Usable Response Rate Research Articles

Professional development sessions increased teacher knowledge and confidence to include agriculture in core curricular courses

AbstractAgricultural systems are complex and can be used as examples to teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts. However, inclusion of agriculture in core STEM courses is often limited. Three professional development sessions for K‐12 teachers were offered in 2021–2022 (hybrid or remote sessions) and repeated in 2022–2023 (in‐person sessions) to highlight ways that agricultural plant production systems could be incorporated into core courses like biology, environmental science, chemistry, and math. Teacher participants asked how knowledge level and confidence were influencing their inclusion of agriculture into STEM courses before and after the sessions, and gains in knowledge on content‐based questions were also evaluated. Response rates in Year 1 ranged from 8.0% to 38.5%, and usable response rates in Year 2 ranged from 47% to 68%. The availability of lessons or activities and teacher content knowledge both increased teacher likelihood to incorporate in three sessions. However, the additional time needed to incorporate new lessons was identified as affecting the likelihood to incorporate materials after the Year 1 ecology session. Teacher confidence to incorporate agricultural lessons or activities into their courses increased in four of the sessions, though teachers became more aware that limited resources are available to help increase adoption. Awareness of how agriculture can be used to meet learning standards also improved teacher confidence in four sessions. Average score on knowledge‐based questions increased in all six sessions, but was only significant for two sessions. These sessions were successful at increasing teacher knowledge and confidence to incorporate agriculture into STEM courses.

Longitudinal look at individual resident preferences to prevent burnout: Which matter the most?

ABSTRACT A longitudinal look at individual resident preferences to prevent burnout: Which matter the most? Background and Objectives Burnout among residents-in-training is being reported more frequently. Previous studies have shown that lower measures of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and gratitude earlier in residency were associated with higher burnout scores later. Many studies have reported interventions intended to lessen burnout but not chosen by the residents with variable results on subsequent burnout measures. This paper reports an individually paired longitudinal analysis of strategies ranked by the resident as important with a subsequent burnout measure. Methods From 2017 through 2021, 32 residents completed a survey ranking their preference of ten approaches to preventing burnout at the beginning of the academic year. Then they later completed a burnout survey at the end of each year. Results With a usable response rate of 94% and calculating Spearman’s Correlation, residents completing their first year of training after medical school (PG-1) who gave a higher rank to a workplace supporting their personal values (p=.016), self-care (p=.031), and administrative support (p=.046) showed less burnout at the end of the year. PG-3s (those completing their third year of training after medical school) who gave a higher rank to spending time with family and friends (p=.002) showed less burnout. For all three years, the most powerful correlation was with adopting a healthy philosophical outlook (p=.014, .008, <.001). Conclusions In this group of residents, the correlations of preferred strategies for lessening burnout differed by training level. Rather than faculty choosing an intervention, we propose these ten strategies as a potential menu, allowing the individual resident to focus on their preferences working with a mentor. Group discussion of methods used by individual residents to adopt a healthy philosophical outlook would also be helpful.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) government suppliers involved in government green procurement (GGP)

PurposeThe objectives of this paper are twofold. First, it aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) government suppliers involved in government green procurement (GGP). Second, it examines the differences in the impact of COVID-19 between small and medium-sized groups.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a questionnaire survey that was distributed to SMEs listed in the MyHIJAU directory that supply green goods and services to the government. Of the total 394 sample respondents, 126 usable questionnaires were received, representing a usable response rate of 31.98%. Descriptive analysis of mean score, standard deviation and mean score ranking was used to analyse the overall results. A t-test analysis was carried out to examine the differences between the small and medium-sized groups of companies.FindingsThe study discovers that the SME government suppliers involved in GGP were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The top ranked impacts are that “the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened health and safety practices among the employees”, “the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced company’s turnover”, “the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the company to implement a cost reduction strategy”, “the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the company’s ability to deliver work, supplies or services to the government” and “the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the company to incur higher production costs for green products or services provided”. However, there is no significant difference between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the small and medium-sized group of enterprises.Originality/valueThe present study is among the fewer studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular focus on SME government suppliers involved in GGP.

Community Collaboration for Suicide and Overdose Prevention: Attitudes, Perceptions, and Practices of Community-Based Professionals and County Leadership in New York State.

