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The recent integration of digital technology and financial services has given rise to the newly emerging modality of digital finance. However, does digital finance improve the efficiency of financial services while influencing the investment behavior of brick-andmortar businesses? With the help of the data about Chinese listed companies, this paper uses multiple regression analysis, instrumental variables, and other methods to empirically test whether and how digital finance affects the financial asset allocation decisions of brick-and-mortar enterprises. The findings suggest that digital finance has a galvanizing effect on financial asset allocation. However, this effect mainly stems from the fact that firms allocate more illiquid financial assets and has a dampening effect on liquid financial assets. Path analysis shows that easing financing constraints is a causal pathway through which digital finance dampens firms’ liquid financial asset allocation. Moreover, rising risk exposure levels partially mediate the stimulus of digital finance, motivating firms to allocate illiquid financial assets. This paper contributes to the research on the economic consequences of digital finance and provides policy recommendations on how digital finance can better serve the real economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of service trade globalization on low-carbon globalization. Two newly developed non-radial directional distance functions of UEI (Unified Efficiency Index) and EEPI (Energy-Environmental Performance Index) were adopted to evaluate energy and CO2 emission performances of 30 countries during the period 1980–2013. A multiple regression analysis was conducted based on the Tobit model. Results showed that: (1) Service trade openness has a positive effect on energy and CO2 emission efficiency, and the effect has been intensified with time. (2) Emerging service sectors promoted the improvement of energy and CO2 emission efficiency, while the traditional sectors hindered the efficiency improvement. (3) There existed a "catch-up" effect between less developed countries and developed countries on energy and CO2 emission efficiency. Policy implications are thus drawn on how to promote the improvement of energy and carbon emission efficiency in the context of low-carbon globalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of business performance has a substantial impact on improving the internal management and economic performance of companies. By analysing the previous literature, this paper chooses to measure the factors affecting business performance at four levels, including R&D investment intensity, human capital, patents, and brand value. The purpose of the study is to find out whether these selected factors work equally well for small and medium-sized enterprises. The sample size was 846 Chinese small and medium enterprises from different industries. The firm performance indicators were ROA and ROE. The data has been collected through National Equities Exchange and Quotations platforms based on updated annual reports in 2019. Finally, a stepwise descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression were conducted and predicted the tendency of business performance. The analysis provided the linear combination of four independent variables (R&D, human capital, patents, and brand value) which are significantly related to the dependent variable (business performance). In conclusion, we found that there is a positive impact of patents and brand value on business performance. In detail, we concluded that only production and highly educated personnel show a positive influence. For R&D intensity, there is no strong connection could be observed. In practical terms, this paper allows SME firms to appreciate the importance of human capital, patents, and brand value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its name, the halo effect in student evaluation of teaching (SET) response is not mystical. Halo in SET results from psychological processes that undermine SET validity, particularly for summative evaluation (pay decisions, etc.). These processes span psychological concepts of cognition, motivation and affect. This paper demonstrates that halo signals serious trouble for SET data, contrary to the conclusion in Cannon and Cipriani (2022), to which this article replies. Re-analysis of those authors' findings, conducted for the present paper, reveals both more halo and less validity than Cannon and Cipriani reported. For re-analysis of their factor analysis, a practical, generalizable approach to gauging halo in various settings is proposed. This approach revealed consistently high apparent SET halo across various decades and geographical locations of SET use. For re-analysis of their multiple regression, an approach to deciphering individual variables' effect sizes is provided for designs like Cannon and Cipriani's. Implications discussed for summative use of SETs include issues of veracity of SET confidence intervals. In contrast to summative use, formative use (toward performance improvement) suffers less from halo because non-instructional factor influences are somewhat constant for individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between affective trust in the supervisor and innovative work behavior. In addition, this paper investigated the mediating role of proactive skill development in the affective trust - innovative work behavior relationship and the moderating role of learning goal orientation in the affective trust – proactive skill development relationship. Data for this study were collected from 220 employees drawn from four FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) companies based in Pakistan. Multiple regression analyses and the bootstrapping procedure were used to test the research hypotheses. Results revealed that proactive skill development partially mediated the effects of affective trust in the supervisor on innovative work behavior. Furthermore, we found that learning goal orientation strengthened the direct effect of affective trust in the supervisor on proactive skill development and also strengthened its indirect effect on innovative work behavior. The theoretical and practical implications of our results and the limitations of this research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the role of weather conditions on tourists' decision-making. For this purpose, it develops a theoretical framework that integrates how individual decisions are made at the micro level into a dynamic macro-level model with three decision stages: before booking, before departure, and during the trip. The model is empirically tested applying chi-square analysis, logistic regression and multiple correspondence analysis on a sample of inbound tourists visiting China. The results indicate that weather variations affect tourists' decisions, mainly regarding activities. The specific weather conditions that impact on visitors' behaviour are different at each decision-making stage. Additionally, the influence of weather becomes smaller as the stages advance. The empirical results also indicate that the effect of weather is affected by tourists' characteristics. Finally, the results of the paper are used to provide recommendations for including weather consideration into the design and management of tourism products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has suggested a decline in alcohol use among students, however, only a few papers offer to explain why adolescents are drinking less. According to ESPAD, adolescents' alcohol use is decreasing in Europe, but only Hungary shows an increasing trend. The paper aims to give explanation for the opposite trends. The analysis is based on a cross-national dataset, ESPAD in 2003 and 2019, involving 25 countries (N = 157,790). The background variables cover family, school, leisure time, risk behaviors. Chi-square tests, logit explanatory model, KHB method were applied. In Hungary and in countries with decline the strongest relation with current alcohol use was found for internet use, going out, parental control, daily smoking, and alcohol intake. In countries with decline and in Hungary, stronger parental control, going out less often, smoking less may contribute to a declining trend while a more widespread internet use may contribute to an increasing trend. Hungary shows the same pattern as the countries with decline, so other