Research Puzzle Research Articles

Corporate Diversification, Economies of Scope, and the Risk–Return Relationship

The negative relationship between corporate risk and corporate returns, also known as the “Bowman paradox,” has been an important puzzle in strategy research that has motivated dozens of empirical studies. Theoretically, the paradox was explained with an appeal to contingent managerial preferences for risk or to heterogeneous managerial capabilities. A popular alternative view has been that the paradox is merely an empirical artifact and, thus, does not need to be explained with management theories. Furthermore, the view that the negative risk-return relationship does not need to be explained theoretically translated into a bottom line for nearly five decades of research on diversified firms—that the paradox cannot be explained theoretically based on the context of corporate diversification. This study counters that pessimistic view and develops a formal model to explain theoretically how the negative risk-return relationship exists in diversified firms due to the interplay of two types of economies of scope. Thus, the Bowman paradox is explained in this study parsimoniously, with the fundamental features of the context of corporate diversification that exist regardless of the variation in managerial preferences for risk or in managerial capabilities.

Internal structure of intonational categories: The (dis)appearance of a perceptual magnet effect.

The question of whether intonation events are speech categories like phonemes and lexical tones has long been a puzzle in prosodic research. In past work, researchers have studied categoricality of pitch accents and boundary tones by examining perceptual phenomena stemming from research on phoneme categories (i.e., intonation boundary effects-peaks in discrimination sensitivity at category boundaries, perceptual magnet effects-sensitivity minima near the best exemplar or prototype of a category). Both lines of research have yielded mixed results. However, boundary effects are not necessarily related to categoricality of speech. Using improved methodology, the present study examines whether pitch accents have domain-general internal structure of categories by testing the perceptual magnet effect. Perceived goodness and discriminability of re-synthesized productions of Dutch rising pitch accent (L*H) were evaluated by native speakers of Dutch in three experiments. The variation between these stimuli was quantified using a polynomial-parametric modeling approach. A perceptual magnet effect was detected: (1) rated "goodness" decreased as acoustic-perceptual distance relative to the prototype increased (Experiment 1), and (2) equally spaced items far from the prototype were more frequently discriminated than equally spaced items in the neighborhood of the prototype (Experiment 2). These results provide first evidence for internal structure of pitch accents, similar to that found in color and phoneme categories. However, the discrimination accuracy gathered here was lower than that reported for phonemes. The discrimination advantage in the neighborhood far from the prototype disappeared when participants were tested on a very large number of stimuli (Experiment 3), similar to findings on phonemes and different from findings for lexical tones in neutral network simulations of distributional learning. These results suggest a more transient nature of the perceptual magnet effect in the perception of pitch accents and arguably weaker categoricality of pitch accents, compared to that of phonemes and in particular of lexical tones.

Is an archaeon the ancestor of eukaryotes?

The origin of complex cellular life is a key puzzle in evolutionary research, which has broad implications for various neighbouring scientific disciplines. Naturally, views on this topic vary widely depending on the world view and context from which this topic is approached. In the following, I will share my perspective about our current scientific knowledge on the origin of eukaryotic cells, that is, eukaryogenesis, from a biological point of view focusing on the question as to whether an archaeon was the ancestor of eukaryotes.

China-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: An Evolving New Security Complex and its Implications

China-Iran relations have witnessed a new ascendency. Where China-Iran ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ (CSP) is characterized by deepening economic, trade and investment ties, cooperation through Belt and Road Initiative and shared interests in promoting stability and security, it has raised concerns of the international community, especially by the US. The prime concern is regarding the shift in the balance of power in the region. China through its diplomatic efforts has somehow addressed the concerns by brokering raproachment agreement between Saudi-Arabia and Iran, but Western and US concerns persist as they view the new partnership as a challenge to their influence and interests of its regional allies. This paper hypothesizes that China-Iran CSP, if fully realized would establish a new regional security complex that would undermine the US-led status quo regional order. This paper analyzes this very research puzzle by enquiring about the evolving nature of the China-Iran economic, political and security relationship and its implications for the regional political and security complex through the lens of Regional Security Complex theory (RSCT). Through Qualitative methodology, it explains the convergences of interests of Iran and China, the dynamism in the relationship and its implications for the regional security complex.

Melatonin regulates gene expressions through activating auxin synthesis and signaling pathways.

