bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remedy‐seeking responses to wrongful dismissal
Authors: Gramm Cynthia L. , Schnell John F. , Weatherly Elizabeth W.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This study's purpose is to investigate the antecedents of an employee's remedy‐seeking behavioral intentions in response to wrongful dismissal.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses generated by two paradigms are tested, the similarity‐attraction and the similarity‐betrayal paradigms, using Tobit regression and data from a scenario‐based survey of employees.

Findings

Consistent with the similarity‐attraction paradigm, the management team's racial and deep‐level similarity to the employee both were negatively related to the employee's propensity to consult a lawyer. Consistent with the similarity‐betrayal paradigm, the employee's propensity to consult a lawyer increased with the supervisor's deep‐level similarity to the employee; among men, the propensity to complain to regulatory agencies increased with the management team's gender similarity and the propensity to not seek a remedy declined with the supervisor's gender similarity.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study include the use a single‐source, cross‐sectional, convenience sample; the small size and heterogeneity of the non‐white sub‐sample; and the limited number of control variables. Future research should explore whether the findings are robust when tested using alternative types of data; alternative wrongful dismissal scenarios; a more extensive set of controls for organizational, job, and personal characteristics; and larger, more diverse sub‐samples of non‐whites.

Practical implications

Organizations should manage dismissals in a manner that encourages employees to favor internal remedy‐seeking over external remedy‐seeking options.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the antecedents of a wrongfully dismissed employee's propensity to engage in internal as well as external remedy‐seeking and to explore the effects of management's similarity to the employee on the employee's remedy‐seeking actions.
A call for research on collaboration versus traditional bargaining in labor‐management relationships
Authors: Roose Paul D.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to call for research on collaboration versus traditional bargaining in labor‐management relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The author draws on his own experience as a union leader involved in conflict resolution.

Findings

Research into the area of collaboration versus traditional bargaining in labor‐management relationships would be beneficial.

Originality/value

Research in the area outlined by the author could be helpful to key decision‐makers.
Evaluating large US‐based equity mutual funds using risk‐adjusted performance measures
Authors: Arugaslan Onur , Edwards Ed , Samant Ajay
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to evaluate the risk‐adjusted performance of the largest US‐based equity mutual funds using rigorous analysis grounded in modern portfolio theory and present the results in a manner which is comprehensible to a lay investor.

Design/methodology/approach

This study evaluates the performance of the 20 largest US‐based mutual funds using risk‐adjusted returns during 1995‐2004. In particular, a relatively new risk‐adjusted performance measure by Modigliani and Modigliani is used to evaluate these equity funds. This study also utilizes a variation of the Sortino Ratio to account for downside risk.

Findings

The results show that the funds with the highest returns may lose their attractiveness once the degree of risk had been factored into the analysis. Conversely, some funds may look very attractive once their low risk is factored into their performance.

Research limitations/implications

Future researchers may want to investigate the effects of factors, such as fund manager, compensation, service fees, corporate governance metrics, and overweighting in risky industries on the performance of mutual funds.

Practical implications

The empirical evidence presented in this study can be used as input in decision making by investors who are exploring the possibility of participating in the stock market via large mutual funds, but are not sure of what selection criteria to employ.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first studies that apply the new M2 measure to evaluate the performance of mutual funds. Various other performance metrics are also utilized including the Sharpe, Sortino, Treynor measures and Jensen's α.
Determinants of corporate capital structure: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Eldomiaty Tarek I.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This research paper aims at examining the determinants of corporate leverage in Egypt according to the assumptions of three theories of capital structure: tradeoff, pecking order, and free cash flow.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology utilizes the benefits of the partial adjustment autoregressive model to measure the speed of adjusting long‐term and short‐term debts to a target level.

