bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovativeness, empowerment and IT capability: evidence from SMEs
Authors: Kmieciak Roman , Michna Anna , Meczynska Anna
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore two basic research questions: what are the effects of information technology (IT) capability and employee empowerment on the innovativeness of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and what are the effects of innovativeness and IT capability on firm performance in SMEs?

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 109 Polish SMEs were collected. In order to identify empirical dimensions of innovativeness, empowerment and IT capability, a factor analysis was carried out. Multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the effects of IT capability and employee empowerment on innovativeness, and the effects of IT capability and innovativeness on firm performance.

Findings

The following results are offered: innovation activity of SMEs is positively related to technological turbulence, climate for innovation, investments in innovation and use of IT in internal communications; innovation activity and IT knowledge have a positive effect on subjective measures of firm performance; and subjective measures of firm performance are significantly correlated with objective ones. The results of this study do not confirm that IT capability has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between innovativeness and firm performance.

Practical implications

The findings identify the factors that are significantly related to innovation activity and the dimensions of the constructs under study that contribute to firm performance in SMEs.

Originality/value

To the knowledge of the authors, no previous studies conducted with regards to SMEs have examined the relationships between innovativeness, empowerment, IT capability and firm performance in an integrated way. The findings suggest some direct and indirect relationships between different dimensions of these constructs.
Technology adoption and performance impact in innovation domains
Authors: Plewa Carolin , Troshani Indrit , Francis Anthony , Rampersad Giselle
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Despite the growing prominence of innovation, limited studies examine the adoption of applications that support innovation processes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the adoption of innovation management applications (IMAs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on qualitative and quantitative evidence sourced from innovation development and commercialization functions including R&D, marketing, and administration at a university and technology transfer office.

Findings

The paper contributes to literature by isolating determinants that affect the adoption of IMAs and their link to innovation process performance, confirming the importance of perceived usefulness and compatibility of IMAs to user's work styles.

Originality/value

There is paucity of research concerning the adoption of IMAs which present unique challenges due to their idiosyncrasies. This study contributes by proposing an adoption model and validating it. It also links IMA adoption to innovation process performance, thereby filling a gap in extant technology adoption research.
HathiTrust: digital access at the intersection of interlibrary lending potential and the protection of intellectual property rights
Authors: Eden Kristina , K. Beaubien Anne
Published: May 2012

Purpose

– The aim is to provide an overview of the HathiTrust digital repository and assess the impact that intellectual property rights may have on its utility for ILL operations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use a case study approach based on their professional experience.

Findings

– In order to make digital repositories such as HathiTrust useful for international ILL purposes, librarians need to know more about users
'
e-book preferences for delivery speed, cost, and format, and under what circumstances users prefer print or electronic copies.

Originality/value

– HathiTrust is one of the newest and yet largest digital repositories in the world. The impact of such digital collections upon ILL is still unknown. The authors present highly original work that is sure to help ILL professionals navigate what is as yet uncharted territory.
Fear and loathing in cooperative collection development
Authors: Collins Peter
Published: May 2012

Purpose

– The paper
'
s aim is to demonstrate how research libraries might overcome their reluctance to enter into cooperative collection development ventures by devising resource sharing partnerships and streamlining ILL operations to the extent that they can replace significant portions of local collections. The data obtained from these and other library services can be used to identify collection areas that are ripe for cooperative collecting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author uses data from the Borrow Direct cooperative to illustrate how efficient and effective ILL services have become, and identifies a number of data types that might be collected in a data repository and used to inform the construction of a successful cooperative collection development program.

Findings

– A data repository consisting of the following data types will prove useful in outlining the parameters of a cooperative collection development program: ILL and circulation transactions, database usage statistics, online catalog searches, electronic resource access logs, courseware usage and resources, user demographics course offerings and enrollment, and funding sources.

Originality/value

– Library managers and administrators interested in levels of library cooperation much deeper than the traditional ILL and consortial borrowing operations will find this article especially useful. The discussion of Metridoc and its application in building data repositories is also helpful.
CALIS: interlibrary loan and document delivery services in China
Authors: Yao Xiaoxia , Zeng Lijun
Published: May 2012

Purpose

– This paper aims to describe the China Academic Library and Information System (CALIS), an academic library consortium which promotes resource sharing among Chinese academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use a case study approach based on their professional experience at the CALIS Administrative Center in Beijing.

