bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of open distance libraries with reference to learner support
Authors: Henning Judy C.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share information on the management of open distance libraries with special reference to technology applications. It seeks to provide information on the changing roles of academic libraries with specific reference to the requirements of open and distance learning (ODL). It aims to focus on the practical management experience of the University of South Africa (UNISA) library in support of the implementation of a new ODL model (optimizing available technology) at the University.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the relevant literature was conducted to provide an overview on the topic and a context for the information gathered on the UNISA Library. Information gathered from the planning, policies and procedures of UNISA in general and the UNISA library in particular as well as experience gained by participating in workshops on ODL at UNISA was included in the paper.

Findings

The findings indicate that research and literature on leadership in distance education in general are limited and this is even more true for open and distance libraries. It is, however, evident from experience and the required standards for distance library services, that structured management and planning of these services are important to ensure success and future developments of the services. Furthermore, leaders in open distance libraries also need a variety of skills that are constantly updated to ensure optimization of resources, for suitable strategic planning, policy formulation and suitable in terms of new technology developments.

Originality/value

In addition to the literature survey and analysis the information gathered for the article is original in that it captures the experience gained from management of an ODL library. Although focused on open distance learning, the information is also of value to residential institutions, as the border between online services and open distance services is becoming blurred.
Do buy‐outs of older workers matter?
Authors: Hallberg Daniel , Eklöf Matias
Published: July 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to look at model retirement behavior with a focus on early retirement where there is an option for “buy‐outs”. An employer can offer employees generous pension programs if the employees agree on early retirement. Earlier studies have neglected such offers, but in doing so, estimates of the individuals' responses to financial incentives in a retirement decision are likely to be biased upward.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose an estimation strategy where the retirement decision and the accesses to early retirement pension (ERP) offers are estimated in a simultaneous equation system, yielding unbiased estimates of the model parameters. They apply the model using detailed Swedish register data.

Findings

The results indicate that the marginal effects in retirement probability with respect to a change in financial incentives is less pronounced if ERPs are accounted for. Further, results imply that the early retirement probabilities would decrease, depending on year, by 14‐28 percent for males and 7‐18 percent for females if ERP offers were absent.

Research limitations/implications

As the motives for early retirement pensions most likely stem from how the collective agreement occupational pensions are financed, this emphasizes the need for a debate on the preferable construction of these systems. This becomes particularly important in view of the increased old age dependency ratios that are expected in the near future.

Originality/value

Although these offers have important policy implications they have received limited attention. This paper fills an important gap in the existing pension literature, and it analyzes early retirement and tries to assess the importance of special early retirement pension programs for these outcomes.
Creating HR value through technology
Authors: Foster Steve
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how human resources (HR) can create value for an organization through the use of technology.

Design/methodology approach

The paper looks at areas in which HR can create value through the use of technology. It introduces the e‐HRM Value Model based on a range of themes that emerged form research interviews and an systematic review of a wide range of literature.

Findings

The e‐HRM Value Model argues that value can be created in one of three ways: HR operational cost reduction; people management/productivity; and strategic capability. It is also revealed that barriers to e‐HRM technology development are not primarily technical, but are strongly connected to dimensions of value creation.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on the creation of HR value through technology.
Interview with Gareth Kane, author of The Three Secrets of Green Business
Authors: by Juliet Norton Interview
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Gareth Kane, an environmental consultant, and author of The Three Secrets of Green Business, a practical guide to those who want to introduce sustainability into their business or organization quickly and effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer.

Findings

There is a common confusion over the business case for going green – is it to improve the image of the company or to cut costs? Cutting edge companies understand that the business winning benefits of going green outweigh the cost savings many times over. As a result they are prepared to invest in sustainability regardless of the direct economic return on investment. Paradoxically, they find that their programmes are giving a return on investment in practice.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Social implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that can have a broader social impact.

Originality/value

Business is coming under increasing pressure from government, customers and campaigning groups to improve its environmental performance. Soaring utility and compliance costs are hitting companies where it hurts – on their bottom line. But there is another way of looking at the green agenda – as an opportunity rather than a threat. The Three Secrets of Green Business provides a framework for organizations looking to make their business greener, whilst still maintaining their profit margin.
Sensor innovations at the combined manufacturing‐related shows
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review of the sensor technology at the combined manufacturing‐related shows which included quality, design and manufacturing, assembly, electronics, medical, and green manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides in‐depth interviews with exhibitors of sensor products.

