Type Of Industry Research Articles

Does internationalization and board diversity affect family firms' sustainable performance? Empirical evidence from an emerging economy

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine the relation between internationalization and firm sustainable performance on a set of listed Indian family firms belonging to mid‐cap and large cap categories and listed on NIFTY 500. This paper aims to explore the heterogeneity among internationalization and a set of defined variables, namely, female representation on the board, firm size, firm age, industry type, leverage, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the number of female executives in influencing the firm performance. We aim to incorporate corporate governance, the factors influencing decisions related to it and gender diversity in understanding the relationship between internationalization and firm performance in the context of Indian family firms. The Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and panel data regression models are both used in the study's empirical methodology. In order to examine the relationship between internationalization, as indicated by the percentage of foreign ownership, and family firm performance, as indicated by Return on Equity (ROE), the study uses the data from 2014 to 2023 for analysis, totaling 16,586 firm‐year observations. The findings indicate that internationalization, measured in this study by the investments the companies make abroad, positively affects the performance of the family firms. Age, women on board and number of female executives are seen to have positive associations with the performance of family firms. However, it is seen that firm size for family firms negatively impacts the performance while CSR and leverage seem to have no significant impact.

Advances in Adsorption, Absorption, and Catalytic Materials for VOCs Generated in Typical Industries

In recent years, atmospheric composite pollution has become increasingly serious, and accelerating VOC governance has become the focus of and difficulty in atmospheric governance. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) come from a wide range of sources, and industrial sources are the main source of anthropogenic VOC emissions in China. Chemicals, oil refining, and solvents are three typical VOC-emitting industries, and their control is an important part of accelerating and optimizing VOC governance. It can be controlled by source control, process control, and pipe end treatment; among these, pipe end treatment is divided into recovery technology and destruction technology. In pipeline end treatment, with the key materials of adsorption, absorption, catalytic oxidation, and catalytic combustion, the research and development of adsorbents, absorbents and catalysts has become a hot spot in recent years. This paper summarizes the chemical materials used in typical VOC pipe end-treatment technology (including adsorbents used in the adsorption method, absorbents used in the adsorption method, and catalysts used in the catalytic oxidation and catalytic combustion methods), summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of various materials and their application range, and looks forward to the direction of future developments.

Tracing the land use specific impacts on groundwater quality: a chemometric, information entropy WQI and health risk assessment study.

Understanding the nexus of land use and water quality can potentially underline the influences within the groundwater management. The study envisages land use-specific qualitative assessment of the groundwater resources in Ghaziabad district, in western Uttar Pradesh, India. For encountering the relative impacts of land use on the groundwater quality, chemometric analysis has been employed to apportion the pollution sources. The integration of quality parameters, in the information entropy index modeling, has segregated the quality classes and visualized the seasonal suitability trends as per potability standards along with non-carcinogenic health hazard risk assessment (HHRA). The qualitative assessment of the groundwater resources, along with spatial distribution, has deciphered a polluting impact, specifically in western and south western parts of district, and observed the linkages with direct and indirect discharges/seepages from densely populated residential and industrial land use types localized in urbanized areas. Statistically significant annual and seasonal variations have been found exclusively for EC, Mg2+, F-, Cd, Cr(total), Ni, and Pb which inferred variable concentrations, whereas land use types showed a non-significant variation within groundwater quality. Chemometric-based source apportioning and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) have derived salinization and enrichment of dissolved salts, arising from mixed sources and contributes to metal pollution, i.e., mainly from anthropogenic sources. Information EWQI derived poor to extremely poor category represented degraded potability specifically for fewer sites located within western and southern parts on the Yamuna-Hindon flood plains for limited sites of residential, industrial, and agricultural in an urbanized region. However, majority of the samples fall under excellent to good groundwater quality, recommendable in the north and north-eastern (peri-urban) regions. Non-carcinogenic HHRA has shown that majority of the samples categorized under unsafe value for hazard index (HI > 1), for females and children and thus, presumed probable health hazard risk from metal groundwater pollution in south-western part, eastern, and northern regions.

