bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scientific publishing: a case study of Libyan scientists
Authors: Mahmood Intesar , Rowley Jennifer , Hartley Richard
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The paper aims to report on a research project that explores the extent and scope of scientific publishing, communication, and collaboration amongst Libyan scientists.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper commences with a literature review on scientific communication and publishing, including a specific focus on such activities in developing countries. A bibliometric analysis of the papers published by scientists in research centres affiliated to Libya's National Centre for Scientific Research was conducted in order to investigate the extent and nature of scholarly communication of Libyan scientists.

Findings

Libyan scientists are a community that works in research teams, largely comprised of scientists in Libya, but, which, on the other hand, is actively disseminating the findings of its research to a wider international audience. This is evident from the publications of 45 per cent of papers in English, and a significant level of publication in countries outside Libya. Further, the extent to which publication is through conferences and symposia is evidence of engagement in informal communication within and beyond the scientific community in Libya.

Originality/value

This is the first study of scientific publishing and communication activities in Libya. It offers useful insights into a variety of aspects of communication and dissemination of research findings. As such it provides a useful contribution towards understanding the potential impact of new models of scholarly publishing, both in Libya, and in other developing countries.
Characteristics of open access scholarly publishing
Authors: Kousha Kayvan
Published: July 2009

Purpose

More knowledge about open access (OA) scholarly publishing on the web would be helpful for citation data mining and the development of web‐based citation indexes. Hence, the main purpose of this study is to identify common characteristics of open access publishing, which may therefore enable us to measure different aspects of e‐research on the web.

Design/methodology/approach

In the current study, five characteristics of 545 OA citing sources targeting OA research articles in four science and four social science disciplines were manually identified, including file format, hyperlinking, internet domain, language and publication year.

Findings

About 60 per cent of the OA citing sources targeting research papers were in PDF format, 30 per cent were from academic domains ending in edu and ac and 70 per cent of the citations were not hyperlinked. Moreover, 16 per cent of the OA citing sources targeting studied papers in the eight selected disciplines were in non‐English languages. Additional analyses revealed significant disciplinary differences in some studied characteristics across science and the social sciences.

Originality/value

The OA web citation network was dominated by PDF format files and non‐hyperlinked citations. This knowledge of characteristics shaping the OA citation network gives a better understanding about their potential uses for open access scholarly research.
International visibility of Iranian ISI journals
Authors: Reza Davarpana Mohammad , Behrouzfar H.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This research paper aims to investigate the internationalization and visibility of Iranian scientific journals covered by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) between 2000 and 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,298 articles published in seven Iranian ISI journals and a random sample of 1,298 articles written by Iranians and published in non‐Iranian ISI journals between 2000 and 2006 were selected. Impact factor (IF), total citation (TC), citation rates, self‐citation, foreign citation, international citation (IC), international authorship, and subject distribution were analyzes for the collections.

Findings

Results indicated that: the visibility rate of Iranian journals is low compared to their international counterparts; the international visibility of Iranian journals differs among disciplines; the increasing citation rate is less than the increase in publication rate; and the majority of authors who published in these journals were Iranian.

Originality/value

Mere inclusion of scientific journals in the ISI does not necessarily lead to an increase in international visibility. The study highlights the need for more studies on the techniques to increase the visibility of scientific journals of the developing countries.
Developing and sustaining joint enterprises in a transitional economy
Authors: Bhaskaran Suku , Gligorovska Emilija
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss the role of the project champion and the project champion's experience in a business capacity building project in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The project champion mentored and fostered joint enterprises between and across actors engaged in the production, processing, distribution, retailing and exporting of lamb meat and cheese derived from sheep milk. The article aims to analyse and compare the experiences and knowledge from this project with that of knowledge in extant studies on demand chain integration and inter‐firm alliances.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was crafted from information accessed from the project champion, key informants and information about the project presented in the web sites of the United States Agency for International Development and the project champion. The experiences presented in the case study were critically examined and evaluated with the findings in extant studies on inter‐firm alliances.

Findings

Demand chain strategy based on customer orientation and seamless integration of all actors in the value chain through a joint enterprise fosters relationship bonding, structural cohesion and transaction efficiencies. The role of a third party project champion in facilitating and mentoring the value chain actors contributed to the success of the joint‐enterprise.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a single case study, the unique characteristics of the study context limits the scope of generalising the findings.

