bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards phronetic knowledge for strategic planning in corporate real estate management
Authors: van Reedt Dortland Maartje , Voordijk Hans , Dewulf Geert
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The objective of this paper is to provide insights about the potential of real option thinking for corporate real estate management (CREM) from the owner-user perspective. A promising approach to classifying and evaluating flexibility in real estate is the real options approach. Most literature on real options look from an investor perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, a review on real option thinking in the real estate and large engineering projects literature is provided using Flyvbjerg’s (2001) typology of knowledge systems. Next, the effects of exercising real options for various stakeholders in CREM is analysed in two case studies.

Findings

– The literature review shows that little research has been done on conditions and values needed to make real options applicable in the CREM practice of the owner-user of real estate. The case studies show that real options are more valuable to one stakeholder than to another.

Practical implications

– Based on the knowledge on conditions for and the consequences of exercising real options for various stakeholders, insight can be gained into the applicability of real options to the owner-user of real estate and how real options reasoning fits within this practice. A phronetic type of knowledge is needed that incorporates stakeholders’ interests.

Originality/value

– Creating phronetic knowledge would allow understanding why and how real options are used, or could be used in the future, and heuristics could be developed. In this way, real estate management should become more resilient to changes.
An interdisciplinary platform for information behavior research in the liberal arts hobby
Authors: Hartel Jenna
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The liberal arts hobby is a leisure pursuit that entails the systematic and fervent pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the liberal arts hobby as a setting for information behavior research.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method of interdisciplinary translation work is used to relate existing research from the specialties of leisure studies, adult education, and information behavior. Drawing from leisure studies, the liberal arts hobby is presented within the context of the serious leisure perspective, a theoretical framework of leisure. Also, relevant research.

Findings

– The basic informational features of the liberal arts hobby and adult learning project are discussed in terms of three issues of current interest within information behavior scholarship. The issues are: first, social metatheory and the ideal level of analysis; second, time and information behavior; and third, information behavior in pleasurable and profound contexts.

Research limitations/implications

– Research into everyday life, serious leisure and hobbies is extended and methodological tools are provided.

Practical implications

– Information professionals, such as public librarians or systems designers, will have a better understanding of the information experience of a popular hobby group and be better able to meet their information needs.

Social implications

– Awareness and understanding of the liberal arts hobby will be increased across the field of information science, thereby creating a better alignment between the field and society.

Originality/value

– The paper is the first to establish an interdisciplinary starting point for information behavior research in the liberal arts hobby.
The patron as producer: libraries, web 2.0, and participatory culture
Authors: Deodato Joseph
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer a theoretical framework for applying Web 2.0 technologies and design principles to the development of participatory cultures within libraries. A participatory culture is one that focusses on facilitating interaction and the creation of content by users rather than the consumption of content created or compiled by experts.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is a literature-based theoretical analysis that explores the role of libraries as agents of cultural hegemony and techniques for developing socially responsible library praxis. It combines insights from a variety of discourses including Western Marxist theories of hegemony, critical theories of library and information science, professional literature regarding “Library 2.0” service models, and media studies theories of participatory culture.

Findings

– Libraries do not just organize knowledge; they construct it. Furthermore, these constructions tend to reinforce dominant discourses while marginalizing others. By adopting participatory technologies and design principles, libraries can support greater diversity of expression and create spaces for marginalized discourses.

Practical implications

– This paper offers suggestions for applying principles of participatory culture to the design of library services such as collection development, cataloging and classification, reference, instruction, and institutional repositories.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating the significance of Web 2.0 for library and information science by applying theoretical perspectives from other disciplines.
A framework of intelligent decision support system for Indian police
Authors: Gupta Manish , Chandra B. , Gupta M.P.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce architecture of an Intelligent Decision Support System to fulfill the emerging responsibilities of law enforcement agencies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed Intelligent Police System (IPS) is designed to meet the emerging requirements and provide information at all levels of decision making by introducing a multi-level structure of user interface and crime analysis model. The proposed framework of IPS is based on data mining and performance measurement techniques to extract useful information like crime hot spots, predict crime trends and rank police administration units on the basis of crime prevention measures.