Industry Type, Profitability and Convergence of IFRS to Audit Fees

This research aims to determine the relationship between industry type, profitability, and IFRS convergence with audit fees. This research is associative research that connects each research variable using data taken directly online at the Indonesian Stock Exchange. This research collects data from the annual reports of basic industrial and chemical manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange for 2020-2022, with purposive sampling being the technique used in sampling. A total of 27 companies were respondents with an observation period of 3 years. Quantitative methods were used to analyze this research by processing data using the Statistical Program for Special Science (SPSS). The research results show that industry type has a relationship with audit fees, while profitability has no relationship with audit fees, and the same as industry type, IFRS convergence has a relationship with audit fees.

The credibility of external audits of management systems – the audited enterprises’ perspective

Purpose This paper deals with external audits, which are now commonly used in many industries (e.g. food, automotive and electrical). This study aims to assess whether a given organization meets the specific criteria. If the audit ends with a positive result, information about it is provided to selected interested parties, e.g. clients or contractors. Credibility is pivotal in adding value for all interested parties within the audit processes. This study seeks the factors which, in the opinion of the audited enterprises, have the most decisive impact on the credibility of external audits. Design/methodology/approach In keeping with the extant literature, research questions were developed regarding the factors influencing the credibility assessment of external audits. Data collected from 100 companies in the Polish food sector were used to construct the model and carry out statistical analyses. Linear regression analyses were also applied to determine the key factors influencing the credibility of audits. Findings This study is part of the research trend on the rationality of external audits and certification of quality management systems. This paper identifies nine main factors shaping the credibility of external audits. Two of them have the most decisive influence on credibility. The first one is the professional audit method (procedure). The second factor is the auditor’s knowledge of the specificity of the audited area. Research limitations/implications This study did not consider the impact that the image/credibility of the organization represented by the auditors may have on the reliability of audits. This is one of the fundamental limitations that should be considered when analyzing the obtained results. To recognize this type of dependence, additional research should be carried out. Another limitation is that the research covers the food industry only. It would be interesting to know the situation in other types of industries. Practical implications This paper looks at the possibility of increasing the added value for audited enterprises. The proposed model can be used by managers of organizations conducting external audits and auditors to effectively use resources for process improvement, influencing the maximization of credibility of activities in the area of conformity assessment. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in adopting the perspective of audited enterprises in assessing the credibility of audits. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that adopts this approach. This paper contributes to the literature, particularly to better understand audited enterprises’ behavior (trust in audit results, satisfaction with audits, etc.).

Revolutionizing energy practices: Unleashing the power of artificial intelligence in corporate energy transition

Corporate energy transition is crucial for long-term sustainable development. The widely discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a disruptive technological innovation, is highly potential for enhancing environment performance. However, the specific impact of AI on the process of corporate energy transition and its underlying mechanisms have not been fully explored. This study focuses on A-share listed corporates in Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets in China spanning from 2011 to 2021. Based on corporate annual report information and information from over 200,000 patent application texts, we innovatively construct indicators for corporate energy transition and AI technology application. Furthermore, we empirically investigate the impact of AI technology on corporate energy transition and its potential mechanisms through combining information asymmetry theory and institutional theory. The empirical results indicate that: 1) AI can drive corporate energy transition and the promoting effect of AI collaborative innovation on corporate energy transition should not be ignored. 2) AI can help corporates achieve energy transition through pathways such as mitigating information asymmetry, reducing financing constraints, adjusting sustainable development concepts and practices. 3) The driving effect of AI on corporate energy transition varies depending on the characteristics of different types of corporates, industries, and regions. This study provides strategic guidance and decision support for business managers and policymakers, assisting both corporates and governments in better utilizing AI technology during the social energy transition process to achieve a dual optimization of environmental and economic goals.

Uncovering the recycling potential of industrial waste in Sri Lanka.