Findings

Sensor technology is advancing rapidly to keep up with manufacturing trends such as nanotechnology, automated testing, greater interest in 100 percent testing, and the need for better product quality.

Practical implications

Sensor users must try to keep up with the rapid advances being made by device suppliers.

Originality/value

All the new products are of recent introduction.
A new method for automatically identifying the shaft orbit moving direction of hydroelectric generating set
Authors: Luo Zhimeng , Zhou Jianzhong , Xiang Xiuqiao , He Yaoyao , Peng Shan
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Shaft orbit is an important characteristic for vibration monitoring and diagnosing system of hydroelectric generating set. Because of the low accuracy and poor reliability of traditional methods in identifying the shaft orbit moving direction (MD), the purpose of this paper is to present a novel automatic identification method based on trigonometric function and polygon vector (TFPV).

Design/methodology/approach

First, some points on shaft orbit were selected with inter‐period acquisition method and joined together orderly to form a complex plane polygon. Second, by using the coordinate transformation and rotation theory, TFPV were applied comprehensively to judge the concavity or convexity of the polygon vertices. Finally, the shaft orbit MD is identified.

Findings

The simulation and experiment demonstrate that the method proposed can effectively identify the common shaft orbit MD.

Originality/value

In order to identity the shaft orbit MD effectively, a novel automatic identification method based on TFPV is proposed in this paper. The problem of identifying the shaft orbit MD is transformed into the problem about orientation of complex polygons, which are formed orderly by points on orbit shaft, and TFPV are applied comprehensively to judge the concavity or convexity of the polygon vertices.
Sinking funds within the service charge in the UK office market
Authors: Eccles Timothy , Holt Andrew
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to examine how to create a sinking fund, the legalities of its creation and ownership, taxation issues and the accounting treatment of tenant contributions towards sinking funds within service charges demands in the UK office sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the prescriptive guidance that the 2007 RICS Code of Practice makes in terms of the creation and operation of such funds, and concludes within an empirical investigation of industry practice on sinking funds from 2004‐2008.

Findings

The paper reports whether the Code has improved practice, disclosure, communication and transparency in terms of such funds and speculates on how a future Code might further improve on existing management.

Originality/value

The data are original, and findings conclusively prove the need for enforcement of the existing Code, and necessary revisions as well.
Structural dynamic analysis using Gaussian process emulators
Authors: DiazDelaO F.A. , Adhikari S.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

In the dynamical analysis of engineering systems, running a detailed high‐resolution finite element model can be expensive even for obtaining the dynamic response at few frequency points. To address this problem, this paper aims to investigate the possibility of representing the output of an expensive computer code as a Gaussian stochastic process.

Design/methodology/approach

The Gaussian process emulator method is discussed and then applied to both simulated and experimentally measured data from the frequency response of a cantilever plate excited by a harmonic force. The dynamic response over a frequency range is approximated using only a small number of response values, obtained both by running a finite element model at carefully selected frequency points and from experimental measurements. The results are then validated applying some adequacy diagnostics.

Findings

It is shown that the Gaussian process emulator method can be an effective predictive tool for medium and high‐frequency vibration problems, whenever the data are expensive to obtain, either from a computer‐intensive code or a resource‐consuming experiment.

Originality/value

Although Gaussian process emulators have been used in other disciplines, there is no knowledge of it having been implemented for structural dynamic analyses and it has good potential for this area of engineering.
Wall distance calculation using the Eikonal/Hamilton‐Jacobi equations on unstructured meshes
Authors: Liu C.‐B. , Nithiarasu P. , Tucker P.G.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to numerically solve Eikonal and Hamilton‐Jacobi equations using the finite element method; to use both explicit Taylor Galerkin (TG) and implicit methods to obtain shortest wall distances; to demonstrate the implemented methods on some realistic problems; and to use iterative generalized minimal residual method (GMRES) method in the solution of the equations.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element method along with both the explicit and implicit time discretisations is employed. Two different forms of governing equations are also employed in the solution. The Eikonal equation in its original form is used in the explicit Taylor Galerkin discretisation to save computational time. For implicit method, however, the convection‐diffusion form in its conservation form is used to maintain spatial stability.