factors such as a lack of alcohol policy, permissive attitudes, media representation, health awareness may be behind the different trends. Future research should be directed toward providing further explanations for the opposite trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to compare the kinematic performance of the rear hooks of college boxers of different sexes and analyse the influence of the kinematic indexes on punching speed. Thirteen kinematic indexes were selected to analyse the rear hook of male (n = 20) and female (n = 20) college boxers through a three-dimensional framework and high-speed camera. Additionally, a stepwise multiple linear regression equation was established to analyse the influence of these parameters on the maximum punching speed. The results revealed that the rear hook punching speed of college male boxers was 26% faster than that of female boxers. Also, there were statistically significant differences in the maximum angular velocity of the shoulder joint, hip joint angle, and knee joint angle (p < 0.01). In addition, the differences between their X- and Y-axis centre of gravity positions were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Moreover, the multiple regression analysis revealed that the maximum shoulder velocity was the most influential factor in the maximum punching speed of the rear hooks for both male and female boxers. This study provides recommendations for the daily training of college boxers and their coaches, to develop targeted training interventions for the rear hook. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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It is very important to predict the reaction of customers to future products. Sample pictures and line sketches are commonly used for discovering consumers' demands. However, these two agents are difficult to express the real product form clearly and comprehensively, which may affect the accuracy of consumer affection prediction. In this paper, a method based on Kansei engineering via virtual reality (VR) has been proposed to construct a mapping relationship between form elements and consumer affection from four dimensions of the overall, unit, interrelation, and detail (OUID), so as to provide references for product form design. The correlation between product form elements and the perceptual image was studied with multiple linear regression analysis and partial correlation analysis. The different effects of VR, sketches, and pictures on user affection prediction were compared in this paper as well. A hairdryer has been employed as an example to illustrate the proposed method. The results show that compared with sketch and picture, VR based-prediction model is more accurate and reliable in predicting users' emotional preferences. In addition to the unit form, the overall features, interrelation, and details are also the key factors affecting consumer preference. Highlight Based on Kansei Engineering, this paper investigated the correlation between the form elements of the product and the user's affection via VR. The proposed approach can help designers to quickly and accurately capture the user's perceptual image and transform it into design elements. The different effects of VR, sketches, and pictures on customer affection prediction were compared. A decomposition model is proposed to analyse the product form elements on four dimensions (overall features, unit form, interrelation, and details). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the tire-road contact triaxial stress is significant in assessing performance of vehicle and road surface material. However, both the Finite Element Method and the direct measurement method can only obtain contact stresses under several specific conditions, which is difficult to generalize. In this paper, a chain regression model is proposed, which hybridizes εSVR and ANN to improve forecasting accuracy in all directions by predicting uniaxial and triaxial stresses step by step. Meanwhile, the specific type of tire (185/65R15) under different conditions are simulated by using the 3 D finite element method for the dataset, and the factors affecting triaxial stress are analyzed by correlation analysis. Numerical examples from the above dataset reveal that the proposed εSVR-ANN chain model outperforms other multi-output regression models in all five directions in terms of forecasting accuracy. In addition, statistical tests verify the efficacy of the proposed method. This study provides a reference for the design of tire-road contact stress measurement and statistical scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the adoption of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by the United Nations (UN), the search has been on to identify interventions that have effects on multiple SDG-targets simultaneously. Like other developing countries, Ghana has a youthful population and would require creative, urgent, youth-focused interventions to be able to attain the SDGs by 2030. This paper describes the application of the accelerator model on data from a sample of Ghanaian adolescents to identify potential accelerators towards selected SDG targets involving youth. The data for 944 adolescents, 10–19 years (mean age 12.31 ± 3.51 years), extracted from two cross-sectional surveys on children and adolescents aged 6–19 years in Kumasi, Ghana, were analysed in this paper. Variables considered suitable proxies for SDG targets and potential accelerators were identified from the study instruments. Consequently, four aligned SDG targets (good mental health, access to ICT, school completion and no open defaecation) and five accelerators (cognitive stimulation, no relative poverty, low student–teacher ratio, high caregiver education and safe water) were extracted. Associations between accelerators and SDG targets were assessed using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for sociodemographic covariates and multiple testing. Cumulative effects were tested by marginal effects modelling. The three hypothesised accelerators identified were cognitive stimulation, low student–teacher ratio, and no relative poverty. A combination of all three accelerators was associated with a higher likelihood of adolescents having access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by +73% (CI 0.72–0.74), no open defecation by +44% (CI 0.43–0.46), school completion by +27% (CI 0.26–0.27) and good mental health by +9% (CI 0.08–0.10). Three hypothesized accelerators showed association across all four SDG aligned targets. The accelerator model has been further validated in this dataset from Ghana. Robust interventions designed around these accelerators may represent an opportunity for achieving the SDGs in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasingly ubiquitous phenomenon on social media is that consumers create user-generated content (UGC) to display their purchases. This type of UGC is purchase-centered. The viewers of the UGC can include both close friends (strong ties) and acquaintances (weak ties). This paper conducted a series of five studies to fill research gaps about the relations between tie strength, purchase intention, and benign envy. The results of the first three studies consistently show that tie strength between the buyer and the viewers positively influences the viewers' feeling of benign envy, which in turn affects viewers' purchase intention toward the displayed purchase. Furthermore, two additional experiments identify purchase type as a moderator of the mediation effect. Specifically, benign envy mediates the effect when the purchase is a material one but not an experiential one. These findings not only reveal how the viewers of purchase-centered UGC are influenced by tie strength and benign envy, but also demonstrate the role of purchase type in the effect of purchase-centered UGC. This research extends multiple research streams including tie strength, social comparison, and purchase type. Additionally, this research provides important implications for the practices of advertising, UGC marketing, and influencer marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMotivationDesign/Methodology/ApproachMain findingsPractical implicationsNovelty/ContributionThe main objective of this study is to analyse the impact of auditor gender on audit fees, with a view to establishing whether there are any differences in audit price depending on the gender of the auditor.The existence of a gender