We describe the case of a 69-year-old man with a history of muscular symptoms dating back to his childhood; McArdle's disease (glycogen-storage disease V) was diagnosed following an episode of myositis in which a statin and physical exertion appear to have been precipitating factors. This case demonstrates that the ischaemic lactate-ammonia test still has a place in screening patients with symptoms suggestive of McArdle's disease and emphasizes the importance of carrying out glycogen phosphorylase histochemistry on the skeletal muscle biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. In patients who develop a raised plasma creatine kinase level or muscular symptoms during lipid-lowering therapy, the clinician should be alert to the possibility of an underlying myopathy.
Purpose Drawing on the socioemotional selectivity theory and the volunteerism literature, this study aims to examine the influence of empathy, altruism and opportunity recognition, on social entrepreneurial intentions (SEI) of people who have retired from a full-time career. Furthermore, the study examines whether the above-mentioned relationships are mediated by moral obligation. Design/methodology/approach A set of hypotheses is tested by applying partial least squares structural equation modelling on a survey sample of 227 retirees in Oman, who had participated in an entrepreneurial leadership training after retirement. Using SmartPLS software, the path model is tested through bootstrapping. Findings The findings suggest that altruism and opportunity recognition do not have a direct relationship with SEI, however, they are significant only when mediated through moral obligation. Nevertheless, empathy has a significant direct association with SEI, and an indirect relationship through moral obligation. Practical implications The findings of this study demonstrate that to develop intentions to indulge in social entrepreneurship, among retirees who are approaching their senior years, the focus should be on driving their sense of moral obligation to society. Hence, policymakers and authorities connected to social wellbeing goals can fine-tune their initiatives, such as training, by emphasizing on moral obligation to address social issues through social entrepreneurship. Originality/value The novelty of this study is twofold. Firstly, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it seems to be among the first empirical study that is at the crossroads of the senior entrepreneurship and the social entrepreneurship literature. Secondly, this study fills a gap in the extant literature by deploying the socioemotional selectivity theory to examine the antecedents of SEI of people who have retired from full-time employment in their early to late senior years.
In the aftermath of the recent pandemic, organizations around the world had the opportunity to assess the benefits and drawbacks of allowing the bulk of their employees to work from home (WFH). As a result, many organizations realize that by using technology, it is possible to shift a significant percentage of their workforce to permanently function from any location without being physically present at a designated workplace. Although the economic benefits for organizations that allow WFH seem to be clear, how factors related to perceptions of employees such as their work motivation (WM) and their work-life balance (WLB) caused by blurred boundaries between work and family at home are not clearly understood. Therefore, the primary goal of this study is to determine how WFH impacts WLB through the possible mediating effects of work-family conflict (WFC) and WM. A cross-sectional survey instrument was developed using Likert type measurement scales that were adopted from top-tier journals. The data was collected through convenient sampling from 249 managerial and non-managerial employees in Omani business organizations. The relationships were tested through structural equation modeling. The results indicate that WFH increases WFC and WM, while the relationship between WFH and WLB is mediated by WFC, but not by WM. The findings of this study have implications for both theory and practice.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to 1) examine the influence of firm-level entrepreneurial attitude toward innovation, subjective norms for innovation, and perceived control over innovation on firms’ intention for innovation; 2) study the influence of firms’ intention for innovation on new product development performance; 3) test the effect of new product development performance on firms’ financial performance. Design/methodology/approach: The proposed theoretical model has been analyzed through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS software and structured questionnaires has been distributed among 244 entrepreneurs in Oman. Findings: By empirically testing the antecedents of the firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention with a focus on existing firms (not their intention for new venture creation), it was found that attitudes toward innovation and perceived behavioral control do predict firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention for innovation. The firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention for innovation was also found to positively affect new product development performance. And new product performance was found to enhance financial performance of firms. Practical implications: The findings of this study interject a better understanding of the new product development performance and financial performance which can be achieved by the firm-level entrepreneurial intention for innovation. Entrepreneurs can effectively convey the relative benefit of SME's innovation by emphasizing how the innovation in the firm can help to increase revenue, profitability, boost sales growth, and strengthen the financial health of the SMEs by developing new products for the market. Originality/value: This research contributes to the understanding the relationship between the entrepreneurs’ behavioural characteristics and the firm level entrepreneurial’ intention and how it affects new product development performance and financial performance.
PurposeLeveraging the mindfulness theory and the social exchange theory, this study examines the influence of perceived leader mindfulness (PLM) on turnover intentions (TOI) of non-family employees (NFEs) working in family firms. The study investigates whether the above relationship is mediated by employee perceptions of leader–member exchange quality (LMX quality) and their affective commitment (AC).Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework is proposed that hypothesizes inverse relationship between PLM and TOI, which is posited to be mediated by both LMX quality and AC. The hypotheses are tested through survey data collected from 254 NFEs working in various family-owned businesses in Malaysia. The data analyzed through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that PLM has a positive influence on both LMX quality and AC. Moreover, PLM has a strong negative affect on TOI. In terms of results of mediation analysis, it appears that two mediation hypotheses out of four are significant, that is mediating effect of AC between PLM and TOI and LMX quality between PLM and AC. However, the mediating role of LMX quality between PLM and TOI and the sequential mediation hypotheses were both non-significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of the study imply is that to ensure retention of qualified and talented NFEs, mindfulness of family firm leaders plays a significant role in ensuring lower TOI. Furthermore, such a goal is better achieved by ensuring that such employees are supported through leadership that leads to their development of better LMX quality and AC towards the organization. The study however is limited, as other potential exogenous variables that may influence TOI were not considered.Practical implicationsLosing employees that join a firm and acquire valuable skills and experience is a significant concern for family firms that are known for discriminating between employees related to the owners and outsiders. This study presents evidence for owners and managers of family firms that by focusing on mindful behavior and working towards developing better LMX quality and AC of NFEs, the organization can reduce TOI of such employees.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the under-researched and fragmented literature on relationships between PLM among NFEs and TOI of such individuals working in family firms. Moreover, this appears to be the first study that investigates mediating roles of and LMX quality and AC among NFEs in the above relationship.
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