bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does “true” personal or service loyalty last? A longitudinal study
Authors: Bove Liliana L. , Johnson Lester W.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The paper aims to use Dick and Basu's two‐dimensional matrix that identifies four types of customer loyalty: true, spurious, latent and non‐loyal. It seeks to investigate if these four distinct clusters of loyalty existed both in terms of loyalty to the individual service worker (personal loyalty) and loyalty to the firm (service loyalty). The paper also aims to examine the stability of the loyalty clusters.

Design/methodology/approach

Using self‐completion mail questionnaires, females over 18 who frequently used the service were surveyed at two time periods, 18 months apart. Of the original 341 respondents at time 1, only 137 (40 per cent) of these successfully completed the questionnaire at time 2.

Findings

Even though the service context is such that the customer has the freedom of choice in selecting the service, the four loyalty clusters were found for both personal loyalty and service loyalty. Those customers who were originally classified as “true” loyals were the most stable group. Perceived credibility of the service worker and the length of the customer relationship with the service worker were found to be the main drivers of the type of customer loyalty cluster.

Originality/value

This study provides further empirical support of the value of true loyal customers, defined in terms of both a positive relative attitude towards the object of loyalty and high repeat patronage behavior. A higher proportion of true loyal customers were retained by both the service worker and firm compared to the other loyalty types.
Service performance and procedural justice: the mediating roles of family life cycle and culture
Authors: Nance William , White Darin
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how service performance and procedural justice are related and how this relationship is moderated by family life cycle (FLC) and culture. While it has long been assumed that customer perceptions of fair treatment by service providers are related to service quality perceptions, there has been little research that explicitly examines this relationship. Previous research has established that justice is an influential antecedent of behavior and attitudes in many different settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a 42‐item survey instrument combining the SERVPERF scale, a procedural justice scale and several demographic measures, responses were obtained from 717 individuals from Central and Eastern Europe and the USA. A 2×2 factorial design was used to evaluate the relationship between service performance and justice perceptions, and the moderating impacts of FLC position and culture on these perceptions.

Findings

Strong evidence was found to support the notion that fair treatment of customers affects service performance perceptions across both FLC position and culture.

Research limitations/implications

Only one service industry (higher education) was used. This study should be replicated in other industry settings to provide validation across industries.

Originality/value

From both empirical and theoretical standpoints, this study bridges the gap between two separate but related literature streams of service performance and procedural justice.
Library space in the digital age: the pressure is on
Authors: Robinson Cynthia K.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss the need for librarians to be proactively involved in institutional decisions regarding repurposing or annexation of library space. As libraries transition from print to electronic delivery of journals, especially in STM intensive libraries, administration will begin to question the need to retain large runs of bound print journal volumes, especially in light of the ever‐present space crunch faced by many institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a viewpoint based on the experience of repurposing library space for alternative use.

Findings

Librarians must be proactive when addressing library space issues. It is imperative that librarians are actively involved in defining the direction and future of the library rather than waiting for the decision to be made for them by their institution.

Originality/value

The paper advocates the need to be proactive rather than reactive in planning for the future use of library space.
Design for sustainability
Authors: Marcum James W.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

To begin making the library sustainable requires a vision of what will be created and a description of the outcome of the process. This paper aims to address the issue

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a viewpoint on developing the sustainable library.

Findings

Libraries have important roles to play in the unfolding internet saga, from preserving and organizing knowledge to accelerating and designing learning environments. Achieving sustainability is the new imperative, but the process is difficult, not easy. New mindsets, new strategies of collaboration and networking, widespread professional and staff engagement, and measuring and managing progress are all challenges to be met.

Practical implications

In these troubled times clear vision and purpose are needed to maintain stakeholder support. Sustainability provides a model for designing appropriate vision, facilities, and services toward that end.

Originality/value

The complexities of designing sustainable libraries requires ongoing discussion and exploration. This paper adds insight to the debate.
Dark times
Authors: Steele Kirstin
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to consider the importance of librarians and library budgets, specifically, what a hierarchy of library needs might look like.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a viewpoint approach.