Deaths by overdose and suicide have been steadily rising, yet efforts to jointly address them have been limited despite shared risk and protective factors. The purpose of this study was to explore ways of jointly addressing these two significant public health issues at the community level. To accomplish this goal, we distributed an electronic survey via email to all 58 Local Mental Hygiene Directors (LMHDs) and 184 substance use and 57 suicide prevention coalition leads in New York State in March 2019 to better understand attitudes, perceptions, and practice of community-based overdose and suicide prevention. A total of 140 unique individuals completed the survey for a 47% usable response rate. Participants overwhelmingly reported that suicide and overdose are preventable and that individuals with risky substance use would benefit most from suicide prevention services compared to other populations. In addition, substance use prevention coalition leads reported less awareness of key suicide prevention programs than suicide prevention coalition leads and LMHDs; LMHDs were generally most familiar with suicide prevention programs. Finally, substance use and suicide prevention coalition leads were interested in collaborating to raise awareness, provide training, and implement community-based activities. These findings demonstrate a consensus among county leadership and substance use and suicide prevention coalition leads that suicide and overdose are prevalent in their communities and that increased collaboration to address these two public health issues is warranted. Results suggest a need for education, training, and technical assistance to support collaboration.

Antecedents of Customer Loyalty in The Telecommunications Industry -Evidence from Bangladesh

With the rapid growth of the telecommunications industry in Bangladesh, many people have adopted this communication process. While previous studies have extensively examined the adoption of mobile services, few have focused on customer loyalty and satisfaction in Bangladesh. This study primarily investigates the factors that impact customer loyalty in the Bangladeshi context of the telecommunications industry. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) is used as the underlying theory to explain customer loyalty. A quantitative research strategy was employed, and data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire survey, with 360 out of 382 collected questionnaires being usable for analysis, resulting in a 94.24% usable data response rate. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with the assistance of Smart PLS 4.0 was used to analyze the collected data. The study's findings indicate that price and consumers' trust significantly affect customer satisfaction and loyalty in Bangladesh and have the same impact on the indirect effect of price and consumers' trust on customer loyalty through customer satisfaction. The proposed model highlights important and significant factors in customer satisfaction and loyalty, allowing telecommunications industry managers to identify the specific antecedents of loyalty and focus their policies on these, particularly in terms of price and consumers' trust in Bangladesh. Furthermore, this study offers numerous theoretical and practical implications for academics and practitioners. While the validation of this model in the telecommunications sector provides a novel perspective on comprehending customer loyalty from both theoretical and practical standpoints, it is important to acknowledge that there might exist additional factors influencing customer loyalty that warrant inclusion in future research endeavors. This research is one of the few to conceptually underpin the theoretical concept of exploring customer loyalty in a developing country like Bangladesh. Similarly, these findings may be applicable to other similar developing countries.

Exploration of Sustainability Accounting Practices in Small and Medium Enterprises in Bali Province, Indonesia

This research aims to explore sustainability accounting practices in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bali Province, Indonesia. Exploration of these practices is seen from the perspective of institutional issues, regulatory environment, social issues and environmental issues. The research sample was 397 SMEs in Bali Province, Indonesia selected using simple random sampling. Questionnaires were sent to SMEs (CEO/director/financial manager/accounting). Analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics with SPSS 25 software. Research findings show that awareness of sustainability reporting among SMEs in Bali Province is still low. SMEs have not published sustainability reports, despite being very reactive in accepting and introducing sustainability measures. The biggest obstacle to implementing sustainability accounting practices is a lack of understanding or information about the risks/benefits of sustainability. This research provides implications for the need to educate SMEs with sustainability knowledge and create a new approach to sustainability reporting, specifically developed for SMEs according to the organizational context. This research has limitations because it was only conducted in the context of a developing country, in Bali Province, Indonesia, thereby limiting the understanding of sustainability accounting practices in SMEs. This study used a limited sample with a usable response rate of 17.94% which limits the findings of this study. This research contributes to the sustainability accounting literature by diagnosing gaps related to sustainability reporting practices in SMEs. This research is the first attempt to explore sustainability accounting practices in the context of developing countries, especially SMEs in Bali Province, Indonesia.

