bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly reflective titania nanoparticle‐based coating
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Verma Narendra K. , Singla Madan L.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reflective properties of titania (TiO2) nanoparticle‐based coating.

Design/methodology/approach

TiO2 nanoparticles, synthesised by sol‐gel method, were characterised by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy (UV‐vis). The coating material has been prepared by dispersing titania nanoparticles in an acrylic binder with different pigment to binder weight ratio. The reflectors were prepared by applying this coating material to different coating thicknesses to aluminium sheets.

Findings

In the study reported here, the coating material could produce reflectors with diffuse reflectance, ∼99 per cent, using coating material, having binder by weight ratio between 14 and 20 per cent, and thickness, 0.15 mm. On exposing the developed reflectors to different levels of illumination (upto 20,000 lux), they were still found to have diffuse reflectance of more than 96 per cent almost throughout the visible spectrum.

Practical implications

The fabricated reflectors find applications in commercial optical products, such as: reflective panels, luminaries, etc.

Originality/value

As of today, the reflective coatings used are of conventional type, which employ bulk TiO2 particles. In this study, we are reporting TiO2 nanoparticle‐based highly reflective coating. This is an original work, and, to the best of our knowledge, no one has ever reported on “TiO2 nanoparticle‐based reflective coatings”.
Library Hi Tech and information science
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This article aims to look at the relationship between Library Hi Tech and the academic field of information science.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an opinion piece whose methodology is in part historical review, and in part observation of present and future trends.

Findings

Library‐based information is no longer almost exclusively text. Research libraries in particular are increasingly responsible for numeric data sets in their repositories.

Practical implications

Librarians need to think about information literacy not merely in terms of finding and evaluating traditional publisher data.

Originality/value

This paper reviews the relationship between Library Hi Tech and the academic field of information science, and observes present and future trends.
Keeping students engaged with web‐based polling in the library instruction session
Authors: Hoppenfeld Jared
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This research was performed with the aim of determining the potential benefit(s) of including web‐based polling in the library instruction classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

Over the course of a year, web‐based polling was used in library instruction sessions and the survey results were recorded. Feedback forms were also used to gauge a sense of the students' experiences with this form of active learning.

Findings

This study found that web‐based polling in a library instruction classroom benefits both students and instructors. The students enjoy these sessions and are more attentive than in a typical lecture, which leads to better learning. Instructors are able to learn about the students' uses of technology, research methods, and more with the polling capability.

Research limitations/implications

The research in this study was only done using the free version of Poll Everywhere in management classes. It would be interesting to see if the results would be the same in other business classes as well as non‐business classes. It could also be beneficial to test the functionality of paid accounts as well as seeing how other web sites compare.

Practical implications

This article may assist those deciding between different audience response systems and provide tips to those wishing to implement web‐based polling, and more specifically Poll Everywhere, in their sessions.

Originality/value

Few articles on audience response systems exist solely on web‐based polling and the benefits instructors can reap in addition to their students. This research will be of benefit to any librarian who teaches in the classroom, especially those in academic libraries.
Old wine in new wine skin: marketing library services through SMS‐based alert service
Authors: Paul Anbu K. John , Mavuso Makana R.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Short Message Service (SMS) is an application which is widely used in mobile telephony. SMS messaging through mobile phones is very popular among young and old. This study aims to look at how SMS technology can be very effectively used in library and information services with a glimpse into a pilot project conducted by University of Swaziland and Emerald Group Publishing Limited and the subsequent need for creating a prototype for the SMS‐based library alert services and marketing of library services.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the pilot project conducted by the University of Swaziland and Emerald Group Publishing Limited for a period of two months (March‐April 2009), the findings and the methodology used for the project prompted further research. Data and experience gained during the pilot project is predominantly used in the paper.

Findings

This study finds that the library users can be successfully motivated and engaged to use the resources through SMS messaging and have the potential to market library services. It also finds out that there is a need to have a prototype for essential services for the benefit of the users as well as to market the library resources.

Research limitations/implications

The pilot project was a short project with specific user base. This project was not tested on heterogeneous user base. The prototype model also works on certain assumptions and limitations. At the prototype level different files are suggested and they are handled separately because of which an open ended script method is suggested. Longer SMSs, which cannot be sent by the SMS server, need to be either split up into several messages or stored in the server as a webpage and sent as a hyperlink in SMSs.