Findings

The budget serves other, ongoing purposes, of course, but the very presence of a budget indicates that the vision is important, worth whatever mulch and compost and labor we can devote to it.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original viewpoint of budgeting for libraries in “dark times”.
Politics: the art of the possible
Authors: Linn Mott
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to argue that when managing strategically it is important for leaders to view situations from multiple perspectives, one of which is the political point‐of‐view.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses and gives examples to illustrate how one can consider situations from the political vantage point.

Findings

It is helpful for library directors to consider situations from the political perspective.

Practical implications

This provides one point of view that should be considered when a leader contemplates what actions to take.

Originality/value

This paper will help librarians better manage their libraries by considering the political perspective when assessing situations.
Library texts
Authors: Maxymuk John
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how text messaging offers a variety of ways to stay vital and visible to younger patrons with whom libraries most need to establish a relationship to ensure their future.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses narrowcasting, one‐to‐one communication and reference queries, all methods of text messaging

Findings

Even with the inherent drawbacks of message length and the incurring of charges by library users, there seems to be a place for text messaging services within the library framework. Because of the portability, popularity and pervasiveness of cell phones among our users, particularly our younger ones, this service is a way for us to stay current.

Originality/value

The paper provides an original viewpoint on how text messaging could be used in libraries.
Staying positive in a down economy
Authors: Silverman Emily
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide suggestions for sustaining effective marketing and fundraising in challenging economic times.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses and gives examples of marketing and promotion strategies to sustain fundraising.

Findings

This paper proposes that, in an economic downturn, donors and stakeholders will respond to positive messages rather than tales of woe.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is in its suggestions for telling the library's story in ways that encourage financial support.
Do portable classrooms impact teaching and learning?
Authors: Cheung Chan Tak
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the possible impact portable classrooms have on the teaching and learning process by exploring current related literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes a synthesis approach, analyzing current studies to assess the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning.

Findings

No significant impact of portable classrooms on teacher perception, teacher morale, teacher job satisfaction, student achievement, and behavior is detected. Negative student attitude is found in one of the studies reviewed. Technical testing shows negative relationships between portable classrooms and health and safety conditions, but the permanent structures are sometimes worse.

Research limitations/implications

An experimental study on the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning is needed. Analysis of current studies indicate that the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning is not as negative as assumed. Still, the negative effects of deterioration or lack of maintenance cannot be underestimated; making implementation strategies, maintenance schedules, relocation plans, and plans for ultimate replacement vital.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first of its kind to synthesize the findings of current studies on portable classrooms. Results are of great value to educational decision makers.
Spending on school infrastructure: does money matter?
Authors: Crampton Faith E.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to further develop an emerging thread of quantitative research that grounds investment in school infrastructure in a unified theoretical framework of investment in human, social, and physical capital.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the research question, what is the impact of investment in human, social, and physical capital on student achievement, the author uses canonical analysis, a multivariate statistical approach that allows for multiple independent and dependent variables. The null hypothesis is selected given the limited body of research on this question, and the state is selected as the unit of analysis. Level of student poverty is added as a control variable given an extensive body of research that supports its negative impact on achievement. Descriptive statistics are generated as well as a Pearson product moment correlation matrix to diagnose and address potential issues of multicollinearity and simultaneity. Three national databases are used: United States Census Bureau, US Department of Education's National Assessment of Educational Progress test score data, and the US Department of Education's Common Core of Data. Years analyzed are 2003, 2005, and 2007.

Findings

The results of the canonical analysis are robust, statistically significant, and consistent over time. Investment in human, social, and physical capital accounts for between 55.8 and 77.2 percent of the variation in student achievement in fourth and eighth grade Reading and Mathematics. Investment in human capital is consistently the largest influence on student achievement followed by social and physical capital. The null hypothesis is rejected.

