Selection Of Management Practices Research Articles

High-frequency spatial sediment source fingerprinting using in situ absorbance data

Sediment fingerprinting is a commonly applied approach to quantify catchment suspended sediment (SS) source contributions. However, due to the high workloads and costs involved in SS sampling and laboratory analyses, traditional procedures often result in a limited number of samples and sampling campaigns, which can hamper the capacity to capture the intra- and inter-storm variations in SS source activation and deactivation. A better understanding of the temporal dynamics in source contributions is needed, however, to improve the understanding of dynamic sediment generation and delivery processes for selecting management practices. In recognition of the extant need to improve high-frequency source estimates and to permit long duration measurement campaigns, the work reported herein presents a sediment fingerprinting procedure using UV–Vis absorbance spectra measured in situ with submersible spectrophotometer probes to estimate spatial SS source contributions based on a confluence-based monitoring strategy. The high-frequency (5-minute intervals) measurements were used to fingerprint SS sources during seven selected periods with varying hydrological conditions. Source apportionment estimates (MixSIAR model) were validated using an independent sediment budget. The results showed a mean deviation of 9.4 ± 6.0 %, compared with the sediment budget, for the seven periods combined (n = 7,282 time steps). The most accurate results (mean absolute error of 5.3 ± 4.3 %) were obtained for the period covering the July 2021 flood event in central Europe (return period for the monitored catchment > 20 years). Overall, modelled variations in SS source contributions mostly followed the sediment budget dynamics. This novel work highlights the potential for using spectrophotometer absorbance data for high-frequency and long-term sediment fingerprinting purposes. We argue that the presented method can lead to new opportunities to improve our understanding of SS sources and their dynamics.

Retaining young employees in the hospitality and tourism sector: the role of workplace context and management practices

PurposeThis research study investigates the relationship between management practices and young employee retention in the hospitality and tourism industry in Lebanon. Besides, it examines the moderating role of the workplace context in the relationship between management practices and employment retention in the industry.Design/methodology/approachNon-probability purposive sampling method was used to collect 421 questionnaires through a survey of young employees. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach's alpha test are conducted to test the construct validity, reliability, and internal consistency of collected data. Descriptive statistics are used to interpret the data. Zero-order correlations, multiple regression analysis and Fisher's Z-test are applied to assess the interrelations of the various groups of variables and the determinants of young employee retention.FindingsThe findings show that management practices tested in this study have significant relationships with young employee retention in the hospitality and tourism industry in Lebanon. Further, the findings reveal that the workplace context moderates the relationship between three management practices (participation in decision-making, training, and performance recognition) and young employee retention.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that managers in hospitality and tourism businesses must improve their management practices and promote a positive workplace context to retain young employees.Originality/valueFinally, this study is the only one that tests the moderating role of the workplace context in the relationship between five selected management practices (participation in decision-making, training, performance recognition, remuneration and job continuity) and young employee retention. Previous studies used fewer variables.

An Assessment of Indian Livestock Owners’ Selective Management Practices for Risk Amelioration of Obstructive Urolithiasis in Water Buffalo Male Calves

An Assessment of Indian Livestock Owners’ Selective Management Practices for Risk Amelioration of Obstructive Urolithiasis in Water Buffalo Male Calves

Patterns and correlates in the distribution, design and management of garden ponds along an urban–rural gradient

