bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Governance and microfinance institutions
Authors: Bakker Anuschka , Schaveling Jaap , Nijhof André
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to determine the influence of governance mechanisms on sustainability and outreach of microfinance institutions (MFIs). Corporate governance has been identified as a key bottleneck in strengthening MFIs’ sustainability (financial performance) and increasing their outreach (social impact).

Design/methodology/approach

– First, a literature study to give insight in the microfinance sector is provided. Subsequently, the data research has been performed based on the statistics of one of the funds of a Dutch independent investment manager, which is focused on responsible investments in developing countries. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between governance mechanisms and the respective dependent variables.

Findings

– The results show that boards of a MFI with insiders (for example, employees) are a significant predictor of sustainability. Regulation impacts sustainability significantly in a negative way. Overall, the study shows that only a limited number of variables influence the sustainability and outreach of an MFI.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitation of the studied investment fund is that it invests in expanding and mature MFI’s. So the results of this research can only be generalized to expanding and mature MFI’s.

Practical implications

– The governance mechanisms that are recommended in the industry guidelines and which are studied here are often not relevant in respect to sustainability and outreach of MFIs. The approach to microfinance governance should be broadened by focusing more on stakeholders and the decision making process in an MFI.

Social implications

– Good governance is key for the microfinance institutions and even more complicated than for regular companies that do not have a double bottom line (sustainability and outreach). to be successful in the future, and for clients to reach the best end result, it is essential that the governance mechanisms that influence the bottom line are determined.

Originality/value

– Not much research has been done with respect to the governance mechanisms, which have impact on the sustainability and outreach of MFIs.
What makes a “good manager”? Positioning gender and management in students’ narratives
Authors: Gherardi Silvia , Murgia Annalisa
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address the relationships between gender and management in the narratives of students. More specifically, the authors discuss how the discourse on management is mobilized as a discursive practice able to make some form of that activity thinkable and practicable: who can be a CEO? What kind of managerial competencies are attributed to men/women CEOs? What kind of moral order is expressed in the stories told?

Design/methodology/approach

– Stimulus texts have been used to elicit narratives. Students were asked to complete a short story regarding a fictive managerial character, either female or male, whose performance and attitude they were asked to evaluate.

Findings

– The paper discusses how the collected stories as a whole expressed a conception of what counts as a “good manager” and how management is gendered. In the analysis, the authors discuss whether and how the relationships between gender and management are changing, or the basic assumptions about “think manager-think male” are still valid. The paper illustrates a traditional positioning of gendered management along the lines of rationality vs care, and a third positioning in which the ideal of the “good manager” has both competencies.

Originality/value

– The authors designed an alternative research strategy focused on how gender and management are discursively constructed within a context of economic crisis that affects management reputation. Particularly, the authors discuss the surprising results concerning how the written stories evaluating male CEOs distrusted the masculine way of managing and positioned the female managing style within a trustworthy context.
Magnetic field effect on Soret driving free convection in an inclined porous cavity saturated by a conducting binary mixture
Authors: Ahmed Rtibi , Mohammed Hasnaoui , Abdelkhalk Amahmid
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study analytically and numerically the effect of a transverse magnetic field on the separation of species induced in an inclined rectangular porous cavity saturated with an electrically conducting mixture.

Design/methodology/approach

– The porous layer is assumed homogeneous and submitted from its long sides to uniform heat fluxes and to a magnetic field of strength B. The Darcy model combined with the Boussinesq approximation are used to study the heat and solute transfer in the medium. An analytical solution is developed on the basis of the parallel flow approximation. Numerical simulations are also performed in order to validate the analytical solution. The controlling parameters of this problem are the thermal Rayleigh number, the inclination of the enclosure, the separation parameter, the Hartmann number and the Lewis number.

Findings

– For given values of the thermal Rayleigh number, the inclination of the enclosure, the separation parameter and the Lewis number, there is an optimal magnetic field which leads to a maximum of separation. At relatively high Rayleigh numbers, where convection destroys the separation process, it is possible, with an optimal choice of the Hartman number, to recover a good level of separation.

Research limitations/implications

– Since the problem is governed by several parameters (five parameters), only the Darcy model was used in this study instead of the Darcy-Brinkman extended model even if the latter model allows to cover the pure fluid and Darcy porous media as limiting cases.