Practical implications

Knowledge from this study is transferable to other industry sectors and can also be adapted in other environments in which individual small‐to‐medium‐scale enterprises experience competency and capacity constraints in developing their business.

Originality/value

Adopts a whole‐of‐chain capacity building approach. The dynamics of the study context (small‐to‐medium scale enterprises in all segments of the chain, niche high value products, transitional economy which recently adopted a free enterprise business model) are unique and this influenced project initiatives and outcomes. The study provides valuable insights into developing small‐to‐medium‐scale food enterprise capacity building projects.
Acceptance of nanotechnology foods: a conjoint study examining consumers' willingness to buy
Authors: Siegrist Michael , Stampfli Nathalie , Kastenholz Hans
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumers' willingness to buy health‐beneficial food products produced using nanotechnology.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from two representative mail surveys conducted in Switzerland (n=255 and n=260, respectively). Consumers' decision‐making process was modeled using conjoint analysis.

Findings

Results suggest that consumers attribute a negative utility to nanotechnology foods, even though the products had a clear benefit for the consumers. Results suggest that consumers are interested in products with additional health effects only when the effect is due to natural additives.

Research limitations/implications

Other descriptions of nanotechnology may result in other evaluations.

Practical implications

The study suggests that attitudes towards nanotechnology should be taken into account at an early stage of product development.

Originality/value

This paper is of value to those interested in nanotechnology and food.
Value perceptions of farm assurance in the red meat supply chain
Authors: Duffy Rachel , Fearne Andrew
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Farm assurance has become a market qualifier for livestock producers supplying UK supermarkets. However UK producers perceive that food safety and welfare standards imposed on UK producers are not imposed to the same extent on livestock producers overseas, whose share of the UK market has grown steadily over the past decade. In light of these challenges this paper aims to examine the perceived role and value of farm assurance along the length of the red meat supply chain, in order to determine the potential for turning a supply chain cost into a supply chain benefit and increasing returns to UK producers.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the key supply chain stakeholders (primary producers, processors, retailers and consumers) in the red meat industry.

Findings

The research indicates that the potential benefits of price premiums and preferential market access have not been fully captured. Findings indicate that this is due to a misalignment of the perceived value of farm assurance amongst supply chain members and the fact that consumers have a limited understanding and awareness of farm assurance. However the potential for increased benefits exists as when offered the choice between farm‐assured and non‐farm assured meat, consumers express a distinct preference and willingness to pay for the former.

Originality/value

This research is timely as there has been little attempt to assess the perceived value of farm assurance along the length of the supply chain where the views of consumers are integrated with the rest of the value chain for red meat.
Does advertising matter? An application to the Greek wine industry
Authors: Vlachvei A. , Notta O. , Ananiadis I.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on promotional strategies, on which there has been relatively little research. The aim of this paper is twofold: first to review promotional strategies used by Greek wine producers to differentiate their products and second to develop and test a model that evaluates the relative importance of advertising expenses and other promotional expenses in explaining profit rates across Greek wine firms.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review relative to the question under investigation is presented. A survey among 43 Greek wine firms was carried out to identify the main categories of promotional expenses and their contribution to the total promotional expenditures for 2000. Annual balance sheet and income statements data for these firms were collected for the period 1993‐2000. The fixed effects method is used to estimate the coefficients of the specified empirical model using time series cross‐section panel data for the 43 Greek wine firms over the period 1993‐2000.

Findings

The non advertising promotional expenses were found to be the major part of promotional expenses, in the case of the Greek wine firms. For the Greek wine firms promotional expenses include promotion through the development of new informational labelling referred to origin and specific wine attributes, coupons, free samples, catalogues, new market channels through “wine routes”. These ways of promotion seem to be more effective to create goodwill for the company and to increase consumer loyalty than advertising. The fixed effects results show that total promotional expenses along with market share affect profitability.

Originality/value

This paper provides an outline of promotional strategies (advertising and non advertising) – a topic that has not been widely discussed in the literature.
Third generation of retailer brands – retailer expectations and consumer response
Authors: Anselmsson Johan , Johansson Ulf
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how well grocery stores' motives to implement private labels (create margins and customer perceived brand value, compete with market leading brands, develop store image, enhance store loyalty) are realized, through exploring consumers' attitudes, preferences and behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the case of Sweden and interviews with the primary grocery purchaser in 300 households who have visited an ICA store (a Swedish supermarket chain) within a time period of the previous 30 days before the interview.