Findings

The results indicate that companies use both long‐term and short‐term debt to adjust the leverage with a relative dependence on long‐term debt; the tradeoff‐related determinants of capital structure are taxes, debt/equity ratio and bankruptcy risk; the pecking order‐related determinants of capital structure are growth and profitability; borrowing decisions are not affected by the assumptions of free cash flow. Overall, the explanatory powers of the three regression equations are high and significant which indicate that the model construction is quite indicative.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature in that it shows that the determinants of capital structure conform to those reported by other related studies in emerging markets as well as developed markets which supports the general conclusion that the determinants of capital structure in emerging and developed markets are converging.
The correlations among domain knowledge specificity, joint new product development and relationship performance
Authors: Sun Pi‐Chuan
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to provide suppliers with an important direction in customer relationship management to apply organizational resources to understanding patterns and rules particular to a specific context, since the expertise deployment leads to increasingly effective issue diagnosis and problem solving. And to provide suppliers with an important government mechanism that co‐development with buyers not only reduces transaction cost, but also enhances performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model is empirically tested using cross‐sectional survey data, based on the administering of mail questionnaires to key informants within a sample of 133 Taiwanese contract manufacturers of information products. A preliminary examination of the validity of these measures is conducted with a view to examining the item‐to‐item correlations for the set of items corresponding to each of the theoretical constructs. The hypotheses were tested by ordinary least‐square regression analysis.

Findings

It is found that the joint new product development (JNPD) activities are positively related to the supplier's relationship performance (RP). Moreover, the supplier's domain knowledge specificity (DKS) positively influences the degree of JNPD and RP. Besides, it is also found that the effect of DKS on RP is partially mediated by JNPD.

Research limitations/implications

This research collected data from only one partner to deal with supplier‐buyer dyads. The causal arguments are made in this research and yet offer only a cross‐sectional test for these arguments. This study focused on limited variables only.

Practical implications

It is essential for suppliers to apply organizational resources to understanding patterns and rules particular to a specific context, since the expertise deployment leads to increasingly effective issue diagnosis and problem solving. Suppliers may conduct co‐development with buyers not only to reduce transaction cost, but also to enhance performance.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified information/resources need and offers practical help to suppliers implementing governance strategy.
The rise of consumerism in Saudi Arabian society
Authors: Assad Soraya W.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The emergence of consumer‐oriented societies has become the central trait of our era. Saudi Arabia gained entrée to consumerism via its oil wealth. Numerous studies demonstrate that consumer lifestyle and consumerist attitudes are spreading in the country. The purpose of this study is to explain how Saudi Arabia came to be a consumer society, to present evidence of rampant consumption, and to describe how global and local economic, social, and governmental factors colluded to reinforce this cultural trend.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the survey and analysis of secondary data gathered from published studies and reports available in English and in Arabic.

Findings

The study shows that the spread of consumerism in Saudi Arabia is a consequence of a complex of global and local factors. Commercial television and the internet, marketing strategies, relentless and manipulative advertising, urbanization, and proliferating shopping centers, are all components of globalization promoting emulation of the Western consumerism lifestyle. The national government subsidies and give‐aways during the oil boom years due to increased national income, absence of taxes, public job availability, emerging middle class, liberal import policies, increased female participation in family purchase decisions, a burgeoning youth market, and increased per capita income have also enabled Saudi Arabia's transformation into a consumer society. In addition, statistics presented for a variety of durable and nondurable goods and services amply testify to rampant Saudi consumerism.

Originality/value

Excessive consumption in Saudi Arabia is a threat to the social order. It is exacerbating economic, environmental, social, psychological, and health problems. As Saudi Arabia seeks sustainable development, more research is needed to identify and address problematic aspects of consumption. As part of this process, policy makers should distinguish what constitutes consumerism from healthy consumption patterns. Excessive consumption should be minimized as a way to avoid economic minefields and sustain economic growth.
Factors affecting e‐commerce adoption in the electronic manufacturing companies in Malaysia
Authors: Shah Alam Syed , Khatibi Ali , Ismail Sayyed Ahmad Mohd. , Bin Ismail Hishamuddin
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to examine the factors influencing internet‐based e‐commerce in the electronic manufacturing companies in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample data are derived from a questionnaire survey of 194 companies selected from the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturer lists to investigate the study hypotheses. Roger's five innovation diffusion characteristics were considered as factors that affect EC adoption and security/confidentiality was taken as an additional factor for this study.

