bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of Internet trading on the UK antiquarian and second‐hand bookselling industry
Authors: Whewell Jane A. , Souitaris Vangelis
Published: November 2002

This paper investigates the impact of the Internet upon the UK second‐hand and antiquarian book trade. Questionnaires were sent to all 681 UK members of the industry’s largest and most prominent association (PBFA) and 355 responses were received. To ensure depth as well as breadth of knowledge, in‐depth interviews were also conducted with ten companies. The results showed that, overall, e‐commerce presents an opportunity rather than a threat to this traditional retailing sector. Pre‐existing database management and distribution skills made the industry well suited to Internet trading. The number of companies trading on‐line was five times greater than the UK industry average and the booksellers were highly satisfied with the results. Not only did 90 per cent of survey respondents with Web sites consider that their aims in setting them up had been met in whole or in part, but 20 per cent of respondents derived more than 30 per cent of their sales from Internet trading. Moreover, 68 per cent of on‐line respondents stated that in their opinion their Web sites had resulted in overall business profits increasing. Predicted threats posed by the Internet such as reduced prices and margins, causing offence to existing customers and distribution system difficulties presented risks but could not outweigh the benefits of Internet trading.
A model for Web‐based information systems in e‐retailing
Authors: Wang Fang , Head Milena M.
Published: November 2002

Successful Web‐based information systems (WIS) are critical for electronic retailers to attract and retain consumers and deliver business functions and strategy. However, the design and development of a WIS may include many business, technology and user challenges. Understanding and fulfilling the critical requirements of these challenges will determine the success of a WIS commercial application. In this paper, we present an abstract model for WIS design in e‐retailing. Unlike previous WIS research, this model offers an integrated and overall view, where four interconnected layers are investigated: business determinants; WIS; business interface; and users/customers. Through our discussion of this model, we provide researchers with a better understanding of WIS issues requiring further investigation, and provide practitioners with a foundation to understand WIS requirements and features for success.
Trust and relationship building in electronic commerce
Authors: Papadopoulou Panagiota , Andreou Andreas , Kanellis Panagiotis , Martakos Drakoulis
Published: November 2002

In e‐commerce, trust becomes an essential prerequisite for customer relationship building. Drawn from established theoretical work on trust and relationship marketing, a model is proposed aiming to help in highlighting the differences between traditional and e‐commerce and to facilitate thinking as to how trust can be built in virtual environments. Conceptualized in the context of an electronic servicescape, the model helps to demonstrate how agent and virtual reality technologies can facilitate the expressiveness required for the formation of trust through iterative interaction with promises being made, enabled and fulfilled.
A pan‐European survey leading to the development of WITS
Authors: Mullins Roisin , Duan Yanqing , Hamblin David
Published: November 2002

Interviews, questionnaires and focus groups were conducted to determine the training needs of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in relation to the Internet, e‐commerce and electronic data interchange (EDI) in the UK, Poland, Slovak Republic, Germany and Portugal. The main findings indicated that there is a lack of skills and knowledge regarding use and implementation of these information and communication technologies (ICTs), and managers require training in both the business and technical issues associated with these ICTs. As a result of these studies, a Web‐based intelligent training system (WITS) has been developed. The aim of the system is to provide awareness in how to implement the Internet, e‐commerce and EDI into business processes. The WITS system aims to address the needs of SMEs by providing computer‐assisted instruction on the main elements identified for e‐commerce success. This paper describes the rationale for the structure of the WITS system, the means by which the content was classified into modules in the training system, the level of information provided, and the type of interface guidelines used to improve usability of the system.
Mobile Internet revenues: an empirical study of the I‐mode portal
Authors: Jonason Andreas , Eliasson Gunnar
Published: November 2002

Third‐generation mobile networks will be characterized by the convergence of the wireless, the fixed Internet and the media industries. Expectations on agents’ ability to generate revenues (and profits) within this technological intersection are high and will be further geared up by the future broadband capacity. Previous experience from the fixed side points to problems for content providers to charge for their products. The easy reproducibility of content has often forced its providers to offer it free of charge. It has therefore generated little revenue. The question, however, is whether this pricing problem will continue on the wireless side with the introduction of mobile Internet. This paper examines the revenues of I‐mode for an answer and uses the theory of the experimentally organized economy and innovative pricing to arrive at an answer. The conclusions are supported by 650 interviews, 450 of which are I‐mode users and 200 potential users of the service.
An analytical framework for evaluating e‐commerce business models and strategies
Authors: Lee Chung‐Shing
Published: November 2002

