bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation of thin film deposition rate on SS 314 with the variation of gas flow rate using CVD
Authors: Asaduzzaman Chowdhury Mohammad , Muhammad Nuruzzaman Dewan , Khalil Khaled , Lutfar Rahaman Mohammad
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Solid thin films have been deposited on stainless steel 314 (SS 314) substrates in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor at different flow rates of natural gas mostly methane (CH4). The purpose of this paper was to investigate experimentally the variation of thin film deposition rate with the variation of gas flow rate.

Design/methodology/approach

During experiment, the effect of gap between activation heater and substrate on the deposition rate has also been observed. To do so, a hot filament thermal CVD unit is used. The flow rate of natural gas varies from 0.5 to 2 l/min at normal temperature and pressure and the gap between activation heater and substrate varies from 4 to 6.5 mm.

Findings

Results show that deposition rate on SS 314 increases with the increase of gas flow rate. It is also seen that deposition rate increases with the decrease of gap between activation heater and substrate within the observed range. These results are analyzed by dimensional analysis to correlate the deposition rate with gas flow rate, surface roughness and film thickness. In addition, friction coefficient and wear rate of SS 314 sliding against SS 304 under different normal loads are also investigated before and after deposition. The obtained results reveal that the values of friction coefficient and wear rate are lower after deposition than that of before deposition.

Originality/value

In this study, thin film deposition rate on SS 314 was investigated using CVD. The obtained results were analyzed by dimensional analysis to correlate the deposition rate with gas flow rate, surface roughness and film thickness. The friction coefficient and wear rate of SS 314 were also examined before and after deposition.
Using TiO2 nanofluid additive for engine lubrication oil
Authors: Wu Yuh‐Yih , Kao Mu‐Jung
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Nanoparticles have been studied as additives to lubrication oils for reducing friction and wear. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of nanofluid on engine oil and friction reduction in a real engine.

Design/methodology/approach

The nanoparticles were prepared using a high‐temperature arc in a vacuum chamber to vaporize the Ti metal, and then condensed into a dispersant to form the TiO2 nanofluid, which was used as lubricant additive. Experiments were performed in both real engine running and test rig.

Findings

It was found that the engine oil with nanofluid additive with an ethylene glycol dispersant of nanoparticles, had gelled after 10‐h of engine running. The problem of oil gelation (jelly‐like) was solved by replacing the dispersant with paraffin oil. The engine oil with TiO2 nanoparticle additive exhibited lower friction force as compared to the original oil. The experiment showed that a smaller particle size exhibits better friction reduction with particle size ranging from 59 to 220 nm.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is restricted to findings based on the dispersed nanoparticles in fluid as additive for engine lubrication oil.

Practical implications

The test results are useful for the application of nanofluid additive for engine oil.

Originality/value

Most previous researches in this field were executed on tribotester, rather than the actual engine. This paper describes experimental methods and equipment designed to investigate the application of TiO2 nanofluid as lubricant additive in internal combustion engine.
Multi‐steps synthesis and properties of tetraurea grease
Authors: Lei Liu , Hongwei Sun
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Modern technology is giving some new requirements for the lubricating grease, and there are also some weaknesses for the existing diurea grease, especially its lower anti‐shear stability. This paper aims to address this issue. In this work, in order to meet the new industrial requirements and improve the weaknesses of diurea grease, the tetraurea grease has been synthesized.

Design/methodology/approach

Tetraurea grease was synthesized by multi‐steps, characterized by FT‐IR, NMR, ESI‐MS. The properties were evaluated by the ASTM method, such as dropping point, penetration, oil separation and shear stability, as well as four‐ball machine experiment.

Findings

The result shows that tetraurea grease is indeed synthesized successfully and it has a better performance than the existing diurea grease, the main properties of it have been increased, such as high‐temperature performance, structural stability, anti‐shear stability and extreme pressure performance.

Originality/value

This enriches the kinds of polyurea grease. Enhanced lubricating grease performance would have better industrial prospects, and a larger application field than existing diurea grease.
A perspective on effective mentoring in the construction industry
Authors: Hoffmeister Krista , Cigularov Konstantin P. , Sampson Julie , Rosecrance John C. , Chen Peter Y.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The present study aims to provide a perspective on effective mentoring in the construction industry by examining key mentor characteristics as perceived by construction professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 170 union construction workers rated 55 mentor characteristics based on to what extent each was characteristic of a superior, average, or poor mentor.