Urbanisation results in the loss and alteration of natural wetlands and ponds. However, garden ponds in cities and towns can potentially act as rich reservoirs of aquatic biodiversity and stepping stones for dispersal. Homeowners with a range of different motivations, including biodiversity values, install garden ponds. Here, our main aim was to study whether the design and management choices of garden pond owners depended on the location of ponds (capital city vs. countryside), when ponds were installed (pond age), or whether fish were introduced. We surveyed 834 garden pond owners across Hungary using a citizen science questionnaire, asking questions on pond size, location, construction date and materials, vegetation structure, introduction of fish and management practices. From 753 validated responses, we found that the introduction of fish into ponds and high urbanisation were strongly associated with local features and management practices, especially large ponds with a water circulation feature, irrespective of pond age. A typical garden pond in Hungary is ~ 20 m2, < 10 years old, made of rubber lining, contains fish, aquatic vegetation and circulating water, and is actively managed. There was a spatial separation of ponds based on local features between ponds in the capital city (Budapest) and elsewhere. These findings suggest that garden pond owners in the city were more likely to make different choices in pond design and management compared to owners in regional areas. Our results also suggest that pond owners may primarily select management practices to improve habitat quality for ornamental fish. Our findings have important implications for maintaining aquatic biodiversity in urban areas, where garden ponds may be the only aquatic habitat available.

The association between somatic cell count and selective dry cow therapy, milking routine, and dry cow management practices in early-lactation cows from 21 commercial grazing dairy herds

This observational study aimed to explore the association of farmer-driven selective dry cow therapy (DCT), milking routine and dry cow management practices with SCC in early-lactation cows from 21 commercial dairy herds. Milking routine practices evaluated referred to cow preparation for milking, in-lactation mastitis management, and recording. Dry cow management practices related to dry cow environment and cleaning, dry-off procedure, milk cessation strategy and calving environment. Data from 2,016 multiparous cows in 21 commercial spring-calving grazing dairy herds were available for the study. Herd owners self-reported DCT (the assignment and administration of DCT was at the discretion of the herd owners with no involvement from the research team), management practices during milking and the dry period. Cow-level last test-day SCC records in 2020 (range = 105-285 DIM) and first test-day records in 2021 (range = 5-60 DIM) were obtained from milk recording databases. Quarter-level milk sampling was carried out on all cows in late lactation of 2020 (range = 240-261 DIM) for bacterial culturing. Bacteriological results were used to define cows with IMI when ≥1 quarter sample resulted in bacterial growth and there were no contaminated samples from that cow. Mixed model analyses were used to evaluate the association of selective DCT, milking routine, and dry cow management practices with cows' first test-day log 10 SCC (logSCC) in 2021. At dry-off in 2020, 47.6% of the cows were administered an internal teat sealant alone (ITS), while 52.4% were administered an antibiotic plus an internal teat sealant (AB+ITS). The mean herd-level percentage of cows with IMI was 19.7% (range = 9.8%-39.5%); Staphylococcus aureus accounted for the majority of cow-level IMI (89.9%, 357/397). Between herds, the proportion of cows administered ITS ranged from 17.7% (14/79; in a herd with an IMI prevalence of 10.1%) to 86.8% (66/76; in a herd with an IMI prevalence of 27.6%). In total, 11.8% (105/889) and 29.8% (292/980) of cows that were administered ITS or AB+ITS had an IMI in late lactation 2020, respectively. The mean untransformed SCC at the last test day in 2020 of cows administered ITS and AB+ITS was 55,000 and 197,200 cells/mL, respectively. The statistical analysis showed a significant interaction between selective DCT and milk yield at last test-day in 2020; cows with a milk yield of 15 kg and administered ITS had a 0.1 higher (untransformed SCC of 19,000 cells/mL higher) first test-day logSCC compared with cows administered AB+ITS. Additionally, greater parity, IMI in late lactation, higher logSCC at the last test-day in 2020 and longer dry periods were associated with higher logSCC at the first test-day in 2021. The current study identified cow- and herd-level management practices that could aid dairy farmers in improving the outcome of selective DCT and decrease early lactation SCC.

