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Desired ratio of high relative permittivity and low elastic modulus limits the application of silicon rubbers in various engineering fields as flexible electromechanical actuators. The relative permittivity can be improved by incorporating varieties of high-k particles and polymer reagents as plasticizers and crosslinkers into elastomer matrix. The present work investigates the effect of polyethylene glycol flakes (PEG as plasticizer) and titanium boride (TB) particles (high-k particle) as soft and hard fillers respectively, on electromechanical (EM) properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer composite for soft actuators. Elastomer composites filled with various concentrations of fillers are created and labeled accordingly to distinguish impact of fillers on EM properties. Uniform dispersion for fillers is confirmed by FESEM, EDX, FTIR, and UV-Vis. Elastic modulus and relative permittivity are significantly influenced by filler contents for both fillers. Elastic modulus for lower concentrations (2 and 5 wt.%) of soft fillers (PEG) increases while 8 wt.% leads to as comparable to the base material (PDMS). Soft fillers (PEG) aid in maintaining low elastic modulus, whereas hard fillers (TB) increase electrical breakdown strength as well as dielectric loss with almost identical changes in relative permittivity for both composites. The maximum actuation strain of 30.8% and 26.2% is attained for an in-house fabricated linear actuator with 8 wt.% of PEG and TB particles, respectively. Methodology and results may be helpful in selection of fillers to improve the dielectric behavior of silicon elastomers depending on the acceptable range of their adverse effect on other properties.

Microsphere based consecutive model is useful tool to predict the material behavior of dielectric elastomer composite containing directionally arranged soft fillers. Dielectric elastomers (DEs) belong to electroactive polymers (EAPs) family, which produce mechanical deformation in response to change in external electrical potential and vice-versa. Some tunable properties like softness, flexibility, light weight etc. makes DE suitable candidate for electromechanical transducers (actuator, sensor and energy harvester). With the increase in relative permittivity, strain energy also increases thus the performance of electromechanical transducer. Material modification, chemical blending, and composite with nanoparticles act as a tool to enhance the relative permittivity. Particle filled composite of elastomer is appeared to be noticeable due to the easiness and flexibility of the method. However recent studies show that electrically cured DE composite (DEC) forms chain-like structure and generate anisotropy in the composite material. Also, manufacturing condition and undesired properties of filler introduce anisotropy to the composite. In present line of work, precise and accurate steps were taken to investigate the effect of amount of soft fillers on the anisotropic behavior in DE composite. Analytical result shows the similar pattern of pressure variation DE composite based cylindrical actuator with enhanced pressure. The possible reason for the enhanced pressure variation with strain may be softening of host elastomer due to addition of filler particle as well as the increase in the load. The results may help the researcher to manufacture soft, flexible and improved DE composite for energy harvester application.

This study aims to identify the factors that drive sharing and donating in a viral crowdfunding campaign. Crowdfunding is a method of raising finance that allows founders of both for-profit and nonprofit social and cultural projects to request funding from multiple people. Using ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Ice Bucket Challenge as a case study, we explored the triggering factors for sharing content and donating money that resulted in the campaign's phenomenal success. The hybridity inherent across crowdfunding models has meant that there are diverse motivations and incentives for people to participate in a crowdfunding campaign. It is therefore important to understand what factors lead social media / online information to reach a wider audience in the shortest possible time. Following a literature review, a theoretical model of motivating factors was developed and tested through an online survey amongst 469 US participants. The results indicate significant relationships between those who participated / donated and the modelled factors. Personalization and message involvement are the strongest factors for sharing, whereas moral obligation to donate is strongest for donating. By examining the factors that are responsible for sharing and donating simultaneously, we provide a comprehensive assessment of the motivating factors for the campaign's success.

Peer‐to‐peer (P2P) lending has emerged as a network form of crowdfunding that facilitates the loan originations outside the traditional banking model. In China, the combination of imperfect financial development and Internet technology has led to the widespread growth of a P2P network lending market. Using the theoretical lens of information asymmetry, we identify the key sources of risks facing contemporary Chinese P2P companies. Results from our two regression models reveal several factors that can be used as predictors for risk and financial management, including marriage, income, and house property. Our findings also show that collective inference by non‐expert lenders can accurately draw an inference from soft/nonstandard information. The construction of such a predictive system is important for ensuring the good operation of P2P network lending platforms in emerging economies.