Findings

– CALIS has a bright future and it is hoped that CALIS ILL and document delivery services will be expanded to all kinds of academic libraries in China, and help them meet their users
'
information needs.

Originality/value

– The paper provides insights into the current state of interlending in China.
The ethics of library resource sharing in the digital age
Authors: Posner Beth
Published: May 2012

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to outline ethical implications of the practical challenges facing resource sharing practitioners in the digital age.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author presents an overview of major ethical challenges related to digital resource sharing using a framework of four key ethical theories: justice as fairness; utilitarianism; rights theory; and common good theory.

Findings

– When administrators, publishers, lawmakers, or the public dictate policies and rules that are inconsistent with librarian values and norms, librarians should turn to ethical reasoning in defense of their work.

Social implications

– Resource sharing practitioners everywhere will find the ethical theories useful when presented with questions related to user access to information.

Originality/value

– Library managers charged with development and assessment of resource sharing policies and practices will benefit from this paper.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 78
Authors: McGrath Mike
Published: May 2012

Purpose

– The aim is to provide a review of the literature concerning interlending and document supply and related matters.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on the reading of over 150 journals, as well as monographs, reports and websites.

Findings

– It is found that open access (OA) continues to grow in importance and may well be approaching a tipping point where it becomes the norm rather than a minority and patronised channel. The UK government has signalled support for author mandates to publish in open access journals. However in the US – the publishers are once again attempting to block OA mandates. Patron driven acquisition has clearly arrived and is deeply embedded in the US although less so elsewhere in the world. Significant resistance to Big Deals has resulted in an excellent settlement by UK universities.

Originality/value

– The paper represents a useful source for librarians and others interested in interlending and document supply as well as such related matters as resource sharing and open access.
On‐line temperature measurement of a micro drill bit
Authors: Fu Lianyu , Guo Qiang
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a method and a system for measuring drill bit temperature on‐line in the micro drilling process and to characterize drilling processes via drill bit temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

The drill bit temperature measurement system was first established by the utilization of an infrared camera. Then the drill bit temperature in a drilling cycle was characterized. The temperatures of an ultra‐small micro drill bit and a coated drill bit were measured and compared.

Findings

The temperature of an ultra‐small drill bit can be measured on‐line via the proposed temperature measurement system. The drilling process can be characterized by the drill bit temperature. The drill bit temperature decreased when a coated drill bit was used.

Originality/value

The paper highlights key points for measuring the drill bit temperature on‐line by an infrared camera and characterizes PCB drilling processes by measuring the drill bit temperature.
Nickel‐gold plating of copper PCB traces and signal losses
Authors: Gaudion Martyn
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss nickel gold plating of PCB traces and its adverse effects on signal integrity, and to explore the other key drivers in optimising yields and controlling PCB processes that impinge on signal integrity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a response to requests from PCB fabricators to explain why the losses on impedance controlled traces on PCBs were sometimes higher than expected.

Findings

While nickel is acceptable on short lengths of pad to accommodate gold plating, plating the whole trace length is generally not good practice from a digital signal integrity perspective. In addition, with the fastest serial transmission rates in the 10 to 20 GHz region and long serial words in some situations designers may need to consider both the associated high and low frequency performance.

Originality/value

With the development of ultra high speed digital bus architectures, PCB fabricators will appreciate the need to add an understanding of the drivers of insertion loss (base material loss tangent data, foil roughness and copper cross sectional areas) to their existing experience of architectures with minimal losses.
Groups and information disclosure: evidence on the Olson and Putnam hypotheses in Japan
Authors: Yamamura Eiji
Published: May 2012

Purpose

There is controversy between Putnam and Olson concerning the role of groups. Putnam argued that small groups contribute to economic growth, whereas Olson asserted that small groups hamper economic growth through rent‐seeking behavior. Since the end of the 1990s in Japan, there has been a remarkable rise in the rate of enactment of public information‐disclosure ordinances by local governments. This paper aims to use the panel data of Japan to compare the effects of Putnam‐type horizontally structured groups and Olson‐type vertically structured groups on government information disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

The Arellano‐Bond type dynamic panel model is employed to control for unobserved fixed effects and endogeneity bias.

Findings

The major findings are as follows: the Putnam‐type group has a positive influence on information disclosure; and the Olson‐type group has a detrimental effect on information disclosure.