The generation of industrial waste is mainly dependent on several factors, including the type of industry, production capacity, technology use and raw materials involved in the manufacturing processes. The present study is a cross-sectional study that was conducted with 580 industries under six industrial sectors in Sri Lanka in 2022. The main objective of this research was to investigate solid waste generation and estimate the recyclable fraction in the waste. Furthermore, this study calculated the prevailing recycling rate of each industrial sector and the waste generation per person employed in the sector. Industrial processes, the types and quantities of waste, waste disposal methods and management activities in terms of recycling and disposal were evaluated through a structured questionnaire and random field observations. The study identified that the composition of selected recyclable items was 16.7% of the total waste generated in the industrial sector. The prevailing rate of recycling in different sectors was as follows: manufacturing of food products (36.6%), manufacturing of beverages (82.3%), manufacturing of textiles (68.6%), manufacturing of chemical and chemical products (28.5%), manufacturing of rubber and plastic (46.5%) and manufacturing of metallic mineral products (17.8%) from the total generated recyclable material. The study further estimated the waste intensity (waste generation per unit of product output) of the industrial sectors as follows: 0.38 (manufacturing of food products), 0.36 (manufacturing of beverages), 0.27 (manufacturing of textiles), 0.26 (manufacturing of chemical and chemical products), 0.17 (manufacturing of rubber and plastic) and 0.16 (manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products).

Managing digital manufacturing transformation: assessing the status-quo and future prospects in North Indian industries

PurposeThe use of technology in 4th industrial revolution is at its peak. Industries are trying to reduce the consumption of resources by effectively utilizing information and technology to connect different functioning agents of the manufacturing industry. Without digitization “Industry 4.0” will be a virtual reality. The present survey-based study explores the factual status of digital manufacturing in the Northern India.Design/methodology/approachAfter an extensive literature review, a questionnaire was designed to gather different viewpoints of Indian industrial practitioners. The first half contains questions related to north Indian demographic factors which may affect digitalization of India. The latter half includes the queries concerned with various operational factors (or drivers) driving the digital revolution without ignoring Indian constraints.FindingsThe focus of this survey was to understand the current level of digital revolution under the ongoing push by the Indian government focused upon digital movement. The analysis included non-parametric testing of the various demographic and functional factors impacting the digital echoes, specifically in Northern India. Findings such as technological upgradations were independent of type of industry, the turnover or the location. About 10 key operational factors were thoughtfully grouped into three major categories—internal Research and Development (R&D), the capability of the supply chain and the capacity to adapt to the market. These factors were then examined to understand how they contribute to digital manufacturing, utilizing an appropriate ordinal logistic regression. The resulting predictive analysis provides seldom-seen insights and valuable suggestions for the most effective deployment of digitalization in Indian industries.Research limitations/implicationsThe country-specific Industry 4.0 literature is quite limited. The survey mainly focuses on the National Capital Region. The number of demographic and functional factors can further be incorporated. Moreover, an addition of factors related to ecology, environment and society can make the study more insightful.Practical implicationsThe present work provides valuable insights about the current status of digitization and expects to facilitate public or private policymakers to implement digital technologies in India with less efforts and the least resistance. It empowers India towards Industry 4.0 based tools and techniques and creates new socio-economic dimensions for the sustainable development.Originality/valueThe quantitative nature of the study and its statistical predictions (data-based) are novel. The clubbing of similar success factors to avoid inter-collinearity and complexity is seldom seen. The predictive analytics provided in this study is quite elusive as it provides directions with logic. It will help the Indian Government and industrial strategists to plan and perform their interventions accordingly.

Data Mining in Different Fields: A Study

A revolutionary technique for managing massive amounts of data from databases is data mining. These days, information is more commonplace in all types of businesses and industries. For a range of business objectives, fields choose data mining approaches, and data mining is what makes it possible for fields to establish the ideal customer baseline and cultivate long-lasting relationships. Statistical analysis, machine learning, predictive modelling, and database approaches are all combined in knowledge discovery. This review research focuses on and quickly discusses the various domains in which data mining is applied. Here, we discuss several sectors where data mining is relevant in order to comprehend its significance. We also discuss the numerous technologies used in related fields, which depend on user desire. To learn about it, many algorithms are described.