Findings

– IPS has been implemented on actual Indian crime data provided by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which illustrates effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed system. IPS can play a vital role in improving outcome in the crime investigation, criminal detection and other major areas of functioning of police organization by analyzing the crime data and sharing of the information.

Research limitations/implications

– The research in intelligent police information system can be enhanced with some important additional features which include web-base management system, geographical information system, mobile adhoc network technology, etc.

Practical implications

– IPS can easily be applied to any police system in the world and can equally be useful for any law enforcement agencies for carrying out homeland security effectively.

Originality/value

– The research reported in this manuscript is outcome of the research project funded by NCRB. This paper is the first attempt to build framework of IPS for Indian police who deal with large volume and high rate of crimes that are unmatched to any police force of the world.
Consumer perceived values of Hawaiian attire: the effects of socio-demographic factors
Authors: Inouye Stephanie , Chi Ting , Bradley Linda
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose and examine a consumer-perceived value (CPV) formation model in the context of Hawaiian attire (aloha attire). The effects of key socio-demographic factors on perceived values of aloha attire were empirically determined.

Design/methodology/approach

– CPV is conceptualized as a multi-dimensional construct including emotional value, social value, quality value, and price value. The investigated socio-demographic factors included residential status, age, gender, ethnicity, education level, income level, and type of retailers from which consumers usually purchase aloha attire. The primary data were gathered by a questionnaire survey of US consumers. Using 330 survey returns, factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were utilized for data analysis and hypothesis testing.

Findings

– The proposed model was proven valid and the four value constructs cumulatively accounted for 68.6 percent of the variance in CPV of aloha attire. Majority of variances of perceived values (social value at 74 percent, emotional value at 70 percent, price value at 67 percent, and quality value at 65 percent, respectively) can be accounted for by investigated socio-demographic factors. Gender and ethnicity significantly affected perceived social and emotional values. Income level and education level significantly affected all perceived values. Residential status only affected perceived price and emotional values, while retailer type significantly affected perceived social, emotional, and quality values.

Practical implications

– Incorporation of gender, ethnicity, income level, education level, residential status, and retailer type information in developing marketing strategies and promotional programs can help companies more effectively convey desired values of aloha attire to target consumers.

Originality/value

– This empirical study responded to the need for better understanding of consumer desired values for aloha attire to support more effective product development and marketing. The knowledge gained from this study provides valuable insights for both academicians and industrial practitioners.
Ethical fashion dimensions: pictorial and auditory depictions through three cultural perspectives
Authors: Carey Lindsey , Cervellon Marie-Cécile
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide the results of an exploratory study comparing attitudes of young fashion conscious consumers towards ethical fashion in Canada, France and the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methods used in this research were qualitative with a mix of interviews and focus groups and a new application of a visual method widely used within design and fashion environments, the mood board. The study is based within the contrast of a growing trend towards sustainability and the rise of fast fashion where consumers are increasingly demanding cheaper items. The research is also grounded in cross-cultural research where the comparison of data emanating from different cultures and languages presents specific dilemmas for researchers.

Findings

– Results indicated that there were notable differences in the perception of ethical fashion between the respondents from these three cultures. In the representation and appeal of this fashion segment, in terms of its perceived availability, the transfer of meaning connected with the observation of higher price points and in the use of ethical purchases in the fashion arena as an offset or redemption for unethical behaviour in other contexts.

Originality/value

– The originality of this paper lies in the innovative use of the visual qualitative methods which contributes to the debate concerning the research methods associated with cross-cultural research and extends the restricted body of literature which compares cultural attitudes in this area by offering key insights into the complex issues surrounding ethical fashion consumption.
Evaluation of post-GFC policy response of New Zealand: non-banking perspective
Authors: Yahanpath Noel , Islam Mahbubul
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore whether the present measures being taken by the New Zealand (NZ) government are strengthening its non-banking sector effectively to address the recent financial crisis and ensure better financial stability to the economy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The basic methodology used in this paper is the “documentary research method”. For this study, data has been collected from various published sources; e.g. The Bulletin, the Financial Stability Report and other publications of the Reserve Bank of NZ, publications by Statistics NZ and a number of NZ government Ministries, and some newspapers and magazines, etc.