Findings

The multiple regression analysis results indicate that relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability and security appear significant. Relative advantage and compatibility have positive and significant influence on EC adoption whereas complexity and security have negative effects. This study also revealed a non‐significant relationship between trialability and e‐commerce adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The results are limited within the sample of electronic manufacturing companies in Malaysia, so the results cannot be generalized.

Originality/value

This study provides a greater understanding of managers' perception of e‐commerce adoption in their manufacturing companies. Those interested in promoting their business online may find these results helpful in guiding their efforts.
CARE‐ing strategy for integration of brand identity with brand image
Authors: Roy Dilip , Banerjee Saikat
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The end‐state of marketing is the creation of a lasting bond between the consumers and the offered brand. In view of the growing competition in the market, a never‐ending brand war can be witnessed that attempts to destabilize the consumer‐brand bonding. To ensure a long‐run success, there is a need to develop a system approach towards proper integration of a brand's identity with its image. This paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The major task is to identify the gap and skilful integration of brand identity with brand image to cement the gap. Improper integration may lead to a major setback in the market and irreparable loss. The authors present a verbal model as the basis for integration so that the chance of a setback becomes minimal.

Findings

The authors propose a Brand Derby Matrix, a classification cum decision matrix to enable a marketer to identify its present position and future course of action, in conjunction with the Credibility‐Alteration‐Relationship‐Expansion (CARE‐ing) strategy to address the above‐mentioned issue.

Practical implications

Brand Derby Matrix in conjunction with the CARE‐ing strategy can be of immense use to brand planners for identification and managing of the problem to ensure smooth sailing in the market.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors present a generic approach that may work beyond country boundaries. Brand Derby Matrix in conjunction with the CARE‐ing strategy is immensely helpful in addressing the dilemma of brand identity and brand image integration issues that are faced by players.
International currency reserves in emerging market economies: does India have enough?
Authors: Dania Akash , Spillan John E.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to revisit the international reserve policies of emerging market countries; taking the case of India. Emerging market economies have lately been accumulating large foreign reserves. The paper aims to demonstrate how these reserves can be put towards effective growth by implementing better reserve and debt management policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses descriptive and comparative ratio analysis methods and applies these to the case of Indian international monetary reserves. These methods provided a clear view of India's international reserves and how reserve vulnerabilities can be identified.

Findings

Based on the suggested benchmarks, the findings indicate that India may be holding reserves in excess of the suggested requirements.

Research limitations/implications

Data on international monetary reserves need continual updating. Continuous longitudinal data would help in showing the true effects of international monetary reserve fluctuations and vulnerabilities over time.

Practical implications

International finance researchers and practitioners are always seeking methods and approaches for understanding what constitutes the optimal international reserve level. The analysis and findings from this paper provide practitioners and academicians with appropriate benchmarks for the case of emerging market countries.

Originality/value

This paper extends and expands the discussion on how international monetary vulnerabilities can be identified, assessed and analyzed in emerging market countries from proposed benchmarks in this paper.
Highlights in annual reports: its perceived usefulness
Authors: Chatterjee Bikram
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate whether the “financial highlights” section of annual reports of a sample of Indian companies satisfy the information requirements of investors.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method involves the preparation of a check‐list from those items that have been suggested as significant to be disclosed in annual reports by both the “sophisticated” and “non‐sophisticated” investors as suggested in the study of Joshi and Abdulla. After the preparation of this check‐list, “financial highlights” section of a sample of companies listed on any of the Indian Stock Exchanges has been examined to investigate whether this section contains that information, which has been considered as significant by the investors, in the study by Joshi and Abdulla.

Findings

Most of the companies do not disclose information items that are perceived by users of financial information in India as being significant under the “financial highlights” section.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the current study rests on the fact that it uses Joshi and Abdulla for evaluating the “financial highlights” section and hence only considers the need of investors in annual reports and in this specific section. Second, the use of the survey result obtained by Joshi and Abdulla might not hold completely true at the present time due to difference in time period.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering study that questions whether the “financial highlights” section in annual reports provides those information items that are considered as “highlights” by investors.
Internal diffusion: the conceptualizing innovation implementation
Authors: Dewett Todd , Whittier Nathan C. , Williams Scott David
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The management literature has extensively discussed innovation diffusion as an essential part of corporate and economic competitiveness. However, most work centers on diffusion external to the organization. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for understanding post adoption innovation implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Research concerning diffusion inside the firm has focused almost exclusively on innovation creation as opposed to implementation. Although current definitions of innovation often make clear the internal/external distinction, the authors propose that it could be made more meaningful by further delineating the components of internal innovation diffusion. To that end, prominent innovation research is synthesized to explore innovation implementation.

