Institutional Theory and Corporate Sustainability: Determinant Versus Interactive Approaches

Institutional theory has shifted from determinant to interactive arguments in recent decades, and sustainability scholarship reflects this change. In this article, I consider whether this shift is empirically justified. I review the use of both determinant and interactive arguments in sustainability research and test two sets of competing hypotheses regarding the likelihood of adoption of sustainable practices. Through logistic regression analysis of a sample of 391 U.S.-based firms, I find no support for hypotheses grounded in determinant arguments, but strong support for hypotheses based on interactive arguments. The results of this study offer implications for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers

Corporate Sustainability and the Role of the Consumer: Three Essays

The challenge of sustainability has become an increasingly important concern for organizations. Sustainability raises new questions of legitimacy for organizations, compelling them to address stakeholder expectations of economic, environmental, and social performance. Although consumer stakeholders act as the ultimate arbiter of legitimacy for many firms, we know little about how consumers may influence corporate sustainability. This dissertation consists of three essays that examine the role of consumers in influencing corporate sustainability. The first essay examines how companies may attempt to manage sustainability ratings assigned by ratings agencies in an attempt to retain consumer stakeholder support. I argue that an understanding of cognitive choice models helps to reveal conditions under which firms may pursue improvements in sustainability performance in non-core practices rather than in core practices. The second essay is a quantitative analysis of corporate social performance in theU.S.insurance industry. With arguments grounded in the stakeholder salience framework of stakeholder theory, I argue that a firm’s proximity to end-consumers will be related to specific dimensions of corporate social performance (community and diversity performance). Results of the study indicate that closer proximity to end-consumers (i.e., a greater percentage of revenues from end-consumers as opposed to businesses) is associated with stronger community and diversity performance. The third essay is a discourse analysis that examines how discourse is used to maintain legitimacy when consumer stakeholders’ legitimacy concerns pose a threat to the firm’s legitimacy. Drawing on rhetorical analysis and critical discourse analysis, I identify three themes (social, environmental, and economic) and three rhetorical justifications (ethos, logos, and pathos) in texts produced by Monsanto. I offer potential explanations for the relative frequency of themes and rhetorical justifications, and further identify taken-for-granted assumptions in Monsanto’s texts. Taken together, these essays suggest that consumer stakeholders hold a significant role in influencing firms’ actions, as well as the communication of those actions, regarding sustainability. More broadly, this dissertation reveals the insights that may be gained by foregrounding consumer stakeholders in management research

Détermination des facteurs bénéfiques et néfastes à la récupération locomotrice à la suite d'une section spinale complète chez la souris

