bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
X-ray characterization of Ge dots epitaxially grown on nanostructured Si islands on silicon-on-insulator substrates
Authors: Zaumseil Peter , Kozlowski Grzegorz , Yamamoto Yuji , Schubert Markus Andreas , Schroeder Thomas
Published: June 2013

On the way to integrate lattice mismatched semiconductors on Si(001), the Ge/Si heterosystem was used as a case study for the concept of compliant substrate effects that offer the vision to be able to integrate defect-free alternative semiconductor structures on Si. Ge nanoclusters were selectively grown by chemical vapour deposition on Si nano-islands on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates. The strain states of Ge clusters and Si islands were measured by grazing-incidence diffraction using a laboratory-based X-ray diffraction technique. A tensile strain of up to 0.5% was detected in the Si islands after direct Ge deposition. Using a thin (∼10 nm) SiGe buffer layer between Si and Ge the tensile strain increases to 1.8%. Transmission electron microscopy studies confirm the absence of a regular grid of misfit dislocations in such structures. This clear experimental evidence for the compliance of Si nano-islands on SOI substrates opens a new integration concept that is not only limited to Ge but also extendable to semiconductors like III–V and II–VI materials.
Three-dimensional rocking curve imaging to measure the effective distortion in the neighbourhood of a defect within a crystal: an ice example
Authors: Philip Armelle , Meyssonnier Jacques , Kluender Rafael T. , Baruchel José
Published: June 2013

Rocking curve imaging (RCI) is a quantitative version of monochromatic beam diffraction topography that involves using a two-dimensional detector, each pixel of which records its own `local' rocking curve. From these local rocking curves one can reconstruct maps of particularly relevant quantities (e.g. integrated intensity, angular position of the centre of gravity, FWHM). Up to now RCI images have been exploited in the reflection case, giving a quantitative picture of the features present in a several-micrometre-thick subsurface layer. Recently, a three-dimensional Bragg diffraction imaging technique, which combines RCI with `pinhole' and `section' diffraction topography in the transmission case, was implemented. It allows three-dimensional images of defects to be obtained and measurement of three-dimensional distortions within a 50 × 50 × 50 µm elementary volume inside the crystal with angular misorientations down to 10−5–10−6 rad. In the present paper, this three-dimensional-RCI (3D-RCI) technique is used to study one of the grains of a three-grained ice polycrystal. The inception of the deformation process is followed by reconstructing virtual slices in the crystal bulk. 3D-RCI capabilities allow the effective distortion in the bulk of the crystal to be investigated, and the predictions of diffraction theories to be checked, well beyond what has been possible up to now.
High-quality quartz single crystals for high-energy-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering analyzers
Authors: Hönnicke Marcelo Goncalves , Huang Xianrong , Cusatis Cesar , Koditwuakku Chaminda Nalaka , Cai Yong Q.
Published: June 2013

Spherical analyzers are well known instruments for inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) experiments. High-resolution IXS experiments almost always use Si single crystals as monochromators and spherical analyzers. At higher energies (>20 keV) Si shows a high energy resolution (<10 meV), at an exact symmetric back-diffraction condition, since the energy resolution is given by the real part of the susceptibility or polarizability. However, at low energies (<10 keV), high energy resolution is difficult to achieve with Si. α-SiO2 (quartz) can be an option, since it offers high energy resolution at low energies. In this work, the characterization of high-quality α-SiO2 is presented. Such characterization is made by high-resolution rocking curve, topography and lattice parameter mapping in different samples from a single block. X-ray optics with α-SiO2 for IXS at lower energies (from 2.5 to 12.6 keV) with medium to high energy resolution (from 90 to 11 meV) are proposed and theoretically exploited.
Dose optimization approach to fast X-ray microtomography of the lung alveoli
Authors: Lovric Goran , Barré Sébastien F. , Schittny Johannes C. , Roth-Kleiner Matthias , Stampanoni Marco , Mokso Rajmund
Published: June 2013