Practical implications

– In separation experiments, it is very difficult technically to work with small Rayleigh numbers due to technical difficulties. However, the process of separations is canceled at high Rayleigh number by the strength of convection which causes a mixing in the binary mixture. This study shows that, by using adequate combinations of the controlling parameters, it becomes possible to reach a good level of separation even at relatively high Rayleigh numbers.

Originality/value

– Optimum choice of the magnetic field and the inclination of the cavity may lead to a good level of the separation process. For large Lewis numbers, the separation vanishes far above and far below the optimal Ha. However, for small Lewis numbers, an important level of separation is maintained for any Ha located below the optimal value of the latter parameter.
The role of carbon offsets in achieving carbon neutrality
Authors: Kathy Dhanda Kanwalroop
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the area of carbon offsets and carbon neutrality within the context of hotels and resorts. In theory, carbon markets assist organizations in reducing their carbon footprint by purchasing carbon offsets. This conceptual paper aims to explore this market, analyze its operations and evaluate the participants. The expectation is that this original research will provide a foundation for analyzing this market to make sense of the widely disparate views about carbon neutrality held by companies in the hospitality sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research study aimed to uncover what claims are currently made about carbon neutrality, what properties are making these claims and are these claims legitimate? A broad Internet search was conducted to collect a sample of hotels and resorts that marketed carbon neutrality as a feature of their properties. Next, a five-point Likert type scale was constructed to analyze every hotel and resort in terms of legitimate reflection of market performance challenges or dimensions. In this study, the hotels that claim to be “Carbon Neutral” were scored according to four market performance dimensions: project quality, carbon calculations, quality information of providers and price per ton of carbon offset.

Findings

– The paper’s findings offer a twofold contribution. First, hotels and resorts interested in entering the offset market can use the results as strategic information to bolster efforts to achieve legitimacy and viability in this market. Second, the findings offer a benefit to consumers concerned to reduce their carbon footprint, as the results include a determination of the best hotels and resorts in terms of carbon neutrality.

Research limitations/implications

– This research found that the claim “carbon neutral” is used often to attract green consumers. The spectrum of claims ranged from hotels presenting comprehensive carbon management plans or online carbon footprint applications, to hotels that had minimal information and used the “carbon neutral” for marketing purposes only. In numerous cases, the claim of carbon neutrality is not substantiated and, in this case, might be construed as greenwashing.

Practical implications

– The findings indicate that claims of carbon neutrality can be exaggerated and that the consumers must themselves be educated to be aware of claims that are unfounded.

Originality/value

– Given the large and rising number of offset providers in the unregulated carbon offset industry and the hotel industry, this contribution promises to offer value. This study is one of the first formal analyses of carbon offsets in the hospitality market. The author hopes that this study will encourage others to research the growing market of voluntary carbon offsets further.
The effects of restaurant quality attributes on customer behavioral intentions
Authors: Bujisic Milos , Hutchinson Joe , Parsa H.G.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to investigate the relationships between restaurant quality attributes and customer behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experimental design was chosen to provide a high level of internal validity. Three separate 3 × 2 factorial design experiments were conducted through 18 separate vignette scenarios for three levels of quality (below average, average and above average) of three common restaurant attributes (food, service and ambience) in two types of restaurants (quick service and upscale).

Findings

– The results indicated that the type of restaurant moderated the relationship between restaurant service and ambience quality and customer behavioral intentions.

Practical implications

– The results of this study suggest that management of quick-service and upscale restaurants should focus on food quality, but establish different resource allocation priorities with respect to service and ambience quality.

Originality/value

– This study examined the linearity of the relationships between three common restaurant attributes (food, service and ambience) for three levels of quality (below average, average and above average) in two types of restaurants (quick service and upscale).
Improving sustainability of residential homes: occupants motivation and behaviour
Authors: X.W. Zou Patrick , J. Yang Rebecca
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate residential occupants’ motivations and behaviour on energy savings. Energy consumption in residential buildings is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

– By using an online survey questionnaire instrument, this research collected 504 sets of responses from households in the state of New South Wales, Australia.

Findings

– Through statistical analysis of the data collected, this research found that construction cost and government incentive were considered as the major influencing factors on achieving energy-efficient residential building development, and the lower bills resulted from the reduced energy and water consumption were considered as the most important benefits. The research also found that many households exhibited a high level of awareness and had implemented some sustainability improvement measures. It is suggested, based on these research findings, that governments should articulate, by means of education, the rationale and benefits of sustainable home development that are identified in this research and reduce material costs and increase government incentives.