Findings

The study shows that there is a correlation between perceived quality and the price customers are willing to pay for private label products. Results also show that there is a strong correlation between perceived value of private label products in specific categories and the stores' overall product variety image. The study further supports the assumption that store loyalty is influenced by the perceived value of the grocery retailer's private label products.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to Sweden and to only one retail chain. Also, it is an attitude‐ and survey‐based approach rather than based on observation or actual spending data.

Practical implications

The results will guide retailers if and how they are fulfilling their ambitions regarding their private label merchandises. The study could provide manufacturers and consumer organizations an insight into how consumers respond to this new phenomenon.

Originality/value

It is a report beyond the dominating empirical research contexts of the UK and USA. From a conceptual point of view, the paper adopts a more holistic approach investigating the four major retailer motives simultaneously.
The nature, role and value of marketing within the road safety team in a City Council
Authors: Boyle Dominic , Proctor Tony
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to supplement the growing literature on social marketing by reflecting on the kinds of social marketing activities undertaken in one area of a public service administered by a large City Council in the UK. The study sought to consider the extent to which traditional theoretical ideas on marketing can be coupled with current contributions in operational terms in practical situations.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on anecdotal data and the critical reflections of the principal researcher concerning current and recent activities in the area of interest within the council. For this purpose, traffic services and management within a City Council was chosen, an area in which the first author of the paper has considerable experience and expertise.

Findings

People engaged in the type of work examined here, in fact, undertake social marketing, although they do not readily recognize the activity in these terms. Concerning road safety, the majority of resources and effort is directed at children on a specific issue (that is, pedestrian safety). Little is done to reinforce the importance of the notion of road safety or branding as individuals move through life. Illustrations and cases are used to highlight the key findings.

Originality/value

There are relatively few studies highlighting the working of social marketing and very few in the particular context of this paper. As such, the paper provides a useful and novel contribution to the literature.
The impact of identification and commitment on job satisfaction
Authors: Kalemci Tuzun Ipek
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between employees’ perceptions of organizational identification, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The study also investigates the influence of organizational commitment and organizational identification on job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework of the positive relationships between job satisfaction and identification, commitment and job satisfaction, and commitment and identification was explored. A total of 578 bank employees engaged in this study. This research used a survey design and was conducted in Ankara in Turkey. Participants completed organizational identification, job satisfaction and commitment scales. Step wise regression analysis was used to assess the strength of the research hypotheses.

Findings

All of the measurement instruments had acceptable reliabilities. The correlations observed were generally consistent with the expectations of the researcher. The results of the study indicate that organizational commitment and organizational identification are inversely related to job satisfaction. Furthermore, the study found that the effect of commitment on job satisfaction was stronger than the effect of identification on job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The study's cross‐sectional design limited the researcher's capacity to draw conclusions about the casual direction of the observed relationship. One other limitation is that it covered only one city in Turkey with 578 employees. Whether the present study's findings generalize to other populations in different organizational settings or cultures is unknown.

Originality/value

The paper makes a useful contribution to the current knowledge base by examining the effects of identification and commitment on job satisfaction of bank employees in a developing country.
The need for an integrated theoretical framework for researching the influence of group diversity on performance
Authors: Qin John , O’Meara Bernard , McEachern Steven
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Investigating diversity presents researchers with a paradox because extremely inconsistent and conflicting findings about the effects of diversity have emerged in this field of study. It has been argued that the theoretical frameworks used have contributed to the paradox. Different and contradictory effects concerning the influence of group diversity can be predicted using these frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of the main theoretical frameworks in the context of researching diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus of this paper is a critical examination of three theoretical frameworks in the field of diversity research – similarity‐attraction theory, social categorization theory and the information/decision‐making approach. These are commonly applied in researching diversity. The basic elements of each theory, its applications in diversity research and its strengths and limitations are considered.

Findings

The discussion suggests that the paradox in diversity research emerges from a research tradition that views the three frameworks as being best applied separately because each framework predicts different and even contradictory outcomes. These differences are a consequence of distinctive theoretical operations. In addition, the strengths and limitations associated with each theoretical framework suggest that they might be integrated and subsequently applied in specific settings according to their respective strengths and limitations.