Findings

– We find that the NZ government is revamping the non-banking sector by introducing a prudential regime. However, we also find some gaps in the existing regulatory systems that need to be addressed to ensure soundness in the total system.

Research limitations/implications

– The basic limitation of documentary research will be applicable to this study. Further research may be carried out to investigate the policy responses of government from banking, corporate governance and other regulatory perspectives.

Practical implications

– Our study identifies some gaps in current policy responses along with some suggestions for the future that may be taken into consideration by the respective policy-makers to further strengthen the support provided by policy responses to financial crises.

Originality/value

– Our study provides a unique insight into the evaluation of post-GFC policy response and its effectiveness with regard to non-banking sector and, to our knowledge, the first of its kind in NZ in the post-global financial crisis period.
Classifying logistics-relevant disasters: conceptual model and empirical illustration
Authors: L’Hermitte Cécile , Tatham Peter , Bowles Marcus
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use a theory-based approach to develop a new classification model for disasters that reflects their logistics implications, and to contextualise the findings by applying the model to a particular disaster situation.

Design/methodology/approach

– A widespread literature review was conducted in order to conceptualise the proposed disaster classification model and a case study (the 2011-2012 Somali food crisis) was used to provide a practical illustration and an initial validation of the conceptual approach.

Findings

– The new classification model proposes a set of four categories of disasters based on two generic dimensions, whilst simultaneously integrating five situational factors that reflect the impact of the external environment on the logistics operations. The case study confirms that this systemic approach is necessary since, from a logistics perspective, a disaster should be considered in its entirety and within its contextual environment.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research is needed to establish the operational characteristics of each disaster type in order to determine the applicability of business logistics practices to each scenario. In addition, this paper highlights the opportunity to validate or refine the model by using a more varied range of case studies.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes a new classification model for disasters based on their logistics implications and, by integrating the key environmental factors, it moves beyond the traditional 2×2 model found in the literature.
Performance measurement in humanitarian logistics: a customer-oriented approach
Authors: Schiffling Sarah , Piecyk Maja
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a performance measurement framework that takes into account the key stakeholders of the logistics departments or personnel in humanitarian organisations. It reflects their views and characteristics by adapting the balanced scorecard (BSC) to this environment. The key stakeholders are identified using the stakeholder salience framework by Mitchellet al.(1997).

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a conceptual paper based on a systematic literature review on stakeholders, customers and performance measurement in humanitarian supply chains.

Findings

– Beneficiaries are the customers that are the reason for the existence of humanitarian supply chains. Donors are the stakeholder group with the highest salience due to the greatest amount of power. Both groups have their own interests, creating a challenging environment for performance measurement. Standard business tools such as the BSC have to be adapted accordingly to be useful in this environment.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper is conceptual and the proposed framework is yet to be tested empirically.

Practical implications

– The proposed framework can help humanitarian organisations focus on the aspects of performance that are most relevant to their key customer groups.

Originality/value

– The research brings together the complexities of humanitarian supply chains with the increasing customer focus that can be seen in commercial service supply chains. Based on an assessment of stakeholder salience, the difference in key customer groups is analysed. The resulting framework provides indications for balancing their diverging needs.
Managing dynamic business environments: India’s future automotive industry
Authors: Kuklinski Christian , Moser Roger , Callarman Thomas
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine from an information processing perspective how Delphi-based analyses can be used to overcome some challenges of dynamic business environments in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– Delphi-based, future-oriented approach utilizing scenario planning methodology based on real-time expert-panel data.

Findings

– Delphi-based analyses can indeed serve as an information processing aid to reduce uncertainty and equivocality in an emerging market.