Originality/value

These findings support both the Putnam and Olson hypotheses. The characteristics of a particular group should be considered carefully when the influence of that group is examined.
The unemployment rate, unemployment volatility, and crime
Authors: Fallahi Firouz , Pourtaghi Hamed , Rodríguez Gabriel
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to study the effect of the unemployment rate and its volatility on crime in the USA. It proposes that not only the unemployment rate, but also its volatility affect the crime.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the volatility of the unemployment rate is calculated using ARCH models. Next, using the results from the first stage the ARDL approach to cointegration is used to examine the link between the unemployment rate and its volatility on the crime.

Findings

The cointegrated or long‐run relationships are found only for burglary and motor‐vehicle theft. The results indicate that the unemployment rate has a significant effect on burglary and motor‐vehicle theft only in the short run and the unemployment volatility has a negative effect on motor‐vehicle theft regardless of time span. However, it has a positive effect on burglary in the short run and no effect in the long run.

Originality/value

The effect of unemployment rate on crime is documented in the literature. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that emphasizes the importance of unemployment rate volatility on the crime.
A multilevel investigation of relationships among brand‐centered HRM, brand psychological ownership, brand citizenship behaviors, and customer satisfaction
Authors: Chang Aihwa , Chiang Hsu‐Hsin , Han Tzu‐Shian
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the process of internal brand management that makes employees identify with the corporate brand and produce positive attitudes and behaviors, thus contributing to customer satisfaction. Three constructs, brand‐centered HRM, brand psychological ownership, and brand citizenship behaviors, are utilized to examine the process of internal brand management. The first construct, brand‐centered human resource management (HRM), represents managerial practices that improve brand cognitions and brand attitude of employees. The second construct, brand psychological ownership, explains the psychological experiences that make employees feel brand ownership and then express altruistic spirit of the brand. The third construct, brand citizenship behaviors, shows that employees live the brand.

Design/methodology/approach

This multilevel research of collecting data from 453 employees, 172 supervisors, and 933 customers from 26 hotels demonstrates the results of different levels. Hierarchical linear modeling is utilized to investigate the relationships among these constructs.

Findings

Results at the individual level show that brand psychological ownership of employees has positive effects on brand citizenship behaviors, and all factors of these two constructs are also correlated positively. Results at the cross level demonstrate that brand‐centered HRM has positive effects on brand psychological ownership and brand citizenship behaviors. Organizational‐level brand citizenship behaviors positively affect customer satisfaction. Furthermore, brand psychological ownership partially mediates the relationship between brand‐centered HRM and brand citizenship behaviors.

Practical implications

An organization can adopt brand‐centered HR practices to make employees produce brand psychological ownership and brand citizenship behaviors, thus contributing to customer satisfaction. HR managers can strengthen employees' brand citizenship behaviors by fostering their brand psychological ownership feelings.

Originality/value

This paper explores the conception, measurement, and explanatory power of the new research construct (i.e. brand psychological ownership) on the effectiveness of internal brand management.
Corporate branding: an interdisciplinary literature review
Authors: Fetscherin Marc , Usunier Jean‐Claude
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how scholarly research on corporate branding has evolved using bibliometric author co‐citation analysis of articles published between 1969 and 2008 on corporate branding.

Design/methodology/approach

The bibliography was compiled using the ISI Web of Science database. The authors searched articles published between 1969 and 2008 that used terms in their title related to their research scope. Then they used citation mapping to visualize the relationships between and among key works in the field.

Findings

The search resulted in 264 papers by 412 authors in 150 journals. The field is notably interdisciplinary, with articles published mainly in business, management, architecture, arts and communications disciplines. The authors found three main approaches to corporate branding research (internal, transactional, external) with seven core research streams: product, service and sponsorship evaluation; corporate and visual identity; employment image and application; corporate crime; financial performance; brand extension; and corporate image. They also identified emerging fields such as corporate branding combined with corporate social responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited by the database and the terms used for the search. Self‐citations were also included. The authors used citation mapping and content analysis to identify core research streams.

Originality/value

The article is singular in using bibliometrics by means of author co‐citation analyses to identify, analyze and visualize key articles about corporate branding in the last 40 years. The results demonstrate the impact of selected institutions, journals, and key articles and authors on the research field.
Shaping the research agenda for corporate branding: avenues for future research
Authors: Melewar T.C. , Gotsi Manto , Andriopoulos Constantine
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to explore three central tensions in the debate on corporate branding. Is a normative or a social constructionist approach more appropriate in conceptualising and managing corporate brands? Should the focus be on the organizational or the individual level? Must organizations take a static (focusing on continuity) or a more dynamic (focusing on change) perspective on corporate branding?