Research limitations/implications

In order to produce more consistent results in research on diversity, it is suggested that future researchers should not rely solely on a single theoretical framework to predict the effects of diversity. In particular, different theoretical frameworks may work well with certain types of diversity as well as certain levels of analysis.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework for dissecting the diversity paradox and a foundation for designing fresh approaches that might produce findings that are more consistent.
Superpoly: monopoly in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Rowley Jennifer
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose that the traditional definition of monopoly needs to be extended to accommodate twenty‐first century marketplaces. The concept ofsuperpolyis defined and discussed. Superpoly is a development of the concept of monopoly to accommodate market structures in networked and knowledge‐intensive economies characterised by a high underlying level of consumer choice.

Design/methodology/approach

A definition of superpoly is offered and each of the seven market spaces in superpoly are defined and illustrated with reference to Tesco, the UK supermarket chain. A discussion section explores the issues that arise from over‐dominance of one business in each of these spaces in terms of the positives (typically emphasised by the dominant business) and the negatives (typically emphasised by other stakeholders).

Findings

In order to achieve a state of superpoly, businesses focus on seven interrelated market spaces, including respectively: commercial space, channel space, consumption space, community space, cultural space, career space, and communication space. These are the seven spaces of superpoly. The proposed concept of superpoly suggests that researchers should take a broader perspective on competition and competitive practices.

Originality/value

The article is the first to propose a development of the concept of monopoly and business dominance for knowledge‐based, consumption focussed and networked societies and economies.
Personality and national culture
Authors: Westerman James W. , Beekun Rafik I. , Daly Joseph , Vanka Sita
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between individual personality and compensation package preferences and whether cross‐cultural differences exist in these preferences in the USA and India.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey methodology was used and subjects included 175 MBA students of two universities, one in the USA and one in India. Measurement instruments included a Big Five personality measure and a compensation pay strategy typology.

Findings

Results indicated a significantly different pattern of results between subjects in the two countries. In the India sample, introversion was a significant predictor of a security/commitment pay strategy and extroversion and neuroticism were significant predictors of performance‐driven pay strategies. In the US sample, none of the personality variables was predictive of pay strategy preferences.

Practical implications

Multinational firms should reconsider “one‐size‐fits‐all” compensation plans and tailor strategies to fit the profile of their workforce.

Originality/value

The paper provides empirical data indicating that relationships exist between personality and pay package preferences, and that these relationships differ by culture.
The effect of supplier manufacturing capabilities on buyer responsiveness
Authors: Squire Brian , Cousins Paul D. , Lawson Benn , Brown Steve
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between supplier capabilities, supply chain collaboration and buyer responsiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample is drawn from UK manufacturing firms across eight industry sectors. Data are analysed using a three‐step hierarchical regression model to investigate main, interaction and quadratic effects.

Findings

The results indicate that suppliers' capabilities (flexibility, responsiveness and modularity) directly impact buyer responsiveness but that the level of buyer‐supplier collaboration moderates this relationship. Furthermore, the results show a curvilinear relationship directly between collaboration and buyer responsiveness, whereby there is an optimal point beyond which returns on the relationship decline.

Research limitations/implications

The method adopted is a cross‐sectional design and therefore cannot imply causality. Nonetheless, the findings suggest a number of implications. The paper identifies empirical evidence for the extended resource‐based view (ERBV) of the firm and therefore has implications for the unit of analysis of future studies investigating competitive advantage. Contrary to popular wisdom, the findings also suggest a curvilinear relationship between supply chain collaboration and performance.

Originality/value

The paper provides novel insights into the impact of supplier capabilities on buyer responsiveness. Furthermore, the paper provides empirical evidence for the rationale of the ERBV within the context of operations management.
On the relationship between inventory and financial performance in manufacturing companies
Authors: Capkun Vedran , Hameri Ari‐Pekka , Weiss Lawrence A.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between inventory performance, both total inventory (INV) and its discrete components (raw material (RMI), work‐in‐process (WIP), and finished goods (FGI)), and financial performance in manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical analysis is applied to the financial information of US‐based manufacturing firms over the 26‐year period from 1980 to 2005.