Both melatonin and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) are derived from tryptophan. And the most interesting and unsolved puzzle in melatonin research is that what is the relationship between melatonin and auxin? In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis with a time series method to disclose the connection of the two metabolites in soybean. Our results reveal that melatonin and IAA treatments cause substantial overlaps in gene expression changes. Common genes of melatonin and IAA treatments could be sorted into clusters with very similar expression tendency. A KEGG assay showed that exogenous applied melatonin enriched differentially expressed genes in auxin biosynthesis and signaling pathways. For details, melatonin up-regulates several YUCCA genes which participate in auxin biosynthesis; melatonin also enhances expression levels of auxin receptor coding genes, such as TIR1, AFB3 and AFB5; dozens of genes involved in auxin transport, such as AUXI and PIN, are regulated by melatonin similarly as by auxin; auxin-responsive genes, such as IAA, ARF, GH3 and SAUR-like genes, intensively respond to melatonin as well as to auxin. A DR5 promoter mediated GUS staining assay showed that low concentration of melatonin could induce auxin biosynthesis in a dosage manner, whereas high concentration of melatonin would eliminate such effect. At last, gene ontology (GO) analysis suggests that melatonin treatment has similar characteristics as auxin treatment in many processes. However, the two molecules still keep their own features respectively. For example, melatonin takes part in stress responses, while IAA treatment enriches the GO terms that related to cell growth. Taken together, exogenous applied melatonin, if not exceeds the appropriate concentration, could promote auxin responses range from biosynthesis to signaling transduction. Thus, our research is a key part to explain the auxin-like roles of melatonin in regulating plant growth.

New avenues in peace implementation research: actors, geolocation, and time

ABSTRACT Comparative peace processes research shows how the success of peace agreement implementation contributes to durable quality peace in societies emerging out of violent conflict. Less widely discussed in this peace implementation research are three core components: the various actors involved in the peace implementation, the location of implementation activities, and the temporal dimensions involved in the implementation process. While peace process actors receive some attention within the top-down and bottom-up and inclusion and exclusion debates in peacebuilding research, discussions are sparse on the geolocation of peace implementation and implementation timing. By showing how these three components – peace process actors, geolocation, and time – interact with each other, this article makes the case for these three components to build a holistic understanding of and diverse perspectives on the peace implementation process. Information specific to actors, geolocation, and time involving the peace implementation process helps generate and address new research puzzles and thus advance our understanding of the peace implementation process while providing new insights for policymakers and peacebuilding practitioners.

Spatial scales of competition and a growth-motility trade-off interact to determine bacterial coexistence.

The coexistence of competing species is a long-lasting puzzle in evolutionary ecology research. Despite abundant experimental evidence showing that the opportunity for coexistence decreases as niche overlap increases between species, bacterial species and strains competing for the same resources are commonly found across diverse spatially heterogeneous habitats. We thus hypothesized that the spatial scale of competition may play a key role in determining bacterial coexistence, and interact with other mechanisms that promote coexistence, including a growth-motility trade-off. To test this hypothesis, we let two Pseudomonas putida strains compete at local and regional scales by inoculating them either in a mixed droplet or in separate droplets in the same Petri dish, respectively. We also created conditions that allow the bacterial strains to disperse across abiotic or fungal hyphae networks. We found that competition at the local scale led to competitive exclusion while regional competition promoted coexistence. When competing in the presence of dispersal networks, the growth-motility trade-off promoted coexistence only when the strains were inoculated in separate droplets. Our results provide a mechanism by which existing laboratory data suggesting competitive exclusion at a local scale is reconciled with the widespread coexistence of competing bacterial strains in complex natural environments with dispersal.

Conceptualising private fintech platforms as financial statecraft and recentralisation in China

ABSTRACT This study analyses the role of China’s private fintech business in Singapore’s emerging digital banking and payment sector by proposing a research framework that synthesises platform political economy, financial statecraft, and recentralisation. This research addresses the research puzzle of why the private fintech platforms have been granted an essential position in China’s plan to roll out the e-CNY as the party-state has intensified its regulatory and legal control over the private fintech sector. Drawing from the analysed documentary and interview data, this research demonstrates that Alibaba, Ant Group, and Tencent can be seen as a form of CCP financial statecraft to help achieve its foreign policy goals because they are established ‘fintech platforms’.

Towards a Theoretical Synthesis: Supplementing Two-Level Games with Role Theory

The objective of this article is to present possibilities offered by a combination of two theories, that is role theory (Holsti, 1970; Thies, Breuning, 2012; Walker, 1981; 1987; 2004; 2017; Wehner, Thies, 2014) and two-level games framework (Putnam, 1988). Although this ‘combining’may still cause considerable difficulties, because various IR theories are based on different ontological and epistemological assumptions, theoretical syntheses, however, are not impossible and, offer myriad research possibilities of developing middle-range ways of solving research puzzles (Jorgensen, 2018, pp. 250–252). The article consists of four parts. In the first one, the essential assumptions of role theory and the two-level game framework will be presented. The second part will present how to combine assumptions of these two theories by following the strategy of ‘domain of application’. In the third one, the results of the synthesis will be elucidated. It will be done by referring to the three factors that the two-level games framework is based on and by showing how previous studies focused on role theory could be supplemented by Putnam’s framework. The fourth, concluding part, will present final reflections as well as sketch the turf of the proposed theoretical synthesis.