Originality/value

This study advances the use of theory in explaining the impact of investment in school infrastructure on student achievement, a feature which distinguishes it from much previous research in this domain. The use of a theory also addresses a major weakness of traditional, atheoretical education production function research. In addition, utilization of canonical analysis rather than multiple regression to operationalize the theoretical model and analyze the data represents an advance in research design and statistical analysis for this type of research question.
Building schools, rethinking quality? Early lessons from Los Angeles
Authors: Fuller Bruce , Dauter Luke , Hosek Adrienne , Kirschenbaum Greta , McKoy Deborah , Rigby Jessica , Vincent Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Newly designed schools for centuries have projected fresh ideals regarding how children should learn and how human settlements should be organized. But under what conditions can forward‐looking architects or education reformers trump the institutionalized practices of teachers or the political‐economic constraints found within urban centers? The purpose of this paper is to ask how the designers of newly built schools in Los Angeles – midway into a $27 billion construction initiative – may help to rethink and discernibly lift educational quality. This may be accomplished via three causal pathways that may unfold in new schools: attracting a new mix of students, recruiting stronger teachers, or raising the motivation and performance of existing teachers and students.

Design/methodology/approach

We track basic indicators of student movement and school quality over a five‐year period (2002‐2007) to understand whether gains do stem from new school construction. Qualitative field work and interviews further illuminate the mechanisms through which new schools may contribute to teacher motivation or student engagement.

Findings

Initial evidence shows that many students, previously bussed out of the inner city due to overcrowding, have returned to smaller schools which are staffed by younger and more ethnically diverse teachers, and benefit from slightly smaller classes. Student achievement appears to be higher in new secondary schools that are much smaller in terms of enrollment size, compared with still overcrowded schools.

Originality/value

We emphasize the importance of tracking student movement among schools and even across neighborhoods before attributing achievement differences to specific features of new schools, that is, guarding against selection bias. Whether new schools can hold onto, or attract new, middle‐class families remains an open empirical question. Future research should also focus on the magnitude and social mechanisms through which new (or renovated) schools may attract varying mixes of students and teachers, and raise achievement.
Improving the quality of school facilities through building performance assessment
Authors: Walbe Ornstein Sheila , Saraiva Moreira Nanci , Ono Rosaria , Limongi França Ana J.G. , Nogueira Roselene A.M.F.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The paper describes the purpose of and strategies for conducting post‐occupancy evaluations (POEs) as a method for assessing school building performance. Set within the larger context of global efforts to develop and apply common indicators of school building quality, the authors describe research conducted within the newest generation of São Paulo's schools.

Design/methodology/approach

The various methods of POE, including expert walkthroughs, physical measurements, observations, behavioral mapping, user interviews, focus groups, and survey questionnaires were applied within a purposefully selected case study school.

Findings

The POE carried out at Fernando Gasparian High School revealed limitations in the building's design, particularly in light of the neighborhood context, thus raising significant concerns about safety and security. Users gave the construction quality of the building, a generally positive evaluation, however, there were some important aspects of the building design judged as deficient. In particular, researchers observed a significant mismatch between the building design and the realities of the surrounding community. This sort of incongruity introduced important challenges to principals, teachers, and staff, as they worked to ensure the safety of students who attend the school.

Originality/value

The research explores the effectiveness of POE methods in capturing user and expert assessments of overall building quality, as well as the degree to which building designs assist educators and community members in realizing Brazil's larger educational reform goals.
Measuring school facility conditions: an illustration of the importance of purpose
Authors: Roberts Lance W.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that taking the educational purposes of schools into account is central to understanding the place and importance of facilities to learning outcomes. The paper begins by observing that the research literature connecting facility conditions to student outcomes is mixed. A closer examination of this literature suggests that when school facilities are measured from an engineering perspective, little connection to learning outcomes is evident. By contrast, when school facilities are rated in terms of educational functions, a connection to learning outcomes is apparent.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an empirical test of the educational relevance of how school facilities are measured. Using the schools in a Canadian division, the condition of school facilities was measured in two ways, including both conventional, engineering tools and a survey capturing principals' assessments. School facility ratings using these alternate measurement methods were correlated with schools' quality of teaching and learning environments (QTLE).

Findings

Two central findings emerge. First, engineering assessments of facilities are unrelated to the QTLE in schools. Second, educators' assessments of school facilities are systematically related to the QTLE in schools.

