bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Permanent magnet linear induction heating device: new topology enhancing performances
Authors: Abdi Ammar , Ouazir Youcef , Barakat Georges , Amara Yacine
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This work aims to study a new design of linear permanent magnet transverse flux induction heating devices of nonmagnetic parallelepipedic workpiece. In these topologies, the permanent magnet inductor produces a static magnetic field, and the workpiece to be heated is subjected to a linear movement. To study the magnetothermal process, a new analytical coupling method between the magnetic and thermal phenomena is developed. This analytical model described in this study takes into account the variation of the physical properties of the heated workpiece. The analytical results are compared with good agreement to those issued from finite elements simulations, as well as those issued from measurements on an actual prototype.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is based on analytical development of coupled problem, including the electromagnetic and thermal boundary problems. A strongly coupled magneto-thermal analytical model is developed; the time dependent magnetic problem is first solved by using the separation of variables method to evaluate the induced currents in the nonmagnetic plate and the resulting power density loss distribution. The plate temperature profile is then obtained, thanks to strong involvement of this magnetic model in a new analytical thermal model based on a synergy of separation of variables method and Green’s function transient regime analysis method.

Findings

The results show that an efficient transient magneto-thermal analytical model was developed allowing fast analysis of permanent magnet induction heater for deep heating of parallelepipedic workpieces. Developed model allows also fast and precise simulations of nonlinear and transient magneto-thermal phenomena for different types of permanent magnet induction heating devices.

Practical implications

The developed magneto-thermal analytical model can be used for fast designing of permanent magnet linear induction heating devices for moving parallelepipedic nonmagnetic workpiece.

Originality/value

A new analytical coupled model, including the electromagnetic and transient thermal boundary problem with additional algebraic equations and taking into account the nonlinearity, has been developed. The developed model accuracy was validated with a permanent magnet linear induction heating device. Developed coupled analytical model allows fast analysis and designing of such permanent magnet linear induction heating devices.
Counting heads vs making heads count
Authors: Vargas Emily , Westmoreland Amy Seon , Robotham Kathrina , Lee Fiona
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Research on organizational diversity initiatives generally focus on either numerical diversity or racial climate. Both facets of diversity are critical, however, research has rarely examined their impact simultaneously. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In the current study, the authors use the context of higher education, to examine how variations in the composite of numerical diversity and racial climate predict psychological disparities between faculty of color (FOC) and White faculty. The authors test how institutions that engage in authentic diversity (i.e. institutions that are both numerically diverse and have a positive racial climate) compare to other diversity composites.

Findings

Using a data set ofn=37,406 faculty members in US colleges/universities, this study found that racial disparities between FOC and White faculty for various psychological outcomes are smaller in authentic diversity institutions compared to institutions with low numeric diversity/ poor racial climate. Further, the data demonstrate that authentic diversity institutions have reduced psychological disparities compared to institutions with high numeric diversity/poor racial climate, but have similar disparities to institutions with low numeric/positive racial climate.

Originality/value

These results suggest that diversity climate may be the primary driver of mitigating psychological disparities between FOC and White faculty. However, it is necessary for institutions to authentically engage in diversity – by promoting both entities – to become more effective in reducing disparities.
Can workplaces foster an openness to diversity surreptitiously?
Authors: Moss Simon Andrew , Ennis Gretchen , Zander Kerstin Z. , Bartram Timothy , Hedley Darren
Published: October 2018

Purpose

To enhance their innovation and reputation, many organizations introduce programs that are intended to attract, retain and support diverse communities. Yet, these programs are often unsuccessful, partly because explicit references to diversity tend to evoke defensive reactions in employees from the dominant culture. To circumvent this problem, the purpose of this paper is to explore the hypothesis that individuals tend to be more receptive to diversity whenever they experience meaning in life. Furthermore, four workplace characteristics – informational justice, a manageable workload, equality in status and a compelling vision of the future – should foster this meaning in life.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess these possibilities, 177 employees completed a survey that assessed workplace practices, meaning in life and openness to diversity.

Findings

The results showed that informational justice, a manageable workload and a compelling vision were positively associated with openness to other cultures, constituencies and perspectives, and these relationships were partly or wholly mediated by meaning in life.