Findings

To identify the most important mentor characteristics, three criteria were relied on: means of characteristic ratings of a superior mentor; effect sizes of mean differences between ratings of poor and superior mentors; and correlations between characteristic ratings of superior mentors and satisfaction with mentors. Significant mean differences were found between characteristics of poor and average mentors as well as between poor and superior mentors.

Research limitations/implications

Possible future directions include an investigation of the relationship between competent mentors and personal characteristics, and potential health and safety outcomes resulting from effective mentoring in the construction industry.

Originality/value

Although mentoring has been the focus of much research, the mentoring relationship is quite different in the construction industry and little mentoring research has targeted this industry. To develop an effective mentoring program in this industry, one of the initial steps is to identify characteristics of effective mentors in this industry.
Bridge leadership: a case study of leadership in a bridging organization
Authors: McMullen Ronald S. , Adobor Henry
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine leadership in an intermediary organization whose mission is to facilitate collaboration between large corporations and their smaller suppliers, a bridging organization.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach using a single case revelatory method was adopted. Data were collected from a bridge leader as well as 20 executives of companies involved in the collaboration.

Findings

The analysis revealed that the successful bridge leader tended: to build personal relations and goodwill as a way of creating personal obligations on the part of the stakeholders he led; championed the cause of the stakeholders and made their mission his/her own; created opportunities for individual and collective goal achievement; relied on symbolic behavior and ceremonies to reify the bridge mission; and engaged in frequent communication with a liberal use of humor and playfulness to make goals embraceable by the stakeholders in the collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

This is a single case study and that limits the generalization of these findings. However, the findings provide some preliminary evidence to show that a lack of control of resources need not be a reason for leader non‐performance.

Practical implications

A bridge leader may substitute other influence strategies to compensate for the lack of direct positional power.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few that explicitly examines leadership in bridging organizations. The paper's understanding of this phenomenon is important because of the importance of bridging organizations to business and social innovation.
Assembly of 3D micro‐components: a review of recent research
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review recent developments in micro‐scale assembly technologies, primarily in the context of microsystems based on three‐dimensional (3D) micro‐electromechanical systems (MEMS) and micro‐opto‐electromechanical systems (MOEMS) technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a brief introduction, this paper first discusses the problems associated with the assembly of micro‐components and then considers the role of robots and self‐assembly technologies. This is followed by a brief summary and conclusion.

Findings

Experimental robotic systems have been developed and used for the assembly of a wide range of MEMS and MOEMS components. Various self‐assembly technologies offer prospects for massively parallel microassembly but have yet to achieve the success of the robotic approach. Some work has sought to combine the best feature of both approaches but as yet, no technologies have been developed that can rapidly, accurately and cost‐effectively assemble micro‐components into hybrid 3D MEMS/MOEMS devices in a true production environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides a detailed review of recent progress in the robotic and self‐assembly of micro‐components.
Automation meets logistics at the Promat Show and demonstrates faster packing and order filling
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the Promat Show (material handling) and the Automate Show (robots and vision) run jointly in Chicago with emphasis on new automation innovations for packing and order filling applications.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of material handling automation which addresses packing and order filling.

Findings

Mobile robots have come of age with multiple vendors offering units for handling goods. Delta robots have found a niche in quick handling of packing and order assembly.

Practical implications

Customers will have to begin thinking of mobile robots as much more autonomous and self‐guiding for goods handling in the warehouse. Logistics customers need to examine the abilities of the delta style robot to do more and faster picking and packing than ever before.

Originality/value

The paper provides an expert insight into how automation innovation continues to reduce cost, improve accuracy and speed of logistics and order filling.
The Bionic Handling Assistant: a success story of additive manufacturing
Authors: Grzesiak Andrzej , Becker Ralf , Verl Alexander
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This review will describe the development of the Bionic Handling Assistant as well as the additive manufacturing (AM) process of robot grippers and its possibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

AM offers the chance to use the additive processes to produce highly flexible automation parts and systems as the Bionic Handling Assistant in small and medium quantities that can utilize a lot of design advantages provided by the process.