Originality/value

– A multistage analysis approach integrating the political, economic, socio-cultural and technological-stakeholder framework to support and better structure managers’ information processing in an emerging market.
Development of a work/family social support measure
Authors: L. Boyar Scott , S. Campbell Nathanael , C. Mosley Jr Donald , M. Carson Charles
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive measure of social support to include within and across domain support from the organization, supervisor, coworkers, and family for two types of support, emotional, and instrumental.

Design/methodology/approach

– Four diverse samples were used in an iterative process to develop and provide an initial validation of the 16 dimensions of social support.

Findings

– The results provide support for the development and initial validation of the 16 dimensions of social support.

Research limitations/implications

– A cross-sectional design was used and may be problematic when examining relationships that occur over time. Further, capturing all scales with a single survey could result in common method bias, which may inflate predictive relationships.

Practical implications

– A comprehensive measure of social support can assess the differential effect of various types of social support, which can help in identifying unique work-family variables. The multidimensional measure will allow organizations to better diagnose and address performance issues related to a particular type of support.

Originality/value

– The study develops a comprehensive measure of social support that can be useful for organizations wanting to diagnose potential support-related issues that may impact important outcomes.
Complexity and ethical crisis management
Authors: Guntzburger Yoann , C. Pauchant Thierry
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the Fukushima nuclear disaster (FND) that occurred 11 March 2011 through the lens of the systemic and complexity theory. This analysis allows the proposition of some guidelines for the development of a more preventive and ethical approach in crisis management, including changes in human resource management and training.

Design/methodology/approach

– Thanks to a layered analysis of the complex system that represents the FND and an actor/stake approach, this paper sheds light on the many failures that occurred on the personal, organizational, institutional, political and cultural level.

Findings

– This analysis highlights that, beyond the apparent simplicity of the natural trigger events, a complex network of legal, cultural and technological paradigms, as well as the defense mechanisms of personal and organizational moral disengagement, have structured the context of this crisis, allowing for an event to turn into this disaster.

Practical implications

– This study shows the limit of classical approach towards crisis management such as probabilistic risk assessment in terms of systemic and complexity: the assessment could be easily overcome if the mindset of the organization leaders is not already oriented towards preventive management.

Originality/value

– The value of this study is participating to the effort of showing the need to develop more preventive mindsets and behaviours in the global economy, dealing with worldwide and complex issues.
Research analysts’ conflicts of interest: a global solution
Authors: Sanderson Karl
Published: November 2014

Research analysts make investment recommendations and investors, whether retail or wholesale, regard them as experts and important sources of information about the sectors and companies they cover. Many factors, however, can influence an analyst’s independence and objectivity – amongst other things, the investment banking relationships of their employer and aspects of an analyst’s personal financial circumstances.
Search engine queries used to locate electronic theses and dissertations
Authors: Coates Mildred
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine two research questions: What search engine queries lead users to the Auburn University electronic theses and dissertations (AUETDs) collection? Do these queries vary for users in different locations and, if so, how?

Design/methodology/approach

– Search engine queries used to locate the AUETDs collection were obtained from Google Analytics and were separated into groups based on user location. These queries were assigned to empirically derived categories based on their content.

Findings

– Most local users’ queries contained person names, variants for thesis or dissertation, and variants for Auburn University. Over a third were queries for the AUETDs collection, while the remainder were seeking theses and dissertations from specific Auburn researchers. Most out-of-state users’ queries contained title and subject keywords and appeared to be seeking specific research studies. Queries from users located within the state but outside of the local area were intermediate between these groups.

Practical implications

– Over two-thirds of visits to the AUETDs collection were made by search engine users which reinforces the importance of having repository content indexed by search engines such as Google. The specificity of their queries indicates that full-text indexing will be more helpful to users than metadata indexing alone.