Findings

The paper finds a significant positive correlation between inventory performance (total as well as the discrete components of inventory) and measures of financial performance (at both the gross and operating levels) for firms in manufacturing industries. The correlation between the performance of discrete types of inventory and financial performance varies significantly across inventory types. RMI performance has the highest correlation with all financial performance measures. Between WIP inventory and FGI performance, the former is more highly correlated with gross profit measures while the latter is more highly correlated with operating profit measures.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to systematically analyze the relationship between inventory performance and financial performance for a large sample of firms across all manufacturing industries. The paper adds to prior literature by discussing and testing the relationship between both INV performance and the discrete types of inventory (RMI, WIP, and FGI) and profitability of operations, both at the gross and at the operating profit levels. The paper also analyzes the results for firms across as well as within manufacturing industries. The results obtained support the operations management literature's claim that a managerial focus on inventory performance results in value creation for manufacturing firms.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of arch dams with joint sliding mechanism
Authors: Arabshahi Hamidreza , Lotfi Vahid
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain an insight into the effects of sliding and/or joint opening at the contraction, perimeter and concrete lift joints on the nonlinear seismic response of arch dams.

Design/methodology/approach

The seismic behavior of a typical thin double curvature arch dam is studied by a nonlinear finite element program developed by the authors. Joints are modeled with the use of zero thickness interface elements. Various constitutive relationships are implemented to account for sliding and opening along the joints. Effects of joint sliding parameters and foundation rock flexibility are also considered in the analyses.

Findings

The findings provide information about dynamic stress distribution through the dam body and stability of the dam as a whole and also the local stability of the most critical concrete blocks in the dam body.

Practical implications

Useful information for designing new arch dams or seismic evaluation of constructed dams.

Originality/value

This paper takes into account the stability of concrete blocks in the dam body as well as stability of the structure as a whole. Except for contraction joints, perimeter and concrete lift joints are also modeled. Practical as well as detailed models of sliding are provided for the analyses. The paper offers practical help to design and dam engineers.
A novel way of using fast wavelet transforms to solve dense linear systems arising from boundary element methods
Authors: Ebrahimnejad Latif , Attarnejad Reza
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel approach to solving linear systems arising from applying a Boundary Element Method (BEM) to elasticity problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The key idea is based on using wavelet transforms as a tool to change dense and fully populated matrices of BEM systems into sparse matrices. Wavelets are then used again to produce an algorithm to solve the resultant sparse linear systems. The wavelet transformation part of the method can be added as a black box to existing BEM codes.

Findings

Numerical results focusing on the sensitivity of the solution for various physical variables to the thresholding parameters, and savings in computer time and memory are presented. The results show that the proposed method is efficient for large problems.

Research limitations/implications

Application of the proposed method is restricted to problems with number of DOF equal to an integer power of 2.

Originality/value

The novel algorithm to solve transformed algebraic linear equations uses NS‐form of the modified matrix, taking the advantage of the hierarchical nature of Multi‐Resolution Analysis (MRA) to decompose a parent system into descendant systems with reduced size. These smaller systems are then solved iteratively using generalized minimal residual method.
A new quadrilateral shell element using 16 degrees of freedom
Authors: Sabourin Francis , Carbonniere Jérôme , Brunet Michel
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a quadrilateral shell element using 16 degrees of freedom (dof) (12 translations and four rotations) which makes a pair with Morley's triangle at 12 dof. This latter has been updated by Batoz who later proposed an extension to a quadrilateral (“DKQ16”) but only with special interpolation functions for an elastic behaviour of the material. Precisely, it is in order to release from this strong limitation that a completely different formulation is proposed here.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of this new quadrilateral called “DKS16” involves three stages. The first one starts from Morley's triangle updated by Batoz (“DKT12”) to derive a rotation‐free (RF) triangular element (“S3”). The second stage consists in generalising this triangle to a RF quadrilateral (“S4”). During the final leg, the S4 and DKT12 main features are combined to give the quadrilateral “DKS16”.

Findings

Other parameters being equal, the type of finite element chosen for the forming stage simulation has a great influence on further springback result even in software with automatic remeshing. Particularly, it is pointed out that the RF shell elements S3 and S4 as well as the triangle DKT12 are less sensitive to the mesh size than classical shell elements with six dof per node. But, even if some improvements of in‐plane shear have been proposed, stamping codes users are reluctant to use triangles. That is why this paper presents an attempt to extrapolate a quadrilateral (DKS16) from the triangle DKT12 via S3 and S4 elements formulation. Numerous examples showing convergence and accuracy are presented: irregular meshes, large displacement analyses and deep‐drawing simulations.