gap in audit fees is a problem. In order to try to reduce this gap, it is necessary to understand the determinants of audit fees according to gender.The sample under analysis is made up of 3217 unlisted Spanish companies. In order to fulfil our aim, an audit fee model is put forward, applying a multiple linear regression analysis differentiated by auditor gender.The results point to an absence of any statistically significant association between audit fees and auditor gender. In contrast to other countries within the same context, Spanish female audit partners do not generate higher audit fees than their male counterparts; there is no female audit fee premium as there seems to be in other countries such as Belgium, France, Finland, China or the USA.Differences were found among the factors which determine audit fees; there tend to be fewer factors considered in audits signed by female auditors, with indicators related to the economic and financial situation of the company under audit excluded from the fees model. These results could be justified by differences between male and female auditors with respect to audit planning and efficiency.This paper is a contribution to the literature on gender in auditing, and offers up evidence on the impact of auditor gender on audit fees within a specific context that has not been studied in any depth, namely the Spanish auditing market for unlisted companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Health behavior research suggests that perceived social norms impact health decisions. This study aimed to (a) examine reasons for vaccine hesitancy among a sample of college students compared to a clinical sample (b) examine the accuracy of perceptions of others' receptivity and intention to seek out the COVID-19 vaccine, and (c) determine whether greater self-other normative discrepancies (SODs) were associated with increased likelihood to seek out the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants. Participants included 227 students at a Northeastern private college and 140 patients seeking medical care. Methods. College students completed an online, anonymous survey. Patients completed a paper-and-pencil survey distributed at appointment check-in. Results. Compared to their perceptions of others, participants had more positive beliefs about vaccines. The most common reason prompting individuals to seek out the vaccine was to return to "normal life." Conclusions. Future research might examine use of social norms interventions to decrease vaccine hesitancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether U.S./Mexico border residence in California is related to the prevalence of DSM-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD) among Whites and Hispanics. Household survey data were obtained from 1,209 adults (59.7% female) 18 to 39 years of age resident in four counties in California: Imperial on the U.S./Mexico border; and Kern, Tulare, and Madera in California's Central Valley. Households were selected using a list assisted sample, with data collected on the phone or online. Results show that AUD rates were not different between border and non-border location and between Whites and Hispanics. AUD was negatively associated with higher income ($20,000 to $60,000: AOR=.38; 95%CI=.17–.86; p<.01—more than $60,000: AOR=.27; 95%CI:.09–.81; p<.01) and poor risk perception (AOR=.86; 95%CI=.78–.94; p<.01). AUD was positively associated with continued volume of drinking (AOR = 1.05; 95%CI = 1.01–1.09; p<.01), drinking in Mexico (AOR = 4.28; 95%CI = 1.61–11.36; p<.01), marijuana use (AOR = 4.11; 95%CI = 1.73–9.77; p<.01), and impulsivity (AOR = 1.55; 95%CI = 1.23–1.94). Efforts to prevent AUD in the population in California, and especially among those who live close to the border with Mexico, should take into consideration factors such as impulsivity, marijuana use, border crossing to drink in Mexico, all of which increased risk of AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Support for marriage equality (i.e. extending the privilege of marriage beyond heterosexual couples) is gaining global momentum as evidenced by the increase of countries introducing related legislation, yet little research has attempted to understand factors predicting the rejection of marriage equality. In this paper, we explore the multi-faceted role of religion in explaining the relationship between sexual prejudice and the rejection of marriage equality. Specifically, we explored the role of religious affiliation (i.e. religious-group membership; Study 1: n= 81) and multiple forms of religiosity (i.e. trait-like conceptualisations; Study 2: n= 168) in explaining the rejection of marriage equality beyond variance accounted for by simple sexual prejudice. As expected, negative attitudes towards marriage equality were related to being higher in sexual prejudice and religious fundamentalism, being lower in Quest, and being Christian (vs. non-religious). In addition, both religious fundamentalism and intrinsic religiosity moderated the marriage equality rejection-sexual prejudice relationship. Importantly, in multiple regression analyses, religious affiliation did not predict the rejection of marriage equality, and religious fundamentalism was the only significant religiosity predictor. Taken together, religiosity emerged as a more useful quantification of religion than religious affiliation in the context of explaining the rejection of marriage equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxation has a vital role as a domestic financial source to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To increase domestic revenue, combating tax avoidance is important, especially for Indonesia, one of the most populous countries with the fact that the 2020 country's tax-to-GDP ratio decreased to 10.1% in 2020 which is below the Asia and Pacific average of 19.1%. This paper examines the effect of the tax policy of Indonesia, i.e., tax amnesty and other factors on tax aggressiveness. Indonesia is taken as the case study for the specific characteristics of its tax reforms. The sample of this study consists of 402 observations from manufacturing companies listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) for the periods of 2013–2018. This study collected secondary data and employed a purposive sampling method for the selection of samples. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the factors affecting tax aggressiveness. The results show that internal governance mechanisms, namely independent commissioners and institutional ownership, as well as the company's characteristics, namely leverage and profitability, have a significant effect on tax aggressiveness. This study, however, cannot find the effectiveness of tax amnesty in combatting tax aggressiveness. This study brings an implication for developing tax policies for companies in Indonesia, to reduce tax aggressiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racial and ethnic minorities like Asians in the United States are significantly less likely to receive mental health treatment than Caucasians. Using 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, we examined the underutilization of mental health treatment in the US and find that being over 65 or 35–44, being unmarried, and being insured were positively associated with mental health treatment utilization, and as mentally unhealthy days increased, the utilization of treatment also increased. The paper offers a discussion on why there is this underutilization of mental health services amongst Asians and what steps can be taken to improve utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to study the wage gap among religions in Lebanon using a random sample. The advantage of using Lebanon as a case is due to its historical diversification. This case excludes any impact of culture, language and immigration. The article uses multiple regression analysis, the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition, and the quantile distribution regressions to study the wage gap. The signs of our estimated coefficients are as expected. The results show a significant wage gap for Sunnis, and Shias compared to Maronites. Furthermore, we find that the place of work has a significant impact on earnings. The religion wage gap vanishes if a Shia worker is working in Beirut or in the Eastern suburb; or if a Sunni is working in the Eastern Suburb. Finally, the paper shows that the gap is larger in the case of