Investigating the Impact of Blockchain Technology on Social Sustainability and the Mediating Role of Ethics and CSR

The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of blockchain technology, business ethics, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on social sustainability. Additionally, this study sought to explore how CSR and business ethics serve as mediators in shaping these impacts. This study collected data from employees in the banking sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using a purposive sampling technique. A cross-sectional research design was employed, and a questionnaire was developed to gather responses from 416 participants. The usable response rate was 62.67%. This study utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS as a tool to analyze the data. The results of this study indicate that blockchain technology has a positive influence on CSR, business ethics, and social sustainability. Additionally, CSR and business ethics have a positive effect on social sustainability. This study confirms the mediating role of business ethics and CSR. These findings can be useful for bank officials and academic decisionmakers in developing strategies.

Problems Facing External Auditors in Kuwait

Audit quality maintains positive association with the level of confidence of different stakeholders who are concerned about the financial and operational performance of audited financial statements. Hence, the role of the external auditor is unavoidable to restore good corporate governance. The purpose of the study is to identify the problems, which face the external auditors in Kuwait. In order to achieve this objective, 120 questionnaires have been distributed to random external auditors in Kuwait. A total of 100 questionnaires were returned; resulting in 83% usable response rate. The study showed that the external auditors in Kuwait faced many problems regarding the laws and legislations. It also demonstrated that the absence of independent and specialized party for legislations of auditing, insufficient role of professional associations in educating auditors, the weak of internal control over audited companies and the low fees of auditing as the most important problems facing external auditors in Kuwait. The analysis revealed that the lack of confidence between the audit offices and firms, clients relax to some of the audit offices and firm slowdown in paying audit fees seem to be the least significant obstacles facing external auditors. The study concluded that applying appropriate criteria for calculating the audit fees and educating auditors on the importance of adhering to professional ethics are important variables to overcome the auditors’ problems.

The Mediating Role of Psychological Well-being Between Social Media Use and Academic Performance Among University Students: What is the Importance of Student Mental Health?

Objectives: Students at higher education institutes are facing the issue of mental health and psychological well-being highlighting the importance of health behavior. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the relationship among social media use, self-regulation, and career development goals of university students on their psychological well-being and academic performance along with the direct effect of mental health on academic performance. Moreover, we also examined the mediating role of psychological well-being. Methods: We collected data through questionnaires from 250 students enrolled in universities using random sampling technique. The usable response rate was 70.19%. We examined the data using PLS-SEM through PLS-3.3.9. Results: Psychological well-being was significantly affected by social media use, self-regulation, and career development goals. Also, psychological well-being had a positive significant effect on students' academic performance. Conclusions: These findings also confirm the mediating role of psychological well-being as well. We present the implications and limitations of the study.

THE LINKAGE BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL VALUE AND KNOWLEDGE CREATION IN HUMAN CAPITAL

This study aims to examine the relationship between individual value and knowledge creation in human capital.The effect of individual value on each element of knowledge creation – socialization, externalization, combination and internalization – is tested in this study. The study also tested the effect of each component of knowledge creation with human capital. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. A total of 286 questionnaires were sent to managers of medium-sized companies in the province of Bali, Indonesia. Of the 196 questionnaires that were sent, returned and filled out completely, 158 had responses that were utilizable, showing a usable response rate of 80.61%. Data analysis was carried out using variance-based structural equation modelling with a partial least squares approach (SEM-PLS) with WarpsPLS 7.0. The results of the study found a significant positive effect of individual value on each element of knowledge creation: with socialization, with externalization, with combination and with internalization. This study also found that each component of knowledge creation has a significant positive effect on human capital: socialization, externalization, combination and internalization, respectively. This study shows that the value that is believed by individuals based on knowledge can be a strong factor of competitiveness for future of human capital.

The Influence of the Barriers of Hybrid Strategy on Strategic Competitive Priorities: Evidence from Oil Companies.

