bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value of academic reading and value of the library in academics' own words
Authors: Volentine Rachel , Tenopir Carol
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ask: What is the value and outcome of scholarly reading for academic staff? How do academic library collections support research and teaching activities of academic staff? How do reading patterns of articles, books, and other materials differ? What is the role of the academic library collections in teaching and learning?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides insight into the values and outcomes of scholarly reading, identifies overall reading patterns, and illuminates issues academics address. Approximately 2,000 academic staff members from six UK universities completed a web‐based survey. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through the survey. The survey used the critical incident of last reading by academics to gather information on the purpose, outcomes, and values of scholarly readings and access to library collections. The survey concluded with open‐ended comments, which is the focus of this article.

Findings

The open‐ended comments focused on the importance of article readings to all work activities, in particular research. They also placed emphasis on the value of the library's e‐journal collections, but they had some issues with electronic access. The role of book reading was also discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Open‐ended comments are only one way of measuring the value of scholarly reading and library collections. Ongoing studies and examinations of the findings from the other sections of this study will add to the overall findings of the value of the academic library.

Originality/value

This paper further illustrates the essential role of scholarly reading and the library's collections on the academic enterprise. This type of qualitative “story” helps libraries demonstrate their value and assess areas of concern.
Contributions of Pakistani authors to foreign library and information science journals
Authors: Khurshid Zahiruddin
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In addition to quantitative analysis, the purpose of this paper is to measure the quality of articles published in foreign LIS journals by Pakistani authors based on their Impact Factor (IF) scores reported in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) of 2010; also to discuss the significance and implications of this study for the current and potential authors in Pakistan and other developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were collected from two sets of sources: first, online sources of Google Scholar, LISA, LISTA, an online 50‐year cumulative index of Pakistani LIS literature, and web pages of several authors; and second, printed indexes and bibliographies. The data collected were manually entered into MS Excel for tabulation and created nine tables, which formed the basis of discussion in the paper.

Findings

The contribution of Pakistani authors to foreign LIS journals is reasonable in number and below average in quality, according to the JCR IF scores. The authorship patterns show that there is a shift from single‐authorship to collaborative authorship. The contribution of academics is several times higher than that of library practitioners. Likewise the non‐resident Pakistani authors' share in the global LIS literature is much larger as compared to their counterparts living in Pakistan.

Originality/value

This is the first study that evaluates the quality of Pakistani LIS literature using the more popular journal ranking method, JCR IF. The results of this study are expected to have a positive impact on Pakistani authors as they start preparing articles according to the quality requirements of JCR‐ranked journals in the future.
Distance education on digitization: evaluation of an application in Turkey
Authors: Yılmaz Bülent , Külcü Özgür , Ünal Yurdagül , Çakmak Tolga
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a distance education program in the field of digitization which was carried out in Turkey in 2011. In total, 805 people, comprising librarians, archivists and museum specialists, applied for three certification programs. The paper evaluates the distance education in terms of content and organization on the basis of participants' opinions and determines how and to what extent the education has changed the awareness of participants on digitization and digital content management and their level of theoretical and practical knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The research questions of the study are: What are the qualities of the participants on digitization and digital content management? In other words, what is the level of education background of the participants and what level of education do they need? What are the qualifications (in terms of content, presentation of the content and general organization) of the distance education program? To what extent has the distance education contributed to the enhancement of participants' level of awareness on digitization and digital content management, and to the improvement of theoretical and practical knowledge?

Findings

In the research, the literature on the issue has been reviewed, and then a theoretical model has been developed. The research findings have been presented within the framework of the theoretical model. According to the research findings, the participants have poor educational background, and most of the participants had attended such an education program for the first time.

Originality/value

The participants were satisfied with the program in terms of content and organization. The program has improved their level of theoretical and practical knowledge and awareness on digitization.
Job search requirements for older workers: the effect on reservation wages
Authors: Nivorozhkin Anton , Romeu Gordo Laura , Schneider Julia
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The goal of the paper is to investigate how reservation wages of older unemployed welfare recipients change once they are no longer subject to standard job search requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply a regression discontinuity design.