males for Sunnis, but not for Shias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extant literature has highlighted the importance of knowledge transfer between a buyer and its supply network for strengthening supply chain competence. This is a bi-directional exchange where the buyer and supply network each act as the sender and receiver of knowledge. Prior research has however largely focused on the knowledge recipient only. We consider both sender and recipient using two key dynamic capabilities related to knowledge transfer: (i) desorptive capacity, which enables the safe transfer of knowledge from the sender; and, (ii) absorptive capacity, which enables the acquisition and assimilation of external knowledge by the recipient. Using the concept of 'fit', we investigate whether organisations strengthen supply chain competence when their desorptive capacity exceeds that of their supply network's (positive misfit) and consider the moderating role of the organisation's and supply network's absorptive capacity. Multiple regression analysis of survey data from 250 firms identifies an inverted U-shaped relationship between positive desorptive capacity misfit and supply chain competence. Further, this relationship is shown to be moderated by the supply network's absorptive capacity level. The paper furthers our understanding of supply chain knowledge management enabling buyers and their supply networks to achieve more successful knowledge transfer outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe romantic relationship of Arab American couples have been noticeably excluded from the research literature. Intersection between fidelity, commitment, and relational satisfaction, along with contextual factors for Arab Americans has not been addressed in research. In this paper, hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between relational satisfaction and commitment and fidelity among Arab American couples. Our findings indicated that there are positive correlations among relational satisfaction, commitment, and fidelity and revealed that relational satisfaction significantly predicts Arab American couple’s commitment and fidelity. Future directions are provided to encourage clinicians to provide culturally sensitive care to advocate needs for Arab American clients and suggest future researchers to expand different aspects (gender roles, gender differences, or religion) further their understanding and different methodology to capture Arab American couples’ lived romantic relationship experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a review of Iranian studies, no studies have yet to explore a relationship between substance use disorders (SUDs), depression and/or PTSD. In this paper, we report whether the Iranian women and men with SUDs exhibit differences in PTSD and depression. A cross-sectional study was performed on 600 SUDs patients in treatment. Assessments included socio demographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory II, and the PTSD Checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive, chi-square (χ2) and logistic regression analysis. PTSD was 61.5% in the study population. The mean PTSD score was 47.92 ± 12.07 for all men and women. The participants revealed mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms 19.7%, 24.3%, and 32.3%, respectively. Women were more likely than men to be diagnosed with PTSD (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =1.82, 95%CI: 1.19, 2.80) and depression (AOR =1.65, 95%CI: 1.01, 2.77). In addition, marital status and job status were significantly associated with depression and PTSD. This study shows remarkably higher prevalence of PTSD and depression in drug using women than their male counterparts. The results illustrate a number of gender differences that may shed light on etiologic models of co-morbid SUDs, PTSD, and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging research has revealed that metacognitive beliefs (i.e., beliefs about cognition) and meta-emotion beliefs (i.e., beliefs about emotions) may play a role in disordered eating behaviour. This study aims to compare the strength of the associations between metacognitive beliefs and meta-emotion beliefs with disordered eating behaviours in a non-clinical sample. An Australian community sample (N = 411) completed an online questionnaire measuring disordered eating behaviours (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-18), metacognitive beliefs (Metacognitions Questionnaire-30) and meta-emotion beliefs (Beliefs About Emotions Questionnaire). The independent associations between metacognitive and meta-emotion beliefs with disordered eating were tested using hierarchical multiple regression. Only Cognitive Self-consciousness was weakly independently associated with Cognitive Restraint. The belief that emotions are overwhelming and uncontrollable was moderately independently associated with Uncontrolled Eating and Emotional Eating. Metacognitive beliefs about cognitions were not independently associated with the three disordered eating behaviours measured in this study. Meta-emotion beliefs, or beliefs about emotions, have stronger unique associations with uncontrolled and emotional eating than metacognitive beliefs. Future longitudinal and intervention studies should focus on measuring beliefs about emotions to further understand their role in disordered eating behaviours. What is already known on this topic: (1) There is emerging evidence to suggest that metacognitive beliefs are associated with disordered eating behaviour. (2) Qualitative evidence has shown support for the role of meta-emotions, or beliefs about emotions, in eating disorders. What this paper adds: (1) Neither metacognitive beliefs nor meta-emotion beliefs are strongly associated with cognitive restraint eating behaviour. (2) Metacognitive beliefs appear to not be independently associated with uncontrolled eating or emotional eating. Rather, these eating behaviours appear to be strongly associated with negative beliefs that emotions are overwhelming and uncontrollable. (3) The link between meta-emotion beliefs and emotional eating and uncontrolled eating may help explain their reactive eating behaviour in response to emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial performance (FP) is important to every firm, especially SMEs, but FP determinants are debatable. This paper investigates determinants of FP among Ghanaian SMEs. Employing a survey data set of 238 SMEs, multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the extent to which each firm-specific characteristic and industry impact FP. The findings show that a significant relationship exists between company ownership type and FP. There is also a positive link between firm age, firm size, and FP. The industry effect is significant in the service sector. The results also show that the impact of firm-specific characteristics and industry differs across the sub-components of FP and manufacturing and service industries. The results demonstrate the relevance of the tenets of resource base view and structure-conduct-performance in explaining the SMEs' FP variations in a developing country's context. The managerial and policy implications of the findings for both sectors have been discussed. La performance financière (PF) est importante pour chaque entreprise, en particulier les PME, mais les déterminants de la PF sont discutables. Cet article examine les déterminants de la PF parmi les PME ghanéennes. À partir d'un ensemble de données d'enquête portant sur 238 PME, une analyse de régression multiple a été réalisée afin de déterminer dans quelle mesure chaque caractéristique spécifique à l'entreprise et à l'industrie a un impact sur la PF. Les résultats montrent qu'il existe un lien significatif entre le type de propriété d'une entreprise et la PF. Il existe également un lien positif entre l'âge et la taille de l'entreprise, et la PF. L'effet de l'industrie est significatif dans le secteur des services. Les résultats montrent aussi que l'impact des caractéristiques propres à l'entreprise et à l'industrie diffère selon les sous-composantes de la PF et les industries manufacturières et de services. Les résultats démontrent la pertinence des principes de la vue basée sur les ressources et du paradigme structure comportement performance dans la compréhension des variations de la PF des PME dans un contexte de pays en développement. Les implications managériales et politiques des résultats pour les deux secteurs sont discutées. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migrants' remittance to close relatives and acquaintances back home has been widely studied. However, little is known about the impact remittances have on the living conditions of migrants who send these remittances. This paper hypothesises that migrants often deprive themselves of better living conditions in their host countries in order to regularly remit home. We test this hypothesis using survey data from 129 Ghanaian migrants living in the United Kingdom. We develop a Living Condition Index based on migrant participants' self-assessment of how remittance has impacted their living conditions in the UK and specify a hierarchical multiple regression model to test this hypothesis. Controlling for migrants' demographic, migration, employment, and remittance information, we find that there is a 19.8% decrease in migrants' living conditions when they remit more than £150 per month, thereby confirming our hypothesis that remittances adversely impact migrants' living conditions in their host countries. The paper reflects on the implications of the findings in light of migrants' living conditions under the current global health pandemic and offers practical suggestions that could help lessen this financial burden on migrants while supporting sustainable businesses back home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents findings from a research study focused on calibrating and improving the robustness of a permanent deformation model for unbound aggregate base/subbase materials, recently developed at the University of Illinois and referred to as the UIUC rutting model. The model provides estimates for permanent strains as a function of load cycles, applied deviator stress, and the ratio of mobilized shear stress to strength. Sixteen aggregate materials were tested for permanent deformation both at their source gradations, and an engineered gradation. Based on multiple linear regression analyses, the UIUC rutting model parameters were determined to estimate the laboratory-measured permanent strains with high accuracy. Constrained and stepwise regression statistical approaches were employed to reduce variability in the regression model parameters and express the model parameters as function of material properties such as shear strength, morphological shape properties, gradation, and compaction characteristics. Results from stepwise analyses indicated that the most accurate predictions could be achieved by considering particle shape properties. Finally, a framework was established to predict unbound aggregate permanent deformation trends of flexible pavement base/subbase layers using the UIUC model parameter equations obtained from stepwise regression, along with the physical/mechanical properties of the aggregate materials determined from standard laboratory tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health inequalities worldwide, having a disproportionately harsh impact on unprivileged populations such as migrants and refugees. These populations are often more exposed to the virus, but less protected, while at the same time being at higher risk of suffering from poor living and working conditions, limited access to healthcare, and discrimination by the host society, all of which is challenging to their mental health. Empirical evidence on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting migrants and refugees is required to design effective actions aimed at ensuring health equity. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse how the pandemic has impacted the psychological well-being of migrants and refugees living in Spain. This study was carried out within the framework of the ApartTogether study sponsored by the World Health Organization. Data collection was carried out during March-November 2020, through an online survey completed by 241 participants (age: M = 37 years; 129 women). The results indicate that 78.7% of participants had suffered a decrease in their psychological well-being since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with number of difficulties and worries experienced being the best individual predictors of this outcome. Enjoying social connections and perceiving positive treatment from the host society were positively associated with psychological well-being at a relational and community level, respectively. Based on these findings, we outline priority areas of psychosocial interventions aimed at guaranteeing the mental health of migrants and refugees in the face of the pandemic in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is a well-established predictor of length of stay (LOS) for rehabilitation. The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) is a more in-depth construct for measuring activities of daily living (ADL) and may therefore be a valuable adjunct when predicting LOS. This paper aimed to investigate AMPS as a candidate predictor of LOS in a statistical model including FIM. A cohort study of 647 patients with acquired brain injuries admitted for rehabilitation. LOS was analyzed in a multiple regression model with the motor and process/cognitive domains of AMPS and FIM. Independence in ADL process ability and FIM cognition were associated with 31% (p < 0.001) and 38% (p < 0.001) shorter LOS, respectively, relative to patients needing total assistance. Independence in ADL motor ability was associated with a 26% (p = 0.002) shorter LOS, whereas FIM motor was not a predictor. The AMPS predicts LOS for rehabilitation at a level that is at least as good as that of FIM. Conducting the AMPS early in the course of inpatient rehabilitation provides clinicians and managers with valuable information for planning LOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weather conditions in one location can affect consumption patterns and the volume of electricity load demand (ELD) on power systems. This paper presents a wavelet-regression method to analyse the characteristic of ELD in Indonesia towards weather variables under tropical climate namely temperature, solar radiation exposure, humidity and wind speed using daily data from 2018 to 2020. The city of Makassar is used as a case study. The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and wavelet transform coherence (WTC) analyses reveal that the variability of ELD, solar radiation and humidity showed high fluctuations within a period of 2 to 32 days. Strong relationships are found between the load and three weather variables (temperature, solar radiation exposure and humidity) which are represented in the colourful plots. Another result from multiple linear regression analysis for the whole period shows temperature has the highest impact on the volume of ELD, followed by solar radiation, and humidity. During the seasonal period, the impact of the seasons on the ELD is more pronounced in the rainy season compared to the dry season. The presented results are helpful for power management to meet ELD in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the economy, collaborative R&D has become an important tool for Chinese companies to improve their performance. This paper explores the relationship between inter-firm collaborative R&D and firm performance in terms of both financial performance and technological innovation performance. Using panel data of more than 1,300 Chinese listed companies from 2007 to 2016 and using multiple regression analysis, we find that inter-firm collaborative R&D has a positive impact on technological innovation performance and potential market competitiveness, but a negative impact on profitability indicators. In addition, we further divided the companies into technology "leaders" and "followers," and the results showed that the benefits of collaborative R&D are greater for the followers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 280 million people around the world suffer from depression, and the rates are higher among women than men. For women living in informal settlements in lower – and middle-income countries (LMICs) the prevalence and associated burden of depressive symptoms may be particularly high. The purpose of this paper was to explore factors associated with possible major depressive disorder (MDD) in a probability sample of women living in Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya and to identify potential points for intervention and/or support. Quantitative surveys were conducted with 552 