Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance of U.S. Manufacturing and Service Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) investment strategies impact the business outcomes of firms of all sizes regardless of investment motives. But for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME), the consequences of CSR investment are more immediate when compared to larger firms due to the condensed lag time between decisions and their respective outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the management decisions of social or environmental CSR investments for U.S.-based service and manufacturing SMEs are effective as represented by financial performance in their respective business sectors. The theoretical framework of this study was stakeholder and social capital theories. Five research questions were used as the basis for exploring the relationship between the financial performance of service SMEs and the financial performance of manufacturing SMEs when both invested in social and environmental CSR. From a sample of 50 U.S.-based SME firms, the perceptions of owner/managers on the extent of social CSR, environmental CSR, and financial performance were assessed via survey questionnaire and analyzed employing ANCOVA, t statistic, and multiple regression analyses. The results showed significantly higher financial performance for service SMEs than for manufacturing SMEs when both were engaged in workplace and customer CSR activities. Further, combined social and environmental CSR activities suggested a negative but insignificant effect on financial performance, business sector notwithstanding. The findings indicate that U.S. SMEs should consider monitoring their financial performance when making CSR investments, and when optimizing programs that are beneficial to both themselves and to society at large

Instant Buying of Fast Fashion: Are Influencers to Blame?

Social media influencers (SMIs) have become a powerful force within the fast-fashion sector and can sway our purchasing behaviors and influence trends within the industry. An increasing number of SMIs are promoting sustainable and ethical fashion products, to encourage followers to be more environmentally-friendly, but at the same time buy fast-fashion. With Instagram now enabling in-app checkout for e-commerce brands, opportunities for an immediate reaction to SMIs’ recommendations are endless. To date, no evidence was presented to demonstrate the link between SMI content and consumer impulsiveness that benefits fast-fashion brands. In an attempt to fulfill this gap, survey data of 465 respondents shows that SMI content as a result of being perceived as both informative and entertaining has a significant role to play in stimulating instant buying. It was also found that the perceived credibility and authenticity of SMIs has a direct and positive link with consumers’ tendencies to buy spontaneously and unreflectively. In light of our findings, we question fast-fashion brands' intent in working with SMIs. It seems that by collaborating with SMIs in an attempt to educate consumers about sustainable and ethical consumption, fast-fashion is triggering a different outcome - commercial gains

Prostate Cancer: Social, Economic and Demographic Correlates of Non Use of Supplemental Diets among Black Men in Florida

Background: Epidemiologic data consistently show that Black men in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. The incidence rate is 60% higher and death rate is 2.1 times more for Black men compared to Whites. There is growing evidence from literature that nutritional supplements, such as selenium, lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin D and soy may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, the level of knowledge and usage of these supplemental diets among Black men is low. Therefore, it is important to understand why Black men are low users of the supplemental diets and develop intervention programs to change the underlining conditions. Objectives: Data collected in the state of Florida on prostate cancer disparities show that large proportion of Black men living in the state are nonusers of the supplemental diets. The purpose of this study is to identify socio-economic characteristics of U.S. born and foreign born Black men who are nonusers of the supplemental diets. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on prostate cancer disparity among Black men in five major cities in the State of Florida. Three thousand four hundred and ten valid respondents were included in the analysis. The main outcomes were socio-economic status, access to health care and awareness among Black men in relation to the use of supplemental diets that reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Descriptive statistics and zero-inflated regression models were used for data analysis. Results: The odds of nonuse of the supplemental diets were the highest for African born (Vitamin A OR = 2.32, P-value = 0.0060), for those who pray or do nothing when sick (Vitamin A OR = 2.84, P-value = 0.0367), with no insurance (Selenium OR = 1.32, P-value = 0.0007), and with no regular doctor to visit for medical care (Vitamin A OR = 1.29, P-value = 0.0318). Conclusion: The study data indicates that the usage of supplemental diets among Black men in Florida is very low. The study further provides rich data with regard to demographic characteristics for U.S. born and foreign born Black men that might serve to inform the usage of supplemental diets that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer

Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Assess the Needs of HIV-Related Services for Infected Individuals in Rural Communities

HIV/AIDS remains a significant health concern in rural communities, which may also experience many disparate issues including reduced access to health services (Department of Health and Human Services, 2015). Community efforts should be increased to improve services to people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA), especially in rural communities. In the state of Tennessee, using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, a needs assessment was conducted to identify gaps, barriers, and strategies for improving HIV-related comprehensive care services for people diagnosed with HIV/ AIDS in 26 rural counties. The paper describes the CBPR partnership and the needs assessment project that was conducted and how the results may support community leaders and health care providers in planning and allocating resources for non-medical services of PLWHA in rural communities, and thus maximizing both individual and community benefit

Salmonella pyomyositis complicating sickle cell anemia: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Pyomyositis is a bacterial infection of skeletal muscle and a rare complication of sickle cell anemia. It may present a difficult problem in diagnosis, leading to delay in appropriate treatment and development of complications including abscess formation and osteomyelitis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 44-year-old Afro-Caribbean woman with homozygous sickle cell disease who presented with chest crisis and later developed pyomyositis of her hip and pelvic muscles. <it>Salmonella agbeni </it>was isolated from blood cultures and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis in this case. It is noteworthy of this case that there were no antecedent signs of gastroenteritis. Drainage was not appropriate and she was treated with intravenous antibiotics for six weeks.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Focal Salmonella infections are uncommon in soft tissue. Pyomyositis should be considered in patients with sickle cell anemia that continue to have muscle pain and high fevers, despite initial management of their sickle cell crisis. Radiological imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging, is a crucial tool in establishing the diagnosis.</p

Oral History of Icon Peanut Revlon

Icon Peanut Revlon talks about his entrance into Baltimore’s ballroom scene as a teenager at Club Bunns, the chosen family relationships he formed in the ballroom community, and why ballroom is important to him as a form of personal and creative expression. He describes the proceedings of a typical ball competition and explains the history and development of ballroom culture in the United States. This oral history was recorded as part of the Peabody Ballroom Experience, a public humanities collaboration between Johns Hopkins University and the performance-based culture known as ballroom

Oral History of Icon Peanut Revlon

Icon Peanut Revlon talks about his entrance into Baltimore’s ballroom scene as a teenager at Club Bunns, the chosen family relationships he formed in the ballroom community, and why ballroom is important to him as a form of personal and creative expression. He describes the proceedings of a typical ball competition and explains the history and development of ballroom culture in the United States. This oral history was recorded as part of the Peabody Ballroom Experience, a public humanities collaboration between Johns Hopkins University and the performance-based culture known as ballroom