Positive Drivers Research Articles

The spatial configuration of buildings: A vital consideration impossible to ignore in regulating urban land surface temperature? Evidence from 35 Chinese cities

Land urbanization not only efficiently met the requirements of social development but also brought severe heating effects, especially the changes in Land Surface Temperature (LST). The effects of building density on LST and driving relation of the configuration of buildings remain poorly understood over large areas. Using Landsat 8 satellite imagery acquired from the summer of 2019, this study quantified the heating effects (k) of building density on LST across 35 cities in China, and further analyzed the driving relation of the configuration of buildings such as the size, shape, and spatial distribution on k. Here the regression analysis results showed that the building density had a significant relationship with LST, and the k varied from 1.10 to 7.27 amount of the different cities. The size and aggregation distribution of buildings were the main positive drivers for the effects of building density on LST, and the shape of buildings was not obviously related to the k-value. The results of thermal environment simulation showed that the major reason might be that the close spatial relationship reduced the heat exchange between buildings and the atmosphere, resulting in higher LST. These conclusions will provide an important reference for urban planning and design.

Temporal drivers of textural complexity: A pilot study and analysis of simultaneous temporal dominance of sensations and temporal textural complexity data

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the applicability of simultaneous methodologies to describe dynamic textural complexity. In a simultaneous task, temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) and temporal textural complexity (TTC) were performed in one session (n = 17). A further 18 participants performed TDS and TTC on separate occasions; data from the simultaneous and separate session were then compared. A further aim was to investigate the temporal nature of textural complexity—temporal drivers of textural complexity were examined, as well as ratings of textural complexity across time. Regression modeling and multivariate analyses indicated little difference in how the participants in the simultaneous and separate tasks performed; only minor differences in the use of TDS attributes were noted. Positive drivers included texture contrast and crumbly/particles, while smooth was a negative driver. Significant differences in TTC data separated into three time intervals were found; a trend of increasing textural complexity during mastication until a midway point followed by a decline emerged. Further research with larger samples is needed to support these findings. However, for the first time this work supports the use of simultaneous tasks in sensory evaluation and indicates the importance of temporality in direct ratings of complexity.Practical applicationsSimultaneous tasks are not commonly used in sensory evaluation, this research suggests their applicability and value; ultimately they may save time and money in research and product development. Direct ratings of sensory complexity are often reported prior to or after descriptive temporal evaluation; this may underestimate true perceived complexity, indicating the importance of considering temporal measures. Sensory complexity is considered an important sensory construct given its arousal potential; thus, identification of drivers of complexity may inform product development.

Economic inequality and carbon inequality: Multi-evidence from China's cities and counties

Despite economic inequality (EI) and carbon inequality (CI) are both core targets for sustainable development goals (SDGs), the current studies on EI and CI still lacks in-depth investigation, hindering to formulate policy towards better balancing social welfare improvement and carbon emission reduction. To address the gap above, the study comprehensively analyzed on the trends and drivers of EI and CI in a case of 262 cities over 2002–2019 and 1434 counties over 2005–2017 in China at individual level and aggregate level, respectively. Further, we explored the decoupling relationship between EI and CI and corresponding driver using an inequality-based decoupling decomposition model we proposed. We found that almost all cities, counties and corresponding sub-groups presented overall declining trends for EI and CI except for county groups over the period, where the within difference was the main driver. Further, the change of population proportion and the regional ranking have promoted the reduction of EI and CI at city- and county-levels. Decoupling analysis implied that the main decoupling state between EI and CI was weak negative decoupling for cities and counties, where the changes in regional ranking and per capita carbon emission were the negative and positive drivers, respectively. The study highlights the importance of reducing EI and CI simultaneously for policy implication.

Identifying sensory drivers of liking for plant-based milk coffees: Implications for product development and application.