A basic prerequisite for in vivo X-ray imaging of the lung is the exact determination of radiation dose. Achieving resolutions of the order of micrometres may become particularly challenging owing to increased dose, which in the worst case can be lethal for the imaged animal model. A framework for linking image quality to radiation dose in order to optimize experimental parameters with respect to dose reduction is presented. The approach may find application for current and future in vivo studies to facilitate proper experiment planning and radiation risk assessment on the one hand and exploit imaging capabilities on the other.
Potential use of V-channel Ge(220) monochromators in X-ray metrology and imaging
Authors: Korytár D. , Vagovič P. , Végsö K. , Šiffalovič P. , Dobročka E. , Jark W. , Áč V. , Zápražný Z. , Ferrari C. , Cecilia A. , Hamann E. , Mikulík P. , Baumbach T. , Fiederle M. , Jergel M.
Published: June 2013

While channel-cut crystals, in which the diffracting surfaces in an asymmetric cut are kept parallel, can provide beam collimation and spectral beam shaping, they can in addition provide beam compression or expansion if the cut is V-shaped. The compression/expansion ratio depends in this case on the total asymmetry factor. If the Ge(220) diffraction planes and a total asymmetry factor in excess of 10 are used, the rocking curves of two diffractors will have a sufficient overlap only if the second diffractor is tuned slightly with respect to the first one. This study compares and analyses several ways of overcoming this mismatch, which is due to refraction, when the CuKα1beam is compressed 21-fold in a V21 monochromator. A more than sixfold intensity increase was obtained if the matching was improved either by a compositional variation or by a thermal deformation. This provided an intensity gain compared with the use of a simple slit in a symmetrical channel-cut monochromator. The first attempt to overcome the mismatch by introducing different types of X-ray prisms for the required beam deflection is described as well. The performance of the V-shaped monochromators is demonstrated in two applications. A narrow collimated monochromatic beam obtained in the beam compressing mode was used for high-resolution grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering measurements of a silicon sample with corrupted surface. In addition, a two-dimensional Bragg magnifier, based on two crossed V15 channel monochromators in beam expansion mode and tuned by means of unequal asymmetries, was successfully applied to high-resolution imaging of test structures in combination with a Medipix detector.
Covariant description of X-ray diffraction from anisotropically relaxed epitaxial structures
Authors: Zhylik A. , Benediktovitch A. , Feranchuk I. , Inaba K. , Mikhalychev A. , Ulyanenkov A.
Published: June 2013

A general theoretical approach to the description of epitaxial layers with essentially different cell parameters and in-plane relaxation anisotropy has been developed. A covariant description of relaxation in such structures has been introduced. An iteration method for evaluation of these parameters on the basis of the diffraction data set has been worked out together with error analysis and reliability checking. The validity of the presented theoretical approaches has been proved with a-ZnO on r-sapphire samples grown in the temperature range from 573 K up to 1073 K. A covariant description of relaxation anisotropy for these samples has been estimated with data measured for different directions of the diffraction plane relative to the sample surface.
A look inside epitaxial cobalt-on-fluorite nanoparticles with three-dimensional reciprocal space mapping using GIXD, RHEED and GISAXS
Authors: Suturin S. M. , Fedorov V. V. , Korovin A. M. , Valkovskiy G. A. , Konnikov S. G. , Tabuchi M. , Sokolov N. S.
Published: June 2013

In this work epitaxial growth of cobalt on CaF2(111), (110) and (001) surfaces has been extensively studied. It has been shown by atomic force microscopy that at selected growth conditions stand-alone faceted Co nanoparticles are formed on a fluorite surface. Grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) and reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) studies have revealed that the particles crystallize in the face-centered cubic lattice structure otherwise non-achievable in bulk cobalt under normal conditions. The particles were found to inherit lattice orientation from the underlying CaF2 layer. Three-dimensional reciprocal space mapping carried out using X-ray and electron diffraction has revealed that there exist long bright 〈111〉 streaks passing through the cobalt Bragg reflections. These streaks are attributed to stacking faults formed in the crystal lattice of larger islands upon coalescence of independently nucleated smaller islands. Distinguished from the stacking fault streaks, crystal truncation rods perpendicular to the {111} and {001} particle facets have been observed. Finally, grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) has been applied to decouple the shape-related scattering from that induced by the crystal lattice defects. Particle faceting has been verified by modeling the GISAXS patterns. The work demonstrates the importance of three-dimensional reciprocal space mapping in the study of epitaxial nanoparticles.
Characterization of SiGe thin films using a laboratory X-ray instrument
Authors: Ulyanenkova Tatjana , Myronov Maksym , Benediktovitch Andrei , Mikhalychev Alexander , Halpin John , Ulyanenkov Alex
Published: June 2013