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper based on a critical review of relevant literature and the papers included in this special issue.

Findings

Avenues for future research in corporate branding are highlighted.

Originality/value

Several issues fundamental to the corporate branding debate remain controversial. This paper sheds light on three key tensions in managing corporate brands and shapes the research agenda for future studies.
Modelling process and optimization of EMC filters for power electronics applications
Authors: Gerbaud Laurent , Touré Baidy , Schanen Jean‐Luc , Carayon Jean‐Pierre
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The frequency simulation and optimisation of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter is often computation time consuming. The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach for easy and fast modelling and optimization of power electronics structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes an approach for easy and fast modelling and optimization of power electronics structures. It focuses on the EMC filter design. To achieve this task time simulation, FFT and automatic frequency modelling are combined.

Findings

An automatic frequency modelling is proposed and also gives automatically the model gradients. Therefore, the model can be used to optimize the EMC filter, but also can help in choosing its topology. Several optimization algorithms are used and compared.

Research limitations/implications

The power electronics load is supposed to be a set of predefined harmonic sources, obtained by time simulation + FFT before the optimisation process.

Practical implications

The frequency model allows for the rapid designing and comparing of several structures or modelling hypothesis with regard to the parasitic elements and circuit imperfections.

Originality/value

The frequency model is automatically generated, and sizing criteria on the component (e.g. inductors, capacitor) can be added in an analytical form, for example, to deal with volume or mass criteria.
TEAM problem 22 approached by a hybrid artificial life method
Authors: Coco Salvatore , Laudani Antonino , Riganti Fulginei Francesco , Salvini Alessandro
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply a hybrid algorithm based on the combination of two heuristics inspired by artificial life to the solution of optimization problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The flock‐of‐starlings optimization (FSO) and the bacterial chemotaxis algorithm (BCA) were adapted to implement a hybrid and parallel algorithm: the FSO has been powerfully employed for exploring the whole space of solutions, whereas the BCA has been used to refine the FSO‐found solutions, thanks to its better performances in local search.

Findings

A good solution of the 8‐th parameters version of the TEAM problem 22 is obtained by using a maximum 200 FSO steps combined with 20 BCA steps. Tests on an analytical function are presented in order to compare FSO, PSO and FSO+BCA algorithms.

Practical implications

The development of an efficient method for the solution of optimization problems, exploiting the different characteristic of the two heuristic approaches.

Originality/value

The paper shows the combination and the interaction of stochastic methods having different exploration properties, which allows new algorithms able to produce effective solutions of multimodal optimization problems, with an acceptable computational cost, to be defined.
Application of progressive quadratic response surface method for an oscillation problem optimization
Authors: Xuan Hoa N. , Coulomb Jean‐Louis , Gerbaud Laurent , Crebier Jean‐Christophe , Rouger Nicolas
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an effective optimization strategy applied in a physical structure optimization of a semiconductor power metal oxide semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MOSFET), with an expensive integration constraint computation.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to deal with inaccuracy due to inevitable numerical errors in the objective function calculation (the power losses of the power MOSFET) and in the constraint computation, the paper proposes to use the progressive quadratic response surface method (PQRSM).

Findings

The paper focuses on four aspects: the inevitable numerical errors in the power loss and the integration constraint computation; the response surface approximation (RSA) method; the PQRSM principle; and finally the comparisons of several optimization methods applied on this application problem.

Originality/value

An original optimization method, PQRSM, is proposed for reducing the oscillation problem of a semi‐analytical model. The optimization results of PQRSM have been compared with the evolution strategy (ES) algorithm, with similar results but faster computation.
ECT sensor optimization based on RSM and GA
Authors: Brandisky Kostadin , Sankowski Dominik , Banasiak Robert , Dolapchiev Ivaylo
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the optimization of an 8‐electrode cylindrical electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) sensor. The aim is to obtain maximum uniformity and value of the sensitivity distribution of the sensor, while keeping the mutual capacitances between the electrodes above a predefined level.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimization methods that have been used are response surface methodology, genetic algorithm and a combination of both.

Findings

As results, optimum dimensions for the gap, mounting pipe, shield and insulation are determined, which ensure more uniform distribution of sensitivity in the sensing area.