Severity Analysis for Occupational Heat-related Injury Using the Multinomial Logit Model

BackgroundWorkers are often exposed to hazardous heat due to their work environment, leading to various injuries. As a result of climate change, heat-related injuries (HRIs) are becoming more problematic. This study aims to identify critical contributing factors to the severity of occupational HRIs. MethodsThis study analyzed historical injury reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Contributing factors to the severity of HRIs were identified using text mining and model-free machine learning methods. The Multinomial Logit Model (MNL) was applied to explore the relationship between impact factors and HRIs severity. ResultsThe results indicated a higher risk of fatal HRIs among middle-aged, older, and male workers, particularly in the construction, service, manufacturing, and agriculture industries. In addition, a higher heat index (HI), collapses, heart attacks, and fall accidents increased the severity of HRIs, while symptoms such as dehydration, dizziness, cramps, faintness, and vomiting reduced the likelihood of fatal HRIs. ConclusionsThe severity of HRIs was significantly influenced by factors like workers’ age, gender, industry type, HI, symptoms, and secondary injuries. The findings underscore the need for tailored preventive strategies and training across different worker groups to mitigate HRIs risks.

Automated placement of analog integrated circuits using priority-based constructive heuristic

This paper presents a heuristic approach for solving the placement of Analog and Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits. Placement is a crucial step in the physical design of integrated circuits. During this step, designers choose the position and variant of each circuit device. We focus on the specific class of analog placement, which requires so-called pockets, their possible merging, and parametrizable minimum distances between devices, which are features mostly omitted in recent research and literature. We formulate the problem using Integer Linear Programming and propose a priority-based constructive heuristic inspired by algorithms for the Facility Layout Problem. Our solution minimizes the perimeter of the circuit’s bounding box and the approximated wire length. Multiple variants of the devices with different dimensions are considered. Furthermore, we model constraints crucial for the placement problem, such as symmetry groups and blockage areas. Our outlined improvements make the heuristic suitable to handle complex rules of placement. With a search guided either by a Genetic Algorithm or a Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy, we show the quality of the proposed method on both synthetically generated and real-life industrial instances accompanied by manually created designs. Furthermore, we apply reinforcement learning to control the hyper-parameters of the genetic algorithm. Synthetic instances with more than 200 devices demonstrate that our method can tackle problems more complex than typical industry examples. We also compare our method with results achieved by contemporary state-of-the-art methods on the MCNC and GSRC datasets.

Effects of thermal disposal of oil-water residues on operation heating plant boiler

Industrial zones are often the source of specifically polluted waters, depending on type of industry. These waters are usually not in the limits for outtake into public sewers and it is necessary to dispose them externally or build-up technologies for their pre-treatment. The article is about the real case of an industrial. A separate sewage network is built for oily water. Solid impurities are separated from the oily water and oily water is treated by evaporation technology. The evaporator produces two types of products - condensate and concentrate. Condensate is a water with high organic content, and it is necessary to purified it by a chemical treatment plant in next step. Evaporator technology remove from water the most of metal content and significantly decrease organic and water content in concentrate. Concentrate is oily stream with lower water content. Water content in concentrate decreased in next technology steps to ca. 40-50 %. The final product is certificated technological fuel, and its final elimination is in the heating plant fluidized bed boiler. The article is detailed focused on the influence of concentrate combustion. A local temperature increases around 10-15 °C extending across the combustion chamber was confirmed. There was also an increase in HF concentration in flue gas. CO concentrations were higher in the first moments of combustion, but the control system responded by increasing the combustion air supply, and CO concentrations were finally lower at the level of 3 mg·m-3. During combustion, there was no provable increase in concentrations of NOX or other substances, and the co-combustion did not have a significant effect on the operation of the boiler, so this way was evaluated like technically and economically effective.

Two new Later Stone Age sites from the Final Pleistocene in the Falémé Valley, eastern Senegal.