Originality/value

– A framework on improving residential sustainability was proposed in this paper. Stakeholders in the sustainable home supply chain could use this framework as a reference to pave the way for energy efficient home development from their perspective
Defining the sustainable building design process: methods for BIM execution planning in the UK
Authors: Zanni Maria-Angeliki , Soetanto Robby , Ruikar Kirti
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to develop a building information modelling (BIM)-enabled sustainable design process model that identifies critical decisions actions in the design process along with the information and level of detail that facilitate an informed and timely decision. Building performance analysis is usually performed after the design and construction documents are produced, resulting in lost opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

– A number of research methods have been adopted; these include extensive literature review and 11 in-depth exploratory interviews with industry practitioners (sustainable building design experts, early BIM adopters).

Findings

– Project delivery methods have a significant effect on the sustainable outcome of buildings. The development of a structured process can assist sustainable design practice among building professionals. Learning from implemented projects, that have utilised BIM processes, facilitates the scope of creating this process and advises future projects to prevent failures. Process mapping is essential to streamline the process, support key project processes and help the design team manage their own responsibilities and deliverables required by them.

Originality/value

– The identification of the gap and the need for a structured process for sustainable building design for BIM execution is discussed. The synergies that exist between BIM, building performance modelling, Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method assessment and the Royal Institute of British Architects Plan of Work are shown. The effect that project delivery has on sustainable design outcome has been established. A coordinated collaborative design process model is presented based on the findings from interviewing early adopters.
Building performance in the context of industry pressures
Authors: Robertson Craig , Mumovic Dejan
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the relationship between designed and actual building performance as represented in an Royal Institute of British Architects- and Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers-backed web-based comparison platform and the industry perception of the pressures surrounding building performance assessment. European directives and UK Parliamentary Acts have resulted in a range of mechanisms aimed at encouraging monitoring of energy consumption, responsive management and evidence-based design. Web-based feedback platforms aim to feed evaluation data back to industry anonymously; however, there exists a range of barriers and disincentives that prevent widespread and habitual engagement with building evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using energy data from the CarbonBuzzweb platform and a series of semi-structured interviews, a mixed-methods study has been carried out. Analysis of the characteristics of the existing energy discrepancy between designed and actual performance shows where variance typically occurs. Interviews with industry actors presents a synopsis of the perceived and actual legislative and procedural pressures that exist in relation to building performance assessment.

Findings

– The conclusions of this paper identify weaknesses in the current legislative and incentivisation mechanisms with regard to targeting building energy performance and industrial pressures that hinder broader industry engagement with post-occupancy evaluation.

Originality/value

– The recommendations arising from this study are for adjustments to the existing legislative framework to increase participation in meaningful building energy evaluation targeted at the specifics of the energy gap and the motivations of industrial actors. This will specifically help to reduce building energy consumption and associated carbon emissions.
Unravelling the unintended consequences of home energy improvements
Authors: Gupta Rajat , Barnfield Laura
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to, using a systematic mixed-methods based monitoring and evaluation approach, investigate the unintended consequences of physical and technical home improvements on energy use, indoor environmental conditions and occupant behaviour in community-led retrofits. The study is part of a UK Research Council funded research project on evaluating the impacts and effectiveness of low carbon communities on energy behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

– A graduated measurement, monitoring and evaluation framework has been developed and applied to gather quantitative and qualitative data on energy use and behaviours has been developed and applied to 88 households across the UK. A mixed-methods approach is used, including occupant interviews, questionnaires, activity diaries and continuous physical monitoring of energy use, environmental conditions and low-carbon technologies.

Findings

– The study has uncovered a number of unintended consequences associated with home energy improvements, both beneficial and detrimental, including improved comfort levels in retrofitted dwellings and reduction in energy use but also an increased likelihood of overheating following fabric improvements, potential under-performance of low-carbon systems due to lack of understanding and inadequate installation and commissioning, along with adaptive energy behaviours leading to increased energy use and a widening gap between predicted and actual savings.

Research limitations/implications

– Although 63 case study households are involved, it is difficult to provide statistical analysis from the emerging findings.