Originality/value

These findings imply that leaders might be able to foster an openness to diversity, but without explicit references to this diversity, circumventing the likelihood of defensive reactions. Specifically, a program that simultaneously encourages transparent communication, diminishes workload and clarifies the vision or aspirations of the future may represent an inexpensive but powerful means to foster an openness to diversity.
An optimal homotopy asymptotic method applied to the nonlinear thin film flow problems
Authors: Manafian Jalil , Teymuri sindi Cevat
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the approximate solution of the nonlinear thin film flow problems. A new analytic approximate technique for addressing nonlinear problems, namely, the optimal homotopy asymptotic method (OHAM), is proposed and used in an application to the nonlinear thin film flow problems.

Design/methodology/approach

This approach does not depend upon any small/large parameters. This method provides a convenient way to control the convergence of approximation series and to adjust convergence regions when necessary.

Findings

The obtained solutions show that the OHAM is more effective, simpler and easier than other methods. The results reveal that the method is explicit. By applying the method to nonlinear thin film flow problems, it was found to be simpler in applicability, and more convenient to control convergence. Therefore, the method shows its validity and great potential for the solution of nonlinear problems in science and engineering.

Originality/value

The proposed method is tested upon nonlinear thin film flow equation from the literature and the results are compared with the available approximate solutions including Adomian decomposition method (ADM), homotopy perturbation method, modified homotopy perturbation method and HAM. Moreover, the exact solution is compared with the available numerical solutions. The graphical representation of the solution is given by Maple and is physically interpreted.
Beyond gambling: mediating roles of brand experience and attitude
Authors: Ahn Jiseon , Back Ki-Joon
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of customers’ perception of the integrated resort by focusing on brand-related variables, namely, brand reputation, brand experience, brand attitude, and behavioral intention. Integrated resorts have become popular in the tourism industry. However, despite the popularity of integrated resorts, little is known about how the integrated resort brand contributes to customer attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive online survey was carried out with customers who had experience using the integrated resort. This study used the regression analysis and process macro to test hypothesized relationships among variables.

Findings

These results demonstrate that brand reputation increases customers’ perception of brand experience and brand attitude; brand experience, brand attitude and brand reputation affect behavioral intention toward the integrated resort brand; and brand experience and attitude plays a fully mediating role in the relationship between brand reputation and behavioral intention. These results suggest that customers’ perception associated with the integrated resort brand name is likely to generate a favorable experience and attitude, which, in turn, develops customers’ revisit intention.

Research limitations/implications

A theoretical implication is that the pleasant brand experience and attitude emphasize the significance of the brand reputation in the formation of behavioral intention toward the integrated resort brand. Another theoretical implication is that integrated resort brand reputation might not be a strong indicator of the behavioral loyalty. It is worth conducting additional research on joint effects of brand reputation and customers’ type (e.g. recreational gamblers, problem gamblers, business travelers and family travelers).

Practical implications

The findings offer additional insights into managers on the integrated resort brand concept. This research provides opportunities for managers to identify rational/emotional linkages in differentiating, distinguishing and positioning integrated resort.

Originality/value

Although both brand experience and brand attitude have received past research attention, no researchers have studied them in an integrated resort setting. The main contribution of this research lies in testing the direct and indirect and fills a major gap in the integrated resort literature and research in stressing the need to consider about brand management.
Validation of the Spanish version of the intragroup conflict scale (ICS-14)
Authors: Nieto-Guerrero Manuel , Antino Mirko , Leon-Perez Jose M.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

There is increasing evidence about the key role that intragroup conflicts have for teams’ performance and its members’ well-being. However, the existing measures in the Spanish-speaking context to address intragroup conflicts suffer from important theoretical and methodological flaws. In response, this study aims to provide a valid and reliable scale to measure intragroup conflicts in organizational settings: the Intragroup Conflict Scale in its 14-item version (ICS-14: Jehn et al., 2008).

Design/methodology/approach

In a cross-sectional survey design, the authors analyze the ICS’s internal consistency and reliability, factor solution and external validity by using a multilevel approach in a sample consisting of 588 workers nested in 55 production teams from a Spanish company.

Findings

Results indicated that the ICS-14 exhibited good Cronbach’s alpha (0.62-0.95), omega (0.63-0.95) and multilevel alpha coefficient (0.82-0.98). In addition, in line with the theoretical conception of three types of intragroup conflicts, results from a multilevel confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a three multilevel-factor solution presented the best fit to the data. Finally, multilevel analyses also showed that intragroup conflicts are associated to burnout, engagement at work and perceived team’s quality of service, which provided additional support for using the ICS-14 in the Spanish context.

Practical implications

This study offers a reliable and valid measurement of intragroup conflict, considering the whole instrument and its different dimensions, which can be used to develop team strategies and evaluate the effect of specific interventions on conflict.