Practical implications

To implement the prototype, various steps highlighted in the paper are to be followed and since each action needs to be operated separately, it cannot be claimed as a single click SMS‐based alert service.

Originality/value

This study presents a method for implementing SMS‐based alert service in libraries. With the experience gained in a similar practical environment, an attempt has been made to create a prototype. This may serve as an important milestone in integrating such a service into the future integrated library services (ILS).
Understanding and exploiting idiosyncrasy in the use of ICT devices such as tablets
Authors: Fourie Ina
Published: May 2012

Purpose

When using information communication technology (ICT) devices it is easy to be trapped by purely the purpose of their design, how they are marketed, product reviews and noting, or even copying, the behaviour of the younger, Net Generation. The purpose of this column is to argue for encouraging all to contribute to deepening our understanding of fully exploiting technology. This includes encouraging people who may be less techno‐savvy but with a richer life‐world and life‐experience to share their use of devices such as tablets, and to allow all to benefit from the idiosyncrasy in use that should be aimed at a life‐fit with personality, learning style, preferences, etc., and widening information spaces and information horizons.

Design/methodology/approach

The column is written against the background of research from information behaviour, and the learning sciences (especially andragogics).

Findings

There are many reasons to explore more than the obvious ways in which ICT devices such as tablets can be used, and for encouraging a spectrum of users to share the idiosyncrasies in their use thereof. Library and information (LIS) services should move from merely teaching people information literacy and ICT skills to creating grounds for sharing practices and experiences in using devices such as tablets. The focus should move to exploiting the benefit of exploring idiosyncrasies in ICT use and how to encourage people to reflect their life‐world and life‐experience in their use of ICT devices such as tablets to widen their (and our) information spaces and information horizons.

Originality/value

Although much has been published on ICT in the library and information science literature and more recently in relation to the Net Generation, the author is not aware of publications exploiting idiosyncrasy and the value that can be added by considering the life‐world and life‐experience of people in their choices in using ICT devices such as tablets. This paper sets the background for further reflection.
Complementary effects of relational bonds in information asymmetry contexts
Authors: Nath Prithwiraj , Mukherjee Avinandan
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The marketing literature theorizes the adoption of the relationship marketing paradigm to foster stronger customer relationships. However, empirical evidence is scarce on how consumers' ability to judge the service influences such relational exchange. This paper aims to examine how information asymmetry influences a service firm's initiative to build customer relationships. The relationship marketing literature proposes conceptually that relational bonds and their interaction influence relationship outcomes. However, there is no empirical study to verify such an interactive effect. This study aims to provide empirical evidence on how interaction effects between relational bonds can act as buffers in developing customer relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first stage, this study classifies financial services offered by retail banks into search, experience, and credence (SEC) categories. In the second stage, this paper uses survey data from 452 UK retail bank customers to understand the effect of relational bonds on consumer future intentions in information asymmetry context using hierarchical regressions.

Findings

The results show that relational bonds have differential impacts on firms' initiative to develop consumer relationship, and information asymmetry moderates this relationship. A positive synergistic association is present between relational bonds that strengthen their effectiveness in influencing relationships.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to demonstrate the moderation role of information asymmetry on relational bonds→relationship quality→relationship outcome framework. The findings provide directions to managers on how to have a balanced approach in their relationship building efforts.
Customer creation of service products: role of frustration in customer evaluations
Authors: Guchait Priyanko , Namasivayam Karthik
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The paper models psychological processes in consumers' evaluation of an exchange and proposes frustration as a mediating mechanism explaining the relationship between consumers' perceptions of control, fairness, and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in an experimental setting using video scenarios. Hypotheses were tested using repeated‐measures MANOVA and ANCOVA.

Findings

The results support hypotheses predicting that frustration mediates the influence of fairness on satisfaction and supporting a control‐fairness‐frustration‐satisfaction linkage.

Research implications/limitations

This paper extends research in the area of consumers' cognitive and affective service evaluation processes and suggests future theoretical and methodological research directions. Although sample is representative of the population, no claims are made to generalize the findings of the study to a broader population.

Practical implications

Service industry managers should analyze their consumer interaction processes and evaluate whether consumers feel they are in control, or alternatively are being treated fairly, to reduce consumer frustration and dissatisfaction.