Practical implications

– This paper demonstrates the unintended consequences of home energy improvements. It aims to bring awareness of these issues to various sectors and stakeholders involved in delivering community retrofit programmes or the National Green Deal programme.

Originality/value

– The paper fulfils an identified need to study the impacts of home energy improvements within existing homes through a robust, comprehensive M&E approach.
Information security awareness and behavior: a theory-based literature review
Authors: Lebek Benedikt , Uffen Jörg , Neumann Markus , Hohler Bernd , H. Breitner Michael
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide an overview of theories used in the field of employees’ information systems (IS) security behavior over the past decade. Research gaps and implications for future research are worked out by analyzing and synthesizing existing literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents the results of a literature review comprising 113 publications. The literature review was designed to identify applied theories and to understand the cognitive determinants in the research field. A meta-model that explains employees’ IS security behavior is introduced by assembling the core constructs of the used theories.

Findings

– The paper identified 54 used theories, but four behavioral theories were primarily used: Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), General Deterrence Theory (GDT), Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). By synthesizing results of empirically tested research models, a survey of factors proven to have a significant influence on employees’ security behavior is presented.

Research limitations/implications

– Some relevant publications might be missing within this literature review due to the selection of search terms and/or databases. However, by conduction a forward and a backward search, this paper has limited this error source to a minimum.

Practical implications

– This study presents an overview of determinants that have been proven to influence employees’ behavioral intention. Based thereon, concrete training and awareness measures can be developed. This is valuable for practitioners in the process of designing Security Education, Training and Awareness (SETA) programs.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a comprehensive up-to-date overview of existing academic literature in the field of employees’ security awareness and behavior research. Based on a developed meta-model, research gaps are identified and implications for future research are worked out.
Determinants and outcomes of dual distribution: an international study
Authors: Rosen Christian , Gunkel Marjaana , Schlaegel Christopher
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the coexistence of independent and manufacturer-owned distributors within the same distribution system. In particular, the authors seek to identify those factors that determine the use of dual distribution and the effect of dual distribution systems on different economic outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a case study-based approach, the authors compare different brands in different European markets of a German automobile manufacturer using 24 expert interviews in Germany, Sweden and Spain.

Findings

– Our results demonstrate the importance of limited resources, investment specificity, location, divergent interests and competitive strategies for the development of dual distribution structures. The results show that the overall distribution system performance is positively related to dual distribution.

Research limitations/implications

– The generalizability of the findings is limited due to the use of cases for different brands of one large corporation within a specific industry and the limited number of countries that were examined. This study is also limited to the subjective evaluation of firm performance and the qualitative evidence provided by the interviewees in our sample group. Our study contributes to the ongoing debate on the use of independent and manufacturer-owned distributors among distributive vertical chains. Based on the qualitative findings, propositions for future research and managerial implications are provided.

Originality/value

– While in previous research, the explanatory approach of make-or-buy has often been used for examining dual distribution, the authors combine insights from different theoretical streams (transaction cost theory, market-based view, resource-based view and principal-agent theory) to identify and empirically investigate the antecedents and outcomes of dual distribution. Furthermore, while prior research focused on single-country studies and franchise systems, the authors examine a multi-country sample in the automobile industry and expand the findings of the existing literature by covering different brands.
How to convert bad stress into good
Authors: Strutton David , A. Tran Gina
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to develop three approaches that managers should use to channel formerly negative stressors and anxieties into productively motivated behaviors. When managers deal more deftly with naturally arising and anxiety-inducing stress, they and their subordinates should perform more effectively simply because their levels of motivation will increase.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conceptual discussion is grounded in ideas and principals adopted and/or adapted from ancient and contemporary Western and social scientific bodies of thought.

Findings

– This deductive essay demonstrates how the conscious choice to manage through paradox as bad stressors arrive offers managers actual tools through which they could convert the threatening stresses into challenging – and motivating – anxieties.

