bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A molecular dynamics study on heat and mass transfer in condensation over smooth/rough surface
Authors: Sun Jie , He Ya‐Ling , Tao Wen‐Quan
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the condensation process of hot vapor on smooth/rough walls and find how the condensation film forms and grows. The influences of the roughness and the wettability on condensation are especially analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The non‐equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation method is used to simulate the condensation. In order to maintain the process, a simple and effective molecule insertion mechanics is proposed.

Findings

The results show that the wall‐neighboring liquid structure becomes more regular with stronger wettability. The temporal parametric profiles show that the condensation does not progress at a constant rate but exhibit obvious unsteady characteristics of gradual deceleration, especially for strong wettability cases. Analysis based on heat and mass transfer indicates that the influence of wettability is quite superior to that of the roughness. The enhancement should be explained by the more fluent and effective energy exchange between solid and liquid particles caused by strong solid‐liquid coupling other than by the ordering structure itself.

Practical implications

The paper's findings suggest that the wettability should be paid special attention when the heat transfer performance of the microscale condensation is predominantly focused on.

Originality/value

The paper provides a vapor‐liquid‐solid model with molecule insertion. This model can be used to evaluate the contact thermal resistance and the thermal boundary conditions in condensation under different geometric conditions.
The influence of standoff variations on the forming accuracy in laser direct metal deposition
Authors: Zhu Gangxian , Li Dichen , Zhang Anfeng , Pi Gang , Tang Yiping
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influencing rule of the standoff distance variations between the nozzle outlet and the powder deposition point on forming dimensional accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The thin‐wall parts were built with three different standoff distances: 1 mm more than the powder focus length, equal to the powder focus length and 1 mm less than the powder focus length. Based on the experimental results, the steady standoff distance can be acquired and the difference between the building height and the ideal height of thin‐wall parts can be compensated automatically in several layers by theoretical calculation.

Findings

The experimental results show that the top surface unevenness of thin‐wall parts can be compensated automatically on the consequent successive layers when the standoff distance is less than the powder focal length from the nozzle outlet to the powder focal point, and the poorer results are obtained when the standoff distance is equal to or more than the powder focal length in the deposition of stainless steel 316L under open‐loop control.

Practical implications

The shape of parts affects the self‐regulation effect in practical applications, so the self‐regulation effect is useful when the single contour of parts is continuous straight faces and the surface of parts is perpendicular to the build platform, and will be useless for parts with holes.

Originality/value

According to the requirements under different process conditions in practical applications, one should first find out the relationship between the standoff distance and the building height of single‐trace cladding layer, and then use regression algorithm to obtain the stable standoff distance by simple theoretical calculation. The uniform building height, layer thickness and smooth surface can be obtained at the stable standoff distance under open‐loop control.
Development of a novel two‐laser beam stereolithography system
Authors: Jiang Cho‐Pei
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel two‐laser beam stereolithography system which has the advantages of low cost, fabrication time reduction and high accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The wavelengths of the two semiconductor laser beams are determined to be 405 nm (blue light) and 532 nm (green light), respectively, according to the relative absorbance rate of the visible‐light curable resin (NAF202) used. The blue light laser is suitable for scanning the contour of objects because of its fast absorbance, thus giving a narrow cured depth. The green light laser is better suited to scanning the internal crosshatch to condense the fabrication time because of its deep penetration and its high power results in a wide cured width. A photoabsorber, carbon powder with an average diameter of 0.1 μm, is adopted to control the cured layer thickness. An adaptive crosshatch technique is introduced and applied to the fabrication process. Two benchmarks are proposed and fabricated using the developed system to evaluate the fabrication capability. Furthermore, a coordinate measuring machine is employed to evaluate the accuracy of the fabricated benchmark parts.

Findings

An optimal weight percentage of 1.5 is specified. The technique developed in this study is feasible for the fabrication of highly‐convoluted objects such as fan blades. The inclusion of the adaptive crosshatch technique in the developed system significantly reduces the fabrication time.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper show that the developed system can fabricate objects quickly with high accuracy.
Analysis of the demand for counterfeit goods
Authors: Norum Pamela S. , Cuno Angela
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The production, distribution and consumption of counterfeit goods have been increasing at an alarming rate. Current legislation addresses the supply side of the problem, but not the demand side of the problem. The purpose of this paper is to examine, empirically, factors affecting consumer demand for counterfeit goods were analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The economic theory of consumer demand provided the theoretical framework. Data were collected from students enrolled at a major mid‐western university, and logistic regression was used to estimate demand functions for counterfeit goods.