Originality/value

The optimization strategies used – RSM and the combined RSM+GA – make the optimization of ECT sensors feasible. The results show the effectiveness of the RSM+GA strategy which could also be used for optimization of 3D multilayer ECT sensors.
Adjoint sensitivity in PDE constrained least squares problems as a multiphysics problem
Authors: Lahaye Domenico , Mulckhuyse Wouter
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for the implementation of an adjoint sensitivity formulation for least‐squares partial differential equations constrained optimization problems exploiting a multiphysics finite elements package. The estimation of the diffusion coefficient in a Poisson‐type diffusion equation is used as an example.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors derive the adjoint formulation in a continuous setting allowing to attribute to the direct and adjoint states the role of different fields to be solved for. They are one‐way coupled through the mismatch between measured and direct states acting as a source term in the adjoint equation. Having solved for the direct and adjoint state, the sensitivity of the cost function with respect to the design variables can then be obtained by a suitable post‐processing procedure. This sensitivity can then be used to efficiently solve the least‐squares problem.

Findings

The authors derived the adjoint formulation in a continuous setting allowing the direct and adjoint states to be attributed the role of different fields to be solved. They are one‐way coupled through the mismatch between measured and direct states acting as a source term in the adjoint equation. It is found that, having solved for the direct and adjoint state, the sensitivity of the cost function with respect to the design variables can then be obtained by a suitable post‐processing procedure.

Research limitations/implications

This paper implies that modern multiphysics finite elements packages provide a flexible and extendable software environment for the experimentation with different adjoint formulations. Such tools are therefore expected to become increasingly important in solving notoriously difficult partial differential equation (PDE)‐constrained least‐squares problems. The framework also provides the possibility of experimentation with different regularization techniques (total variation and multiscale techniques for instance) to handle the ill‐posedness of the problem.

Originality/value

In this paper the adjoint sensitivity computation is casted as a multiphysics problem allowing for a flexible and extendable implementation.
Multidisciplinary optimization formulations benefits on space mapping techniques
Authors: Ben Ayed Ramzi , Brisset Stéphane
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of multidisciplinary optimization (MDO) formulations within space‐mapping techniques in order to reduce their computing time.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of this work is to quantify the interest of using MDO formulations within space mapping techniques. A comparison of three MDO formulations is carried out in a short time by using an analytical model of a safety transformer. This comparison reveals the advantage of two formulations in terms of robustness and computing time among the three MDO formulations. Then, the best formulations are investigated within output space mapping, using both analytical and FE models of the transformer.

Findings

A major computing time gain equal to 5.5 is achieved using the Individual Disciplinary Feasibility formulation within the output space‐mapping technique in the case of the safety transformer.

Originality/value

The MultiDisciplinary Feasibility formulation is the common formulation used within space‐mapping technique because it is the most conventional way to perform MDO. The originality of this paper is to investigate the Individual Disciplinary Feasibility formulation within output space‐mapping technique in order to allow the parallelization of calculation and to achieve a major reduction of computing time.
Three dimensional optimal current patterns for radiofrequency ablation treatments
Authors: Vincenza Caminiti Ida Maria , Ferraioli Fabrizio , Formisano Alessandro , Martone Raffaele
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a planning strategy for the radio frequency ablation (RFA) treatment of hepatic tumors. The goal is to give to the surgeon the opportunity of controlling the shape and the size of the treated volume and preserving the healthy tissues.

Design/methodology/approach

A FEM model of the human torso is built from radiographic and MRI scans of the patients, and then the RFA treatment “dynamically optimized” by controlling currents in multiple external electrodes, in such a way to drive currents in the desired regions, burning the tumor while trying to preserve healthy regions. A suitable cellular death model is considered in order to achieve an effective description of the biological modifications in the tumor volume.

Findings

A numerical method to plan the RFA treatment of hepatic tumors has been defined, aiming to preserve as much as possible healthy tissues.

Research limitations/implications

The method depends on the knowledge of inner structure and properties of the patient's torso; while the structure of tissues can be determined by TAC or MRI scans, the physiological properties are much more uncertain.

Practical implications

The proposed approach allows optimized RFA treatments to be designed, allowing reduction of damage to healthy tissues deriving from application of the treatment.

Originality/value

The problem of optimal design of RFA treatments has been previously tackled in literature, but in this paper, dynamical optimization techniques and a cell death rate model have been included.
Preparation and characterisation of aluminium pigments encapsulated by composite layer containing organic silane acrylate resin and SiO2
Authors: Gao A.H. , Pi P.H. , Wen X.F. , Zheng D.F. , Cai Z.Q. , Cheng J. , Yang Z.R.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the anticorrosion property of aluminium pigments and to improve their compatibility with polymers in coating.