The global plant-based product market is growing rapidly, and plant-based milks show promising potential in the coffee beverage sector. This study aimed to identify sensory drivers of liking of plant-based milk coffees for guiding the development of plant-based products with competitive advantages over dairy milk coffees. Twelve coffee samples were prepared with plant-based (oat, soy, almond, and coconut) and dairy (cow) milk. Quantitative descriptive analysis was used to generate sensory attribute terms for the 12 samples. Check-all-that-apply (CATA) questions were given to consumers to evaluate the sensory profiles and consumer acceptance of the 12 samples. Correspondence analysis and cluster analysis of the CATA results from 80 consumers showed that the oat and soy milk coffee samples were closer to what the consumers perceived as "typical" milk products, while the coconut and almond milk coffee samples were closer to the "flavored" milk products. Partial least squares regression results revealed that the attributes smooth, milky, and thick were important drivers of liking for the milk coffee samples. On the contrary, rancid oil, greasy, astringent, and rice bran were the major sensory attributes lowering the panelists' acceptance of the milk coffee samples. The majority of consumers (53.5%) were "dairy milk lovers," who specifically liked the dairy milk coffee sample and had low acceptance for the plant-based milk coffee samples. There was also a group of consumers (46.2%) classified as "plant-based milk coffee lovers." They enjoyed coffees prepared with a wide range of milks (both dairy and nondairy milks) and represent high-potential consumers for plant-based milk coffee products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The positive and negative drivers of liking for plant-based milk coffee samples were identified. A competitive landscape analysis method for assessing the acceptability and sensory attributes of 12 milk coffee samples (11 commercial plant-based milks and 1 dairy milk product) in the current Asian market was established. The sensory terms developed in this study can also be applied to evaluate sensory profiles of other plant-based and dairy milk coffee samples.

Diet, but not food type, significantly affects micronutrient and toxic metal profiles in urine and/or plasma; a randomized, controlled intervention trial

Observational studies have linked Mediterranean Diets (MedDiets) and organic food consumption with positive health outcomes, which may be explained by higher mineral micronutrient and phenolic intake and lower dietary exposure to toxic compounds. We aimed to determine the effects of diet and food type (organic compared with conventional) on urinary excretion (UE) and/or plasma concentrations of mineral micronutrients, phenolics, and toxic metals. Healthy adult participants were randomly allocated to a conventional (n = 14) or an intervention (n = 13) group. During a 2-wk period, the intervention group consumed a MedDiet made entirely from organic foods, whereas the conventional group consumed a MedDiet made from conventional foods. Before and after the intervention period, both groups consumed their habitual Western diets made from conventional foods. The primary outcome was UE and/or plasma concentrations of selected mineral micronutrients, toxic metals, and phenolic markers. In addition, we monitored diets using food diaries. The participants were aware of study group assignment, but the study assessors were not. Changing from a Western Diet to a MedDiet for 2 wk resulted in significant increases in UE of total phenolics and salicylic acid (by 46% and 45%, respectively), the mineral micronutrients Co, I, and Mn (by 211%, 70%, and 102%, respectively), and the toxic metal Ni (by 42%), and plasma Se concentrations (by 14%). However, no significant effects of food type (organic compared with conventional) were detected. Redundancy analysis identified vegetables, coffee, wine, and fruit as positive drivers for UE of phenolic markers and mineral micronutrients, and fish consumption as a positive driver for UE of Cd and Pb. Although small effects of food type cannot be ruled out, our study suggests that only changing to a MedDiet with higher fruit and vegetable, and lower meat, consumption results in a large increase in phenolic and mineral micronutrient intakes. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03254537.