Findings

The results indicated that student sensitivity to the counterfeit problem did not significantly deter the purchase of counterfeit goods.

Research limitations/implications

Educators in textiles and apparel should have a vested interest in providing education about counterfeiting, resulting in students with greater sensitivity to the issue.

Originality/value

The production, distribution and consumption of counterfeit goods have been increasing at an alarming rate. Current legislation addresses the supply side of the problem, but not the demand side of the problem. Consumer education may be a feasible approach for addressing the demand side of the problem.
Factors influencing international fashion retailers' entry mode choice
Authors: Lu Yao , Karpova Elena E. , Fiore Ann Marie
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a theory‐based framework that informs a fashion retailer's entry mode choice into a foreign market.

Design/methodology/approach

Aspects of transaction cost, bargaining, resource based, and internationalization theories were integrated to develop a conceptual framework for fashion retailers determining the best entry mode to foreign markets. Propositions were developed, which serve as bridge laws, bridging the gap between the theories and the investigation of fashion retailers' entry mode choice. A case study was used to demonstrate applicability of the developed propositions.

Findings

Three groups of factors were identified that influence entry mode choice in the fashion retail market: firm‐specific factors of asset specificity, brand equity, financial capacity, and international experience; country‐specific factors of country risk, cultural distance, and government restrictions; and market‐specific factors of market potential and market competition. Nine propositions were generated, positing how each of the factors may influence a fashion retailer's entry mode choice.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual model and propositions require further empirical investigation. Future research also needs to systematically explore the interactions or trade‐offs between different determinate factors.

Practical implications

A fashion retailer can use the framework and propositions to systematically evaluate the company's case to justify an entry mode decision for a specific foreign market.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to describe the integration of theories to help explain factors affecting fashion retailers' entry mode choice.
The US and Japanese apparel demand conditions: implications for industry competitiveness
Authors: Lee Juyoung , Karpova Elena E.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate aggregated apparel demand in the USA and Japan and to assess the positions of apparel products manufactured in the USA and Japan in comparison to imported apparel.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Porter's industry competitiveness theory as a theoretical framework, the two‐step demand analysis, time‐series market analysis and elasticities of demand using “Almost ideal demand system” was conducted in order to reveal the overall market conditions of the USA and Japan and the market positions of domestically manufactured and imported apparel products in both countries.

Findings

Regardless of the country of origin, US consumers were price conscious in purchasing apparel products because they decreased purchase for not only domestically produced products but also imported products when prices increased. However, Japanese consumers' price concept toward apparel products was dual. They increased their purchase of domestically made products if the price was higher, and decreased their purchase of imported products.

Originality/value

This paper provides a framework for the apparel industry competitiveness assessment with regard to the demand‐side analysis of Porter's competitiveness theory. Moreover, there is no research in the current literature that assessed the US apparel demand with regard to industry competitiveness and a cross national view, especially compared with the Japanese apparel industry.
Mobile communications in Turkey: from first mover advantages to management capabilities
Authors: Filiz Karabag Solmaz , Berggren Christian
Published: March 2011

Purpose

Several studies of the telecommunications industry have focused on government regulation and structural conditions, suggesting that initial order of entry and network effects create strong first‐mover advantages for GSM companies. This paper seeks to change the focus to managerial capabilities and to investigate how an early mover on the Turkish market manages the phase of vigorous competition following the early‐regulated period.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a case study of one leading firm in the context of the Turkish telecommunications market development. The most important sources for data are Telepati Telekom Journal, Turkcell Annual Reports, Telecommunications Authority of Turkey's publications, the reports of investment institutions, web pages of operators, and previous publications about the Turkish telecom industry.

Findings

The paper finds that the early mover, Turkcell, has used a mix of differentiated marketing strategies, innovative and diversified product development and increased service quality to defend its position in an era of increased competition with new operators, a high number of pre‐paid customers and number portability.