Electronic commerce or business is more than just another way to sustain or enhance existing business practices. Rather, e‐commerce is a paradigm shift. It is a “disruptive” innovation that is radically changing the traditional way of doing business. The industry is moving so fast because it operates under totally different principles and work rules in the digital economy. A general rule in e‐commerce is that there is no simple prescription and almost no such thing as an established business or revenue model for companies even within the same industry. Under such conditions, an analytical framework is needed to assist e‐commerce planners and strategic managers in assessing the critical success factors when formulating e‐commerce business models and strategies. This research develops an analytical framework based on the theories of transaction costs and switching costs. Both demand‐side and supply‐side economies of scale and scope are also applied to the development of this framework. In addition, e‐commerce revenue models and strategies are also discussed. Based on the analytical framework developed by this research, this paper discusses the five essential steps for e‐commerce success. They are: redefine the competitive advantage; rethink business strategy; re‐examine traditional business and revenue models, re‐engineer the corporation and Web site; and re‐invent customer service. E‐commerce planners and strategic managers will be able to use the framework to analyze and evaluate the critical successful factors for e‐commerce success.
Exploring the application of mission statements on the World Wide Web
Authors: Bart Christopher K.
Published: November 2002

Mission statements are considered to be one of the most popular management tools in the world – and also one of the most frustrating. To secure their success, it has been recommended that mission statements be communicated and disseminated to as many internal and external stakeholders as possible. One means for doing this is through the Internet and the posting of an organization’s mission statement on its company Web site. But who is doing this? What types of organizations are using the World Wide Web to advertise their missions? Where is a mission statement typically located in a corporate Web site? And what are some of the motivations that an organization has for posting or not posting its mission? These are questions which have not yet been addressed by previous research and which this preliminary study sought to answer.
Maslow revisited: building the employee commitment pyramid
Authors: Stum David L.
Published: November 2002

Evolutions and revolutions in technology, globalization, business consolidation, and marketplace fragmentation have fundamentally changed the nature of organizations. Simultaneously, a workforce has emerged that is more educated, mobile, diverse, and discerning in work and life choices than ever before. Whatever was left of the old social contract between employer and employee has become a casualty of the race from an industrial society to the information age. The author reports an ongoing body of research called the @Work studies, which seeks to describe the dynamics of the new “commitment contract” that will forge the employer/employee relationship into the twenty‐first century, how much commitment employees will be willing to give to their organizations, and what organizations must do to win that commitment.
Do you have what it takes to be an e‐manager?
Authors: Harris Jeanne G. , De Long David W. , Donnellon Anne
Published: November 2002

What does it take for an executive to manage effectively in the new economy? While the explosion of Internet‐centered business has produced an unrelenting focus on e‐commerce strategies, new business models, and processes, surprisingly little attention has been paid to how e‐business is changing the competencies needed to manage effectively in this new business environment. The authors describe the findings of research by the Accenture Institute for Strategic Change to discover the unique competencies that managers need to excel in the new economy. While some management competencies have changed little, research shows that e‐managers need to develop new or stronger competencies in six key areas: fast decision making; partnering; knowing the technology; staying focused in spite of information overload; making sense of the future; and attracting and retaining talent.
Intellectual capital analysis as a strategic tool
Authors: Roos Göran , Bainbridge Alan , Jacobsen Kristine
Published: November 2002

The intellectual capital literature has concentrated on issues of defining, measuring, and reporting intellectual capital. The underlying thesis is that as the economy becomes more reliant on intellectual assets management and measurement processes need to focus more on these types of assets to redress an overemphasis on monetary and physical assets. This article discusses intellectual capital concepts as a mechanism for strategic analysis and facilitator of the strategy‐formulation process. It briefly considers the nature of strategy, two major strands of strategic thinking, the external view and the resource‐based view, and the advantages of the intellectual capital approach. The authors argue that the intellectual capital approach has a number of advantages leading to more effective implementation and strategic performance measurement.
Market manipulation: a necessary strategy in the company turnaround process?
Authors: Harker Michael
Published: November 2002

Reports on a study into the company turnaround process in the Australian heavy engineering industry. Provides insights into the company regeneration phenomenon with particular emphasis on the marketing approaches taken by turnaround companies. The methodology employed in the study is qualitative in nature, which is appropriate in terms of the aims of the research, and the number of companies actively engaged in turnaround at any one time. Successfully turned around firms appear to engage in a process of “market manipulation”, as they fight to survive, give new meaning to their world, and develop their destiny in a very competitive marketplace.
Using qualitative research to refine service quality models
Authors: Burton Jamie , Easingwood Christopher , Murphy John
Published: November 2002