The technique of reciprocal space mapping using X-rays is a recognized tool for the nondestructive characterization of epitaxial films. X-ray scattering from epitaxial Si0.4Ge0.6 films on Si(100) substrates using a laboratory X-ray source was investigated. It is shown that a laboratory source with a rotating anode makes it possible to investigate the material parameters of the super-thin 2–6 nm layers. For another set of partially relaxed layers, 50–200 nm thick, it is shown that from a high-resolution reciprocal space map, conditioned from diffuse scattering on dislocations, it is possible to determine quantitatively from the shape of a diffraction peak (possessing no thickness fringes) additional parameters such as misfit dislocation density and layer thickness as well as concentration and relaxation.
Are cracks now appearing in the boardroom glass ceiling?
Authors: Hurn Brian J.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The aim is to review the progress as well as the setbacks that have occurred since the author's first article “Removing the boardroom glass ceiling” in Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 44 No. 3, 2012, in the appointment of more women to the boards of companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a review of current developments including initiatives pursued by companies and governments. It covers developments in the UK and the rest of Europe and in Asia.

Findings

The article shows that the trend toward more equality and greater diversity is most likely to continue as the momentum for change is now fully established.

Research limitations/implications

The article covers published articles and statistics 2011‐2012.

Practical implications

The imposition of mandatory quotas is discussed, problems in particular sectors highlighted, as well as developments in increasing equality regarding gender and pay. The merits of women providing the “human face” in business and suggestions how to remove the barriers that inhibit their progress to senior appointments are also discussed.

Social implications

Current sociological trends are discussed including the “trailing male”, more self‐sufficient and independent career women, and the need for affordable child‐care.

Originality/value

The article provides a comprehensive review of the current developments with suggestions for further progress in the future.
Leadership deficiencies in rapidly changing organizations: multisource feedback as a needs assessment tool – part II
Authors: Longenecker Clinton O. , Yonker Robert D.
Published: June 2013

PurposE

Part I of this research study identified the top five leadership deficiencies that confront managers in periods of rapid organizational change and transformation. This article aims to discuss the remainder of the top 10 leadership deficiencies and to provide a call to action for both individual leaders and professionals responsible for leadership training.

Design/methodology/approach

The leadership deficiencies were identified using a multisource feedback (MSF) methodology that was employed as a needs assessment tool which was a component of a formal leadership development program.

Findings

The leadership deficiencies include ineffective coaching/feedback and employee development practices, and ineffective problem‐solving and decision‐making practices.

Originality/value

This article provides a call to action for both individual leaders and professionals responsible for training and development of leaders needed for driving organizational change and improvement.
Mind your language training
Authors: Little Bob
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Globalisation has made English today's international business language. This article aims to explore what this means for suppliers of English language training – and how corporate buyers of this training can get value for money from them.

Design/methodology/approach

The article outlines research by goFLUENT – a leading provider of Business English training.

Findings

Companies are looking for employees who can perform well in today's multi‐cultural, multi‐lingual business environment. For those speaking another language there will be more job opportunities, higher pay and faster careers. Increasingly, companies require or give higher priority to employees who speak a second or even a third language – and that is making language learning essential to one's professional growth.

Practical implications

Because of the variety of products and services available, it is helpful for suppliers to respond to companies' RFP requirements in free form and through their own company brochures and materials. However, in order for respondents to understand these companies' scoring systems ‐ and for suppliers to be able to make equivalent comparisons across criteria – suppliers should ask them to answer specific questions.

Social implications

Only 400 million or so of the world's seven billion people speak English as their native tongue but, currently, it is the Chinese who are learning English. Despite the rise of India and China as global economic powers, over two billion people speak English in these countries alone ‐ and the demand for English speakers continues to grow. With emerging markets, there is an appreciable influx of speakers of Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish and Portuguese but, for these people to work on an international scale, proficiency in English is the inevitable standard.

Originality/value

This article focuses on a theme for which there is currently little information of any real substance.
Continuous changes, organizational burnout and the implications for HRD
Authors: Rumbles Sally , Rees Gary
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship between continuous change, organizational burnout and the role of the HR/HRD profession in facilitating activities that can aid organizations in better managing the process.

Design/methodology/approach

An e‐survey was sent to a random sample of 100 medium to large companies located within a 50 mile radius of Portsmouth that asked HR professionals questions around the issues of organizational stress and potential burnout.

