Strategic Movement Research Articles

High Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in Traditionally Fermented Foods as a Critical Risk Factor for Host Gut Antibiotic Resistome.

This study aimed to assess the suitability of fermented food interventions to replenish damaged gut microbiota. Metagenomic assessment of published sequencing data found that fermented food interventions led to a significant increase in the gut antibiotic resistome in healthy human subjects. Antibiotic resistome and viable antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria were further highly prevalent in retail kimchi and artisan cheeses by metagenomic and culture analyses. Representative AR pathogens of importance in nosocomial infections, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), as well as commensals and lactic acid bacteria, were characterized; some exhibited an extremely high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against antibiotics of clinical significance. Exposing fermented food microbiota to representative antibiotics further led to a boost of the corresponding antibiotic and multidrug-resistance gene pools, as well as disturbed microbiota, including the rise of previously undetectable pathogens. These results revealed an underestimated public health risk associated with fermented food intervention at the current stage, particularly for susceptible populations with compromised gut integrity and immune functions seeking gut microbiota rescue. The findings call for productive intervention of foodborne AR via technology innovation and strategic movements to mitigate unnecessary, massive damages to the host gut microbiota due to orally administered or biliary excreted antibiotics.

A Novel Multilevel Inverter for Renewable Energy Applications with Optimized Controller and Reduced Switches

Multilevel converters have the capability of handling high power as well as deliver output with reduced harmonics. So they can be implemented with renewable energy sources to produce multilayer output with symmetric cascade arrangement with reduced switches. Here the control technique is developed in such a way to reduce the harmonics in the grid integrated PV system. The paper proposes optimized Fractional Order Proportional Integral Derivative (FOPID) controller for a seven level reduced switch multilevel inverter. The War Strategy Optimization Algorithm (WSOA) which utilizes optimizing the strategic movements of armed forces (assault and defend) towards the final optimal value is used to optimize the FOPID controller. This WSOA algorithm is used to adjust the gain parameters of the FOPID controller there by improving the system performance. The characteristics of grid connected PV system are regulated by implementing this suggested technique. The projected approach is incorporated using MATLAB / Simulink and the performances are evaluated and compared with the conventional techniques like GA – PID and WSOA – PID controllers.

Circular production operations – A management system's framework for seamless transition from linear to circular

Production companies’ ambition to reach sustainable development goals, has resulted in a rapid strategic movement towards circularity in production. Previous studies have indicated that a transition to circular production is affirmed and a prioritised action. However, few studies describe how to operate a circular production, and how to perform the transition from linear to circular. To fill this gap, this paper aims to explore strategies for a seamless transition and to add new knowledge in this area. A multiple case study was employed for this purpose, based on production companies located in Sweden. Collected data were analysed by an inductive coding process. The coding process generated managerial themes that characterise the transition process in production operations. From the themes, three main incubators: management systems, standards and strategy, form together with drivers and blockers a framework called Integrated Circularity Management Systems (ICMS). The research presented in this study adds new knowledge to the field of circular production operations management as well as gives practical guidance for decision-makers in the manufacturing industry on how to initiate a circularity transition in an established production system.

Underwater vehicle navigation using bearing measurements from a mobile beacon

Autonomous underwater vehicles enable efficient underwater operations such as mapping, surveillance, and inspection. However, due to the lack of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) signals, drift in pose estimates will occur over time. Common solutions to this issue are using either stationary or mobile beacons to provide range and possibly bearing measurements to bound the navigation error over time. However, this requires occupying communication bandwidth to get reliable round-trip range measurements. In this paper, we propose a system where a mobile beacon passively listens to communications from the underwater vehicle to estimate the position of the vehicle. We show that the estimation error is bounded over time through strategic movement of the mobile beacon.