This study examines the impact of the barrier of adopting hybrid strategy on strategic performance using the oil sector in Iraq as a case. International oil companies consider various strategies in order to achieve superior performance. The procedure needs to overcome certain essential barriers for the adoption of the hybrid strategy that combines the cost leadership and differentiation strategy. The questionnaire was distributed online due to the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the closure of companies in the country. Out of the 537 questionnaires answered, 483 were used for further analysis which yielded usable response rate of 90%. The structural equation modeling results confirmed that the high costs of technologies, the priority of other external matters, inadequate industry regulation, insufficient supply, organizational capabilities, strategic capabilities, and financial capabilities are significantly related to strategic performance. The researchers recommend conducting an in-depth study of the phenomenon based on theoretical and empirical foundations, especially considering the relationship between the barriers of a hybrid strategy and strategic performance based on linear and non-compensatory relationships. This research sheds light on the barriers to adopting the hybrid strategy required by the oil sector as it relies on continuous production.

Examining the effect of social media interaction, E-WOM, and public relations: Assessing the mediating role of brand awareness

The development of trust among the customers of the organization is a key objective and critical to obtaining a competitive advantage. Therefore, this study was examined to assess the effect of social media interaction, public relations, and electronic word of mouth on brand awareness and trust. This study also examined the mediating role of brand awareness as well. For this purpose, the data was collected from the customers of the retail sector in UAE. This study adopted a quantitative research approach and cross-sectional design. The data was collected in the form of a research questionnaire by adopting simple random sampling. The questionnaire was distributed among 512 respondents. The usable response rate was 69.72%. For the analysis of data, the SEM technique was adopted and the tool used for this purpose was Smart PLS. The findings of the study revealed that all proposed hypotheses are accepted. The findings of the study are helpful for the academicians for further research and development of policies.

Behavioural Finance and Stock Investment Decisions

Market anomalies is the source of inefficient market where investors can generate abnormal return which is the centre point of behaviour finance. Behavioural finance incorporates the human behaviour, cognitive and social aspects, emotions, moods and psychology of the individual investors that might create investment mistakes. This study focuses on exploring the influence of behavioural finance on stock investment decision of the master level students in Chitwan district due to poor literature available in this field. This study is based on quantitative approach of research and utilizes analytical research design. The sample of the study is 284 students with usable response rate of 60.21 percent. This study utilizes reliability analysis, descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Evidence indicates that herding, loss aversion, overconfidence and risk propensity has significant positive influence on stock investment decisions among investors. Finally, this study concluded that behavioural finance plays the key role while making stock investment decision of the students. In investment decision, investors should properly understand financial behaviour biases that facilitates investors while making superior investment decisions as well as risk propensity will make investors aware of fears, nervous and uncertainty toward risks which might occurs while making stock investment decisions.

Determinants of Perception of Learning History Subject among High School Students: A Study in Vietnam

The main objective of this study is to determine the determinants of perception of learning history subject among high school students in Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam. Quantitative research was conducted in which a questionnaire survey was used with students at a high school in Thanh Hoa province of Vietnam. The questionnaire was distributed to 450 students. The study’s usable response rate was 89.1 percent. Collected data were analysed using SPSS software, and determinants of perception of learning history subject among high school students: A Study in Vietnam determined through the binary logistic regression model to analyse the correlation. The analysis results have shown that 5 factors have a strong influence on high school students, including gender, motivation for learning, academic ranking, teaching methods of teachers, and conditions of school facilities. These findings of the study are very useful for policymakers of Vietnam’s education sector to improve the efficiency of history as a subject for high school students more and more in the coming time.

Teachers’ Perceptions and Practices of Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning Using CASE Curriculum

Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) was first offered in 2007 with two foundational courses built on inquiry-based learning. Ten courses are now offered, each requiring intensive training and teacher development for effective use. Guided by National Science Education standards and a constructivist learning theory framework, the study used online survey research methods to explore teachers’ perceptions of and practices associated with inquiry-based teaching and learning when using CASE curriculum. A survey link was distributed in September 2018 to teachers certified in an introductory CASE course (Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources) and a higher-level, more inquiry-based CASE course (Food Science and Safety) for comparison. The online questionnaire was completed by 392 participants for a usable response rate of 32%. Major findings in the study included (1) participants in both groups have an understanding of open inquiry but struggled in identifying structured and guided inquiry; (2) participants over-estimated the amount of open inquiry in the curriculum; and (3) participants showed mixed interpretations of inquiry-based and problem-based instruction among both groups. Participant ratings of the CASE curriculum were generally favorable, although results showed that teachers frequently remove or skip lessons and teach courses in a semester or quarter format, contrary to CASE recommendations. Findings are discussed in the context of improved training and other recommendations to help teachers use the curriculum in its intended manner and to get the most benefit from its use.