Originality/value

On the basis of this case, the paper argues that studies of the telecommunications industry need to expand their analyses of industry structures to also include firm‐specific strategies and management capabilities.
Generic strategies and performance – evidence from manufacturing firms
Authors: Nandakumar M.K. , Ghobadian Abby , O'Regan Nicholas
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between business‐level strategy and organisational performance and to test the applicability of Porter's generic strategies in explaining differences in the performance of organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was focussed on manufacturing firms in the UK belonging to the electrical and mechanical engineering sectors. Data were collected through a postal survey using the survey instrument from 124 organisations and the respondents were all at CEO level. Both objective and subjective measures were used to assess performance. Non‐response bias was assessed statistically and it was not found to be a major problem affecting this study. Appropriate measures were taken to ensure that common method variance (CMV) does not affect the results of this study. Statistical tests indicated that CMV problem does not affect the results of this study.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that firms adopting one of the strategies, namely cost‐leadership or differentiation, perform better than “stuck‐in‐the‐middle” firms which do not have a dominant strategic orientation. The integrated strategy group has lower performance compared with cost‐leaders and differentiators in terms of financial performance measures. This provides support for Porter's view that combination strategies are unlikely to be effective in organisations. However, the cost‐leadership and differentiation strategies were not strongly correlated with the financial performance measures indicating the limitations of Porter's generic strategies in explaining performance heterogeneity in organisations.

Originality/value

This study makes an important contribution to the literature by identifying some of the gaps in the literature through a systematic literature review and addressing those gaps.
Structured approach to measure performance in construction research and development
Authors: Kulatunga Udayangani , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Haigh Richard
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore performance measurement applications within construction research and development (R&D) to develop a structured approach to measure the performance of a collaborative construction R&D project during its lifecycle from initiation, conceptualisation, development, and launch stages, and during project management.

Design/methodology/approach

During the exploratory phase of the study, semi‐structured interviews and a questionnaire survey were carried out to develop the performance measurement system (PMS). During the explanatory phase, the developed PMS was refined with a series of semi‐structured interviews. The data were gathered from principal investigators, researchers and industrial partners involved in collaborative construction R&D work.

Findings

The main finding is the developed PMS to measure the performance of construction R&D that consists of critical success factors, performance indicators and performance measures during the lifecycle of a R&D project.

Practical implications

The PMS developed through the study provides critical success factors, performance indicators and measures that need to be considered during construction R&D projects to measure the performance. Thus, through the implementation of the PMS, this study contributes to practice by assisting the performance improvement within construction R&D projects.

Originality/value

The developed PMS to measure the performance of construction R&D projects will provide value for those who are engaged in R&D work (principal investigators, researchers and industrial partners) to ensure the success of their projects.
Impact of the internet on teenagers' influence on family purchases
Authors: Kaur Anupriya , Medury Y.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the impact of the internet on teenage childrens' roles in purchase decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey administered to 346 parent‐child dyads, regression analysis and ANOVA analysis were employed to analyze the impact of the internet on teenagers' influence on several purchase subdecisions related with purchase of high technology products and vacation planning in urban Indian households.

Findings

Results indicate that teenage children in urban Indian households are significantly influenced by the internet, i.e. they perceive and disseminate consumption related information from the internet and, further, this influence is positively related to their role in family purchase decisions. Additionally, statistically significant differences were found on children's participation in decision making across the six subdecisions.

Originality/value

These results are important to academicians, researchers and practitioners because they show that the internet does act as a contemporary influence on consumer socialization of children and impacts the teenage child's participation in family which has been relatively unexplored.
Tween girls' perception of gender roles and gender identities: a qualitative study
Authors: Chan Kara , Tufte Birgitte , Cappello Gianna , Williams Russell B.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The present study aims to examine girls' perception of gender roles and gender identities in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 16 girls aged 10 to 12 were asked to take pictures from the media that could illustrate “what girls or women should or should not be; and what girls or women should or should not do”. Qualitative interviews were conducted.

Findings

Analysis of interviews and images captured found that tween girls' perceived gender roles for females were based on a mixture of traditional and contemporary role models. Girls in Hong Kong demonstrated conservatism in sexuality. Sexy outlook and pre‐marital sexual relations were considered inappropriate. Tween girls showed concern about global as well as domestic social agendas. They used a variety of media and showed interest in contents primarily for adults.

Research limitations/implications

The study was based on a convenience sample. The interviewees came from middle to lower income families, limiting the validity for generalization. Further quantitative study is needed to establish benchmarks.

Practical implications

This study will help in understanding the kinds of media images that attract the attention of female tweens and what those images mean to them. The study can serve as a guideline for marketing communication aimed at this target group, particularly for skincare, beauty, and cosmetic marketers.