Temporal monitoring of free-living nematode communities for evaluation of soil health in an arable crop rotation

There is a growing interest in finding reliable methods for monitoring soil health using bioindicators. Free-living nematodes are an ideal indicator group because of their rapid response to changes in soil conditions. This UK study aims to assess their efficacy as bioindicators using two field experiments. In Experiment-1, the treatments included Farmyard Manure, Green Manure consisting of a mix of Raphanus sativus and Vicia sp., and Standard Practice serving as the control receiving N-fertiliser only. The same treatments, except Farmyard Manure, were compared in Experiment-2, which was on a sloping site with a different textured soil. Soil samples were collected twice during each crop season, in Spring and Autumn, for Experiment-1, and only in Autumn for Experiment-2. Ecological indices that categorise nematodes by feeding preference using morphological differences and life strategies (i.e. functional guilds) were calculated. Indices were compared with the abundance of nematode trophic groups to evaluate their use as soil indicators for understanding crop management practices and their legacy effects. Results showed that identification to trophic groups alone was not a sufficiently sensitive approach for assessing changes in the selected management practices. The variations among trophic groups and treatments within the same sampling period were significantly different for bacterivores, fungivores, predators, omnivores, and herbivores. These differences did not always cooccur within the same sampling period, with bacterivores and plant-parasites of economic importance showing greater responses. The food web analyses, calculated by applying the Enrichment Index and Structure Index, and Plant Parasite Index, provided a more sensitive indicator and allowed more effective diachronic monitoring. While using the composition of trophic groups appears to be an attractive solution, their application is best linked to quantifying short-term changes in soil condition and were not as well suited to longer-term soil health monitoring.

Investigating the role of human resource management practices on employee performance through PLS-SEM approach: a case study of academic libraries in India

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the association between select human resource management practices and employee performance in academic libraries in India. Design/methodology/approach The current study uses the quantitative method of research. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the results. The current study uses a cross-sectional approach by using a convenient sampling method. The sample size of the study was 163, which was adequate for conducting PLS-SEM analysis. Findings The study found a significant positive correlation between human resource management practices and employee performance in academic libraries. This suggests that the implementation of effective human resource management practices has a beneficial impact on various aspects of employee performance. Research limitations/implications The study’s cross-sectional design may limit the ability to establish causality or determine the direction of the relationship between human resource management practices and employee performance. The study may have limitations regarding the sample size and its representativeness. If the sample is small or limited to specific academic libraries in India, it may not be possible to generalise the findings to a broader population of academic libraries in the country or to libraries in other regions or countries. Practical implications The study has practical implications for academic libraries in India. By recognising the significant correlation between human resource management practices and employee performance, libraries can prioritise the implementation of effective human resource management strategies. This includes aligning human resources practices with organisational goals, focusing on employee development and engagement and adopting best practices in recruitment, training and performance management. Social implications This study can have broader social implications by promoting a supportive and productive work culture that positively impacts the academic library community. Originality/value The paper focuses on a quite important and largely unexplored area of human resource management within the academic libraries sector.

The influence of internal factors on micro and small enterprises performance: evidence from Tanzanian agri-food processors

Abstract Building upon resource-based view (RBV) theory, this cross-sectional study employed binary logistic regression to examine the influence of firm-level factors on the performance of 435 Tanzanian micro and small agri-food processing firms. The results of the study show that intangible resources, age (enterprise, manager), and management practices (target setting, working capital management, and performance monitoring) have a significant influence on firm performance. Firm size, tangible resources, and managers’ education level were not significant predictors of firm performance. The findings confirmed the RBV argument that intangible resources contribute more to the variation in firm performance compared to tangible resources. This study adds to the limited research on the combined effect of firm-specific characteristics, firm resources, managerial characteristics, and selected management practices on the performance of micro and small firms in emerging economies. The findings will help managers to identify success factors that are significant for better performance and will support policymakers to design strategies that can effectively contribute to the development of micro and small enterprises in the agri-food subsector.