Findings

A systematic review of the literature suggests three main types of influences on implementation: organizational, innovation, and human. Each represents unique challenges for innovation implementation.

Practical implications

The model presented here can serve as a useful organizing rubric for leaders attempting to facilitate change.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils a need for greater understanding of internal innovation implementation.
Building competitive advantage with radio frequency identification tags
Authors: Erickson G. Scott , Kelly Eileen P.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To analyze the legal and ethical standing of the most promising business applications of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

Design/methodology/approach

High potential RFID installations are identified in the supply chain, in operations, and in consumer applications. Pertinent legal precedents are noted and discussed as are some ethical issues beyond legislation and regulation.

Findings

Although an extremely attractive technology, legitimate concerns exist about RFID, particularly in consumer applications. Legal protections vary widely by country and are generally not fully applicable to some areas of potential information abuse.

Research limitations/implications

This research is not exhaustive to all countries, it concentrates mainly on the USA and EU. Further, legislation and regulation change all the time, so the situation is highly variable. This analysis is only a snapshot at one point in time.

Practical implications

Practitioners looking to install RFID technology should be able to better judge the environment within which they operate and where the risks are greatest for change in the legal and regulatory atmosphere.

Originality/value

This paper draws together the practical discussion concerning RFID's applications with specific legal analysis. It also begins to draw in different national legal systems.
Investing in an emerging market: evidence from US firms investing in India
Authors: Malhotra Shavin , Malhotra Nisha
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To look at investor reactions to US investments made in India. Specifically, the authors look at the stock price reaction when US firms invest in the Indian market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors look at investor reactions to US investments made in India, using event study methodology.

Findings

The authors' results indicate that there is a variation in market's reaction across firms belonging to different industries. They find mixed investor response to investments in India. The firms experience both positive and negative abnormal returns. There are also number of firms for which they do not get any significant results. Also, possible reasons for why there were no significant results for some firms: small investment by US firms in comparison to total investments, and most of the investments studied were sequential and not the first investment by a firm to Indian market. They also carry out a regression analysis, where they regress abnormal returns on important firm level characteristics, such as firm size, cash flows, and research and development expenditure. The authors find firm size has a significant positive impact on abnormal returns.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to carry out this study for a larger sample size over a larger time period, such that one can distinguish between first time investment and sequential investments. On average for their sample, investment in India by the US firms is small relative to their overall investment. This explains the lack of investor reaction for some cases. For future studies, it would be useful to look at high‐investment sectors in India.

Practical implications

Multinational network hypothesis, in line with internalization theory argue that due to differential degree of economic development between USA and developing countries, US firms' investments in these countries will enhance their multinational network. The multinational expansion will in turn substantially enhance firms' ability to internalize its foreign operations profitably, increasing shareholders' wealth. The authors do find these for some US firms.

Originality/value

There are no studies to the best of our knowledge on the Indian market.
States, demographics and competitiveness of America's best universities
Authors: Waheeduzzaman A.N.M.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the US News and World Report's competitive ratings of US universities with various state level demographic variables using cross‐sectional data.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data for the study were collected from the US News and World Report, Demographics USA, other US statistical sources. Regression and correlation analysis determined the relationships.

Findings

Findings indicate that the competitive rating of the US News and World Report universities can be explained by the Buying Power Index (BPI) of the state in which the university is located, per capita federal transfer payments in education, and proportion of out‐of‐state students. International students and ethnic enrollment also show some relationship with competitive rating. Diversity adds to competitiveness. The ratings of the universities are related to the BPI of the state and per capita federal transfer, both of which are uncontrollable variables for the university administrators.

Research limitations/implications

One‐year cross‐sectional data and quasi‐scientific rating of US News and World Report pose to be a limitation of the study. Longitudinal data could better substantiate the findings of the study.