Findings

Consistent with theoretical predictions, the authors’ findings indicate that eliminating job search requirements will tend to increase reservation wages.

Practical implications

The results correspond to previous findings in the literature that monitoring leads to lower accepted wages and increased exits rates from unemployment, and that it may be a successful policy measure to keep older workers in the labor market.

Originality/value

Monitoring of job search effort has been shown to be an effective method of activating unemployed people, but little evidence has been found on the effect of activation measures on older workers.
Short training for welfare recipients in Germany: which types work?
Authors: Kopf Eva
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Various types of short training programmes exist in Germany. This article aims to evaluate short training courses for welfare recipients and to detect which programme type works best with respect to different outcome indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

The author measures the impact of six short training programmes on the participants. She uses propensity score matching and large‐scale administrative data to find suitable comparison groups. She compares treatment to non‐participation as well as participation in different training types directly.

Findings

The results demonstrate that in‐firm training has large positive effects on individual employment prospects and stability. Furthermore, classroom skill training is more effective than other classroom types while application training is rather ineffective. Treating some of the application training participants with an alternative sub‐programme would improve the effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The results show which training types work best. However, the results do not imply macro or cost‐benefit effects.

Practical implications

Several of the short training courses, mostly occupation‐specific sub‐programmes, are short and relatively inexpensive options to activate welfare recipients.

Originality/value

The paper analyses the effects of six short training programmes for welfare recipients that have not been analysed before. The sensitivity of the results is examined using a wide range of estimators and different outcomes.
How does variable pay relate to pay satisfaction among Canadian workers?
Authors: Cloutier Julie , Morin Denis , Renaud Stéphane
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This study aims to determine the effect of individual and group variable pay plans on pay satisfaction among Canadian workers from six occupational groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical foundations rest on the discrepancy model of pay satisfaction and equity theory. Canadian national data from theWorkplace and Employee Survey(WES) were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that individual and group variable pay plans act differently on workers’ pay satisfaction. For individual pay plans, being eligible for a variable pay plan, and thereby having one's performance rewarded, has no effect on pay satisfaction. Workers on variable pay plans are more satisfied with their pay only when they receive performance‐dependent payouts. In short, they want to be rewarded not only for performance but also for effort. For group pay plans, not receiving payouts has no negative effect on pay satisfaction. In contrast, receiving payouts creates pay dissatisfaction. Individual and group plans have a distinct effect on pay satisfaction by occupational group.

Practical implications

Managers can make informed decisions regarding the adoption of variable pay plans and their implementation.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the link between variable pay and pay satisfaction. It improves our understanding of the mechanism by which variable pay affects pay satisfaction: the effort – performance – pay link (i.e. risk and perceived fairness of the allocation).
Impact of reverse logistics on supply chain performance
Authors: Turrisi Mario , Bruccoleri Manfredi , Cannella Salvatore
Published: July 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of reverse logistics on order and inventory variance amplification in a single-echelon supply chain (SC) and to propose a new order policy for dampening such amplification.

Design/methodology/approach

– A general review of the literature on sustainable operations and on the impact of reverse logistics on SC performance provides the foundation for the study. The authors use difference equation math approach for modelling and analysing a closed SC. A proper design of experiment and data collected from the European Union statistics validate the obtained numerical results.

Findings

– The variability of reverse flow in a closed loop SC increases the serviceable inventory variance. However, a proper design of the reverse flow considerably improves the global performance. To this purpose, the authors propose a new order policy, namely R-APIOBPCS, which explicitly considers the reverse flow of products.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper presents a math model describing a closed loop supply chain (CLSC). No empirical analysis is provided. Future researches should evaluate the impact of the proposed R-APIOBPCS on more realistic closed loop SC models.

Practical implications

– The paper
'
s findings may motivate logistics and SC managers to implement CLSC when supported by innovative, suitable tools for the proper management of the information and material flow in the chain. Managers should be well acquainted that, by doing so, they not only satisfy national and international legislations but also achieve improvements in logistics performance.

