bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile tethering: overview, perspectives and challengess
Authors: Constantinescu Mihai , Onur Ertan , Durmus Yunus , Nikou Shahrokh , de Reuver Mark , Bouwman Harry , Djurica Miodrag , Maria Glatz Philipp
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze mobile tethering from technological and social perspectives. Mobile tethering allows us to share cellular data connection with others over WiFi, Bluetooth or USB. Although the technology is ready and has promising outcomes, service providers and the users still keep their distance. Therefore, the incentives for the users and service providers should be identified.

Design/methodology/approach

– Technical challenges in terms of energy and bandwidth consumption are explored using an application specifically developed for mobile tethering. Usage issues are studied through conjoint analysis, in which we analyze the importance of technical aspects as well as social conditions for sharing data connection with others.

Findings

– The research shows that although energy, bandwidth and security are important technical challenges, users are mainly concerned about social aspects, such as with whom the connection will be shared, rather than monetary issues. Mobile tethering is a viable cooperative service, only when users are familiar with the person with whom the data connection is being shared.

Research limitations/implications

– In the technical evaluation of the mobile tethering application, only Android operating systems are being used. Other operating systems (e.g. iOS) may perform differently. Moreover, only a small fraction of smartphones and tablets has been tested.

Practical implications

– Service providers tend to block mobile tethering technology, as they do not have control and do not expect to gain revenues. However, service providers have the abilities to satisfy the security and privacy concerns of the users and can create secure femtocells for their customers.

Social implications

– Mobile tethering performance results indicate that more people can access the Internet while they are mobile even if they do not have cellular data subscription. More Internet-based services can be offered to people while they roam in other countries.

Originality/value

– For technology developers, both the key technical issues and the concerns of the consumers are highlighted. Future applications must contain reliable security and privacy protocols in their design. Moreover, the significance of the social networks is shown in the decision-making of the use of mobile tethering, especially with respect to the credit exchange.
The Pransky interview: Russ Angold, Co-Founder and President of Ekso™ Labs
Authors: Pransky Joanne
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experiences of a prominent robotic industry engineer-turned entrepreneur regarding the evolution, commercialization and challenges of bringing a technological invention to market.

Design/methodology/approach

– The interviewee is Russ Angold, Co-Founder and President of Ekso™ Labs. Mr Angold has a bachelor’s degree in BioResource and Agricultural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He is a California-registered Professional Mechanical Engineer and has two granted patents and another seven pending.

Findings

– In 2004, two weeks after Mr Angold was hired by a former colleague to work on exoskeletons (Exos) at the University of California, Berkeley, one of Mr Angold’s six brothers has an accident that leaves him as an incomplete quadriplegic. This is the catalyst that eventually leads him and the company to design and create robotic Exos for medical applications in addition to military applications.

Originality/value

– Russ Angold, via a personal tragedy, becomes a bionic entrepreneur who provides many of the concepts that shape the current inventions and intellectual property of Ekso Bionics, a pioneer in the field of robotic Exos. Ekso was selected as WIRED magazine’s number two “Most Significant Gadget of 2010”, was included in Time magazine’s “50 Best Innovations of 2010” and was also featured in Inc. Magazine as one of the “5 Big Ideas for the Next 15 Years”. Ekso is listed on the US over-the-counter QB securities.
Virtual agonist-antagonist mechanisms produce biological muscle-like functions
Authors: Xiong Xiaofeng , Wörgötter Florentin , Manoonpong Poramate
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply virtual agonist–antagonist mechanisms (VAAMs) to robot joint control allowing for muscle-like functions and variably compliant joint motions. Biological muscles of animals have a surprising variety of functions, i.e. struts, springs and brakes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Each joint is driven by a pair of VAAMs (i.e. passive components). The muscle-like functions as well as the variable joint compliance are simply achieved by tuning the damping coefficient of the VAAM.

Findings

– With the VAAM, variably compliant joint motions can be produced without mechanically bulky and complex mechanisms or complex force/toque sensing at each joint. Moreover, through tuning the damping coefficient of the VAAM, the functions of the VAAM are comparable to biological muscles.