Originality/value

The authors validate the most recent 14-item version of the ICS-14 by applying a multilevel approach to a group-level construct that overcomes previous methodological flaws.
A methodology for increasing revenue in fashion retail industry
Authors: Nucamendi-Guillén Samuel , Moreno Miguel A. , Mendoza Abraham
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Fashion retail companies typically exhibit short life-cycles, high volatility and low predictability. Therefore, their success is largely determined by the organisation’s flexibility and responsiveness. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to facilitate inventory control to minimise both shortages and excess inventory for a multi-product, multi-period finite time horizon inventory problem by using statistical and stochastic analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology operates in two phases: the first phase consists on determining an aggregate plan (AP) that will be used for monitoring the behaviour of the items during the time horizon. This plan is obtained by statistically analysing historical data related to sales and inventory shortages and is used to determine a demand forecast during the time horizon that allows to handle with potential disruptions derived from real demand variations. Finally, supply replenishment policies are defined to facilitate the monitoring process during the second phase. For the second phase, the behaviour of real demand for every item is captured into a database and compared against its projected demand (from the AP). If needed, adjustments are made in the procurement of future deliveries to reduce the probability of having shortages and/or excess inventory.

Findings

A case study in a Mexican fashion retail company was conducted to assess the performance of the methodology. Results indicate that shortage in early periods can be reduced totally for certain products while, for others, the reduction is about 90.5 per cent. In addition, the incomes of the company were increased over 57 per cent.

Research limitations/implications

Even when the success of the methodology has been shown, cultural and behavioural factors were not considered. An extensive study is suggested to determine if these factors should be included to enhance the performance of the methodology.

Practical implications

A case study of a Mexican fashion retail company was conducted to assess the performance of the proposed methodology. The methodology is easy to implement and effectively and quickly responds to disruptions in the demand and it also significantly reduces the level of shortages while increasing sales and revenue for the company.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a methodology that is able to anticipate product’s behaviour from early weeks. Additionally, replenishment policies allow to quickly adjust future orders to guarantee the availability of items and minimise overstock.
Digital literacies: preparing pupils and students for their information journey in the twenty-first century
Authors: Gibson Poppy Frances , Smith Sarah
Published: October 2018

Purpose

In a fast-moving world where technology has become intertwined with our daily lives, meaning information is available at our fingertips, information overload (Khabsa and Giles, 2014) is just one of many challenges that this technological overhaul has presented for learners from the primary classroom up to studies within higher education (HE). This paper aims to present skills needed by both pupils and students to navigate their information journey, and discusses how educators can support the acquisition and development of these skills.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on key literature in the fields of education and academia through the process of systematic review and adopting the analogy of a journey to represent lifelong learning, this bipartite paper explores how both primary school pupils and university students are required to access information in their very own information journeys in this “Information Age”.

Findings

The similarities and differences between child and adult learners are considered. This paper shares practical strategies for promoting the smarter use of information – and a shorter journey – for these “travelers” along the way. This paper essentially aims to raise questions in the minds of educators as they help to prepare their learners to learn.

Originality/value

This paper offers an interesting insight for teachers and lecturers as the crossover between two sets of learners, primary-age pupils and students in HE, is considered in terms of how we, as educators, can help to provide more effective and efficient information journeys, and therefore promote successful learning. A five-stage model is presented for the information journey.
A green vehicle routing model based on modified particle swarm optimization for cold chain logistics
Authors: Li Yan , Lim Ming K. , Tseng Ming-Lang
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper studies green vehicle routing problems of cold chain logistics with the consideration of the full set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and an optimization model of green vehicle routing for cold chain logistics (with an acronym of GVRPCCL) is developed. The purpose of this paper is to minimize the total costs, which include vehicle operating cost, quality loss cost, product freshness cost, penalty cost, energy cost and GHG emissions cost. In addition, this research also investigates the effect of changing the vehicle maximum load in relation to cost and GHG emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a mathematical optimization model, considering the total cost and GHG emission. The standard particle swarm optimization and modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO), based on an intelligent optimization algorithm, are applied in this study to solve the routing problem of a real case.

Findings

The results of this study show the extend of the proposed MPSO performing better in achieving green-focussed vehicle routing and that considering the full set of GHG costs in the objective functions will reduce the total costs and environmental-diminishing emissions of GHG through the comparative analysis. The research outputs also evaluated the effect of different enterprises’ conditions (e.g. customers’ locations and demand patterns) for better distribution routes planning.