The understanding of cultural dynamics at work at the end of the Final Pleistocene in West Africa suffers from a significant lack of excavated and dated sites, particularly in the Sahelian and Sudanian ecozones. While the Later Stone Age shows varied behavioral developments in different parts of the continent, the chrono-cultural framework of this period remains largely unknown in West Africa. We report on archaeological, geomorphological, and chronological research on two Final Pleistocene Later Stone Age sites in the Falémé Valley, eastern Senegal. Optically stimulated luminescence ages place the site of Toumboura I-2017 between 17 ± 1 and 16 ± 1 ka and the Ravin de Sansandé site between 13 ± 1 ka and 12 ± 1.1 ka. The excavated lithics show typical Later Stone Age industries, characterized by chaînes opératoires of core reduction mainly producing flakes and bladelets as well as blades and laminar flakes. Segments dominate the toolkits but a few backed bladelets and end-scrapers on flake blanks were recognized. Local raw materials were used, with a preference for chert and quartz, as well as greywacke. These Later Stone Age lithic assemblages are the oldest known in Senegal so far and add to the small number of sites known in West Africa for this period, which are mainly located farther south, in sub-tropical ecozones. The Later Stone Age sites of the Falémé Valley are contemporaneous with typical Middle Stone Age technologies in Senegal dated to at least the Pleistocene/Holocene transition. Our results thus provide new archaeological evidence highlighting the complex cultural processes at work during the Final Pleistocene in West Africa.

A Performance Comparison between Different Industrial Real-Time Indoor Localization Systems for Mobile Platforms.

The flexibility and versatility associated with autonomous mobile robots (AMR) have facilitated their integration into different types of industries and tasks. However, as the main objective of their implementation on the factory floor is to optimize processes and, consequently, the time associated with them, it is necessary to take into account the environment and congestion to which they are subjected. Localization, on the shop floor and in real time, is an important requirement to optimize the AMRs' trajectory management, thus avoiding livelocks and deadlocks during their movements in partnership with manual forklift operators and logistic trains. Threeof the most commonly used localization techniques in indoor environments (time of flight, angle of arrival, and time difference of arrival), as well as two of the most commonly used indoor localization methods in the industry (ultra-wideband, and ultrasound), are presented and compared in this paper. Furthermore, it identifies and compares three industrial indoor localization solutions: Qorvo, Eliko Kio, and Marvelmind, implemented in an industrial mobile platform, which is the main contribution of this paper. These solutions can be applied to both AMRs and other mobile platforms, such as forklifts and logistic trains. In terms of results, the Marvelmind system, which uses an ultrasound method, was the best solution.

Анализ инновационного развития отраслей российской экономики

The coming decade in Russia has been declared the decade of science and technology, the goal of which is to achieve leading positions in a number of breakthrough industries. It is known that before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia was a leader in space, nuclear energy, electronics, and certain types of high-tech industries. With the collapse of the USSR, Russian science, despite the adoption of the Federal Law “On Science and State Scientific and Technical Policy” [12], entered a ten-year period of destruction, which resulted in the loss of leading global positions in the field of science and an almost fourfold reduction in the areas of scientific research: so, if before 1992 the Russian Federation had a backlog of 95% of the world’s scientific areas, then by 2005 our country had a backlog of 23-25% of the world’s scientific areas. Since the mid-2000s. with the adoption of a number of laws and the beginning of the implementation of a package of new initiatives [11; 10; 13] managed to ensure positive dynamics in a number of innovation-oriented sectors of the economy and science. Active government policy and significant investments in the science and research sector allow Russia to maintain the fifth largest number of scientific personnel in the world. In turn, the developed human potential of science will contribute to achieving the goals of the Concept of Technological Development for the period until 2030 [7]. The article shows the features of the current stage of innovative development in the context of types of activities, identifies negative trends in reducing the level of competitiveness of innovative activities in the science and development sector, and substantiates the conclusion about the need to restore the planned parameters of scientific and technological development for the purpose of technological modernization of sectors of the Russian economy.