Originality/value

– Managers often seek to eliminate – or choose to consciously ignore – anxiety. Either behavior, of course, is unreasonable. The sense of realism that emerges from the paradoxical middle path introduced above should decrease the onset of such unreasonable responses to stress. Meanwhile, managing through this middle path approach also elevates the likelihood that motivated managers establish proper goals, break problems and challenges into manageable chunks and address them. In the bargain, managers should become better able to convert bad stress into good.
Effects of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation on participation in crowdsourcing contest
Authors: Chris Zhao Yuxiang , Zhu Qinghua
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The rapid development of Web 2.0 and social media enables the rise of crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing contest is a typical case of crowdsourcing and has been adopted by many organisations for business solution and decision making. From a participant's perspective, it is interesting to explore what motivates people to participate in crowdsourcing contest. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the category of motivation based on self-determination theory and synthesises various motivation factors in crowdsourcing contest. Meanwhile, perceived motivational affordances and task granularity are also examined as the moderate constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper builds a conceptual model to illustrate the relationships between various motivations (extrinsic and intrinsic) and participation effort under the moderating of perceived motivational affordances and task granularity. An empirical study is conducted to test the research model by surveying the Chinese participants of crowdsourcing contest.

Findings

– The results show that various motivations might play different roles in relating to participation effort expended in the crowdsourcing contest. Moreover, task granularity may positively moderate the relationship between external motivation and participation effort. The results also show that supporting of a participant's perceived motivational affordances might strengthen the relationship between the individual's motivation with an internal focus (intrinsic, integrated, identified and introjected motivation) and participation effort.

Originality/value

– Overall, the research has some conceptual and theoretical implications to the literature. This study synthesises various motivation factors identified by previous studies in crowdsourcing projects or communities as a form of motivation spectrum, namely external, introjected, identified, integrated and intrinsic motivation, which contributes to the motivation literatures. Meanwhile, the findings indicate that various motivations might play different roles in relating to participation effort expended in the crowdsourcing contest. Also, the study theoretically extends the crowdsourcing participation research to incorporate the effects of perceived motivational affordances in crowdsourcing contest. In addition, the study may yield some practical implications for sponsors, managers and designers in crowdsourcing contest.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study of CuO and Cu coating systems
Authors: Mat Nor N.A. , Ismail L. , Jamari S.K.M. , Ramesh K. , Vengadaesvaran B. , Arof A.K.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the coating behaviour in corrosion environment as well as to evaluate the best percentage amount of copper oxide and copper needed for organic coating in order to prevent the corrosion degradation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies have been conducted in order to evaluate the corrosion performance of polyester-epoxy-copper oxide and polyester-epoxy-copper coating systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The availability of this modem instruments is used to obtain impedance data as well as computer programs to interpret the results that made the technique popular. In addition, EIS is well suited to the study of polymer-coated metals.

Findings

The results showed that samples containing 25 weight per cent of copper oxide and copper (90P25CuO and 90P25Cu) obtained the excellent corrosion properties from the first day up to 30 days of NaCl immersion. The highest corrosion resistance values obtained by 90P25CuO and 90P25Cu on the 30th day were 7.107 × 108 O and 5.701 × 108 O, respectively, with lower double layer capacitance of 1.407 × 10−9 Farad and 3.935 × 10−9 Farad, respectively. Moreover, the water uptake gained by these two coating samples was the lowest at the end of immersion, which was 0.0084 for 90P25CuO and 0.1592 for 90P25Cu, showing that the sample has good corrosion performance.

Originality/value

This paper discussed on the highest corrosion resistance, double layer capacitance and the water uptake of the copper (Cu) and copper oxide (CuO) coating system obtained from the EIS measurements.
Discrimination of seal inks used for seals by confocal Raman microscopy
Authors: Chen R. , Lv J. , Feng J. , Liu Y. , Zhang W.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an effective method to discriminate seal inks with Raman microscopy.

Design/methodology/approach

Raman spectra could effectively avoid interference from the paper and give extra peak information in the inks discrimination and identification. Thus, a Renishaw invia confocal Raman microscope system was employed for ink analysis in this study. A total of 12 representative seal ink samples, widely used in seven Chinese provinces, were investigated using the latest model of Renishaw Raman microscope.

Findings

Four types of inks were identified and discriminated successfully. Popular pigments such as Pigment Scarlet Powder, Pigment Yellow 55, phthalocyanine blue, Bronze red C and PbCrO3 were all identified in these seal ink samples. The indicative peaks to identify and discriminate the inks were also summarised and tentatively interpreted.

Research limitations/implications

More ink samples were needed to establish a useful library. Many other pigments used in inks were still unknown.