Cover crop and biofuel crop effects on hydraulic properties for claypan soils

AbstractPerennial biofuel and cover crops systems are important for enhancing soil health and can provide numerous soil, agricultural, and environmental benefits. The study objective was to investigate the effects of cover crops and biofuel crops on soil hydraulic properties relative to traditional management for claypan soils. The study site included selected management practices: cover crop (CC) and no cover crop (NC) with corn/soybean rotation, switchgrass (SW), and miscanthus (MI). The CC mixture consisted of cereal rye, hairy vetch, and Austrian winter pea. The research site was located at Bradford Research Center in Missouri, USA, and was implemented on a Mexico silt loam. Intact soil cores (76‐mm diam. by 76‐mm long) were taken from the 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm depths with three plot replicates and two sub‐samples per plot replicate per depth. Soil hydraulic properties evaluated for each sample included: saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), water retention, bulk density, and pore size distributions. Results showed with the test of Duncan's least significant differences that treatments of MI (1.18 Mg m−3) and SW (1.21 Mg m−3) had lower values of bulk density averaging across soil depth than CC (1.27 Mg m−3) and NC (1.31 Mg m−3). Management systems significantly increased Ksat with the biofuel treatments at 0–10 cm compared to NC system. The MI management showed a significant increase in macroporosity and fine mesoporosity as compared to other management systems. Slight changes have occurred in the measured soil physical properties for CC system compared to NC plots. Overall, increasing soil organic matter from more plant roots from long‐term biofuel cropping systems can improve soil water storage and crop productivity.

Behavioral biases in corporate risk management and investment decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has caused great turbulence in global financial markets. The first goal of this conceptual paper is to explore whether managers of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange are susceptible to selected behavioral biases related to irrational risk preferences. We also seek to investigate whether susceptibility to these errors may affect selected management practices in the areas of corporate risk management and investment policy. The second major goal of our project is to identify whether there is a link at the micro level, that is, between the aforementioned irrational management practices resulting from susceptibility to behavioral biases and the macro level (i.e., certain macroeconomic indicators, such as aggregate investment, employment, and growth). We hope that our research project will contribute to shifting the paradigm of economics in such a way that the behavioral approach will be increasingly used and acknowledged by researchers.

Service Recovery Performance of Frontline Officer in the Public Sector Organization in Jordan

This study considers that management practices have the ability to turn dissatisfied customers to loyal customers through effective service recovery encounter. This study investigates the potential impact of selected management practices on service recovery performance and its outcomes of front-line officers by adapting Boshoff and Allen, (2000) research model. There were front line officers who involve with electronic government were analyzed about their perceptions about public sector organisation management practices. Quantitative approach using multivariate data analysis such as descriptive analysis, reliability analysis and multiple regressions were used to estimate the predictors and its consequences of service recovery performance in the public sector organization (PSO) in Jordan. Results shows that ‘affective organizational commitment’ exert a strong positive relationship compared with customer service training, empowerment and supervisor support. The variable role ambiguity shows a weak non-significant relationship as opposed to the proposed effect. Results also suggest that successful service recovery performance leads to increased job satisfaction and decreased turnover intentions. This study could be generalized as a main guideline for public sector organization in Jordan. Practically, the findings indicate the organizational behavior variables that the manager has to take care to achieve front line service recovery excellence.

Developing row spacing and planting density recommendations for yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) in tropical highland conditions

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius [Poepp.] H. Rob., Asteraceae) is an Andean plant being explored as a functional food, due to high concentrations of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a natural sweetener capable of reducing blood lipids and glucose levels, supporting prevention of chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Yacon commercial production is still being established, thus cropping practices and their impact on profitability are yet poorly explained. Improved planting recommendations are demanded, as it affects crop yield. In this background, a field trial was conducted to determine row spacing and plant populations for yacon production in tropical highland areas. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, in a split-plot scheme, where blocks were three row spacings (0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 m) and subplots covered three spacings between plants (0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 m), with four replicates. At harvest time, evaluations on accumulation of dry mass in the plant and tuber root production data (number, weight, total productivity, and per class) were made. Profitability indicators were estimated (gross income, operational profit, and benefit-cost ratio). Data suggest productive and economic variations among tested planting configurations, as an example higher productivity (31.5 t ha-1) and positive benefit-cost ratio (2.51) when using 1.0 m between rows and 0.4 m between plants for the conditions tested. These results point out the prospect to select better crop management practices for yacon, cutting costs, and increasing yield. Another key find was yacon’s capacity to overcome intense drought and temperature stress, not previously documented for this crop. Therefore, yacon is a new crop with potential to boost farming income through crop diversification.