This qualitative research uses case studies of two migrant entrepreneurs – Karan Bilimoria and Levi Roots – to explore the use of storytelling as a tool for establishing and sustaining a business. It proposes a conceptual framework which shows how storytelling is used to gain legitimacy, credibility and support. It finds that the two men use consistent themes and patterns in their stories, which are similar to each other and to conventional metanarratives around entrepreneurship, and require narrative plausibility more than objective truth. It identifies themes which both individuals repeatedly use in their business storytelling to demonstrate attributes of entrepreneurship.

The importance of eliminating fraud, illegal activities and generally unethical practices has always been of paramount significance in the corporate world. Thus, whistleblowing has become ever more important. Over the past years, organizations have adopted certain practices in order to encourage a greater number of employees to report misconducts; it would therefore be intriguing to anticipate whether there is any gender association with whistleblowing. This research illustrates the differences in gender by highlighting the reasons that could exist behind these assumptions. Particularly, the purpose of this paper is to afford insights into whistleblowing in medium to large organizations, and to determine whether there are any differences in how whistleblowing manifests. Particularly, we analyze how gender differences might affect an individual’s decision to ‘blow the whistle’, with a focus on under what circumstances employees may feel the need to act accordingly. Our findings show that women are more likely to whistleblow than men based on their character traits of emotional, fair and caring. However, results also prove that both genders are aware that whistleblowing is sometimes necessary thus supporting that they should do it. Limited prior literature combining gender and whistleblowing reflects the originality of this research and how future research can build on these findings.

Since the last two decades, pre-strain remained proficient techniques to enhance actuation performance of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). However, the influences of pre-strain on properties of elastomer are widely explored. But their co-relation with (macro)molecular structures is lacking in the literature, which give a path to control the properties of dielectric elastomer. Here, the attributions to pre-strain imposed change in electromechanical properties of VHB 4910 elastomer are discussed well and the modification in molecular structure is also shown. A significant change in infrared spectra is observed, and the emergence of new bonds is co-related well with the physical phenomenon of strain hardening. The result may be helpful to transform the structural integrity and to improve material properties for highly efficient electromechanical actuation.

Dielectric elastomers (DEs)-based electromechanical cylindrical actuators are applicable in the field of biomimetic, robotics, microfluidic pumps and similar instrumental devices. However, to achieve efficient actuation performance, significant attention is requisite towards influences of pre-strain on electromechanical properties. This study shows the effect of pre-strain-induced variation in dielectric permittivity to improve the performance of the existing model for a cylindrical actuator. Modified electromechanical model is proposed for a thin-walled actuator configuration. The hypothesis of linear elasticity for small deformation is used to derive the novel model for voltage-induced axial strain. The analytical results shows improved axial actuation strain with relatively less errors and the values are found in good agreement with experimental results. This may encourage future researchers to identify crucial parameters on the way to design and optimization of soft actuators.

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd In this paper, we examine the impact of Twitter content on users’ train journeys and how train providers’ message framing moderates these relationships. Framing regards the way in which messages are worded concerning a particular object. In many consumer markets such as train journeys, firms frame messages in both positive and negative lights to persuade individuals to make purchase decisions (take intended journeys). We thus go beyond the literature's current focus on consumer-generated content (CGC), and bring into contention the important role that marketer-generated content (MGC) plays in shaping the social media-based consumer relationship management (CRM) strategies. Specifically, we analyze commuter tweets about 14 train operators, along with the companies’ Twitter feeds. The findings, obtained using sentiment analysis tools, suggest that consumer sentiments only moderately impact travel performance, as measured by operator ratings, CPM (consumer performance measure; a measure based on travel incidents) and firm financial performance. On the other hand, it appears that train operators use tweets in relation to their services particularly well, while keeping customers engaged by listening to and learning from criticism, thus confirming the moderating role of their Twitter-based message framing strategies. Train operators should look to maintain their social media use practices, ensuring they are consistently applied within an overarching CRM framework, particularly in key ‘pain’ areas such as delay and cancellation.