Différents modèles animaux ont permis de déterminer le rôle des réseaux locomoteurs spinaux dans la production de la locomotion à la suite d’une lésion de la moelle épinière (LM pour lésion médullaire). De plus, il a été démontré que des interventions ciblant leur activation améliorent la récupération en favorisant leur adaptation fonctionnelle et structurale par des mécanismes plastiques tels que ceux impliqués dans l’apprentissage et la mémoire. L’entraînement locomoteur permet ainsi d’améliorer progressivement la récupération locomotrice médiée par les réseaux locomoteurs spinaux, incluant lors de section complète de la moelle épinière. En plus de l’entraînement, une multitude de facteurs cliniques, des processus associés à la blessure elle-même ou à son traitement, sont susceptibles d’influencer l’activation des réseaux spinaux ou leur potentiel d’adaptation plastique. Afin d’optimiser la récupération fonctionnelle, l’impact de ces facteurs et les mécanismes impliqués doivent être clarifiés. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’évaluer l’influence de l’entraînement sur la récupération fonctionnelle dans deux conditions de réadaptation spécifiques : 1) lors de présence d’inflammation musculo-squelettique lié à l’étiologie traumatique de la LM et 2) lors de traitement combinant entraînement et buspirone, un agoniste sérotoninergique en étude préclinique pour ses effets pro-locomoteurs. La première condition à l’étude, la présence d’inflammation musculo-squelettique, est une comorbidité fréquente de la LM et est associée à un pire pronostic qu’en absence d’inflammation. Considérant le rôle des réseaux spinaux dans le traitement de l’information sensorielle et nociceptive et de leur contribution à la régulation de la locomotion générée par les circuits spinaux, leur influence sur la récupération locomotrice devait être définit. En utilisant un modèle de souris avec une section mi-thoracique complète, nous avons évalué l’impact d’une réaction inflammatoire persistante par injection d’adjuvant de Freund (CFA) dans les muscles lombaires sous-lésionnels sur le rétablissement du rythme et patron locomoteur, en présence ou non d’entraînement (étude 1). Nos résultats montrent que l’inflammation des muscles lombaires perturbe la récupération locomotrice. Les afférences sensorielles jouent un rôle important dans le rétablissement de la locomotion en modulant l’activité du CPG et en influençant l’excitabilité de circuits réflexes impliqués dans la locomotion. En évaluant les changements d’excitabilité ii du réflexe de Hoffmann associés à l’injection de CFA à la suite d’une section, nous avons observé que l’inflammation des muscles lombaires induit un état de désinhibition spinale dans les premiers jours post-injection (étude 2). Toutefois, cet effet ne perdurait pas pour toute la durée de la réponse neuroinflammatoire tel qu’évaluée par l’activation de la microglie dans la moelle épinière lombaire (étude 3) ce qui suggère que les déficits locomoteurs associés au CFA s’expliquent au moins partiellement par un mécanisme indépendant de la désinhibition spinale. La deuxième condition à l’étude, la combinaison d’un traitement à la buspirone au protocole d’entraînement, présente un réel potentiel thérapeutique selon un essai préclinique récent. Toutefois, son influence sur les réseaux locomoteurs spinaux est inconnue, de même que l’influence de l’utilisation de la buspirone sur l’adaptation des réseaux spinaux par l’entraînement. En utilisant notre modèle de souris ayant une section spinale complète, nous avons montré que la buspirone facilite l’activation des réseaux locomoteurs spinaux (étude 4). Cependant, cette facilitation était associée à des changements limités de la récupération médiée par l’entraînement. En comparant l’impact de la buspirone chez des animaux aux statuts fonctionnels différents (récupération symétrique partielle et récupération asymétrique) causés par un paradigme de lésion distinct (section complète et hémisection), des changements dans la récupération médiée par l’entraînement ont été observés, ce qui suggère que l’impact positif de la buspirone sur la récupération locomotrice est causé, au moins en partie, par la favorisation d’adaptations plastiques. En conclusion, cette thèse décrit deux conditions qui modifient de façon opposée la récupération locomotrice régulée par les réseaux locomoteurs spinaux. Ces découvertes renforcent le concept que les réseaux locomoteurs spinaux sont plastiques et jouent un rôle primordial dans la récupération locomotrice et ajoutent de nouvelles connaissances sur les facteurs qui en influencent la réadaptation.Locomotor spinal networks contribution to locomotor recovery has been described in various animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI). It is now assumed that these networks are plastic and will re-express, to some extent, locomotion by hosting activity-dependent adaptation similar to those observed in motor learning and memory. Thus, locomotor training promotes behavioral recovery mediated by locomotor spinal networks after a SCI, including after a complete transection and disconnection from the brain. In addition to training, various factors can exert beneficial or detrimental influence on locomotor spinal networks activity and plasticity, including factors associated with the traumatic origin of spinal injury itself or its pharmacological treatment. In order to direct plasticity toward adaptation and promote recovery, the influence of such factors must be clarified. The objectives of the present thesis is to determine the contribution of training to recovery in two specific conditions of rehabilitation: 1) in presence of musculoskeletal inflammation related to the traumatic etiology of SCI and 2) in combination with a pharmacological intervention, administration of the 5HT agonist buspirone, used in preclinical studies to facilitate locomotor activity. The first condition, the presence of musculoskeletal inflammation, is frequently observed in patients after a SCI and is associated with poor functional recovery. Considering the role of spinal networks in sensory processing and the selective recruitment by nonnociceptive and nociceptive afferents of reflex pathways implicated in locomotion, the impact of inflammation on locomotor recovery must be determined. In a model of complete transection in mice, we evaluate the impact of lumbar muscle inflammation induced by intramuscular complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) injection on locomotor recovery mediated by spinal networks, with or without locomotor training. Our results show that lumbar muscle inflammation hindered locomotor recovery (study 1). In a second experiment, we examined if CFA injection changed sensory transmission to spinal cord by measuring the evolution of Hoffmann reflex frequencydependent depression, which is progressively attenuated after spinal transection. We found that lumbar muscle inflammation induced a short term suppression of the Hoffmann reflex frequency-dependent depression, thereby altering spinal excitability (study 2). However, this short term change in excitability did not match the temporal course of locomotor deficits and iv central neuroinflammatory response as measured with the enhanced presence of microglia in spinal cord, suggesting that inflammation-induced locomotor deficits rely at least partially on mechanism independent of spinal excitability (study 3). The second condition under investigation, the use of buspirone to enhance locomotor recovery after a SCI, shows great therapeutic potential. Results from a preclinical trial on SCI patients show that it can enhance locomotor activity, but it is not known if it does so by reactivating dormant descending pathways or locomotor spinal networks. Using our model of complete transection in mice, we showed that buspirone strongly activates locomotor spinal networks and allow near full expression of locomotion on day 2 post-transection (study 4). However, this facilitation was associated with limited long term effect when combined with training. Improved long term effect of buspirone depending on residual function after transection (partial vs absent function) caused by different lesion paradigms (hemisection preceding transection vs transection only) suggests that buspirone promotes recovery by enhancing use-dependent plastic changes. In conclusion, this thesis describes two conditions that influence locomotor recovery mediated by spinal networks oppositely. These findings give new insights on the role of locomotor spinal networks plasticity in recovery after a SCI including spinal transection and provide evidence both beneficial and detrimental factors contributes to functional rehabilitation