Originality/value

– This is the first detailed analysis of search engine queries used to locate an ETDs collection. It may also be the last, as query content for the major search engines is no longer available from Google Analytics.
Examining stakeholders’ influence on environmental responsibility of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and its outcomes
Authors: Nejati Mehran , Amran Azlan , Hazlina Ahmad Noor
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Given the uprising interest in the environmental responsibility issues among small businesses, the purpose of this paper is to design to probe into the relationship between stakeholders’ influence and environmental responsibility of Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), and its consequent outcomes in an emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of 110 MSME owners participated in this study. Data were collected by means of questionnaire designed to measure the 12 constructs of focus. In order to test the hypotheses and examine the relationships proposed in the research framework, structural equation modelling was performed using SmartPLS.

Findings

– This study revealed that among the primary stakeholders, only employees and customers significantly influenced environmental responsibility practices of MSMEs. Besides, it was found that environmental responsibility results in financial improvements and better relations with employees and customers.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is limited to MSMEs in Malaysia. Despite the relatively low response rate, which is common in MSME research, the geographic and sector distribution of samples provides a basis for generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

– Since many MSME owners/managers are sceptical about the benefits of environmental practices, the findings of this study provided empirical support from an emerging economy about the positive outcomes of environmental practices.

Social implications

– By examining the key determinants that foster environmental practices in MSMEs, the current study provides important insights for policy makers to encourage MSMEs to initiate such responsible practices, which can lead to environmental preservation.

Originality/value

– Other than enriching a systems-based view of firms’ environmental behaviour, this study empirically tests a research framework on role of stakeholders in determining environmental responsibility of small firms and their outcomes on firms’ performance.
Blended learning in accounting: a New Zealand case
Authors: Weil Sidney , De Silva Tracy-Anne , Ward Maurice
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to describe the implementation of a blended learning approach in a Stage 2 management accounting course at a university in New Zealand. The paper reports on student participation and engagement in the course and reflects on students’ learning experiences. The blended learning approach was implemented in response to low student attendance and poor preparation for face-to-face tutorial sessions, along with demand from students to be able to access learning resources off-campus.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from formal course evaluations, the learning management system and a student focus group, with particular emphasis on three of the online activities introduced – lessons, quizzes and chat rooms.

Findings

– The study finds that while learners value online activities, they are nevertheless still unwilling to forgo the opportunities which face-to-face contact with both peers and faculty members present. This finding provides support for the continuation of a blended learning approach in the course, as well as its implementation in others.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper has several limitations. These include the small sample size and the absence of reflection on the process and outcome(s) of implementation of the blended learning course by the responsible academic. Furthermore, the paper also did not consider the impact of blended learning on students’ soft, or generic, skills. These are topics for future research.

Practical implications

– The findings highlight the importance of offering not only a mixture of online activities, but also a blend of face-to-face and online activities.

Originality/value

– This study focuses on student participation and engagement in a blended learning accounting course.
Reduction of carbon emissions in VRP by gravitational search algorithm
Authors: MirHassani S.A. , Mohammadyari S.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Nowadays, global warming, due to large-scale emissions of greenhouse gasses, is among top environmental issues. The purpose of this paper is to present a problem involving the incorporation of environmental aspects into logistics, which provides a comparison between pollution reduction and distance-based approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

– In green vehicle routing problem (VRP), the aim is to model and solve an optimization problem in order to minimize the fuel consumption which results in reducing energy consumption as well as air pollution. The Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) is adapted and used as a powerful heuristic.

Findings

– Here, it is shown that a set of routes with minimum length is not an optimal solution for FCVRP model since the total distance is not the only effective factor for fuel consumption and vehicle's load plays an important role too. In many cases, a considerable reduction in emissions can be achieved by only an insignificant increase in costs.

Research limitations/implications

– Green transportation is a policy toward reducing carbon emissions. This research focussed on routes problem and introduce FCVRP model. GSA is used as a powerful heuristic to obtain high quality routes in a reasonable time. Considering other factors that affecting fuel consumption could make this study more realistic.

Practical implications

– When a distribution center receives all the information it needs about the demand from all the retail stores it supplies, a VRP is produced. So the models are valid for use by all goods producers and distributors. The preliminary assessment of the proposed model and method carried out on benchmark problems up to 200 nodes.

