical study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore, confirm and verify leadership with regards to quality management measurement models. This research focused on identifying individual staff members’ leadership attributes at the Thai National Institute of Health in relation to quality management.Design/methodology/approachThe research instrument used in this study was a modified questionnaire on self-leadership and quality management that was distributed to the institute’s staff. Leadership and quality management construct variables were observed and measured through staff perceptions, attitudes, practices and existing facts at the institute. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine the data.FindingsThe questionnaire had a 65 percent response rate. EFA revealed six factors from 27 questionnaire items and CFA was used to confirm the measurement models that were fitted to the data. The leadership attributes of staff members at the institute were statistically associated to and impacted on quality management by SEM analysis.Research limitations/implicationsIn-depth understanding of leadership and quality management could be done through a longitudinal study because the two factors would change over time. Even though this model is not a longitudinal study, it could help the institute facilitate and manage quality in practice through leadership.Originality/valueA cross-sectional study is used to examine the effect of leadership on quality management through factor analysis and SEM, which provided empirical evidence for future research. Leadership and quality management measurement models have statistically proven to be appropriately, technically and theoretically correct by design for observing variables used in the leadership measurement model that affects quality management.