Tomato breeding for open ground in the south of Russia

   Relevance. Tomato is the most widespread vegetable crop in the southern regions of Russia and one of the most popular with the population in all natural and climatic zones of the country. The majority of products is produced in large vegetable-growing, farming and private household farms. One of the most important tasks is to improve the assortment taking into account natural and climatic conditions of cultivation and directions of use. In this regard, the selection of industrial tomato with a high level of flexibility and resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors for the south of Russia is an urgent task.   The aim of the study is to evaluate economically valuable features of perspective lines and new hybrids of tomato of industrial type, adapted to the conditions of southern Russia.   Material and methodology. The work was carried out in the open field conditions of experimental production farm of the Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Industry (Moscow region) and Biryuchekutskaya vegetable breeding experimental station – branch of the FSBSI FSVC (Rostov region).   The objects of research were breeding material and 6 perspective new hybrid combinations of tomato of selection of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific and Scientific Institution of the Russian Federation.   Results and discussion. As a result of step-by-step study and selection, the most promising samples were identified for further use as source material for practical breeding: B-6-C-2014, VS-B-№7, VS-B-18, VS-B-20, VS-B-35, VS-B-38. As a result of the competitive testing, the best hybrid combinations were identified: F1 B-1, F1 B-2, F1 B-4, meeting the requirements of commercial production in the south of Russia. It is shown that the hybrid combination F1 B-2 exceeds both standard samples F1 Meteor and F1 Perfectpeel both in terms of total yield (by 10.9 t/ha and 9.6 t/ha), marketability of fruits, and dry matter content in fruits (6.1 % vs. 5.1% and 5.2 %). Taking into account the complex of economic characteristics, a precocious F1 hybrid of tomato F1 B-2 called F1 Profy has been submitted to the State Variety Testing, as it shows stable economic characteristics over several years of study.

The Disclosure Tone, Earnings Management, Earnings Quality: Evidence Found in Indonesia Listed Manufacturing Industry

This study examined the influence of earnings management (EM) and earnings quality (EQ) on the disclosure tone of an annual report. NVIVO’s coding AI measures the DT (Disclosure Tone) through automated text analysis. The sample used was 61 of Indonesia’s listed manufacturing companies from 2017 to 2021. The balanced panel data was used and executed by a weighted panel least square. The results prove that EM is essential for DT, while EQ is insignificant for DT. The higher EQ indicates the high asymmetric information from management to the stakeholders, which leads the company to disclose a more positive tone. However, the negative tone is also improving with a higher EQ. These results imply that when the company has higher EM, it tries to balance the tone of its annual report in order to gain the trust of stakeholders, this is beneficial for analysts, investors, and regulators when collecting information from annual reports. Future studies can extend this framework to other types of industries since each industry has specific characteristics in giving the tone in their reports. Besides, future studies can also focus on the tone of the sustainability report or integrated report in other countries.
 Keywords: earnings management, earnings quality, disclosure tone, manufacturing industry

Abstract 831: Occupational-related exposure to benzene and risk of breast cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose: Benzene is a recognized carcinogen as evidenced by its association with leukemia; however, its association with breast cancer is not well established. Hence, a meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies was performed to determine the association between benzene exposure and the risk of breast cancer. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted and 7221 publications were identified, from which 21 cohort and case-control studies were retained, and evaluated using meta-analyses (fixed effects model). PECOS criteria and STROBE guidelines were followed, and the study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (Registration No. 379720). Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Results: The summary relative risk (RR) for ever-benzene exposure was 1.08 (95% CI=1.02-1.14, I2=43.6%, n=21); corresponding RR for cancer incidence and mortality were 1.08 (95% CI=1.02-1.14, I2=58.6%, n=15) and 1.09 (95% CI=0.87-1.38, I2<0.001%, n=9), respectively. These main results were confirmed in sub-analyses by geographical region, industry type, publication year, and levels of exposure. No heterogeneity was detected amongst geographical regions (p-het=0.19), industry of employment (p-het=0.05) or and duration of the dose (low, high; p-het=0.64). Studies published before 2003 reported a summary RR of 1.24 (95% CI=1.13-1.37), compared to a summary RR of 1.02 (95% CI=0.95-1.08) for studies published later (p-het=0.001). Heterogeneity was observed when evaluating studies at and above, or below the NOS mean (p-het=0.00), with a summary RR of 1.25 (95% CI=1.13-1.28, I2<0.001%, n=9) for studies below the median NOS score. Sub-group analysis of study design demonstrated heterogeneous results (p-het=0.001) with a summary RR of 1.19 (95% CI=1.10-1.29, I2<0.001%, n=16) for cohort studies while compared to the findings of case-control studies. Publication bias was detected (p=0.04). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis identified an association between occupational benzene exposure and risk of breast cancer. The association was restricted to studies published before 2003, below the median NOS score, and cohort studies. Residual confounding variables cannot be excluded, which, together with potential bias, prevents conclusions of causality. Citation Format: Vincent DeStefano, Darshi Shah, Veer Shah, Monireh Sadat Seyyedsalehi, Mattia Bonetti, Paolo Boffetta. Occupational-related exposure to benzene and risk of breast cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 831.