Findings

The finite element solution obtained is both accurate and smooth. As expected the implicit method is much faster than the explicit method. Though the proposed finite element solution procedures in serial is slower than the standard search procedure, they are suitable to be used in a parallel environment.

Originality/value

The finite element procedure for Eikonal and Hamilton‐Jacobi equations are attempted for the first time. Though the finite volume and finite difference‐based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers have started employing differential equations for wall distance calculations, it is not common for finite element solvers to use such wall distance calculations. The results presented here clearly show that the proposed methods are suitable for unstructured meshes and finite element solvers.
Linking quality assurance to human resource management: a study of SMEs in Malaysia
Authors: Hassan Arif
Published: July 2010

Purpose

As organizations try to provide quality assurance from ISO certification, the importance of people management through better HR management assumes greater significance. This paper aims to examine this issue. It seeks to compare selected ISO certified SMEs with non‐ISO certified SMEs on several HR practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 292 employees drawn from ten SMEs, five of them ISO certified, responded to a questionnaire which measured the adequacy of the following HRM systems: career system (manpower planning and recruitment, potential assessment, career planning), work system (role analysis, contextual analysis, performance appraisal), development system (training and learning, performance guidance, knowledge sharing, other means of competency development), self‐renewal system (role efficacy, OD practices, action‐oriented research), and HRD system (HRD climate, organizational values, quality orientation, reward and recognition).

Findings

The results indicated a moderate rating for most of the HRM systems in all the organizations including those with ISO certifications. However, ISO certified companies were perceived to be doing better on managing career system, conducting contextual analysis for goal setting and quality orientation. In the rest of the cases the differences were not significant.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that organizations need to go beyond quality assurance to organization‐wide quality management through improvement in HR systems and practices.

Originality/value

The paper provides empirical knowledge on HR systems and practices and the relationship of these factors with organizational quest for quality in a developing economy.
Review and discussion of production assurance program
Authors: Barabady Javad , Markeset Tore , Kumar Uday
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review, discuss and further develop the production assurance (PA) concept; and to define and describe a typical production assurance program (PAP) and its elements.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative literature study covering PA and dependability concept was carried out on contemporary literature. During the course of the study, meetings and discussions with a number of experts in Sweden and Norway were performed. Different types of data and examples from the oil and gas industries are used to illustrate and support the discussions.

Findings

This paper indicates that the concept of PA helps the decision maker to estimate whether a production plant is able to meet customer requirements, as it provides information about the production plant's delivery capacity, production rate and ability to deliver according to design or customer demands. PAP can provide a basis for effective production control.

Research limitations/implications

The material analysed was mainly related to the oil and gas industry. However, the findings and discussion can be transferred to other areas of application, such as mine production plants and chemical process plants.

Practical implications

A PAP is a valuable tool for production plant managers and engineers, not only for documenting a production plant's performance, but also for providing decision support for the development and optimization of the production plant to improve the plant's performance and reduce risk and uncertainties.

Originality/value

In this paper the concept of dependability is extended to include capacity performance and customer requirements or market demand, which provides a measure for delivery assurance or plant production performance in relation to customer requirements. This paper also develops a generic PAP to achieve a high level of delivery assurance.
The reduction of irregularities in the use of “process FMEA”
Authors: Estorilio Carla , Posso Richard K.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Use of failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is a requirement of ISO/TS 16949. However, research has shown that there are inconsistencies in the way the technique is applied in automotive suppliers. The aim of this study is to identify these irregularities and to propose a strategy to minimize them.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were applied in seven of the main suppliers to a European automotive company, and ten FMEAs from each company were analyzed.

Findings

The study identifies irregularities in the development of process FMEAs and highlights seven factors that contribute to these inconsistencies. Based on these data, a strategy including a partially preconfigured FMEA form is suggested. When tested with three of the suppliers, the strategy was found to result in a significant improvement.

Originality/value

The study describes an application strategy for automotive companies to correct problems associated with the use of FMEAs. The strategy includes a partly parameterized spreadsheet for a cold stamping process that allows companies to implement their process FMEA in a collaborative supply chain environment.
External auditors' reliance on internal auditors and its impact on audit fees
Authors: Said Suwaidan Mishiel , Qasim Amer
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions of a sample of Jordanian external auditors for the importance given by them to a number of factors which may influence their reliance on an internal auditor during their external audit. The paper also examines the relationship, if any, between the degree of reliance on the internal and external audit fees.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 100 external auditors is employed to investigate the perceptions of external auditors as to the importance given by them to a number of factors which may influence their reliance on an internal auditor during their external audit. Also, a cross‐sectional multiple regression analysis is conducted to examine the impact of this reliance on audit fees.