Findings

A lot of products of today and especially tomorrow could be produced by rapid manufacturing. New categories of products, such as the Bionic Handling Assistant, will occur.

Originality/value

In the paper, aspects of a visionary scenario for future productions are shown and demonstrated on the Bionic Handling Assistant.
Additive manufacturing boosts efficiency of heat transfer components
Authors: Neugebauer Reimund , Müller Bernhard , Gebauer Mathias , Töppel Thomas
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the innovative approach of manufacturing filigree and highly complex components by means of laser beam melting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the unique geometric freedom of the laser beam melting technology and its possibility of quick, tool‐less production of complex components allow the manufacturing of functionally superior components in a short time.

Findings

Principally concludes the following: additive manufacturing proved to give superior properties to the component compared to conventional manufacturing methods.

Originality/value

This study provides context for the development and manufacturing of an individual heat‐transfer component for an electric‐driven formula race car.
Analyses of peg‐hole jamming in automatic assembly machines
Authors: Usubamatov Ryspek , Leong K.W.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate theoretically the process of jamming in the peg‐hole type parts and to derive a mathematical model of jamming.

Design/methodology/approach

The mathematical model of the jamming of the peg‐hole type parts in assembly process was performed and its boundary conditions, which lead to jamming, defined.

Findings

The equation of the critical angles of declination for the peg, which leads to the peg‐hole jam, was derived. The boundary condition of the angles of declination and the depth of the peg insertion into the hole were defined.

Research limitations/implications

A mathematical model is developed for rigid parts with a hole and for the peg clamped in the rigid assembly mechanisms. The research has not considered flexible deformations and stiffness of the assembly mechanisms, which result in the peg's declination in the assembly process.

Practical implications

The results are represented in the form of the peg's critical angles of declination and critical depth of insertion into the hole, which leads to jamming of the peg‐hole type parts to be assembled. On the basis of the obtained results, it is possible to formulate the tolerances of the declination angles for the assembly mechanisms, which clamp the peg‐type parts.

Originality/value

The proposed method calculating the critical angles of the peg's declination and critical depth of the peg's insertion into the hole for assembly of the peg‐hole type parts, enables one to increase the reliability of the assembly process in the manufacturing industry.
A discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm for rectilinear branch pipe routing
Authors: Liu Qiang , Wang Chengen
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new rectilinear branch pipe‐routing algorithm for automatic generation of rectilinear branch pipe routes in constrained spaces of aero‐engines.

Design/methodology/approach

Rectilinear branch pipe routing that connects multiple terminals in a constrained space with obstacles can be formulated as a rectilinear Steiner minimum tree with obstacles (RSMTO) problem while meeting certain engineering rules, which has been proved to be an NP‐hard and discrete problem. This paper presents a discrete particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for rectilinear branch pipe routing (DPSO‐RBPRA) problems, which adopts an attraction operator and an energy function to plan the shortest collision‐free connecting networks in a discrete graph space. Moreover, this paper integrates several existing techniques to evaluate particles for the RSMTO problem in discrete Manhattan spaces. Further, the DPSO‐RBPRA is extended to surface cases to adapt to requirements of routing pipes on the surfaces of aero‐engines.

Findings

Pipe routing numeral computations show that, DPSO‐RBPRA finds satisfactory connecting networks while considering several engineering rules, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Originality/value

This paper applies the Steiner tree theory and develops a DPSO algorithm to plan the aero‐engine rectilinear branch pipe‐routing layouts.
Design and implementation of a haptic‐based virtual assembly system
Authors: Xia Pinjun , Lopes António , Restivo Maria
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Haptics can significantly enhance the user's sense of immersion and interactivity. Especially in an assembly task, haptic feedback can help designers to have a better understanding of virtual objects and to increase task efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the design and implementation of a haptic‐based virtual assembly system (HVAS).

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐thread system structure was designed, an automatic data integration interface was developed to transfer geometry, topology, assembly and physics information from a computer‐aided design system to virtual reality application, and a hierarchical constraint‐based data model and scene graph structure was designed to construct the virtual assembly environment. Unlike traditional virtual assembly systems based on collision detection or geometry constraint only, a physics‐based modeling approach combining with haptic feedback and geometry constraint was undertaken to realize and guide the realistic assembly process. When two parts collide into each other, the force and torque can be computed and provide feedback, and a spring‐mass model is used to prevent penetration and simulate dynamic behaviour. When two parts are close enough to each other and the assembly simulation state is activated, a geometry constraint can be captured, an attractive force can be generated to guide the user to assemble the part along the correct position, and the repulsive force can also be generated to realize the mating process as natural and realistic as in real life.