Originality/value

The findings indicate that more research needs to be directed at developing sound tools for measuring school facilities in terms of their educational relevance. In addition, school administrators need to reconsider policies that devalue the contribution that facilities make to learning outcomes.
The walls still speak: the stories occupants tell
Authors: Uline Cynthia L. , Tschannen‐Moran Megan , DeVere Wolsey Thomas
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Accompanying the recent concern for the quality of our nation's educational infrastructure, a growing body of research connects the quality of school facilities to both student outcomes including achievement, behavior, and attitude as well as to teacher attitude and behavior. Less is known about the mechanisms of these relationships. This paper aims to examine the link between school building quality and student outcomes through the mediating influence of school climate. Results build upon those of a recent study that confirmed a link between the quality of school facilities and student achievement in both English and Mathematics, as well as the mediating role of school climate. This qualitative follow‐up study explores the complicated intricacies of how a school building's physical properties influence teaching and learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is structured according to a collective, instrumental case study design. Individual, focus group, walk‐through and photo‐interviews, as well as observations inform the inquiry. Two high‐poverty schools are identified from the earlier quantitative study because the ratings of the quality school facilities by their faculties fall within the upper quartile. These two schools, one urban and one rural, are selected purposefully for this study, maximizing learning from cases rich in information.

Findings

Results of the research indicate that ongoing interactions between the original design, the day‐to‐day reality of the built environment, and the occupants of that environment help to define the learning climate of these schools. Reciprocally, the climate helps to shape the interactions that take place, fostering environmental understanding, competence and control and supporting academic learning. From the data, several broad themes related to building quality emerge as central to this interaction between the built environment and building occupants, including movement, aesthetics, play of light, flexible and responsive classrooms, elbow room, and security.

Originality/value

Through the stories told by occupants of these two schools, we gain further understanding of the interactions between certain building conditions and design features and how these reinforce and enhance the social environment of school, helping to foster a sense of belonging within a place, a sense of control and competence, and a sense of collective commitment to the place and its purposes. As school designers balance considerations of durability with flexibility, the voices of these occupants may serve to argue for the inclusion of design features that allow occupants some measure of control over comfort and use factors. The broad themes related to building quality that emerge from the data include movement, aesthetics, the play of light, flexible and responsive classrooms, elbow room, as well as safety and security.
Developing expertise for network intrusion detection
Authors: Goodall John R. , Lutters Wayne G. , Komlodi Anita
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The paper seeks to provide a foundational understanding of the socio‐technical system that is computer network intrusion detection, including the nature of the knowledge work, situated expertise, and processes of learning as supported by information technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a field study to explore the work of computer network intrusion detection using multiple data collection methods, including semi‐structured interviews, examination of security tools and resources, analysis of information security mailing list posts, and attendance at several domain‐specific user group meetings.

Findings

The work practice of intrusion detection analysts involves both domain expertise of networking and security and a high degree of situated expertise and problem‐solving activities that are not predefined and evolve with the dynamically changing context of the analyst's environment. This paper highlights the learning process needed to acquire these two types of knowledge, contrasting this work practice with that of computer systems administrators.

Research limitations/implications

The research establishes a baseline for future research into the domain and practice of intrusion detection, and, more broadly, information security.

Practical implications

The results presented here provide a critical examination of current security practices that will be useful to developers of intrusion detection support tools, information security training programs, information security management, and for practitioners themselves.

Originality/value

There has been no research examining the work or expertise development processes specific to the increasingly important information security practice of intrusion detection. The paper provides a foundation for future research into understanding this highly complex, dynamic work.
Ensembles: understanding the instantiation of activities
Authors: González Víctor M. , Nardi Bonnie , Mark Gloria
Published: May 2009

Purpose

An ensemble is an intermediate unit of work between action and activity in the hierarchical framework proposed by classical activity theory. Ensembles are the mid‐level of activity, offering more flexibility than objects, but more purposeful structure than actions. The paper aims to introduce the notion of ensembles to understand the way object‐related activities are instantiated in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an analysis of the practices of professional information workers in two different companies using direct and systematic observation of human behavior. It also provides an analysis and discussion of the activity theory literature and how it has been applied in areas such as human‐computer interaction and computer‐supported collaborative work.

