How do Corporate Social Responsibility announcements affect firm value?

Master's thesis in Economic analysisTaking previous research on this topic into consideration, this thesis sets out to give some insights as to why there seems to be increasing focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by firms. Using theory from business ethics, CSR, investor behaviour and finance as a base, we try to answer how CSR announcements made by listed firms in the U.S. affect its firm value, hereunder stock returns. After conducting an event study, similar to the approach of Elton, Gruber, Brown and Goetzmann (2014), we find no overall significant evidence that CSR announcements affect stock returns. However, when expanding the analysis by adding business sectors, our results view firms in the financial, services and basic materials sector to experience a significantly negative effect on firm value when announcing CSR initiatives

Explainable Information Security: Development of a Construct and Instrument

Despite the increasing efforts to encourage information security (InfoSec) compliance, employees’ refusal to follow and adopt InfoSec remains a challenge for organisations. Advancements in the behavioural InfoSec field have recently highlighted the importance of developing usable and employeecentric InfoSec that can motivate InfoSec compliance more effectively. In this research, we conceptualise the theoretical structure for a new concept called explainable InfoSec and develop a research instrument for collecting data about this concept. Data was then collected from 724 office workers via an online survey. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to validate the theoretical structure of the explainable InfoSec construct, and we performed structural equation modelling to examine the construct’s impact on intention to comply with organisational InfoSec. The validated theoretical structure of explainable InfoSec consists of two dimensions, fairness and transparency, and the construct was found to positively influence compliance intention

Digital Kaizen: An Approach for Conducting Large-Scale Digital Transformation Projects

While digital transformation creates opportunities across all industries, many businesses still do not know how to embark on this journey and hesitate to commit resources to such an unclear initiative. By using the interpretive case study method, this paper investigates how Digital Kaizen–a philosophy that focuses on making continuous digital improvements–could guide large-scale digital transformation activities in incremental steps. Our findings show that the adoption of Digital Kaizen has urged the investigated organization to continuously address cross-functional issues that are aligned with their strategic business goals, through implementing incremental digital changes that improve business processes and people engagement. Subsequently, these activities lead to sustainable and scalable digital transformation success that re-defines the organization’s value creation processes and identity. This research suggests a new strategy for conducting large-scale digital transformation, by integrating Kaizen philosophy into digital transformation practices

Exploring Value Co-Destruction Process in Customer Interactions with AI-Powered Mobile Applications

Background: Mobile applications have emerged as important touchpoints for addressing service requests and optimizing human resources. Within the service industry, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into these applications has enabled the inference of product demand, provision of personalized service offers, and enhancement of overall firm value. Customers now engage with these apps to stay informed, seek guidance, and make purchases. It is important to recognize that the interactive and human-like qualities of AI can either foster the co-creation of value with customers or potentially lead to the co-destruction of customer value. Although prior research has examined the process of value co-creation, the present study aims to investigate the underlying factors contributing to the value co-destruction process, specifically within AI-powered mobile applications. Method: Our research employs topic modelling and content analysis to examine the value co-destruction process that occurs when customers engage with AI apps. We analyze 7,608 negative reviews obtained from eleven AI apps available on Google Play and App Store AI apps. Results: Our findings reveal six distinct types of value - utilitarian, hedonic, symbolic, social, epistemic, and economic value - that can be co-destroyed during the process. System failure, self-threat and privacy violation are some contributing factors to this value co-destruction process. These values change over time and vary depending on the type of app. Conclusion: Theoretically, our findings extend the concept of value co-destruction in the context of AI apps. We also offer practical recommendations for designing an AI app in a more service-friendly way

EFFECTS OF SALT STRESS ON PLANT GROWTH AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION IN SOME WETLAND GRASS SPECIES IN THE MEKONG DELTA

Salt stress causes serious damage to many cellular and physiological processes that leads to yield reduction. The study induced salt stress using Hoagland solution added NaCl to evaluate its effects on plant growth and biomass allocation of some wetland grass species in order to identify salt-tolerant species for replacing and/or supplementing rice/grass in rice-shrimp model and salt-affected area in the Mekong Delta. The study also seeks to evaluate the response of leaf chlorophyll (SPAD unit) and proline content in salt-treated plants to varying application of salinity. Typha orientalis, Lepironia articulata, Eleocharis dulcis and Scirpus littoralis were studied in hydroponics condition with four levels of NaCl of 5, 10, 15, 20‰ and the control treatment (without adding NaCl). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. The salt-treated plants showed visually clear responses of inhibited growth under salt stress condition compared to the control plants. Among the four studied species, T. orientalis produced the highest dry shoot biomass (15.5 g DW/plant), while E. dulcis had the lowest value (2.8 g DW/plant). However, only T. orientalis showed significantly decreased in biomass as salinity increased with 9.3 and 4.6 times lower of fresh and dry biomass in plants grown at the salinity level of 20‰ compared to those grown in the control treatment. The other three plant species did not affect by salinity levels. The results indicated that S. littoralis, L. articulata and E. dulcis could tolerate at high salinity of 20‰ (eq. to the EC value in the nutrient solution of 38.0 dS/m) and could be potential candidate to grow in the rice-shrimp model or in the salt-affected soils. 