Originality/value

– The model (i.e. VAAM) provides a way forward to emulate muscle-like functions that are comparable to those found in physiological experiments of biological muscles. Based on these muscle-like functions, the robotic joints can easily achieve variable compliance that does not require complex physical components or torque sensing systems, thereby capable of implementing the model on small-legged robots driven by, for example, standard servo motors. Thus, the VAAM minimizes hardware and reduces system complexity. From this point of view, the model opens up another way of simulating muscle behaviors on artificial machines.

Executive summary

– The VAAM can be applied to produce variable compliant motions of a high degree-of-freedom robot. Only relying on force sensing at the end effector, this application is easily achieved by changing coefficients of the VAAM. Therefore, the VAAM can reduce economic cost on mechanical and sensing components of the robot, compared to traditional methods (e.g. artificial muscles).
Family firms, family generation and performance: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Badrul Muttakin Mohammad , Khan Arifur , Subramaniam Nava
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of family ownership on firm performance. In particular the authors investigate whether family firms outperform non-family firms and whether first generation family firms perform better than second generation family firms in an emerging economy using Bangladesh as a case.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses a data set of 141 listed Bangladeshi non-financial companies for the period 2005-2009. The methodology is based on multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

– The result shows that family firms perform better than their non-family counterparts. The authors also find that family ownership has a positive impact on firm performance. The analysis further reveals intergenerational differences where family firms and performance are associated positively only when founder members act as CEOs or chairmen. However, when descendents serve as CEOs or chairmen family firms are associated with poorer firm performance.

Originality/value

– The authors extend the findings of previous studies that investigate the family ownership and firm performance relationship in developed economy settings, but neglected emerging economies. The study also informs the literature about the intergenerational impact of family firms on performance in an emerging market.
Characteristics of human perception and their relevance when studying information behavior
Authors: Peter Lueg Christopher
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight findings regarding human perception in allied disciplines and to argue that information behaviour research needs to find ways to address human characteristics that imply that: first, subjects are likely to fail to recognize information that is present in an environment and potentially relevant to a task at hand; and second, subjects would not be able to report on the fact that they failed to recognize the information. The authors also discuss as to how information behaviour research can address the aforementioned challenges resulting from human movement and perception.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author draws on the literature primarily in cognitive science and psychology to highlight the findings that are most relevant to the scientific study of information behaviour, to develop a model of the information environment in which information behaviour is situated, and to critically examine how data is collected in information behaviour research. Ways to provide more comprehensive information about information behaviour are also discussed.

Findings

– The literature in cognitive science and psychology suggests that failing to notice information relevant to a task at hand may not be the exception but to be expected, and needs to be taken into account by information behaviour researchers. Popular data collection methods including questionnaires and interviews do not pick that up because subjects would not be aware of the fact which means in turn that they cannot articulate the fact either. This suggests that: first, current models of information behaviour focus too much on one side of the coin; and second, information behaviour researchers may need to complement their data collection methods with data collection methods such as gaze tracking.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a conceptual paper based on the careful analysis of relevant research primarily in cognitive science and psychology. Relating theory to practice provides a strong indication of the general validity of the findings but there may be other aspects that have not been covered as yet.

Originality/value

– The paper is unique in that it critically reviews information behaviour research from a human perception and movement point of view. There have been papers criticizing information behaviour research from a methodological point of view. This paper adds to that body of work and proposes a way forward.
A model of uncertainty and its relation to information seeking and retrieval (IS&R)
Authors: Chowdhury Sudatta , Gibb Forbes , Landoni Monica
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show that uncertainty may be caused not only by a knowledge gap in the mind of a user with respect to a given subject or topic, but also by the various complexities associated with the information seeking and retrieval (IS&R) process in a digital environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Both quantitative and qualitative studies were conducted to collect data from users in the higher education sector regarding whether or not they experienced uncertainty in relation to the IS&R process. Analysis: a correlation analysis was undertaken to establish whether there were any relationships between information-seeking activities and information-seeking problems.

Findings

– The findings of this research show that uncertainty existed at different stages of the IS&R process amongst users. It was established that uncertainty was caused by a number of information-seeking activities and information-seeking problems, and that such uncertainty could continue over the course of successive search sessions, leading to the proposal of a new model of uncertainty.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed model of uncertainty should contribute to a better understanding of the issues related to IS&R in a digital environment.

Practical implications

– A number of benefits could be realised in systems design from the application of this model in terms of reducing the negative impact of uncertainty, while at the same time helping users to gain from the positive aspects of uncertainty in IS&R.

