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• The benefits of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis between plants and fungi are modulated by the functional characteristics of both partners. However, it is unknown to what extent functionally distinct groups of plants naturally associate with different AM fungi. • We reanalysed 14 high-throughput sequencing data sets describing AM fungal communities associating with plant individuals (2427) belonging to 297 species. We examined how root-associating AM fungal communities varied between plants with different growth forms, photosynthetic pathways, CSR (competitor, stress-tolerator, ruderal) strategies, mycorrhizal statuses and N-fixing statuses. • AM fungal community composition differed in relation to all studied plant functional groups. Grasses, C₄ and nonruderal plants were characterised by high AM fungal alpha diversity, while C₄, ruderal and obligately mycorrhizal plants were characterised by high beta diversity. The phylogenetic diversity of AM fungi, a potential surrogate for functional diversity, was higher among forbs than other plant growth forms. Putatively ruderal (previously cultured) AM fungi were disproportionately associated with forbs and ruderal plants. There was phylogenetic correlation among AM fungi in the degree of association with different plant growth forms and photosynthetic pathways. • Associated AM fungal communities constitute an important component of plant ecological strategies. Functionally different plants associate with distinct AM fungal communities, linking mycorrhizal associations with functional diversity in ecosystems.

PurposeThis paper aims to study vehicle-type strategies for the manufacturer's car sharing by accounting for consumers' behavior and the subsidy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors develop a game model, in which a monopoly manufacturer that can produce gasoline vehicles (GVs) or energy vehicles (EVs) not only sells vehicles in the sales market, but also rents them out in the sharing market by the self-built platform. The manufacturer strategically chooses which type of vehicles based on consumers' behavior and whether the government provides the EVs’ subsidy.FindingsWhen consumers' low-carbon awareness is relatively high or the marginal cost is low, the manufacturer chooses EVs. The manufacturer chooses GVs when the low-carbon awareness and the marginal cost are low. Only when the low-carbon awareness and the subsidy are not too low, the manufacturer who originally chose GVs launches EVs. When the low-carbon awareness is high, the excessive subsidy discourages the manufacturer from entering the sharing market. If the government provides the subsidy, the manufacturer launches high-end EVs. Otherwise, the manufacturer launches low-end EVs. Moreover, the subsidy increases consumer surplus and social welfare since the high subsidy makes EVs’ sharing market demand be negative.Originality/valueThis study enriches the literature on vehicle-type strategies for the manufacturer's car sharing, owns a practical significance to guide the manufacturer's operation management in the car sharing market and provides advice on whether the government should provide EVs’ subsidy.

An effective strategy formation capability is a complex organizational resource--a dynamic capability that should lead to superior performance. Strategy scholars have examined the strategy formation capability from many perspectives. However, no study has examined a comprehensive model of strategy formation in the context of the firm's strategic orientation. We develop and examine such a model. The results show that strategic orientation moderates the relationship between different elements of the strategy formation capability and performance.

A highly efficient ratiometric electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay was explored by bidirectionally regulating the ECL intensity of two luminophors. The immunoassay was conducted in a split-type mode consisting of an ECL detection procedure and a sandwich immunoreaction. The ECL detection was executed using a dual-disk glassy carbon electrode modified with two potential-resolved luminophors (g-C3N4-Ag and Ru-MOF-Ag nanocomposites), and the sandwich immunoreaction using glucose oxidase (GOx)-modified SiO2 nanospheres as labels was carried out in a 96-well plate. The Ag nanoparticles (NPs) acted as bifunctional units both for triggering the resonance energy transfer (RET) with g-C3N4 and for accelerating the electron transfer rate of the Ru-MOF-Ag ECL reaction. When the H2O2 catalyzed by GOx in the 96-well plate was transferred to the dual-disk glass carbon electrode, the doped Ag NPs in the two luminophors could be etched, thus destroying the RET between C3N4 and the accelerated reaction to Ru-MOF, resulting in an opposite trend in the ECL signal outputted from the dual disks. Using the ratio of the two signals for quantification, the constructed immunosensor for a model target, i.e. myoglobin, exhibited a low detection limit of 4.7 × 10–14 g/mL. The ingenious combination of ECL ratiometry, bifunctional Ag NPs, and a split-type strategy effectively reduces environmental and human errors, offering a more precise and sensitive analysis for complex samples.

This paper aims at the application of an optimized two-step hybrid block method for solving boundary value problems with different types of boundary conditions. The proposed approach produces simultaneously approximations at all the grid points after solving an algebraic system of equations. The final approximate solution is obtained through a homotopy-type strategy which is used in order to get starting values for Newton’s method. The convergence analysis shows that the proposed method has at least fifth order of convergence. Some numerical experiments such as Bratu’s problem, singularly perturbed, and nonlinear system of BVPs are presented to illustrate the better performance of the proposed approach in comparison with other methods available in the recent literature.

To profit from price oscillations, investors frequently use threshold-type strategies where changes in the portfolio position are triggered by some indicators reaching prescribed levels. In this paper we investigate threshold-type strategies in the context of ergodic control. We make the first steps towards their optimization by proving ergodic properties of related functionals. Assuming Markovian price increments satisfying a minorization condition and (one-sided) boundedness we show, in particular, that for given thresholds, the distribution of the gains converges in the long run. We also extend recent results on the stability of overshoots of random walks from the i.i.d. increment case to Markovian increments, under suitable conditions.

This paper describes a study that assesses the performance implications of matching marketing strategy to business strategy. In order to conduct this study we first reviewed the literature on marketing strategy to identify its key dimensions. We then conducted a survey of 1000 senior marketing executives about the strategic marketing practices adopted in their respective firms or business units, and developed scales to describe 11 strategic marketing activities. We next performed a K-means cluster analysis using these scales to develop a taxonomy of marketing strategy types consisting of: Aggressive Marketers, Mass Marketers, Marketing Minimizers, and Value Marketers. We then observed that superior performance at the firm or SBU level was achieved when specific marketing strategy types were matched with appropriate Miles and Snow (1978) business strategy types.

A main condition for achieving economic purpose is to formulate a firm by its management market strategies to be adopted for successful business. The paper presents the main strategies used in SC Eco Invest LLC, how to link the marketing objectives with strategy practiced in the firm and establishing a new set of objectives are presented the types of strategies that are to be adopted by the firm position against the market.

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsFirms operating in developing economies can take measures to manage risk and increase their competitiveness. Particularly important is the need to adopt key human resource practices that best align with their strategic approach in order to enhance overall efficiency.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

This study examines the relationship between strategic choices and the use of strategic management accounting (SMA) techniques in large manufacturing companies and investigates whether external factors such as environmental uncertainty and competitive forces affect the SMA system. The survey results show that SMA usage does not depend on strategy type and only marginally depends on geographic orientation. These findings have been integrated using qualitative data collected in seven large companies through interviews. Although significant progress has been made over the last two decades in describing SMA practices in Europe, the contribution of this study to the accounting (SMA) literature involves both the research content and design. Having identified gaps in previous SMA research, we design a study focused on large manufacturing firms that considers different hypotheses and adopts a mixed method approach.