Findings

The results of the paper indicate that external auditors in Jordan consider the objectivity, competence and work performance of internal auditors as very important factors affecting their reliance decisions. It is found that “objectivity” had the highest mean score (4.353), followed by “competence” (4.188) and “work performance” (4.156). The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that the size of the audited company is the most important variable in explaining the variation in audit fees paid by the sample companies. As for the reliance variable, it is found insignificant.

Originality/value

It is believed that no previous research has examined these issues on the basis of Jordanian data. Thus, the current paper aims to extend the literature on these topics on a developing country with different characteristics. The results of this paper will be of concern to companies in their attempt to reduce external audit fees. Audit firms may also benefit from the paper in terms of reducing the efforts of external auditors due to the understanding and cooperation between external and internal auditors.
Perceived effectiveness of fraud detection audit procedures in a stock and warehousing cycle
Authors: Alleyne Philmore , Persaud Nadini , Alleyne Peter , Greenidge Dion , Sealy Peter
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore perceptions of fraud detection techniques in the stock and warehouse cycle in Barbados.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a self‐administered questionnaire, adapted and modified from Owusu‐Ansah et al. The sample is comprised of 64 auditors. The study examines the perceived effectiveness of audit procedures, the influence of size of the audit firm, and the level of audit experience in the choice of specific audit procedures.

Findings

The study indicates that there is a moderate to high perceived effectiveness of standard audit procedures in the detection of fraud in the stock and warehousing cycle in Barbados and that the majority of the “more effective” audit procedures can be classified as field research techniques that are more direct in obtaining evidence. It is found that auditors from larger firms reported higher means for audit procedures. There are mixed findings with respect to the significant relationship between level of auditing experience of auditors and perceived effectiveness of fraud detection techniques. The study also indicates that males consistently rated the level of effectiveness of audit procedures higher than females.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the relatively small sample size, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Nonetheless, the findings of this study do indicate that auditing procedures in this developing country are on par with those of developed countries.

Practical implications

This paper serves to inform audit‐related policies and regulation on the potential threats within the stock and warehouse cycle.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited body of research on fraud detection within the stock and warehouse cycle in small developing countries.
Corporate social responsibility disclosure and its relation on institutional ownership
Authors: Saleh Mustaruddin , Zulkifli Norhayah , Muhamad Rusnah
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and its relation to institutional ownership (IO) of Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs).

Design/methodology/approach

Testing of hypotheses have been conducted by applying multivariate regression techniques utilizing longitudinal data analysis of companies' annual reports. Two well‐established models, the fixed effects model and random effects model are conducted in this paper.

Findings

Results which confirmed earlier estimations indicated that there are positive and significant relationships between CSR disclosure (CSRD) and IO. This result suggests that Malaysian PLCs are able to attract and maintain their institutional investors while they engage in social activities.

Practical implications

Companies should be encouraged to be involved in CSR activities as one of their strategies in attracting investment as well as to improve their reputation and image.

Originality/value

Most studies on CSRD in Malaysia pertain to the analysis of such reporting and motivations of managers towards CSRD. This paper conducts a comprehensive empirical research on the relationship between CSRD and IO in Malaysian PLCs.
Ethics and economics: a view from ecological economics
Authors: Alam Choudhury Masudul
Published: July 2010

The exogenous and endogenous types of relationships between ethics and economics are explained in neoclassical and non‐neoclassical frameworks. Market consequentialism, deontological preferences and polity‐market (ecology) interactions are brought out to configure the theoretical perspectives of the endogenous theory underlying the interface between ethics and economics. The principle of ethical endeogeneity is treated in an institution‐economy interface by addressing the issue of sustainability. In this respect a simple mathematical formulation is done to show how ethics can be endogenized in a scientific framework for theory, policy development and institutionalism. Critically examines Canada′s Green Plan in light of the exogenous and endogenous ethical relationships. Develops the critique and proposes ethico‐economic policy‐theoretic alternatives.
Insider signaling and seasoned equity offerings
Authors: Hull Robert M. , Kwak Sungkyu , Walker Rosemary L.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of insider ownership decreases on stock returns for firms undergoing seasoned equity offerings (SEOs).