Originality/value

– The general consensus is that uncertainty is a mental state of users reflecting a gap in knowledge which triggers an IS&R process, and that the gap is reduced as relevant information is found, and thus that the uncertainty disappears as the search process concludes. However, in the present study it is argued that some form of uncertainty is always associated with some part of the IS&R process and that it also fluctuates throughout the IS&R process. Users may therefore feel uncertain at any stage of the IS&R process and this may be related to: the initial information need and expression of that need, the search process itself, including identification of relevant systems, services and resources; and the assessment of, and reaction to, the results produced by the search process. Uncertainty may be unresolved, or even increase, as the user progresses, often iteratively, through the IS&R process and may remain even after its completion, resulting in what may be called a persistent uncertainty. In other words, this research hypothesises that, in addition to the uncertainty that triggers the information search process (Wilsonet al., 2000), users suffer from varying degrees of uncertainty at every stage of the information search and retrieval process, and that in turn, triggers different information-seeking behaviours.
Engaging in digital technology: one size fits all?
Authors: Lichy Jessica , Khvatova Tatiana , Pon Kevin
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the extent to which faculty have adopted technology-enhanced learning in the delivery of undergraduate programmes to a largely international cohort, and indirectly the barriers that may be preventing a more widespread use of technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– The enquiry takes a cross-disciplinary approach to explore how technology is used in the delivery of international programmes in France and Russia; the focus lies at the intersection of technology-led learning and managing cultural diversity. A face-to-face survey is used to gather the more specific information about teaching practices at each institution.

Findings

– The findings of the survey strongly suggest that technology acceptance and technology awareness are influenced by a number of complex factors in this particular cultural context. The study concludes by discussing various recommendations for integrating technology into courses delivered across the partner institutions.

Research limitations/implications

– The two institutions are based in “second cities” but they do not reflect a nation-wide attitude to using technology for teaching purposes. The findings cannot be extrapolated beyond this relatively restricted geographic sample.

Originality/value

– Existing studies often discuss and compare student reactions to technology-enhanced learning but there is a gap in the understanding of the broader factors that can influence the delivery of course materials using technology. The perception and usage of internet technology can vary considerably across different cultures and linguistic communities, and this factor can have an impact on the way a course is delivered.
A methodology for the reconfiguration process in manufacturing systems
Authors: H. Garbie Ibrahim
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a “Reconfiguration Methodology” in manufacturing systems that they can become more economically sustainable and can operate efficiency and effectively. This methodology will allow customized flexibility and capacity not only in producing a variety of products (parts) and with changing market demands, but also in changing and reengineering the system itself.

Design/methodology/approach

– Reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) is a philosophy or strategy which was introduced during the last decade to achieve agility in manufacturing systems. Until now, the RMS philosophy was based changing activities such routing, planning, programming of machines, controlling, scheduling, and physical layout or materials handling system. But the RMS concept can be based on the needed reconfiguration level (NRL), operational status of production systems, and new circumstances (NC). The NRL measure is based on the agility level of the manufacturing systems which is based on technology, people, management, and manufacturing strategies. The components of the manufacturing system design (MSD) consist of production system design, plant layout system, and material handling system. Operational status of production systems includes machine capability (flexibility) and capacity (reliability), production volume or demand, and material handling equipment in addition to the plant layout. The NC are also consisting of new product, developing the existing ones, and changing in demand.

Findings

– Reconfiguration manufacturing systems from one period to another period is highly desired and is considered as a novel manufacturing philosophy and/or strategy toward creating new sustainable manufacturing systems. A new reconfiguration methodology for the manufacturing systems will be analyzed and proposed. Two Case studies will be introduced.

Originality/value

– The suggestion of a new methodology of reconfiguration including the NRL (configurability index) and the operational status of manufacturing systems with respect to any circumstance is highly considered. The reconfiguration methodology also provides a framework for sustainability in the manufacturing area which mainly focussed on manufacturing systems design.
Risks and strategies in a Brazilian innovation – flexfuel technology
Authors: Lotti Oliva Fábio , Cecília Sobral Maria , Damasceno Fernando , Janny Teixeira Hélio , Cláudio de Hildebrand e Grisi Celso , Américo Fischmann Adalberto , Aparecido dos Santos Silvio
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the importance of innovation in the industry; factors that condition technological competitiveness at Magneti Marelli Controle Motor; analyse the risks and opportunities involved in the process of diffusion and management of flexfuel technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodological approach was qualitative/descriptive case study, supported by the theoretical framework on risk analysis and strategic analysis.