Global knowledge base for municipal solid waste management: Framework development and application in waste generation prediction

Increasing municipal solid waste (MSW) generation has become not only a major sustainability challenge and a considerable financial burden for municipalities across the globe, but also an opportunity to promote a circular economy, provided adequate information is made available. Data and information on MSW generation, characterization, and management practices are prerequisites to studying and optimizing solid waste management systems (SWMS). However, such data and information are usually dispersed, unsystematized, and suffering from various availability and quality issues. This study aims to assemble and provide access to the current landscape of MSW data by establishing a comprehensive framework for understanding the interconnectedness of various sub-domains of MSW knowledge. Existing databases and governmental reports were reviewed to compile 1720 records of MSW generation, composition, management practices, and socioeconomic contexts for 219 countries and 410 cities. Multivariate linear regression and additive models were built to relate MSW generation, composition, and recovery rates to demographics, economic development, and climate patterns of cities and regions. These models generate new insights into the complex nature of SWMS and provide an evidence-based decision-making tool to future researchers and policy makers. Specifically, economic development (GDP), density factors (population, population density, and household size), sustainability initiatives, education, and regulation are all identified as positive drivers toward the targets of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.

Modelling Organizational Commitment, Employee Motivation, Employee Participation and Employee Performance: A Conceptual Model

The UAE banking sector is experiencing a decline in profitability and performance. If the trend is not curtailed, it could aggravate unemployment, loss of market, declined growth of entrepreneurship and a recessed economy. Despite many factors contributing to superior organizational performance, employee performance has been deemed as the most crucial. Therefore, this paper proposes a conceptual model that theorizes the direct effect of organizational commitment on employee motivation and employee performance, the mediating role of employee motivation, as well as the moderating role of employee participation. Using an extensive literature survey, this paper presents a logic-based and empirically based conceptual discussion that employee performance, employee motivation, organizational commitment, and employee participation are significant drivers of performance. The model extends the knowledge base on organizational commitment, employee motivation, participation and performance, and offers some insights for the stakeholders, managers in the banking sectors, and policymakers on what could be positive drivers of enhanced employee performance. Future studies could empirically validate the model in the context of the UAE banking sector to provide solid evidence on how the model could enhance the employee performance of the UAE banks.

What comprises a successful key account manager? Differences in the drivers of sales performance between key account managers and regular salespeople

Although drivers of the performance of key account management programs have been of great interest to research and practice, research on drivers of sales performance at the individual level of key account managers is scarce. Based on survey data and objective performance data of 1205 key account managers and 5818 salespeople, this study identifies drivers of key account manager's sales performance and differences between the drivers of key account manager's and regular salespeople's sales performance. Most importantly, key account manager's project management skills, use of internal experts, creation and communication of customer value, and their need for achievement reflect positive drivers of sales performance whereas key account manager's use of digital tools diminishes their sales performance. Furthermore, the use of internal experts reflects a more important determinant of sales performance for key account managers than for regular salespeople, whereas project management skills are more strongly related to regular salespeople's sales performance than to key account manager's sales performance. This study provides important implications for the recruitment and training of key account managers.

Carbon inequality in China: Novel drivers and policy driven scenario analysis

Even though carbon inequality (CI) affects international climate negotiations and regional carbon emission reduction policies, a majority of countries ignore the individual sub-national-level CI and its important drivers (e.g., efficiency, technological change, investment, and industrialization). Thus, there is an urgent need to develop relevant carbon emission reduction policies that can incorporate the effects of these drivers. In this study, we investigated the drivers of CI in China at individual provincial and national levels during 2005–2019, using a newly developed individual Gini decomposition approach and a proposed within-between production-theoretical decomposition-based Theil index; notably, the traditional Theil index approach has not significantly changed for decades, and our study is the first to modify the approach. Our results revealed that the national CI presented a general downward trend from 2005 to 2019, wherein the individual between-group and within-group subcomponents portrayed nearly linear relationships in the west region. Notably, income disparity and energy intensity disparity were the two largest positive drivers, while the between-industrial investment-output share disparity and the investment scale disparity were the most important negative drivers of CI.

Drivers of coffee liking: Effect of physicochemical characteristics and aromatic profile on consumers' acceptability of mono-origin and mono-variety coffees.