OBJECTIVE ITCA 650 is a subdermal osmotic mini-pump that continuously delivers exenatide subcutaneously for 3–6 months. The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ITCA 650 added to diet and exercise alone or combined with metformin, sulfonylurea, or thiazolidinedione monotherapy or a combination of these drugs was evaluated in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who were ineligible for participation in a placebo-controlled study (FREEDOM-1) because of severe hyperglycemia (HbA1c >10% [86 mmol/mol]). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This 39-week, open-label, phase 3 trial enrolled patients aged 18–80 years with HbA1c >10% to ≤12% (86–108 mmol/mol) and BMI 25–45 kg/m2. Patients received ITCA 650 20 μg/day for 13 weeks, then 60 μg/day for 26 weeks. The primary end point was change in HbA1c at week 39. RESULTS Sixty patients were enrolled. At baseline, mean HbA1c was 10.8% (94.7 mmol/mol) and mean (± SD) duration of diabetes was 8.6 (± 5.3) years. At week 39, there was a mean reduction in HbA1c of −2.8% (−30.3 mmol/mol; P < 0.001 vs. baseline) and in body weight of −1.2 kg (P = 0.105), and 25% of patients achieved HbA1c CONCLUSIONS Treatment with ITCA 650, the first injection-free glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, resulted in significant improvements in glycemic control in poorly controlled long-standing T2D patients with a high baseline HbA1c >10%.

This study aims to create a list of CSFs for China’s BOT projects to help organizations achieve project success. We first describe the role of CSFs in terms of three broad categories of whether BOT projects adopt strategies for risk transfer, the degree to which BOT projects foster the ‘whole- life approach’ to project design and management and extent to which BOT projects ensure timely delivery and supplies good-quality products and services. Based on an initial CSF list, a questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the relatively important CSFs for BOT projects in China. Our initial assessment shows that the key CSFs corresponded to our defined categories of BOT projects’ success factors. We then provide an updated list of CSFs with the top ten factors in ranking analysis. This list of CSFs could play a useful role in the phases of preparing, bidding, constructing, operating and transferring of BOT projects.

This research examines the main drivers behind the adoption of mobile banking, a concept that has revolutionized the day-to-day activities of humans. A review of relevant literature on the topic, leads us toward testing the following key hypotheses: consumers are adopting mobile banking due to the perceived usefulness and benefits associated with the concept; and consumers are adopting mobile banking due to technological advances meaning increased access to the mobile phone devices. We published an online questionnaire on Amazon Mechanical Turk to obtain responses from Internet users. A dominating proportion of participants highlighted how mobile banking is a concept that they adopted between three and 5 years ago, showing just how recently mobile banking took off. The results also showed a number of links between the study’s research hypotheses and the adoption of mobile banking. The overall result of the study shows online banking as a concept that is influenced by a number of both internal and external factors. No single factor plays a dominating force in pushing retail bankers to adopt mobile banking, with it instead being a culmination of numerous different factors. The recent introduction of mobile banking is made seemingly apparent, as is the increasing susceptibility to change in the near future. Subsequently, countless opportunities for further academic research are likely to arise.

Evidently, the Internet has resulted in a fundamental shift in retailing practice, creating a shift in both consumer and business behavior, which has been compared to that of the Industrial Revolution. The purpose of this paper is to analyze customer satisfaction in e-commerce market. In particular, we determine the factors that affect customer e-satisfaction and the relationship between customer satisfaction and consumer spending in e-commerce retailing. We focus on how American based e-commerce firms are impacted by these developments and how marketing practices have reflected the developing e-commerce situation. The results show that customer satisfaction does have an impact on consumer spending in American based e-commerce retailers. Further, the relationship between customer satisfaction and consumer spending is positive, where higher e-satisfaction results in more spending in e-commerce. The results also show that there is a direct relationship among e-service quality, e- satisfaction and e-loyalty in terms of online spending by consumers. However, the analysis shows that e-commerce still faces challenges compared with traditional offline retailers since customers cannot feel and try the products, and may end up choosing the products that they do not want.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the service quality of full-service restaurants in Vietnam to explore possible factors that may impact customer perception, which subsequently influences customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Based on the DINESERV model and service clues, the possible dimensions to construct customer perception were realised, and four key dimensions were suggested. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from four urban local full-service restaurants in Vietnam, and factor analysis and SEM-PLS were then performed to uncover the relationship between customer perception, satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Findings The results suggest that customer perception significantly influences customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions, and customer satisfaction itself is also found to have influence on behavioural intentions. Originality/value This is an original piece of work which contributes to the exploration of service quality in developing countries and to the incorporation of cleanliness into analyses of restaurant service quality in particular.

