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Rationale/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify and explore a selection of the tools (alcohol, song/chants, signs) that darts fans use at live Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events and explain how the fans use these tools in the PDC darts arenas. Design/methodology/approach: A three-year empirical qualitative study, using a range of ethnographic methods, was conducted to understand how the use of these tools has made the live PDC darts events one of the ultimate sites of performative fandom. Findings: The carnivalesque atmosphere created by fans at live PDC events has made the events a televisual sports spectacle. This article explores some of the specific tools that are used to create a spectacle by the fans.These fan performances, using the tools, have been critical to the increases in the media viewership of professional darts tournaments and live attendances at the PDC events since the mid-2000s. Research Contribution: This article provides new insight into how a sports governing body utilises fans to create atmospheres at a niche sports event. By analysing darts fans' use of the selected tools, this article examines how a sport can be managed and marketed primarily via event atmospheres rather than the sporting action on the stage or field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the difficulties faced by Latin American oil and gas (O&G) companies in adopting integrated practices aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda. Design/methodology/approach: A Delphi study was conducted with 14 experts with extensive knowledge and experience in the O&G sector to collect opinions and investigate sustainable practices in the Latin American context. Findings: A consensus was reached after two rounds, demonstrating a unified view of sustainability experts on the difficulties faced by O&G companies to adopt practices aligned with the SDGs. The difficulties identified through the Delphi method were allocated into five clusters named: "public sector and governments," "civil society," "corporate issues," "technology and innovation" and "financial aspects." These clusters were used to discuss the main challenges associated with implementing business practices that recognize the SDGs and their achievement as a synergistic reinforcing system rather than an additive structure. Originality/value: This study provides further insights into the underexplored subject relating to the challenges experienced by Latin American O&G companies in the implementation of the SDGs, adopting the perspective of academic and industry experts in this field. The findings can help professionals in O&G companies implement sustainable practices, policymakers in debates about futures laws and regulations and academic in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) challenges creative efforts and work that build on expertise. Since GAI has the ability to generate content that can be easily confused with human output, it puts professionals and their organizations at risk. We explore how professional service firms (PSFs) (in law, architecture, and auditing) react to this new technology and what it has entailed for them. We show that GAI has not been perceived as a threat, but these professionals have rather embraced the new technology. However, actual results of GAI initiatives remain to be seen. Also, concerns have been raised that GAI comes with an opportunity cost, as other potentially more suitable and profitable technologies are overlooked. Building on insights from our case study, we highlight several issues that need to be further explored. Ideas for a future research agenda, as well as practical advise for how to put GAI into use, are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on firm growth shows that results vary depending on the measure of growth used. Many empirical studies have tested the comparability of firm growth measures. This study examined concurrent validity among the growth measures of professional service firms (PSFs). Specifically, we examined the absolute and relative growth rates of 87 patent firms from 1998 to 2008 using five growth variables firm sales, total number of patent applications, number of domestic patent applications, number of patent attorneys, and number of employees. We found that concurrent validity was high only between number of total patent applications and number of domestic patent applications. The reason may be that for patent firms, other factors are in play, such as level of business diversification and outsourcing, range of clients, and number of support personnel who are not formally qualified. This shows that PSFs and private sector firms exhibit different growth paths. However, this also suggests that it is not sufficient to measure firm growth using growth measures that do not consider differences among private sector firms in different sectors or firms within the same sector but with different structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this commentary, we argue that the Big Four professional service firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC) are positioning themselves as a bridge between Māori and the Crown in Aotearoa New Zealand. In a political economy that is evolving in line with te Tiriti/the Treaty of Waitangi, this bridge presents a profitable opportunity. We engage with theories of imperialism, the business case for diversity and revolving doors to advance our argument. We conclude with opportunities for future research that take the role of the Big Four in the Māori economy seriously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the intersections between TikTok, musical theatre and youth cultures. Since its international debut in 2017, TikTok has become closely associated with teenagers and twenty-somethings who use the social media platform as a critical site to create, present and experience identities and generational culture at large. Musical theatre has been central to this cultural work. Teenage theatre makers, for example, use TikTok as a marketing tool that can be replicated by professional theatre companies and productions. I present an