Practical implications

This method was proved to be fast, accurate and non-destructive, and it could be more easily applied in real cases than Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Originality/value

This method can help scientists discriminate some inks, which can hardly be discriminated by other techniques. The results are useful for the ink analysis and discrimination in forensic (document examination and file source identification), polymer and pigment fields.
Crystal morphology, dispersing stability and dyeing property of the disperse dye based on benzisothiazole
Authors: Li Min , Song Kaili , Xie Kongliang , Hou Aiqin
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesise a disperse dye based on benzisothiazole and to characterise its crystal morphology, dispersing stability, to study the relationship between the chemical structure and the dyeing property of the dye.

Design/methodology/approach

The disperse dye based on benzisothiazole, 3-(3-methyl-4-N-ethyl-N-benzyl-phenyldiazenyl)-5-nitro-2,1-benzisothiazoles, was synthesized. The disperse dye based on benzisothiazole, 3-(3-methyl-4-N-ethyl-N-benzyl-phenyldiazenyl)-5-nitro-2,1-benzisothiazoles, was synthesised. The chemical structure of the dye obtained was characterised by infrared spectrum Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), and the crystal morphology was observed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. Sodium salt of polycondensated naphthalenesulphonic acid (dispersing agent sodium salt of polycondensated naphthalenesulphonic acid [MF]) and a sulphonated amino polyether (anionic surfactant B600) were employed to grind and disperse the dye crystals. The dispersion property of the dye particles was characterised. Dyeing property of the dispersion system was also studied.

Findings

The dye formed spherical crystals that were made up of a large number of acicular crystals similar to spherical chrysanthemum. The crystals had warping crystal centres inside the spheres. The particle sizes of the dispersion with the mixture of B600 and MF had an uniform distribution and were smaller than that of the dispersion with only single dispersing agent MF. Dyeing with the dispersion system had an excellent reproducibility under alkalinic condition.

Practical implications

An alkalinic dyeing method for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with disperse dyes as a cleaner wet process had been developed. Such a process combined pretreatment and dyeing process using the alkali-stable disperse dyes and reduced the consumption of water and energy and improved production efficiency.

Originality/value

The crystal morphology, dispersion and dyeing properties of the synthesised disperse dye for dyeing PET fabric under alkalinic condition were discussed. This disperse dye has an important potential application in alkalinic dyeing method.
Preparation of a low contact angle water-based coating using ultrasonic irradiation
Authors: Zhang X.R. , Liu L.Z. , Li J.F. , Cui W.W. , Weng L.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The key purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different ultrasonic irradiation times on the wettability and other properties of the resulting water-based coating. The subject water-based coating was prepared using water-soluble polyester and amino resins by ultrasonic oscillation.

Design/methodology/approach

The coating was prepared by polymerising polyester and amino resins in water using ultrasonic oscillation. The coating was baked for 40 seconds at 350°C to coalesce and solidify the film. The contact angle, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the film, as well as the molecular weight (MW) and structure of the polyester resin, were determined.

Findings

The contact angle of the coating was found to decrease with ultrasonic irradiation; the mechanical properties and thermal stability were not altered when the irradiation time was longer than 5 hours. The MW of the polyester initially decreased then increased and stabilized with ultrasonic irradiation. The structure of polyester molecule and aggregated state of the solidified coating were not changed by ultrasonic irradiation.

Research limitations/implications

In the study reported here, the effects of different ultrasonic irradiation times were investigated. Results of this research could benefit in-depth understanding of the influence of ultrasonic treatment on polyester resins and polyester coatings and could further promote the development of water-based coatings.

Originality/value

The contact angle of the water-based coating decreased by mechanical means. The effects of ultrasound on microstructure and properties of the coating and resin were discussed in detail.
High-performance isocyanate-epoxy materials
Authors: Pilawka Ryszard , Goracy Krzysztof , Wilpiszewska Katarzyna
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new group of chemical compounds as accelerators (1-imidazole derivatives – tertiary amines) for curing of isocyanate-epoxy resin matrix. During heating no reaction between epoxy group and active hydrogen in presence 1-substituted imidazole derivatives was reported.

Design/methodology/approach

The influence of accelerator type and content on curing process, thermal stability and chemical structure of hardened resin was determined using temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, heat deflection temperature, thermogravimetry (modulated and by activation energy – Ozawa method) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, the shear strength of epoxy compositions used as aluminium joints, at ambient and elevated temperature was determined.