Originality/value

The first novel idea that is being used in this research is the combination of visual method and the application of qualitative methodology to the study of media effects. The second novel idea is the use of interviewees as data‐collectors. The methodology enables contextually relevant questions and to understand the meaning of the images captured.
Preparing for the next crisis: what can organizations do to prepare managers for an uncertain future?
Authors: Faustenhammer Alfred , Gössler Martin
Published: March 2011

Purpose

Executives are poorly prepared for the next crisis. In order to be able to lead organizations through crises, executives need to have knowledge about the structures and processes they introduce with the goal of maintaining the organization's capacity for action.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument is based on the author's personal experience as consultants and experts for leadership development. Organizations are oftentimes too slow or too quick to implement measures. The adopted measures do not have long‐term effects. Many measures are inexpertly implemented, leading to a long‐term loss of employee trust. Executives do not measure up to their role's modified demands. Dedicated executives leave the organization or are on burnout‐induced sick leave.

Findings

Executives act within their professional role and not as individuals as a whole. A group of executives who are resilient as individuals does not yet make for a resilient executive team. The executive team's resilience depends on the collective capacity for action. Crises are threats to individuals and social systems, both regarding their subsistence and their identity. The fight to maintain the social system's identity obstructs the fight to maintain its economic survival.

Practical implications

There are four fields of action for executive development: crisis management expertise; interpersonal skills and self‐reflection; strategic resilience; and personal resilience.

Originality/value

The concept of “resilience” could help prepare executives, teams and organizations for upcoming crises. In addition to individual abilities, organizations also need to adjust habits, structure and culture in order to be resilient.
Utilizing gossip as a strategy to construct organizational reality
Authors: Gholipour Aryan , Fakheri Kozekanan Samira , Zehtabi Mona
Published: March 2011

Purpose

Gossip is one of the reality organizations. Employees might regard gossip as a kind of information and behave based on that, thus gossip management is of great importance for effective management. In this article we investigate gossip and suggest a model for managing it.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the authors have tried to study gossip behaviors and misbehaviors and suggest solutions to manage them.

Findings

Based on the literature on gossip, the authors suggest ABC model for gossip management in organizations. In the ABC model some factors like importance, ambiguity, stress and tension, tendency to believe gossips and contrast as antecedents, making gossips, fighting gossips and spreading gossips as a strategy and other factors like mistrust, feedback, behavior modifying mechanism, information source and evaluating the employees reaction have been analyzed as the consequences of gossip.

Originality/value

This paper analyses intentional usage of gossips by managers to shape the intended organizational realities in light of social constructionist.
Strategic thinking in Benetton
Authors: Monnavarian Abbas , Farmani Gita , Yajam Hajar
Published: March 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to identify the related factors of strategic thinking and their assessment (determining the gap between “importance of the factors”, and “present situation of the factors”) in Benetton Co. branches located in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper briefly reviews the literature related to strategic planning, and especially strategic thinking. Through the review of literature, some factors will be identified, and then presents statistical evidence to show their relevance and situation (the gap between present situation and optimum situation) in Benetton Co. branches located to Iran.

Findings

The findings of the research indicate that there are 12 relevant factors of strategic thinking; and difference between “importance of the factors”, and the present situation of all 12 factors in Benetton, are meaningful.

Research limitations/implications

More research needs to be conducted about the factors related to strategic thinking. Due to the fact that the research is limited to a specific company, the findings cannot be generalized. Also, it seems that relying on questionnaire can cause some limitations to the findings.

Practical implications

Although strategic planning and thinking are distinct, they are interrelated and complementary in terms of thought processes. If they sustain and support each other, effective strategic planning can be formulated and implemented.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights to different dimensions of strategic thinking and the amount of their presence in an international company working in a developing country; and the way it enhances the capacity of the company for implementation of strategic planning.
A ratings‐based stakeholder analysis for a food production company, including trust and risk implications
Authors: Harvey Joan
Published: March 2011

Purpose

This paper takes a stakeholder analysis approach derived from a study in one domain and applies this to safety issues in an organization making food products.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a stakeholder analysis approach.

Findings

This paper has demonstrates that the approach advocated by Heidrich et al. for stakeholder analysis in waste management can be used in other domains.

Originality/value

Takes a stakeholder analysis approach derived from a study in one domain and applies this to safety issues in an organization making food products.
Cultural values and gender gap: a cross‐national analysis
Authors: Yeganeh Hamid , May Diane
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effects of cultural values on gender gap.

Design/methodology/approach

First, by relying on the extant literature, the concepts of cultural values and gender gap are framed and variables are defined. Then, the relationships among variables are hypothesized and the theoretical model is constructed. Finally, empirical tests are conducted, the results are analyzed, and theoretical/practical implications are discussed.

