Many mergers and acquisitions (M&As) fail, and an emerging body of literature highlights the role of prejudice in derailing the M&A process. While prejudice is frequently observed in M&As, strategies to mitigate these biases remain underexplored. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, this study focuses on Chinese acquisitions in the UK and examines how managers from both the acquired and acquiring organizations navigate prejudice through emotional sensemaking. The findings demonstrate that emotional sensemaking plays a critical role in shaping the post-acquisition integration (PAI) process and its outcomes. Specifically, sensemaking supported by emotional intelligence facilitates the accommodation or reduction of prejudice, while emotionally unintelligent sensemaking tends to reinforce it. By focusing on the dynamic, interactive emotional exchanges between managers at the micro level, this study offers a fresh lens on the integration process beyond traditional strategic or structural explanations. The study contributes to the literature by advancing the understanding of micro-level emotional sensemaking in the PAI, emphasizing the dynamic, interactive nature of emotional sensemaking between acquirer and acquiree managers, and its impact on the integration process and outcomes. (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (M&As) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (prejudice) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (emotional sensemaking) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (post-acquisition integration, PAI) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic): (sic)(sic)(sic) (emotional intelligence) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).
Traceability in the dairy supply chain helps ensure high transparency, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. At the same time, the implementation of traceability in the dairy sector faces several challenges; therefore, this paper examines the factors influencing the implementation of AI-enabled traceability in the Indian dairy industry. The Fuzzy-Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method investigated the relationship among identified factors and categorized them into cause-and-effect groups. The analysis highlighted “Lack of Standards and Regulations” and “High Cost of Infrastructure” with D-R values of 1.26 and 1.08 as the most influential causal factors, while “Supply Chain Integration” with a D + R value of 11.52 emerged as the most impacted effect factor. The factors underscore the critical need to develop strategic solutions to address the traceability challenges faced by the dairy industry. The proposed framework enhances socio-technical theory by explicitly outlining the complex interactions required to efficiently implement AI-enabled traceability. The findings provide policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers with valuable insights into prioritizing interventions, allocating resources, and fostering collaboration to improve dairy traceability practices.
In this study, a polylactic acid-bronze (PLA-Br) composite was fabricated using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique. The effects of key FDM process parameters on tensile properties were investigated through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a Central Composite Design (CCD). Printing speed (PS), extruder temperature (ET), and raster angle (RA) were selected as input variables, while maximum failure load (MFL), elongation at break (EB), and Young's modulus (YM) were considered as response variables. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and RSM approaches were employed to develop predictive models. The experimental results and analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that PS, ET, and RA significantly influence the tensile properties of the PLA-Br composite. Specifically, a decrease in PS combined with increases in ET and RA led to improvements in maximum failure load and Young's modulus, while reducing elongation at break. A comprehensive statistical evaluation demonstrated that the ANN model outperformed the RSM model in predictive capability across all tensile responses. The ANN model achieved higher coefficients of determination (R 2, adjusted R 2, and predicted R 2) along with lower error metrics, including mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and root mean squared error (RMSE), indicating superior accuracy and generalization performance. Finally, the FDM process parameters were optimized using the ANN model in conjunction with Pareto-based multi-objective optimization and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The optimal conditions were identified as a printing speed of 65.66 mm/s, an extruder temperature of 222.69 degrees C, and a raster angle of 87.98 degrees. Under these conditions, the predicted maximum failure load, elongation at break, and Young's modulus were 225.88 N, 1.81 mm, and 10.71 MPa, respectively.
Ecofriendly childcare not only reduces our current environmental footprint but also cultivates a culture of eco-friendliness that will endure for the next generation. Despite growing scholarly interest in sustainable behaviors, the research on ecofriendly childcare has received little attention, and understanding of its antecedents has remained limited. To address this issue, we analyzed 15,032 survey responses of parents involved in childcare from 27 European countries using ordered logistic regression and partial least squares path modeling. It was found that parents' health and involvement in household chores positively influence ecofriendly childcare. Interestingly, migrated parents were found to be more ecofriendly than the local ones. Parents' engagement in prosocial and recreational activities also encourages parents to adopt sustainable practices in caregiving. Further, it was revealed that parents living in regions of high environmental risks are more likely to practice environment-friendly childcare. Among demographic covariates, income exhibited no effect on the sustainable care of children. The findings offer vital and actionable insights to policymakers to promote ecofriendly childcare. The article examines what factors motivate parents to adopt ecofriendly childcare. It was found that healthy parents are more likely to engage in ecofriendly childcare. Parents who are more involved in household chores are more likely to adopt ecofriendly practices. Migrated parents more actively adopt sustainable childcare than local parents. Further, it was found that parents' participation in voluntary and charitable activities and sports, culture, and leisure activities also motivates them to adopt ecofriendly childcare. Additionally, this research revealed that people living in areas where environmental risk, such as air pollution, is high are more likely to practice sustainable childcare.
Creating representative curricula that engage students from underrepresented backgrounds can be challenging. This problem is pertinent in sporting disciplines, where a patriarchal cultural legacy and epistemological homogeneity influence curriculum design. As a qualitatively underexamined area, this study explores the relationship between representation in the curricula and student engagement. Interviews were conducted with thirty-four students studying sport management-related disciplines at an English higher education institution. Underpinning theories included Jester's conceptualisation of representation (descriptive, substantive and symbolic) in the curricula and the four dimensions (behavioural, affective, cognitive and social) of student engagement. The findings informed a conceptual model of the relationship between representation in the curricula and the interconnected dimensions of engagement. Confirming the idiosyncratic nature of student experiences, representation in the curricula stimulated different engagement dimensions among specific (albeit not every member of) student groups. Through the sporting context, the study provided novel insights into strategies that may foster privileged students' engagement with representative curricula, helping to mitigate typical avoidance or defensiveness when their social identities are implicated in discussions of privilege.