Practical implications

The triangular “S3” element is already implemented in RADIOSS® software and its implementation – as well as the one of “DKT12” – is in progress in Pam‐Stamp, both as “user elements”. The next step will be the implementation of the quadrilateral “S4” (RF) and, maybe, the element “DKS16” since both are cheaper in terms of computation time and are found interesting for sheet forming.

Originality/value

It seems obvious that curvatures are more exactly captured in RF elements (when nodes slide on die radius) since they are imposed in terms of translations instead of traditional nodal rotations not managed by contact conditions. As the neighbours are involved, a drawback of these RF elements is their complex formulation in case of branching surfaces and/or abrupt variations in material behaviour and/or thickness. This is not the case for elements such as DKT12 or DKS16, good candidates to add to the (long) list of cheap shell elements for large scale computations typical of sheet metal forming.
Parameter estimation for mechanical systems via an explicit representation of uncertainty
Authors: Blanchard Emmanuel , Sandu Adrian , Sandu Corina
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new computational approach for parameter estimation in the Bayesian framework.A posterioriprobability density functions are obtained using the polynomial chaos theory for propagating uncertainties through system dynamics. The new method has the advantage of being able to deal with large parametric uncertainties, non‐Gaussian probability densities and nonlinear dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The maximum likelihood estimates are obtained by minimizing a cost function derived from the Bayesian theorem. Direct stochastic collocation is used as a less computationally expensive alternative to the traditional Galerkin approach to propagate the uncertainties through the system in the polynomial chaos framework.

Findings

The new approach is explained and is applied to very simple mechanical systems in order to illustrate how the Bayesian cost function can be affected by the noise level in the measurements, by undersampling, non‐identifiablily of the system, non‐observability and by excitation signals that are not rich enough. When the system is non‐identifiable and ana prioriknowledge of the parameter uncertainties is available, regularization techniques can still yield most likely values among the possible combinations of uncertain parameters resulting in the same time responses than the ones observed.

Originality/value

The polynomial chaos method has been shown to be considerably more efficient than Monte Carlo in the simulation of systems with a small number of uncertain parameters. This is believed to be the first time the polynomial chaos theory has been applied to Bayesian estimation.
Auditor tenure, auditor specialization, and information asymmetry
Authors: Almutairi Ali R. , Dunn Kimberly A. , Skantz Terrance
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relation between a company's bid‐ask spread, a proxy for information asymmetry, and auditor tenure and specialization.

Design/methodology/approach

The tests use clustered regression for a sample of 31,689 company‐years from 1992 to 2001 and control for factors known to impact bid‐ask spread in cross‐section.

Findings

The findings suggest that the market's perception of disclosure quality is higher and private information search opportunities are fewer for companies engaging industry specialist auditors. In addition, the paper finds that information asymmetry has a U‐shaped relation to auditor tenure. This U‐shaped relation holds for both specialists and non‐specialists; however, the bid‐ask spread for specialists tends to fall below that of non‐specialists at all tenure intervals.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may directly result from auditor tenure and specialization or it may be that those auditor‐related characteristics are a subset of concurrent choices made by the company that impacts disclosure quality.

Practical implications

Companies have incentives to lower information asymmetry and the findings document that the choice of a specialist auditor and the length of the auditor relationship can potentially influence this objective.

Originality/value

The paper provides information to academics, regulators, companies, and auditors concerning the effect of auditor‐client relationships on the level of information asymmetry. In addition, it shows the importance of industry specialization and audit firm tenure on audit quality.
Culture and corporate voluntary reporting
Authors: Zaman Mir Monir , Chatterjee Bikram , Shiraz Rahaman Abu
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the cultural underpinnings of accounting practices through a comparative analysis of India and New Zealand, using the chairperson's report, which is increasingly becoming one of the most important segments of the corporate annual report.

Design/methodology/approach

The annual reports of Indian and New Zealand companies from 2001 to 2005 were selected to investigate the extent and nature of information disclosure in their chairperson's report. “Content analysis” is the main methodological orientation of the paper.