Few studies have investigated at the same time how physicochemical, volatile, and sensory characteristics affect coffee liking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of geographical origin and variety on physicochemical parameters and volatile compounds composition of mono-origin and mono-variety coffees. Check-all-that-apply (CATA) method was used with the aim of identifying the drivers of coffee liking. Moisture content, bulk density, solubility index, color parameters, and phenols and caffeine content were useful parameters for discriminating Robusta from Arabica variety, but not samples from different origins. The hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses performed on the headspace compositions showed a quite sharp ability to group the samples based on their variety. Based on CATA results, roasted attribute, related to the presence of pyrazines, was considered a positive driver of coffee liking unlike grassy and acidic attributes (associated to the presence of acids and aldehydes, respectively). Findings from this study can be a useful tool for coffee manufacturers for a winning market strategy, helping them in the choice of the most suitable raw materials and process conditions in order to produce a well-balanced beverage by enhancing all the possible positive drivers of acceptability and reducing the negative ones.

Behavioural intentions towards cultured meat: the role of personal values, domain-specific innovativeness and distrust in scientists

PurposeTechnology-based food innovations are likely to face opposition in consumer acceptance despite certain perceived benefits. This study investigates distrust in scientists as a barrier to cultured meat acceptance and its interplay with positive drivers. For the latter, this study draws upon higher-order values (universalism) and domain-specific innovativeness.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposes a conceptual model, which is empirically tested using an online survey of Austrian consumers (n = 509) and structural equation modelling.FindingsFirst, this study provides empirical support for the inhibiting role of distrust in scientists on the acceptance of cultured meat. Second, universalism and domain-specific innovativeness both positively impact consumers' behavioural intentions. Third, this study finds that consumers' innovativeness mitigates the negative effect of distrust in scientists on the willingness to try cultured meat, whereas the value of universalism does not moderate this negative effect.Practical implicationsThe findings are strategically useful for companies in the innovative food sector in terms of segmentation and targeting. For both companies and policymakers, the impeding role of distrust in scientists for technology-based food innovations depicts an aspect that might be considered relevant to be addressed.Originality/valueThis study adds to the current body of knowledge about consumer acceptance of technology-based food innovations, such as cultured meat, by jointly examining the relevance of human values, domain-specific innovativeness and distrust in scientists as well as their interactions to explain behavioural intentions.

Non-small cell lung cancer in China.

In China, lung cancer is a primary cancer type with high incidence and mortality. Risk factors for lung cancer include tobacco use, family history, radiation exposure, and the presence of chronic lung diseases. Most early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients miss the optimal timing for treatment due to the lack of clinical presentations. Population‐based nationwide screening programs are of significant help in increasing the early detection and survival rates of NSCLC in China. The understanding of molecular carcinogenesis and the identification of oncogenic drivers dramatically facilitate the development of targeted therapy for NSCLC, thus prolonging survival in patients with positive drivers. In the exploration of immune escape mechanisms, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1)/programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) inhibitor monotherapy and PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy have become a standard of care for advanced NSCLC in China. In the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology's guidelines for NSCLC, maintenance immunotherapy is recommended for locally advanced NSCLC after chemoradiotherapy. Adjuvant immunotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy will be approved for resectable NSCLC. In this review, we summarized recent advances in NSCLC in China in terms of epidemiology, biology, molecular pathology, pathogenesis, screening, diagnosis, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Factors Influencing Australian Muslims’ Attitudes toward Christian-Muslim Dialogue: The Case of Sunni Muslims of Adelaide and Uniting Church Christians

Since the implementation of a multicultural policy in the 1970s, religious diversity in Australia has increased. Research has demonstrated that intergroup contact is essential for managing diverse multicultural societies. This is because, given the right conditions, intergroup contact will reduce prejudice and build trust between groups. Given the importance of intergroup contact, policy makers and researchers have identified interfaith dialogue’s importance to the success of multicultural societies. However, there is very limited research that explores interfaith dialogue from the perspectives of adherents, in this case Christians and Muslims in the Australian context. This paper focuses on interfaith dialogue between Christians of the Uniting Church and Sunni Muslims of Adelaide, South Australia. It explores the factors that influence participants’ attitudes towards engaging in interfaith dialogue. Using a grounded theory methodology, the study involved seventeen (17) mixed gender Muslim participants over the age of eighteen, including everyday adherents and religious leaders. Some of the key findings demonstrate that theological perspectives and notions of multicultural citizenship are positive drivers for dialogue; Islamophobia and dehumanization of Muslims were inhibitors.