Design/methodology/approach

Insider data were gathered for firms undergoing SEOs and this information used to compute the insider ownership percentage decreases caused by the SEOs. These insider percentage decreases and standard compounded abnormal return methodology were used to test signaling theory.

Findings

It was discovered that the short‐run and long‐run stock returns accompanying SEOs are not consistent with what signaling theory predicts. In particular, for greater decreases in insider ownership percentages, a superior market response for both short‐run tests and long‐run post‐SEO tests was often found.

Research limitations/implications

Prior research has not examined how the change in insider ownership caused by a corporate event influences stock returns. Future research can build on the univariate tests by examining the impact of insider ownership within a multivariate framework.

Practical implications

Investors cannot profit by following the behavior of insiders by selling shares in companies where insiders lower their ownership percentages. This is because insiders appear to have personal agendas that they follow when decreasing their holdings.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine how changes in insider ownership caused by a significant corporate event affect stock returns. The findings of this empirical examination challenge signaling theory as regards insider knowledge, the ability of insiders to convey their privileged knowledge (if it exists), and the capacity of outsiders to decipher and act on insider actions.
Strategic orientation of organizations: risk management perspective
Authors: Kavčič Klemen , Bertoncelj Andrej
Published: July 2010

Purpose

In a global economic environment, companies most likely to succeed should be, at the same time, big and strong as well as small and flexible. The purpose of this paper is to examine the thesis and the concept of strategic risk analysis of processes regarding the size of corporations and individual companies, both at the level of corporations, where they are mainly based on ownership and legal relationships, and also at the level of companies, where they are based on interests and legal relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the strategic orientation of organizations and importance of risk management. The research methodology is based on the analysis of qualitative data collected through surveys. Furthermore, a theoretical framework is introduced based on a study conducted in the transition economy of Slovenia.

Findings

Within this framework, there is a constant trade‐off between market (flexibility) and hierarchy (control). It is important to set an optimal structure of internal and external sourcing to lower the risk exposure of organizations. The paper finds that companies in Slovenia, a transition economy within the European Union, often enter contractual relationships without sufficient strategic long‐term assessments and are thus faced with high risks.

Originality/value

The rational control of complex organizations is enhanced demand for cognitive capabilities of employees and process capabilities of computers. The variety of organizations and contingencies is immense; it is therefore possible to determine only some dimensions and generic solutions. Two possible approaches to simplification are dealt with in the paper. Many statements in this contribution should be treated as hypotheses, to be explored in detail, confirmed or rejected.
A hybrid Delphi‐Bayesian method to establish business data integrity policy
Authors: Chen Ming‐Kuen , Wang Shih‐Ching
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Over the past decade, many small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises have incurred dramatic losses due to major disasters, causing loss of their business information systems and transaction data, so, they have started to outsource their information operations to data centers (DCs), in order to monitor critical business data operations. The purpose of this paper is to propose a dual‐sided business data integrity policy framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of the available literature, case studies, and in‐depth interviews with top CEOs and experts in the field, a fuzzy Delphi method is proposed in two frameworks. In addition, a risk evaluation rule is derived by applying Bayesian decision analysis to mitigate the risk and lower the cost in their outsourcing policy; and Delphi method is used to extract 11 DC service quality evaluation indicators and also use these indicators to conduct a benchmark in Taiwan. Furthermore, the proposed framework is applied to figure out critical service advantages as well as suggestions for the DC involved in the benchmark.

Findings

The results of framework point out that enterprises should monitor the four operation elements (facility and infrastructure, server system management, information security management, and disaster recovery (DR) mechanism) to ensure and improve their data integrity; and DC firms need to build robust facilities and services in the five operation elements (customizability, serviceability, information technology infrastructure, security management, and knowledge intensity).

Originality/value

This paper uses a hybrid Delphi‐Bayesian method to propose a new framework, which is adequately integrated with the consensus of experts and business decision makers; higher professionalism and content validity are achieved. Enterprises can use these indicators to evaluate the service quality of DCs among DC firms.
The impacts of adaptive attacking and defending strategies on mitigation of intentional threats
Authors: Zhang Jing , Shen Shifei , Yang Rui
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on resource allocation and information disclosure policy for defending multiple targets against intentional attacks. The intentional attacks, like terrorism events, probably cause great losses and fatalities. Attackers and defenders usually make decisions based on incomplete information. Adaptive attacking and defending strategies are considered, to study how both sides make more effective decisions according to previous fights.