Purpose To achieve project success, an effective project risk management procedure is inevitable. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of risk factors on project success in the Chinese construction industry context. Design/methodology/approach This study by way of utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods has examined risk factors that are closely linked to project success in the Chinese construction industry. Findings After a thorough survey and analysis, risk factors related to designer, contractor, subcontractor, client and government are shown to affect project success to some extent. Originality/value It is suggested that the present research may be made more generalizable by a larger, more representative samples across various industries and regions of China.

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd The present paper explores the relationship between nature of Facebook usage, non-directional comparisons and depressive syndromes. The extant research on linkage between social media usage and mental health is inconclusive. The paper uses data collected through an online survey of 399 Facebook users in the UK. A Facebook frequency rating scale was developed and validated as a part of the study. The Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure was modified and used to measure social comparison. The depressive syndromes were captured by the modified Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The Rank Theory of Depression was used a guiding framework. The data collection had focused on the 20–29 year olds, as justified by the literature. The study found a negative relationship between active Facebook use and non-directional social comparisons. The relationship was reversed in the case of passive usage. There is small but significant causal linkage between increased non-directional social comparisons and depressive symptoms among the users.

© 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Recent research on productivity finds that best management practices are a crucial but neglected element in explaining firm productivity. This stream of research also focuses on why a large number of firms may not implement best management practices despite their apparent benefits. In this paper, we examine the adoption of best management practices in small leveraged buyout (LBO) firms. Our choice of small LBO is motivated by the fact that these firms undergo extensive restructuring and, therefore, there is an opportunity to study the adoption process of best management practices. The findings show that buyout companies introduce best management practices (operations, monitoring, targets and incentive-related practices) at different stages of their development, and more importantly, these practices evolve in response to changes in various firm-level characteristics. For example, companies emphasizing cost leadership tend to follow targets and monitoring related practices while firms following a differentiation strategy are more likely to implement incentives and operations related management practices. Buyout sponsors’ board representatives and new CEO also play a critical role in the adoption of these best management practices which are linked to superior firm performance, measured as growth in revenues, productivity and return on assets.

Social technologies can provide a potent means for organizations to manage their information flows and thus induce changes in their knowledge management (KM) systems, which can then be linked to performance improvements. This paper examines the growth of social media within organizations, considering the impact this may have upon knowledge sharing in a particular type of KM system - Community of Practice - (CoP) based discussion groups (KMDG). We focus on this KM tool because it provides employees with an opportunity to strategically reach out to different groups of people within their CoP, and engage in information exchange and communication. Using a content analysis method, we investigate two intermediate information mechanisms (information richness and informal communication) that social media KMDGs are theorized to generate, and quantify their effects on labor productivity and return on assets. Our findings provide evidence of KMDG positively affecting organizational performance through embedded information and social communication.

This research aims to give an insight into social media as an online marketing medium used by sports clubs. The research intention is to understand how social media is used to increase customer interactivity and spectator interest. We applied two integrated methods including one new scale to analyse and identify website interactivity and Facebook interactivity of the thirty-two football clubs involved in the 2014–2015 European Champions Cup. Six, seven-point items were used in the scale to measure the degree to which a person believes a website allows a free flow of information. A Pearson correlation of the Facebook pages was used to explore the strength of the relationship between two variables, analysing spectator interactivity. It was found that greater customer interactivity through social media can be deemed attractive and can increase spectatorship. The research also found that the level of website interactivity of a particular football club is not dependent upon their performance within the tournament. Those clubs who perform well, or are in a higher pool in the European Champions, do not appear to engage better with their spectators than the lower pools. The multiple regression results further confirmed these findings. The findings have important implications, which primarily suggest that social media is an effective form of marketing and can be useful in attracting spectators to a sports organization, if used appropriately.

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This article helps to understand the mind-set and leadership qualities of leaders hailing from family-run businesses in India. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Great leaders in the field of business tend to have an understanding of business environments of other countries; they are quick at learning from the strengths of other leaders. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by independent writers who add their own impartial comments and place the articles in context. Findings – The role of luck in a leader’s success is not scientifically proven. But many leaders do advocate the efficacy of the luck factor behind a leader’s success. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Prior management research on firm reputation has acknowledged the importance of word of mouth (WOM) in influencing key choices made by businesses, as well as by individuals. In recent developments, Internet-based WOM forums aggregate vast amounts of information relevant to firm strategy and operations. For example, online social media communities aggregate information generated by both the firm (i.e. firm-generated content FGC) and users (i.e. user-generated content UGC). We theorize that FGC and UGC generate reputation benefits for a company in the form of two intermediate information mechanisms: information diversity and valence. We first undertake a qualitative content analysis to investigate the extent to which FGC and UGC generate information diversity and valence. We then test the hypothesis that both information diversity and valence increase a firm's financial performance. Our findings show that electronic WOM as transmitted through social media communities enhances a firm's reputation and thereby its performance through both these effects (i.e. embedded information and valence). We thus fully delineate the determinants of ‘good reputation’ in these social environments. As part of our robustness checks, we also consider the impact of price and quality, the two specific FGC components, on firm performance. Our findings further confirm these relationships.