MULTIMODAL DIMENSION OF ENGLISH PUBLIC SPEECHES BY TED TALKS IN EDUCATION

This article explores the multimodal dimension of the TED speeches in the field of education, focusing on the research of semiotic resources. The term "multimodality" refers to the interaction between different modes of information presentation. Multimodal representations reflect sociocultural ways of combining modes in communication. The study draws on the theoretical framework of social semiotics to analyze the application of sense-making principles to semiotic modes. The research examines the linguistic, auditory, visual, gestural, and spatial modes of presentation. The study employs quantitative and qualitative analyses to explore the stylistic figures used in the selected TED talks. The article discusses the challenges and peculiarities of translating TED speeches. The findings highlight the prevalence of stylistic figures such as alliteration, metaphor, repetition, and rhetorical questions in the linguistic mode. The auditory mode is characterized by clear diction, proper pronunciation, and controlled speech tempo. The visual mode includes the use of slides, highlighting key words and phrases, and incorporating images to engage the audience. The gestural mode involves intentional gestures, body movements, and facial expressions that complement verbal discourse. The spatial mode encompasses effective management of physical space, strategic movement on stage, and the use of props to enhance communication. The study concludes by suggesting further research directions, including the analysis of the impact of multimodal modes on recipient cognitive processes and the study of stylistic figures and their cultural variations in intercultural communication.

Development and optimization of simulation models and methods for controlling virtual artillery units in game scenarios

In the realm of modern video game development, special attention is given to the simulation of artillery systems, which play a crucial role in various military-themed games. This research presents a mathematical model for simulating the actions of a virtual artillery system. The model is designed to manage the execution of combat tasks, including targeting destruction with a specified number of shells and incorporating the strategic movement between firing positions to minimize detection and attack by enemy forces in the game. The model presumes that all shots are effective and equates the number of firing positions to the number of shots, with a minimum of one shot per position. The model's dynamics do not allow for returning to previous positions, adding a layer of complexity and realism to the gameplay. Movement simulations between positions are designed along virtual roads of varying quality, enhancing the strategic elements of the game. A method for determining the optimal strategy for the artillery system's actions has been developed, introducing the concept of the current structure of combat task execution. This problem-solving approach falls within the realm of Pareto-oriented tasks or dynamic programming challenges. The computational method of the model is based on a general algorithm, underpinned by specialized additional algorithms. Results from this model demonstrate the feasibility of completing combat tasks effectively, with a maximum of two shots per firing position. The research differentiates between defensive and offensive tactics in gameplay, suggesting that while a strategy involving ten shots per target aligns with defensive gameplay, a strategy with four shots per target aligns with offensive actions. Consequently, the "shot-and-scoot" tactic in an offensive context can be aptly termed as “hid-and-shot”.

Catch-up Possibility of Vietnam’s Industries and Firms as Latecomers

Growth in some parts of Asia stayed promising even in the challenging circumstances. Despite difficulties posed, Vietnam as well as other ASEAN neighbours were able to maintain a positive growth rates. In fact, some of the top export areas of the country have not shown signs of being majorly impacted by the challenging circumstances. It was rather the strategic movement as well as (technological) capability accumulation of firm that matter the most. This paper looks at the intersection between OEM-ODM-OBM trajectory and the current window of opportunities to see if a possibility of securing a leading export position exists. 

Sustainability Matters: Unravelling the Power of ESG in Fostering Brand Love and Loyalty across Generations and Product Involvements

The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concept is one of the potentially crucial strategic movements for sustainable business practices in the digital era. Despite this, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on the effect of ESG practices on customers’ brand perception and whether the effects of ESG on brand perception differ depending on product involvement and generational differences. This study aims to assess the effect of ESG on brand love and loyalty in product categories with high and low involvement, as well as in older and younger age groups. Utilizing the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach, we conducted quantitative empirical research using an online questionnaire to examine the proposed model. The findings, based on a sample of 156 Thai respondents, indicate that ESG is significantly and positively related to brand love and loyalty. The result of the mediation analysis revealed that brand love partially mediates the effect of ESG on brand loyalty. The result of the moderation analysis indicates that product involvement has a moderating role between ESG and brand love, and between ESG and brand loyalty. The effects of ESG on brand love and loyalty are larger for low-product-involvement respondents than for high-product-involvement respondents. In addition, the effect of ESG on brand love was found to be stronger among younger age groups than among older age groups. The research underlines the importance of ESG and expands the existing understanding of the concept. Our study, which gives various implications and recommendations, is one of the rare attempts to verify the effects of ESG from the standpoint of customers.