Design/methodology/approach

Aluminium pigments encapsulated by organic‐inorganic layer were prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of organic silane acrylate resin and tetraethoxy silane (TEOS) on the surface of pigments via sol‐gel method. TEOS and poly (methyl methacryalte‐n‐butyl acrylate‐vinyl triethoxysilane) (PMBV) formed in advance by co‐polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA), n‐butyl acrylate (BA) and vinyl triethoxysilane (VTES) were used as precursors. The adhesion property of the aluminium pigments was measured by peel test, and the loss of silvery appearance after encapsulation and acid soaking were both evaluated by colour lightness difference (ΔL) measurement. The encapsulated aluminium pigments were further characterised by means of FTIR, SEM, TG and XPS.

Findings

It was found that PMBV‐SiO2 thin films could be formed on the surface of aluminium pigments smoothly and uniformly, and the adhesion and anticorrosion performances of encapsulated aluminium pigments were improved significantly.

Research limitations/implications

The organic silane acrylate resin used as a precursor in the sol‐gel process could be synthesised from other aclyate monomers. In addition, the hydrolysis and condensation mechanism of organic silane acrylate resin on the surface of aluminium pigments need further studies.

Practical implications

The method developed provided a good solution to the two problems of aluminium pigments and increased their application values.

Originality/value

The method of improving adhesion and anticorrosion properties of aluminium pigments was novel and could find numerous applications in surface coatings and adhesives.
Lignosulphonate modified ketonic resins
Authors: Kızılcan Nilgün
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how lignosulphonate modified ketone formaldehyde resins containing functional groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, phenol, were produced via in situ modification of ketone/formaldehyde resins. Cyclohexanone‐formaldehyde (CF‐R), acetophenone‐formaldehyde (AF‐R) and methyl ethyl ketone‐formaldehyde (MEKFR) resins were in situ modified with lignosulphonate in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The paper reports the synthesis of lignosulphonate‐modified resins with a one step method of in situ modification of ketonic resin. The roles of the types of the ketone, lignosulphonate concentration, the solubility, molecular weight and thermal properties of the product were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Ketone, formalin (37 per cent aqueous solution), lignosulphonate were mixed and 20 per cent aqueous NaOH solution was added to produce the resin.

Findings

There was improvement of the properties of the lignosulphonate modified ketonic resins produced from waste black liquor. The lignosulphonate modified ketone‐formaldehyde resins were soluble in common organic solvents.

Research limitations/implications

The reaction mixture must be stirred continuously. Subsequently, 37 per cent formalin was added dropwise in total while refluxing. The amount of aqueous NaOH solution is limited since the formed resin may become insoluble in common organic solvents. The water was removed from MEKFR, successively by evaporating with rotary evaporator.

Practical implications

This study provides the application of ketonic resins. The modified ketonic resins containing lignosulphonate groups may also promote the adhesive strength of a coating. The cell walls of various cell types of plants, for example, wood fibres, vessels, and tracheid, have lignin as an important constituent. It constitutes 20‐30 per cent of the weight of wood.

Originality/value

Lignosulphonate modified ketonic resins have been synthesized in the presence of a base catalyst. These resins have higher Tg or Tm values and molecular weight than CFR and AFR alone and also have thermoset property. Environmental and ecological concerns have increased the attention paid by the chemical industry to renewable raw materials.
Effects of preparation parameters on the morphology of chitosan‐silica hybrid hollow nanospheres
Authors: Yan E. , Wang Y. , Jing T. , Zhang D. , Wang C. , Zhang J.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of preparation process and amounts of starting materials on the morphology of chitosan‐silica (CS‐silica) hybrid hollow nanospheres.

Design/methodology/approach

A simple method coupling sol‐gel process and in situ self‐assembly was used to prepare CS‐silica nanospheres from the solution containing chitosan‐poly (acrylic acid) (CS‐PAA) nanoparticles, tetraethoxyorthosilicate (TEOS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The morphology of CS‐silica hybrid hollow nanospheres was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical structures of CS‐PAA nanoparticles and CS‐silica nanospheres were characterised by FT‐IR spectra.

Findings

The size and morphology of CS‐silica nanospheres was largely dependent on the starting amounts of TEOS, PVP and ammonia. Moreover, the reaction time can also affect the structures of the hybrid nanospheres.