Originality/value

Shows how universities can improve their competitiveness by bringing more diversity to their student body as out‐of‐state students, international students and/or ethnic diversity seem to influence the competitiveness ratings.
The relationship of generic strategy typing and organizational longevity
Authors: Mayfield Milton , Mayfield Jacqueline , Stephens David
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To analyze the relationship between an organization's generic strategy and its longevity.

Design/methodology/approach

Companies in the USA, comic book industry were classified in the Miles and Snow generic strategic types. An ANOVA test was then used to determine the relationship between these strategic types and organizational longevity (time from market entry to exit).

Findings

Results indicate a significant link between strategic type and longevity. Organizational strategy accounts for 35 percent of the variance in longevity. Companies with a defender strategy had the greatest longevity, and prospectors had the shortest.

Research limitations/implications

The study is conducted in only one industry which may limit its generalizability.

Practical implications

This study provides insights into the role of organizational strategy on longevity, and can be used for strategic decision‐making as well as investment decisions.

Originality/value

This study is the first to link the Miles and Snow typology to organizational longevity. It also provides insights into the role of strategy in creative and knowledge‐based organizations.
Union elections in warehouse and storage facilities
Authors: Deshpande Satish P. , Palthe Jennifer
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To examine union elections conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in warehouse and storage facilities in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on all 167 elections (October 1999 and February 2002) held in warehouse and storage facilities in the USA was obtained from the NLRB. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to study the impact of a number of factors on election outcomes.

Findings

The probability of union victory significantly improved in smaller bargaining units and when more than one union was on the ballot. Type of warehouse, type of election, procedural delays by management, and state's public policy did not significantly impact election outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The data are limited to union elections held during the period October 1999‐February 2002.

Practical implications

A very useful source of information for managers, union leaders, and researchers of warehouses and storage facilities.

Originality/value

This is the only study of its kind in the period covered.
Putting the “brand” back into store brands: an exploratory examination of store brands and brand personality
Authors: Beldona Sri , Wysong Scott
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To explore how store brand personality might play a role in consumer perceptions towards store brands and how such personalities might vary when consumers are allowed to experience the product.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different store brand products from high selling categories were compared with their leading national brands. A total of 139 respondents took the survey. Respondents were divided into four groups, each group representing a different experimental condition. Respondents rated the personality attributes on a seven point Likert scale.

Findings

Results show that national brands have stronger brand personality traits when compared to store brands; however, such differences diminished when consumers were allowed to taste and experience the products.

Practical implications

Retailers would be better off to let consumers experience and taste the products to drive consumer perceptions of store brands. Retailers should also focus on those categories where the differential in personality traits between store brands and national brands are small and where the profit margins are higher to drive the store brand image.

Originality/value

This paper presents a slightly different approach in understanding store brands and argues that store brands do have a personality and that such personality could be further influenced by allowing consumers to experience the product.
A study of time limited price promotions
Authors: Devlin James , Ennew Christine , McKechnie Sally , Smith Andrew
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide a detailed study of the impact of offers incorporating a time‐limit restriction on consumers in the context of price promotions. Time limited offers are those where a pricing offer is only available for a specified, normally relatively short, period of time. Although price promotions have been the subject of much previous research, a detailed study of the effects of time limit restrictions on consumer behavior is warranted.

Design/methodology/approach

The study incorporates an experimental approach whereby the impact of time‐limited and non time‐limited offers on consumers' assessments of value and search and purchase intentions are isolated.

Findings

Findings show that the presence of a time limit does not impact directly on perceptions of value or search and purchase behavior. A marginally significant interaction effect between time limit and discount size is present, impacting in particular on search behavior.

Research limitations/implications

The research was carried out in the context of a consumer durable good (TV) and it is recommended that the study is replicated in other contexts, such as services and packaged goods, to ensure that the results reported here are generalisable.