Describes a qualitative research project involving a “narrowing” research process. The first stage involved initial, highly exploratory qualitative work. The findings led to a second stage that involved a review of relevant literature and secondary sources of data, followed by more focussed, focus group research into the issues uncovered. The problem investigated was how to measure customers’ evaluations of quality for an industry in which the service/product offering is dominated by the tangible product. The initial fear was that traditional process‐oriented measurement models for customer perceptions of quality, might not offer full and comprehensive measurement of all the antecedents of customer quality evaluations and their subsequent satisfaction with, and attitude towards, product‐dominated service providers. In attempting to answer the research question, the qualitative work undertaken suggests that consumers’ evaluations of quality will depend on product quality, process quality and additional external factor quality based on evaluations of image.
Building trust and collaboration in a virtual team
Authors: Holton Judith A.
Published: November 2002

Organizations are increasing their reliance on virtual relationships in structuring operations for a global environment. Like all teams, virtual teams require a solid foundation of mutual trust and collaboration, if they are to function effectively. Identifying and applying appropriate team building strategies for a virtual environment will not only enhance organizational effectiveness but will also impact positively on the quality of working life for virtual team members.
Alternative uses of electronic learning systems for enhancing team performance
Authors: Alstete Jeffrey W.
Published: November 2002

Web‐based education and training programs are becoming widely offered at education institutions and companies today. The new electronic learning, or e‐learning, systems employed by these programs may also be used by work teams at organizations for facilitating creative energy in a virtual context to increase team performance. Various features such as discussion boards, virtual classrooms, digital drop boxes, task lists, calendars, and other features of the e‐learning systems can help teams work and communicate more efficiently. Explores potential features and strategies for team leaders and members to innovatively enhance team management and increase performance using e‐learning systems as a support tool.
Supporting virtual learning groups. Part 1: a pedagogical perspective
Authors: McFadzean Elspeth
Published: November 2002

Today, more and more training and education are taking place on the Internet or intranet. Consequently, traditional teaching and learning skills need to change in order to gain the maximum benefit from virtual learning. Discusses three different learning theories, namely behaviourism, cognitivism, and humanism. Traditional classroom teaching tends to use the behaviourist and cognitivist approaches, where the instructor tends to control the learning. However, a virtual learning classroom lends itself to a more humanist approach, where learners can take control of their own learning. In addition, the virtual classroom can encourage experiential and collaborative learning. Consequently, tutors need to be able to facilitate learning and group processes rather than instruct the learners or communicate information. Develops, compares and contrasts two models of learning, that of the traditional classroom and that of the virtual learning environment. Finally, in order to enhance virtual learning in groups, a number of implications and recommendations are presented for facilitators.
A study of total productive maintenance implementation
Authors: Ireland F. , Dale B.G.
Published: November 2002

This paper focuses on a study of total productive maintenance (TPM) in three companies. The companies implemented TPM because of the business difficulties they faced. In all three companies senior management had supported TPM and set up suitable organisational structures to facilitate its implementation. The companies had followed Nakajima’s seven steps of autonomous maintenance, although different TPM pillars had been adopted, with the common ones being improvements, education and training, safety, and quality maintenance. The main differences in TPM implementation related to the use of ABC machine classification system and the role of facilitators.
A generic conceptual simulation model for maintenance systems
Authors: Duffuaa S.O. , Ben‐Daya M. , Al‐Sultan K.S. , Andijani A.A.
Published: November 2002

Maintenance is a complex process that is triggered by equipment failure or planned repair. This process requires planning, scheduling, control and the deployment of maintenance resources to perform necessary maintenance activities. In this paper a generic conceptual model for maintenance systems has been developed. The conceptual model consists of seven modules. The first one is the input module in which the characteristic of the maintenance system is specified. The second module is concerned with modeling the maintenance load. The third module is the planning and scheduling. This module is the most critical, since it controls the maintenance process. The fourth module is the material and spare parts supply, followed by the equipment availability module. The sixth module is the quality control module and the performance measures are the seventh module. The specification of such a conceptual model lays the ground for developing a realistic simulation model.
Inspection policies for a scale
Authors: Sandoh Hiroaki , Igaki Nobuko
Published: November 2002