Originality/value

– The authors propose a novel replenishment rule that accurately coordinates the upstream and downstream flows in a SC. The proposed order policy can be reasonably considered one of the advocated managerial tools for the proper management of reverse logistics: it allows reducing inventory and limiting the variability of the orders placed to suppliers in SC with reverse logistics.
Succeeding in a hypercompetitive world: VC advice for smaller companies
Authors: King Brian L.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine certain venture capital (VC) practices that conventional company managers might adopt to improve effectiveness when faced with increasing competition.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on current VC research, the paper isolates certain practices that are particularly effective in hypercompetitive contexts.

Findings

If managers see their companies differently – not as monolithic entities but rather as a combination of different business models, some nascent, some mature, a portfolio of current opportunities with potential offshoots – managers can implement practices to increase the company's ability to survive and potentially thrive in a hypercompetitive environment.

Originality/value

Venture capitalists guide companies through important transitions in turbulent contexts. This article isolates and analyses their practices, so as to allow them to be transposed to a more conventional business context.
Brand extension feedback effects: towards a mediated framework
Authors: Dwivedi Abhishek , Merrilees Bill
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Brand extension attitude is a key antecedent of consumers' reciprocal evaluations of parent brand equity. Traditionally, the link from brand extension attitude to change in parent brand equity is modeled as a direct path, potentially obfuscating any underlying processes. The current research aims to propose that the impact of brand extension attitude on change in parent brand equity materializes via change in parent value equity perceptions of a parent brand.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed, positioning change in parent value equity as a mediator of the effect of brand extension attitude. The model is estimated on a sample of 888 Australian consumers using a cross‐sectional self‐administered survey. Drawing upon actual industry dynamics, a hypothetical scenario of Australian supermarkets extending into the banking sector is used as stimulus.

Findings

The research model demonstrates acceptable fit to data, confirming most hypotheses. Change in parent value equity mediates the effect of brand extension attitude on change in parent brand equity. Rival model comparisons, however, reveal that a partial mediation scenario better represents feedback effects. The research model is suitably modified to include an additional path.

Practical implications

The current study broadens the scope of brand extension feedback effects from parent brand equity to additionally include parent value equity. Practitioners can now envision brand extensions as simultaneously impacting multiple facets of a parent brand, not previously considered.

Originality/value

The current research explicates an underlying process of how consumers' extension‐derived attitudes are converted into revised parent brand equity evaluations. Such an insight is novel in the literature.
Developing marketing strategies to increase vegetable consumption
Authors: Darian Jean C. , Tucci Louis
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine factors that influence consumption of vegetables in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Discrete choice methodology is used to measure the relative importance of health benefits and other attributes when choosing food to be eaten at home, cluster analysis to identify segments, and analysis of variance to analyze differences between clusters.

Findings

The results show that, for food in general, nutrition and impact on weight are more important than value for money, ease of preparation and taste. However, for vegetables, while the nutrition and weight benefits are very positive factors, taste, cost and ease of preparation inhibit consumption. Results of the cluster analysis suggest that marketing strategies should be adapted for different consumer segments.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is fairly small – 250.

Practical implications

The results can be used to help food marketers increase consumption of vegetables.

Social implications

More effective marketing of vegetables should increase consumption, enhancing consumer welfare and reducing health care costs.

Originality/value

Discrete choice analysis has not previously been used in studies of this topic.
The role of contextual factors in eliciting creativity: primes, cognitive load and expectation of performance feedback
Authors: Bose Mousumi , Anne Garretson Folse Judith , Burton Scot
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Managers are increasingly faced with situations that call for creative ways to engage consumers and employees. With online and offline options available for creative problem solving, consumers are constantly engaging with brands to provide different solutions to everyday problems. There are numerous contextual factors that influence creative output, external primes (distal vs proximal) being one of them. This research attempts to find the boundary conditions such as cognitive load, expectations of performance feedback and optimism that interact with environmental primes to influence quality and quantity of creativity. Doing so would help managers create conditions that can enhance creative output.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments were conducted; the first tests the interactive effect of primes and cognitive load, and the second involves the enhancing effect of expectation of performance feedback. Given that cognitive load depresses creativity and expectation of performance feedback enhances creativity, the third study finds whether optimism enhances the effects of distal primes under high cognitive load condition.