Findings

– In a Brazilian market context, new technologies need to make cars more competitive in cost/price terms. Magneti Marelli had an innovative and important role in the development and implementation of this technology. Thus, it achieved a higher share of market and recognition of its entrepreneurial character.

Originality/value

– There are few academic papers that relate the topics risk, strategy and Innovation. Moreover, the paper reports a successful case of Brazilian innovation in the global automotive industry.
Board structure: an empirical study of firms in Anglo-American governance environments
Authors: Muller-Kahle M.I. , Wang Liu , Wu Jun
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– With boards of directors playing both monitoring and guidance roles, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of board structure on firm value in large US and UK firms using the lenses of agency and resource dependence theories.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a sample of firms in the USA and the UK from 2000 to 2007, the paper conducts a panel data analysis of the impact of board structure on firm value and examine the nuances of different governance environments.

Findings

– The paper finds distinct differences in the impact of board independence, board size, and outside director busyness on firm value between UK and US firms. Specifically, the paper finds that board independence, board size, and board busyness all have a significant positive impact on firm value in the UK. However, the paper finds no significant relationship between board independence and firm value among US firms. Both board size and board busyness are found to be positively associated with firm value in the USA.

Social implications

– The paper finds strong support for resource dependence theory in the UK but limited support for agency theory in the USA.

Originality/value

– This paper takes a multi-country approach to examining the impact of board structure on firm value.
Trust transfer and the effect of service quality on trust in the healthcare industry
Authors: Lien Che-hui , Wu Jyh-Jeng , Chen Ying-Hueih , Wang Chang-Jhan
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of service quality (interaction, physical environment, and outcome quality) on trust, to investigate the trust transfer in the healthcare industry, to explore the moderating effects of image congruence and switching costs on the trust transfer, and to assess the effect of trust on patients’ willingness of recommendation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research model was tested using data collected from 483 inpatients in 15 medium-to-large hospitals in Taiwan. Structure equation modeling with the latent interaction effect was employed to verify and validate the research model.

Findings

– The outcomes show that interaction quality and outcome quality positively influence patients’ trust in the original hospital. But the effect of environment quality on trust is not significant. Patients’ trust in the original hospital positively affects their trust in its allied hospitals. Furthermore, image congruence positively moderates the trust transfer. However, switching costs do not appear to moderate the trust transfer. The results also confirm that trust in the original hospital and its allied hospitals positively affect patients’ willingness to recommend allied hospitals.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the chosen research approach, the 15 hospitals cannot represent all hospitals in Taiwan and the research outcomes may lack generalizability.

Practical implications

– The research results provide insight into how a hospital can improve and manage patients’ trust and the trust transfer.

Originality/value

– This study represents one of the few that empirically investigates trust and trust transfer in the healthcare industry and examines the moderating effects of image congruence and switching costs on the trust transfer.
Evidence-based instruction integration: a syllabus analysis project
Authors: Boss Katherine , Drabinski Emily
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this research paper was to establish a replicable method of gathering and analyzing data using course syllabi to enable instruction librarians to strategically embed information literacy instruction within a disciplinary curriculum.

Design/methodology/approach

– A set of syllabi from the School of Business was evaluated for information literacy learning outcomes and library use requirements using a set of rubric-based content analysis questions. The questions were normed prior to coding to ensure reliability, and interrater reliability was established using two measures: the per cent agreement method and Krippendorff’s alpha.

Findings

– The results revealed strategic opportunities for scalable, curriculum-integrated instruction in the School of Business: a group of 28 courses that could be targeted for in-depth instruction, and eight courses whose outcomes could be met through more tailored instruction focused on information access skills.

Originality/value

– The reported research study provides a method for evaluating holistic information literacy outcomes in course syllabi, an improvement on prior syllabus analysis projects. Additionally, the reliability of the data means that the study design may be replicated in a variety of institutional contexts.
Peer reference revisited
Authors: Faix Allison
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to revisit Kimbel Library’s peer reference program three years later and provide further information on the challenges and benefits of growing a successful peer reference service model.