Stakeholders' influence on environmental management accounting practices

This study explores on the roles of different stakeholders in shaping the organisation's environmental management accounting (EMA) practices. By identifying the different salient stakeholders, as well as their demands and influence, the focus of this study is to address the motivations and types of environmental management and EMA practices that are being implemented. A case study of an airport operator is used with data collected from interviews, documentary review and observations at the case organisation. Both the external and internal stakeholders' demand for particular environmental information shaped the implementation of selective environmental management practices including the depth and breadth of these practices. This study also highlights on the utilisation of EMA information in enhancing operational process, profitability as well as the company's reputation.

Estimation of Suspended Sediment Concentration from Remote Sensing and In Situ Measurement over Lake Tana, Ethiopia

Discharge from basins joining a lake is the main factor determining the lake volume and sediment inflow to the lake. Suspended sediment is an important parameter for describing the water quality of aquatic ecosystems. Lake Tana is an important and the largest lake in Ethiopia for the local ecological system. However, environmental change and anthropogenic activities in the area threaten its water quality. The conventional methods of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) observation are unable to determine and compare spatial and temporal SSC patterns for the lake over a period of years. Remote sensing methods have made it possible to map SSC. The objective of this study is to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of suspended sediment of Lake Tana using in situ measurement and remote sensing applications and specifically to develop a relationship between in situ and remote sensing observation to retrieve suspended sediment concentration and map the spatal distribution of SSC. This study used MODIS‐Terra and in situ data to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of SSC in the rainy season. Four sampling campaigns (20 samples per campaign) were carried out on Lake Tana, and the first three sampled campaigns on May 11–13, 2018, June 08–10, 2018, and July 15–17, 2018, were used for calibration of regression models. MODIS‐Terra reflectance in NIR was found best related to in situ water quality data and varies linearly with SSC (r2 = 0.81) and turbidity (r2 = 0.85). Secchi disc depth (SDD) found the best fit for a power relation with NIR band reflectance (r2 = 0.74). The MODIS‐Terra reflectance in red was found to be poorly related to in situ measurements. The relation in NIR reflectance was validated using the LOOCV (leave‐one‐out‐cross‐validation) technique and the fourth sampled data set collected on August 12–14, 2018. Developed models are validated with RMSE of 42.96 mg/l, 14.6 NTU, and 0.17 m, ARE of 23.3%, 27.6%, and 12.4%, and RRMSE of 25.1%, 44.5%, and 29.6% for SSC, turbidity, and SDD, respectively, using LOOCV. The equation was also validated using August 2018 collected data sets with RMSE of 87.6 mg/l, 11.7 NTU, 0.08 m, ARE of 20.8%, 25.9%, and 28.8%, and RRMSE of 17.8%, 20.5%, and 27.9% for SSC, turbidity, and SDD, respectively. Applying the developed regression model, a 10‐year time series of SSC from 2008–2017 for May‐August was estimated and the trend was tested using the Mann–Kendall trend test. It was found that an increasing trend was observed from the period 2008 to 2017. The result shows that satellite data like the MODIS‐Terra imagery could be used to monitor and obtain past records of SSC with the developed equation. The increasing SSC can be reduced by implementing selected management practices in the surrounding watersheds of the lake to reduce nutrient and sediment inflow.