Findings

Study 1 demonstrates that the boundary factor of cognitive load moderates the relative difference between proximal and distal primes: cognitive load depresses the enhancing effects of distal primes. Study 2 demonstrates that expectation of performance feedback can enhance the effectiveness of distal primes to a greater extent than proximal primes. Study 3 suggests that highly optimistic individuals can overcome the depressing effects of cognitive load when exposed to distal primes and expectation of performance feedback.

Practical implications

The research demonstrates the environmental conditions that influence creative output in problem solving.

Originality/value

This research attempts to highlight the importance of contextual factors in influencing creativity. In the process, this research highlights the interactive forces that deter or enhance creativity so that managers can provide optimal conditions that enhance creative output for their employees and consumers.
Synchronizing crisis responses after a transgression
Authors: Diers Audra R. , Donohue Jennie
Published: July 2013

Purpose

With the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil well in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010 and until the well was officially “killed” on September 19, 2010, British Petroleum (BP) did not merely experience a crisis but a five‐month marathon of sustained, multi‐media engagement. Whereas traditional public relations theory teaches us that an organization should synchronize its messages across channels, there are no models to understand how an organization may strategically coordinate public relations messaging across traditional and social media platforms. This is especially important in the new media environment where social media (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) are increasingly being used in concert with traditional public relations tools (e.g. press releases) as a part of an organization's stakeholder engagement strategy. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is a content analysis examining all of BP's press releases (N=126), its Facebook posts (N=1,789), and its Twitter tweets (N=2,730) during the 2010 Gulf crisis (May 20, 2010 through September 20, 2010).

Findings

Results demonstrate BP used a synchronized approach with press releases serving as the hub for their multi‐media strategy.

Originality/value

This paper identifies a synchronized approach for crisis communication in response to organizational transgressions.
A trust‐based study of CS influence on OCB in Iranian Water Resources Management Company
Authors: Rezaeian Ali , Tehrani Maryam , Lotfi Foroushani Nyma
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the effect of communication satisfaction (CS) on employees’ organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), considering the role of organizational trust as a mediating variable within the Iranian cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds a conceptual model, based on literature review, to illustrate the effect of communication satisfaction on employees’ OCBs within the Iranian national context. Out of 194 questionnaires distributed among the employees of Iranian Water Resources Management Company, one of the well‐recognized companies in the Iranian water industry, 173 filled in the questionnaires completely.

Findings

The paper addresses the main components forming communication satisfaction, organizational trust and OCBs referring to the role of Iranian cultural dimensions. The result of analyzing the research model by using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique shows that communication satisfaction has a positive effect on organizational trust. It also depicts that organizational trust has a positive effect on OCBs and organizational trust plays a mediating role in the relationship between communication satisfaction and OCBs in an Iranian organization.

Originality/value

The authors developed a new conceptual model based on the literature review and field research to present novel insights into the role of in‐group collectivism, institutional collectivism, human orientation and high‐low cultural context as important cultural dimensions in the study of communication satisfaction, organizational trust and OCBs.
A reply to Lingard
Authors: Budd John M.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide a critical reply to Robert Lingard's close reading of a previously published paper of the present author's, “Meaning, truth, and information.”

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted in this paper is an examination of Lingard's argument and counter‐points, employing (primarily) logical and rhetorical analysis of his claims.

Findings

While some of Lingard's criticisms are legitimate and must be admitted, many have to be subjected to rebuttal on the basis of misreading, logical error, and discursive misapprehension of points made in the original article.

Originality/value

Since the present paper is a reply to another author's work, originality is constrained by the arguments and claims made by that author. That said, additional analysis is added to the matters of meaning, truth, and information in an effort to clarify and expand upon the essence of the original article.
Re‐conceiving information studies: a quantum approach
Authors: Budd John M.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate that fundamental aspects of quantum theory can be applied to work in information studies (IS).

Design/methodology/approach

The field of information studies is so broad and extensive that it requires similar breadth of epistemic and methodological features in order to fulfill its inherent promise as a human enterprise. Quantum theory holds promise as a way to shape questions and inquiry in information studies (IS).