A comprehensive evaluation of polygenic score and genotype imputation performances of human SNP arrays in diverse populations

publishedVersio

Overcoming Fear of Developing Country: A Case Report of Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for T3a Renal Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION: Renal cell carcinoma poses significant challenges in kidney diseases, particularly in the context of the T3 stage, where treatment strategies remain controversial. The utilization of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, particularly in developing countries, has been restricted for such patients, primarily due to limited infrastructure and concerns about recurrence risk and long-term pathologic outcomes. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In this report, we present a case of a 64-year-old male diagnosed with T3aN0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Abdominal computed tomography revealed a 5.2 × 5.2 × 5.1 cm mass on the right upper part of the kidney with a possible thrombus in the superior renal polar vein. The patient underwent successful treatment with retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), leading to the preservation of kidney function with/min/1.73 m2 GFR reduced after one year postoperative (estimated GFR from 85 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 81.79 mL/min/1.73 m2). The patient was discharged after three days; no recurrence was observed during the follow-up. DISCUSSION: For stage T3a RCC, studies show that LPN induces comparable long-term outcomes to radical nephrectomy, with advantages such as preserved kidney function, reduced operative time, blood loss, and shorter hospital stays. However, due to infrastructure constraints and limited access to robotic-assisted surgery in our country, coupled with concerns about tumor recurrence, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is predominantly employed for similar patients. Our case represents one of the very first cases in which we successfully treated a patient diagnosed with T3a RCC using retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a reliable choice for T3aN0M0 RCC with good long-term outcomes and preserved renal function, especially by the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon

Evaluation of factors related to entrepreneurial intentions among young pharmacists in the Mekong Delta region: a cross - sectional study in Vietnam

At present, a new wave of entrepreneurship has emerged and made a significant impact in Vietnam despite challenges. The study aims to assess the factors related to the entrepreneurial intentions of young pharmacists in 2023 in the Mekong Delta region. A cross-sectional descriptive method was conducted, involving interviews with 815 young pharmacists living in the Mekong Delta region, via a pre-designed research questionnaire. Results showed that 6 out of 43 variables were eliminated after Cronbach’s alpha was run. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient (0.5–0.923) indicated statistical significance and suitable conditions for Exploratory Factor Analysis. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling results were consistent with market data. With the impact of difficulties, attitude, perception of behavioral control, subjective norms, achievement needs on knowledge, and knowledge on entrepreneurial intentions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the study successfully collected samples and gained a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intentions of young pharmacists

When Intervention Becomes Imperative: A Case Report of Spontaneous Vulvar Edema During Pregnancy

Spontaneous idiopathic vulvar edema during the second trimester is a rare condition. The approach to managing this condition involves relieving symptoms, identifying underlying causes, and implementing appropriate treatment. Managing such cases during pregnancy is challenging because of concerns for potential adverse fetal outcomes. Conservative management expects the condition to be relieved spontaneously postpartum, whereas invasive treatment offers a more rapid resolution. Treatment choices are controversial because each method has its pros and cons and influences the delivery process to a certain extent. Surgical drainage becomes a viable option when patients are not responsive to medications. We report a case of spontaneous massive vulvar edema in a 22-year-old primigravida in her 23rd week of pregnancy. After ruling out other notable causes of vulvar edema, we decided to intervene using an invasive procedure because she complained of progressive symptoms and discomfort. Subsequently, the edema subsided postprocedure, and the patient experienced successful labor with no complications. This report aims to alert clinicians that drainage attempts should be considered in pregnant patients with worsening symptoms

EFFECT OF CULTURE CONDITIONS FOR ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MARINE - DERIVED FUNGUS ASPERGILLUS FLOCCULOSUS 01NT.1.1.5

The biosynthesis of compounds with antibiotic activity produced by marine fungi, strongly depends on their growth conditions. A good understanding of the role of culture conditions in the biosynthesis of metabolites may lead to better exploitation of microbial metabolites. In this study, the influence of culture conditions including incubation period, initial pH and salinity on antimicrobial activity and secondary metabolites production of marine fungus 01NT.1.1.5 was investigated. This isolate, obtained from sponge Stylissa sp. in Nha Trang Bay, exhibited a broad spectrum of in vitro antimicrobial activity to Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111, Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 19433 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. According to morphological characteristics and sequence analysis of 28S rDNA, the fungus was identified as Aspergillus flocculosus. The results indicated that antimicrobial activity and metabolite amount were highest when the fungus was cultivated in rice medium with incubation period of 20 days. The optimum salinity of 35 g/L and initial pH of 6.0 were found for the maximum antibiotic production. The colony growth, antimicrobial activity and production of secondary metabolites of the strain A. flocculosus 01NT.1.1.5 varied depending on salt concentrations and initial pH of medium. Particularly, extract of this fungus only showed activity against C. albicans when it was cultured in medium with 30-35 g/L salinity and initial pH 4.0-8.0. The results  indicate that salinity and initial pH along with cultivation period are important factors influencing antimicrobial activity and secondary metabolites of A. flocculosus 01NT.1.1.5, and might be for other marine fungi