Originality/value

Considering consumers as actual creators of service product this study emphasizes the consumer's role in a service product focusing research and managerial attention on the cognitive and affective processes consumer adopt while producing and consuming their desired service.
International lessons on austerity strategy
Authors: Gordon Murray J. , Erridge Andrew , Rimmer Neil
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to report lessons learnt from six countries in addressing financial crises; what they have done and the impact. It is intended that these lessons are constructive in shaping responses to the current and future financial crises.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple, mini case study approach is taken which makes use of social media.

Findings

The findings suggest that the strategy being pursued within the UK for addressing the financial crisis is generally untested and therefore high‐risk. The evidence cautions that local recovery can be expected to be significantly longer than one political cycle, that social impacts will be greater than expected, and there is over‐optimism in some of the strategic tools being adopted in the UK's deficit recovery.

Research limitations/implications

Those participating, while in senior roles, were being asked to answer big questions, and although there is no reason to believe they were not answering truthfully, there are limits to what they could have reasonably been expected to know.

Practical implications

The research provides lessons for local government on how their international peers have responded to the financial crises. The intention is these international lessons will help central and local government shape timely, effective and appropriate responses, while minimising costly mistakes. It is also hoped the lessons will serve as a “reality check” for policy makers.

Social implications

The research also suggests there is a high risk that existing policy may be ambitious and have unintended adverse social implications.

Originality/value

The research approach is innovative in its use of social media. The research probes the impact on councils of financial crises at a local level and reports unintended consequences which might not otherwise have been identified. Lessons from other countries' responses may also be of benefit in developing future responses.
Does patient‐centred care mean risk aversion and risk ignoring?
Authors: Andersson Thomas , Liff Roy
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This article aims to describe and analyze the results of efforts to improve patient‐centered care (PCC) in psychiatric healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the methodology of a qualitative case study, the authors studied three Swedish child and adolescent psychiatric care (CAP) units in order to describe how patient‐centered actions are performed. They conducted 62 interviews, made 11 half‐day observations, and shadowed employees for two days.

Findings

The article shows that the increased focus on accountability for unit performance and medical risks results in unintended consequences. The patient's medical risk is transformed to a personal risk for the psychiatrist and the resource risk is transformed to a personal risk for the unit manager. Patients become risk objects for both psychiatrists and unit managers, which creates an alignment between them to try to send patients elsewhere. New public management (NPM) reforms may consequently lead to the institutionalization of unintended healthcare practices.

Practical implications

The article shows that accountability pressure to reduce patient risk may create new risks for patients.

Originality/value

The study uses theoretical concepts of risk tradeoffs (risk substitution and risk transformation), which were developed for the macro level, to explain the unintended consequences of NPM reforms at the micro level.
Failed culture change aimed at more service provision: a test of three agentic factors
Authors: Yolanda Jorritsma Petra , Wilderom Celeste
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Headquarters managers of a medium‐sized manufacturing company initiated a culture change in five of their dispersed wholesale units. The aim was for more external service quality. This paper aims to report the results of a test of three hypotheses, shedding light on the behavior of the involved agents. The hypotheses are rooted in the change management literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study rests both on quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews) field data collected in two discrete phases over 3.5 years and obtained from the operational employees. The authors use their quantitative survey data to examine agentic explanations for the failed change; their qualitative data corroborated the findings.

Findings

No culture change or service improvement was detected. Despite the fact that local change agents were not the initiators or owners of the intended change, employee satisfaction with the local change agents (situated in the service units) was found to explain variance in the culture and climate scores. The results underscore, furthermore, the critical importance of training employees, or lack thereof, in instituting the required new behavior.

Originality/value

Most change‐management research collects data from the managers' point of view. There are relatively few studies like this one that have been conducted from the perspective of those employees working in frontline service units. Meeting the challenge to improve external and internal service through culture change is crucial in many firms, for their survival and growth; accomplishing such organisational change (in which both culture and climate are positively affected) does indeed require experienced change‐management skills. Results of this study recommend the honing of the change‐management skill “coaching” for experienced managers, even though they themselves may not feel such a need.
Existentialism and organizational behaviour
Authors: Blomme Robert J. , Bornebroek‐Te Lintelo Kirsten
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This article aims to develop a conception consisting of insights from complexity theory and additional notions from Weick's sense‐making theory and existentialism for examining organization behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper carries out a literature review of Karl Weick's theory of sense‐making and some notions from existentialism to discuss the possible contributions to complexity theory and with this a further comprehension of organizational behaviour.