Strategic Movement to Increase Borobudur Tourism Potentials by Female Tour Guides during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The research aimed to discuss the strategic movement to increase tourism potential by female tour guides for maintaining the sustainability of cultural art tourism programs due to the decreasing number of tourists visiting the objects in Borobudur during the COVID-19 pandemic; to determine the roles of female tour guides for the sustainability of cultural art tourism in Borobudur; to know how female tour guides apply English communicative skills and self-competence in their work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism potential experienced a decline and sluggishness, which inevitably hit the dynamic circle of tourism, arts, culture, and the community's economy, particularly for the tourism actors in Borobudur. Before being affected by COVID-19, Borobudur's tourism and cultural potential were very dynamic and in line with the supportive programs of several Ministries of the Republic of Indonesia. The research combined both qualitative and quantitative research. It used a descriptive method by distributing a questionnaire, doing a survey, using observation, and doing an in-depth interview to collect data. Fifteen female tour guides represented their villages in Borobudur. They played a role in cultural tourism in Borobudur. The research results are, namely (1) Borobudur female tour guides develop their self-competence and enhance their English communication to support Borobudur cultural art tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) Borobudur female tour guides perform essential roles in the tourism industry and family circle by providing alternative side works, such as managing UMKM (community enterprises), running home-industry, etc., and (3) the female tour guides have English communicative competence practiced in groups by developing practical skills and communicative ethics among them.

Геоэкономика Арктики: мобильность стратегических ресурсов нефти на закате глобализации

A distinctive feature of the cyclical dynamics of global development is the rapid transformation of the maxim of “global superiority” into softer forms of leadership on the geopolitical and economic atlas of the modern world, such as “national power” and/or “regional advantage”. This requires a concentration of resources to achieve the latter's mobility on the strategic movement trends of contemporary Russia. The importance of oil and petroleum products in the formation of the Russian Federal Budget and the National Welfare Fund cannot be overestimated. Today, oil is essentially the main source for the successful implementation of the special military operation and, at the same time, ensuring the progressive development of Russia. The article substantiates the necessity to maintain the economic turnover of oil resources development, including in the Arctic, carries out an expert assessment of three options for the development of oil production: reduction of production; reduction of oil exports against the background of increasing domestic consumption; and ensuring the mobility of export supplies to find and develop new markets.

Unveiling the Power of ESG: How it Shapes Brand Image and Fuels Purchase Intentions - An Empirical Exploration

Nowadays, with a widespread increase in awareness of environmental concerns, the ESG concept has been acknowledged as one of the most vital strategic movements for firms. This paper explores the effect of ESG activities on brand image and customers’ purchase intentions. The moderating effects of a range of sociological factors are also investigated. Based on 168 samples of Thai participants, survey research with an online questionnaire tool was employed to collect the data with structural equation modelling (SEM) to test hypotheses and verify the conceptual framework of this study. The results showed that all environmental, social, and governance activities significantly affect brand image and customers’ purchase intentions. For brand image as a consequence of ESG activities, social activities (b = 0.511) play the strongest role, followed by environmental (b = 0.482) and governance (b = 0.434) activities. On the other hand, environmental activities (b = 0.420) of the ESG concept strongly influence customers' purchase intentions, followed by social (b = 0.395) and governance activities (b = 0.309). Additionally, the moderation analysis found that the effects of ESG activities on brand image and purchase intentions vary depending on gender, age, and education level. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the ESG concept for both academics and practitioners. This paper offers implications and recommendations for further research based on the outcomes. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-04-07 Full Text: PDF

When recurring strategic movements impact social relations

When recurring strategic movements impact social relations

Beach reprofiling to improve reproductive output at the world’s largest remaining green turtle rookery: Raine Island, northern Great Barrier Reef

Raine Island is a low-lying reef island located on the outer edge of the northern Great Barrier Reef (nGBR). It is part of the Raine Island National Park (Scientific) and is managed to protect and conserve its exceptional natural, cultural, ecological and scientific values. High amongst these values is Raine Island's importance as the world's largest green turtle (Chelonia mydas) rookery. However, since at least the late 1990s the number of turtle hatchlings produced from nests on the island has significantly declined. The ramifications of reduced hatchling production at Raine Island for the nGBR green turtle population resulted in the establishment of the Raine Island Recovery Project (RIRP), a 5-year $AUS 7.95 million collaborative project involving government, industry and Traditional Owners. A primary aim of the RIRP is to restore viable turtle nesting habitat on Raine Island. Although reduced hatchling production and the potential demise of the nGBR green turtle population are very much an ecological concern, the key to understanding and addressing this management issue is largely geomorphological. Here we detail how the geomorphological attributes of Raine Island contributed to the drop in hatchling output, and outline how understanding and working with the geomorphology and coastal processes at Raine Island have contributed to the mitigation of that decline. In particular, geomorphological investigations established that the sand losses that have reduced the elevation of turtle nesting beaches were unlikely to be replenished by natural processes, and they informed strategic movements of beach sand to increase nesting habitat above tidal inundation which has boosted hatchling production by as much as 640,000 over the past five years. Although this outcome is undoubtedly a success, the future remains challenging as anthropogenic climate change impacts progress.

