Sources of Multidrug Resistance in Patients With Previous Isoniazid-Resistant Tuberculosis Identified Using Whole Genome Sequencing: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Background Meta-analysis of patients with isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis given standard first-line anti-tuberculosis treatment indicated an increased risk of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) emerging (8%), compared to drug-sensitive tuberculosis (0.3%). Here we use whole genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate whether treatment of patients with pre-existing isoniazid resistant disease with first-line anti-tuberculosis therapy risks selecting for rifampicin resistance, and hence MDR-TB. Methods Patients with isoniazid-resistant pulmonary TB were recruited and followed up for 24 months. Drug-susceptibility testing was performed by Microscopic observation drug-susceptibility assay (MODS), Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) and by WGS on isolates at first presentation and in the case of re-presentation. Where MDR-TB was diagnosed, WGS was used to determine the genomic relatedness between initial and subsequent isolates. De novo emergence of MDR-TB was assumed where the genomic distance was five or fewer single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whereas reinfection with a different MDR-TB strain was assumed where the distance was 10 or more SNPs. Results 239 patients with isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis were recruited. Fourteen (14/239, 5.9%) patients were diagnosed with a second episode of tuberculosis that was multi-drug resistant. Six (6/239, 2.5%) were identified as having evolved MDR-TB de novo and six as having been re-infected with a different strain. In two cases the genomic distance was between 5-10 SNPs and therefore indeterminate. Conclusions In isoniazid-resistant TB, de novo emergence and reinfection of MDR-TB strains equally contributed to MDR development. Early diagnosis and optimal treatment of isoniazid resistant TB are urgently needed to avert the de novo emergence of MDR-TB during treatment

Airline Value Chain Capabilities and CSR Performance: The Connection Between CSR Leadership and CSR Culture with CSR Performance, Customer Satisfaction and Financial Performance

This research examines Corporate Social Responsibility in Leadership (CSRL) and Culture (CSRC) as valuable resources of the value chain capabilities, and its influence on CSR Performance (CSRP), as well as its resulting effect on Customer Satisfaction (CS) and Financial Performance (FP) in the context of the airline industry. CSR entails the practice of social and environmental activities. These activities mainly concentrate on improving the relationships of a firm with its stakeholders, which consist of shareholders, charitable and community organisations, employees, suppliers, customers, and the environment (Sprinkle and Maines, 2010). It is therefore in this context that this research adopts the concept of CSR which consists of two aspects of social and environmental sustainability. Based on the traditional value chain model by Porter of the mid 1980's, this research however also focuses on other robust and contemporary business thinking such as culture and leadership within the CSR setting. Three carriers in the aviation industry within the US and Asia Pacific markets are analysed and some resulting academic and managerial implications are discussed. Findings from this research highlights the importance of cultivating and promoting CSR culture and leadership so as to positively influence CSR performance, which can in turn enhance other aspects of firm performance specifically customer satisfaction and financial performance. Hence, this research provides incentives for managers to invest in CSR in their quest for sustainable performance. Building on the hypothesis that firms achieve sustainable performance and ultimately financial performance through the identification of value chain capabilities such as CSRL and CSRC, the findings of this research indicate that there is a strong requirement for sustainable firm performance in the current environment but this can only be achieved where the approach is embedded in the core business, by CSR leaders who can apply the concepts of value creation through a strong CSR culture. This research is original as it is perhaps one of the first studies which examine the linkage between CSR-related constructs of leadership, culture and performance. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR Leadership, CSR Culture, Airlines, CSR Performance, Customer Satisfactio

The Influence of Responsibility Shift on Warehousing Performance: The Case of Australia

Although there have been extensive efforts to eliminate the use of warehousing due to its large requirement of resources, the need to connect manufacturing with end consumers will be difficult to coordinate without it. In Australia, the rapid advance of warehousing has facilitated the challenging demands of customers. In the literature, the challenges of increasing reliability, space utilisation, and reducing waste have been managed through improved warehousing processes and technology; however, the important role of employees through responsibility shift in enhancing warehousing performance has not yet been fully explored. This study therefore examines the relationship between the employment of Responsibility Shift (RS) and Warehousing Performance (WP) in Australia within the processes of Inbounding and Storage through the usage of a survey conducted with department supervisors and managers of warehousing companies which were members of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Australia (CILTA) and Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA). It was found that RS positively causes a statistically significant influence on warehousing performance. This research contributes to enrich the literature on RS as it is perhaps the first study which examines the effects of RS on warehousing performance in Australia while also enables warehousing managers to explore ways to improve warehousing performance from the human resource management perspective. Although being significant both in terms of managerial and academic implications, the generalizability of this research is limited from a small sample size. Future research, therefore, needs to look into a wider population as well as further investigation into the effects of Responsibility Shift in the rapidly developing warehousing business environment elsewhere in the world. Keywords: Responsibility Shift, Warehousing Performance, Inbounding, Storag