Findings

Four existential conditions, namely death, freedom, existentialism and meaninglessness, give a further comprehension of Weick's concept of equivocality. Equivocality is an important input for organizing processes. The complexity of organizing processes is an object for examining organizational behaviour from a complexity scientific standpoint. The authors argue that the concept of equivocality and with this the states of equilibrium in an organization can be approached with examining the states of the mentioned four existential conditions.

Practical implications

An important point of application for change managers in an organization is equivocality. The increase of equivocality will lead to a shift in the state of equilibrium in which new themes will emerge and corresponding organisational behaviour. The level of equivocality is due to the presence of existential fears. Hence, change managers should focus on existential themes and anxieties in an organization to advance emergent change.

Originality/value

New in this paper is the usage of notions from existentialism to elaborate Weick's conception of sense‐making. Also this paper discusses the possible contribution of this elaboration to research of organisational behaviour from the perspective of complexity theory.
Offshore outsourcing of IT services as new service development
Authors: Gul Rashid Amber
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper is based on a portion of the research undertaken as part of the author's doctorate study and aims to look at change and its management in the context of the offshore outsourcing of IT services.

Design/methodology/approach

Two longitudinal case studies were conducted in a large multinational. The study looks at the scenario mainly from the viewpoint of the onshore IT front‐line staff; some high level managers were also included. Offshore staff did not form part of the research.

Findings

Change and its management form an important aspect of the process of offshore outsourcing of IT services; observing this aspect from the new service development point of view gives an in‐depth picture of the issues involved. A pictorial representation of this process has been presented in this research.

Originality/value

This paper looks at change and its management from the perspective of the offshore outsourcing of IT services in terms of new service development – previous studies have not focused on this area in this context.
How logistics‐service providers can develop value‐added services for SMEs: a dyadic perspective
Authors: Soinio Juho , Tanskanen Kari , Finne Max
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This work aims to combine the perspectives of logistics‐service providers (LSPs) and small and medium‐sized enterprises (SME) in the development of value‐added logistics services. The purpose was to create a theory‐based and initially tested framework that could help both service providers and SMEs identify new opportunities for developing their logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

The research followed design‐science methodology and was carried out via semi‐structured interviews within the case company (a large Finnish LSP), its customers, and experts from the area of logistics services. Data on companies offering value‐added logistics services were also used in the research. The focus of the research was on advanced value‐added logistics services.

Findings

The paper presents a framework for categorizing logistics services for SMEs and proposes new logistics‐service models for SME customers. Altogether, three service models are proposed to bridge the gap between LSP and SME customers. In particular, the consulting‐oriented approach seemed to be appropriate for the SMEs. The other two models, 3PL with planning and Outsourced Chief Logistics Officer, require more effort from both parties.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents a theoretical framework for categorizing logistics services and discusses the strategic options for an LSP to expand its service portfolio. However, further empirical research related to logistics‐service design is needed to develop the framework further and to improve its external validity.

Practical implications

This work offers insights that support LSPs to develop their service offerings to better match the needs of SMEs, and also allow managers of SMEs to better utilize the available LSP competence and services.

Originality/value

The existing research in the area of value‐added logistics services has mainly focused on either the customer perspective or the service‐provider perspective. The dyad combining these perspectives has been largely neglected. Furthermore, studies in this area have been on large enterprises as opposed to SMEs. This work fills this gap by designing value‐added logistics‐service models that combine SME needs with LSP capabilities.
Logistics evolution: a comparison of military and commercial logistics thought
Authors: Rutner Stephen M. , Aviles Maria , Cox Scott
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to look at the relative position of thought leadership between the areas of military and civilian logisticians.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a theoretical framework in an exploratory study using the literature to evaluate the constraints on the military side of logistics thought.

Findings

The discussion identifies challenges that may preclude military logistics thought from becoming the leaders for the foreseeable future.

Originality/value

The paper provides an examination of the changing role between military and civilian logistics that has not been carefully examined since just after the Gulf War in 1991.
The future of management as design: a thought experiment
Authors: Bouchard Véronique , del Forno Léon
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Management practices and education are presently in a stage of reappraisal and a growing number of scholars and experts are suggesting that managers should be taught and adopt the approach and methodologies of designers. The purpose of this paper is to imagine the impact of this move and to try and foresee whether “management as design” is an inescapable evolution or just another management fad.