필리핀 결혼이주여성의 가족생활 경험이야기 탐구

This study explored how two Filipino-immigrant women for marriage in Korea construct their stories to live by in the relational contexts with their family members. The objective of this study was to understand meanings of individual participant’s lived experiences. So the research puzzle was that “How do the participants live by family-life stories with husband, children and in-law family in relational contexts?” The meanings of relational-identities emerged by the inquiry into lived experiences with their family members are as follows. Firstly, relational stories with husband: 1) A woman not invited to wife-position 2) “He always accepts what I’m doing.” Secondly, relational stories with children: 1) My children, my life-justification in Korea 2) From shameful Filipino-mom to proud Filipino-mom. Thirdly, relational stories with in-law family: Sold woman from Philippine, a poor country. This study made me rethink about Korean national identity as a multi-cultural society. I hope that Korean society pursues respect and understanding of any differences in human-beings as opposed to exclusion and discrimination.

Potential Cell-Based and Cell-Free Therapy for Patients with COVID-19.

Since it was first reported, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains an unresolved puzzle for biomedical researchers in different fields. Various treatments, drugs, and interventions were explored as treatments for COVID. Nevertheless, there are no standard and effective therapeutic measures. Meanwhile, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy offers a new approach with minimal side effects. MSCs and MSC-based products possess several biological properties that potentially alleviate COVID-19 symptoms. Generally, there are three classifications of stem cell therapy: cell-based therapy, tissue engineering, and cell-free therapy. This review discusses the MSC-based and cell-free therapies for patients with COVID-19, their potential mechanisms of action, and clinical trials related to these therapies. Cell-based therapies involve the direct use and injection of MSCs into the target tissue or organ. On the other hand, cell-free therapy uses secreted products from cells as the primary material. Cell-free therapy materials can comprise cell secretomes and extracellular vesicles. Each therapeutic approach possesses different benefits and various risks. A better understanding of MSC-based and cell-free therapies is essential for supporting the development of safe and effective COVID-19 therapy.

Explaining climate policy pathways of unlikely city pioneers: The case of the German city of Remscheid

The German mid-sized city of Remscheid, located in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, can be characterised as an unlikely climate pioneer. Remscheid is a least likely candidate for pioneering climate policies. Previous research suggests that climate pioneers are typically characterised by a growing population, favourable economic conditions, political influence of green parties, a strong civil society, and a supportive local research environment. However, none of the listed characteristics apply to Remscheid – quite to the contrary. Our paper aims at solving this research puzzle, based on an exploratory in-depth case-study of Remscheid's climate policy pathway since the early 1990s. The city performs much better than most German cities of comparable size because the lack of capacities can be compensated by strong key actors and creative policy-making. Local actors manage to attract external funding from a variety of sources and frequently participate in applied research projects on relevant topics. However, we also find that the uncertainty of planning from project to project has a negative effect on setting long-term climate goals and developing holistic visions for the future. We need more studies on rather disadvantaged cities that have nevertheless managed to become climate pioneers. Models created by unlikely pioneers such as Remscheid have to be made visible and accessible for cities that work under similar conditions.

ZIF-67-derived Co/C embedded boron carbonitride nanotubes for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption

Developing materials with a rational design of constituent and microstructure for excellent electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance has been a puzzle for researchers. Herein, a type of zeolitic-imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) derivative embedded boron carbonitride (BCN) nanocomposites with a tubular microstructure are prepared via a simple, facile, scalable pyrolysis approach. The presence of BCN nanotube not only optimizes the impedance matching, but also promotes the dispersion of the Co nanoparticles, contributing to a high-efficiency utilization of conductive and magnetic losses of the ZIF derivative. Furthermore, the nanocomposites contain abundant heterogeneous interfaces, resulting in a high interfacial polarization capability, which is further confirmed by theoretical simulations. Consequently, BCN/C/Co composite nanotubes display superior EMW absorption properties. BCN/C/Co nanocomposites show a minimum reflection loss of − 56.7 dB at 12.4 GHz and an effective absorption bandwidth of 5.5 GHz at a thickness of 2.6 mm. This work thus provides a reliable reference for preparing lightweight, high-performance EMW absorbers.