autoethnographic account of my work with high school students to market an all-school production of the musical Grease and use the experience to question the ways emerging digital platforms such as TikTok inform new, accessible ways of collaborating, experiencing, appreciating, conceptualizing and documenting musical theatre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Big 4 professional services firms increasingly lay claim to recruiting and including staff of diverse genders, cultures, ages and sexualities. Drawing on Foucauldian insights, this study explores how LGBTIQ+ staff navigated shifting technologies of client power, at the time marriage equality was legislated in Australia. Design/methodology/approach: This article explores changing experiences of LGBTIQ+ staff and allies, through 56 semi-structured interviews undertaken through 2018–2019. Findings: Technologies of client power were central to shaping workplace experiences for LGBTIQ+ staff. However, each firm was also keen to carve unique and bold responses to changing societal attitudes regarding sexuality and gender. These progressive moves did not sit comfortably with all clients, and so this article provides insight into the limitations of client privilege within professional services firms. For staff, this increasing complexity of sometimes opaque, contradictory and shifting technologies of client and firm power, enabled agency to explore a sense of self for some, but continued to exclude others. Originality/value: Little attention has been directed to exploring challenges for staff of sexual and gendered diversity within professional services firms, or to exploring how staff navigate changing perceptions of client power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an alternative to SU-8 soft lithography, a new silicon mold process of fabricating PDMS microchannel chips was proposed. A picosecond laser is used to cut through a 550 μm thick silicon wafer and generate the original microchannel pattern with a 50 μm minimum feature size. This single-crystal silicon pattern, with the edge debris caused by laser cutting being trimmed off by a KOH solution and with the protection field oxide layer being removed by BOE afterwards, firmly resided on a glass substrate through the anodic bonding technique. Four-inch wafers with microchannel patterns as the PDMS mold cores were successfully bonded on Pyrex 7740 or Eagle XG glass substrates for the follow-up PDMS molding/demolding process. This new maskless process does not need a photolithography facility, but the laser cutting service must be provided by professional off-campus companies. One PDMS microchannel chip for particle separation was shown as an example of what can be achieved when using this new process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning algorithms, as one form of artificial intelligence, are significant for professional work because they create the possibility for some predictions, interpretations and judgements that inform decision-making to be made by algorithms. However, little is known about whether it is possible to transform professional work to incorporate machine learning while also addressing negative responses from professionals whose work is changed by inscrutable algorithms. Through original empirical analysis of the effects of machine learning algorithms on the work of accountants and lawyers, this paper identifies the role of accommodating machine learning algorithms in professional service firms. Accommodating machine learning algorithms involves strategic responses that both justify adoption in the context of the possibilities and new contributions of machine learning algorithms and respond to the algorithms' limitations and opaque and inscrutable nature. The analysis advances understanding of the processes that enable or inhibit the cooperative adoption of artificial intelligence in professional service firms and develops insights relevant when examining the long-term impacts of machine learning algorithms as they become ever more sophisticated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article explores whether or to what extent Northen Ireland—long-noted for its unusually high levels of religiosity—remains, as the late preacher-politician Rev Ian Paisley (d. 2014) described it: the last bastion of evangelicalism in Europe. It presents the results of two major polls conducted in 2023, which together provide the most comprehensive picture of religion in Northern Ireland in two decades. The polls were a representative survey of Northern Ireland, carried out by a professional research company, and a self-selecting online questionnaire distributed by the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland. The data confirm continued high levels of religiosity, with 50 percent of the general population reporting that they are practising Christians. Surprisingly, 38 percent of practising Catholics self-identify as evangelical—up from six percent in a 2004 survey. Men are more likely to identify as evangelical than women, and young practising Christians (18–34) are more likely to identify as evangelical than other age groups. As expected, evangelicals hold more morally/socially conservative views on a range of issues. We also develop a new four-fold typology to describe evangelicals in Northern Ireland: broad-church evangelicals, classic evangelicals, Catholic evangelicals, and ex-vangelicals (those who were once evangelical but no longer identify as such). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to evaluate how companies approach cybersecurity, which measures the companies set, and how it is reflected in relation to organizational learning. A questionnaire was distributed electronically among 124 IT and IS professionals working in companies based in the Czech and Slovak Republic. Hypotheses were tested using the chi-square test of independence, the Mann--Whitney U test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results depict that cybersecurity is a fundamental topic for most companies. Unless companies declare the importance of cybersecurity, they do not tend to set and use security rules unless they are not under security laws. Research shows that costs for cybersecurity are variable, not fixed, and are in correlation with the size of the company and the turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior ERP research has focused primarily on adoption and implementation; however, in an ERP implementation, maintenance and support (M&S) also has a significant impact on the long-term viability and financial expenditures of organizations. Many organizations turn to application management service (AMS) providers to manage ERP M&S. We surveyed professionals knowledgeable in their companies' use of AMS for ERP. We find associations between variables consistent with a business case of "keep the lights on" versus "value-driven" partnership and benefits achieved from the arrangement. We also examine activities that should lead to more M&S success: customization, quality documentation, and process standardization. We find associations between some of these variables and (1) more focus on M&S during implementation, (2) challenges transitioning to AMS, and (3) quality of AMS support. Our results are a first step toward research in AMS for ERP M&S and add to the AIS literature on the ERP post-implementation stage. Data Availability: Data available upon request. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paradoxical inertia is an organization condition that has received far less attention than organizational change. We investigate, ethnographically, an Australian Intellectual Property service firm, whose Board members proved to be unable to respond strategically to a rapidly changing environment that threatened their organization's survival. In the face of discontinuous change, this failure to address the management of paradoxes threatening embedded routines reinforced a paralysing inertia. Extant research has emphasized how managers handle paradox; we discuss how they fail to do so. The inertia is derived from the finessing of tensions as non-issues. Constituted as non-issues there were non-decisions about these tensions that maintained internal stability and harmony; they did so, however, in world of change increasingly disrespectful of internal concerns for ongoing professional stability and harmony. The inability to become collectively and critically aware of the specific forms of inertia undermined recursive learning and thus the transformation of the sensemaking practices of the Board. MAD statement Paradox theory invites managers to approach the complexities of the world with an integrate both-and type of approach. In this perspective, paradox may offer new solutions to problems by recentering attention from dualistic frames to sophisticated dualities. This reasoning sounds appealing but dualities may be difficult to manage and to sustain. Not much is known yet about the obstacles to a paradoxical mindset. In this article we explore how paradoxical leadership may be easier said than done and highlight reasons, including inertia, that may impede managers from making paradoxes salient and therefore manageable. This helps explain the hardship of paradox management in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of developing and managing relationships with clients in the professional services industry. It highlights the lack of knowledge about how professionals actually build these relationships and offers a book titled "Developing Knowledge-Based Client Relationships: Leadership in Professional Services" as a resource for practitioners and academics interested in this topic. The book takes a knowledge-based approach and emphasizes the value of collaboration in creating deeply entrenched relationships with clients. It also explores the role of human resource management in cultivating client-oriented practices within professional service firms. The article concludes by stating that while technology has transformed the technical aspects of client relationships, the fundamentals of nurturing these relationships and prioritizing customer knowledge remain relevant. [Extracted from the article]

Collaboration across cultures in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields has become increasingly common. This means many STEM professionals in US-based companies now work with professionals from other cultures. In this global context, cross-cultural knowledge is crucial for effective communication. Without this knowledge, there can be misunderstandings and discomfort. Different cultures use different communication styles, which has been studied by the field of communication. The concept of high and context low-context culture is used to discuss the role of contextual cues in communication. High-context cultures rely on implicit language and contextual and situational cues, while low-context cultures use explicit language. Although no culture is strictly high or low context, this concept is important as it helps us understand how our communication style can be influenced by cultural characteristics. There is a growing need to support and encourage students to become interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields. Many STEM programs in the United States have emphasized the importance of collaboration to meet this need. However, effective collaboration requires effective communication, and students often lack opportunities to explore how they can communicate effectively with collaborators from other cultures and countries. To bridge this gap, this article proposes incorporating communication into STEM courses for undergraduate students. The course will include learning opportunities about low and high-context cultures and guest speakers. This article aims to provide insights into how communication content can prepare undergraduate students to become culturally competent STEM professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a reliability assessment model for relay protection devices using fuzzy logic. It introduces an algorithm for simulating these devices, employing the Mamdani model with an "if-then" rule base. Inputs include the percentage of correct operation and the frequency of correct and incorrect operations. Implemented in Matlab with 21 rules, the fuzzy logic model uses triangular membership functions for input and output variables, with