The present study proposes two types of periodical inspection policies for a scale which weighs products in the final stage of manufacturing some specific products, such as chemical products. The scale is inspected at time iT(i=1,2, … ). Under ModelI, an inspection operation involves detection of a scale malfunction or inaccuracy as well as an adjustment activity. Under ModelII, an inspection is conducted only to detect a scale malfunction. If a scale malfunction is detected, an adjustment activity follows. For each model, the fraction defective and the long‐run average cost are formulated. We then examine the existence of an inspection interval Tα which makes the fraction defective under a prespecified value α (0< α <1). An economical inspection interval T* minimizing the long‐run average cost is also discussed.
Venture maintainability: a path to project success Why are some projects less successful than others and what can we do to improve?
Authors: Duggan Mike , Blayden Richard
Published: November 2002

Experience in the development and start‐up of new capital projects has shown that many of the difficulties encountered from an operations and maintenance perspective could have been mitigated or avoided through better scoping, planning and preparation of the appropriate organizational capability. Describes the history of development and packaging of a variety of principles, practices and methodologies designed to ensure that operations and maintenance issues are addressed early in the project and developed in parallel during the engineering design and construction phases. The objective is to ensure that at start‐up, all of the appropriate organizational systems, procedures and information requirements are in place and being used effectively by knowledgeable people working together in a safe and collaborative organizational environment. This allows the people to focus fully on the commissioning and on‐going sustainable operation of the new facilities to ensure productivity, cash flow and profitability of the new business.
Rethinking Pareto analysis: maintenance applications of logarithmic scatterplots
Authors: Knights Peter F.
Published: November 2002

Pareto histograms are commonly used to determine maintenance priorities by ranking equipment failure codes according to their relative cost or downtime contribution. However, such histograms do not readily enable identification of the dominant variables influencing downtime and repair costs, namely the failure frequency, mean downtime and mean repair cost associated with each failure code. Advances an alternative method for analysing equipment downtime and repair costs using logarithmic (log) scatterplots. By applying limit values, log scatterplots can be divided into four quadrants enabling failures to be classified according to acute or chronic characteristics and facilitating root cause failure analysis. Log scatterplots permit the identification of frequently occurring failures that consume relatively little repair cost or downtime yet cause frequent operational disturbances leading to production losses. In addition, by graphing the trend of failure data over successive time periods, log scatterplots provide a useful visual means of evaluating the performance of maintenance improvement initiatives. Provides examples of the practical application of log scatterplots by a number of mining companies and mining equipment suppliers in Chile.
Maintenance of mobile mine equipment in the information age
Authors: Lewis Michael W. , Steinberg Luiz
Published: November 2002

Maintenance represents a significant proportion of the overall operating costs in the mining industry. Despite the large cost of maintenance, management has only given passing attention to the optimization of the maintenance process. The focus has remained on the optimization of mine planning and operations where all the low hanging fruit was picked years ago. Recent initiatives in the field of mobile equipment maintenance have been in the area of remote condition monitoring. In order for an advanced maintenance technology to succeed it must have a strong philosophical basis and the supporting hardware and software infrastructure. A high bandwidth radio network, reliable interfaces, and a real‐time maintenance management system will enable remote condition monitoring systems. Explores reliability centered maintenance, remote condition monitoring, and the use of production and maintenance data for real‐time interactive maintenance management.
Mobile plant maintenance and the dutymeter concept
Authors: Gurgenci Hal , Guan Zhiqiang
Published: November 2002

Provides examples of duty variability based on field tests conducted during ordinary operating conditions. A severity‐based maintenance approach is introduced as complementary to the reliability‐centred maintenance initiatives currently being introduced in various mining companies. The essential component of this approach is a series of equipment monitors (called “dutymeters”) that continuously monitor and log the real duty on the machine as well as some machine parameters that can be used for machine health diagnostics. Describes application of this concept to a range of machinery including draglines, shovels, haul trucks and longwall equipment.
Part strength improvement in polymer shape deposition manufacturing
Authors: Kietzman John , Park Byong‐Ho , Prinz Friedrich
Published: November 2002

Shape deposition manufacturing (SDM) is a layered manufacturing process which iteratively combines material addition and removal to create artifacts in a variety of materials. Castable thermoset resins have been used to build a variety of parts via polymer SDM. The strength of these parts is determined by the bulk material properties of the part materials and by their interlayer adhesion. Early polyurethane materials had high bulk strength but poor interlayer adhesion, resulting in weak multilayer parts. Interlayer strength improvements were achieved through additional processing steps or the use of different polyurethane and epoxy part materials. These improvements allowed the fabrication of aerodynamic flap mechanisms used in wind‐tunnel testing. These parts are examples of the intricate, functional mechanisms to which the polymer SDM process is ideally suited.
Computer aided decision support for fused deposition modeling
Authors: Ziemian C.W. , Crawn P.M.
Published: November 2002