Findings

With catalyst content increase the oxazolidone or isocyanurate rings content decreased, indicating enhanced density of cross-linking and thermal resistance. For all imidazole derivatives used (i.e. 1-methylimizadole, 1-ethylimidazole and 1-butylimidazole) accelerating of the curing process was observed (significant decrease of the curing start temperature was reported). The thermal resistance and shear strength was improved with accelerator content (increase of isocyanurate rings amount, and consequently oxazolidone ones).

Originality/value

Introducing of a new group of chemical compounds as new catalysts to isocyanate-epoxy resin material resulted in curing process acceleration, irrespectively of the imidazole derivative type.
The role of faculty autonomy in a course-integrated information literacy program
Authors: Jumonville Anne
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the significance of faculty autonomy in sustaining a successful information literacy program.

Design/methodology/approach

– Faculty members were given the opportunity to create courses that integrated and assessed information literacy as part of a course grant program associated with an institutional assessment mandate. This case study analyzes course grant proposals, course assessment methods and results. It also presents results of a follow-up survey of faculty participants to see if they continued to integrate information literacy in other courses. Results are situated in the context of self-determination theory to better understand the role of autonomy in faculty motivation and participation in an assessment program.

Findings

– Defining and integrating information literacy themselves allowed faculty to align information literacy with their own course goals. Supporting faculty in choosing their own assessment methods for these integrations also provided program administrators with new information about faculty members’ teaching and learning practices and values. Results of a follow-up study confirmed that faculty continued to integrate information literacy in their courses of their own accord, underscoring the importance of an autonomy-supportive program structure.

Originality/value

– This paper provides evidence for information literacy advocates that faculty autonomy can be a strength, not an obstacle. It demonstrates ways to incorporate and allow for autonomy within program constraints and introduces librarians to self-determination theory, a way of thinking about motivation that can help librarians pursue more effective collaborations with faculty.
Library instruction and information literacy 2013
Authors: Detmering Robert , Johnson Anna Marie , Sproles Claudene , McClellan Samantha , Linares Rosalinda Hernandez
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

– Introduces and annotates English-language periodical articles, monographs and other materials on library instruction and information literacy published in 2013.

Findings

– Provides information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.

Originality/value

– The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
Closing the gap
Authors: Totterdill Peter , Exton Rosemary
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the vast and growing body of evidence which shows that workplace innovation, practices which empower employees to make day-to-day-decisions, challenge established practices and contribute ideas, which are heard at the most senior levels of an organisation lead to better business results as well as enhanced workforce health and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

– As European businesses struggle to emerge from recession, this evidence offers an important resource for enhanced competitiveness, increasing productivity and the rate of innovation.

Findings

– However, the article also looks at why most businesses are either unaware of this evidence, or that they are unable or unwilling to act on it. Successive surveys demonstrate a substantial gap between research evidence of “what works” and common workplace practice.

Originality/value

– The practical challenge is to build the conditions at European, national and local levels which stimulate, resource and sustain workplace innovation on a large scale. This is vital for European competitiveness as well as for the well-being of Europe’s workers, but it means nothing less than redefining the “common sense” view of the world experienced by managers and others who influence the nature of the workplace. It also implies the creation of a public sphere of shared knowledge and experience, freely available to those instigating or informing change.
State of Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) in India
Authors: Joshi Seema
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The growing importance of knowledge and innovation in the present era motivated the author to study knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) in general and the case of India in particular. The purpose of this paper is to track in brief the strength of India’s economy lying in growth of knowledge-intensive services (KIS), which if harnessed properly can lead to its transition to a knowledge economy. More specifically, the paper tries to address two important questions: first, what constitutes KIS and KIBS? And second, how has KIBS been performing in India?

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper makes use of secondary sources of data including various reports, books, journals and statistical tools. An attempt has been made in this paper to review those studies which try to define KIS and KIBS. The data analysis of KIBS in the case of India has been done for the period 2004-2005 to 2011-2012 for which information was available from National Accounts Statistics published by Central Statistical Organization.