Practical implications

The results suggest that policy makers should not assign significant time and resources to investigating influences of alleged false time limit promotion, as the findings would lead to the conclusion that such resources would be better used controlling other forms of misleading advertising and promotion. Marketing managers should note that time limited offers have no significant impact on consumer perceptions or purchase intentions.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to both the policy making community and practitioners and provides important and original insights into the minimal impact of time limit restrictions on consumers' evaluation of price promotion offers and subsequent behavioral intentions.
The case of “difficult” brands
Authors: Harrison Paul , Hartley Nicole
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To examine an atypical member of the brand family, “difficult” brands, defined as brands that have intermittent availability, and have inherent performance risks, that, contrary to traditional marketing teachings, may have a positive influence on consumer evaluation and brand loyalty.

Findings

Through an examination of the underlying social and psychological reasons that consumers might be attracted to difficult brands, an alternative approach to the marketing of these types of brands might be warranted.

Practical implications

The conceptualisation of difficult brands provides marketers with a means to identify potential antecedents to brand bonding under atypical marketing conditions.

Originality/value

Suggests how researchers, and marketing practitioners might go about understanding the nature of the bond that consumers form with these types of brands, and therefore, how they can take advantage of consumers' desire to develop a relationship with a difficult brand.
The innovation challenge at Durable Surface Corporation
Authors: Pitta Dennis
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a practice that has implications for increasing product innovation in a variety of industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The case describes a market orientation and product innovation program to increase a company's competitiveness. At the organization's request, its name has been changed. The author is indebted to an executive with contacts in the company for insight into the company's operations.

Findings

The case provides information and a solid action approach to increasing company competitiveness by strengthening a firm's market orientation and new product innovation. The subject company remedied a lack of product development and management skills by training and hiring new specialists to operate a new department. In addition, it put a reward and communication program in place that increased its intelligence generation, dissemination and corporate responsiveness.

Research limitations/implications

As in all case studies, the specific conditions found in one organization may not be found more generally in others. Readers are cautioned that the conclusions drawn in the case may have limited applicability.

Practical implications

The case depicts a professional implementation of a market orientation improvement program as well as development of product management and innovation functions. Other organizations may find the techniques of value in their own efforts.

Originality/value

The case is a unique implementation of a new product innovation and market orientation that has a comprehensive foundation. It offers lessons that may be applied to other companies faced with similarly competitive, consumer and technological environments.
Control or invest? Understanding the complex interests of managerial ownership
Authors: Chou Shuching , Wu Chinshun , Chen Anlin
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Conventional studies discuss the effect of managerial ownership on firm performance and have conflicting findings. This paper seeks to find divergent mutual effects existing between managerial ownership and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The three‐stage‐least squares method and simultaneous equation model is adopted to obtain more efficient coefficient estimation. Both firm‐year observations and company mean variables are used to capture the structural relation and mutual effects between ownership structure and firm performance.

Findings

This paper finds divergent mutual effects existing. In a diffused ownership structure, better firm performance may induce management to hold more stockholding. Management with mid‐range of stockholdings has a positive effect on firm performance but not vice versa. For highly concentrated ownership structure, a negative mutual effect exists.

Practical implications

These findings provide the investment purpose as an alternative explanation for insiders' stockholding that agrees with investors' risk aversion attitude in practice. For highly concentrated ownership, possible management entrenchment behavior resulting from dominant control power should be carefully considered and monitored to protect minority shareholders.

Originality/value

This paper provides new evidence that complicated mutual effects may exist between managerial ownership and firm performance. It offers insights for both investors and researchers in corporate governance.
Long memory in the Portuguese stock market
Authors: Floros Christos , Jaffry Shabbar , Valle Lima Goncalo
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper's aim is to test for the presence of fractional integration, or long memory, in the daily returns of the Portuguese stock market using autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA), generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and ARFIMA‐FIGARCH models.

Design/methodology/approach

The data cover two periods: 4 January 1993‐13 January 2006 (full sample), and 1 February 2002‐13 January 2006 (that is, data are considered after the merger of the Portuguese Stock Exchange with Euronext).