User Intensions towards Mobile Money Service Adoption in Ethiopia

In recent times, mobile money services have become a fashioned services following to the rapid development of mobile technologies and increasing demand for cashless business transactions. Such demand has also ushered a new era to the banking industry and bank users. However, the bank users’ intensions to adopt the services, particularly in Ethiopia, were not studied yet. To fill this study gap, data was collected from 384 users of banks branching in Addis Ababa and analyzed by integrating the modified extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and with the structural equation model. According to the path analysis, the study found performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitation conditions (infrastructure), hedonic motivation and price value to be a positive and strong predictor of the bank user’s behavioral intension to adopt the mobile money services followed by the exogenous predictors such as perceived security and trust on the technology. Another interesting finding is that the users’ behavioral intention to adopt such services is significantly transformed in to actual behavior. But, none of the moderating variables have significant effect on the users’ behavioral intension to adopt the services and they are excluded from the path. Based on the finding, the study advices the mobile money service providers to use an aggressive approach to strengthen positive trust drivers, eliminate insecurity dimensions, and design aesthetically appealing services with a state-of-the-art technology which have multi-purpose operational interfaces. Keywords: Mobile money, UTAUT2, Users intension, Banking in Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/IKM/12-5-01 Publication date: September 30 th 2022

Decomposing Three Decades of Nitrogen Emissions in Canada

AbstractReactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions arise from multiple economic sectors, each creating distinct Nr species and impacts on environmental quality. In Canada, the relative contribution of different Nr species to total Nr emissions varies considerably across provinces, yet these Nr species are often studied separately, making comparison difficult. Here, we synthesize data from national emission inventories, as well as agricultural and wastewater statistics, to estimate total and per capita Nr emissions trends across Canada's 10 provinces over three decades between 1990 and 2017. We classified emissions by 4 main species of Nr, 3 source sectors, and 13 subsectors. Nr emissions peaked around 2000 followed by reductions both nationally and across almost all provinces. Agriculture replaced fossil fuel combustion as the largest source of Nr emissions after 2008, coinciding with regulatory interventions that aimed to reduce NOx emissions from transportation, while NH3 from crop production increased in several provinces. Using an index decomposition analysis, we further assessed the socioeconomic drivers of Nr emissions changes, including the roles of emission intensity (Nr emissions per unit of economic output), affluence, population, and structural changes in the economy. Reduced emission intensity (an aggregate indicator of technology and policy changes) counteracted some of the effects of affluence and population as positive drivers of Nr emissions. Economic structural changes had both large negative and positive effects on Nr emissions. Our results underscore the importance of continued reductions in emissions intensity as well as shifting economies toward less Nr intensive sectors to further decouple affluence from Nr pollution.

Features and drivers of China's urban-rural household electricity consumption: Evidence from residential survey

China's rapid urbanization has resulted in increasing household electricity consumption (HEC). However, significant urban-rural disparity exists due to different consumption behaviors and income levels. Thus, it is crucial to uncover the key drivers of HEC so that appropriate policies can be raised to facilitate the achievement of China's carbon neutrality targets. This study aims to uncover the heterogeneity of urban-rural HEC by accounting electricity consumption from six household services. Then, multiple regression models, containing both household internal and external factors, are established to investigate the drivers of urban-rural HEC based on the data from Chinese General Social Survey in 2015 and 2018. The results present that urban HEC is higher than rural HEC at both aggregate and single service levels. Household appliances are major positive drivers of urban-rural HEC. Household size and home life time also promote HEC, and their positive effects on urban households are higher. Non-electric energy has different substitution effects on urban-rural HEC. Pipeline gas and liquefied petroleum gas are major alternative energy sources for urban HEC. Coal and biomass usage can reduce rural HEC. Time-of-use electricity pricing restricts urban-rural HEC under different services. Publicity slightly facilitates urban household electricity conservation. Finally, policy recommendations, including electricity-saving appliances and technological promotion, economic instruments, and capacity building, are proposed to facilitate clean and efficient HEC.