Findings

The results show that controlling for the effects of socio‐economic variables, culture still has important implications for gender gap. More specifically, it is found that conservatism value dimension is associated with higher levels of gender gap, but autonomy cultural dimension may lead to gender equality.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to three pairs of cultural values as proposed by Schwartz. Another major limitation of this study resides in the theoretical model and linear data analysis techniques used to investigate the relationship between culture and gender gap.

Practical implications

The findings of this study could have important practical implications in many areas of social sciences such as political science, management and organizational studies, education, international law, and human resource management.

Social implications

By considering the implications of cultural values, policy makers and business leaders may adopt effective strategies to promote gender equalities at the societal and organizational levels.

Originality/value

While many studies have focused on some narrow aspects such as gender‐based differences in labour, employment, remuneration, political representation, education, and leadership, in this study, the authors relied on a comprehensive conceptualization of the gender gap. Considering the reliability of data and the variety of countries/cultures included, the results seem very significant.
Stability of residual stress induced by laser peening under cyclic mechanical loading
Authors: Sano Yuji , Akita Koichi , Takeda Kazuya , Sumiya Rie , Tazawa Toshiyuki , Saito Toshiyuki , Narazaki Chihiro
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the behavior of compressive residual stress induced by laser peening under external loading on an age‐hardened high‐strength aluminum alloy A2024‐T3, a low‐carbon austenitic stainless steel SUS316L (Type 316L) and a nickel‐based alloy NCF600 (Alloy 600).

Design/methodology/approach

The surface residual stress was measured intermittently by X‐ray diffraction during cyclic uniaxial loading.

Findings

The compressive residual stress due to laser peening significantly decreased during the first few cycles at stress ratio of 0.1 with the maximum loading stress exceeding the 0.2 per cent yield stress. No remarkable decrease was observed afterward until the end of the loading cycles.

Originality/value

Under symmetric loading at the stress ratio of −1 to A2024‐T3, a major decrease took place in the compression side of the first loading cycle. The surface residual stresses remained in compression within all the extent of the present experiments, even if the maximum loading stress exceeded the yield stress of the materials.
Thermomechanical modelling of stress fields in metallic targets subject to laser shock processing
Authors: Morales Miguel , Correa Carlos , Porro Juan Antonio , Molpeceres Carlos , Luis Ocaña José
Published: March 2011

Purpose

Laser shock peening (LSP) is mainly a mechanical process, but in some cases, it is performed without a protective coating and thermal effects are present near the surface. The numerical study of thermo‐mechanical effects and process parameter influence in realistic conditions can be used to better understand the process.

Design/methodology/approach

A physically comprehensive numerical model (SHOCKLAS) has been developed to systematically study LSP processes with or without coatings starting from laser‐plasma interaction and coupled thermo‐mechanical target behavior. Several typical results of the developed SHOCKLAS numerical system are presented. In particular, the application of the model to the realistic simulation (full 3D dependence, non‐linear material behavior, thermal and mechanical effects, treatment over extended surfaces) of LSP treatments in the experimental conditions of the irradiation facility used by the authors is presented.

Findings

Target clamping has some influence on the results and needs to be properly simulated. An increase in laser spot radius and an increase in pressure produces an increase of the maximum compressive residual stress and also the depth of the compressive residual stress region. By increasing the pulse overlapping density, no major improvements are obtained if the pressure is high enough. The relative influence of thermal/mechanical effects shows that each effect has a different temporal scale and thermal effects are limited to a small region near the surface and compressive residual stresses very close to the surface level can be induced even without any protective coating through the application of adjacent pulses.

Originality/value

The paper presents numerical thermo‐mechanical study for LSP treatments without coating and a study of the influence of several process parameters on residual stress distribution with consideration of pulse overlapping.
A numerical simulation of the residual stresses in laser‐peened friction stir‐welded aluminum 2195 joints
Authors: Carney Kelly S. , Hatamleh Omar , Smith James , Matrka Thomas , Gilat Amos , Hill Michael , Truong Chanh
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an analytical framework for predicting the residual stresses that result from the laser shock peening of a friction stir‐welded 2195 aluminum alloy sample, using the finite element software LS‐DYNA.