defuzzification via the center of gravity method. The model was tested using statistical data from SIEMENS SIPROTEC terminals, specifically distance protection and differential protection devices for transformers and autotransformers. The assessment considers operation frequencies for 1 to 3 devices, combining statistical and simulation data for a comprehensive analysis. Results show that including operation frequencies improves evaluation accuracy. The proposed model not only assesses current reliability but also predicts future behavior, aiding in the planning and optimization of relay protection systems. This model is valuable for professionals in generating companies, grid organizations, and operational dispatch control entities, helping them analyze relay protection performance and develop strategies to ensure reliable operation. The research focuses on the reliability of relay protection devices in power systems, addressing the need for a more accurate and comprehensive evaluation method. Traditional methods may not fully account for the complexities in modern microprocessor-based protections. This study aims to enhance reliability assessments through a model that integrates statistical data and simulation techniques, ultimately supporting better planning and optimization of relay protection systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diálogo com a Economia Criativa is the property of Dialogo com a Economia Criativa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Clerical staff are an essential part of the healthcare team, as they provide administrative and organizational support to healthcare institutions. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of a basic one-hour online training course on patient safety for these staff. Method: A quasi-experimental pre/post study carried out in a population of 170 administrative staff working in the centers of an Occupational Mutual Insurance Company (MC Mutual) who completed the patient safety training. A convenience sample of 22 administrative professionals, who agreed to participate, was chosen from this population, which made it possible to test their knowledge before and after the course, by examination (P1, P2) and interview, immediately after the course and at 6 months (E1, E2, E3). Results: Of the 170 professionals participating in the course, 167 (98.2%) completed the initial test and the post-test, with mean scores increasing from 5.7 (P1) to 7.3 (P2) (p<0.05). A total of 22 out of a sample of 42 (52.4%) agreed to participate in the interviews and all three interviews were completed by 21 (E1), 22 (E2) and 19 (E3) professionals, whose mean scores increased from 5.9 (E1) to 7.2 (E2) and 7.5 (E3) (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that the training course was effective. The evaluation by interview 6 months after the course indicates a likely medium to long term effect. The involvement of administrative professionals in the company's patient care is key. Evaluating the impact of an intervention is essential to inform its effectiveness and guide its planning.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the challenges and proposals for harmonising the data collection and access for financial services and legal services firms and professionals in the EU single market. It focuses on the problems caused by the lack of uniform standards and formats for registers among national competent authorities and the potential benefits of creating a common registry format and information sharing mechanism. It uses concrete examples from both sectors to illustrate the current divergences and the possible solutions. It argues that the EU co-legislators and relevant authorities should work together to adopt and enforce such proposals, as they would enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border supervision, reduce regulatory arbitrage and fragmentation, and promote trust and confidence in the single market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Following the split in darts during the 1990s and a resulting Tomlin order (where terms were agreed in a court of law without admission of liability from either side) in 1997, two governing bodies were recognised as the leading darts organisations: the British Darts Organisation (BDO), and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC – the new name for the World Darts Council, originally formed in 1992). Though both organisations were initially regarded as equals, the PDC rapidly transformed into the leading version of professional darts in the late 2000s. The multi-million-pound circuit of live PDC darts events held across the globe have been widely celebrated in sports media since the early 2010s. However, what has not been explored in scholarly literature are the key catalysts that led to the rapid changes in the PDC which led to the organisation becoming the preeminent version of professional darts during the 2010s. Using a range of semi-structured interviews and archival information with a variety of professional players, media figures and governance linked to the PDC, this article explicates the key catalysts involved in the development of the PDC as an organisation during the 2000s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Management international / International Management / Gestiòn Internacional is the property of Management International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In business, shift happens fast. Consequently, the accounting profession, including students, must adapt early and often. Fortunately, students reported improved learning and satisfaction through interactive professional learning experiences (Riley, Eldridge, and Venkatesh 2021). This study introduces a cocreated simulation between our university and Deloitte Canada, a professional services firm. A partnership of academics, auditors, and consultants yielded this information communications technology (ICT) business combination simulation for an advanced financial accounting course. Our simulation aimed to empower learners to focus on communicating technical accounting solutions in a professional environment. We also provided a video simulation, solution, and assessment