Leadership aspiration: An intersectional analysis of racial and gender equity in pharmacy

BackgroundThe glass ceiling is a metaphor used to describe an invisible barrier that prevents an underrepresented group from rising beyond a certain level. Among pharmacists, underrepresented groups face various barriers and limitations to their successes. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to apply the intersectionality framework to data collected from the 2019 National Pharmacist Workforce Study (NPWS) to understand the association of gender and race with leadership aspiration among pharmacists, including differences in perceived barriers and attractors for pursuing leadership. MethodsThe 2019 NPWS was conducted using an electronic Qualtrics survey. Three e-mails containing the survey link were sent to a systematic random sample of 94,803 pharmacists through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Foundation e-profile system. The 2019 NPWS had an overall response rate of 6% (5705/94,803). A total of 8466 pharmacists clicked on the survey link, resulting in a usable response rate of 67.3% (5705/8466). Data were analyzed in SPSS software using descriptive and Pearson’s r and chi-square test statistics. ResultsBlack, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) pharmacists reported holding 10.7% of all leadership positions. Leadership positions included manager, assistant manager, executive, dean, director, chief pharmacy officer, owner or partner, and other leadership position types. White men and women reported the lowest interest in leadership (38.8% and 37.7%), whereas Black men (65.1%), Latinas (59.2%), Black women (58.5%), and Latinos (57.1%) had the highest interest in leadership. “The ability to make an impact” was the most frequently selected attractor for wanting to pursue leadership, selected by 92.5% and 79.6% of Black men and women, respectively, 77.8% of Other women, and 76.9% of Latinos. At graduation from pharmacy school, the student debt loan average of all graduation years ranged from $63,886 (± $73,701) for Other men to $112,384 (± $105,417) for Black women. Higher student loan debt was positively correlated with wanting to pursue a leadership position (r = 0.22, P < 0.001). Black women graduating 2011-2019 had the highest student loan debt at graduation ($194,456 ± $88,898). ConclusionInterest in leadership positions by BIPOC pharmacists compared with reported leadership roles were inversely correlated. Understanding the discrepancy in interest in leadership and reported leadership positions held, particularly with relation to race and gender, is essential to understanding equity in pharmacy leadership. Further research is warranted to understand the factors that impede the ascension of women and underrepresented pharmacists into leadership positions.

Research Involvement Among Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Graduates of Rutgers’ School of Health Professions Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences

ObjectivesThe Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP), Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences (DCPNS) offers three graduate programs with a strong focus on practice-based research competencies. This study assessed research involvement (RI) among registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) graduates of Rutgers’ SHP DCPNS Entry-Level Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, and Doctor of Clinical Nutrition programs, and evaluated if there was a relationship between RI scores and years of employment as an RDN. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study using the validated practice-based dietitian research involvement survey (PBDRIS) tool and included questions about sociodemographic and professional characteristics. PBDRIS total possible score ranged from 16 to 80 and a higher total score indicated a higher RI of the participant. Data were collected via an online survey and the sample included 94 alumni from the past 25 years (usable response rate of 32.5%). Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation tests were conducted. ResultsOf the 94 study participants, 90.9% (n = 80) were female, 89.8% (n = 79), white or Caucasian, and the median age was 44.5 years. The majority of participants reported working in clinical practice (n = 69, 73.4%) and their median years of employment as an RDN was 22.0 years. The median PBDRIS total score was 54.0 (out of 80.0). Level 1, consisting of applying evidence-based practice (EBP), was the highest median sub-score (19.0 out of 20.0). The lowest median sub-score was level 4 (11.0 out of 20.0), involving activities about leadership in research. The most and least frequently reported activities were “applying EBP” (n = 78, 83.0%), and “applying for grant funding” (n = 59, 62.8%), respectively. There was a statistically significant medium, positive correlation between years of employment as an RDN and PBDRIS total scores (r = 0.396, n = 85, p < 0.001). ConclusionsRDN alumni from the Rutgers SHP DCPNS had RI scores which likely reflect the unique research-based focus of the program curricula. With more years of experience as an RDN, RI scores increased. Funding SourcesRutgers School of Health Professions, Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences.