Findings

The authors illustrate the relevance of the notion of ensembles for activity theory and suggest some benefits of this conceptualization for analyzing human work in areas such as human‐computer interaction and computer‐supported collaborative work.

Research limitations/implications

The notion of ensembles can be useful for the development of a computing infrastructure oriented to more effectively supporting work activities.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the value of the notion of ensembles is to close a conceptual gulf not adequately addressed in activity theory, and to understand the practical aspects of the instantiation of objects over time.
“Constructing the users” in open source software development
Authors: Iivari Netta
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report findings from an interpretive case study on user participation in the open source software (OSS) development context.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an empirical, interpretive case study and a literature review utilising the metaphor of text in the analysis, this paper provides a refined conceptualisation of user participation in OSS development.

Findings

The paper reveals that different kinds of meanings have been attached to users and to their participation. User participation is both direct and indirect in the OSS development context. Some user groups actively take part in OSS development, while others are merely represented in it. Different kinds of intermediaries “representing the users” are identified.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on one case study on a small but active OSS project with an interest in users. Other kinds of OSS projects should be analysed. The analysis was focused on a discussion forum, but users can take part in OSS development by other means as well. Paths for future work should include the gathering of more varied empirical data.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that users can provide feedback to the development through discussion forums in the distributed environment, but there is a need to support the users in doing so and the developers in analysing the data. The importance of different kinds of intermediaries “representing the users” is highlighted.

Originality/value

The paper provides thorough empirical insights and a refined conceptualisation of user participation addressing the currently weakly empirically explored OSS development context.
The association between dividend payout and outside directorships
Authors: Al‐Najjar Basil , Hussainey Khaled
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the number of outside directors on the board of directors and dividend payout are substitutes or complements mechanisms applied by UK firms to control agency conflicts of interest within the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use tobit and logit regression models to examine the extent to which firms with a majority of outside directors on their boards experience significantly lower or higher dividend payout after controlling for insider ownership, profitability, liquidity, asset structure, business risk, firm size, firms' growth rate and borrowing ratio.

Findings

Based on a sample of 400 non‐financial firms listed at London Stock Exchange for the period from 1991 to 2002, it was found that dividend payout is negatively associated with the number of outside directors on the board of directors.

Originality/value

The results suggest that firms pay lower dividends when higher number of outside directors is employed on the board. This evidence is consistent with the substitution hypothesis, which indicated that firms with weak corporate governance need to establish a reputation by paying dividends. In other words, dividends substitute for independent directors on the board. This finding offers novel insights to policy makers interested in agency conflicts of interest within the firm. It also provides evidence on the use of different substitute mechanisms for reducing agency costs.
The impact of IFRS on the European Union
Authors: Callao Susana , Ferrer Cristina , Jarne José I. , Laínez José A.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the this paper is to discover the quantitative impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on financial reporting of European countries and evaluate if this impact is connected with the traditional accounting system in which each country is classified, either the Anglo‐Saxon or the continental‐European accounting system.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors quantify the IFRS impact on each country and make a comparative analysis of that impact among countries. Then, the authors apply a cluster analysis in order to group European countries on the basis of the different effects of IFRS application.

Findings

The results obtained show that the first application of IFRS has had different effects on the financial reporting among countries. The cluster analysis identifies four groups which show that the impact of IFRS on financial statements of European firms is not related to traditional accounting systems.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the paper is that it studies the impact of mandatory IFRS application for several European countries and shows a comparative analysis, grouping the countries on the basis of that impact. Previous literature mainly gathers research related to specific countries, individually considered, or to different IFRS effects that do not reflect quantitative impacts.
Determinants of audit report lag
Authors: Afify H.A.E.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

There are three main purposes of this study which are: first, to review the literature on audit report lag (ARL) and its determinants; second, to measure the extent of ARL in a developing country, Egypt; and third, to empirically examine the impact of corporate governance (CG) characteristics on ARL in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature on determinants of ARL motivated the author to investigate about the impact of CG characteristics and audit‐related characteristics on ARL especially in emerging capital markets, such as the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange (CASE) for a sample (85 companies) of Egyptian listed companies. Further, the study includes explanatory variables relating to CG characteristics, which have not previously been considered (i.e. board independence, duality of chief executive officer (CEO), and existence of an audit committee), that may shed more light on the structure and dynamics of the ARL.