Research limitations/implications

There are some limitations in the proposed model. This study assumes that the vehicle is at a constant speed and it does not consider uncertainties, such as weather conditions and road conditions.

Originality/value

Prior studies, particularly in green cold chain logistics vehicle routing problem, are fairly limited. The prior works revolved around GHG emissions problem have not considered methane and nitrous oxides. This study takes into account the characteristics of cold chain logistics and the full set of GHGs.
Determination of economic sector in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Achmad Zaini
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the superior economic sector by looking at its contribution to the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of East Kalimantan Province, the economic base, the multiplier effect and the strength of inter-sectoral linkages.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was designed through two research approaches, namely, quantitative and qualitative method. This is intended to complement the results of the phenomenon under study and to strengthen the analysis. Secondary data were analyzed by the level of contribution of the economic sectors to the GRDP, and the base sector was determined through the location quotient approach. The two methods of calculation helped to reveal the dominant economic sectors in East Kalimantan Province. The Input Output (IO) Table in 2016 was made up dated from the 2009 IO Table to be used as a basis for building Social Accounting Matrix data or known as the East Kalimantan Regional Socio-Economic Balance System (SEBS) (a matrix of 49 × 49 sectors) in 2017 by using the RAS method. To be consistent, these SEBS data are then aggregated so all commodities are combined into economic sectors used to determine the leading sector on the East Kalimantan Province SEBS in 2016 (a matrix of 41 × 41 sectors).

Findings

Based on the assessment by scoring of the criteria for determining the leading economic sectors in East Kalimantan, i.e. the contribution of the economic sector to GRDP, the economic base, the multiplier effect (income, production factor, and output) and the linkages between sectors, both backward and forward linkage, shows the ten leading sectors as follows: the trade; paper and printed goods; financial institutions and other financial services; fertilizer; chemical and other rubber products; hotel and restaurant; general government; fisheries; excavation; and mining without oil and gas.

Originality/value

Similar research has never been done before in East Kalimantan; this is one of the originalities of this present study. No previous study has comprehensively studied the mediating effects of tourist value perception on the determination of economic sector, especially in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Assessing the effects of exchange rate depreciation on the US economy
Authors: Sun Wei , Kim Gil
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of exchange rate shock on the broad spectrum of the US economy using a factor-augmented VAR model (FAVAR).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a two-factor FAVAR model and estimated it with the single-step Bayesian likelihood approach using the Gibbs sampling technique. The two factors represented, respectively, the economic activity and price pressures. The exchange rate shock was identified with the Choleski decomposition method for VARs. The authors used the data of 117 time series for the period from 1973:02 to 2007:12. Impulse responses and variance decompositions were computed as the main results.

Findings

The authors found that exchange rate shock has pervasive effects on the US economy as the following: depreciation does not appear to help reduce the US trade deficit as both import and export rise with the depreciation shock; in the short run, depreciation appears expansionary as industrial production, manufacturing and employment all increase within a year; in the medium run, depreciation appears inflationary, as consumer price, producer price, import price and export price all increase; and in the medium run, depreciation appears contractionary as personal consumption, consumer confidence, stock price and housing start tend to fall.

Research limitations/implications

Some caveats remain: first, our simple model symmetrically estimates depreciation shock and appreciation shock and, hence, cannot draw inferences for how exchange rate appreciation and depreciation may affect the US economy asymmetrically. Second, the simple model used did not distinguish the different possible sources of exchange rate depreciation shock, the knowledge of which may lead to richer policy implications and is the direction of research for the future.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature of whether exchange rate is expansionary or contractionary to the US economy using the FAVAR model. This is the first comprehensive study in the literature studying the pervasive effects of the exchange rate on the broad spectrum of the US economy in one integrated model.
Resource misallocation and production inefficiency
Authors: Salas-Velasco Manuel
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Recent studies have linked differences in aggregate productivity to misallocation of resources across firms. In contrast, the purpose of this paper is to study the macroeconomic performance of OECD economies from a production efficiency point of view and estimated the determinants of (in)efficiency with particular emphasis on misallocation of labor.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the pioneering work of Battese and Coelli, the authors proposed a parametric methodology to construct a world frontier that serves as a benchmark to compare the relative position of each country. The non-negative technical inefficiency effects are assumed to be a function of explanatory variables. By doing this, determinants of technical inefficiency are explicitly introduced in the model.