Originality/value

– Fuel consumption is one of the most influential factors in transportation costs. This paper introduces an innovative decision-making framework to obtain optimum routes in a vehicle routes problem considering air pollution. The results were compared from fuel consumption as well as total travel distance viewpoints.
Vocational rehabilitation in mental health services: evaluating the work of a social and therapeutic horticulture community interest company
Authors: Fieldhouse Jon , Parmenter Vanessa , Hortop Alice
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report on an action inquiry (AI) evaluation of the Natureways project, a time-limited collaboration between an NHS Trust Vocational Service and a voluntary sector horticulture-based community interest company (CIC).

Design/methodology/approach

– Natureways produced positive employment outcomes and an AI process – based on co-operative inquiry with trainees, staff, and managers – explored how these had been achieved.

Findings

– Natureways’ efficacy was based on features of the setting (its supportiveness, rural location, and workplace authenticity), on its embeddedness (within local care-planning pathways, the horticultural industry, and the local community), and on effective intersectoral working. The inquiry also generated actionable learning about creative leadership and adaptability in the changing landscape of service provision, about the benefits of the CIC's small scale and business ethos, about the links between trainees’ employability, social inclusion and recovery, about horticulture as a training medium, and about the role of AI in service development.

Practical implications

– The inquiry highlights how an intersectoral CIC can be an effective model for vocational rehabilitation.

Social implications

– Community-embeddeness is an asset for mental health-orientated CICs, facilitating social inclusion and recovery. Social and therapeutic horticulture settings are seen to be conducive to this.

Originality/value

– This case study suggests that AI methodology is not only well-suited to many practitioners’ skill sets, but its participatory ethos and focus on experiential knowledge makes it suitable for bringing a service user voice to bear on service development.
The benefits of peer support: transforming day services in hard times
Authors: Mather Elaine
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a voluntary sector organisation's work in transforming day services, based on peer support, in the face of major cuts in Local Authority funding and the requirement to provide “low-cost, high-impact services”.

Design/methodology/approach

– A description of the challenges facing the organisation and the ways in which services were configured based on peer support.

Findings

– The number of people for whom support was provided increased from 60 to 180 using the rich pool of talent present among peers/volunteers. Friendships developed to reduce isolation and across the provision a sense of hope and optimism was created.

Originality/value

– Many services are facing substantial cuts. This paper offers a positive approach to addressing these based on peer support and use of community resources that may be of value to others facing similar challenges.
Philip Fisher’s sense of numbers
Authors: Massironi Carlo
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to propose an account of the use of numbers and mathematical formulae and, more generally, of the quantitative aspects in the qualitative equity valuation model of the American investor Philip A. Fisher who is considered to be one of the fathers of the qualitative equity valuation models.

Design/methodology/approach

– A Conceptual analysis was conducted (Glasersfeld, 1992) of the four volumes published by Fisher between 1954 and 1980 (1958, 1960, 1975, 1980) in relation to his equity valuation process. On the basis of this analysis, a modelization of this author’s perspective on quantitative instruments was built.

Findings

– A modelization to use quantitative data in a qualitative equity valuation model that is sufficiently detailed and useful for an asset manager is proposed.

Originality/value

– What is propose is a qualitative analysis of quantitative elements in the thought of a qualitative author on the subject of equity valuation. It is believed that this paper could be of interest to all those who use or are involved in the development of qualitative models of equity valuation or business valuation. This work is also an example of how conceptual analysis – generally employed in the field of mathematics education research – can be used to build descriptive models of decision-making processes of individual investors, models designed to enable the reproduction/approximation of the conceptual operations of the investor.
Modeling of pneumatic valve dispenser for printing viscous biomaterials in additive manufacturing
Authors: Ren Xiang , Zhang Qingwei , Liu Kewei , Li Ho-lung , Zhou Jack G.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is establishing a general mathematical model and theoretical design rules for 3D printing of biomaterials. Additive manufacturing of biomaterials provides many opportunities for fabrication of complex tissue structures, which are difficult to fabricate by traditional manufacturing methods. Related problems and research tasks are raised by the study on biomaterials’ 3D printing. Most researchers are interested in the materials studies; however, the corresponded additive manufacturing machine is facing some technical problems in printing user-prepared biomaterials. New biomaterials have uncertainty in physical properties, such as viscosity and surface tension coefficient. Therefore, the 3D printing process requires lots of trials to achieve proper printing parameters, such as printing layer thickness, maximum printing line distance and printing nozzle’s feeding speed; otherwise, the desired computer-aided design (CAD) file will not be printed successfully in 3D printing.