women aged 18–75. Possible MDD was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire and regressed on individual, household/familial-, and community/interpersonal-level factors. Findings highlight the potential importance of factors such as physical health, economic stress, access to water and sanitation, household and family dynamics, and neighbourhood/village differences in possible MDD among women living in informal settlements. We identify potential points for research, intervention and policy including: providing appropriate tangible assistance or interventions to reduce economic stress/strain; expanding access to water and sanitation and, in doing so, reducing potential burdens to physical health; providing and expanding healthcare to include mental healthcare; and investigating family dynamics and bolstering support for families, particularly for those experiencing conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speech intelligibility is an essential though complex construct in speech pathology. In this paper, we investigated the interrater reliability and validity of two types of intelligibility measures: a rating-based measure, through Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), and a transcription-based measure called Accuracy of Words (AcW), through two forms of orthographic transcriptions, one containing only existing words (EWTrans) and one allowing all sorts of words, including both existing words and pseudowords (AWTrans). Both VAS and AcW scores were collected from five expert raters. We selected speakers with various severity levels of dysarthria (SevL) and employed two types of speech materials, i.e. meaningful sentences and word lists. To measure reliability, we applied Generalizability Theory, which is relatively unknown in the field of pathological speech and language research but enables more comprehensive analyses than traditional methods, e.g., the intraclass correlation coefficient. The results convincingly indicate that five expert raters were sufficient to provide reliable rating-based (VAS) and transcription-based (AcW) measures, and that reliability increased as the number of raters or utterances increased. Generalizability Theory has proved effective in systematically dealing with reliability issues in our experimental design. We also investigated construct and concurrent validity. Construct validity was addressed by exploring the correlations between VAS and AcW within and across speech materials. Concurrent validity was addressed by exploring the correlations between our measures, i.e. VAS and AcW, and two external measures, i.e. phoneme intelligibility and SevL. The correlations corroborate the validity of VAS and AcW to assess speech intelligibility, both in sentences and word lists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully understand the theory-research gap in Fishbein's integrative model of behavioral prediction (IMBP) and better design future IMBP research, we performed a systematic literature search and analyzed the current quantitative IMBP research articles. The final sample consisted of 41 eligible articles. Comparing the results of the systematic literature search with the IMBP, the results identified the common practices and several inconsistencies and issues in the current IMBP research. We first concluded the common practices (i.e., operationalization and methodology) of current IMBP research. We then noted four sets of inconsistencies/issues related to some of the IMBP research. First, we found inconsistencies in how attitudes, normative beliefs, and self-efficacy were measured in the IMBP research, especially related to the use of direct versus indirect measures. Second, we discovered the inconsistencies in statistical analyses of IMBP research and how it could create issues in aggregable knowledge of the IMBP relationships. Third, we noticed the issues of variable incompatibility in how intention and behavior were measured. Lastly and more importantly, we reviewed the small number of IMBP research articles that measured actual control variables (i.e., environmental constraints, skills) and further identified the issues across these articles. Furthermore, the paper offers directions for future IMBP research, specifically calling for more consistent research on the actual control variables as the moderators between intention and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coercive measures are a major infringement of the autonomy of psychiatric patients and no medical justification exists for applying mechanical restraint (MR) to these patients currently. Knowledge regarding how preventive strategies affect the use of MR is limited. This paper aimed to understand the link between the initiatives taken by national authorities and the practical implications to MR reduction. Policy texts and the number of coercive measures used in two decades were reviewed. Trends were discussed with five experts with real-life experience and suggestions were obtained regarding how to end the use of mechanical restraint in mental health care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Project-based learning is among the most common learning approaches aimed at conveying professional standards and best practices to students in programming courses. However, team projects commonly impose problems related to responsibility sharing, such as low effort or inequality in contributions. This paper presents a collaborative programming assessment system featuring a code quality assessment function with specific metrics to measure individual contributions. Student engagement data is used to detect nonconformities in collaboration using a learning analytical approach. Latent profile analysis was used to detect four theoretical team profiles differentiated by team effort (2 levels) and within-team collaboration (2 levels). We demonstrated the efficacy of assessing code to evaluate team dynamics and student behaviour, wherein efforts to resolve coding style failures can be used as a proxy by which to estimate the taskwork awareness of team members. Submission data from 146 students in 41 web-programming projects revealed four behavioural patterns that could potentially hinder the effective functioning of programming teams: free-riding, social loafing, the bystander effect, and lone wolves. We also demonstrated the applicability of automated programming assessment systems to the monitoring of learning progress, thereby facilitating timely interventions to correct difficulties at the team level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With regard to the on-screen contents of transparent displays utilized inside vehicles, legibility is one of the most important factors to be considered. This paper proposes a quantitative legibility evaluation model of in-vehicle transparent displays. Human visual experiments were performed based on the simulation of a perceived image. The results of the visual experiments served as qualitative evaluation data of legibility, and were utilized to determine the weights in the proposed model through the multiple regression technique. The experiment results indicated that the proposed model obtained higher Pearson correlation coefficient values than those obtained in the previous works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using two of the main evaluation methods, namely the sales comparison approach and the multiple regression analysis, this paper points out the key role of implicit prices of housing characteristics in real estate appraisal. Firstly, this paper confirms the close link existing between the sales comparison approach and the multiple regression analysis. Furthermore, unlike examples in the related literature, this paper highlights the difference between marginal and implicit prices of housing characteristics. Although the related literature expresses awareness of the methodology for calculating marginal and implicit prices, there appears to be less awareness that implicit prices can: 1) lead to an estimate of the house price that is different from the regression model-predicted price; 2) replace the crucial and non-trivial phase of adjustment and reconciliation that characterises the main appraisal method, namely, the popular Sales Comparison Approach. Finally, an empirical analysis provides evidence of the key role of implicit prices in estimating house value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to investigate uncertainties surrounding