Findings

The ARL for each of the 85 listed sample companies ranged from a minimum interval of 19 days to a maximum interval of 115, and Egyptian listed companies take approximately two months on average. A regression analysis indicates that board independence, duality of CEO, and existence of an audit committee significantly affect ARL. But on the other hand, ownership concentration has insignificant affect on ARL. Also, three control variables (company size, industry and profitability) significantly affected ARL. The adjusted R2 indicate that 57.10 per cent of the variation in the dependent variable in the regression model is explained by variations in the independent variables.

Originality/value

This study of Egyptian companies listed on the CASE represents the initial comprehensive examination of ARL, and it is consider the first study to provide a thorough examination of the association between CG characteristics and ARL.
Reinventing production quality on a nano‐granularity level
Authors: Chun‐Fong Chiao Tina , Nayan Agarwal Kamal , Ma Kuang‐Fu , Chi Albert Y.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to resolve the phenomenon of the gaps between plentiful data and useful information for many manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

By introducing Bayesian dynamic sampling processes, a quality process control cycle will be achieved through the sequential linkages between the involved entities; namely, user's requirement statement, target specification document, database management, and data collection.

Findings

For commercial product‐development processes, the requirement for continuous product improvement can be done by adopting a Bayesian sequential procedure. As such, industry practitioners can be able to justify whether the manufactured products have been done successfully in fulfilling target specification documents on the nano‐scale granularity level. The unsatisfactory manufacturing cases may indicate the situations of the necessity for remedy treatments of component‐wise re‐engineering processes incrementally, or for radical innovation of creating new markets through new functional capacity, based on new technical generation of the target system.

Originality/value

This paper proposes managerial quality strategic decision guidelines which may be served as an incentive for stimulating further practical industrial case studies, especially on the area of quality products assurance.
Kaizen strategy and the drive for competitiveness: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Al Smadi Sami
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the Japanese model of continuous improvement (Kaizen) in order to evaluate its contribution to competitiveness in organizations and also recommend possible future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper, and secondary databased. The paper examines a vast body of research, which looked at the model from different perspectives, and critically explores its potential benefits and drawbacks in organizations.

Findings

The paper concludes that, if properly implemented, Kaizen model can substantially contribute to continuous improvement and, thus, drive organizations for high competitiveness without a need for major investment.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the implementation of Kaizen calls for a development of a suitable culture within an organization that encourages creativity and promotes the theme of never settling on a status quo.

Originality/value

This paper shows that success of Kaizen model is not always guaranteed, as work environment and organizational culture can be the important variables in its implementation.
A look at outsourcing offshore
Authors: Bahrami Bahman
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Most debates concerning outsourcing offshore in recent years have been politically oriented and based on casual observations. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clear economic understanding of the subject and to present offshoring in the context of globalization and in a more integrated world economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is designed in a coherent way to provide the reader with an overview, scope, benefits, and costs of outsourcing offshore and suggest some appropriate policies to navigate in a globally interdependent and competitive environment.

Findings

Outsourcing offshore is largely irreversible and the USA or other countries must invest heavily in ways to boost domestic workers' productivity and to manage workers' transitions to more competitive employment. This paper also provides evidence that, in the long run, outsourcing offshore is beneficial for the economy as a whole.

Originality/value

This paper delineates that outsourcing offshore is consistent with the theory of comparative advantage and value maximizing objectives of firms. It also provides insights for politicians and casual observers about critical aspects of outsourcing offshore.
Biomodeling of club foot deformity of babies
Authors: Jain Manak , Dhande Sanjay , Vyas Nalinaksh
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Congenital telipes equinovarus (CTEV) or club foot is a historical foot deformity where the foot is turned in and pointing down causing the subject to walk on the outside edges of foot. The non‐surgical correction of this deformity is an unsolved challenging problem in the medical domain and it becomes interesting due to the increasing number of such patients. The purpose of this paper is to build a biomodel of this historical foot deformity in newborn babies and hence an attempt to develop a corrective procedure using rapid prototyping (RP).