Findings

The revolutionary elements of quantum theory, such as entanglement, nonlocality, etc. can be applied to information, especially language‐based communication.

Research limitations/implications

Perhaps most especially, the non‐ or extra‐mathematical components of quantum theory offer ontological and epistemic modes of thought which apply to information. Those modes of thought are ripe with conceptual promise for examination of, for example, information as objective entity and as complex material substance. This paper explores some of the potentially promising ways to explore information as a complex phenomenon.

Originality/value

While some work in IS has considered quantum phenomena, there has not been a thorough investigation of the theory's application to inquiry in IS.
Bottom‐up Triple Helix: science policy in the states of the USA
Authors: Etzkowitz Henry , Dzisah James
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the emergence of science policy in the states of the USA, drawing attention to the fact that every state has a science and technology agency and multiple programs that attempt to raise the level of science and technology in the state and attract resources from elsewhere.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds upon the authors' previous study of high‐tech growth and renewal in Boston and Silicon Valley through analysis of documents and interviews with key actors in universities, S&T policy units of the Governor's association to detail the bottom‐up initiatives exemplifying the US innovation policy model.

Findings

The path dependent elements in US science and technology policy are an enhanced role for universities, an ambivalent role for national government and industry and a growing role for state and local government. Federal research funds, largely confined to support of agricultural research before the Second World War, became available for a variety of civilian and military purposes, on an ongoing basis, after the war. An assisted linear model of coordinated innovation mechanisms has been constructed on this base to translate inventions into economic activity through university‐industry‐government interactions.

Originality/value

The paper shows that S&T policy at the state level fills gaps in university‐industry relations, leverages federal R&D spending and enhances local comparative and competitive advantage.
Examining the role of ethics in knowledge management process
Authors: Akhavan Peyman , Ramezan Majid , Yazdi Moghaddam Jafar
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Current successful and thriving organizations are those which create or gain new knowledge and convert it into applicable methods for improving their activities and performance. Nonetheless, ethics are the key issues in achieving such organizations and gaining success in implementation of supportive systems for aforementioned subjects. The main aim of the present study is therefore to examine the impact of ethical principles on knowledge management processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper tries to study the impact of ethics on knowledge management process according to the model of Nonaka and Takeuchi. To measure this issue, a conceptual model is developed based on literature. In order to examine the validity of the model, employees in some areas of an industrial organization including computer, IT, electronic and mechanic were asked to answer the items in a questionnaire designed for the same research. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze research variables.

Findings

The results show that there is a positive and significant relationship between ethics and knowledge management process. Likewise, there is a direct and significant relationship between ethics and knowledge management processes such as socialization, externalization and combination while the relationship between ethics and internalization is not significant.

Research limitations/implications

Published resources are paramount about knowledge management while they suffer from a systematic regard as well as considering ethics in all knowledge management processes. Therefore, the main limitation of this research is the lack of studies in the field of relation of ethics and knowledge management (KM).

Originality/value

The results extend the understanding of the role of ethical principles in knowledge management processes. Hence, this research can open a new window in science space that is related to knowledge management and ethics.
The impacts of human capital in enhancing new venture's performance
Authors: Chen Ming‐Huei , Chang Yu‐Yu
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to extend current understanding about the relationship between human capital and new venture performance. Human capital has increasingly become one of the critical intellectual resources in enhancing firm's success, however little work has been done in enriching the knowledge of this link from a small entrepreneurial new venture context. Many researchers have studied human capital from various angles, but few have analyzed human capital's influence on firm performance from entrepreneurial competence, motivation and creativity perspectives to ascertain their effects on new venture performance, including profit generation and patent creation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted using 155 small technology‐based new ventures located in government incubators on university campuses throughout Taiwan.

Findings

The authors found that entrepreneurial experience, manpower and creativity have positive impact on new venture's performance assessed by using profitability and patents creation as the criterion variables. Amongst all predictors, entrepreneurial manpower was found to have the strongest effect on both profitability and patent creation. The most interesting finding, however, stemmed from a component of entrepreneurial motivation the authors created, pioneering motivation. This unique form of motivation, to explain the extreme determination and time involved in starting a new business, was found to have a significantly negative effect on patent creation.