relationships between spatial autocorrelation (SA) and the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) with an extensive simulation experiment. Especially, this paper aims to explore how differently the MAUP behaves for the level of SA focusing on how the initial level of SA at the finest spatial scale makes a significant difference to the MAUP effects on the sample statistics such as means, variances, and Moran coefficients (MCs). The simulation experiment utilizes a random spatial aggregation (RSA) procedure and adopts Moran spatial eigenvectors to simulate different SA levels. The main findings are as follows. First, there are no substantive MAUP effects for means. However, the initial level of SA plays a role for the zoning effect, especially when extreme positive SA is present. Second, there is a clear and strong scale effect for the variances. However, the initial SA level plays a non-negligible role in how this scale effect deploys. Third, the initial SA level plays a crucial role in the nature and extent of the MAUP effects on MCs. A regression analysis confirms that the initial SA level makes a substantial difference to the variability of the MAUP effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate determinants of willingness to adopt telerehabilitation, willingness of technology use, core affect regarding using telerehabilitation, and digital competencies in rehabilitation professionals in Austria and Germany before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional paper-based and online survey was conducted before and during COVID-19, respectively, with three cohorts of rehabilitation professionals. Outcomes were the willingness to adopt telerehabilitation evaluated using the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; willingness of technology use using the short scale for assessing the willingness of technology use; digital competencies and core affect using the Digital Competence Framework and semantic differential, respectively. Multivariate ordinal regression analysis was performed to determine predictors. Included were 603 rehabilitation professionals. Analysis revealed differences between Austria and Germany and before and during the pandemic for most outcomes. German residency, the pandemic, and a higher educational level were most important predictors of higher willingness to adopt telerehabilitation, willingness of technology use, digital competencies, and positive core affect. The pandemic increased most aspects of willingness to adopt telerehabilitation, willingness of technology use, digital competencies, and positive core affect. Results confirm that rehabilitation professionals with higher degrees are more prone to adopt innovations in healthcare.Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021464) The willingness to adopt telerehabilitation is associated with external factors increasing the need for alternative rehabilitation delivery, such as COVID-19, and with financial facilitators, such as reimbursement. As the willingness to adopt telerehabilitation is higher among speech and language therapists and dietitians, efforts are necessary to enhance its use in physiotherapists and occupational therapists. As a higher willingness to adopt telerehabilitation was observed in younger rehabilitation professionals and those with higher education, increasing the importance of telerehabilitation in education curricula and further knowledge transfer into practice for those already working in the field seems necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the intensity characteristics of specific soccer drills (matches, small-side game, and match-based exercises) could help practitioners to plan training sessions by providing the optimal stimulus for every player. In this paper, we propose a data analytics framework to assess the neuromuscular or metabolic characteristics of a soccer-specific exercise in relation with the expected match intensity. GPS data describing the physical tasks' external intensity during an entire season of twenty-eight semi-professional soccer players competing at the fourth Italian division were used in this study. A supervised machine-learning approach was tested in order to detect difference in playing positions in different sport-specific drills. Moreover, a non-supervised machine-learning model was used to profile the match neuromuscular and metabolic characteristics. Players' playing positions during matches and match-based exercises are characterised by specific metabolic and neuromuscular characteristics related to tactical demands, while in the small-side game these differences are not detected. Additionally, our framework permits to evaluate if the match performance request is mirrored during training drills. Practitioners could evaluate the type of stimulus performed by a player in a specific training drill in order to assess if they reflect the matches characteristics of their specific playing position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrologists pursue the long-term goals of studying the relationship between hydrological processes and geomorphological processes, establishing quantitative relationships between these processes and finding ways to directly derive hydrological processes from topographic parameters to reduce the dependence on hydrological data. In this study, the river network of the Haihe River Basin was extracted based on DEM, and 18 representative small basins were selected as samples. Four river network parameters (the river network density, average branch ratio, average length ratio and fractal dimension) and four topographic parameters (the slope, topographic relief, surface roughness and roundness rate) were calculated for 18 small basins. The river network features and topographic features of the basin were analysed. Correlation analysis, one-dimensional linear regression, partial correlation analysis and multiple linear regression (stepwise regression) methods were used to analyse the quantitative relationship between topographic parameters and river network parameters. The analysis results were tested by a significance test, the final goodness of fit of the regression model was good, and the results were reliable. The correlations are spatially heterogeneous and may show variable results in different regions. This study guides river network planning and management, and managers should pay attention to the correlation between river networks and topography in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although people with a migration background (MB) have more unmet mental health needs than the general population, patients with a MB are still underrepresented in mental health care services. Provider bias towards these patients has been evidenced repeatedly but its driving factors remain elusive. We assessed the moderating effect of the individual (e.g. age and ethnicity), interpersonal (e.g. healthcare provider trust), and organisational (e.g. perceived workload) factors on general practitioners (GPs) differential decision-making regarding diagnosis, treatment, and referral for a depressed patient with or without a MB. An experimental study was carried out in which GPs were shown one of two video vignettes featuring adult male depressed patients, one with a MB and the other without. Belgian GPs (n = 797, response rate was 13%) had to decide on their diagnosis, treatment, and referral. Analysis of variance and logistic regression were used to analyse the effect of a MB, adding interaction terms for the explanatory variables. Overall, we found that there were ethnic differences in GPs' decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment recommendations. GPs perceived the symptoms of the patient with a MB as less severe (F = 7.68, p < 0.01) and demonstrated a reduced likelihood to prescribe a combination of medical and non-medical treatments (F = 11.55, p < 0.001). Those differences increased in accordance with the GP's age and perceived workload; at an interpersonal level, we found that differences increased when the GP thought the patient was exaggerating his distress. This paper showed that lower levels of trust among GPs' towards their migrant patients and high GP workloads contribute to an increased ethnic bias in medical decision-making. This may perpetuate ethnic inequalities in mental health care. Future researchers should develop an intervention to decrease the ethnic inequities in mental health care by addressing GPs' trust