rubric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines how professional service firms' communication effectiveness (affiliative communications style, social dialogue and information provision), social cognitive capital and rapport established between an auditor and SME client are instrumental in influencing the latter's evaluation of the technical quality of an audit. Design/methodology/approach: The study combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies to create a cross-sectional survey covering four geographic regions in an emerging economy – Thailand. The authors examine the hypotheses by employing social interaction theory. Findings: A study of 744 SME executives plus post-survey interviews with three audit partners revealed that an affiliative communications style and information provision are positively associated with the rapport developed between financial auditor and client, and that rapport, in turn, had a strong association with client perceptions of audit quality. In addition, affiliative communication style, information provision and social cognitive capital had a direct (positive) association with perceptions of audit quality. The effects of communication effectiveness and social cognitive capital varied, depending on whether or not the SME client possessed formal accounting qualifications. Originality/value: The study contributes to the literature on the business-to-business professional services, and accounting in particular, by explicating the important roles of communication effectiveness, rapport, and social cognitive capital in the relationship between an auditor and a client. Moreover, the paper reveals that the differences in educational background of clients result in differential impacts of communication effectiveness and social cognitive capital on rapport and perceptions of audit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SYNOPSIS: While accounting firms are facing recruitment and retention problems, regulatory bodies are calling for efforts to improve diversity to be more effective, especially at senior levels. In this paper, we discuss "merit" and assumptions about "meritocracy" in processes of performance evaluation and career progression. Based on interviews in medium and large professional services firms in the United Kingdom, we explore how the language/practices of merit can inhibit moves to improving diversity. Merit has two aspects: "technical" notions of core competencies associated with merit and cultural notions of social fit, which have the effect of favoring the progression of the elite groups embedded within firms. The latter creates a loop in understanding merit, enacted within firm culture over time, that is difficult to disrupt. As such, efforts to improve diversity are unlikely to bring about change without considering how organizational beliefs about merit have unintended consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the crises that has plagued human society recently is the crisis caused by the coronavirus disease. The spread of this virus first affected China’s economy and then caused major financial crises and uncertainty among shareholders. One of the most important ways to protect the interests of shareholders is corporate governance, which increases the company’s value in the long run. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the impact of the Corona crisis on the relationship between corporate governance and stock performance.Methods: The current study is descriptive research, and the data of 150 companies admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2017 to 2022 was used as a sample. Regression analysis and correlation coefficient were used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.Results: The findings of the research at a 95% confidence level showed that the coronavirus crisis moderates the relationship between the components of corporate governance, the independence of the board of directors, and institutional investors with stock performance, whereas it does not have a moderating effect on the relationship between some other components of corporate governance, such as the size of the board of directors and dual duties of the CEO with stock performance.Conclusion: By increasing some corporate governance mechanisms, such as the board of directors’ independence and institutional ownership, the negative impact of the Corona epidemic on stock performance may decrease.

There has been recent scrutiny of private equity involvement in the healthcare market by federal and state governmental agencies who are concerned about the corporatization and financialization of healthcare in the United States. Data is emerging that patient costs increase, quality of healthcare decreases, physician autonomy decreases, and physician burnout and moral injury increases when corporate interests like private equity enter the medical market. Like other medical specialties, the field of radiology has been affected by corporatization and radiologists should understand how private equity interests may affect individual radiologists and the radiology workforce on a larger scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a theory in which financial (and other professional services) firms design career structures to "sell" prestigious jobs to qualified candidates. Firms create less prestigious entry‐level jobs, which serve as currency for employees to pay for the right to compete for the more prestigious jobs. In optimal career structures, entry‐level employees ("associates") compete for better‐paid and more prestigious positions ("managing directors" or "partners"). The model provides new implications relating job prestige to compensation, employment, competition, and the size of the financial sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the impact of employees' experience of highperformance work systems (HPWS) on their innovative behavior. The study draws upon social exchange theory to propose that employees' experience of HPWS influences their innovative behavior directly and through sequential mediation of social capital development and knowledge-sharing behavior. Additionally, the study uses the Elaboration Likelihood Model to highlight that