From ESG to DESG: The Impact of DESG (Digital Environmental, Social, and Governance) on Customer Attitudes and Brand Equity

Due to the advances in digital technology, the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concept has been transformed into the digital environmental, social, and corporate governance (DESG) model, which can be realized as a potentially vital strategic movement for sustainable business practices in the contemporary digital era. Nevertheless, there is a lack of empirical research evidence on how firms’ DESG practices impact customers’ attitudes and brand equity. The purposes of this study were (1) to investigate the effect of DESG initiatives on customers’ attitudes (CA) and brand equity (BE), and (2) to explore how those impacts vary based on the diversity of socio-economic attributes. An online survey was conducted, and the data were analyzed by a structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. Based on 212 samples of Thai citizens’ experiences with firms’ DESG initiatives, the results revealed that DESG has a significant positive direct effect on CA. The mediation analysis revealed that CA fully mediated the relationship between DESG and BE. The results of a second-order confirmatory factor analysis of the DESG construct found that the digital social dimension (b = 0.775) played the strongest role in explaining DESG, followed by the digital environmental (b = 0.768) and digital governance (b = 0.718) dimensions. The moderation analysis found that the impact of DESG on CA was stronger for younger groups than older populations. Additionally, the group with a higher formal education level seemed to exhibit higher levels of CA than those with a lower level. Our study is one of a few endeavors to clarify the effects of DESG from the customer’s side, and suggests several implications and recommendations.

Vision-based movement recognition reveals badminton player footwork using deep learning and binocular positioning

Coordinating dynamic interceptive actions in sports like badminton requires skilled performance in getting the racket into the right place at the right time. For this reason, the strategic movement and placement of one's feet, or footwork, is an important part of competitive performance. Developing an automated, efficient, and economical method to record individual movement characteristics of players is critical and can benefit athletes and motor control specialists. Here, we propose new methods for recording data on the footwork of individual badminton players, in which deep learning is used to obtain image coordinates (2D) of their shoes and binocular positioning to reconstruct the 3D coordinates of the shoes. Results show that the final positioning accuracy is 74.7%. Using the proposed methods, we revealed inter-individual adaptations in the footwork of several participants during competitive performance. The data provided insights on how individual participants coordinated footwork to intercept the projectile, by varying the distance traveled on court and jump height. Compared with visual observations by biomechanists and motor control specialists, the proposed methods can obtain quantitative data, provide analysis and evaluation of each participant's performance, revealing personal characteristics that could be targeted to shape the individualized training programs of players to refine their badminton footwork.

Analysis of Competitiveness in Agri-Supply Chain Logistics Outsourcing: A B2B Contractual Framework

COVID-19 has left some permanent effects on the Regional Agri-Supply Chain (RASC). It has single-handedly accelerated the RASC’s performance through the globalization of local products and increased e-agri-business, virtual retailing trends, and smart logistics and warehousing services. The post-COVID worldwide growing demand for regional agri-products has increased the competitiveness in logistics outsourcing. Motivated by these changing notions, this paper addresses two major questions—whether the competitiveness in logistics outsourcing allows the supply chain drivers (supplier, retailer, and 3PL) to form a sustainable B2B pricing supply chain model, and what will be 3PL firms’ strategic decisions to secure sustainable profit under this competitiveness? In the light of competitive literature, this paper proposes two decision-making approaches, optimistic and pessimistic, models them using the Stackelberg game theory, and solves them using the subgame perfect Nash equilibrium. The result shows that, even after competitiveness in logistics outsourcing, the supply chain drivers agree to form a contractual supply chain. However, the competitive strategy-making of 3PL firms is a little tricky. Each focal 3PL firm must have perfect information about the peer firm’s strategic movement to choose its preferable strategy. Further, they can preferably constrain their core competencies (service price and quality level) to assure a sustainable profit.