Design/methodology/approach

Once the notion of management as design is defined, a thought experiment is proposed to the reader under the guise of a forged business case whose various implications are progressively exposed and discussed.

Findings

The adoption of a design approach holds profound transformative potential for the positioning, offer, value chain and processes of firms but it also implies a substantial re‐arranging of the relations between co‐workers, and between managers and subordinates. Beyond the initial shock that the introduction of a radically different approach inevitably entails, management as design is exposed to three perils: the reduction of design approaches and methods to a mere set of tools in the hands of self‐appointed experts; the rejection of its open‐ended and inclusive methods on account of their lengthy and time‐consuming nature; the inherently hard‐to‐manage relations between traditional managers, on the one hand, and managers as designers, on the other.

Originality/value

The article uses the power of a fictional narrative to explore and draw some of the firm‐level and individual‐level implications of the adoption of “management as design” approaches and methodologies by a hypothetical company.
Organizational design drivers to enable emergent creativity in web‐based communities
Authors: De Toni Alberto F. , Biotto Gianluca , Battistella Cinzia
Published: May 2012

Purpose

In the stream of works studying complexity from an organizational viewpoint, literature is focused mainly on describing new organizational forms (holonic organization, circular organization, virtual corporation, …) and on conceptual works identifying new managerial principles to manage emergence (job enrichment, de‐regulation, …). But literature still lacks “actionable knowledge” on management of emergent processes. Therefore, the authors seek to propose an empirical analysis with the aim of finding the organizational design drivers that enable self‐organization. As creativity could be understood as an important precondition for both adaptation and innovation in an age of complexity, the authors focus on creativity emergence process.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a framework of self‐organization principles. The authors derived it from the literature and used it to empirically analyse open innovation web‐based platforms for creativity. They are deemed particularly important because their open and collaborative innovation process is often self‐organized and their collaboration relationships seem to be loosely coupled. Therefore, they are a good ground to investigate the alternatives to managerial hierarchy and the knowledge‐based organizations associated with emergence and self‐organization.

Findings

The results highlight important organizational design choices to enable self‐organization process: organic structure composed by activity systems to enable reconfiguration; roles enlargement and enrichment and cognitive diversity to enable redundancy; collaboration and participatory decision‐making and social capital and networking to enable interconnection; values adaptation, motivations and rules to enable sharing principle.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the empirical knowledge on emergence process, translating the principles of self‐organization in managerial actions.
Gender differences in brand commitment, impulse buying, and hedonic consumption
Authors: Tifferet Sigal , Herstein Ram
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Gender is one of the most common forms of segmentation used by marketers. However, not enough data on gender differences has been collected in the field of consumer behavior. Based on tenets from evolutionary psychology, the purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that in comparison to men, women will report higher levels of brand commitment, hedonic consumption, and impulse buying.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 257 students (153 males and 104 females; M age=29.9, SD=6.7) completed questionnaires.

Findings

As hypothesized, women had higher levels of brand commitment (t(254)=2.32, p < 0.05, Cohen's d=0.31), hedonic consumption (t(254)=4.19, p < 0.01, Cohen's d=0.53), and impulse buying in comparison to men.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted on shopping in general, while gender differences may be product‐dependent.

Practical implications

Since women have higher levels of brand commitment than men, retailers should promote high quality brands for their female customers. Since women have higher levels of impulse buying in comparison to men, and since impulse buying is triggered by sensual cues, retailers can accentuate sensory cues in stores whose products tend to appeal to women. For example, sale assistants might encourage women to touch products, so they can experience the product tactilely as well as visually. On‐site ads and pop displays should have a stronger impact in women's departments, due to increased impulse buying.