Research limitations/implications

The dispersibility of CS‐silica nanospheres was not good enough and the conglutination was inevitable to some extent.

Practical implications

The coupling of sol‐gel technology and in situ self‐assembly opened a new gateway for preparing other organic/inorganic composite nanoparticles. This kind of material could be used as a slow release agent for biocides in coatings/paints.

Originality/value

The hybrid CS‐silica nanospheres showed obvious hollow structures. The morphology of nanospheres can be efficaciously controlled via adjusting the starting amounts of PVP, TEOS and ammonia, and the stirring time. The obtained CS‐silica hybrid nanospheres will have potential applications in such as drug delivery and controlled release.
Electrocopolymerization of pyrrole with bis(4‐aminobutyl)polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Ustamehmetoğlu Belkıs , Kızılcan Nilgün , Demir Ömer
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesise the block copolymer of pyrrole (Py) with bis(4‐inobutyl)polydimethylsiloxane (DA.PDMS) by electrochemical method. The characterisation of the insoluble block copolymers, P(Py‐b‐DA.PDMS), was performed by cyclovoltammetric measurements, solid‐state conductivity and DSC measurements. The surface morphology of the copolymers was examined with scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Design/methodology/approach

Electropolymerisation process was performed potentiostatically and potentiodynamically. Redox behaviour of the resulting copolymer films was investigated. In‐situ spectroelectrochemical measurement was carried out on indium thin oxide (ITO) electrodes.

Findings

The ionisation potentials (Ip), electron affinity (Ea), optical band gap (Eg), peak potentials (Ep), and doping degree (y) of copolymers were calculated by using in‐situ spectroelectrochemical measurement results. The copolymers have slightly lower doping degree, band gap, Ip and Ea values than homopolymer. Copolymers had the conductivities of 10‐5 S/cm and had Tg values.

Research limitations/implications

This study can also be focused on obtaining conductive copolymer with insulator DA.PDMS blocks on the PPy chain by one‐step polymerisation.

Practical implications

This work provides technical information for the synthesis and characterisation of conducting block copolymer by electrochemical method.

Originality/value

Change in optical and electrical properties of the P(Py‐b‐DA.PDMS) shows the role of the individual properties of the copolymer blocks. While the DSC scan of PPy showed no transition temperature, which is a characteristic property of conducting copolymers, P(Py‐b‐DA.PDMS) had Tg values. This might be due to the inclusion of the DA.PDMS blocks on the PPy chains.
Leveraging quantitative data to improve a device‐lending program
Authors: Chapman Joyce , Woodbury David
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to encourage administrators of device‐lending programs to leverage existing quantitative data for management purposes by integrating analysis of quantitative data into the day‐to‐day workflow.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study of NCSU Libraries' efforts to analyze and visualize transactional data to aid in the on‐going management of a device‐lending program.

Findings

Analysis and visualization of qualitative data related to technology lending revealed patterns in lending over the course of the semester, day, and week that had previously gone unrecognized. With more concrete data about trends in wait times, capacity lending, and circulation volume, staff are now able to make more informed purchasing decisions, modify systems and workflows to better meet user needs, and begin to explore new ideas for services and staffing models.

Practical implications

The concepts and processes described here can be replicated by other libraries that wish to leverage transactional data analysis and data visualization to aid in management of a device‐lending program.

Originality/value

Although much literature exists on the implementation and qualitative evaluation of device‐lending programs, this paper is the first to provide librarians with ideas for leveraging analysis of transactional data to improve management of a device‐lending program.
Supporting virtual communities through disciplinary repository development
Authors: Reznik‐Zellen Rebecca , Adamick Jessica
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This article aims to discuss the implementation of social networking tools onto existing disciplinary repository platforms – both commercial and open source – with the purpose of building enhanced disciplinary repository‐based virtual communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is a case study. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has served as a test‐bed for two disciplinary repository‐based virtual communities, InterNano and ESENCe, both of which serve as examples for the development of features that facilitate social connections in emerging multi‐disciplinary fields. Two different approaches to the technical implementation of social networking tools onto standard disciplinary repository software platforms are described, as well as the challenges faced by each project.

Findings

Although disciplinary repositories are not typically conceived as social spaces, disciplinary repositories can integrate social networking components to act as “knowledge brokers” for emerging disciplines of practice. The challenges of developing disciplinary repositories as virtual communities include software limitations, community integration and trust building, and identification and acquisition of relevant content in emerging and dynamic fields.