Parts formed using fused deposition modeling (FDM) can vary significantly in quality depending on the manufacturing process plan. Altering the plan profoundly affects the character of the resulting part. Although the designer and the machine user may have preferences regarding the part build and the relative importance of build outcomes such as production speed, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality, setting process variables to ensure desired results is a complex task. A multi‐objective decision support system has been developed to aid the user in setting FDM process variables in order to best achieve specific build goals and desired part characteristics. The method uses experimentation to quantify the effects of FDM process variables on part build goals, and to predict build outcomes and expected part quality. The system offers the user the ability to quantify the trade‐offs among conflicting goals while striving towards the best compromise solution.
Mechanical behavior of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) fused deposition materials. Experimental investigation
Authors: Rodríguez José F. , Thomas James P. , Renaud John E.
Published: November 2002

An experimental study of the mechanical behavior of fused‐deposition (FD) ABS plastic materials is described. Elastic moduli and strength values are determined for the ABS monofilament feedstock and various unidirectional FD‐ABS materials. The results show a reduction of 11 to 37 per cent in modulus and 22 to 57 per cent in strength for FD‐ABS materials relative to the ABS monofilament. These reductions occur due to the presence of voids and a loss of molecular orientation during the FD extrusion process. The results can be used to benchmark computational models for stiffness and strength as a function of the processing parameters for use in computationally optimizing the mechanical performance of FD‐ABS materials in functional applications.
Experimental investigation of nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser re‐melted pre‐placed powder beds
Authors: Morgan R. , Sutcliffe C.J. , O’Neill W.
Published: November 2002

Describes the effects of the major process variables (Q‐switch pulse frequency, laser power, scan speed, scan spacing and scan length) on the production of single layer coupons. Results are compiled as a list of qualitative effects on the samples, such as degree of melting, shock compression effects, thermal stress cracking, etc. The results show that at certain pulse frequencies, evaporation recoil forces overcome the surface tension forces acting on the melt, improving cohesion compared to continuous wave (CW) lasing regime. The advantages lie in greater scan spacing and scan speeds enabling faster processing times for metallic objects built in this manner. The results also show the effect of power, scan speed, scan spacing and scan length on the morphology of the samples.
Density prediction of crystalline polymer sintered parts at various powder bed temperatures
Authors: Tontowi Alva E. , Childs T.H.C.
Published: November 2002

The effect of powder bed temperature setting on the prediction of density of sintered parts produced by the selective laser sintering (SLS) process is reported. A crystalline polymer, nylon‐12 – commercially named Duraform polyamide – has been used in this work. To study the effect of the powder bed temperature, a two‐dimensional model of the sintering process for crystalline polymers has been developed. Latent heat has been considered in the model. Three powder bed temperature settings, 174, 178 and 182○C, have been applied to study their effect on the sintered parts’ density and size accuracy. This paper only reports on density. Results show that at a powder bed temperature of 182○C, a fully solid density, 970kg/m3, can be obtained at a default energy density of 0.0284J/mm2. By reducing powder bed temperature to 178○C, at the same energy density, density of a sintered part decreases by about 4 per cent.
A dexel‐based virtual prototyping system for product development
Authors: Choi S.H. , Chan A.M.M.
Published: November 2002

This paper proposes a dexel‐based virtual prototyping system, which builds a virtual prototype with dexels or rectangular strips of solid. The approach resembles the physical fabrication process of most powder‐based rapid prototyping (RP) systems. It simulates an RP process to create a virtual prototype. Colour virtual prototypes may also be fabricated relatively easily. Thus, the designer can perform design validation and accuracy analysis easily in a virtual environment as if using a physical prototype. In addition to numeric quantification of the RP process, the system provides vivid visualisations of the prototype for studying its characteristics. Furthermore, the prototype may be superimposed on the product model, and the areas with dimensional errors beyond design limits may be clearly highlighted for subsequent improvement. The designer may thus analyse and compare the surface texture point‐by‐point of the prototype with the product design.
Current trends in corporate communication
Authors: Goodman Michael B.
Published: November 2002

Explores trends in corporate communication based on the Corporate Communication Institute Benchmark Study and on the Council of Public Relations Firms Spending Study. Presents answers to five basic questions on how change has an impact on practitioners and the profession. The research register for this journal is available at http://www.mcbup.com/research_registers. The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at http://www.emerald‐library.com/ft
Building mountains in a flat landscape: investor relations in the post‐Enron era
Authors: Allen Christopher E.
Published: November 2002