Findings

– The paper concludes that no unanimously accepted definition of KIBS has been given so far. In the Indian context it is defined as; “business services include services like computer-related services, R&D, accounting services and legal services and renting of machinery in order of importance (shares) as per India’s National Accounts”. An analysis of performance of KIBS in India shows that among KIBS there are two T-KIBs (with a technology base), namely IT and ITeS, and that R&D services occupy the first and second position in India’s gross domestic product (GDP), originating from business services (KIBS). R&D services registered the highest average annual growth rate followed by computer-related services, renting of machinery, legal services and accounting and auditing services during the seven-year period from 2004-2005 to 2011-2012. However, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was highest in the case of R&D services followed by renting of machinery, computer-related services, legal and accountancy and auditing services. KIBS registered a CAGR of 13.04 per cent, which was higher compared to overall GDP growth rate (at 7.36 per cent), and also compared to the CAGR of the real estate and ownership of dwellings and business services segment as a whole (7.62 per cent). Therefore, there is a need to tap the potential of all these KIBS, i.e. knowledge-intense high-tech services (KIHTS) and knowledge-intense marketing services taken in the study through policy initiatives. There is also a need to deal with emerging issues and challenges in KIBS, especially in KIHTS.

Originality/value

– Although there is empirical research on the KIS and KIBS of European Economies, KIBS in India has not received enough research attention. This paper will therefore mainly focus on the performance of KIBS in India.
Comparison of facial predilection sites for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis in Japanese patients
Authors: Shibayama Yoshitsugu , Imafuku Shinichi
Published: November 2014

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and actinic keratosis (AK) occur most often on the face. Ultraviolet light is apparently their most common cause. As AK is considered to be a precursor of cSCC, their distribution on the face should be similar. However, cSCC often occurs on the temple or mandibular area, whereas AK arises on the central forehead, cheek or nose. We retrospectively evaluated differences in affected site distribution for cSCC (n = 54) and AK (n = 95). We found AK to occur preferentially on the central facial area (63/95, 66%), which is the most sun‐exposed area, and cSCC to occur preferentially on peripheral areas such as the temple and mandibular area (24/54, 44%). Those distributions were significantly different (P = 0.011, Fisher's exact test). This result suggests that cSCC occurs preferentially in the peripheral area compared with the central facial area, which further implies that either other factors are needed to make AK progress to cSCC in peripheral areas, or that peripheral cSCC can occur without preceding AK. This is the first report to focus on geographic assessment of cSCC and AK in detail. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of our finding.
Velocity model building from seismic reflection data by full‐waveform inversion
Authors: Brossier Romain , Operto Stéphane , Virieux Jean
Published: November 2014

Full‐waveform inversion is re‐emerging as a powerful data‐fitting procedure for quantitative seismic imaging of the subsurface from wide‐azimuth seismic data. This method is suitable to build high‐resolution velocity models provided that the targeted area is sampled by both diving waves and reflected waves. However, the conventional formulation of full‐waveform inversion prevents the reconstruction of the small wavenumber components of the velocity model when the subsurface is sampled by reflected waves only. This typically occurs as the depth becomes significant with respect to the length of the receiver array. This study first aims to highlight the limits of the conventional form of full‐waveform inversion when applied to seismic reflection data, through a simple canonical example of seismic imaging and to propose a new inversion workflow that overcomes these limitations. The governing idea is to decompose the subsurface model as a background part, which we seek to update and a singular part that corresponds to some prior knowledge of the reflectivity. Forcing this scale uncoupling in the full‐waveform inversion formalism brings out the transmitted wavepaths that connect the sources and receivers to the reflectors in the sensitivity kernel of the full‐waveform inversion, which is otherwise dominated by the migration impulse responses formed by the correlation of the downgoing direct wavefields coming from the shot and receiver positions. This transmission regime makes full‐waveform inversion amenable to the update of the long‐to‐intermediate wavelengths of the background model from the wide scattering‐angle information. However, we show that this prior knowledge of the reflectivity does not prevent the use of a suitable misfit measurement based on cross‐correlation, to avoid cycle‐skipping issues as well as a suitable inversion domain as the pseudo‐depth domain that allows us to preserve the invariant property of the zero‐offset time. This latter feature is useful to avoid updating the reflectivity information at each non‐linear iteration of the full‐waveform inversion, hence considerably reducing the computational cost of the entire workflow. Prior information of the reflectivity in the full‐waveform inversion formalism, a robust misfit function that prevents cycle‐skipping issues and a suitable inversion domain that preserves the seismic invariant are the three key ingredients that should ensure well‐posedness and computational efficiency of full‐waveform inversion algorithms for seismic reflection data.