Design/methodology/approach

A stochastic game‐theoretic approach is proposed for modeling attacker‐defender conflicts. Attackers and defenders are supposed both to be strategic decision makers and partially aware of adversary's information. Adaptive strategies are compared with different inflexible strategies in a fortification‐patrol problem, where the fortification affects the security vulnerability of targets and the patrol indicates the defensive signal.

Findings

The result shows that the intentional risk would be elevated by adaptive attack strategies. An inflexible defending strategy probably fails when facing uncertainties of adversary. It is shown that the optimal response of defenders is to adjust defending strategies by learning from previous games and assessing behaviors of adversaries to minimize the expected loss.

Originality/value

This paper explores how adaptive strategies affect attacker‐defender conflicts. The key issue is defense allocation and information disclosure policy for mitigation of intentional threats. Attackers and defenders can adjust their strategies by learning from previous fights, and the strategic adjustment of both sides may be asynchronous.
Comparison of solution combustion and co‐precipitation methods in synthesis of iron zircon coral pigment
Authors: Moosavi A. , Aghaei A.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

It is essentially valuable to use simpler methods for making the protected pigment by inclusion of hematite in a transparent zirconium silicate crystal. The purpose of this paper is to compare solution combustion and co‐precipitation methods as two different routes for synthesis of zircon‐based coral pigment.

Design/methodology/approach

X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and simultaneous thermal analysis were used to characterise and evaluate the precipitated zircon and Fe2O3 phases. The synthesised samples were incorporated into a suitable ceramic glaze and then their L*, a* and b* colour parameters were measured via Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage colorimetric method.

Findings

The results revealed that partial reduction of hematite (α‐Fe2O3) to maghemite (γ‐Fe2O3) destroyed the quality of the pigment obtained from the combustion processing method. Nevertheless, it is found that co‐precipitation would be an appropriate method for synthesis coral pigment.

Research limitations/implications

It is found that the solution combustion method is not able to directly synthesise a zircon‐based coral pigment during combustion reaction. Furthermore, the presence of carbon has led to partial reduction of hematite resulting in unwanted crystalline maghemite phase. This reveals that solution combustion method is not suitable to obtain zircon‐based coral pigment.

Practical implications

The conventional method to synthesise ceramic pigments is a solid‐state reaction that requires high temperature and long processing time. The products are usually coarse and inhomogeneous so this method requires further processing like wet or dry milling in order to produce fine powders. Diffusion barrier in solid‐state processing prevents the control of the microstructure and the reactivity of the system. Soft‐chemical routes such as solution combustion and co‐precipitation methods are better choices to get finer powders and to achieve the desired phases at lower temperatures in shorter time as well.

Originality/value

Co‐precipitation synthesis of iron‐zircon coral pigment using sodium silicate (water glass) as Si source and its comparison with solution combustion method is valuable and has not been reported until now.
Soy flour adhesive modified with urea, citric acid and boric acid
Authors: Li F. , Li X.P. , Wang W.H.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate an adhesive prepared from soy flour (SF) modified with urea, citric acid and boric acid as an environmentally friendly product for the wood industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Urea solution was prepared at 30°C and then SF was added and stirred at 30°C for 2 hours. Citric acid solution was added and stirred for another 0.5 hours and then boric acid solution was added and heated at 30°C for a further 0.5 hours. The resulting adhesive was used to bond poplar veneers. Shear strength was measured to evaluate the bonding property of the adhesive. Viscometry and FT‐IR spectrometry were used to test the viscosity and chemical changes, respectively.

Findings

Soy protein has potential value in the preparation of adhesives because of its unique functional characteristics. The optimum formulation was 100 g of soy powder treated with 9 g of citric acid at 30°C for 0.5 hours in the presence of sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4). After addition of 6 g of boric acid the resulting adhesive exhibited a shear strength of 0.82 MPa when bonded samples were treated with water, indicating that boric acid improved the water resistance via the formation of a chelating polymer.

Research limitations/implications

Compared to synthetic resin such as urea formaldehyde, the SF adhesive exhibited lower water resistance. Further modification methods and optimum chemical reagents still need to be investigated.