Vietnamese Patterns of Corruption and Accumulation: Research Puzzles

This article explores ways to better understand corruption in Vietnam and the nature of Vietnamese capitalism. Given the current state of research, its arguments are not conclusive and focus upon empirics and issues in existing research. Regarding empirics, good data imply that corrupt payments by firms to Party officials are now so large – perhaps a quarter of gross domestic product – that their macro-systemic impacts must be, whilst still unclear, substantial. At such levels they likely have been allowing their recipients rapidly to build large asset-holdings. But the Party’s generalised protection of demands for corrupt payments remains muted. Importantly, 2007 Party Directive #15 has been protecting Party members from corruption investigations, so that in effect they are not illegal. The research available, however, commonly treats Vietnamese corruption mainly as an indicator of state dysfunctionality, which fails to embrace the possibility that it is central to contemporary accumulation processes. The speculative argument is that at some point “pirates become businessmen” and the Vietnamese state will then shift, historically, from protecting corruption to protecting capital. In this framing, the decentralised nature of asset accumulation conditions political change.

THE ECONOMIC POLICIES OF THE US AND TRADE WAR WITH CHINA

This article highlights the dynamics of US China trade war. It provides the political, military and economic efforts of these countries to save their interests in the region through this conflict. This research tries to find out the answer of research puzzle that “When the US and China already have deep economic interdependence then why they have involved in trade war against each other”? This research has employed qualitative methodology within the post positivist paradigm. The lens of Strategic Hedging Theory is applied to find the answers of research questions. For Data Analysis directed content analysis with more focus on manifest approach has been applied. The core findings of the study are that the continuous diplomatic and political engagement can bring peace. Trade war has resulted in a sharp decline in bilateral trade. The policies and political vision of china is to acquire the position of Chen One in the globe. The US is considering China as a threat to its hegemony. It’s endeavoring to enhance bilateral and multilateral as well as political, economic and defense deals with allies and rivals to undertake Chinese growth and progress. Key words: Strategic Hedging, Politics, Hegemon, Economy, Trade War, China, United State of America.

Optimization of early markers for the diagnosis of preeclampsia on the background of metabolic syndrome

Annotation. Preeclampsia remains a mysterious puzzle for clinicians and researchers who have been uncovering it for decades. The search for new modern diagnostic markers for the possibility of early prevention of this complication will facilitate the course of pregnancy and childbirth. Preeclampsia can affect 2-8% of all pregnancies. The study of angiogenic biomarkers to stratify the risk of disease is the aim of our study. Patients are divided into groups due to the severity of preeclampsia. Group I included 26 pregnant women with moderate preeclampsia, diastolic blood pressure was up to 90 m Hg, to group II – 20 pregnant women with moderate preeclampsia, the level of diastolic pressure was up to 99 m Hg. The third group included pregnant women in whom the physiological course of pregnancy without complications and concomitant extragenital pathology. Inhibin A levels were determined using a Beckmann Coulter analyzer and test system (Germany); ELISA Testkit, Access-Inhibin A Kit by Beckmann Coulter, the concentration of vitamin D in the serum of patients was determined using an analyzer and test system Immulite (Siemens AG, Germany). Statistical analysis of the obtained results was performed minus the mean value (M) and the standard error of the mean value (m). Qualitative indicators are presented in the form of %. Comparison of quantitative indicators with normal distribution was performed by Student’s t test (p<0.05), and with abnormal distribution in unrelated samples – using Mann-Whitney test (U test), comparison of relative values – using χ2 (chi) -square). A significant relationship (p=0.041) was found between inhibin A levels and the occurrence of preeclampsia. Vitamin D deficiency (24.5±1.01 ng/ml) was also found in women in the study groups. The level of placental growth factor in all women in the first trimester of pregnancy was 45.93±11.74 pg/ml, which corresponds to normal values. The mean level of insulin-like growth factor was reduced (120.87±4.12 ng/ml) compared with the control group (224.1±6.24 ng/ml). Thus, increased inhibin A, decreased IGF, and vitamin D deficiency may be a marker for a patient at risk for preeclampsia.