Findings

The results revealed that OECD countries to operate efficiently should expand their aggregate output by 22.6 percent without consuming more resources. A novel finding is that higher skill mismatch is associated with higher production inefficiency. Conversely, more flexible labor markets, and better management and human resource practices, lowered the inefficiency in production. The paper also analyzed the underlying factors driving skill misallocation in the job market. In this regard, a well-functioning education and training system and greater flexibility in the determination of wages are associated with lower levels of mismatch between the skills of individuals and those required by the jobs.

Practical implications

The measurement of the productive efficiency of an economy (or country) is crucial to governments. It is important to know how far a given economy can be expected to increase its output by simply increasing its efficiency, without absorbing further resources. In other words, it is relevant to know if a country could produce more with the same resources and, therefore, could increase per capita income and welfare. In this type of analysis what also matters is to identify what factors or variables explain that greater or lesser ability of a country to convert its resources into aggregate production.

Originality/value

Much research on efficiency measurement has focused on the firm or industry level, mainly to study the efficiency of financial institutions. Efficiency studies using aggregated data across countries are rare in the literature of efficiency. This paper aimed to contribute to filling that shortage evaluating the macroeconomic performance of a sample of OECD countries from the production efficiency point of view.
Central bank transparency, inflation targeting and monetary policy: a panel data approach
Authors: Montes Gabriel Caldas , Gea Cristiane
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The evidence concerning the effects of the inflation targeting (IT) regime as well as greater central bank transparency on monetary policy interest rates is not conclusive, and the following questions remain open. What is the effect of adopting IT on both the level and volatility of monetary policy interest rate? Does central bank transparency affect the level of the monetary policy interest rate and its volatility? Are these effects greater in developing countries? The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature by answering these questions. Hence, the paper analyzes the effects of IT and central bank transparency on monetary policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis uses a sample of 48 countries (31 developing) comprising the period between 1998 and 2014. Based on panel data methodology, estimates are made for the full sample, and then for the sample of developing countries.

Findings

Countries that adopt the IT regime tend to have lower levels of monetary policy interest rates, as well as lower interest rate volatility. The effect of adopting IT on both the level and volatility of the basic interest rate is smaller in developing countries. Besides, countries with more transparent central banks have lower levels of monetary policy interest rates, as well as lower interest rate volatility. In turn, the effect of central bank transparency on both the level and volatility of the basic interest rate is greater in developing countries.

Practical implications

The study brings important practical implications regarding the influence of both the IT regime and central bank transparency on monetary policy.

Originality/value

Studies have sought to analyze whether IT and central bank transparency are effective to control inflation. However, few studies analyze the influence of IT and central bank transparency on interest rates. This study differs from the few existing studies since: the analysis is done not only for the effect of transparency on the level of the monetary policy interest rate, but also on its volatility; the central bank transparency index that is used has never been utilized in this sort of analysis; and the study uses panel data methodology, and compares the results between different samples.
Elections and externalities of health expenditures
Authors: Ferreira Jorge Leandro Delconte , Alves Alexandre Florindo , Caldeira Emilie
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of local public health expenditure in a decentralized health system, taking into account the electoral calendar and the effect of central and local elections, besides spatial interaction among municipalities and political alignment. The authors state that the expenditure in public health at the local level is positively influenced by vicinity and by elections calendar.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed a Spatial Durbin Model with a balanced panel using the data from 399 Brazilian municipalities from 2005 to 2012. The authors use a distance-based spatial matrix, whose choose was based on simplicity and relevance of Moran’sIand Geary’sCcoefficients for spatial autocorrelation. The authors also cluster the data in the estimations, according to the distribution of regional facilities in the entire period and considering the occurrence of regionalization in public health services.

Findings

The empirical contribution lies in four issues: first, the authors demonstrate a positive spatial effect in the public health expenditure. Second, the estimations show that election-year shifts public spent, as a response for vote-seeking incumbents’ behavior. Third, reelected mayors increase local public health allocations, as well as single candidates and incumbents from the same party of central governments. Finally, populational concentration directly decreases health expenditure (even if those municipalities represent a lower unit cost of acquiring votes, the optimization of public health infrastructure and mobility in achieving public health services negatively affect health spent).

Originality/value

This study supports the statement that public health spent at local level is positively influenced by vicinity and by occurrence of elections.
Implementing globally desirable intellectual property rights in the emerging South
Authors: Dai Darong
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use a variety-expanding growth model embedded in the North–South framework to study the implementation of globally desirable protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the emerging South.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a variety-expanding growth model with innovation-led economic growth in both North and South. As usual, imitations targeted equally at Northern and Southern innovations only occur in the South, and the authors focus on the design of Southern IPR protection.