Originality/value

A new formulation for an environmentally friendly adhesive prepared from SF is identified for the panel industry. The bonding potential of soy protein was developed without any synthetic resin, which will promote industrial utilisation of an agricultural by‐product.
Rethinking the TAM model: time to consider fun
Authors: Saber Chtourou Mohamed , Souiden Nizar
Published: July 2010

Purpose

It is widely agreed that usefulness of new products is one of the most considered factors by innovators to justify the adoption of new devices. However, the fun aspect of the product is rarely considered as a predictor of innovation adoption. The current study intends, therefore, to examine the effect of the fun aspect on consumers' adoption of technological products.

Design/methodology/approach

Three competing models mainly derived from the technology adoption model (TAM) were tested in two markets (Canada and France) that present two different maturity stages. A survey of 367 actual users of mobile devices was used and analyzed by a structural equation model.

Findings

The results show that fun is an important antecedent of the attitude toward the act (use of mobile devices for surfing the internet). Fun was also found to mediate the effect of usefulness on attitude. This implies that the impact of emotions goes beyond the consumption of hedonic products and extends to the adoption of technological ones.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size of the current study did not allow deeper statistical analyses. A larger sample could allow testing the model separately in each market. Also, the current study focused only on the use of mobile devices to surf the internet. Further studies might apply the model to other products/services/industries.

Practical implications

The results suggest that product designers should develop interfaces and products that not only satisfy utilitarian needs but also hedonic and enjoyment motivations.

Originality

The present study finds its originality at two levels: first, it tests the technology adoption model using a sample from two countries (France and French Canada) which are different in terms of mobile market maturity stage. This may allow further generalisation of the TAM model. Second, in comparison to previous research on the adoption of mobile devices, the present study uses a non student sample. This is important especially when studying innovation adoption because students are thought to lean to the adoption of new habits.
Accessibility and usability of Web‐based library databases for non‐visual users
Authors: Byerley Suzanne L. , Beth Chambers Mary
Published: July 2010

The ADA mandates that library programs and services be accessible to people with disabilities. With the advent of the WWW, the popularity of commercial Web‐based resources in academic libraries has soared, but are these resources accessible to people with visual disabilities? This study examines the accessibility of two popular Web‐based abstracting and indexing services, Periodical Abstracts, offered by OCLC FirstSearch, and Gale Group’s Expanded Academic ASAP, when accessed by blind users using screen‐reading programs. The study measured accessibility based on guidelines from the amended Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines issued by the WWW Consortium. The findings indicate that, while each database has a high degree of accessibility, there is a need for Web developers to conduct usability testing of commercial databases with people who rely on screen readers for access to the Web. Librarians must be cognizant of accessibility issues and demand assurance from database vendors that their products are accessible.
What a community will bear: leadership and the change process
Authors: Curry Barbara , Lowery Lillian M. , Loftus Dennis
Published: July 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the dynamics between innovators and the communities they attempt to change.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers brief case studies/vignettes that demonstrate the theoretical construct: “what communities will always negotiate to what they can bear during the change process.”

Findings

Experiences of the practitioners featured give some credence to the theoretical construct.

Originality/value

The paper provides an original and valuable lens through which change can be considered and navigated.
Tenure, functional track and strategic leadership
Authors: Eacott Scott
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the demographic variables of tenure and functional track have a moderating effect on the strategic leadership of school leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a conceptual framework developed by the researcher, a static/cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study on a convenience sample of public primary school principals in NSW, Australia, was used to collect data. Analysis included ANOVA and correlations.

Findings

Despite few statistically significant differences in the data set, there is evidence to suggest that, based on the small sample size, the demographic variables of tenure and functional track have a moderating effect on the strategic leadership and management of public primary school principals.

Research limitations/implications

The study serves as little more than a scoping project. The small sample size limits the generalisability of the findings; however, the results do indicate that there is something to be made of the general thesis of the paper.

Practical implications

As education systems across the globe are faced with a crisis in filling school leadership positions with the mass retirement of the baby boomers, the potential implications of tenure and functional track on school leadership is of vital importance to all involved in schools.