Research limitations/implications

This study identifies the variety of entrepreneurial human capital and the importance of human capital's multidimensionality in entrepreneurship research. In this paper, the authors integrated some meaningful components of human capital which have been neglected in previous entrepreneurship studies. The paper's findings add to knowledge of how investments in entrepreneurial human capital, such as work experience, manpower, and creativity, influence performance outcomes at the early stages of the entrepreneurial process.

Originality/value

This paper provides a useful guideline for entrepreneurs by investigating new venture performance with seven less‐emphasized but important components of human capital. The authors identified the most influential components of entrepreneurial human capital (i.e. experience, manpower, and creativity) that a new venture should cultivate for improving its performance.
Australian industry superannuation funds
Authors: Reddy Wejendra , Higgins David , Wist Mark , Garimort John
Published: July 2013

Purpose

To achieve long‐term performance, superannuation balanced funds typically invest in a range of defined asset classes based on a strategic asset allocation approach. In an Australian context, the purpose of this paper is to examine the performance of the balanced investment option against eight different investment strategies and how the property allocation changes with different asset allocation models.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on ex post data covering 17 years (1995 to 2011). The selected passive and active allocation models are set within the modern portfolio theory framework utilising Australian ten year bonds as the risk free rate. The Sharpe ratio is used as the key risk‐adjusted return performance measure.

Findings

Property provided the second highest risk adjusted return profile behind the alternative asset class. The different asset allocation models perform as well as the conventional strategic approach and in many instances property allocation is found to be under‐allocated on a return optimisation basis. Depending on the asset allocation model, property when included within a multi‐asset portfolio improves the portfolio risk‐adjusted return profile by 2 per cent to 28 per cent.

Practical implications

For an Australian superannuation balanced fund, the empirical results show that there is scope to increase the property allocation level from current 10 per cent to 23 per cent. This knowledge will be beneficial for funds currently re‐profiling investment portfolios to achieve stable risk‐adjusted returns.

Originality/value

The research contributes to both practical and academic fields, as it offers a methodological approach on how allocation to property assets can be improved using a series of passive and active asset allocation strategies.
An investigation into the drivers of Australian REIT merger and acquisition announcements
Authors: Ratcliffe Chris , Dimovski Bill
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use Australian Real Estate Investment Trust (A‐REIT) data to empirically examine potential influencing factors on A‐REITs becoming a bidder or a target in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) area.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses logistic regression analysis to investigate the odds of publically traded A‐REITs being either a bidder or a target as a function of a number of financial and corporate governance variables.

Findings

Prior research in the US REIT M&A area has shown that target size is inversely related to takeover likelihood; in contrast, the authors' Australian results show that size has a positive impact. Prior research on share price and asset performance has shown that underperformance increases the odds of an entity becoming a target, but this paper's results further support these findings and provide confirmation of the inefficient management hypothesis. For acquirers it was found that leverage, cash balances, management structure, the level of shares held by related parties and the global financial crisis have an important impact on bidder likelihood.

Practical implications

Given that the literature suggests that investors can earn significant positive abnormal returns by owning targets, but incur significant abnormal losses by owning bidders, at announcement, this study will be useful to fund managers and other investors in A‐REITs by investigating the characteristics of those firms that become targets and bidders.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the recent US REIT M&A literature by examining the second biggest REIT market in the world and reporting a number of factors that might influence A‐REITs to become targets or bidders.
Property cycles
Authors: Grover Richard , Grover Christine
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review what is known about property cycles following the financial crisis of 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is to review the literature on property cycles published since the 1930s, to examine the extent to which endogenous causes have been identified as distinct from exogenous factors that may have produced cyclicality resulting from weak adjustment mechanisms but not cycles.

Findings

Whilst there is broad consensus that the property market has delays in adjustment which produce oscillations resulting from external shocks, it is more difficult to identify endogenous causes of cycles, though there are some possible candidates, notably technical progress.

Practical implications

The slump after 2008 has cost savers and taxpayers dear, so better means of predicting cycles so that policy makers can mitigate them is desirable.