Management Practices, Worker Commitment, and Workplace Representation

Using multilevel mixed effects ordered logistic models, this paper conducts an original investigation of the new management as a technology approach for all EU nations in a framework that explicitly recognizes worker representation while incorporating the notion of affective commitment. It is reported that that low worker commitment is unlikely to be found in establishments with better management practices and that, controlling for management practices and worker representation, the hypothesis that financial and productivity performance is superior in establishments without worker representation is not rejected by the data. For establishments with worker representation, the works council-only variant is seemingly the most favorable regime for financial performance, although this does not carry over to the labor productivity outcome. On net, however, the evidence suggests that the selected management practices are likely to be favorable to performance in plants with and without formal workplace representation. Greater worker commitment is strongly associated with improved labor productivity. Moreover, in this case there is seemingly no difference between works council-only representation and no representation at all. Overall, although the results for workplace representation and the financial situation are mixed, it is the case that greater commitment trumps any negative influence of worker representation type.

Management Practices, Worker Commitment, and Workplace Representation

Using multilevel mixed effects ordered logistic models, this paper conducts an original investigation of the new management as a technology approach for all EU nations in a framework that explicitly recognizes worker representation while incorporating the notion of affective commitment. It is reported that that low worker commitment is unlikely to be found in establishments with better management practices and that, controlling for management practices and worker representation, the hypothesis that financial and productivity performance is superior in establishments without worker representation is not rejected by the data. For establishments with worker representation, the works council-only variant is seemingly the most favorable regime for financial performance, although this does not carry over to the labor productivity outcome. On net, however, the evidence suggests that the selected management practices are likely to be favorable to performance in plants with and without formal workplace representation. Greater worker commitment is strongly associated with improved labor productivity. Moreover, in this case there is seemingly no difference between works council-only representation and no representation at all. Overall, although the results for workplace representation and the financial situation are mixed, it is the case that greater commitment trumps any negative influence of worker representation type.

Impacts of selected management practices on soil quality in an irrigated arid agroecosystem

Understanding the impacts of cropping systems is crucial for agricultural sustainability. A study was conducted at New Mexico State University Agriculture Science Center at Los Lunas, New Mexico, United States, to investigate the effect of crop management practices on selected soil measurements. Four management systems on medium- to fine-textured surface soil, and two other management systems on coarse-textured surface soil were assessed. Management systems within the medium- to fine-textured soils included tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum [Schreb.]) permanent grass fields (TFC), peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch) orchards with white clover (Trifolium repens L.) ground cover (PCC), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; ALF), and conventionally tilled land with annual crop rotations (CTC). The two systems studied in the coarse-textured soils were conventionally tilled soil with annual crop rotation (CTS) and young cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides W. Bartram) orchards (CWS). Soil samples were collected in three fields for each of the management systems at 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm. Twelve out of the 16 soil measurements assessed in the upper depth varied significantly with management system, while 10 out of the 16 measurements were significantly affected at the lower depth. With regard to agricultural productivity, management systems with permanent ground covers (TFC, PCC, and ALF) had more favorable soil characteristics compared to the conventionally tilled systems (CTC and CTS) or the system with no ground cover (CWS), while the management systems in medium- to fine-textured soils (TFC, PCC, ALF, and CTC) had more favorable soil characteristics than the coarse-textured soils (CTS and CWS). At the upper depth, the soil organic matter, a leading indicator of soil quality, was higher in the TFC (29.20 g kg−1) and PCC (21.30 g kg−1), both having permanent cover, than in the CTC (8.63 g kg−1), CWS (6.36 g kg−1), and CTS (8.30 g kg−1). Soil nutrients were generally higher in the PCC and ALF, which had leguminous crops, indicating the beneficial effects of legumes in nutrient cycling of arid soils. Importantly, management impact on most soil characteristics was similar across both depths, indicating that sampling at 0 to 15 cm alone may be sufficient for evaluating the impacts of crop management systems on soil quality. This study shows that management systems, soil, and crop types are factors that need to be considered for sustainable management of soil quality in arid agroecosystems.