In the post‐Enron era, investor relations vaults to the top of the corporate agenda, as companies must begin to rebuild investor confidence. While companies sift through the many questions investors are raising and the numerous proposals for change, proactive companies have the chance to distinguish themselves and create a competitive advantage. As the marketplace calls for faster, more transparent, more‐easily‐understandable financial data, the same investors punishing companies may well reward those that provide innovative answers to their needs. How did things get so bad? In response to a turbulent, hyper‐sensitive stock market, what are companies doing to restore confidence? What are the take‐away lessons for investor relations?
Change communication: using strategic employee communication to facilitate major change
Authors: Barrett Deborah J.
Published: November 2002

Whether organizational change results from a merger, acquisition, new venture, new process improvement approach, or any number of flavors‐of‐the‐day management fads, employee communications can mean the success or failure of any major change program. The Strategic Employee Communication Model with the best practice definitions, which are composites of effective employee communication examples collected from researching selected Fortune 500 companies, help management understand the strategic role of employee communication in a high‐performing company. The model functions as an analytical tool to diagnose a company’s strengths and weaknesses in employee communication so that the company can structure the change communication program and position communication to facilitate the overall change program. In this paper, I explain the Strategic Employee Communication Model and best practice definitions, demonstrate a change communication approach to improving employee communications using the Strategic Employee Communication Model, and provide a case study of the successful use of the model and approach during a major change program.
Risk, error and blame in organizations: a communication approach
Authors: Coan Hester
Published: November 2002

Examines the ways in which reporters from differing fields of work in a high‐risk environment (the Aviation Safety Reporting System in the USA) strive through narrative to present and maintain a coherent sense of self through face‐work involving blame acceptance or avoidance. Proposes not to locate specific and final locations for blame, but to instead recognize risk as an underlying factor in a discourse about error and blame in an increasingly global society. In the case examined discourses of blame varied in different worlds of work. Concludes that the approach taken of mapping blame options within different work worlds within a larger context can provide a foundation for ongoing risk assessment through the tracking of shifting blame options over time or the ways in which options are interwoven between work worlds. Maintains that this study may aid in the development of new approaches to risk.
The case for language policies in multinational corporations
Authors: Dhir Krishna S. , Gòkè‐Paríolá Abíódún
Published: November 2002

Businesses that operate globally bring together people from different cultures and traditions; educated through different learning processes; and who operate in different political systems, in regions with different levels of industrial development. Language affects the ability of multinational organizations to function in the global market. Yet, the need for corporate language policies has not been adequately recognized in both the strategic management literature and communications literature. In this paper, we discuss some of the emergent conditions that necessitate corporate foregrounding of language in the formulation of business strategies. We also examine some of the critical factors that would define the development of a corporate language policy in a globalized market, drawing upon insights from traditional language planning in the sociopolitical context of community and nation building.
The role of research methods in corporate communication
Authors: Radford Gary P. , Goldstein Stuart Z.
Published: November 2002

Posits that, while research is acknowledged by practitioners, a way of integrating the value of research methods into the day‐to‐day practice of corporate communications has not been found. Tests this by using appropriate research methodologies. Looks at the role of research and then examines research methods and corporate communication strategy. Concludes that communication is becoming a knowledge‐based profession, and the lines between corporate communication/public affairs disciplines are converging, therefore media relations, issues management, advertising and the rest of the disciplines will be more closely integrated.
Diversity programs: attitude and realities in the contemporary corporate environment
Authors: Swanson Don R.
Published: November 2002

This discussion examines attitudes toward, and the focus of, contemporary corporate diversity programs. It considers the observations of six diversity personnel focus groups, interviews conducted with 26 middle managers and eight executive management‐level personnel, observations from interviews with corporate diversity directors and observations from interviews with human resource managers and corporate communication managers who carry the responsibility for monitoring diversity programs. In the corporate environment participants rarely place a theoretic frame on diversity issues. “Dimensions of difference” were employed as a theoretic frame for this action research. Major issues to emerge were the lack of dialogue regarding diversity, the nature of diversity training and performance evaluation, the complexity of diversity issues, the managers’ role and the move to integration and learning as the perspective to bring about effectiveness in corporate diversity programming.
Corporate image as collective ethos: a poststructuralist approach
Authors: Wei Yong‐Kang
Published: November 2002