Originality/value

InterNano and ESENCe represent the growing long‐tail of disciplinary repositories, about which little literature exists. This case study demonstrates the activities and challenges of developing small‐scale multi‐disciplinary disciplinary repositories into active virtual communities.
Digital image description: a review of best practices in cultural institutions
Authors: Ménard Elaine , Smithglass Margaret
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of the first phase of a research project aiming to develop a bilingual taxonomy for the description of digital images. The objectives of this extensive exploration were to acquire knowledge from the existing standards for image description and to assess how they can be integrated in the development of the new taxonomy.

Design/methodology/approach

An evaluation of 150 resources for organizing and describing images was carried out. In the first phase, the authors examined the use of controlled vocabularies and prescribed metadata in 70 image collections held by four types of organizations (libraries, museums, image search engines and commercial web sites). The second phase focused on user‐generated tagging in 80 image‐sharing resources, including both free and fee‐based services.

Findings

The first part of the evaluation showed that each resource presented comparable information for the images or items being described. Best practices and implementation proved to be largely consistent within each of the four categories of organizations. The second part revealed two trends: in image‐upload systems, there was a virtual absence of mandated structure beyond user name and tags; and in stock photography resources, the authors encountered a hybrid of taxonomies working in combination with user tags.

Originality/value

The analysis of best practices for the organization of digital images used by indexing specialists and non‐specialists alike has been a crucial step, since it provides the basic guidelines and standards for the categories and formats of terms, and relationships to be included in the new bilingual taxonomy, which will be developed in the next phase of the research project.
The effect of on‐the‐spot versus delayed compensation: the moderating role of failure severity
Authors: Kim Namin , Ulgado Francis M.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The present study compares two types of compensation – i.e. on‐the‐spot and delayed – and tries to reveal how and when firms can utilize delayed compensation effectively. For this, failure severity is considered how these two types of compensation affect satisfaction and repurchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario‐based experiment in the hotel and restaurant industries was used with a sample of 292 students.

Findings

The results show that failure severity acts as a moderating variable in a recovery process of compensation‐satisfaction‐repurchase intention. The more severe consumers perceive the failure is, the more they depend on satisfaction to decide repurchase intentions. The two types of compensation are also moderated by failure severity on their effects on satisfaction and repurchase intentions. On‐the‐spot compensation leads to more satisfaction and repatronage intentions when failures are severe, but the results are not as straightforward when failures are insignificant. Under such a condition, while delayed compensation does not engender customer satisfaction with recovery as much as on‐the‐spot compensation, repatronage intentions for both types of compensation were similar in the hotel industry and even higher in restaurant services.

Research limitations/implications

Industry differences such as ease of visit, frequency of visit, competition factors, and primary value (e.g. hedonic versus utilitarian) are expected to influence the effects of on‐the‐spot versus delayed compensation.

Practical implications

The study provides practitioners with the implication that the timing of compensation should be approached strategically according to the severity of failure and recovery outcomes they expect to achieve.

Originality/value

The present study tries to focus on compensation, one of the most commonly used recovery strategies, and tries to find the effects of different timings of it.
Predicting negative consumer reactions to services offshoring
Authors: Thelen Shawn T. , Shapiro Terri
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine behavioral changes by consumers (i.e. changing time of day they contact a firm, requesting a domestic service provider, and ceasing doing business with the firm) when faced with being provided a service from abroad.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a pre‐recruited internet panel of 394 American consumers. Hierarchical regression analysis, including demographic and psychographic variables, was employed to determine which variables were instrumental in predicting behavioral changes among consumers when being provided a service from abroad.

Findings

The results suggest that American consumers are wary of services offshoring and that psychographic variables (boycott issue importance and negative word of mouth) are more instrumental than demographic variables in predicting behavioral changes by consumers.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should examine consumer attitudes about services offshoring from populations in countries other than the US, and in relation to different types of services and the importance of those services to consumers.

Practical implications

Implications for firms include assessing their customer's perceptions of offshoring, proactively communicating with customers about offshoring practices, and providing customers with some control over their service interactions.

Originality/value

Previous researchers have highlighted the benefits of services offshoring to firms but also hypothesized that consumers may react negatively when provided services from abroad. In this research, it is found that consumers will change the way they interact with a firm when faced with being provided a service from abroad.