Design/methodology/approach

– Most additive manufacturing machine for user-prepared bio-material use pneumatic valve dispensers or extruder as printing nozzle, because the air pressure activated valve can print many different materials, which have a wide range of viscosity. We studied the structure inside the pneumatic valve dispenser in our 3D heterogeneous printing machine, and established mathematical models for 3D printing CAD structure and fluid behaviors inside the dispenser during printing process.

Findings

– Based on theoretical modeling, we found that the bio-material’s viscosity, surface tension coefficient and pneumatic valve dispenser’s dispensing step time will affect the final structure directly. We verified our mathematical model by printing of two kinds of self-prepared biomaterials, and the results supported our modeling and theoretical calculation.

Research limitations/implications

– For a certain kinds of biomaterials, the mathematical model and design rules will have unique solutions to the functions and equations. Therefore, each biomaterial’s physical data should be collected and input to the model for specified solutions. However, for each user-made 3D printing machine, the core programming code can be modified to adjust the parameters, which follows our mathematical model and the related CAD design rules.

Originality

– This study will provide a universal mathematical method to set up design rules for new user-prepared biomaterials in 3D printing of a CAD structure.
Options for additive rapid prototyping methods (3D printing) in MEMS technology
Authors: A. Lifton Victor , Lifton Gregory , Simon Steve
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the options for additive rapid prototyping methods in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Additive rapid prototyping technologies, such as stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS), all commonly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, are reviewed and compared with the resolution requirements of the traditional MEMS fabrication methods.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the 3D print approach, the entire assembly, parts and prototypes are built using various plastic and metal materials directly from the software file input, completely bypassing any additional processing steps. The review highlights their potential place in the overall process flow to reduce the complexity of traditional microfabrication and long processing cycles needed to test multiple prototypes before the final design is set.

Findings

– Additive manufacturing (AM) is a promising manufacturing technique in micro-device technology.

Practical implications

– In the current state of 3D printing, microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices for fluid handling and manipulation appear to be the most compatible with the 3D print methods, given their fairly coarse minimum feature size of 50-500 μm. Future directions in the 3D materials and method development are identified, such as adhesion and material compatibility studies of the 3D print materials, wafer-level printing and conductive materials development. One of the most important goals should be the drive toward finer resolution and layer thickness (1-10 μm) to stimulate the use of the 3D printing in a wider array of MEMS devices.

Originality/value

– The review combines two discrete disciplines, microfabrication and AM, and shows how microfabrication and micro-device commercialization may benefit from employing methods developed by the AM community.
A method to represent heterogeneous materials for rapid prototyping: the Matryoshka approach
Authors: Lei Shuangyan , C. Frank Matthew , D. Anderson Donald , D. Brown Thomas
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for representing heterogeneous materials using nested STL shells, based, in particular, on the density distributions of human bones.

Design/methodology/approach

– Nested STL shells, called Matryoshka models, are described, based on their namesake Russian nesting dolls. In this approach, polygonal models, such as STL shells, are “stacked” inside one another to represent different material regions. The Matryoshka model addresses the challenge of representing different densities and different types of bone when reverse engineering from medical images. The Matryoshka model is generated via an iterative process of thresholding the Hounsfield Unit (HU) data using computed tomography (CT), thereby delineating regions of progressively increasing bone density. These nested shells can represent regions starting with the medullary (bone marrow) canal, up through and including the outer surface of the bone.