individuals' need for cognition strengthens the relationship between employees' knowledge-sharing and innovative behaviors. The study employed a timelagged quantitative research design with survey data from 262 job incumbents in professional service firms. The proposed model was tested using the PLSSEM two-stage approach. The findings of the study confirm the proposed direct and indirect relationships. Moreover, the findings also confirm that the need for cognition strengthens the relationship between knowledge-sharing and individual innovation behaviors. The study posits that employees' experience of HRM systems can influence their innovative behavior as a reciprocal exchange toward the employer. Moreover, this study presents a comprehensive model that highlights the interplay of social and cognitive factors that can influence the relationship between HPWS and employees' innovation behavior. This study also fills a gap in the existing literature by highlighting the antecedents of innovative behavior in professional service firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a need to establish the prevalence of self-reported physical symptoms such as pain in professional gamers (PGs) and to analyse whether there are correlations between lifestyle factors and self-reported physical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to analyse the prevalence of self-reported physical symptoms including eye-related problems in PGs. A further aim was to analyse the association between physical symptoms and lifestyle factors such as sleep time, play time and physical activity. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study with data based on an electronic survey, created specifically for this study, through discussion and screening of established validated questionnaires for physical symptoms in musculoskeletal conditions: the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The survey comprised age and years of experience as a PG as descriptive variables, as well as questions on sleep, play time, physical activity and physical symptoms for the purpose of analysis. The directors of 10 professional gaming corporations were contacted by email with a link to the study-specific survey to distribute to all employees. Results: A total of 40 answers to the electronic survey were retrieved from 40 PGs, of which 62.5% (n = 25) had experienced at least one physical symptom in the three months prior to answering the survey. There was a significant association between playing time and physical symptoms (OR = 8.0; 95% CI 1.4–44.6, p = 0.018), where playing for more than 35 h a week was positively associated with eight times higher odds of experiencing physical symptoms. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of physical symptoms, such as headache and eye symptoms, in professional eSports gamers. There was an association between playing more than 35 h per week with the prevalence of physical symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the crises that has plagued human society recently is the crisis caused by the coronavirus disease. The spread of this virus first affected China’s economy and then caused major financial crises and uncertainty among shareholders. One of the most important ways to protect the interests of shareholders is corporate governance, which increases the company’s value in the long run. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the impact of the Corona crisis on the relationship between corporate governance and stock performance. Methods: The current study is descriptive research, and the data of 150 companies admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2017 to 2022 was used as a sample. Regression analysis and correlation coefficient were used for data analysis and hypothesis testing. Results: The findings of the research at a 95% confidence level showed that the coronavirus crisis moderates the relationship between the components of corporate governance, the independence of the board of directors, and institutional investors with stock performance, whereas it does not have a moderating effect on the relationship between some other components of corporate governance, such as the size of the board of directors and dual duties of the CEO with stock performance. Conclusion: By increasing some corporate governance mechanisms, such as the board of directors’ independence and institutional ownership, the negative impact of the Corona epidemic on stock performance may decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to analyzing the cultural context typical for food and its associated etiquette and rituals from 2 coursebooks on the Italian Business language, and aims at a) investigating to what extent coursebooks in Business Italian include both theoretical and practical content information on the Italian dining culture; b) reconstructing guidelines on etiquette for dining and socializing in professional settings in companies and with regard to the role of language in culture (Hall, 1976, Bańczerowski, et al., 1982). These objectives were fulfilled by performing a semantic analysis of the lexical content of 2 coursebooks by Giovanna Pelizza and Marco Mezzadri (2002 and 2015). For this purpose, a lexical corpus was formed by extracting culinary-related lexical items from the coursebooks. The remaining sources related to food in business culture (Meyer, 2023) was used as a point of reference for validation of the small corpus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Agenda for knowledge creation within inter-project alliances and inter-firm supply chain networks has been extensively debated. However, the existing knowledge networks within consultant-supplier interfaces in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry seem to be vague, loose, incidental and insignificant. This study examines factors affecting knowledge networking intention (KNI) within construction service supply chain (CSSC) networks. Design/methodology/approach: Data analysis was conducted on a quantitative survey of 161 consulting professional service firms in Tanzania, employing stepwise regression modelling as the statistical technique. Findings: The results indicate that three types