Originality/value

Gender differences in consumer behavior, though recognized as an important topic, have attracted only limited research attention. This paper helps fill that gap while incorporating an evolutionary viewpoint, which is emerging as a valuable theoretical perspective in the field of marketing.
Comparison approach on strain behavior of PBGA assembly by considering different thermal‐mechanical compound loading modes
Authors: Tan Guangbin , Yang Ping , Li Tianbo , Xi Tao , Yuan Xiaoming , Yang Jianming
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic method to perform analysis and test for vibration‐thermal strain behavior of plastic ball grid array (PBGA) assembly by considering thermal and vibration loading mode. Also to investigate the dynamic behavior of PBGA assembly by considering loading modes for design and reliability evaluation of PBGA packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

A PBGA assembly prototype with different structure and material parameters is designed and manufactured. Based on investigation of the structural and physical parameters of PBGA sample, the vibration‐thermal strain test is developed to measure the strain distribution at the surface of the BT (bismaleimide triazine) substrates and PCB (printed circuit board) surface under vibration‐thermal cycling loading such as random vibration and the temperature is changed from 0°C to 100°C.

Findings

The test results show that the loading modes have different impact on PCB, EMC and substrate, respectively. In the meantime, it is shown that the characteristics of the compound mode is not the linear accumulative result by single vibration mode and single thermal loading mode as forecasted. The nonlinear mechanism for these modes application is the future work for progress.

Research limitations/implications

It is very difficult to set up a numerical approach to illustrate the validity of the testing approach because the complex loading modes and the complex structure of PBGA assembly. The research on an accurate mathematical model of the PBGA assembly prototype is a future work.

Practical implications

It implies a potential design characteristic for future application of PBGA assembly. It also builds a basis for future work for design and reliability evaluation of BGA package.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils useful information about the thermal‐vibration coupling dynamic behavior of PBGA assembly with different structure characteristics, materials parameters.
Fabrication of porous ZnO thin films using wet chemical etching with 0.5% HNO3
Authors: Chai Im Ang , Lu Tze Jian Leonard , Poh Kok Ooi , Yaakob Suriani , Chin Guan Ching , Sha Shiong Ng , Hassan Zainuriah , Abu Hassan Haslan , Johar Abdullah Mat
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize porous zinc oxide (ZnO) by means of strain etching/wet chemical etching method with the use of 0.5% of nitric acid (HNO3) etchant. The structural and surface morphological properties of the samples are accessed by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

ZnO samples used in this work were deposited on the p‐Si (111) substrates by using radio frequency (RF) sputtering technique. Wet chemical etching processes with the use of 0.5% HNO3 etchant was applied on these samples in order to obtain porous structure. The porous ZnO samples are characterized by means of XRD and SEM to access their structural and surface morphological properties.

Findings

The XRD and SEM cross‐sectional measurements revealed that the thickness of the etched ZnO thin films is proportional to the etching time. SEM micrographs show that the surface morphology of ZnO changes over etching time. On the other hand, XRD results indicate that the crystallite sizes of the ZnO(002) decreases when the etching time increases.

Originality/value

The paper shows how porous ZnO thin films have been successfully synthesized by using simple wet chemical etching. SEM images reveal that this method is reliable when producing porous structure ZnO surfaces.
Effective delays in portfolio disclosure
Authors: Hee Choi Seung , Chhabria Maneesh
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The timeliness of portfolio holdings information disclosure has been of interest among regulators, academics and practitioners since the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Securities Exchange Commission has been trying to strike a balance between investors' interest in timely disclosure and the potential costs associated with revealing the strategies of investment managers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether current rules regarding the delay in disclosure adequately protect investors, and prevent the formation of copycat portfolios that can profit from the research of the original portfolio manager.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examine the effectiveness of different delays (30, 60 or 90 days) in disclosure of holdings for a sample of large‐cap, actively‐managed mutual funds. Copycat portfolios are constructed based on the holdings of the original portfolios, and their returns compared against the returns (net of expenses) of the original portfolios over the corresponding time frames.

Findings

The results indicate that the current delay of 60 days is sufficient to prevent such free‐riding; however, shortening the delay to 30 days would adversely affect mutual fund investors.

Originality/value

The paper aims to provide an answer to those debates on the effective delays in portfolio disclosure among academics and practitioners based on quantitative evidence. It also contributes to leave a guideline for regulators since the patterns of over‐ or under‐performance of the original portfolio returns vis‐à‐vis the copycat portfolio returns over varying delays provide important insights about possible effects of changes in disclosure regulations.
Challenges to professional identities and emotional exhaustion
Authors: Haines Victor Y. , Saba Tania
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This study seeks to examine the identity‐relevant stress proposition according to which events occurring in highly‐salient identity domains have a greater impact on psychological well‐being than events occurring in less salient identity domains. The aim of the study is to integrate identity theory into occupational stress research by investigating the proposition that the lack of verification of a salient role identity will be associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire methodology, data were obtained from full‐time, permanent, human resource professionals from multiple organizations.