Findings

The results from the full sample show strong evidence of long memory in stock returns. When data after the merger are considered, weaker evidence of long memory is found. It is concluded that the Portuguese stock market is more efficient after the merger with Euronext.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper are helpful to financial managers and investors dealing with Portuguese stock indices.
Principles of laser micro sintering
Authors: Regenfuss P. , Streek A. , Hartwig L. , Klötzer S. , Brabant Th. , Horn M. , Ebert R. , Exner H.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is the elucidation of certain mechanisms of laser material processing in general and laser micro sintering in particular. One major intention is to emphasize the synergism of the various effects of q‐switched laser pulses upon metal and ceramic powder material and to point out the non‐equilibrium character of reaction steps.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent results and observations, obtained in development of “laser micro sintering,” are surveyed and analyzed. By breaking down the overall process into relevant steps and considering their possible kinetics, an approach is made towards interpreting specific phenomena of laser micro sintering. Thermodynamics upon heating of the material as well as its photo‐electronic response to the incident radiation are considered.

Findings

The findings corroborate a model whereby short pulses of high intensity provide non‐equilibrium pressure conditions at the location of incidence, that allow for the melting of metal powder with an almost immediate expansion of a plasma and/or vapor bulb. Thereby the molten material is condensed and propelled towards the substrate. A final boiling eruption after each pulse is the reason for the morphology of the laser micro‐sintered surfaces and can prevent oxidation when the process is conducted under normal atmosphere. In sintering of ceramics, the short pulsed and intensive radiation increases the chance to excite the material even with photon energies below the bandgap value and it lowers the risk of running into a destructive avalanche.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the stochastic character of the respective sintering event, that is initiated by each individual pulse, the gathered data are not suitable yet for the formulation of an exact quantitative function between sintering behavior and laser parameters.

Practical implications

The qualitative findings yield a good rule of thumb for the choice of parameters in laser sintering on a micrometer scale and the model is conducive for advanced interpretation of other phenomena in laser material processing besides sintering.

Originality/value

The kinetics and thermodynamics of laser sintering with q‐switched pulses are approached by a qualitative explanation. The heterogeneous and non‐equilibrium character of the processes is taken into account; this character is often neglected by researchers in the area.
Design and freeform fabrication of deployable structures with lattice skins
Authors: Maheshwaraa Uma , Bourell David , Conner Seepersad Carolyn
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Frontier environments – such as battlefields, hostile territories, remote locations, or outer space – drive the need for lightweight, deployable structures that can be stored in a compact configuration and deployed quickly and easily in the field. This paper seeks to introduce the concept of lattice skins is introduced to enable the design, solid freeform fabrication (SFF), and deployment of customizable structures with nearly arbitrary surface profile and lightweight multi‐functionality.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Duraform® FLEX material in a selective laser sintering machine, large deployable structures are fabricated in a nominal build chamber by decomposing them into smaller parts. Before fabrication, lattice sub‐skins are added strategically beneath the surface of the part. The lattices provide elastic energy for folding and deploying the structure or constrain expansion upon application of internal air pressure. Nearly, arbitrary surface profiles are achievable and internal space is preserved for subsequent usage.

Findings

A set of virtual and physical prototypes are presented, along with the computational modeling approach used to design them. The prototypes provide proof of concept for lattice skins as a deployment mechanism in SFF and demonstrate the effect of lattice structures on deployed shape.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings demonstrate not only the feasibility of a new deployment mechanism‐based on lattice skins – for deploying freeform structures, but also the potential utility of SFF techniques for fabricating customized deployable structures.

Originality/value

A new lattice skin mechanism is introduced for deploying structures with nearly arbitrary surface profiles and open, usable, internal space. Virtual and physical prototypes are introduced for proof of concept, along with an optimization approach for automated design of these structures.
Applications of a hybrid manufacturing process for fabrication of metallic structures
Authors: Liou Frank , Slattery Kevin , Kinsella Mary , Newkirk Joseph , Chou Hsin‐Nan , Landers Robert
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to summarize the current research, development, and integration of a hybrid process to produce high‐temperature metallic materials. It seeks to present the issues and solutions, including the understanding of the direct laser deposition process, and automated process planning.

Design/methodology/approach

Research in simulation and modeling, process development, integration, and actual part building for hybrid processing are discussed.

Findings

Coupling additive and subtractive processes into a single workstation, the integrated process, or hybrid process, can produce metal parts with machining accuracy and surface finish. Therefore, the hybrid process is potentially a very competitive process to fabricate metallic structures.