Design/methodology/approach

– This article examines the ongoing development of a peer reference model in an academic library setting and assesses the impact, value and continuing evolution of this model.

Findings

– Communication and collaboration among library public service departments is the key to managing rapid program growth and expansion of services.

Practical implications

– This article offers suggestions based on the experiences of one library for others interested in establishing or reexamining a peer reference service model.

Originality/value

– Employing undergraduate students at the reference desk is a relatively new practice that warrants further analysis, as it becomes more widespread. This article returns to examine a newly established peer reference program three years after its beginning.
Authentic engagement
Authors: Michael Klipfel Kevin
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this case study is to measure the impact of authenticity – the operation of one’s true self in one’s daily activities – on student engagement and learning in the context of information literacy instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was conducted during information literacy instruction for English 105 classes at the House Undergraduate Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A classroom modeling exercise was developed to help students choose authentic topics of interest. Students then filled out a questionnaire to assess whether choosing authentic topics led to increased engagement and increased learning according to Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards compared to students in the control group. Results were analyzed using an independent samples t-test.

Findings

– The data illustrate that the exercise successfully helped students choose authentic topics and that these students’ motivation to learn was higher than students in the control group. Students in the experimental group also, on average, rated their learning of ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards significantly higher than students in the control group.

Originality/value

– The study provides the first empirical data confirming the positive impact of authenticity on student motivation and learning in the context of information literacy instruction. An implication of the study is that it is possible not only to provide students with resources – as the traditional role of librarians might have it – but also that librarians can have a positive and substantial impact on the content students choose to work on, and the degree to which they care about it. The impact of this particular result could radically change the way instruction librarians view the nature and scope of their pedagogical role in academic libraries.
Undergraduate research support with optical character recognition apps
Authors: Hahn Jim
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report results of a formative usability study that investigated first-year student use of an optical character recognition (OCR) mobile application (app) designed to help students find resources for course assignments. The app uses textual content from the assignment sheet to suggest relevant library resources of which students may not be aware.

Design/methodology/approach

– Formative evaluation data are collected to inform the production level version of the mobile application and to understand student use models and requirements for OCR software in mobile applications.

Findings

– Mobile OCR apps are helpful for undergraduate students searching known titles of books, general subject areas or searching for help guide content developed by the library. The results section details how student feedback shaped the next iteration of the app for integration as a Minrva module.

Research limitations/implications

– This usability paper is not a large-scale quantitative study, but seeks to provide deep qualitative research data for the specific mobile interface studied, the Text-shot prototype.

Practical implications

– The OCR application is designed to help students learn about availability of library resources based on scanning (e.g. taking a picture, or “Text-shot”) of an assignment sheet, a course syllabus or other course-related handouts.

Originality/value

– This study contributes a new area of application development for libraries, with research methods that are useful for other mobile development studies.
Sex and salary
Authors: D. Larson Paul , Morris Matthew
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to develop and test hypotheses on determinants of supply chain managers’ salaries. While women make up about half the workforce, there is evidence in the trade press that they receive far less than half of the compensation. Sex of the manager and size of his or her organization are among the predictors of salary.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses are tested using regression analysis of data from a survey of supply chain managers in Canada. This technique enables testing for a gender effect, while controlling for the effects of other factors.

Findings

– Seven variables are found to be significant predictors of supply chain manager salaries. Smaller companies pay lower salaries. Small business supply chain/logistics managers working longer hours with a professional designation, more experience, greater budgetary responsibility and greater share of compensation coming as a bonus earn higher salaries. Finally, male small business supply chain managers earn more than their female counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

– The piece includes a discussion of limitations and future research opportunities into the gender salary gap.

Practical implications

– There are implications for small businesses wanting to hire supply chain managers, and for female (and male) managers looking for work.

Social implications

– This paper presents evidence of possible gender discrimination against half the population. The potential social implications are tremendous.

Originality/value

– This is a unique piece of research in testing theory-driven hypotheses about supply chain salaries, especially by including gender and organizational size as predictors.
Riding the wave of “Big Bang Disruption”
Authors: Denning Stephen
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This interview with author Paul Nunes discusses his theory that “Big Bang Disruption” is a new and critical threat to established businesses driven by large-scale, fast-paced innovation that can redraw global markets often before established players can react.