Design/methodology/approach

The pressures resulting from the laser peening are directly applied in an explicit transient analysis as forces. At the completion of the transient analysis, an implicit springback analysis is performed to determine the final residual stresses. This cycle is repeated for the appropriate number of peen applications, including the appropriate overlap of application areas. To validate the analytical framework, a comparison of residual stresses between analysis and a test specimen is made using laser‐peened base material which was not friction stir‐welded. Friction stir welding (FSW) causes residual stresses and material property variations. In this work, the varying material properties regions are simplified and defined as discrete, separate materials. The residual stresses resulting from the welding are introduced directly as initial conditions in the peening transient analysis and so are combined within the analysis with the residual stresses from the peening.

Findings

Comparisons made between the experimental and analytical residual stresses are generally favorable.

Originality/value

Analysis of the laser shock peening of FSW has not been accomplished previously.
Application of laser shock peening for spinal implant rods
Authors: Mannava S.R. , Bhamare Sagar , Chaswal Vibhor , Felon Leonora , Kirschman David , Lahrman David , Tenaglia Richard , Qian Dong , Vasudevan Vijay
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The current industry standard rigid spinal implants suffer fatigue failures due to bending and torsion loads. The purpose of this program was to design novel prototype flexible titanium alloy spinal implant rod with machined features, and then apply the laser shock peening (LSP) process to restore the fatigue strength debit due to these features.

Design/methodology/approach

A flexible prototype rod was designed with flat section at the center of the rod. The flat section was laser shock peened. Static compression tests were conducted as per American Society of Testing Materials standards for three‐ and four‐point bending tests and “vertebrectomy” constructs. Finite element models were developed to aid in the design of LSP and also to guide the experiments.

Findings

The test results indicated a ∼3X improvement in flexibility and a reduction in fatigue load ratio, defined as applied load divided by the yield load; from 72 to 68 percent. This rod was LSP's on the flat sections, and tested again. The results indicated an increase in the fatigue load ratio from 68 to 75 percent without any further change in flexibility.

Originality/value

It has been demonstrated successfully that the current industry rigid spinal implant rod can be modified for flexibility and laser shock peened to increase fatigue strength. This enhancement will enable the use of the implant for longer periods and higher loads; and for surgical processes with and without fusion. This technology can be readily applied to all metals that are certified for human implant applications; thus can be implemented with minimal clinical trials.
Learning by innovating: lessons from China's digital video player industry
Authors: Lu Feng , Mu Ling
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the strategy for latecomers in large developing countries under globalization. The relationship between innovation and learning is deeply studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper formulates an in‐depth case study on the digital video player industry through consideration of government documents, reports, and research papers; intensive interviews; and questionnaire study.

Findings

The firms in developing countries might be able to innovate before they can match the firms in advanced countries in technological capabilities, and innovation is the most effective way of learning. The firms can achieve competitive advantage owing to the effect of the national value network, the nature of architectural technology, and the relationships between them in product development. The national market should be deliberately taken as a strategic asset for the technological learning and latecomers should learn how to exploit the advantage of globalization.

Originality/value

The paper tries to understand how firms in developing countries conduct learning by innovating to build their competitive advantages.
The missing link in newcomer adjustment
Authors: Chen Jie , Eldridge Derek
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The role of social support has been largely ignored in the organizational socialization literature. The purpose of this paper is therefore to examine this missing link in this research through the discussion of the role of perceived organizational support (POS) and leader‐member exchange (LMX) on newcomer adjustment.

Design/methodology/approach

A pilot data including 191 newcomers were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the construct validity of the measurement scales on a Chinese sample. The main study data drawn from 167 newcomers in a leading insurance organization in China was then subjected to structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses and model fitness.

Findings

Results suggest that LMX plays a significant role in influencing newcomers' POS and social integration. Moreover, newcomers' POS was found to associate with their turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications

This research was based on cross‐sectional and self‐report data, which may not permit strong causal connections between variables.

Practical implications

The results signal, the message that it is essential for organizations to put greater emphasis on encouraging supervisors to establish healthy work relationships with newcomers, and organizations may find it possible to influence newcomers' turnover intentions by demonstrating organizational support.

Originality/value

Very few studies have investigated the role of POS and LMX on newcomer adjustment, possibly because social support is not well accounted for in the literature. This paper is one of the first to discuss such links in the context of China.
Imagination at work and play: a case‐study analysis of General Electric's Olympic sponsorship
Authors: Crader Timothy J. , Santomier James
Published: March 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the management of General Electric's (GE) Olympic sponsorship and provides insights related to the organizational and transformational leadership dynamics involved in the development, implementation and activation of the sponsorship, as well as the results of pull‐through marketing efforts and the sponsorship's impact on GE's global business practices, brand equity, and revenue.