Findings

As predicted, the lack of verification that occurs when an employer denies a professional the opportunity to engage in the responsibilities associated with a salient role was associated with more emotional exhaustion. Moreover, in a way consistent with identity theory, both role prestige and affective commitment to the profession moderated this relationship, providing additional support for the identity‐relevant stress proposition.

Originality/value

Identity theory offers a valuable perspective for work stress research, one that appears to be especially applicable to highly professionalized occupations.
Intention to unretire
Authors: Schlosser Francine , Zinni Deborah , Armstrong‐Stassen Marjorie
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify antecedents of intentions to unretire among a group of retirees that included both those who had not returned to the workforce since their retirement and those who had previously unretired.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐sectional survey collected data from 460 recent retirees between the ages of 50 and 70.

Findings

Results of hierarchical regression indicated that retirees are more likely to remain retired if they feel financially secure and have a positive retirement experience. Conversely, they are more likely to intend to return to the workforce if they experience financial worries, wish to upgrade their skills or miss aspects of their former jobs.

Practical implications

Aging boomers who anticipate early retirement have created a dwindling labor pool. Simultaneously, the global pension crisis has impacted on the financial decisions of retirees. A trend to abolish mandatory retirement and/or increase mandatory age in various countries provides individuals with more freedom in their retirement decisions. Accordingly, managers must be creative in their HR planning strategies to retain or recruit skilled retirees.

Originality/value

Previous research has addressed retirement as a final stage, however, given simultaneous global demographic changes and economic concerns, this study provides new knowledge regarding the factors that push and pull retirees to participate in the labor market.
Psychologically informed environments and the “Enabling Environments” initiative
Authors: Haigh Rex , Harrison Tom , Johnson Robin , Paget Sarah , Williams Susan
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the origins of the concept of a psychologically informed environment (PIE), as now adopted and applied in homelessness resettlement, placing this in the context of work recently carried out under the aegis of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Centre for Quality Improvement to recognise and promote “enabling environments” in all areas of social practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper gives an historical account of the contemporary development of new thinking and practical applications for enhancing community mental health and well‐being.

Findings

The concept of an enabling environment (EE) arose out of efforts to up‐date for the twenty‐first century the post‐war concept of a therapeutic community, for all services working with the same basic core values and psycho‐social awareness. The EE approach now applies this framework more flexibly, yet with a clear operational focus in each sector, to a wider range of organisational contexts, social practice and agencies outside the therapy and care services world. From the outset, homelessness resettlement and social housing practice was seen as a key part of the overall ambition.

Practical implications

Understanding the values base behind social‐psychological approaches in social practice environments helps to translate these ideas into service‐led improvements in actual frontline services practice. In particular, the enabling environments approach offers a handy tool for self‐assessment and service improvement, which is fully compatible with the PIE's philosophy.

Originality/value

The concept of a PIE is currently acquiring momentum within homelessness resettlement work in the UK. In helping to establish the underlying values framework for psychologically‐informed services; and also provide tools for such services to use, this paper makes a contribution to help inform developing practice.
Risk management practices of conventional and Islamic banks in Bahrain
Authors: Abu Hussain Hameeda , Al‐Ajmi Jasim
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report empirical evidence regarding the risk management practices of banks operating in Bahrain.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of bankers was surveyed through a questionnaire and the results used to examine if the risk management practices are significantly associated with the type of bank (conventional or Islamic) and if those practices are positively affected by understanding risk, risk management, risk identification, risk assessment analysis, risk monitoring and credit risk analysis. Several statistical and econometric methods were used to the test the hypotheses.

Findings

Banks in Bahrain are found to have a clear understanding of risk and risk management, and have efficient risk identification, risk assessment analysis, risk monitoring, credit risk analysis and risk management practices. In addition, credit, liquidity and operational risk are found to be the most important risks facing both conventional and Islamic banks. Furthermore, the risk management practices are determined by the extent to which managers understand risk and risk management, efficient risk identification, risk assessment analysis, risk monitoring and credit risk analysis. Islamic banks are found to be significantly different from their conventional counterparts in understanding risk and risk management. The levels of risks faced by Islamic banks are found to be significantly higher than those faced by conventional banks. Similarly, country, liquidity, and operational, residual, and settlement risks are found to be higher in Islamic banks than in conventional banks.