Findings

The survey findings suggest that despite having policies and procedures organizations communicate change badly; do very little to protect employee wellbeing and manage stress in times of change. In some responses, managers state that they are aware that employees are experiencing high stress, but managers do not do anything to alleviate employee stress.

Originality/value

The role of the HRD professional in managing change and helping to prevent burnout has not previously been highlighted. Recommendations for HRD professionals are provided by addressing various levels when improving employee engagement and wellbeing
Advances in robot interfacing technologies
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide details of recent developments in human‐robot interfacing technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper considers recently developed or emerging technologies which allow humans to interact with robots in novel ways. It first considers inexpensive robots which are simple to programme and which can work alongside humans in a manufacturing environment. It then discusses assistive robots, which aim to help the aged or infirm and finally, the latest progress in controlling robots with the human brain is reported.

Findings

This shows that new and improved human‐robot interfacing technologies are the topic of a major development effort. Low‐cost robots that can readily be commissioned and operated in close proximity to humans are starting to impact the market. Assistive robot technology is progressing due to novel man‐machine interfacing techniques and the first instances of quadriplegic patients using their mind to control robots to manipulate object in three‐dimensional space is discussed.

Originality/value

This paper provides details of significant, recent developments in human‐robot interfacing.
SwarmItFIX: a multi‐robot‐based reconfigurable fixture
Authors: de Leonardo Luis , Zoppi Matteo , Xiong Li , Zlatanov Dimiter , Molfino Rezia M.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The use of thin sheets with 3D geometries is growing in quantity, due to current progress towards life‐cycle design and sustainable production, and growing in geometrical complexity, due to aesthetic and quality concerns. The growth in manufacturing equipment flexibility has not kept pace with these trends. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new reconfigurable fixture to shorten this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The design implements a novel concept of fixturing. Without interrupting the machining process, a swarm of adaptable mobile agents periodically reposition and reconfigure to support the thin‐sheet workpiece near the tool‐point. The technology has been developed by adopting a multi‐disciplinary, life‐cycle approach. Modularity and eco‐sustainability paradigms have informed the design.

Findings

The performance of the physical prototype in an industrial scenario is highly satisfactory. Experiments demonstrate the ability of the system to reconfigure while maintaining machining accuracy in scenarios typical for aircraft part production.

Research limitations/implications

Coordination between the machine‐tool numerical control and the fixture control is not complete and its improvement will make the manufacturing process more robust and autonomous.

Practical implications

The system allows reduction of shop‐floor fixturing inventory. Compared to other reconfigurable fixtures, SwarmItFIX is smarter, more flexible, lighter, and offers shorter reconfiguration times, easier set‐up, and better adaptability to a wider range of workpiece shapes.

Originality/value

This is a breakthrough idea, answering the challenges of hyper‐flexible manufacturing and the proliferation of thin‐sheet use. It is of significant value to mass‐customized industry and of special significance for small‐series production.
The value of values
Authors: McMullen Anthony
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The paper's aim is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies and electronic collections on a limited budget and with limited personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses real‐world experiences and evidence from the body of literature to provide commentary on the importance of clearly defined missions and goals in an era of shrinking budgets and changing user expectations.

Findings

Having a clearly defined library mission statement with underlying goals and outcomes is vital in this time of accountability and assessment in higher education. Librarians must be mindful of the need to connect the goals and outcomes to the overall institutional goals in order to provide measurable and meaningful value.

Originality/value

The paper examines one library's struggle to establish an identity in an era where traditional methods of determining value are no longer suitable. The article uses dialogue from departmental meetings coupled with evidence from the library literature to state the importance of finding and communicating value in an era of accountability.
Data‐driven services marketing in a connected world
Authors: Kumar V. , Chattaraman Veena , Neghina Carmen , Skiera Bernd , Aksoy Lerzan , Buoye Alexander , Henseler Joerg
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the benefits of data‐driven services marketing and provide a conceptual framework for how to link traditional and new sources of customer data and their metrics. Linking data and metrics to strategic and tactical business insights and integrating a variety of metrics into a forward‐looking dashboard to measure marketing ROI and guide future marketing spend is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed synthesis of the literature is conducted and contemporary sources of marketing data are categorized into traditional, digital and neurophysiological. The benefits and drawbacks of each data type are described and advantages of integrating different sources of data are proposed.