Bovine anaplasmosis herd prevalence and management practices as risk-factors associated with herd disease status

Bovine anaplasmosis is a hemolytic disease of cattle caused by Anaplasma marginale which can cause anemia, adult mortality, abortion, and performance reduction. The objectives of this study were to estimate herd-level infection prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis in Kansas cow-calf herds and assess management practices associated with herd infection status. Licensed Kansas veterinarians were randomly selected and provided clientele to generate randomly selected participant herds. Blood samples were collected from 10 mature cows during processing of 925 herds between October 1, 2016 and March 1, 2017. A management survey was completed by 780 herd-owners. Sample status was determined by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA); operations indicating vaccination for anaplasmosis were tested with A.marginale-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Survey data underwent logistic regression analysis for calculation of odds ratios and confidence intervals. The herd-level prevalence was 52.5 % of cow-calf herds. Prevalence ranged from 19.1 % of herds in Western Kansas to 87.3 % of herds in Eastern Kansas. Vaccinated herds were more likely (OR=2.38; CI=1.16–4.85; p= 0.02) to be positive compared to non-vaccinated herds, and herds that utilized insecticide ear-tags were more likely to be positive (OR = 1.9; CI = 1.42–2.55; p < 0.01) compared to herds which do not. Operations that prescribe-burned 21–50 % and >50 % of their pastures were more likely to be test positive, OR=5.74 (CI=3 .14–10.51; p < 0.01) and OR=4.78 (CI=2.33–10.17; p < 0.01), respectively, than operations that prescribe-burned <20 % of their pastures. In summary, anaplasmosis is present across Kansas beef herds at varied prevalence levels and selected management practices were found to be associated with herd infection status.

Perceived fairness of revenue management practices in casual and fine-dining restaurants

PurposeRestaurants typically have small profit margins and with the pressure of increasing food and labor costs, management is looking to revenue as a way to maintain and drive profits. One technique to increase revenue is through revenue management practices, but management needs to be aware of their customers’ reactions to these practices prior to implementation. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes linear regression to determine the impact of select restaurant revenue management practices, customers’ familiarity with revenue management in general and in restaurants specifically, and customers’ demographics on perceived fairness of revenue management practices in casual and fine-dining restaurants.FindingsResults indicate that customers find certain restaurant revenue management practices, such as charging premium prices on certain days of the week, fair in both casual and fine-dining restaurants, while others are not in either. Non-refundable reservation fees were found to be fair for fine-dining establishments only. Increased familiarity with restaurant revenue management was associated with higher perceptions of fairness for both casual and fine dining. Age was the only demographic studied that affected perceived fairness.Originality/valueThis study is the only known study to simultaneously evaluate the impact of price and duration restaurant revenue management techniques in combination with customer demographics and revenue management familiarity on consumer perceptions of fairness.

Invited Review: Emission and mitigation of greenhouse gases from dairy farms: The cow, the manure, and the field

We identified the biophysical drivers of the main sources of on-farm greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions: enteric methane (CH4), manure CH4 and nitrous oxide (N2O), and field N2O and carbon dioxide (CO2). We explored the effect of selected management practices and their interactions on emissions mitigation and summarized findings from life cycle assessments of milk from dairy systems typical of the Midwest of the United States. Peer-reviewed literature was the main source of data and information to construct this review. Dry matter intake and feed conversion efficiency drive enteric CH4 production (g/d) and intensity (g/kg of milk), respectively. Dietary fiber and lipids influence enteric CH4 and dietary protein influences manure N2O. In the manure management chain, long-term storage of unprocessed liquid manure is a major source of GHG emissions, but the adoption of manure solid–liquid separation and anaerobic digestion substantially reduce the carbon balance of a farm. Amount, timing, and application mode of nitrogen fertilizer are keys to reducing N2O emission from fields. Reduced or no till, winter crop, and perennial crops increase soil OM content and reduce field CO2 losses. Variation in on-farm GHG emissions, which averaged 1.1 kg of CO2-eq per kilogram of milk, was associated more with specific management practices than with farm size or dairy system. Adopting best nutritional, cropping, and manure management practices may reduce substantially on-farm GHG emissions in all dairy systems. Modeling and assessment methods must be improved to better account for interactions among system components and co-products of milk production.