in their migrant and ethnic minority patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is to conduct research on MHD Casson-Williamson nanofluids flow over an inclined plate with the influence of thermal radiation and Soret-Dufour mechanisms using spectral collocation and statistical analysis. The simultaneous flow of Casson-Williamson non-Newtonian fluids in the presence of a magnetic field, Joule heating, chemical reaction, and viscous dissipation is modelled by utilizing partial differential equations (PDEs). These equations were transformed into coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using an appropriate similarity variable. A numerical and statistical analysis was performed on the transformed equations to obtain significant effects of flow parameters on velocity, temperature, and concentration distributions. An increase in the value of the thermal radiation is observed to increase the fluid temperature, thermal condition, and thermal boundary layer thickness. An increased value of magnetic parameter was observed to decrease the fluid velocity. Due to a magnetic field and the dynamic plastic viscosity, the hydrodynamic boundary layer was observed to decline due to an increase in Casson parameter. The present study was compared with studies in the literature and found in good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the spread of COVID-19, the Rhode Island Department of Health delivered its first virtual World Diabetes Day (RIWDD) event. Evaluations exploring advantages and disadvantages of delivering public health events virtually are generally lacking. The aims of the present paper were to evaluate the reach, feasibility, and effectiveness of delivering RIWDD virtually. Quantitative methods were used to: (1) estimate and compare the target population to RIWDD's event reach; and (2) evaluate whether diabetes knowledge increased amongst attendees. Qualitative methods assessed event facilitators' perceptions of the strengths, limitations, and challenges of using a virtual format to inform planning and implementation of future RIWDD events. Results revealed segments of RI's population disproportionately affected by diabetes, including men, persons of color, and older adults were underrepresented at the event. The event was not associated with increases in diabetes knowledge; however, attendees possessed high diabetes knowledge overall. Facilitators identified several important factors associated with virtual delivery in the context of COVID-19. Considerations for delivering virtual events are discussed. A key takeaway of this evaluation is the critical need for cultural competency as a guiding framework for professional practice when delivering events virtually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite anecdotal evidence that the out of pocket costs of OCD can be substantial in some cases, there is no evidence on how many people they affect, or the magnitude of these costs. This paper explores the type and quantity of out of pocket expenses reported by a large sample of adults with OCD. Data on out of pocket expenses were collected from participants taking part in the OCTET multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Participants were aged 18+, meeting DSM-IV criteria for OCD, and scoring 16+ on the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Individual-level resource use data including a description and estimated cost of out of pocket expenses were measured using an adapted version of the Adult Service Use Schedule (AD-SUS): a questionnaire used to collect data on resource use. Forty-five percent (208/465) reported out of pocket expenses due to their OCD. The mean cost of out of pocket expenses was £19.19 per week (SD £27.56 SD), range £0.06–£224.00. Future economic evaluations involving participants with OCD should include out of pocket expenses, but careful consideration of alternative approaches to the collection and costing of this data is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses multi-level regression analysis to determine the impact of macro-level drivers on intimate partner violence (IPV). It argues that we need to look beyond the usual, individual-level risk factors in order to understand why women experience abuse at the hands of their intimate partners. Using Demographic and Health Survey data from 40 developing countries, this paper demonstrates that socio-economic development, beliefs and laws play an important role in explaining IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among other business types, hotels serving as temporary accommodation for visitors with solid ties to local conditions present unique hazard-prone characteristics, and show vulnerabilities based on their location. Departing from the significance of the topic for the Turkish case, this paper focuses on the risk perception and responsiveness of the lodging industry. In doing so, an empirical study was carried out in Ankara city. Data from 75 hotels were gathered via a questionnaire designed to identify their locational attributes and operationalized by multiple logistic regression analysis. Although hotels in the sample accepted that safety is a significant issue for both the continuity of their operationality and guests, hotels were reluctant in developing systematic and effective tools for disaster management.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crowdsourcing contests have become increasingly important and prevalent with the ubiquity of the Internet. Designing efficient crowdsourcing contests is not possible without the deep understanding of the factors affecting individuals’ continuous participation and their performance. Prior studies have mainly focused on identifying the effect of task-specific, environment-specific, organisation-specific, and individual-specific factors on individuals’ performance in crowdsourcing contests. And to our knowledge, there are no or very few studies on evaluating the effect of individuals’ participation history on their performance. This paper aims to address this research gap using a data set from TopCoder. This study derives competitors’ participation history factors, such as participation frequency, participation recency, winning frequency, winning recency, tenure, and last performance to construct models depicting effects of these factors on competitors’ performance in online crowdsourcing contests. The research findings demonstrate that most of competitors’ participation history factors have significant effect on their performance. This paper also indicates that competitors’ participation frequency and winning frequency moderate the relationship between last performance and performance, and relationship between tenure and performance positively. On the other hand, individuals’ participation recency and winning recency moderate relationship between last performance and performance negatively, but have no significant effect on the relationship between tenure and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Indonesia has the third largest population of smokers in the world, however, little is known about the use of chewing tobacco/betel quid in Indonesia. This paper describes the characteristics of chewing tobacco/betel quid users in Indonesia, to understand the user population and inform future research. Methods: The 2011 Indonesia GATS included 8,176 adults ages 15 and older. These data are weighted to be nationally representative. Weighted descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were run using SAS 9.4. Results: Estimated national prevalence for exclusive chewing tobacco/betel quid use was 0.9%, for exclusive smoked tobacco use was 33.9% and for dual use was 0.8%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that exclusive chewing tobacco/betel quid users were significantly more likely to be female, and to be older adults (45-64); while smokers are more likely to be male and younger (25-44). Conclusions/Importance: These results provide information on the different characteristics of users by product type, and show that users' demographics vary by their product of choice. This study helps to inform researchers and practitioners of the burden of chewing tobacco/betel quid use in Indonesia. These data, especially specific data on chewing tobacco/betel quid use patterns, are limited in this context, and this knowledge can help to identify populations who need quit tobacco interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]