Findings

– The Matryoshka approach introduced can be used to generate accurate models of heterogeneous materials in an automated fashion, avoiding the challenge of hand-creating an assembly model for input to multi-material additive or subtractive manufacturing.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a new method for describing heterogeneous materials: in this case, the density distribution in a human bone. The authors show how the Matryoshka model can be used to plan harvesting locations for creating custom rapid allograft bone implants from donor bone. An implementation of a proposed harvesting method is demonstrated, followed by a case study using subtractive rapid prototyping to harvest a bone implant from a human tibia surrogate.
A strategic look at how to extend your digital footprint
Authors: North Steve , Jason Oliver John
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the key strategic questions that need to be considered when evaluating whether or not to extend a company’s reach across multiple digital platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

– The viewpoint presented in this paper reflects both the practical experience of conceiving, launching and implementing a multi-platform digital strategy, combined with an academic insight into branding and strategic resource allocation and management.

Findings

– Before extending the digital footprint, executives need to consider several key questions that will impact on the relative success of their digital strategy.

Practical implications

– A digital strategy that extends a company’s reach across multiple platforms needs to be considered in terms of delivering against corporate- and business-level strategy to be effective.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a unique combination of practical experience fused with academic knowledge on the key questions that should be considered to successfully design and implement a multi-platform digital strategy.
The merits of ISO 26000 for CSR development in the mining industry: a case study in the Zambian Copperbelt
Authors: Ranängen Helena , Zobel Thomas , Bergström Andrea
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to design a case study to explore how a mining and construction company, located in the Zambian Copperbelt, practices corporate social responsibility (CSR), which has a vital role to play in the mining industry because of its importance in a range of areas including: the local economy, avoiding a negative impact on the environment and society and occupational safety. This is especially true in the developing parts of the world. Numerous initiatives, guidelines and tools have been made available for CSR practice but very little is known about the usefulness of the new CSR-standard International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 26000.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study was designed to explore how a mining and construction company, located in the Zambian Copperbelt, practices CSR within the health area and to discuss the possible merits of ISO 26000 for CSR development in the mining industry in the developing world.

Findings

– Our findings show that, despite the fact that ISO 26000 is primarily a series of guidelines, it can be used to evaluate and improve a company’s CSR practice even if that company is already considered as a frontrunner within CSR. The standard can give valuable advice when designing community development programs and allocating the use of charity donations. Further, our study has shown that traditional management systems based on occupational health and safety standard 18001 and ISO 14001 can rather effectively support actions and expectations in ISO 26000.

Research limitations/implications

– The research context is Zambia, so there might be limitations when applying the results to other cultural and geographical settings.

Practical implications

– The paper is a useful source of information about the practical implementation of CSR within the health area.

Originality/value

– Much of the literature within the field of practical implementation of CSR is focusing on the philanthropic activities. This paper brings more information about practical implementation of CSR in core corporate business.
Behavioral and demographic predictors of staff ratings of role model status in a corrections-based therapeutic community for women
Authors: I. Hodge Ashleigh , L. Warren Keith , V. Linley Jessica
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine personal and social network characteristics that predict staff ratings of therapeutic community (TC) resident role model status.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 49 incarcerated female residents tracked interactions with peers, including verbal affirmations and corrections, during a 12-hour period. Two weeks later, staff members were surveyed about their view of participants as role models. Poisson regression was used to analyze resident interactions and demographics as predictors of role model status.

Findings

– The number of corrections given to peers was positively related to staff ratings of role model status (B=0.234, SE=0.088,p=0.008). The number of affirmations given was negatively related to staff ratings (B=−0.112, SE=0.051,p=0.028). Resident phase was positively related to staff ratings (B=0.256, SE=0.102,p=0.012). These values did not significantly change when controlling for affirmations and corrections received from peers, non-programmatic interactions between residents, or resident demographics.

Research limitations/implications

– These results imply that TC staff judge role model status by resident actions in the community rather than demographics or peer reactions. External validity is limited by the single site, case study design, and the fact that only female TC residents were sampled.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to track resident peer interactions over the course of a day and to link those interactions to role model status.