of knowledge inertia (KI) exert varying effects on KNI. While both procedural (PI) and learning inertia (LI) negatively impact KNI, experience inertia (EI) has no impact on KNI. In addition, knowledge governance (KG) mechanisms are found to strongly strengthen and leverage the negative effects of PI and LI on KNI and the positive link between EI and KNI within outbound and heterogeneous CSSC actors, with formal KG having greater leverage than informal KG. Practical implications: The study offers guidance on how managers of PBOs should strategically orchestrate knowledge governance mechanisms within CSSC networks to leverage KI behaviours. Originality/value: Current literature on KNI, KI and KG within CSSC networks offers a limited understanding of how KI behaviours influence KNI of project-based organizations (PBOs) in tapping vibrant outbound peripheral knowledge. The research presents two major original contributions. First, the empirical evidence contributes to deepening the current understanding of how heterogeneous external knowledge within consultant-supplier interactions is negatively influenced by KI. Lastly, the study suggests formal and informal knowledge governance strategies for managers on how to counteract KI forces, thus extending the theoretical debate on KNI, KI and KG literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to find out if organizations are still practicing a hybrid workplace arrangement after COVID-19 ease of restrictions, determine the positive and negative sides of a hybrid workplace, ascertain the challenges organizations are currently facing in implementing a hybrid workplace and examine how successful team learning has been in hybrid workplaces. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a mixed approach. Two sets of data (quantitative and qualitative) were used to answer the research questions. Findings: This study found that most organizations within professional service firms are still implementing hybrid workplaces even though COVID-19 restrictions have been eased. This study also found that one of the advantages of implementing a hybrid work arrangement includes employees' opportunity to spend more time with their families. On the other hand, the disadvantages discovered were gradual loss of corporate identity, a feeling of loneliness and others. One of the challenges organizations are facing in implementing this working system is the lack of an ergonomic workplace and appropriate technology for remote working. With evidence, this study ends with finding out that companies are not successful as expected in terms of team learning in a hybrid workplace. Originality/value: To the best of the author's knowledge, this is among the first to look at hybrid workplace in the African setting where COVID restrictions which highlights the practice has not really been an issue. This study also combines its findings with those done on the subject before to firmly clarify attributes as they exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurial growth—firm growth via the introduction of new market offerings or expansion into new markets—is an important topic for entrepreneurship scholars and practitioners alike. Any firm that wants to exploit opportunities for entrepreneurial growth needs resources and capabilities that it can use to develop new market offerings or to enter new markets. However, many firms face resource and capability constraints, and research has shown that strategic partnerships can provide external pathways for firms to exploit growth opportunities despite their resource and capability constraints. All the extant external growth pathways have in common that they require firms to have some resources and capabilities, which are valuable for partners and can be jointly appropriated with them. An alternative pathway for firms to leverage external resources and capabilities—especially knowledge-based ones—that has received little attention in the literature on growth is short-term contracting of professional service firms such as accounting firms, marketing agencies, or R&D consultancies. Hence, we investigate the role of service intermediaries—professional service firms that facilitate the exchange of services among other firms—as external managers who support their clients to access and leverage a broad range of required resources and capabilities from third parties. We conducted a nested multi-case study of two service intermediaries that enabled two small, wineries from North Macedonia to successfully seize entrepreneurial growth opportunities in markets abroad despite their resource and capability deficits. We identify seven support mechanisms—need articulating, social embedding, linking, governing, clarifying, renegotiating, and mediating—through which the service intermediaries orchestrated complementary external resources and capabilities on behalf of the wineries, thereby enabling the two firms to successfully develop two new product lines for and enter two new geographic markets each. We also identify process differences depending on the stage of the opportunity evaluation process, target market characteristics, and external stakeholder involvement for which we postulate three propositions about the influence of mechanisms on the growth opportunity development. Our study offers novel insights and makes a contribution to research on entrepreneurial growth and resource orchestration. Plain English Summary: Many firms face resource and capability constraints that inhibit their entrepreneurial growth. One approach that firms can use to overcome these constraints is by leveraging external resources and capabilities. However, constrained firms often are unable to establish relationships with and leverage resources and capabilities from external providers. Our study demonstrates how service intermediaries can orchestrate the complementary external resources and capabilities of constrained firms to enable the exploitation of growth opportunities in new markets. The findings of our study can provide policymakers, especially ones focused on regional competitiveness and economic growth, with a framework to foster the creation of intermediaries, which in turn can enable resource- and