Design/methodology/approach

Biomodeling is a new technology that allows medical scan data sets to generate solid plastic replicas of anatomical structures. The medical scan data sets of live club foot baby patients were acquired and after image processing, biomodels of four live unilateral club foot baby patients are developed in a fused deposition modeling RP system.

Findings

The paper shows the location and position of abnormal bones and abnormal tarsal joints and is useful for management of club foot deformity in newborn babies. On visual study, it is observed that the talus is underdeveloped, talar neck is shorter and deviated in the medial and planter direction.

Research limitations/implications

The major outcome of this paper is the detailed geometrical visualization of talus bone of club foot and normal foot that assists in diagnosis and better treatment of CTEV. In future, the developed biomodels of club foot help to develop a corrective device that assists in bringing the club to normal foot geometrys.

Practical implications

These developed biomodels of club foot help in deciding the best corrective procedure for surgeons. The geometrical comparison between normal and club foot helps in developing a non‐surgical corrective procedure of this historical foot deformity. A 3D representation of talus bone provides an opportunity to view talus and analyse the ankle joint geometry that develops a favorable condition for diagnosis and treatment of this deformity.

Originality/value

The first time developed biomodels of clubfeet helps orthopaedic surgeons in preoperative surgical planning and consequently in carrying out biomechanical studies of club foot. The presented research plays a major role in planning a non‐surgical corrective procedure of this historical deformity. It also provides a platform for finite element analysis of club foot.
Effects of injection molding parameters on shrinkage and weight of plastic part produced by DMLS mold
Authors: Nagahanumaiah  , Ravi B.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an investigation into the effect of injection molding process parameters on the performance of direct metal laser sintered (DMLS) mold in producing quality Zytel nylon 66 plastic parts with consistency in part shrinkage and shot/part weight.

Design/methodology/approach

The injection mold for an industrial component (hub gear) was fabricated in EOS M‐250 machine using bronze‐based material. The effect of four injection molding parameters (injection pressure, melt temperature, speed, and injection time) on part shrinkage and weight were studied experimentally using L9 orthogonal array. The weight of the part just after ejecting from the cavity, and the average shrinkage measured after cooling, were used in grey relational analysis technique to assess the effect of each molding parameter. Further, surface properties such as surface finish, wear, scratch and corrosion resistance tests were conducted on DMLS mold material samples, in order to evaluate its use in rapid manufacturing applications.

Findings

The study found that injection speed and melt temperature have significant influence on part weight and shrinkage. The optimized molding process variables were slightly more in the case of DMLS molds as compared with the parameters suggested in the plastic datasheet. Scanning electro microscope (SEM) analysis of the mold surface after producing 5,000 glass filled Nylon 66 (Zytel) moldings did not indicate any surface degradation, confirming the use of DMLS mold in rapid manufacturing of few thousands of moldings.

Research limitations/implications

The grey relational analysis does not compute the effect of any two or more variables together unlike ANNOVA. Second, this study alone is not enough to estimate life of DMLS mold, although 5,000 glass filled nylon 66 moldings are successfully produced without any damage on mold surface.

Practical implications

This investigation demonstrates a generic approach of using grey relational analysis to quantify the effect of different molding process variables on selected quality parameters. This method can be easily extended for new processes and materials. The preliminary tests on surface finish, scratch, wear and corrosion resistance performed on DMLS mold samples have highlighted the need for improving surface properties to enhance their life. The authors are currently working on hard coating of DMLS molds as one of the solutions.

Originality/value

Use of grey relational analysis is new to the problem of injection molding process optimization. Moreover, effect of injection molding parameters on part weight and shrinkage in DMLS mold has not been studied previously. This study helps while considering DMLS molds for manufacturing few thousands of parts.
Piezo‐electric head application in a new 3D printing design
Authors: Rahmati Sadegh , Shirazi S.F. , Baghayeri H.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on redesigning a 3D printing machine, using piezoelectric demand‐mode technology head in order to improve the factors of accuracy, surface finishing and color quality of fabricated models.