Design/methodology/approach

– The interview reviews the four phases of Big Bang Disruption. Nunes and his co-author Larry Downes believe that each phase has its own set of rules leaders need to learn to respond effectively.

Findings

– To defend against Big Bang Disruption, companies must strive to be the lowest-cost provider of all the elements of value the customer seeks, and be able to provide that value in a customer-intimate way.

Practical implications

– Marketing’s main function has shifted from selling to creating social consensus about what is “the best” value.

Originality/value

– Nunes’s startling conclusion: Every industry is now at risk. No industry will be left unscathed, no supply chain left unscrambled, no strategic plan left unraveled.
The influence of surface topology on the quality of the point cloud data acquired with laser line scanning probe
Authors: Hammad Mian Syed , Abdul Mannan Mohammed , M. Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of surface topology on the performance of laser line scanning probe and to suggest methodology for 3D digitization of specular surfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two different molds, one having milled surface and the other with polished surface, were used to identify effect of surface characteristics on the performance of laser line scanning probe mounted on bridge-type coordinate measuring machine. The point cloud data acquisition of two surfaces was carried out using different combinations of laser scanning parameters. The point cloud sets thus obtained were analyzed in terms of completeness, noise and accuracy. The polished mold which exhibited specular reflection was digitized at different scanning angles of laser line scanning probe using the best combination of scanning parameters.

Findings

– Results confirmed that surface characteristics play important role to determine quality of the reverse engineering (RE) process. The results in terms of completeness, accuracy and noise for point cloud sets have successfully been obtained for milled and polished surfaces. Three-dimensional (3D) comparison analysis suggested larger deviation in cases of polished surface as compared to milled surface. The point cloud set acquired with proposed approach was better in terms of both completeness and noise reduction.

Originality/value

– There has been an increased demand for measurement of metallic, polished and shiny surfaces in automotive, aerospace and medical industries. These surfaces are very difficult to scan because they exhibit specular reflection instead of diffuse reflection. Laser line scanning probe which is a non-contact method is in great demand for RE. This is due to the fact that it possesses very high data acquisition speed. However, laser scanning is hugely affected by surface characteristics which in turn govern specular reflection.In this paper, it has been shown that a surface that exhibits various degrees of specular reflection can be digitized efficiently if appropriate combination of scanning parameters and positions of laser line scanning probe are used. Also, this paper has attempted to offer a procedure to overcome incompleteness and noise in 3D data as obtained by the laser line scanning probe.
Mechanical vibrations of carbon nanotube-based mass sensors: an analytical approach
Authors: K. Georgantzinos Stylianos , I. Giannopoulos Georgios , K. Anifantis Nick
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of single-walled carbon nanotubes as mass sensors by developing analytical expressions and then comparing the outcome with structural mechanics corresponding predictions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The carbon nanotube (CNT) resonators are assumed to be either single or double clamped. Analytical formulas capable of describing the vibrational behavior of such CNT-based nanoresonators with an attached mass at nanotube tip or various intermediate positions are developed by combining the Euler–Bernoulli theory and Krylov–Duncan functions.

Findings

– The validity and the accuracy of these formulas are examined for a wide range of cases via comparisons with corresponding results arisen by spring- or beam-based structural mechanics predictions. Both structural mechanics approaches utilize three-dimensional nanoscale elements formulated according to the molecular theory. The results indicate that the new sensor equations may be utilized for the estimation of vibration response of CNT-based mass sensors with reasonable accuracy.

Originality/value

– Simple analytical formulas are proved to approximate the mass sensing ability of CNTs adequately, the fact that may significantly contribute in the effort of developing new sensor devices.
Flexibility of processes and e-governance performance
Authors: Kumar Suri Pradeep
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The existing government processes are often not able to cope-up with the dynamic context of e-governance due to their rigid character as reflected in the dismal performance of e-governance projects. In this article, flexibility of the key processes and e-governance performance have been analyzed based on six agriculture related projects in India. The analysis has brought out implications for researchers, practitioners and society.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a review of literature, new constructs have been proposed and hypothesis formulated to study flexibility of processes and performance of e-governance. The empirical part of the study involves an opinion survey of officers involved in planning of the identified projects. The proposed constructs have been validated based on reliability and confirmatory factor analysis and used further for statistical analysis and interpretation.