Abstract 835: Occupational-related exposure to benzene and risk of female genital cancers: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose: The IARC monograph has classified benzene as a class I carcinogen, as evidenced by its association with hematological malignancies. However, its association with female genital cancers (ovarian, uterine, cervical) has not been characterized. Therefore, a meta-analysis of cohort studies was performed to determine the possible correlation between occupational benzene exposure and the risk of female genital cancers. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted that identified 7221 relevant publications. A total of 9 cohort studies detailing occupational exposure to benzene and correlated risk of ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers were retained, and a meta-analysis (using fixed effects model) was performed. PECOS criteria and STROBE guidelines were followed, and the study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (Reg. No. 379720). Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Results: The summary relative risk (RR) for ever-benzene exposure was 1.22 (95% CI=1.03-1.44, I2<0.001%, n=19); corresponding RR results for female genital cancers incidence and mortality were 1.09 (95% CI=0.92-1.29, I2=5.0%, n=17) and 1.69 (95% CI=1.18-2.4, I2<0.001%, n=9), respectively. These findings were confirmed in sub-analyses by geographical area, industry type, publication year, and levels of benzene exposure. Heterogeneity was detected amongst industries of employment (p-het=0.012) which included petroleum, chemical, printing, and mixed industries categories. Notably, the printing industry (compositors, press operators, and bookbinders) had a summary RR of 2.56 (95% CI=1.45-4.52, I2=35.0%, n=2). However, no heterogeneity was observed for geographical regions (p-het=0.77), duration of benzene exposure (p-het=0.73), publication year (p-het=0.89), or among varying study quality (< or ≥ median NOS score; p-het=0.14). No publication bias was detected (p=0.43). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis identified an association between occupational benzene exposure and the risk of female genital cancers. The association was restricted to the industry of employment. Effects of residual confounding variables cannot be excluded, however, given the present association, there is a potential for causality, especially in workers employed in the printing industry. Citation Format: Darshi Shah, Vincent DeStefano, Veer Shah, Monireh Sadat Seyyedsalehi, Mattia Bonetti, Paolo Boffetta. Occupational-related exposure to benzene and risk of female genital cancers: Systematic review and meta-analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 835.

The Impact of Pronouns of Address in Job Ads from Different Industries and Companies

Some languages make a distinction between formal and informal pronouns of address. When organizations communicate in such a language, they have to choose between the formal and informal form. The goal of this paper is to explore the role of the V-T distinction in organizational communication, specifically in generic job advertisements, through two empirical studies and to obtain a preliminary evidence-based framework for V and T in organizational communication. In a corpus study, we explore which form organizations from different industry types tend to use. We find that the choice of pronoun of address is associated with industry type in Netherlandic Dutch, German, French, and Spanish, but not in Belgian Dutch. In an experimental follow-up study, we explore the effect of pronouns of address on Dutch addressees in light of the perceived personality of the companies using these forms. We find an interaction between the pronoun of address used and the level of competence a company is associated with. Based on these studies and the existing literature, we propose a framework for V and T in organizational communication. In this framework, local linguaculture and industry culture play a role in the organizational choice between V and T. Furthermore, the way in which pronouns of address affect the addressee is determined by an interplay of company characteristics and addressee characteristics.