Findings

The implementation details and application examples demonstrate that haptic‐based virtual assembly is a valuable tool for assembly design and process planning.

Originality/value

The paper presents an HVAS.
Comparing ways of breaking symmetries in mathematical models for SALBP‐1
Authors: Pastor Rafael , García‐Villoria Alberto , Corominas Albert
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Simple assembly line balancing problem type 1 is the most studied assembly line problem and many procedures have been proposed to solve it. Ho and Emrouznejad proposed to add a novel set of constrains into a binary integer‐programming model that is useful for breaking symmetries between equivalent solutions. The purpose of this paper is to compare this way of breaking symmetries with the usual ones existing in the literature (by means of the objective function and by means of additional constraints) and propose two novel ways of breaking symmetries which improve the existing ones.

Design/methodology/approach

For the comparison, the authors solve the well‐known benchmark instances.

Findings

It was found that the most efficient model is one of the new models which has not been proposed in the literature to date. Moreover, the authors noticed that Ho and Emrouznejad attribute a mathematical model to Patterson and Albracht that is different from the original model proposed by Patterson and Albracht.

Originality/value

There is not, in the literature, a comparison between classical and new mathematical models. The authors give an empirical comparison between them, together with two new ones that the authors propose. Moreover, the authors point out the mistake about the attribution model in Ho and Emrouznejad's, work attributing a mathematical model to Patterson and Albracht, with the aim of preventing its possible propagation in future researches.
The “bold and the beautiful” of the UAE retail environment
Authors: Madichie Nnamdi O. , Blythe Jim
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to profile the potential impact of shopping malls in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – a country renowned for its hedonic consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on a combination of personal observation and review of media reports on the duality (bricks‐and‐mortar versus clicks) of investments in UAE retail space.

Findings

Initial observations of developments in the UAE shopping landscape provide compelling evidence to suggest that online shopping (etailing) is unlikely to match the hedonic consumption patterns such as major bricks‐and‐mortar investments in shopping malls (the Dubai Mall is not only equipped with an aquarium, a cinema, and a zoo, but also has an on‐site hotel).

Practical implications

The findings highlight two key challenges that would require further investigation. First amongst these is how to transform the identified entertainment aspects epitomised by the hedonic attributes of UAE shopping malls into generating “real profits” for retailers. Second is to establish how to reconcile the conflicting etailing investments in the country with the fast paced bricks‐and‐mortar developments – both running into millions of dollars.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the very few on the retail sector in the UAE and perhaps the first that examines this sector in the light of hedonism versus utilitarianism.
Does stakeholder engagement promote sustainable innovation orientation?
Authors: Ayuso Silvia , Ángel Rodríguez Miguel , García‐Castro Roberto , Ángel Ariño Miguel
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the contribution of stakeholder engagement to firms' innovation orientation within the context of sustainable development. It investigates whether engagement with different stakeholders promotes sustainable innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is based on an international sample of 656 large companies, drawn from the annual assessment for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. A logistic regression analysis was performed in order to test the hypothesized relationships between stakeholder interaction, knowledge management and sustainable innovation orientation.

Findings

Empirical results showed that knowledge sourced from engagement with internal and external stakeholders contributes to a firm's sustainable innovation orientation, but that this knowledge has to be managed by the firm internally in order to be converted into new ideas for innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Since the present study represents one of the first attempts to characterize stakeholder‐driven innovation in a quantitative way, there are some limitations related to the used database that should be addressed in future research.