COVID-19 vaccination delivery in long-term-care using the CARD (Comfort Ask Relax Distract) system: Mixed methods study of implementation drivers

ABSTRACT Objectives CARD (comfort, ask, relax, distract) is a vaccine delivery framework that includes interventions to improve the patient’s experience. CARD has not been previously implemented in long-term care (LTC) settings. This study evaluated drivers to implementation for COVID-19 vaccinations in an LTC facility. Methods Postimplementation interpretive evaluation including qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with eight participants. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used for analysis. Adverse reactions to vaccinations and CARD interventions, including local reactogenicity and systemic reactions, were abstracted from medical charts of residents. Results Eight CFIR constructs emerged. Staff perceived CARD was complex because it added steps to vaccination delivery. Motivated to meet residents’ needs, a receptive implementation climate of support among staff led to using strategies within CARD, such as administering topical anesthetics and omitting alcohol skin antisepsis prior to injections. Having an effective network like the residents council positively influenced implementation by allowing residents to voice their opinions. Facilitators to implementation included staff knowledge and beliefs and staff’s commitment to their organization, which was focused on person-centered care. Barriers included lack of available resources (inadequate staffing), insufficient communication between management and staff and lack of awareness of CARD, and external policies not aligned with CARD. Chart reviews conducted for 93 vaccinated residents corroborated perceptions of vaccination and CARD intervention safety, revealing a low rate of local and systemic adverse reactions and no cases of skin infection. Discussion We identified positive and negative implementation drivers. Future research is recommended to expand the strategies employed and involve residents more directly.

Would CNS depressants cause paradoxical aggressive driving behaviors?

Aggressive driving consists of risky driving behaviors and traffic infractions performed with ill intent or disregard for other road users’ safety and associated with negative emotions like anger and frustration. Such behaviors may include tailgating, speeding, weaving through traffic, running red lights, and others. While evaluating the risk of drugs that decrease inhibitions or have central nervous system (CNS) stimulant effects like alcohol and cocaine for aggressive driving behaviors makes sense, doing the same with benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants may appear illogical since the drugs would have anti-aggressive effects, inducing sedation and stabilizing mood. However, unexpected aggressive/agitated episodes, albeit rarely, have been reported after the use of certain CNS depressants. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether CNS depressants may lead to paradoxical aggressive driving behaviors by reviewing case reports of suspected impaired drivers tested positive for CNS depressants other than ethanol. This research examined driving while intoxicated (DWI) or under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases submitted in 2019 and tested positive in blood for CNS depressants other than ethanol only (i.e., benzodiazepines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants). The blood samples were submitted by the Houston Police Department and were subsequently analyzed for alcohol and drugs by Houston Forensic Science Center and a reference laboratory. Toxicological findings, demographic information as well as driving behaviors and the standardized field sobriety test (SFST) observations of impairment described in the police reports were evaluated. Among 1214 DWI/DUID cases in which offense occurred in 2019 and blood samples were tested positive for one or more drugs, just 50 drivers were tested positive for CNS depressants only. Twenty-five drugs/metabolites were identified with benzodiazepines/metabolites being the most prevalent, in 72% of the 50 cases. The majority exhibited typical behaviors expected from CNS depressant use: 86% of the drivers had non-violent attitudes and 91% (39/43) showed horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN). All ( n = 35) showed one or more clues in Walk and Turn (WAT) and except 2, in One-leg Stand (OLS). Traffic incidents included weaving (22%), hitting an object or another vehicle (38%), stopping in a moving lane (18%). However, a few drivers exhibited agitation. Below are two case examples: – case 1: 58-year-old female driver failed to signal a lane change, accelerating away from the patrol car and yelling. When officers encountered the driver, she exhibited uncooperative and erratic behaviors. Officer could only administer HGN, and she showed 2/6 clues. Blood sample was positive for alprazolam at 13 ng/mL and meprobamate at 2.5 μg/mL; – case 2: 24-year-old female driver stopped in a moving lane of traffic. Upon officers approaching the vehicle, she began to speak to officers in an agitated voice. Officers observed the driver could not keep balance. SFST results included 4/6 HGN, 3/4 OLS, and 6/8 WAT clues. Blood sample was positive for alprazolam at 120 ng/mL and for zolpidem at 100 ng/mL; Considering a multitude of social, environmental, and biological factors that can influence one's driving performance, the findings should be taken with caution and alternative interpretations other than drug effects should be considered. The research confirmed that aggressive behaviors among CNS depressant positive drivers are rare and idiosyncratic. These case examples nonetheless demonstrated how different drugged driving behaviors can be and more research is needed to further clarify the association.