This paper discusses the idea of projecting corporate image in terms of culturally regulated codes of appeals by using, mainly, the examples of ad campaigns by some US business companies in the post‐9/11 environment. The image of patriotism those companies are aspiring to suggests corporate imagery can be a shared social phenomenon, i.e. collective ethos, thus raising questions about the traditional approach to corporate imagery, which is summarized as “self‐representation.” The way to build up collective ethos is through Burke’s “identification,” seen as both a strategy and goal of communication. The paper also provides an overview of rhetorical theory on using image as a presentation strategy to explore the reason why it has been treated in history as a way for self‐projection, or representation of a “corporate self.”
The impact of lead‐free soldering on electronics packages
Authors: Yang L. , Bernstein J.B. , Chung K.
Published: November 2002

This paper will review the challenges brought by lead‐free soldering and some preliminary experimental evaluation results will be discussed. The initial results show that the lead‐free soldering process with 260°C reflow peak temperature does not directly cause failures for bismaleimide‐triazine (BT)‐based fine pitch ball grid array (FPBGA) packages. However, the strict lead‐free soldering condition could degrade the integrity of weak interface joints and potentially damage the package in subsequent unbiased highly accelerated stress test (unbiased HAST) evaluation. The impacts of lead‐free soldering with high reflow temperature on concurrent available electronics components could be more severe than previously believed. In the future, new materials and design concepts should be applied to enhance the package reliability under strict lead‐free soldering conditions.
Thermal time constants of various substrates of integrated circuits
Authors: Kos Andrzej
Published: November 2002

The main goal of the work is to show how the kind of substrate and heat sink of integrated circuit or system influences the thermal dynamics of the circuit or system. The investigation leads to the solution of an unsteady state thermal model with analytic method and determination of the thermal time constants of various active and passive substrates and heat sinks. The results show that cheaper materials without any losses of thermal dynamics can replace expensive substrates and heat sinks. Theoretical procedure carried out step by step presents the way of unsteady state temperature computation with analytic method. It can be helpful for determination of the temperature of the chip during unsteady state in any point of the chip, average temperature and thermal time constant of the substrate.
The evaluation of different base materials for high density flip chip on flex applications
Authors: Palm Petteri , Määttänen Jarmo , Picault Alain , De Maquillé Yannick
Published: November 2002

This paper presents the results from the evaluation of different types of flexible substrates for high‐density flip chip application. In this work two different types of base materials were used, epoxiglass (EG) and polyimide (PI). According to previous tests the type of conductive particles in the adhesive seems to be one of the key factors in high‐density interconnections. The adhesive selected for these tests was a composite of epoxy matrix and high content of isolated soft metal‐coated polymer particles. Two different test structures with contact areas of 50 × 50μm and 50 × 90μm were compared. The total amount of contacts in one IC was approximately 200 and the effective pitch size was 80μm. The contact resistances were measured by four‐point method and the continuity by daisy chain structure. The reliability of the flip chip interconnections was tested in thermal cycling and humidity tests.
Gravure offset printing development for fine line thick film circuits
Authors: Hagberg Juha , Pudas Marko , Leppävuori Seppo , Elsey Ken , Logan Alison
Published: November 2002

The resolution of conventional graphical gravures is limited to about 50 to 100 microns depending on the technology used. For these gravures the depths are dependent on the widths of the grooves. For electrical circuitry, the target is to achieve 25 microns line and space widths in the near future. To obtain a reasonably high sheet resistance, the printed ink height must be reasonably high. The stated requirements require further development of the whole printing process together with the associated inks. The first step was to evaluate the gravure manufacturing method, which is capable of producing gravures of sufficient accuracy and uniform depth. In this paper a new gravure printing plate manufacturing method with high accuracy is presented. Printing results made with the manufactured gravure and tailored inks are reported.
Flip chip assemblies using gold bumps and adhesive
Authors: Zhong Zhaowei
Published: November 2002

This paper discusses flip chip on FR‐4 and ceramics using non‐conductive adhesive (NCA), anisotropic conductive film (ACF), or anisotropic conductive paste (ACP). Several ACF and ACP materials with different types of adhesive resin and conductive particles and one NCA material were evaluated. Flip chips were assembled on test vehicles for temperature cycling and high‐temperature high‐humidity tests. The reliability performance of the processes was compared. Flip chip processes using NCA, ACF, or ACP could give satisfactory reliability and high assembly yield for some applications, when the bonding parameters were optimised.
New perspectives on construction supply chain integration
Authors: Dainty Andrew R.J. , Millett Sarah J. , Briscoe Geoffrey H.
Published: November 2002