Findings

The findings point to the importance and untapped potential of data in its ability to inform tactical and strategic marketing decisions. Future challenges, including top management support, ethical considerations and developing data and analytic capabilities, are discussed.

Practical implications

The results demonstrate the need for executive service marketing dashboards that include key metrics that are service‐relevant, complementary and forward‐looking, with proven linkages to business outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper provides a synthesis of data‐driven services marketing and the value of traditional and contemporary metrics. Since the true potential of data‐driven service management in a connected world is still largely unexplored, this paper also delineates fruitful avenues for future research.
Open education resources and higher education academic practice
Authors: Bradshaw Peter , Younie Sarah , Jones Sarah
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to report on an externally‐funded project and forms part of its dissemination.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives are achieved through a theoretical framing of the project and an alignment of these with the contexts for the project – namely the Professional Standards Framework of the HEA, its use in postgraduate programmes of Academic Practice in England and the development of teacher resources by the IT in Teacher Education association.Findings –The result of the design process is a nine‐unit course which carries 30 credits on the English Higher Education Framework at level 7.Research limitations/implications –The limitations of the paper are that it reports only on the design and production of a course of postgraduate education. It does not report on the actual implementation as this has not yet happened at the time of writing.

Practical implications

The intention is for this course to be adaptable for use in a range of different contexts. This is facilitated by its design being carried out with a community of practitioners supported by an online space for discussion and development.

Originality/value

The design of a course using a collaborative community drawn from across higher education institutions is considered to be original. The paper is of value to all those working in higher education, those working on programmes of academic practice and those interested in the use of Open Educational Resources (OERs) in such contexts.
The relationship between moral hazard and insurance fraud
Authors: Okura Mahito
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the insurance market in which moral hazard and insurance fraud coexist. In this situation, this research examines the relationship between moral hazard and insurance fraud. Also, this research shows how the amount of policyholder's effort to lower accident probability changes when insurance firm increases their investment in preventing insurance fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a theoretical model containing five‐stages, the author sheds light on how the possibility of insurance fraud affects the amount of policyholder's effort.

Findings

The main results of this research are as follows. First, the amount of policyholder's effort is a weakly monotone decreasing function of the insurance firm's investment in preventing insurance fraud. Second, unlike in previous moral hazard models, the policyholder chooses a strictly positive amount of effort even in the full insurance case because the possibility of insurance fraud gives an incentive to realize policyholder's effort. Third, the amount of insurance firm's investment in preventing insurance fraud depends on whether it wants to give an additional incentive to policyholder's effort in exchange for realizing the possibility of insurance fraud.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to investigate the relationship between moral hazard and insurance fraud by using the microeconomic theory.
Comparison of temperature models using heating and cooling degree days futures
Authors: Göncü Ahmet
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the ability of popular temperature models, namely, the models given by Alaton et al., by Benth and Benth, by Campbell and Diebold and by Brody et al., to forecast the prices of heating/cooling degree days (HDD/CDD) futures for New York, Atlanta, and Chicago.

Design/methodology/approach

To verify the forecasting power of various temperature models, a statistical backtesting approach is utilised. The backtesting sample consists of the market data of daily settlement futures prices for New York, Atlanta, and Chicago. Settlement prices are separated into two groups, namely, “in‐period” and “out‐of‐period”.

Findings

The findings show that the models of Alaton et al. and Benth and Benth forecast the futures prices more accurately. The difference in the forecasting performance of models between “in‐period” and “out‐of‐period” valuation can be attributed to the meteorological temperature forecasts during the contract measurement periods.

Research limitations/implications

In future studies, it may be useful to utilize the historical data for meteorological forecasts to assess the forecasting power of the new hybrid model considered.

Practical implications

Out‐of‐period backtesting helps reduce the effect of any meteorological forecast on the formation of futures prices. It is observed that the performance of models for out‐of‐period improves consistently. This indicates that the effects of available weather forecasts should be incorporated into the considered models.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge this is the first study to compare some of the popular temperature models in forecasting HDD/CDD futures. Furthermore, a new temperature modelling approach is proposed for incorporating available temperature forecasts into the considered dynamic models.
Differences in the risk management practices of Islamic versus conventional financial institutions in Pakistan
Authors: Shafique Owais , Hussain Nazik , Taimoor Hassan M.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the differences in the risk management practices of Islamic financial institutions (IFI) and conventional financial institutions (CFI) in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study makes use of primary data collection method using a questionnaire survey.