Findings

The paper argues that, contrary to propositions based on Hofstede's cultural framework, Indian companies provide more disclosure in their chairperson's report than their New Zealand counterparts. This leads to the conclusion that voluntary disclosure, more generally, is a complex phenomenon and cultural variables alone may not be sufficient predictors of the voluntary disclosure practices of a country.

Originality/value

Using India and New Zealand, two countries with significant cultural differences, according to Hofstede's typology, the paper extends the literature by focusing on the chairperson's report, a more recent accounting phenomenon which is gaining popularity across the globe.
Degradation of lac with storage and a simple method to check the same
Authors: Nath Goswami Dipendra , Prasad Niranjan , Baboo Bangali , Kishore Kumar Kaushal , Fahim Ansari Mohammad
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out a convenient chemical treatment for seedlac and shellac (semi‐refined and refined commercial forms of natural resin lac, respectively) for preventing degradation during storage at room temperature condition.

Design/methodology/approach

Seedlac and shellac are treated with a dilute solution of an antioxidant before storage. This method has not been attempted before. The changes in the physico‐chemical properties of both untreated and treated resins are investigated periodically during storage.

Findings

Antioxidant delays the degradation of seedlac and shellac at least by six to eight months during the early period of storage. It is further observed that oxalic acid, used in the trade during conversion of seedlac into shellac by hot filtration for imparting gloss on shellac flakes for attracting buyers), causes rapid polymerisation of shellac resulting in zero value (100 percent decrease) of flow (fluidity) within 30 months of storage, whereas, shellac prepared without treatment of oxalic acid could be stored beyond that period without a significant deterioration in its qualities.

Research limitations/implications

Antioxidants are known to be scavengers of OH groups. Lac resin (shellac and seedlac) contains five hydroxyl groups and one carboxyl group. Thus, only one dilute concentration of antioxidant is used to avoid possible modification of seedlac and shellac.

Practical implications

Consumers of shellac are not aware of the ill effect of oxalic acid treatment being practiced by processors. The results obtained in the present study will help consumers to advise processors suitably before purchase and will be able to store shellac for a longer period if it is not treated with oxalic acid. The consumers may also use an antioxidant to delay degradation of seedlac/shellac.

Originality/value

The results obtained in this paper, regarding the effects of treatments of antioxidant and oxalic acid are not available in any previous publication. These are reported for the first time.
The anomalous effect of high intensity ultrasound on paper fibre‐filler combinations
Authors: Manning Andrew , Fricker Anna , Thompson Robert
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the previously unreported phenomenon in which changes occur to the particle size distributions of calcium carbonate fillers, used in papermaking, when exposed to high intensity ultrasound.

Design/methodology/approach

Commercial paper pulps sonicated at a frequency of 20 kHz are found to produce aggregates of their mineral filler constituents. The effects of sonication on isolated long and short fibre, and ground and precipitated calcium carbonate filler systems are also investigated both with and without the presence of dispersants. The findings are supported by particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy of the sonicated systems.

Findings

It is clearly shown that exposure to high intensity ultrasound induces filler aggregation. However, the effect only occurs when paper fibres and fillers coexist and is not apparent for suspensions of filler only or fibre only slurries. Furthermore, the treatment overrides the effect of dispersants used to keep filler in suspension during the manufacturing process. An accompanying fall in pH with increasing sonication times is also noted and is linked to these changes. It is proposed that radical species produced in the slurries during sonication may explain the observed phenomenon.

Research limitations/implications

The role of pH is not clearly understood and needs further study.

Practical implications

The findings may be of interest in paper manufacture where uniform dispersal of fillers throughout the pulp is of significant importance.

Originality/value

The phenomenon described in this paper has not previously been reported or explored. Further studies may add to knowledge of filler dispersions and their behaviour in papermaking.
Combretum bracteosum extracts as eco‐friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic medium
Authors: Okafor P.C. , Uwah I.E. , Ekerenam O.O. , Ekpe U.J.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion inhibitive properties of extracts from mature leaves of Combretum bracteosum for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4.

Design/methodology/approach

Acid extracts from mature leaves of Combretum bracteosum are used as mild steel corrosion inhibitors in various tests at 30‐60°C. The gravimetric and hydrogen evolution (via the gasometric assembly) measurements are conducted.