Practical implications

The results show the importance for companies of connecting the business functions of stakeholder engagement and innovation, and find flexible mechanisms to combine access and transformation of relevant stakeholder information.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the present research is to prove quantitatively that engagement with different stakeholders is a valid mechanism for promoting sustainable innovation within firms. This is done with a unique dataset, the SAM Group database. In addition, the present study will advance understanding on firm's sustainable innovation processes by framing this phenomenon as an organizational capability.
The effect of critical success factors on IT governance performance
Authors: Nfuka Edephonce N. , Rusu Lazar
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of critical success factors (CSFs) on information technology (IT) governance performance in public sector organizations in a developing country such as Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a previous study and a further literature review, a research model was developed for analysing the relationship between the CSFs found for effective IT governance in this environment and their effect on IT governance performance. A survey research method was applied for data collection and sample data from Tanzanian public sector organizations (this environment) obtained. Subsequently, a second‐generation structural equation modelling technique, namely partial least squares, was applied to test statistically the correlated effect.

Findings

The results indicate significant small to strong positive correlated effects on IT governance performance. The CSF with the most significant correlated effect was “involve and get support of senior management” and the one with the least “consolidate, standardize and manage IT infrastructure and application to optimize costs and information flow across the organization”. Finally, a CSF model for effective IT governance in this environment was proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The findings imply that decision makers can optimize IT‐related plans and use of scarce resources by concentrating on the CSFs that have a significant effect on IT governance performance that could lead to an improvement of public service delivery. This study is limited to a single developing country but future studies can involve more such countries to broaden the insights into the effect of CSFs on IT governance performance in such environments.

Originality/value

By establishing the correlated effects between these CSFs and the IT governance performance, this study has revealed a significant impact of CSFs on IT governance performance. It also suggests a CSFs model for effective IT governance in this less‐resourced environment in which such studies have not been conducted before, yet which are vital for analysing and improving IT governance.
Construction contract administration in Malaysia using DFD: a conceptual model
Authors: Yih Chong Heap , Balamuralithara Balakrishnan , Choy Chong Siong
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model which is aimed at assisting end‐users, i.e. construction practitioners who are without a proper legal background for effective administration of construction contracts, to enable them to make correct interpretations and decisions in dealing with vast amount of legal information.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes the application of data warehouse technology in the contract administration process of the construction industry. Upon identification of a comprehensive list of problems associated with construction contracts based on the feedback from 12 reputed experts in the construction industry, a conceptual model is developed using data flow diagram.

Findings

The results show that data warehouse technology is feasible and practical to the construction practitioners in the contract administration process.

Research limitations/implications

This research focuses only on the development of a conceptual model and thus the practicability aspect of the model is a major concern. As such, the resulting practical implications are limited and are constrained only to the construction industry in Malaysia, raising the question of generalizability of the proposed model, as well as across different industries and countries.

Practical implications

It is posited that the proposed conceptual model, when implemented, would enable construction practitioners to administer construction contracts with better clarity and accuracy, so that interpretation errors and disputes can be mitigated. This will facilitate the development of harmonious working relationships.

Originality/value

The application of data warehouse technology in contract administration is rather new in the construction industry. The conceptual model thus offers a more effective and proactive approach in construction contract administration towards dispute resolution and/or prevention.
A Bayesian multivariate probit analysis of Korean firms' information system adoption
Authors: Young Choi Jae , Kim Yeonbae , Jun Yungman , Kim Yunhee
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the core determinants and adoption patterns of the major enterprise information systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This study incorporated the core representative and meaningful explanatory variables in the major previous literatures and analyzes the core determinants of businesses' adoption of the essential information systems and the substitutionary patterns among them, using a Bayesian multivariate probit model, which is based on McFadden's random utility model and capable of handling multiple response data.

Findings

It was found that not only factors from the classical technological diffusion viewpoint but also factors such as organizational tools and strategic behaviors play an important role in firms' adoption of information systems. Specifically, epidemic effect generally outweighs size effect, and putting more effort into the intensity of information strategy planning is more influential than the hiring of a professional chief information officer. On the other hand, such variables as age of the firm, labor intensity, and number of PCs per person generally have no significant impacts. Finally, a relatively strong complementary relationship exists between enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management adoption, and between e‐buy and groupware adoption.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper have important implications for firms on a minimal budget that want to maximize their productivity through the adoption of information systems. They also provide important information for government policymakers whose job it is to design strategies for the successful deployment of information systems.
Understanding industrial safety signs: implications for occupational safety management
Authors: Chan K.L. , Chan Alan H.S.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the understanding of industrial safety signs and messages by registered and non‐registered safety officers in Hong Kong with ten different user factors, and examine the relationship between cognitive sign features and sign comprehensibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology includes the survey development and appropriate statistical analyses. In total, 92 Hong Kong Chinese participated voluntarily in the study. A questionnaire survey was used to collect information about demographics, personal experience on safety and health issues, experience of reviewing safety sign information, comprehension scores, and the ratings of sign features for 30 industrial safety signs used in Hong Kong. The effect of ten user factors on sign understanding for the design of highly usable safety signs was examined.