Design/methodology/approach

The case‐study method was used due to the complexity and specificity of the topic, and the fact that only a discrete element of the sport sponsorship sector and a limited number of events and their relationships were addressed.

Findings

The primary objective of GE's The Olympic Partner (TOP) sponsorship was to enter the Chinese market and build brand equity across Asia. Using GE's proprietary WorkOut™ and Change Acceleration models, transformational leaders facilitated the development and implementation of a new integrated organizational structure that enabled GE to maximize branding opportunities in Asia, product/service pull‐through marketing opportunities, and return on objectives.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how GE has effectively modified the structure of its global sales unit, generated revenue, and increased brand recognition in emerging markets across Asia. GE's management of its TOP sponsorship represents an innovative model for Chief Financial Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, brand managers, and sport marketers considering a long‐term sponsorship investment.
Performance and competitive orientation: team dynamics in test match cricket
Authors: Adcroft Andy , Teckman Jon
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between the diversity of team composition and the outcome enjoyed by those teams in test match cricket by using performance and competitiveness variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines 100 test matches over 13 years played by eight test match‐playing countries. It draws on 12 measures of performance and 12 measures of competitiveness across more than 130 players.

Findings

The paper finds that there is a link between diversity and outcome, but it is not always clear as to which direction that relationship lies. Team characteristics are found to be a function of member characteristics and not a simple aggregate.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the paper are probably not generalisable outside of international test match cricket.

Practical implication

The paper provides evidence that suggests that, in developing sporting teams, consideration must be given as to which activities are more important in delivering outcomes.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the literature on team dynamics in terms of theory and sporting context.
Clearance of Antipyrine‐Dependence of Quantitative Liver Function
Authors: Andreasen Per Buch , Ranek Leo , Statland Bernard E. , Tygstrup Niels
Published: March 2011

Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to assess the influence of liver disease on the hepatic drug‐metabolizing enzyme systems. The clearance of antipyrine was found to be significantly decreased in 13 patients with liver disease compared with 9 control patients (18.5 and 58.6 ml/min. respectively). Among the patients with liver disease, those with a severely reduced capacity for work had significantly lower clearance of antipyrine than non incapacitated patients (12.5 and 25.4 ml/min. respectively). The clearance of antipyrine was significantly correlated with the galactose elimination capacity, the serum albumin and the prothrombin values. The results indicate that the drug‐metabolizing capacity of the liver changes in parallel with the other metabolic functions, and the use of the clearance of antipyrine as a quantitative test of liver function is suggested.
The Mechanism of Action of Clofibrate and Tetranicotinoylfructose (Bradilan) on the Kinetics of Plasma Free Fatty Acid and Triglyceride Transport in Type IV und Type V Hypertriglyceridaemia
Authors: Kissebah A. H. , Adams P. W. , Harrigan P. , Wynn V.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. The kinetics of plasma free fatty acid and triglyceride transport were assessed in 20 patients with idiopathic hypertriglyceridaemia. These patients were subdivided according to lipoprotein pattern into Type IV and Type V patients. The effects of clofibrate therapy on plasma free fatty acid and triglyceride kinetics were assessed in these patients. Clofibrate produced a marked reduction in serum triglyceride associated with a significant reduction in triglyceride turnover as well as enhancement of triglyceride clearance. The reduction in triglyceride concentration produced by clofibrate was found to correlate with the reduction in free fatty acid turnover indicating that this drug decreased the availability of free fatty acid turnover indicating that this drug decreased the availability of free fatty acids for hepatic esterification. Clearance of endogenous plasma triglyceride was markedly enhanced in those patients in whom it was markedly impaired before treatment.—Having discontinued clofibrate for six weeks the same patients received bradilan (tetranicotinoylfructose) and kinetic measurements were repeated. It was evident that bradilan had a greater hypotriglyceridaemic effect than clofibrate in both groups of patients. The effect of bradilan was the result of inhibition of free fatty acid turnover and consequently a marked reduction in triglyceride turnover. Bradilan, unlike clofibrate, did not affect the mechanisms responsible for the clearance of plasma triglycerides.
Deposits of IgD in Renal Disease. Immunohistological Study of 180 Renal Biopsies
Authors: Tarantino A. , Imbasciati E. , Limido D. , Pietrogrande M. , Ponticelli C.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. IgD deposits have been investigated by an indirect immunofluorescence technique in 180 renal biopsies carried out on patients with various renal diseases.