Originality/value

The debate about whether property cycles result from exogenous shocks or endogenous causes is in danger of being lost sight of. If the former, then the property industry is a channel through which external factors feed through to the economy, albeit magnified by weak adjustment factors. If there are endogenous causes, then policy makers would be unwise to overlook their potential destabilising impact on the economy.
Underpinning theories: order‐of‐use in information systems research
Authors: Iyamu Tiko
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The paper was intended to demonstrate the use and order of a combined lenses of two theories in IS research. It helps to understand how theories could be adopted in the order of methodological value. The way data are collected, organised and analysed is influenced and shaped by the order of use of the underpinning theories. The importance of the order is to create consistency, predictability, and uniformity of analysis, which have impact on the findings.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of literature, and teaching and supervision experiences were used in the approach.

Findings

The result of a combined use of both ST and ANT in the same study has been less than expected. The application of theories helps exhume findings. This makes the order‐of‐use of application of the theories significant. Some studies applied ST before ANT, and vice versa. There has never been a model or framework which defines the order‐of‐use of the theories. It could be argued that it depend on the nature and objectives of the study. This paper focuses on order‐of‐use of combined theories in information systems studies. No organisation has total power to determine what the choice(s) of an actor will be in a particular situation. Actor and structure by virtue of their interaction recursively produces and reproduces, on the one hand and on another, the actor and structure enable and at the same time there are constraints.

Originality/value

Both theories can be used as a way of thinking and speaking about the phenomena being studied and also, as a “lens” through which the data is viewed and interpreted.
Computational assessment of the blast‐mitigation efficacy of an air‐vacated protective‐buffer concept
Authors: Grujicic M. , Snipes J.S. , Chandrasekharan N. , Ramaswami S.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the blast‐mitigation potential and the protection ability of an air‐vacated buffer placed in front of a target structure under realistic combat‐theatre conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The blast‐mitigation efficacy of the air‐vacated buffer concept is investigated computationally using a combined Eulerian‐Lagrangian (CEL) fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) finite‐element analysis.

Findings

The two main findings resulting from the present work are: the air‐vacated buffer concept yields significant blast‐mitigation effects; and the buffer geometry and vacated‐air material‐state parameters (e.g. pressure, mass density, etc.) may significantly affect the extent of the blast‐mitigation effect.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the present work is a demonstration of the critical importance of timely deployment of the buffer relative to the arrival of the incident wave in order to fully exploit the air‐vacated buffer concept.
Elastic wave propagation and attenuation in a generalized thermoporoelastic model
Authors: Singh Baljeet
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compute the phase velocities and attenuation coefficients of coupled longitudinal waves in a generalized thermoporoelastic model and to observe the effect of porosity, frequency and thermal parameters on the phase velocities and attenuation coefficients on these waves graphically.

Design/methodology/approach

The linear governing equations of a generalized thermoporoelastic model in the context of Lord and Shulman theory of generalized thermoelasticity are solved with the help of plane harmonic solution method to show the existence of one shear and three kinds of coupled longitudinal waves.

Findings

The results obtained show the dependence of phase velocities and attenuation coefficients of coupled longitudinal waves on frequency, porosity, relaxation times and other material parameters.

Originality/value

The problems on coupled heat‐fluid flow in a saturated deformable porous medium are important in various engineering fields, for example, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, pavement engineering and nuclear waste management. A new generalized thermoporoelastic model is formulated to study the wave phenomena and their dependence on various material parameters.
Reflection and transmission at the plane boundary of elastic half‐space and initially stressed thermoelastic diffusion with voids half‐space
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Kumar Rajeev
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study the reflection and transmission of elastic waves at the interface of an elastic half‐space and initially stressed thermoelastic diffusion with voids half‐space.

Design/methodology/approach

Two‐dimensional model has been considered of an isotropic elastic half‐space (Medium I) lying over a homogeneous isotropic generalized initially stressed thermoelastic diffusion with voids half‐space (Medium II). There exist two waves, P‐wave and SV‐wave, in isotropic elastic half‐space and four quasi‐longitudinal waves, namely, quasi‐longitudinal wave (QP‐mode), quasi‐longitudinal mass diffusive wave (QMD‐mode), quasi‐longitudinal thermal wave (QPT‐mode) and quasi‐longitudinal volume fractional wave (QPV‐mode), and one quasi‐transverse wave (QSV‐mode) exists in initially stressed thermoelastic diffusion with voids half‐space.