The Maritime Security Management System: Perceptions of the International Shipping Community

This paper presents the findings of a research project on the Maritime Security Management System (MSMS) conducted at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in 2005–2006. The main objectives of this study are to identify key shore-based and near shore activities associated with maritime operations that are currently not covered by the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and players involved in these activities; to explore and analyse important relationships among them, which can affect the management of security; to investigate the key criteria of a good/effective security management system; to explore the perceived effectiveness of some major aspects of security activities in a MSMS; and to identify the perceived importance of essential elements in a MSMS. Based on this identification and analysis, essential inputs that should be included in the curriculum of maritime universities and training institutions are proposed. This study applies a two-stage methodological approach, in which a focus group discussion is utilised first to explore the initial ideas from maritime experts, followed by a mail survey to reflect the perceptions of the international shipping community. The findings of this study provide essential insights to the formulation of such a global MSMS for the sake of safer and more efficient maritime transport. Maritime Economics & Logistics (2007) 9, 119–137. doi:10.1057/palgrave.mel.9100175

An investigation of shippers’ satisfaction and behaviour towards corporate social responsibility in maritime transport

Anchoring on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the current paper investigates the moderating influences of shippers’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) beliefs on their satisfaction and behaviour towards shipping firms’ involvement in CSR. It also analyses organisational and environmental factors that shape shippers’ CSR beliefs. Survey data were obtained from 276 shippers with business offices located in Singapore, and analysed using multi-sampling approach and linear regression modelling. The results show that shippers with strong CSR beliefs derive greater satisfaction, and exhibit stronger behavioural intentions towards shipping firms’ involvement in CSR. In addition, shippers’ CSR beliefs are influenced by shippers’ organisational characteristics such as (1) firm’s age, (2) firm’s size, (3) degree of internationalisation, (4) types of products shipped, and environmental factors such as (5) perceived environmental and social threats, (6) perceived level of competition, and (7) level of CSR practices in headquarters. The results contribute to TPB research application in both B2C and B2B contexts, and motivate changes to the current marketing and communication practices of shipping firms.Accepted versio

Policy uncertainty and seasoned equity offerings methods

Based on a sample of U.S. seasoned equity offering (SEO) during the period 2002–2017, we examine how the choice of equity issuance method changes in response to policy uncertainty. We find that firms subject to high policy uncertainty are less likely to use accelerated offerings rather than other types of traditional seasoned equity offerings. Our results are robust to alternative variable specifications, propensity score matching method, IV approach, and the inclusion of additional controls. Also, the effect of policy uncertainty on accelerated offering decision is weaker for firms with better information environment, earnings quality, and governance structures. Further, policy uncertainty increases the cost of funds and lowers long-run abnormal returns after SEOs for firms subject to high levels of policy uncertainty

Interaction impacts of corporate social responsibility and service quality on shipping firms’ performance

The interaction impacts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and service quality (SQ) on customer satisfaction, job satisfaction, and financial performance are investigated in the context of shipping. Interviews were conducted, and surveys were administered on 156 shipping firms with operations in Singapore. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results showed that: (1) customer and job satisfaction fully-mediate the link between corporate level associations (i.e. CSR and SQ) and shipping firms’ financial performance; (2) CSR and SQ complement each other in driving job and customer satisfaction; (3) the interaction between CSR and SQ produces synergistic effects on customer satisfaction but compensatory effects on job satisfaction. The results suggest that the decision to implement CSR is contingent on the motivation of a firm as well as its current SQ capability. This paper contributes to the literature by reconciling the conflicting views on managing SQ performance and corporate social performance based on stakeholder theory, economic theory of complementarities and perceived value theory