The Impact of Green Human Resource Management on Employee Performance

Green Human Resource Management refers to a set of HRM practices that organizations adopt to improve employee green performance. Whilte the negative impact on the process of business production and human carbon footprint require company to adopt strategic movement and practice of sustainable business through Green HRM. The research focuses upon the various Green HR practices pursued by the coffee shop largest company in the world. It explains the simplified meaning of Green HRM. The research approach is using quantitative approach, extracted four mains of Green HRM practices used in company from literature, review, and journals provided. The identified practices were green recruitment, green development, green performance appraisal, and green reward. However, the study sample is all the employee of Starbucks Coffee in Manado city. The questionnaire was distributed to four Starbucks Coffee branches in Manado City within August to July 2020. Using ten-point Likert-type scale, these extracted practices were evaluated to find out which Green HRM indicators impact the employee performance best. The study found that the implementation of the Green HRM indicators such as green recruitment, green development, and green reward impact the employee performance in Starbucks Coffee in Manado city. This study recommends other researchers to examine other Green HRM indicators that might affect employee performance with a variety of other variables related to the application of green HRM concepts

War Strategy Optimization Algorithm: A New Effective Metaheuristic Algorithm for Global Optimization

This paper proposes a new metaheuristic optimization algorithm based on ancient war strategy. The proposed War Strategy Optimization (WSO) is based on the strategic movement of army troops during the war. War strategy is modeled as an optimization process wherein each soldier dynamically moves towards the optimum value. The proposed algorithm models two popular war strategies, attack and defense strategies. The positions of soldiers on the battlefield are updated in accordance with the strategy implemented. To improve the algorithm’s convergence and robustness, a novel weight updating mechanism and a weak soldier’s relocation strategy are introduced. The proposed war strategy algorithm achieves good balance of the exploration and exploitation stages. A detailed mathematical model of the algorithm is presented. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is tested on 50 benchmark functions and four engineering problems. The performance of the algorithm is compared with ten popular metaheuristic algorithms. The experimental results for various optimization problems prove the superiority of the proposed algorithm.

Do banks adjust their liquidity to cope with environmental variation? A study of bank deregulation

The effect of bank deregulation on adjustment speed of bank liquidity is the focus of this paper. We find that banks tend to increase their adjustment speed of liquidity in response to bank deregulation. Banks tend to escape their current states and move to states with less deregulation. Those banks that move to less deregulated states reduce their adjustment speed. A strategic movement of headquarters helps banks to fend off competitive pressure. The environmental factors of population and personal income reduce the market-based flexibility of banks. However, higher interest expenses incentivise banks to increase their speed. Surviving banks and acquiring banks react as market-makers whereas target banks respond as market-takers. Failed banks lose their distinct competencies to react properly when environmental variation occurs. Having a larger network and operating in a larger environment, banks affiliated with multi-bank holding companies are able to increase their liquidity adjustment speed. The observable trends of how banks adjust liquidity in response to bank deregulation have important regulatory implications in reducing the environmental challenges faced by banks.

Do shippers’ characteristics influence port choice criteria? Capturing heterogeneity by using latent class models

This paper focuses on the study of Spanish ceramic tile exporters' port choice criteria, an industry that is characterized by a low unit value index. Thus, transport costs highly influence the competitiveness of their products in international markets, representing a relatively high percentage of the value of the shipment. It is therefore critical for this type of industry to have access to efficient door-to-door maritime chains. Determinants of port choice are analysed through a latent class model allowing to link class membership to specific characteristics of the shippers and their shipments such as the size of the company, the value of the shipment, the destination market and the frequency of shipments. The results obtained show differences in the valuation of the attributes frequency, delays and closing time depending on the type of destination market. While companies exporting to deep-sea markets value specially the attributes frequency and delays, those exporting to the regional corridor are the only ones where the closing time is statistically significant. Policies designed show that when there is a strong competition between two ports to attract cargo from an overlapped hinterland, the ultimate effectiveness of the measures would depend on its competitor's strategic movement and the measures implemented there.