In 1998, a government‐sponsored review of the UK construction sector called for the adoption of initiatives from manufacturing industry in order to increase productivity and reduce costs. Subsequent research has focused on how supply chain management practices could be implemented effectively by clients, consultants and large contracting organisations. However, little attention has been paid to the integration of small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs) in the subcontractor and material supply sectors. This paper presents the findings of research that focused on the role of these SMEs in re‐engineered construction supply chains. It was found that significant barriers exist to supplier integration within the construction sector, which stem from SME scepticism over the motives behind supply chain management practices. It is suggested that the industry must make greater efforts to extol the mutual benefits of supplier integration to SMEs if significant performance improvement is to be achieved.
Deliberate and emergent logistics strategies in food retailing: a case study of the Greek multiple food retail sector
Authors: Bourlakis Michael A. , Bourlakis Constantine A.
Published: November 2002

According to the “classical” school of thought , the implementation of a firm’s strategy can be the result of a deliberate and rational process, or alternatively an emergent and non‐intentional one. The rising importance of logistics in retail strategy, and, in particular, the impact of centralisation of logistical activities upon the development of a retail logistics strategy, necessitates an in‐depth examination of the relevant company actions. This paper identifies which strategic approach is followed by domestic and multinational firms that operate in the Greek food multiple retail sector. The findings point out the major importance of warehousing in multinational firms’ logistics operations and the vital role of logistics in multinational retailers’ strategy. Multinational firms follow a deliberate logistics strategy that leads to increased logistics efficiency when compared to domestic firms that follow the emergent logistics strategy.
Purchase decision making and buyer‐seller relationship development in the French food processing industry
Authors: Dzever Sam , Merdji Mohamed , Saives Anne‐Laure
Published: November 2002

Analyzes the nature of purchase decision making and buyer‐seller relationship development in the French food processing industry. It is the result of a detailed empirical study undertaken among 30 firms and international suppliers, and part of a larger research project. Intensive face‐to‐face interviews were carried out with purchasing executives drawn from 30 firms operating in the industry. Confirms the need for suppliers to understand in greater detail factors that buyers regard as decisive in their choice of a supplier as well as those that are pivotal in the development of long‐term relationships. A detailed understanding of these factors would aid suppliers in better formulating appropriate market entry and growth strategies in this increasingly competitive environment.
Adoption of efficient consumer response: the issue of mutuality
Authors: Kurnia Sherah , Johnston Robert B.
Published: November 2002

The adoption of efficient consumer response (ECR) has been slow in many regions, despite its many potential benefits to supply chain participants through reduction of inventory level and operating costs. There has not been any well‐developed theory that can explain this slow uptake. Argues that the inherent characteristics of ECR have actually created barriers to its own adoption. As an inter‐organisational system (IOS), ECR adoption requires co‐operation and trust between trading partners, which are unlikely to happen unless costs, benefits and risks of ECR implementation can be mutually shared. Shows, using a case study conducted within one supply chain, that an unequal distribution of costs, benefits and risks among manufacturer, distributor and retailer is inherent in the implementation of cross‐docking, which typifies the overall ECR program. The findings of this study lead to a new direction in understanding the barriers to adoption of ECR and IOS in general.
Constructing changes in relational processes: introducing a social constructionist approach to change work
Authors: Hosking Dian Marie , Bass Andy
Published: November 2002

This article is constructed in the form of a dialogue between a mother – who has just returned from the conference “It’s a relational world” – and her daughter, Sophie. Sophie asks her mother to explain what the conference was all about … what is “relational constructionism”, what is its relationship with interests in development and change? In the dialogues that follow they make reference to well‐known frameworks and ways of thinking including Lewin’s metaphor of planned change. The latter is explored, so making explicit related (and interrelated) assumptions about organisations, the nature of “human nature”, what is thought to be real and good, power, and the role of dialogue. These dialogues go on to explore other “relational” assumptions concerning the “same” issues. A relational approach to change is discussed as a different local narrative, not as a “superior” replacement for other approaches.
We make sense of all that jazz: mapping in social contexts
Authors: Maas Alexander J.J.A. , Manschot Erik M. , Roodink Ton J.
Published: November 2002

Illustrates a core concept: multiple inclusion or the process of multiple including. Offers a perspective of configuring human beings who organize simultaneously “worlds of difference”, or “realities” and the perspective from the point of view of an actor, in relation to others. Each appearance of an actor’s participation or “inclusion” thus becomes related to a specific context. Claims this social space always has a multiple character. To an actor, it is an area of tension which contains various dimensions. It is crucial that another inclusion or a new definition of a situation can be introduced, as an indication of the variety of contexts. An actor may evoke or find an inclusion at the social‐ or cognitive‐structural levels. Both can be called on at once. But the moment variety is no longer allowed, problems of power can emerge. Utilizes a previous study of the Utrecht Jazz Orchestra for consequences of this stand for diagnosis in an organizational context.