Findings

Literature review discovered that the types of risks faced by both types of financial institutions can be classified under six categories. The research concludes that credit risk, equity investment risk, market risk, liquidity risk, rate of return risk and operational risk management practices in IFI are not different from the practices in CFI. Whereas the overall risk management practices of IFI and CFI are alike in Pakistan.

Research limitations/implications

Further research with a larger sample size is recommended.

Practical implications

The paper opens our eyes to the fact that much is unknown about the risk management practices in Pakistani financial system, creating a need for empirical studies for further discoveries to formulate better frameworks and to prevent an impending financial crisis that might be unravelling at the time this paper is being read.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study of its kind that addresses the unmarked topic of RMP in IFI and CFI in Pakistan. The research was conducted because few studies have been executed to understand differences in the risk management practices in Pakistan, exclusively among Islamic financial institutions. This study is expected to expand the existing literature by providing novel empirical evidence.
Exploring the effectiveness of inventive principles of TRIZ on developing researchers' innovative capabilities
Authors: Jafari Mostafa , Akhavan Peyman , Reza Zarghami Hamid , Asgari Naser
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the efficacy of 40 inventive principles of TRIZ for developing researchers' innovative capabilities and to evaluate the extent of application of “40 inventive principles” by inventors in the Research Center of Intelligent and Signal Processing (a successful research center that is producing new products in the field of signal processing and medical engineering).

Design/methodology/approach

A range of relevant literature is explored initially. A questionnaire about 40 inventive principles of TRIZ was developed based on literature review. Finally, a data analysis including descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis was designed by using SPSS software.

Findings

The results showed that about 71 percent of the researchers have employed TRIZ above the average in their innovative products. Also these studied researchers used TRIZ principles unintentionally. Therefore, if this research center and similar institutes want to make full use of their researchers' abilities, they can facilitate innovation through offering courses on TRIZ, the principles of TRIZ and its other tools to them.

Originality/value

This study is probably the first to provide an exploring of TRIZ inventive principles applications through a research center.
IT practices within maintenance from a systems perspective
Authors: Kans Mirka
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The aim with this paper is to describe current IT practices within maintenance in Swedish industry, and to outline the future possible developments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is performed as a web‐based questionnaire survey consisting of 71 participants. A systems perspective is applied for capturing the most relevant aspects of IT utilisation.

Findings

The IT practices are characterised by high use of business‐specific IT solutions, low use of company‐wide IT solutions, low IT intensity and the client‐server architecture is dominating. The purchase decision and ownership of IT is to high extent tied to the maintenance function. Moreover, IT systems are apprehended as beneficial and connected to real needs. The findings imply a decentralised IT governance form and a mainly vertical (functional) IT support.

Research limitations/implications

The socio‐technical approach suggested in this paper helps us to identify which areas to study, and also shows the tight interrelationship between different factors, layers and systems.

Practical implications

The study results could be used for benchmarking purposes or to highlight state‐of‐the‐art of IT utilisation in maintenance, and thereby set the topic on the corporate agenda.

Originality/value

Studies describing IT utilisation within maintenance in the form of case studies and surveys exist, but they mainly focus on one aspect. This study approached the problem from a socio‐technical perspective, covering several aspects connected to IT utilisation.
The use of SMED to eliminate small stops in a manufacturing firm
Authors: Jebaraj Benjamin Samuel , Murugaiah Uthiyakumar , Srikamaladevi Marathamuthu M.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The paper seeks to reduce or eliminate the small stop time loss using SMED in a lean manufacturing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the lean manufacturing single minute exchange of dies (SMED) technique to reduce or eliminate the small stop time loss. The overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is measured before and after the improvements are implemented.

Findings

The application of the single minute exchange of dies (SMED) technique in a manufacturing industry (XYZ Corporation) completely eliminated the small stop time loss. The SMED technique which has been only widely used to improve the changeover loss has been proven to be an effective approach to also tackle the small stop, a loss which has been regarded as one of the most difficult losses to be reduced among all the six big OEE losses. The elimination of the small stop has resulted in a valuable 2.08 percent improvement of XYZ's OEE.

Practical implications

The finding from this study is expected to benefit lean organizations in pursuit of tackling their small stops losses.