Findings

The mature leaves of Combretum bracteosum extracts inhibit the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4 to reasonable extent. Inhibition efficiency increases with the plant extracts concentration and decreases with temperature. Phenomenon of physical adsorption is proposed as the mechanism of inhibition and the Frumkin adsorption isotherm obeyed. Kinetic parameters for the dissolution of mild steel in H2SO4 solutions are calculated.

Practical implications

Mature leaves extract from Combretum bracteosum can be used in chemical cleaning and pickling processes.

Originality/value

The research provides new information on the possible use of the leaves of Combretum bracteosum as an eco‐friendly corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in H2SO4.
Dyeing of cotton, wool and silk with extract of Allium cepa
Authors: Vankar Padma S. , Shanker Rakhi , Wijayapala Samudrika
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of dyeing on cotton wool and silk fabrics with natural dye obtained from kitchen waste of dry skin extract of Allium cepa.

Design/methodology/approach

The dry skin of onion produces natural dye which has been used for dyeing textiles. In the present study, innovative dyeing with onion has been shown to give good dyeing results. Pretreatment with 2 per cent metal mordant and using 5 per cent of plant extract (owf) was found to be optimum and showed very good fastness properties for cotton, wool and silk dyed fabrics. For effective natural dyeing with dry skin extract of Allium cepa, conventional method of dyeing was carried out using metal mordants. The purpose of using this source was with an idea to produce value addition dyed product from kitchen waste as the dye has very good potential of uptake, adherence to the fabric and has good wash and light fastnesses. Results show very attractive hue colours.

Findings

The preference of using easily and cheaply available material for dyeing by conventional dyeing lowers the cost of natural dyeing and enhances resource productivity and as a result, reduces waste. This makes onion scale one of the easily available materials for natural dyeing industry.

Research limitations/implications

Although metal mordanting with copper sulphate and potassium dichromate are not ecofriendly but we have used only 2 per cent of these metal salts to prepare different shades with dry scales of Allium cepa extract.

Practical implications

The method developed for natural dyeing of cotton, silk and wool fabrics using skin extract of allium in conjunction with metal mordanting has shown very deep coloration. The stepwise dyeing of cotton fabric with metal mordant by the natural dye Allium cepa showed that the stepwise dyeing process gave very good result. The dye uptake in case of stepwise dyeing was from 65‐68 per cent in the case of cotton, 70‐74 per cent in silk and 78‐82 per cent in wool with different mordants.

Originality/value

The method developed for natural dyeing of cotton, silk and wool fabrics using skin extract of allium in conjunction with metal mordanting has shown marked improvement in terms of dye adherence and fastness properties and can thus be recommended for industrial application.
Managing the process of an educational change
Authors: Wong Ping‐Man , Chi‐Keung Cheung Alan
Published: July 2009

Purpose

To cope with the challenges of the twenty‐first century, the Hong Kong SAR government initiated the Curriculum Reform in 2001. In 2006, a research team from a tertiary institution was commissioned to review the progress of change for smooth implementation of the reform in its next phase. This paper aims to examine this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The nature of the review is basically a survey, applying questionnaires and follow‐up focus‐group interviews to collect data from different groups of subjects. The sample was around 20 per cent of the population, i.e. a total of 252 primary (n=138) and secondary (n=114) schools.

Findings

The paper reports findings on the support for the Reform by primary and secondary schools. Five areas of agreement among school heads are examined, which include challenges to be met, guiding principles of the reform, learning goals, reform framework and the overall agreement with the rationale of the reform. It is found that, while the curriculum reform was supported among school heads, senior teachers and teachers, there was a gap between the views of senior management team and frontier teachers.

Research limitations/implications

This is a very comprehensive research project with a limited timeframe. The paper can only report and discuss findings mainly on the support for curriculum reform by school heads. Other aspects of the study will be discussed and reported separately in subsequent papers.

Practical implications

The gap between the views of senior management team and frontier teachers is worth probing as this is the most obstructive factor to the implementation of the reform. Identifying the cause would be the first step in formulating strategies to address and, hopefully, to facilitate the smooth transition from the phase of implementation to the continuation phase of the change process.

Originality/value

The study has suggested the development of a two‐dimensional framework of agreement areas and stakeholders which will contribute to a better understanding of the change process in general, and achievements of a curriculum reform in particular. Other issues are also discussed.