Findings

– The research has revealed that “flexibility of processes” is a predictor of “performance of e-governance”. The analysis has further reflected the need for reengineering of conventional processes by embedding “change mechanisms” in processes for improving e-governance performance.

Practical implication

– The findings of this article are expected to sensitize the government officials and other actors involved in the planning and implementation of e-governance projects to analyse the underlying processes from the perspective of flexibility and take measures for transforming the conventional rigid processes into versatile and adaptive processes by introducing change mechanisms. Such redesigned processes are expected to lead to better performance of e-governance initiatives.

Originality/value

– This paper attempts to address the gap with respect to the lack of measures for analysing the relationship between flexibility of processes and performance of e-governance projects. The article opens the door for further research in terms of defining additional constructs such as “changing situation” and “competence level of actors” and exploring their predictive relationships with “performance of e-governance”. The context-specific interpretations of validated linkages influencing performance shall provide the base for arriving at an empirically founded synthesized strategic framework for improving the performance of e-governance projects.
Transparency in eVoting
Authors: Prosser Alexander
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to present and discuss some core issues regarding the transparency of the eVoting process. Apart from the protection of voting secrecy, the possible manipulation of votes, even of the entire election, is one of the key issues in eVoting. Comparatively few Supreme Court rulings are available for eVoting, as it is a new field. Where there are rulings available, they often focus on the case at hand and do not derive general principles. On 3 March 2009, the German Constitutional Court published a ruling on the use of voting terminals[1] from which also general principles can be derived far beyond the case itself.

Design/methodology/approach

– Apart from the protection of voting secrecy, the possible manipulation of votes, even of the entire election, is one of the key issues in eVoting. Comparatively few Supreme Court rulings are available for eVoting, as it is a new field. Where there are rulings available, they often focus on the case at hand and do not derive general principles. On 3 March 2009, the German Constitutional Court published a ruling on the use of voting terminals[1] from which general principles can also be derived far beyond the case itself.

Findings

– The paper presented some core issues in eVoting transparency as required by the ruling of the German Constitutional Court. In particular, it suggested a way to define and operationalise the terms “audit chain”, “count” and “recount”, which arguably represent the core issues in eVoting transparency and auditability. Furthermore, the paper introduced a model to map the key security dimensions in an eVoting system and the degree to which they are fulfilled by technical, not just organisational, means, with auditability being the dimension discussed in this contribution.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper only considers political elections and starts off the framework and requirements set by the German Constitutional Court. With one exception, these requirements can be seen as rather generic for most Western-style democracies, the exception being observability and auditability of the election by the general public.

Practical implications

– The paper derives concrete design principles for remote eVoting systems.

Originality/value

– The paper develops a security framework for remote eVoting from given legal requirements. After an analysis of popular existing eVoting protocols, a generic eVoting protocol is derived satisfying these requirements.
Examining the impact of social exchange relationships on innovative work behaviour
Authors: A. Agarwal Upasna
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper concurrently examines the antecedents, moderator as well as mediator of innovative work behavior (IWB).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reports a quantitative study of 510 managers from two service organizations based in western India. The focus of the paper is to examine the predictive ability of leader–member exchange (LMX), perceived organizational support (POS) and engagement on employees' IWB. Role of LMX as moderating variable (in POS–IWB relationship) and work engagement as the underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between predicting variables (LMX and POS) and IWB is tested.

Findings

– Results suggest that LMX, POS and work engagement positively relate to innovative employee behavior; LMX moderates the relationship between POS and innovative employee behavior. Additionally, work engagement mediates the relationship of LMX and POS with IWB.

Research limitations/implications

– Although this study is cross-sectional in nature, its findings have implications for contemporary leadership and organizational psychology research.

Originality/value

– This study significantly contributes to four different bodies of knowledge–work engagement, LMX, POS and IWB. The study also contributes in terms of its context. With increasing multinational opening their business in India, an understanding of employee motivation has become an important concern. This research is one of the rare attempts to examine engagement levels of Indian managerial employees.
Cross-functional bridge in dyadic relationship
Authors: Promise Opute Abdullah
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the use of Cross-Functional Bridge (CFB) in dyadic relationships towards enhancing organisational performance. Prior research has flagged conflict in interfunctional relationships. Research on managing such conflict context is, however, limited.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analysing 20 in-depth interviews conducted in UK financial services organisations, this study explains how the CFB is used to manage interfunctional relationship conflict and enhance performance.