How can robo-advisors retain end-users? Identifying the formation of an integrated post-adoption model

PurposeThis study's purpose is to propose an integrated post-adoption model based on expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and cognitive absorption (CA) theory to examine whether network factors, gamification factor, and quality factors as antecedents to end-users' beliefs can affect their continuance intention of the robo-advisor.Design/methodology/approachA total of 600 questionnaires were distributed in three sample banks in Taiwan, and sample data for this study were collected from these three banks' customers who had experience in using these banks' own robo-advisor to make their investment decisions. Consequently, 381 useable questionnaires were analyzed using structural equation modeling in this study, with a useable response rate of 63.5%.FindingsThis study proposes a solid research model that based on ECM and CA theory, three types of factors, network factors, gamification factor, and quality factors, as antecedents to end-users’ continuance intention of the robo-advisor have been examined, and this study's results strongly support the research model with all hypothesized links being significant.Originality/valueThis study contributes to end-users' continuance intention of the robo-advisor based on ECM, CA theory, theory of network externalities, gamification, and updated DeLone and McLean IS success model, and reveals deep insights into the evaluation of determinants in the field of end-users' continuance intention of the robo-advisor. Hence, it is especially worth mentioning that three types of determinants (i.e. network factors, gamification factor, and quality factors) are simultaneously evaluated, and extrinsic and intrinsic motivators are both taken into account in this study's research model development of end-users' continuance intention of the robo-advisor to acquire a more all-round and robust analysis.

An Observational Study Investigating Potential Risk Factors and Economic Impact for Bovine Ischaemic Teat Necrosis on Dairy Farms in Great Britain.

Bovine ischaemic teat necrosis (ITN) is an emerging disease of unknown aetiology that affects the teats of dairy cattle. It causes economic and animal welfare issues with many animals being culled. No effective treatments or epidemiological data to inform control strategies are currently available. The aim of this observational study was to investigate farmer-reported experiences and identify potential farm-level risk factors. In January 2018, a questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 1,855 Great Britain (GB) dairy farmers. A usable response rate of 12.3% was obtained. Fifty-one per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 44.4–57.8%] of farmers reported having experienced ITN on their farm between 1985 and 2018. Rising numbers of farms indicated that ITN is an emerging disease with 46.3% of farmers reporting the first case in the 3 years up to 2018. At the animal level, 47.3% (95% CI: 38.7–55.9%) of the cases occurred during the first lactation and 78.9% (95% CI: 75.2–82.6%) within the first 90 days in milk. Only 20.8% (95% CI: 15.9–26.4%) of the cases were reported to recover, whereas 22.8% (95% CI: 17.8–28.5%) of the cases required culling. The remaining cases experienced complications such as loss of a teat and/or mastitis. From these data, the cost of ITN, through production losses and expenditure, was estimated to be £1,121 per farm per year. The costs were estimated at £720, £860 and £2,133 for recovered, complicated and culled cases, respectively. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between the presence of ITN on farm and various risk factors. The presence of udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) (odds ratio 2.80; 95% CI: 1.54–5.07; p < 0.01) and chapped teats (odds ratio 6.07; 95% CI: 1.96–18.76; p < 0.01) in the milking herd was associated with the presence of ITN at the farm level. This is the first national questionnaire of ITN within GB and highlights the association of UCD and chapped teats with ITN at the farm level. While there are many limitations and potential bias around farmer questionnaires, these findings highlight several key areas for further disease investigation and possible intervention.

The effects of employee commitment and environment uncertainty on product quality: The mediating role of supply chain integration

The main objective of the study was to test the relationship between the uncertainty of supply chain, employee commitment and product quality with the mediating role of supply chain integration. The uniqueness of the study is that it focused on the mediating role of supply chain integration in the automobile sector of United Arab Emirates (UAE). This research is quantitative in nature. For the analysis, structural equation modelling is used. The population of the present research is the employees working in the automobile sector of UAE. A Likert scale questionnaire was used to support this study. The questionnaire was distributed among 481 respondents by using simple random sampling. The usable response rate was 66.66%. The findings of the study confirmed the direct relationship between supply chain integration, product quality, employee commitment and environmental uncertainty. This study fills the gap of limited studies regarding supply chain integration in the UAE automobile sector. The findings of the study are also helpful for policymakers in developing automobile strategies.