Research limitations/implications

The results may have been influenced by the current economic global crisis. Although the response rate is very high, there is no evidence of non‐response bias, and there is high internal consistency within the responses. The reliance on survey methodology introduces the possibility that respondents expressed their beliefs and did not necessarily describe their actions.

Practical implications

Bankers, depositors, investors and regulators are likely to benefit from the results of the study when taking decisions related to the banking industry.

Originality/value

This is the first published attempt to investigate empirically the risk management practices of banks operating in Bahrain and to compare the practices of conventional and Islamic banks.
The life security system for Chinese families in compliance with the family planning policy
Authors: Wang Guojun , Su Xing
Published: May 2012

Purpose

During the early 1970s, faced with the serious demographic situation, China began to fully implement the policy of family planning in urban and rural regions. Nowadays, the problems of pension and medical care for aged parents confronted by the first generation of the one‐child family have begun to gradually appear. Meanwhile, China's population and the family planning are also faced with some problems that are difficult to solve, including unbalanced fertility rate of urban and rural population, the gender imbalance, the difficulty of the risk diversification in a one‐child family, as well as the profound contradiction between the stability of the family planning policy and the drive of administrative measures. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the integrated‐scheduled life security system of the one‐child family in urban and rural areas, in order to overcome the problems and to promote the transformation of the family planning policy. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the life security system for China's one‐child families.

Design/methodology/approach

The life security system for the one‐child family proposed by this paper consists of three issues: the basic security based on the level of social security, the additional security of the policy insurance and the supplementary security of the commercial insurance. The paper begins with the history of the family planning policy in the first section and then go through some relevant articles regarding complementary measures such as maternity insurance, rural endowment insurance that only focused on one aspect of issues associated with the family planning. In section three, four typical problems are listed for the purpose of following discussion of corresponding solutions which are full of deficiency in section four. In part five, the integrated planning of the life security system for Chinese one‐child family is elaborated with risk and fund management. In the last part, we conclude that the family planning policy maintains stable, whereas measures to be taken are adjusted along with changeable new problems.

Findings

The policy insurance plays an increasingly important role in dealing with the life security of older people in one‐child families. It may be better to promote the kind of insurance.

Originality/value

The paper comprehensively discusses the life security system for Chinese families in compliance with the family planning policy.
‘Just Because I Like it Doesn't Mean it has to Work’: Personal Experiences of an Antenatal Psychosocial Intervention Designed to Prevent Postnatal Depression
Authors: Wheatley Sandra , Brugha T.
Published: May 2012

The antenatal psychosocial intervention to prevent postnatal depression, Preparing for Parenthood, was evaluated in an additional qualitative study of the participants' experience of the classes. This was to complement the findings of the core study with respect to the intervention's immediate impact on their emotional well‐being. All the women interviewed who attended the intervention considered it a positive experience. However, initial indications are that the intervention did not decrease, overall, the likelihood of a woman's developing postnatal depression. The distinction between developing a ‘pleasant’ and an ‘effective’ health promotion intervention requires careful negotiation and longer‐term assessment.
Social Integration and Mental Health Promotion
Authors: Dalgard Odd
Published: May 2012

Mental health promotion initiatives may be targeted towards different social units, such as a local community or a neighbourhood. It is then of crucial importance to identify those stressors which adversely impinge on mental health if we are to develop effective promotion/prevention programmes.
Mental Health Promotion Theory and Practice: Insights from a Literature Review
Authors: Mauthner Natasha , Killoran‐Ross Michael , Brown Jane
Published: May 2012

This article reports on a literature review of interventions specifically identified as emanating from a mental health promotion (as opposed to prevention) paradigm. A number of recurring debates in the field were identified, including language and terminology, defining ‘mental health’, models of mental health promotion, the use of overgeneralised concepts, values, beliefs and assumptions implicit in mental health promotion interventions, and diversity in what gets called mental health promotion and who does mental health promotion. The paper concludes by highlighting key issues critical to the future development of mental health promotion: the implications of mental health promotion being at an embryonic stage of development, the need for greater reflexivity, the need for integration, and issues concerning professional identity and practice in the mental health promotion field.