IgD was not present in nephrotic syndrome with minimal changes or focal glomerulosclerosis, in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, in chronic advanced glomerulonephritis, in rheumatoid purpura and in other various nephropathies with predominant non‐glomerular lesions.

Significant deposits of IgD were identified in 12 out of 16 cases of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, in 15 out of 23 cases of membranous nephropathy, in 11 out of 21 cases of focal proliferative glomerulonephritis with mesangial IgA deposits, in 2 out of 5 cases of proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescents and in 1 out of 6 cases of proliferative exudative glomerulonephritis.

All cases of lupus nephritis and nephritis associated with mixed cryoglobulinaemia showed IgD deposits.

In diabetic glomerulosclerosis, IgD was found in 1 out of 4 biopsies and only in the exudative lesions.

In 5 out of 8 cases of amyloidosis anti‐IgD serum stained the amyloid substance irregularly. In such cases IgD was found in association with other immunoglobulins and complement with the same localization. These findings suggest that IgD may participate in the immunological processes which lead to the development of glomerular deposits, mainly in cases of chronic glomerular diseases.
Urea‐Cycle Enzymes in Normal Liver and in Patients with Alcoholic Hepatitis
Authors: Maier K.‐P. , Volk B. , Hoppe‐Seyler G. , Gerok W.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Urea‐cycle enzymes and ornithine‐ketoacid‐transaminase have been measured in biopsy specimens of liver from healthy subjects and from patients suffering from alcoholic hepatitis. Both groups of subjects received a hospital diet of about 100 g of protein daily. Extraction of enzymes from biopsy specimens was performed by a standardized technique.—The DNA content of liver did not vary significantly between the groups, whereas protein content was significantly lower in patients with alcoholics hepatitis than in controls (p < 0.05). Of the enzymes tested, the activities of carbamyl‐phosphate synthetase and arginase were significantly decreased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 respectively) in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Activities of arginosuccinate lyase, ornithine‐ketoacid‐transaminase and ornithine‐carbamylphosphate transaminase remained unchanged in both groups.—These results demonstrate that alterations in arginase and carbamylphosphate synthetase‐activities in the liver of patients with alcoholic hepatitis precede the histological manifestation of liver cirrhosis, which is associated with a significant decrease in some urea cycle enzymes [3, 15, 16]. Therefore the determination of arginase and carbamylphosphate synthetase in needle‐biopsies of human liver represent sensitive parameters of liver cell necrosis during the course of alcoholic hepatitis.
Influence of Portacaval Shunt on Bile Formation in the Rat*
Authors: Prandi Danielle , Dumont Micheline , Erlinger Serge
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Bile flow and bile acid secretion were measured in rats 21 to 28 days after a portacaval shunt and in sham‐operated and normal animals. The following results were obtained. (1) Bile flow was significantly lower (6.65 ± SEM 0.36 μl‐min−1 · 100 g−1) in the shunted rats than in the sham‐operated animals (8.21 ± SEM 0.21 μl · min−1 · 100 g−1; P < 0.01). (2) Bile acid excretion was not significantly different in the shunted rats (0.27 ± SEM 0.03 μmol · min−1 · 100 g−1) and the sham‐operated rats (0.26 ± SEM 0.02 μmol · min−1 · 100 g−1; NS). (3) During bile acid infusions, there was a linear relationship between bile flow and bile acid excretion in both groups of animals. The slope of the relationship was similar, suggesting that the osmotic activity of the bile acids was not modified in the shunted animals, and the bile acid‐independent flow, estimated by the extrapolation of this relationship to a zero bile acid excretion, was significantly lower in the rats with a portacaval shunt (5.20 ± SEM 0.40 μl · min−1 · 100 g−1) than in the sham‐operated animals (6.50 ± SEM 0.30 μl · min−1 · 100 g−1; P < 0.02). (4) The liver weight was significantly lower in the rats with a portacaval shunt than in the sham‐operated animals and there was a parallel decrease of liver weight (‐17%) and of the bile acid‐independent flow (‐22%). No difference was found between the sham‐operated rats and the normal rats. It is concluded that portacaval shunt in the rat results in a decreased bile flow, due to a decrease in the bile acid‐independent flow. Since bile acid secretion rate remained unchanged, it is suggested that the secretion of bile acids on the one hand and the bile acid‐independent flow on the other are regulated by separate mechanisms.