Findings

The energy ratios of these waves are computed along various directions of incident wave, and it is found that the sum of all energy ratios is exactly unity at each value of incident angle. The amplitude ratios of various waves have been obtained numerically.

Originality/value

Reflection and transmission of an elastic medium is of great practical importance. Since valuable organic and inorganic deposits beneath the earth surface are difficult to detect by drilling randomly, wave propagation is the simplest and most economic technique for these and does not require any drilling through the earth. Almost all the oil companies rely on seismic interpretation for selecting the sites for exploratory oil wells because seismic wave methods have higher accuracy, have higher resolution and are more economical, as compared to drilling which is expansive and time consuming.
The multidisciplinary design optimization method of aero engine fan blade based on the airworthiness compliance and approximation model
Authors: Zeng Haijun , Sun Youchao
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the multidisciplinary design optimization method using approximation model for the aircraft engine fan blade based on the airworthiness compliance such as stress, vibration, and bird impact.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the airworthiness analysis of the typical fan blade was carried out based on the numerical simulation. Secondly, the design of experiment (DOE) was utilized to construct the approximation model of the fan blade. Finally, the airworthiness optimization of fan blade was carried out based on Kriging approximation model.

Findings

The numerical simulation result shows that the analysis method can show the airworthiness compliance in the design stage. And the optimization result shows that structure, bird impact and vibration characteristics improve obviously, satisfying the constraints conditions of optimization.

Originality/value

The multidisciplinary design optimization method of fan blade based on the airworthiness and approximation model is presented and achieved.
Supporting the research process through expanded library data services
Authors: Wang Minglu
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how the authors gained a better understanding of the variety of library users' data needs, and how gradually some new data services were established based on current capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a case study of the new data services at the John Cotton Dana Library, at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark campus, to demonstrate the possible ways to extend data reference services and provide data computing services. A content analysis of services records shows how each user group falls into the multiple data services levels and subcategories.

Findings

Library users can be classified into many different categories, and each of these may have different needs. Research centers might have big projects involving data gathering and applications where a librarian can mainly provide consultation; while an individual faculty member or student might need the librarians as research partners, with help for their specific problems. Computing data services can involve group training and statistical analysis assistance, where researchers need emergent help. Data librarians can take various opportunities for data management education, thereby gradually raising awareness and cultivating better research habits among researchers.

Originality/value

Library data computing services can make unique contributions to faculty and students' research and study. Institution, library and users' interaction determines the levels and extent of data services and is generalized from the description and analysis of typical data service examples. Classic concept of data services levels is applied to a concrete case of data services program, and sub‐categories of each data services level and user types are developed based on the authors' services record.
Integrated access to cultural heritage information pieces in Iran over Imam Reza's 4th Zarih (burial chamber) as a sample
Authors: Farrokhnia Maliheh , Zarei Mitra
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer an example of how ontology, such as CIDOC, can be turned into a format from the perspective of an object. In fact, it illustrates the possible semantic analysis of an object description into a view neutral machine‐interpretable form. The aim is to show that a museum object located in a museum can be described in detail and then related to other information objects located in other memory institutions such as libraries and archives.

Design/methodology/approach

Studying different documents, all the information about Imam Reza's Zarih 4th was derivated. Then the most important were listed and represented in detail, according to CIDOC CRM entities.

Findings

The figures explicitly reveal the existing semantic correlations between the heterogeneous cultural heritage information in various memory institutions, such as Organization of Libraries, Museums and Documents Centre of Astan Quds Razavi.

Originality/value

The authors capture the knowledge from different resources and relate them in a semantic description with the aid of a semantic conceptual model like CIDOC CRM, to show more effective information integration in a cultural institution such as Organization of Libraries, Museums and Documents Centre of Astan Quds Razavi, in order to provide unified access to collection‐level information.