Findings

Of the ten factors tested, only the factor of possession of registered safety officer (RSO) status was a significant predictor of comprehension performance. As expected, comprehension scores varied with the cognitive sign features of familiarity, concreteness, simplicity, and meaningfulness.

Research limitations/implications

The currently used industrial safety signs should be redesigned as soon as possible, with careful consideration of cognitive sign features. To make the results more generally applicable, further research is needed to collect more data, particularly from females.

Practical implications

This research suggests that an effective education program for promoting the intended messages of industrial safety signs in various industries and work environments should be conducted as soon as possible. Safety officers, especially those who work in the construction industry need to play a more prominent role in ensuring workplace safety, and in transferring safety knowledge to the workers.

Social implications

There is a need to enhance RSOs' risk perception and to increase awareness of the importance of safety signs through training programs, so as to improve workplace safety and organizational safety culture. The redesigned safety signs need to be launched with a public education program.

Originality/value

The paper's findings emphasize the need to create awareness of the importance of industrial safety and promote understanding of safety sign meanings amongst people in their work environments. Useful information for the design and use of safety signs was generated.
The influence of external factors on routine ERP usage
Authors: Sternad Simona , Gradisar Miro , Bobek Samo
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have been implemented in most organizations for a few years. ERP solutions go through three phases of lifecycle: selection, implementation and operation phase; the operation phase consists of the stabilization stage and the routine stage. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ERP system use in the operation phase, organizations need to research the factors that have impact on users' satisfaction. A literature shows that few published studies have examined users' adoption of ERP systems through a technological acceptance model (TAM) or examined external factors that have influence the intention to use an ERP system, or ERP use in the stabilization stage. The purpose of this paper is to expose and research external factors which have influence on ERP users in the operation phase of ERP lifecycle and to investigate the impact of those factors on ERP system use.

Design/methodology/approach

The TAM proposed by Davis has been the most widely‐used model for researching user acceptance and usage of information technology/information systems. Despite the existence of several additions to TAM connected with ERP use, the authors aim to make further contribution in the area of external factors. Within this context the present research is focused on the mature use of ERP system (more than one year of ERP use in an organization). A limited number of external factors mentioned in already published papers connected with TAM regarding ERP use has also been extended. The authors have researched the effect of external factors through the second‐order factors on the original TAM. The model has been empirically tested using the data collected from a survey of 161 ERP users from a national telecom company, which has been using an ERP system since 1999. The model has been analysed using PLS approach.

Findings

The study shows that extended external factors observed through the second‐order factors have important influence on ERP usefulness and ERP ease of use; they also have a strong influence on the attitude toward using ERP system by ERP users in the routine (maturity) stage.

Originality/value

The paper researches the factors which have an impact on ERP solution use in the routine (mature) stage of ERP lifecycle. The paper adds to the literature, in that few previous studies have examined the users' adoption of ERP systems through the TAM or examined external factors that have influence on the intention to use an ERP system or ERP use in the stabilization stage.
Using Black‐Scholes to determine an optimal funding term
Authors: Gay Roger
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine use of the Black‐Scholes (BS) risky asset model to determine choice of optimal investment term in a reinvestment chain model.

Design/methodology/approach

An extension of Tobin's separation theorem is used to establish a mean‐variance efficient strategy for lump sum conversion to an income stream over any fixed term; two criteria involving the BS model are then applied to determine optimal investment term in a perpetual chain of reinvestment. The first criterion selects the term to maximize the value of a call option on excess of a market portfolio accumulation over the indexed value of the original lump sum. The second criterion selects term to maximize the expected present value of this excess without the no‐arbitrage assumption.

Findings

It is found that both criteria lead to useful but different income stream funding strategies. Annual returns data for the All Ordinaries Accumulation Index for years 1900‐2009 are used for an empirical assessment of the relative usefulness of the two criteria. Empirical evidence favours use of the criterion without the no‐arbitrage assumption.