Online Service Quality of State Organizations: A Study of Online Services of Ghana Revenue Authority

The study examines the impact of e-government service quality (e-gov SQ) on user satisfaction (US) and perceived public value (PV). Structural equation modeling was employed to investigate the relationships between e-gov SQ, US, and PV. Five dimensions of e-gov SQ, namely efficiency, ease of completion, system availability, contact, and convenience were found to be significant and positive drivers of US. Again, the impact of five e-gov SQ dimensions namely efficiency, system availability, privacy and security, contact, and trust on PV were found to be significant. In addition, the study found that US mediates the relationship between all seven e-gov SQ dimensions and PV. For policy purposes, we recommend that state enterprises should invest more in improving e-gov SQ to drive US and PV and ultimately enhance the performance of state institutions. The findings reinforce the literature on the positive influence of e-gov SQ on US and PV.

Digital prevention of depression for farmers? A qualitative study on participants' experiences regarding determinants of acceptance and satisfaction with a tailored guided internet intervention program

IntroductionFarmers, forest workers and gardeners have a higher risk of developing depression compared to other occupational populations. As part of the German pilot project “With us in balance”, the potential of six guided internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) to prevent depression among their insurants is examined. The IMI program is tailored to various risk factors of depression, individual symptoms, and needs. Although IMIs have been shown to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms, there is little qualitative research about the acceptance of digital preventive IMIs. The aim of this qualitative study is to gain insights into participants' experiences with the guided IMIs by focusing on determinants for acceptance and satisfaction. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 22/171 (13 %) intervention group (IG) participants of a randomized controlled trial. The interview guide was developed based on theoretical models of user acceptance (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology) and patient satisfaction (evaluation model, discrepancy theory). The interviews were evaluated independently by two coders performing a deductive-inductive content analysis and attaining a substantial level of agreement (K = 0.73). ResultsThe qualitative analysis revealed 71 determinants for acceptance and satisfaction across ten dimensions: performance expectancy, organisation, e-coach, usability, training content and structure, training usage, training outcome, financing, social influence, and behavioural intention. The most frequently identified drivers for the IMI use include “location independence”, “positive relationship to the e-coach” (each n = 19, 86 %), “personal e-coach guidance”, “expertise of the e-coach”, “target group specific adaptation” (each n = 18, 82 %), “flexibility”, “high willingness for renewed participation” (each n = 17, 77 %), “fast and easy availability”, “training of health enhancing attitudes and behaviours” and “content with figurative expressions” (each n = 16, 73 %). DiscussionThe qualitative findings predominantly suggest the acceptance of and satisfaction with the IMI program for the prevention of depression in famers and related lines of work. Many identified positive drivers are related to the e-coach guidance, which emphasizes its importance in the preventive setting from the perspective of the participants. Nevertheless, some negative aspects have been identified which help to understand potential weaknesses of the IMI program. Participants indicated different needs in terms of IMI content and usage, which points towards the potential benefit of individualisation. The possibility of being able to use IMIs anonymously, flexibly and independently of location might be highly relevant for this specific target group.