capability-constrained firms to exploit growth opportunities. In addition, constrained firms may use our findings of this study as a guiding framework when leveraging complementary external resources—independent of whether they orchestrate these resources themselves or engage external resource orchestration managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article explores the evolving landscape of English-language professional communication in the context of modern technology. In today's globalized world, effective communication is paramount, with English serving as the lingua franca of international business and professional interactions. The article examines the historical evolution of professional communication, tracing its transition from written correspondence to digital communication tools and virtual interactions. The research methodology for this study employs a qualitative approach, including a comprehensive literature review, semi-structured interviews with professionals, data collection from case studies and surveys, and rigorous data analysis techniques. Ethical considerations are also outlined to ensure responsible research practices. Two real-world examples illustrate these impacts: global collaboration facilitated by virtual communication tools and technology-driven language proficiency assessment. In conclusion, technology continues to reshape English-language professional communication, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Professionals must strike a balance between embracing innovation and upholding the principles of effective communication. As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality loom on the horizon, staying adaptable and attuned to evolving communication dynamics remains crucial for success in the modern professional landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the role of interaction in supporting value co-creation during pre-purchase customer journey stages when selling professional B-to-B services. First, value co-creation in professional service firms (PSFs) is reviewed, and, second, the role of interaction in the different stages of a customer's pre-purchase journey is explored, specifically in the context of B-to-B human resource management services. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative, semi-structured interview data was collected from potential B2B customers of a PSF in question, providing a broad coverage of prospective clients in architecture, engineering and IT sector. Findings: In general, the findings of this study indicate that interaction plays a crucial role in pre-purchasing stages of a customer journey. In particular, these findings form understanding of how various interaction channels and content support PSF's ability to co-create value with its prospects. Originality/value: The existing research tends to concentrate on how value is created for existing customers, and far less attention has been paid to the perspective of prospects. This study contributes theoretically by providing novel insights into the current literature on value co-creation in PSFs by providing an understanding of how interactions in pre-purchase phases affect the co-creation of value from the perspective of prospects, which is a less researched viewpoint. Empirically, this study offers managers much-needed, context-specific knowledge of PSFs by comparing differences and pulling together similarities from each customer journey stage of PSF prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional service firms (PSFs) are commonly perceived to attain success through the acquisition of new clients. However, these firms are not solely reliant on this strategy as PSFs may also achieve competitive advantage by improving their relationships with existing clients. Despite the significance of these established client relationships, limited information exists regarding how PSFs can effectively enhance and utilize them. This study examines how a PSF's client-related knowledge can be obtained and developed through its hiring practices in order to strengthen relationships with existing clients. Results reveal that when hiring from other PSFs who share similar clients (i.e. client-overlapping PSFs), that this has a positive impact on the firm's overall relationships with its clients, with the effect being impacted by the firm's level of practice overlap with the new hires and the degree of co-mobility of the hires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of energy in graphs and matrices is used effectively in all application areas. The energy of the matrix is an extension of graph energy. The usage of the energy idea in neutrosophic matrices makes it more flexible and applicable in multi-criteria decision-making environments. In this paper, we propose the energy approach in neutrosophic matrices with interval values. We determined the given energy's upper and lower bounds. The energy is used of the interval-valued neutrosophic matrix to address the MCDM problem. A new strategy has been introduced called the interval-valued neutrosophic energy method to solve this problem. We look at the problem of choosing a qualified manager for a business project. A team of professionals in the company evaluates the options using neutrosophic numbers with interval values, and the energy method is then used to calculate the result. The result has been compared with the TOPSIS method results to show that the outcomes are similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, influencing service industries and Professional Services Firms (PSFs) embracing AI to improve margins. In this paper, we reveal how AI impacts the characteristics and marketing practices of PSFs. AI has the potential to provide considerable efficiency and organizational benefits, yet simultaneously changes service attributes, threatens the competitive advantage of deep client relationships, and directly influences the marketing practices of PSFs, including pricing strategy. Based on an extensive literature review, we present a conceptual model illustrating the changes impacting the business model, marketing practices, and client relationships of PSFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]