Mapping the impact of consumer online service experience on online impulse buying behaviour

Managers of e-commerce platforms and online retail stores have noticed a connection between the consumer online service experience (COSE) and the inclination to engage in online impulse buying behaviour (OIBB). Previous research has shown that COSE can influence OIBB, but the specific relationships between the emotional and utilitarian dimensions require further investigation. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how attitudinal loyalty serves as a mediator between COSE and OIBB. A survey-based quantitative methodology was employed to gather data on the attitudes and behaviours of 1,504 online shoppers. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modeling, revealing a positive relationship between the examined COSE factors and OIBB, with attitudinal loyalty acting as a mediator. Although the regional biases and cross-sectional nature of the study are limitations, the results are generally applicable. However, future research utilizing a longitudinal approach and a broader geographic sample would provide valuable insights.</p

Isolation, cohesion and contingent network effects: the case of school attachment and engagement

Isolation and cohesion are two key network features, often used to predict outcomes like mental health and deviance. More cohesive settings tend to have better outcomes, while isolates tend to fare worse than their more integrated peers. A common assumption of past work is that the effect of cohesion is universal, so that all actors get the same benefits of being in a socially cohesive environment. Here, we suggest that the effect of cohesion is universal only for specific types of outcomes. For other outcomes, experiencing the benefits of cohesion depends on an individual’s position in the network, such as whether or not an individual has any social ties. Network processes thus operate at both the individual and contextual level, and we employ hierarchical linear models to analyze these jointly to arrive at a full picture of how networks matter. We explore these ideas using the case of adolescents in schools (using Add Health data), focusing on the effect of isolation and cohesion on two outcomes, school attachment and academic engagement. We find that cohesion has a uniform effect in the case of engagement but not attachment. Only non-isolates experience stronger feelings of attachment as cohesion increases, while all students, both isolates and non-isolates, are more strongly engaged in high cohesion settings. Overall, the results show the importance of taking a systematic, multi-level approach, with important implications for studies of health and deviance

A Systematic Review of Recall Regimen and Maintenance Regimen of Patients with Dental Restorations. Part 2: Implant-Borne Restorations

Purpose To evaluate the current scientific evidence on patient recall and maintenance of implant-supported restorations, to standardize patient care regimens and improve maintenance of oral health. An additional purpose was to examine areas of deficiency in the current scientific literature and provide recommendations for future studies. Materials and Methods An electronic search for articles in the English language literature from the past 10 years was performed independently by multiple investigators using a systematic search process. After application of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final list of articles was reviewed to meet the objectives of this review. Results The initial electronic search resulted in 2816 titles. The systematic application of inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in 14 articles that satisfied the study objectives. An additional 6 articles were added through a supplemental search process for a total of 20 studies. Of these, 11 were randomized controlled clinical trials, and 9 were observational studies. The majority of the studies (15 out of 20) were conducted in the past 5 years and most studies were conducted in Europe (15), followed by Asia (2), South America (1), the United States (1), and the Middle East (1). Results from the qualitative data on a combined 1088 patients indicated that outcome improvements in recall and maintenance regimen were related to (1) patient/treatment characteristic (type of prosthesis, type of prosthetic components, and type of restorative materials); (2) specific oral topical agents or oral hygiene aids (electric toothbrush, interdental brush, chlorhexidine, triclosan, water flossers) and (3) professional intervention (oral hygiene maintenance, and maintenance of the prosthesis). Conclusions There is minimal evidence related to recall regimens in patients with implant-borne removable and fixed restorations; however, a considerable body of evidence indicates that patients with implant-borne removable and fixed restorations require lifelong professional recall regimens to provide biological and mechanical maintenance, customized for each patient. Current evidence also demonstrates that the use of specific oral topical agents and oral hygiene aids can improve professional and at-home maintenance of implant-borne restorations. There is evidence to demonstrate differences in mechanical and biological maintenance needs due to differences in prosthetic materials and designs. Deficiencies in existing evidence compel the forethought of creating clinical practice guidelines for recall and maintenance of patients with implant-borne dental restorations