Originality/value

Although the SMED technique's impact and contribution to reduce or eliminate setup and changeover time loss is undeniable, the authors have extended the successful application of this technique to another key area of OEE's big loss, i.e. small stop.
Adolescent and young adult response to fear appeals in anti‐smoking messages
Authors: Ferguson Graham , Phau Ian
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the level of fear experienced by students aged 13 to 30 years, in response to different types of anti‐smoking fear appeals. It seeks to extend and validate Quinn et al.'s study by specifically comparing adolescent and young adult responses to fear appeals.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 548 useable questionnaires were collected via a self‐administered questionnaire based on established scales. Factor analysis, T tests and ANOVA were used to replicate Quinn et al.'s analysis of the data.

Findings

The main results are consistent with previous findings that adolescents and non‐smokers experience more fear. Further, general health and factual appeals cause the most fear across all ages but adolescents were more fearful of factual appeals and social ostracism appeals than young adults possibly indicating that factual and social appeals are better targeted at adolescents than young adults. The results were broadly similar to Quinn et al.'s results.

Practical implications

Advertisers often use realistic fear appeals to attract the attention of the intended recipient, to scare the recipient into processing the information, and to get them to act in response to the anti‐smoking message. However, because adolescents and nonsmokers experience more fear, social marketers, governments, schools and parents need to customise fear appeals to suit these recipients.

Originality/value

The current study re‐tests and revalidates the effect of these different appeal types amongst adolescents and young adults. The results will help clarify which type of fear appeal causes more fear amongst adolescents and young adults in Australia, 20 years on from Quinn et al.'s study.
Going global: the historical contingency of baseball hall of famer developmental networks
Authors: Cotton Richard D.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the changing of institutional logics in an established field shapes the developmental networks of high‐achievers.

Design/methodology/approach

This research combines time series analysis of more than 80 years of historical data (1922‐2004) with qualitative analysis of induction speeches of 99 hall of fame players from the same period.

Findings

Findings indicate that a change in field logics from a more staid “insular” logic to a market or more business‐oriented logic coincided with changes in key players' developmental networks. In particular, the key players' self‐identified developmental relationships become both more numerous and more diverse in nature. Results of the time series analysis connect the shift in logic with the late 1950s which was an important time in Major League Baseball's history. It was during this period that, for the first time, each team had at least one African American player on their roster and each team had an average of at least one full‐time scout based in a country outside the USA – both indicators of MLB's increasingly global search for talent.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on extraordinary career performers (versus all performers) in an all‐male professional sport where the nature of the sport and the number of organizations remains relatively stable over time.

Practical implications

These findings show how changes to industry level logics can affect individual level changes in mentoring and developmental networks. In particular, they demonstrate how organizations can create and remove potential developer roles as their respective logics change from era to era.

Originality/value

This is the first known study to explore the effect of macro level changes on mentoring and developmental networks at the individual level.
Ownership structure, corporate governance and bank efficiency: an empirical analysis of panel data from the banking industry in Ghana
Authors: Bokpin Godfred A.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document the effect of ownership structure and corporate governance on bank efficiency in the Ghanaian banking industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The author applies both accounting data and efficiency measures from the period 1999‐2007 via panel data analysis. Efficiency is measured by computing distances from the stochastic frontiers of estimated translog cost and profit functions. These efficiency measures are regressed on ownership and governance variables with dummy variables for bank types.

Findings

The results show that foreign banks are more cost‐efficient than domestic banks, but not necessarily more profit‐efficient. Nevertheless, foreign banks are more profitable than domestic banks and enjoy better quality loans. Managerial ownership leads to the cost inefficiency of banks. Banks with inside ownership are unprofitable overall but maintain a high loan quality. Governance (a larger board size) strongly improves profit efficiency but slightly worsens banks' cost efficiency. Finally, the capital adequacy ratio and bank size are both significant predictors of bank efficiency in Ghana.

Originality/value

Few, if any, studies have been carried out in the Ghanaian banking industry.
Governance without boards: the Quakers
Authors: Velayutham Sivakumar
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Boards are a central feature in any discussion of corporate governance. Following the adoption of corporate governance principles in the public sector and the non‐profit sector, boards have become a central feature of these entities too. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the adoption of the Charities Act 2006 on the governance structure of the Quakers and on its organisational life.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts an ethnographic approach, using a case study of the Quakers to show the effects of the Charities Act 2006 on the governance structure of a religious charity.