This paper applies the SERVQUAL model for the purpose of examining the impacts of the five dimensions of service quality on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the hotel industry in Malaysia, and to investigate which factors among said dimensions (tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy) have a major role in affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty in relation to resort hotels. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data for this research by deploying a random sampling strategy to invite 136 hotel guests to complete the survey. The key findings indicate that empathy, tangibles and reliability have significant roles in affecting overall customer satisfaction in the Malaysian resort hotel sector but that responsiveness and assurance were not significantly influential. Empathy was the most significant predictor of customer satisfaction among all of the dimensions, and customer satisfaction has a positive relationship with customer loyalty in this context.

This article, exemplify the deformation behaviour of dielectric elastomer peristaltic actuator with variation in relative permittivity as a function of voltage induced strain. Modified model is proposed to predict the behaviour of peristaltic actuators, best suited for biomedical applications to transport incompressible fluids. Transportation is accomplished by a series of radially expanding and axially inextensible tubular modules, made up of dielectric elastomer. Consecutive equations are derived using the hypothesis of linear elasticity. The static electromechanical actuation performance is estimated and compared well with existing experimental as well as modelling data. Results indicate an efficient model is attained by considering crucial material parameters that significantly influence electromechanical performance. In the highlight, many other behaviours like viscoelasticity, dielectric loss, breakdown strength, etc. need attention to realize a reliable model for dielectric elastomer actuator towards commercial applications.

ITCA 650 consists of a small titanium osmotic mini-pump that is subdermally placed in the abdominal wall during a brief office procedure. As an investigational product for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), ITCA 650 provides a continuous subcutaneous infusion of exenatide over 3 or 6 months. An integrated analysis of efficacy and safety was conducted from 2 double-blind, randomized, Phase 3 studies, which evaluated pooled data with ITCA 650 20/60 mcg/d vs. placebo or sitagliptin for the treatment of patients with T2D, inadequately controlled on antidiabetic drugs. The efficacy endpoints were mean change from baseline at Week 39 for HbA1c, body weight, composite endpoints of HbA1c and weight loss, and proportion achieving HbA1c Disclosure L.L. Kjems: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. P. Prabhakar: None. B. Schwartz: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. H. Huang: None. M.A. Baron: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc..

ITCA 650 consists of a small titanium osmotic mini—pump that is subdermally placed in the abdominal wall during a brief in-office procedure. As an investigational product for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), ITCA 650 provides a continuous subcutaneous infusion of exenatide over 3 or 6 months. Pooled 39-week data from two double-blind, randomized, Phase 3 studies were used to evaluate the efficacy of ITCA 650 20/60 mcg/d in patients with T2D inadequately controlled by oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). Results in the overall population (N=683) and in subgroups according to age, gender, BMI, ethnicity, time since diagnosis, baseline HbA1c, GI adverse events, presence of anti-drug antibodies, and renal function are reported. As shown in the Figure, the overall mean (standard deviation [SD]) reduction in HbA1c (%) was 1.5% (1.2) with clinically meaningful reductions in HbA1c consistently observed irrespective of age, gender, BMI, ethnicity, time from T2D diagnosis, eGFR and background OADs (data not shown). Patients with a higher baseline HbA1c had a greater response. Mean weight loss was 3.4 kg (SD 4.7), and 40.7% (95% CI 0.36-0.46) of patients achieved a composite endpoint of HbA1c/weight reduction of >0.5%/≥2 kg. Similar changes were likewise seen consistently across subgroups. ITCA 650 demonstrated consistent efficacy across a wide spectrum of patients with T2D. Disclosure P. Prabhakar: None. L.L. Kjems: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. H. Huang: None. B. Schwartz: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. M.A. Baron: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc..