Findings

– This study underlines three core insights about intragroup working relationship: cultural and disciplinary differences and boundary fencing are core features of, and conflict drivers in, the accounting – marketing interface; CFB is a tool for analysing and managing these conflict drivers; and organisations that use this tool achieve improved organisational performance, an outcome that is enhanced and sustained through the team psychological enhancement factor of the conflict management strategy. Also, this study underlines the need to ensure a fit between conflict management strategy and conflict types.

Research limitations/implications

– This research has several limitations. It explores only accounting – marketing working relationship in UK financial services organisations. Also, it explores only relationship conflict and cultural and disciplinary diversity and boundary fencing factors. Finally, this study suggests a mediating influence of psychological well-being on the CFB – performance link, a conclusion that is based on a methodologically inadequate tool: causes and effects associations are better assessed quantitatively (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie, 2004).

Practical implications

– The paper highlights insights for analysing and resolving conflicts towards harmonious dyadic relationships. Importantly, managers who use the flagged CFB tool would achieve psychological enhancement in team, and extendedly enhanced organisational performance. Managers are reminded of the need to adequately address the emotional substances in relationship conflicts, as failure to do this will lead to conflict escalation, transformation and negative performance.

Originality/value

– The paper offers theory testing and theory building knowledge. The CFB insight is a major highlight, one that lays a brick for future development, especially concerning itsmodus operandi, motivators and how to maximize its performance value.
A decrease in bulk water and mannitol and accumulation of trehalose and trehalose‐based oligosaccharides define a two‐stage maturation process towards extreme stress resistance in ascospores of Neosartorya fischeri (Aspergillus fischeri)
Authors: Wyatt Timon T. , Golovina Elena A. , van Leeuwen Richard , Hallsworth John E. , Wösten Han A.B. , Dijksterhuis Jan
Published: July 2014

Fungal propagules survive stresses better than vegetative cells. Neosartorya fischeri, an Aspergillus teleomorph, forms ascospores that survive high temperatures or drying followed by heat. Not much is known about maturation and development of extreme stress resistance in fungal cells.

This study provides a novel two‐step model for the acquisition of extreme stress resistance and entry into dormancy. Ascospores of 11‐ and 15‐day‐old cultures exhibited heat resistance, physiological activity, accumulation of compatible solutes and a steep increase in cytoplasmic viscosity. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy indicated that this stage is associated with the removal of bulk water and an increase of chemical stability.

Older ascospores from 15‐ to 50‐day‐old cultures showed no changes in compatible solute content and cytoplasmic viscosity, but did exhibit a further increase of heat resistance and redox stability with age. This stage was also characterized by changes in the composition of the mixture of compatible solutes. Mannitol levels decreased and the relative quantities of trehalose and trehalose‐based oligosaccharides increased.

Dormant ascospores of N. fischeri survive in low‐water habitats. After activation of the germination process, the stress resistance decreases, compatible solutes are degraded and the cellular viscosity drops. After 5 h, the hydrated cells enter the vegetative stage and redox stability has decreased notably.
When do autonomous banking regulators promote stability?
Authors: Jordana Jacint , Rosas Guillermo
Published: July 2014

Can autonomous banking regulatory agencies reduce the odds that a country will suffer a crippling banking crisis? We investigate the impact that agencies charged with banking regulation and prudential supervision can have on financial stability in the banking sector. We argue that the potential benefits of autonomy are hard to realise because banking regulators face incentives to shirk in their mandate to secure banking stability. These incentives are strongest in political systems with high numbers of veto players, where the autonomy of a banking agency is difficult to undo even if the agency is derelict in promoting banking sector stability. We test an implication of this argument, namely, that the probability of bank crisis onset should diminish with the level of autonomy of the banking agency, but only in polities with low numbers of veto points. We base our analysis of this conditional hypothesis on an original dataset of 79 countries observed between 1971 and 2009 that captures the degree of autonomy of banking agencies from political principals. Our findings confirm that the impact of banking agency autonomy on the risk of bank crisis onset is conditional on the political structure in which the agency is embedded.