Originality/value

Rapid prototyping technology has been of interest to various industries that are looking for a process to produce/build a part directly from a CAD model in a short time. Among them, the direct laser deposition process is one of the few processes which directly manufacture a fully dense metal part without intermediate steps. Presented in this paper is the research, development, and system integration to resolve the challenges of the direct metal deposition process including building overhang structures, producing precision surfaces, and making parts with complex structures.
Fab@Home: the personal desktop fabricator kit
Authors: Malone Evan , Lipson Hod
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Solid freeform fabrication (SFF) has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing, even to allow individuals to invent, customize, and manufacture goods cost‐effectively in their own homes. Commercial freeform fabrication systems – while successful in industrial settings – are costly, proprietary, and work with few, expensive, and proprietary materials, limiting the growth and advancement of the technology. The open‐source Fab@Home Project has been created to promote SFF technology by placing it in the hands of hobbyists, inventors, and artists in a form which is simple, cheap, and without restrictions on experimentation. This paper aims to examine this.

Design/methodology/approach

A simple, low‐cost, user modifiable freeform fabrication system has been designed, called the Fab@Home Model 1, and the designs, documentation, software, and source code have been published on a user‐editable “wiki” web site under the open‐source BSD License. Six systems have been built, and three of them given away to interested users in return for feedback on the system and contributions to the web site.

Findings

The Fab@Home Model 1 can build objects comprising multiple materials, with sub‐millimeter‐scale features, and overall dimensions larger than 20 cm. In its first six months of operation, the project has received more than 13 million web site hits, and media coverage by several international news and technology magazines, web sites, and programs. Model 1s are being used in a university engineering course, a Model 1 will be included in an exhibit on the history of plastics at the Science Museum London, UK, and kits can now be purchased commercially.

Research limitations/implications

The ease of construction and operation of the Model 1 has not been well tested. The materials cost for construction (US$2,300) has prevented some interested people from building systems of their own.

Practical implications

The energetic public response to the Fab@Home project confirms the broad appeal of personal freeform fabrication technology. The diversity of interests and desired applications expressed by the public suggests that the open‐source approach to accelerating the expansion of SFF technology embodied in the Fab@Home project may well be successful.

Originality/value

Fab@Home is unique in its goal of popularizing and advancing SFF technology for its own sake. The RepRap project in the UK predates Fab@Home, but aims to build machines which can make most of their own parts. The two projects are complementary in many respects, and fruitful exchanges of ideas and designs between them are expected.
A semi‐analytic approach for direct slicing of free form surfaces for layered manufacturing
Authors: Chakraborty Debapriya , Roy Choudhury Asimava
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an efficient surface‐plane intersection (SPI) algorithm for direct slicing of free‐form surfaces to be produced by layered manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

A semi‐analytical method for direct slicing has been formulated and tested on Bezier and B‐spline surfaces commonly used in CAD modeling. This method solves for the intersection points by a “root” finding procedure and establishes their connectivity, unlike the conventional “marching” procedures.

Findings

The proposed algorithm solves intersection contours between free form surfaces and planes. The solution procedure is efficient with respect to computational time and accuracy (feature detection) over some of the conventional SPI strategies. The method involves a global solution procedure in contention with the traditional methodologies which are generally spatially distinctive in approach.

Research limitations/implications

Use of higher order terms in the representation of parametric surfaces makes the algorithm computationally intensive and time‐expensive.

Practical implications

This algorithm would be of practical use in the direct slicing of free form surfaces used in CAD modeling. Direct slicing methods solve for the actual intersection of surface and plane without resorting to “tessellation.” Reducing the computation time and detection of features within a given resolution is of primary importance for developing commercial rapid prototyping software, which is achieved in the present paper.

Originality/value

A novel method has been developed for SPI for use in direct slicing of CAD models. While a major proportion of the direct slicing strategies employ the “marching” procedure involving determination of “critical points,” the proposed method utilizes the evaluation of “roots” of a surface in a global manner to determine the intersection points with proper connectivity. Hence, it is effective in reducing the computation time and is simple but generic in approach. Although Bezier and B‐spline surfaces are used as the representative cases, the algorithm can be extended for any parametric surface for direct slicing.