ITCA 650 is an investigational titanium osmotic mini pump that is subdermally placed in the abdominal wall during a brief office procedure to continuously deliver exenatide over 3 and 6-month periods and has the potential to improve medication adherence because patients do not self-administer. In this 26 week, open-label phase 3b study, 136 patients with T2D receiving liraglutide (1.2 to 1.8 mg/d) and metformin (≥1000 mg/d) were randomized to either the standard ITCA 650 dose regimen used in phase 3 trials of 20 mcg/d for 13 weeks followed by a 60 mcg/d maintenance dose (for 13 weeks in this study) or starting directly with the maintenance dose of 60 mcg/d for 26 weeks. The last injection of liraglutide occurred 2 days prior to randomization. The primary endpoint compared the incidence of nausea (N) and vomiting (V) between the two dose regimens. Switching from liraglutide to either dose regimen of ITCA 650 had a similar incidence of transient mild to moderate N/V (Table). Of note, 3 sites, which recruited 25% of the study population, accounted for 47% and 68% of the total N/V seen in the study. 4 patients discontinued due to GI AEs. Glycemic control remained stable in both groups. At Week 26, significant weight reduction was observed in both groups (p In conclusion, patients on stable liraglutide therapy can be switched to ITCA 650 60 mcg/d without the need for up-titration from a lower dose. Disclosure N. Rasouli: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. J. Rosenstock: Advisory Panel; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi. Consultant; Self; Sanofi. Advisory Panel; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer Inc., Sanofi, Novo Nordisk Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc., Genentech, Inc.. S. Nakhle: None. B. Schwartz: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. P. Prabhakar: None. S.L. Kruger: None. H. Huang: None. M.A. Baron: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc..

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the five dimensions of service quality on customer satisfaction in the UK fast food market and to indicate which factors among the five dimensions have a main role in driving overall customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data in the form of 147 questionnaire responses were been collected from a variety of quick service fast food restaurants in the UK. Likert seven-point rating scales were used to structure the questionnaire. Data were collected from the customers at two KFC restaurants, two McDonald’s restaurants, and one Burger King Restaurant.FindingsThe results of the analysis indicate that tangibles, responsiveness and assurance play the most important role in driving customer satisfaction in the UK fast food industry, followed by reliability and empathy. Results of correlation and regression analysis show that physical attributes (tangible) of service quality are key to customer satisfaction. In a nutshell, the tangibles variable is the most important factor driving customer satisfaction in the context of the UK fast food market.Originality/valueThis research incorporates unique and original insights in relation to the British fast food restaurants market and the results constitute novel findings pertaining to the importance of physical facilities and attributes. This account of the relative importance of service quality dimensions in fast food restaurants in the UK adds value to the field. The findings of this research have contributed to a better understanding of the main factors that influence service quality and customer satisfaction and have implications from a managerial point of view in the highly competitive UK fast food and wider foodservice industry.

This paper highlights the corporate and non-corporate leadership practices in India, the effect of culture on such practices and how these drive management philosophies. Semi structured interviews were conducted with CEOs from India. The findings provide insights into organisational leadership in the context of India, more specifically the values, purpose and culture that guides leadership and management and the unique context in which leadership is practised. A key finding was that Indian leadership shares some aspects of global leadership traits, but cultural factors are significant influences on leadership style and philosophy. The long socio-economic and historical context of India cannot be ignored and has flavoured the leadership style of its business leaders. Many qualities of a good leader, as defined by Indian CEOs were derived from the Hindu mythology (Bhagvad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the four Vedas). The findings are helpful to both practitioners and policy makers seeking to understand the leadership style of Indian CEOs. Our contribution rests on leadership insights which provide a more nuanced leadership style with elements of universalism as well as a particularism rooted in the rich socio-economic cultural history of India. Such a leadership has enabled pragmatism and a performance focus in the face of group and collective orientation.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Leaders should have a broader- and longer-term vision; they cannot afford to be bogged down with day-to-day work of their organization. They do refrain from micro-management and think of the bigger picture. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds personal impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Examines the growth in international sport marketing, considers factors such as globalization which have fuelled the process, looks at practical implications and provides research avenues for future exploration. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

This work highlights the experiences of the founder of a well-known publishing company and the revelations he had in this journey with the specific context of India, challenges he faced, his vision, business model, and his philosophy of management. These life experiences can inspire budding managers and entrepreneurs.