Originality/value

The paper makes use of tenure and functional track in relation to strategic leadership, a combination rarely seen in the field. The very concept of functional track is original to the field and has the potential to uncover much needed insight into school leadership.
Investigation of Sn‐Zn‐Bi solders – Part I: surface tension, interfacial tension and density measurements of SnZn7Bi solders
Authors: Bukat K. , Moser Z. , Sitek J. , Gąsior W. , Kościelski M. , Pstruś J.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of Part I of this paper is to investigate the influence of Bi additions on the surface tension, the interfacial tension, and the density of SnZn7Bi alloys (Bi=1 and 3 percent by mass) as a continuation of similar previous studies on Bi and Sb additions to the binary Sn‐Zn alloy. The main aim of Part I is to indicate that the lowering of the surface tension and interfacial tension is not sufficient for practical applications. However, knowledge of the interfacial tension between the soldering flux and the solder is necessary to convert the wetting force into the contact angle. This will be documented in Part II.

Design/methodology/approach

The maximum bubble method was applied for the surface tension and the Miyazaki method was applied for the surface tension and the interfacial tension, using the density values from the dilatometric technique. The experimental surface tension results are compared with the Butler's thermodynamic modeling results and are discussed by means of the analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Findings

On the basis of previous studies on Sn‐Zn‐Bi‐Sb alloys, the addition of Bi to SnZn7 slightly decreased the surface tension measured in an Ar+H2atmosphere, similarly to the Butler's modeling results. Also, a similar slight decrease of the surface tension from the Miyazaki method measured in air and in nitrogen was observed, as well as a more significant lowering of the interfacial tension with the use of a flux in nitrogen. There was also a slight influence of the temperature on the numerical values of the surface tensions and the interfacial tension. In the ANOVA, taking into account the Bi content, the temperature of measurements, the atmosphere and the flux, the flux used was shown as the most important, and also, to a lesser extent, the atmosphere.

Research limitations/implications

It is intended (the purpose of Part II of this paper) to verify the positive influence of Bi additions in SnZn7 alloys on the surface tensions and the interfacial tensions via the contact angles from the interaction with Cu on printed circuit board with different lead‐free finishes.

Practical implications

It is suggested that further studies on more efficient fluxes are necessary for the practical application being in agreement with the ANOVA and the literature information.

Originality/value

A slight improvement of the wettability with the use of Bi additions in the SnZn7Bi alloys in the course of various experimental techniques is proven, similar to results reported in various references. The obtained results will enlarge the SURDAT database of lead‐free soldering materials.
Effect of ENIG deposition on the failure mechanisms of thermomechanically loaded lead‐free 2nd level interconnections in LTCC/PWB assemblies
Authors: Nousiainen O. , Kangasvieri T. , Kautio K. , Rautioaho R. , Vähäkangas J.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of electroless NiAu (ENIG) deposition on the failure mechanisms and characteristic lifetimes of three different non‐collapsible lead‐free 2nd level interconnections in low‐temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC)/printed wiring board (PWB) assemblies.

Design/methodology/approach

Five LTCC module/PWB assemblies were fabricated and exposed to a temperature cycling test over a −40 to 125°C temperature range. The characteristic lifetimes of these assemblies were determined using direct current resistance measurements. The failure mechanisms of the test assemblies were verified using X‐ray and scanning acoustic microscopy, optical microscopy with polarized light, scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive spectroscopy and field emission‐SEM investigation.

Findings

A stable intermetallic compound (IMC) layer is formed between the Ni deposit and solder matrix during reflow soldering. The layer thickness does not grow excessively and the interface between the layer and solder is practically free from Kirkendall voids after the thermal cycling test (TCT) over a temperature range of −40 to 125°C. The adhesion between the IMC layer and solder matrix is sufficient to prevent separation of this interface, resulting in intergranular (creep) or mixed transgranular/intergranular (fatigue/creep) failure within the solder matrix. However, the thermal fatigue endurance of the lead‐free solder has a major effect on the characteristic lifetime, not the deposit material of the solder land. Depending on the thickness of the LTCC substrate and the composition of the lead‐free solder alloy, characteristic lifetimes of over 2,000 cycles are achieved in the TCT.

Originality/value

The paper investigates in detail the advantages and disadvantages of ENIG deposition in LTCC/PWB assemblies with a large global thermal mismatch (ΔCTE≥10 ppm/°C), considering the design and manufacturing stages of the solder joint configuration and its performance under harsh accelerated test conditions.