Electrophysiological correlates of the reverse Stroop effect: Results from a simulated handgun task

The color-word reverse Stroop (RS) effect still represents an interesting puzzle for cognitive researchers as an interference between incongruent ink colors and the meaning of the words is not always found. Here, we examined whether an unfamiliar and complex visuomotor task would produce a RS effect. Forty inexperienced shooters carried out a simulated shooting task. To test if the RS effect is related to the stimuli processing or to a late processing of the color (early and late time-windows), electroencephalographic global field power (GFP) variations were recorded with a high-impedance system (32 channels configuration in a standard monopolar montage, referenced to FCz and grounded to FPz). The color-word RS effect was reflected in the performance of 32 participants, suggesting that the strength of the association between the target and the specific response requested might be central to the RS interference. This behavioral result was paralleled by GFP modulations in 20 participants. A significant increase of the GFP for the congruent trials (e.g., the word “red” written in red ink) was recorded after stimulus presentation (conflict detection), followed by an increase for the incongruent trials (e.g., the word “red” written in green ink) just before the shooting (conflict resolution). Despite the limitations of the study, such as the inclusion of a low number of channels in the GFP analyses, the results suggest that the RS interference is easily elicited in tasks requiring an unfamiliar response, which supports the strength of association hypothesis. Moreover, as implied by the GFP modulations, the interference might occur early in time, but also in a later stage, closer to the response.

Technology transfer and defence sector dynamics: the case of the Netherlands

ABSTRACT State defence and security policies rely mostly on their military capabilities. The latter are ensured through research and development (R&D) as well as procurement, which are subject to defence industry dynamics. Furthermore the defence sector is heavily dependent on public funds; the latter can be more easily allocated if related R&D has a spill-over effect on the civilian sector, creating the potential for a bigger and more globally (or regionally) integrated market. This article investigates, then, how technology moves, and whether defence sector innovations create spin-offs in the civilian sector in the Netherlands. We aim to provide an industry-centred perspective on defence sector dynamics and potentials. For this, the article attempts to answer the following questions: Are defence technologies transferred to the civilian sector? What lessons can be derived from the Dutch case? To address these research puzzles the article’s theoretical framework builds on the technology-transfer literature in analysing the case study of the Netherlands. The basis for this is 23 interviews with representatives of Dutch defence companies that were carried out both in a workshop and in one-to-one settings in May and June 2020.

20세기 초 팬데믹 시대에 움튼 여성들의 우정: YWCA를 중심으로

The World YWCA, based on the Christian spirit of “by young people, by young women, for young women” is a faith movement that started with the passion of the gospel and a service movement based on the ecumenical spirit. It seeks peace and the reconciliation of humankind, and has long established itself as a major player in the peace movement. Inheriting that spirit, YWCA Korea will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of YWCA Korea in April, 2022. However, the Korean academic community does not have much interest in YWCA, regardless of general or Christian history. The Korean YWCA also lacks information about the Hangzhou World YWCA Committee, which was held for the first time in Asia. The 1947 Hangzhou World YWCA Committee tells the story of the friendship of women who helped to heal and reconcile the weeping world after the war. This study will solve the missing piece of the puzzle in historical research and suggest a way for the Korean church to become a peace-church in the future.

Interplay among blockchain technology adoption strategy, e-supply chain management diffusion, entrepreneurial orientation and human resources information system in banking

PurposeTo empirically study the direct and mediating relationships between blockchain technology adoption strategy (BCTAS), electronic supply chain management diffusion (eSCMD), entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and human resources information system (HRIS) in Egyptian banks. This paper aims to connect the dots and show the relationships linking these related constructs after the emergence of this breakthrough blockchain technology.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have undertaken a thematic review of relevant multidisciplinary business management literature and then developed a conceptual model. This model was examined through adopting a mixed-methods approach, through which 300 quantitative questionnaires were filled by information technology (IT) staff at 12 banks in Egypt utilising a snowball sample. Besides, 20 qualitative interviews were carried out with international and Egyptian blockchain experts for exploratory and explanatory purposes. The suggested hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results revealed that EO affects positively and significantly BCTAS and HRIS. BCTAS affects positively and significantly both HRIS and eSCMD. Concerning the linkage between external/supply chain and internal/organisational information diffusion, HRIS has a positive and significant effect on eSCMD. The direct EO–eSCMD relationship is not supported. Yet, indirectly, BCTAS mediates significantly EO–eSCMD and EO–HRIS relationships. Further, HRIS mediates significantly the indirect BCTAS–eSCMD relationship.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research shed light on the benefits and challenges of adopting BCTAS within emerging markets in general and Egyptian banking in specific, which can support an effective and efficient decision-making process undertaken by strategic and functional banking managers with EO in similar emerging economies.Originality/valueConceptually and empirically, it is the first article that investigated direct and mediating EO–BCTAS–HRIS–eSCMD relationships in a promising banking industry of an emerging market. It solved an interdisciplinary research puzzle by piecing together the relevant contemporary literature on production, operations and SC management, entrepreneurship, HR management and strategic technology adoption.