Originality/value

Mean‐variance efficiency of the lump sum conversion strategy has been described elsewhere, but it has not previously been recognized as an extension of the Tobin theorem. Determination of optimal reinvestment term in this context is new and crucial to practical application of the model. One application of universal significance is for retirees emerging from defined contribution pension schemes with lump sums to provide for retirement in the face of longevity risk.
Coherent risk measure for derivatives under Black‐Scholes economy with regime switching
Authors: Hao Fangcheng , Yang Hailiang
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a scenario‐based risk measure for a portfolio of European‐style derivative securities over a fixed time horizon under the regime switching Black‐Scholes economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The risk measure is constructed by using the risk‐neutral probability, the physical probability and a family of subjective probability measures. The subjective probabilities can be interpreted as risk managers or regulators' risk preferences and/or subjective beliefs.

Findings

The authors provide closed form expressions for the European option and barrier option.

Research limitations/implications

The results are difficult to apply to a portfolio with many different kinds of options.

Practical implications

The results provide some insights on risk management of portfolios with derivatives.

Originality/value

The paper presents a scenario‐based risk measure for a portfolio of European‐style derivative securities over a fixed time horizon under the regime switching Black‐Scholes economy. Risk management is the most important task for almost all financial industries, although it cannot be claimed that the method and results of this paper solve the problem, it is believed to provide some insights to the problem, albeit theoretical. For vanilla European options and barrier options, the authors obtained a closed form expression for the risk measure. The idea of this paper can be applied to some other exotic options. For portfolios containing different kinds of derivatives, the results of this paper provide some guideline and insights.
Bond valuation under a discrete‐time regime‐switching term‐structure model and its continuous‐time extension
Authors: Elliott Robert J. , Kuen Siu Tak , Badescu Alex
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider a discrete‐time, Markov, regime‐switching, affine term‐structure model for valuing bonds and other interest rate securities. The proposed model incorporates the impact of structural changes in (macro)‐economic conditions on interest‐rate dynamics. The market in the proposed model is, in general, incomplete. A modified version of the Esscher transform, namely, a double Esscher transform, is used to specify a price kernel so that both market and economic risks are taken into account.

Design/methodology/approach

The market in the proposed model is, in general, incomplete. A modified version of the Esscher transform, namely, a double Esscher transform, is used to specify a price kernel so that both market and economic risks are taken into account.

Findings

The authors derive a simple way to give exponential affine forms of bond prices using backward induction. The authors also consider a continuous‐time extension of the model and derive exponential affine forms of bond prices using the concept of stochastic flows.

Originality/value

The methods and results presented in the paper are new.
Estimating the leverage parameter of continuous‐time stochastic volatility models using high frequency S&P 500 and VIX
Authors: Ishida Isao , McAleer Michael , Oya Kosuke
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new method for estimating continuous‐time stochastic volatility (SV) models for the S&P 500 stock index process using intraday high‐frequency observations of both the S&P 500 index and the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) implied (or expected) volatility index (VIX).

Design/methodology/approach

A primary purpose of the paper is to provide a framework for using intraday high‐frequency data of both the indices' estimates, in particular, for improving the estimation accuracy of the leverage parameter, that is, the correlation between the two Brownian motions driving the diffusive components of the price process and its spot variance process, respectively.

Findings

Finite sample simulation results show that the proposed estimator delivers more accurate estimates of the leverage parameter than do existing methods.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of the paper is on the Heston and non‐Heston leverage parameters.

Practical implications

Finite sample simulation results show that the proposed estimator delivers more accurate estimates of the leverage parameter than do existing methods.

Social implications

The research findings are important for the analysis of ultra high‐frequency financial data.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework for using intraday high‐frequency data of both indices' estimates, in particular, for improving the estimation accuracy of the leverage parameter, that is, the correlation between the two Brownian motions driving the diffusive components of the price process and its spot variance process, respectively.
A three‐factor valuation model for mortgage‐backed securities (MBS)
Authors: Kariya Takeaki , Ushiyama Fumiaki , Pliska Stanley R.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generalize the one‐factor mortgage‐backed securities (MBS)‐pricing model proposed by Kariya and Kobayashi to a three‐factor model. The authors describe prepayment behavior due to refinancing and rising housing prices by discrete‐time, no‐arbitrage pricing theory, making an association between prepayment behavior and cash flow patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

The structure, rationality and potential for practical use of our model is demonstrated by valuing an MBS via Monte Carlo simulation and then conducting a comparative static analysis.