Findings

It is argued that the Quakers have had to transform a governance structure developed to support their beliefs and practices focussed on socializing forms of accountability to one emphasising individualizing forms of accountability.

Originality/value

This study highlights the lack of debate on the adoption of corporate governance structures to non‐profit entities through a case study. The findings also show that the Charities Act 2006 has an impact on charities beyond financial accountability.
Keep it simple
Authors: Parker Nick
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits that can flow to an organization when its employees adopt a clear writing style and explain in particular the improvements that this will bring to human resource management.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides examples of organizations that have benefited from adopting clear written communications – and those that have suffered from not doing so.

Findings

Details how HR can use clear language to recruit the right people and shape their expectations of the organization. Moreover, HR writing is often the voice of an organization, because of its involvement in contracts and policies, performance and appraisal forms, automated e‐mails about mandatory training and so on.

Practical implications

The paper urges the need to find out if an organization has a tone of voice, and to get involved. Identify which are the most high‐profile HR documents and rewrite them. Explore the possibilities of using writing workshops to kick‐start some serious behavioral change. And all the time, measure the effects that better writing has.

Social implications

The paper maintains that good written communications are even more important in an age of e‐mail, instant messaging, PowerPoint and other channels.

Originality/value

The paper highlights how HR as a function is uniquely placed to make the most of all the advantages that an improvement in writing can bring.
Smart leadership blends hard and soft skills
Authors: Rao M.S.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of smart leadership and outline how to excel as a leader.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights some of the challenges encountered by global leaders, to enable others to profit from their experience.

Findings

Emphasizes the importance of articulating one's vision, managing uncertainty, staying calm in a crisis, taking feedback, using time effectively and developing successors, among other things.

Practical implications

Stresses the importance of learning continuously and of blending soft and hard skills, to achieve leadership excellence.

Social implications

Provides examples of a wide range of successful leaders, carrying out functions ranging from war leadership to nursing.

Originality/value

The paper describes how to become an effective leader and outlines some of the pitfalls and blind‐alleys in the quest for success.
Cary Cooper on engagement, wellbeing, and the persistence of the glass ceiling
Authors: by Gareth Bell Interview
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Cary L. Cooper, Distinguished Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University

Design/methodology/approach

Interview.

Findings

In this wide‐ranging interview, Professor Cooper discusses numerous prevalent workplace issues, including productivity, wellbeing, job insecurity and presenteeism.

Originality/value

The interview offers insight for HR professionals from one of the foremost thinkers in organizational psychology and behavior.
New perspectives on festival and events research
Authors: Pan Bing , Huan Tzung‐Cheng
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the seven articles on festival and events research in this special issue of IJCTHR.

Design/methodology/approach

The article gives summary information and perspectives on the articles that appear in the issue.

Findings

This paper categorizes seven articles into empirical studies and conceptual pieces and summarizes their contributions to literature. The seven papers explore festivals and events from the following perspectives: participants' values, motivations, and spending; organizers' risk management; sociological examination; sustainability practices; and practical advice.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in its review of current approaches to researching festivals and events, and advice provided for future research on the topic.
Who are the culinary tourists? An observation at a food and wine festival
Authors: Sohn Eunmi , Yuan Jingxue (Jessica)
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide psychographic and demographic profiles of people interested in culinary tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in the First Lubbock Wine Festival in Texas, incorporating Values and Lifestyles (VALS‐2). A questionnaire was designed to investigate the classification of culinary tourists' lifestyles and values in terms of three primary motivations such as ideals, achievement, and self‐expression including culinary tourists' activities and demographic characteristics. Factor and reliability analyses were used.

Findings

A five‐factor solution resulted in idealist, achiever, explorer, belonger and innovator. Ideals‐motivated groups were identified by idealist and belonger. Self‐expression‐motivated groups were identified by explorer and innovator. Achievement‐motivated group was identified by achiever.

Research limitations/implications

The study offers new insights and conceptualizations relevant to the analysis of culinary tourism markets, focusing on the needs and psychology of culinary tourists.

Practical implications

A better understanding of the needs and wants of culinary tourists may help tourism marketers increase the effectiveness of their promotional campaigns by targeting the appropriate audience and tailoring their messages to its psychological needs.

Originality/value

By providing a basis for predicting attitudes and behaviors of culinary tourists, this study extends the existing body of research by segmenting culinary tourists based on motivations while making travel decisions.