Design/methodology/approach

The work first identifies two kinds of ink‐jet printing heads, and then develops a new design of 3D printing machine, based on piezoelectric head technology. Fabricated models by this new 3D printing machine were compared with the same models fabricated by current 3D printing machines (z406).

Findings

The comparison between the constructed models by two types of 3D printing machines shows improvement factors of accuracy, surface finishing and color quality using piezoelectric head in the current 3D printing machine.

Research limitations/implications

In order to provide a colorful binder, a type of binder such as ZB56 was combined with six different colors of ink namely black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta.

Practical implications

The new designed and manufactured 3D printing machine provides the ability to construct more accurate models with improved quality.

Originality/value

Apart from the above practical implications, this work provides an accurate tool for injection of the live cells into vital textures in order to create bones, members and dentures without any chemical or physical changes in cells.
Recycling of polyamide 12 based powders in the laser sintering process
Authors: Dotchev Krassimir , Yusoff Wan
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the polyamide 12 (PA12) powder properties deterioration in the laser sintering (LS) process and propose a methodology for more efficient powder recycling. The main goals are: to recommend a level of input PA2200 powder properties which could guarantee acceptable part quality in the LS process; and selection of the refresh rate in order to minimise the consumption of fresh material.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the LS processing conditions and current recycling practices in relation to the deterioration or ageing of the PA12‐based powders. Samples of new and recycled grades of PA2200 powder were artificially aged in a temperature‐controlled oven and then tested using melt flow rate (MFR) indexer. Also, un‐sintered powder samples collected from different locations within various builds, and different LS machines (EOSINT P700 and Sinterstation® 2500 HiQ) were tested.

Findings

The powder exposed at higher temperature and longer time experiences a much higher deterioration rate. The temperature and the time at which the un‐sintered material was exposed are the most influential parameters for the powder aging. It was confirmed that the MFR index is a very sensitive indicator of the changes in the powder properties and provides a relatively fast and inexpensive method of measuring the rate of the powder degradation because of the LS process. The powder located in the periphery and the top of a build has a higher MFR and therefore is less deteriorated. In contrast, powder located in the centre, or in the bottom of a long build has much lower MFR and therefore is less usable.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, a methodology for powder recycling is proposed. It allows a better control of the input material properties, a consistent quality of the fabricated parts, and more efficient use of the LS material.

Originality/value

The paper provides some useful information for the properties deterioration of PA12‐based powders (PA2200) in relation to the temperature and time at which the material is exposed in the LS.
Construction of 3D biological matrices using rapid prototyping technology
Authors: Maher P.S. , Keatch R.P. , Donnelly K. , Mackay R.E. , Paxton J.Z.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Hydrogels with low viscosities tend to be difficult to use in constructing tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds used to replace or restore damaged tissue, due to the length of time it takes for final gelation to take place resulting in the scaffolds collapsing due to their mechanical instability. However, recent advances in rapid prototyping have allowed for a new technology called bioplotting to be developed, which aims to circumvent these inherent problems. This paper aims to present details of the process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper demonstrates how by using the bioplotting technique complex 3D geometrical scaffolds with accurate feature sizes and good pore definition can be fabriated for use as biological matrices. PEG gels containing the cell‐adhesive RGD peptide sequence were patterned using this method to produce layers of directional microchannels which have a functionalised bioactive surface. Seeding these gels with C2C12 myoblasts showed that the cells responded to the topographical features and aligned themselves along the direction of the channels.

Findings

This process allows plotting of various materials into a media bath containing material of similar rheological properties which can be used to both support the structure as it is dispensed and also to initiate cross‐linking of the hydrogel. By controlling concentrations, viscosity and the temperature of both the plotting material and the plotting media, the speed of the hydrogel gelation can be enhanced whilst it is cross‐linking in the media bath. TE scaffolds have been produced using a variety of materials including poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), gelatin, alginic acid and agarose at various concentrations and viscosities.

Originality/value

This paper describes one of the very few examples of accurate construction of 3D biological microporous matrices using hydrogel material fabricated by the bioplotting technique. This demonstrates that this technique can be used to produce 3D scaffolds which promote tissue regeneration.