Findings

The proposed model is found to be effective for analysing MBS cash flow patterns, making a decision for bond investments and risk management due to prepayment.

Originality/value

While the one‐factor valuation model Kariya and Kobayashi treated is a basic framework, the generalized model presented in this paper is much more effective for analysing MBS cash flow patterns, making a decision for bond investments and risk management due to prepayment.
Risk management of risk under the Basel Accord: forecasting value‐at‐risk of VIX futures
Authors: Chang Chia‐lin , Jiménez‐Martín Juan‐Ángel , McAleer Michael , Pérez‐Amaral Teodosio
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The Basel II Accord requires that banks and other authorized deposit‐taking institutions (ADIs) communicate their daily risk forecasts to the appropriate monetary authorities at the beginning of each trading day, using one or more risk models to measure value‐at‐risk (VaR). The risk estimates of these models are used to determine capital requirements and associated capital costs of ADIs, depending in part on the number of previous violations, whereby realized losses exceed the estimated VaR. The purpose of this paper is to address the question of risk management of risk, namely VaR of VIX futures prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine how different risk management strategies performed before, during and after the 2008‐2009 global financial crisis (GFC).

Findings

The authors find that an aggressive strategy of choosing the supremum of the univariate model forecasts is preferred to the other alternatives, and is robust during the GFC.

Originality/value

The paper examines how different risk management strategies performed before, during and after the 2008‐2009 GFC, and finds that an aggressive strategy of choosing the supremum of the univariate model forecasts is preferred to the other alternatives, and is robust during the GFC.
Scaling the fractal plain: towards a general view of knowledge management
Authors: Griffiths David , Evans Peter
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore coherence across key disciplines of knowledge management (KM) for a general model as a way to address performance dissatisfaction in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

Research employed an evidence‐based meta‐analysis (287 aspects of literature), triangulated through an exploratory survey (91 global respondents), to gather data on the drivers for KM. The paper attempts to demonstrate self‐similarity across six key KM disciplines using fractal theory as a data analysis tool.

Findings

Appear to demonstrate self‐affinity between key disciplines in the field of KM. This provides a strong signpost for future research in the field when attempting to address practitioner dissatisfaction in performance.

Research limitations/implications

The paper cannot determine importance, or value of the factors discussed. The meta‐analysis allows us to determine the existence of the identified functions and enablers. Limited representation of literature from outside the Northern Hemisphere will not allow for an assertion as to validity outside of this area. Findings could not determine whether factors were stable through time. While outliers in the data provide signposts for further research, it could be attributed to situated variance.

Practical implications

This paper could influence future research and practice through support for the development of general models for the field. It signposts affinity between disciplines, which could direct theorists and practitioners to explore solutions outside of their situated discipline through a shared understanding.

Originality/value

The fractal theory data analysis approach appears to be unusual if not unique in the field of KM. The evidence‐based meta‐analysis provides depth and rigour with the results triangulated against an exploratory survey, which offers a richness of findings that speaks directly to the needs of the field.
Organizational justice and employee satisfaction in performance appraisal
Authors: Palaiologos Anastasios , Papazekos Panagiotis , Panayotopoulou Leda
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the performance appraisal (PA) aspects that are connected with organizational justice, and more specifically three kinds of justice, namely distributive, procedural and interactional justice.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a sample of 170 respondents who answered a questionnaire giving their perceptions on the purpose and criteria of PA, their satisfaction from PA and organizational justice.

Findings

The results show that procedural, distributive and interactional justice are related with different elements of performance appraisal. Elements of satisfaction are strongly related to all aspects of organizational justice. The PA criteria are related to procedural justice.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is that the research provides information based only on one source, that of the appraisee. However, it highlights the role of employee satisfaction to organizational justice, linking different sources of satisfaction to different elements of justice.

Practical implications

This paper has practical implications for HRD, as it provides HR practitioners with suggestions on how to increase the perceived justice of the PA system.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is to HR practitioners who design PA systems, and also managers acting as appraisers of their subordinates.