Findings

Welfare-maximizing degrees of Southern IPR protection are explicitly derived for both North and South. There tends to exist a North–South conflict on the right degree of protection. To resolve this conflict, the Southern government can grant appropriate subsides to support domestic innovators. The authors derive the right rate of innovation subsidies such that the conflict is resolved.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first attempt to deal with the North–South conflict on the degree of Southern IPR protection within the variety-expanding growth model. And the novel perspective is to relax the North–South tension on IPR protection via additionally implementing an appropriate innovation subsidy policy.
Developing leadership potential in graduate students with assessment, self-awareness, reflection and coaching
Authors: Lawrence Eleanor , Dunn Maggie W. , Weisfeld-Spolter Suri
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an innovative, research-based approach for stimulating self-awareness, reflection and intentional leadership development and address a call from the academic and business community to educate and prepare graduate students for leadership in contemporary complex workplaces. Building on previous research findings and recommendations, the authors suggest that leadership potential is understood and facilitated through leadership assessment, increased self-awareness and faculty coach-supported reflection and development planning by MBA students. Based on three key constructs in leadership development, a conceptual model depicts the approach to developing potential leaders at this juncture in their professional development.

Design/methodology/approach

New MBA students completed a leadership potential assessment instrument designed to target areas for focused leadership development throughout their MBA program and beyond. The assessment process is followed by faculty coach-supported reflection and development planning as an assignment during the students’ MBA orientation course. To explore the impact of this innovative approach to accelerating the development of leadership potential, reflection papers from students who completed the process were analyzed. Data analysis consisted of content coding with an inter-rater reliability of 0.99 to classify the responses into four key categories. Survey data were also collected from 504 MBA students who attended an on-campus orientation course to measure students’ increasing understanding and awareness of the value of the leadership development opportunity.

Findings

Quantitative and qualitative results provide initial support for this approach to developing leadership potential. Results suggest that the integrative model stimulates a process of awareness, reflection and intentional development, and supports the identification and pursuit of goal-directed learning opportunities throughout students’ MBA program.

Originality/value

Graduate business school students are at a leadership inflection point in their trajectory as leaders. Business colleges play a key role in closing the leadership gap during the development cycle of the students’ MBA program. The innovative approach in this paper, which facilitates self-awareness, reflection and intentional leadership development, offers a model for business colleges exploring how to foster these necessary leadership insights and capabilities.
Religious social action and its organizational profiles
Authors: Belzunegui-Eraso Angel , Duenas-Cid David , Pastor-Gosálbez Inma
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Social action implemented by the Church via its affiliated entities, foundations and associations may be viewed as a uniform activity. In reality, however, several organizational profiles exist that depend on the origin of these organizations (lay or religious), the scope of their activities (local or general) and their dependence on resources (whether from public administration or civil society). The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors examine this diversity based on a 2015 study of every Catholic Church social organization with headquarters in Catalonia. For the study, the authors conducted a detailed analysis of these organizations in order to determine their nature, scope and structure. The methodology combined questionnaire, interviews and non-participant observation.

Findings

The social actions of these organizations lead to interesting debates, such as those on: charity/assistentialism vs social justice; professionalization vs voluntarism; and personal autonomy vs functional dependence resulting from the action. This study also highlights how important it is that Church organizations carry out social actions to generate social welfare in the welfare states of southern European countries.

Originality/value

It is the first time that a study of the social impact of the church and its organizational implications in Spain has been made.
Educator challenges in the development and delivery of constructivist active and experiential entrepreneurship classrooms in Chinese vocational higher education
Authors: Bell Robin , Liu Peng
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived challenges that Chinese vocational college educators face in developing and delivering constructivist active and experiential entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were collected from 24 focus groups of educators who had been tasked with embedding constructivist entrepreneurship education into their teaching and curriculum, at four different vocational colleges situated in four different provinces in China. The data were coded and analysed for emerging themes using a process of bottom-up thematic analysis.

Findings

A range of concerns were identified from the focus groups and these could be divided into five main challenges, which were the role of the educator in the constructivist learning process and their ability to control the process; the educators perceived student reaction to the process and their engagement with it; the time and technology required to deliver the process; the link between the learning and industry; and the educators’ perception of the requirements to meet internal expectations.

Research limitations/implications

This research explores the educators’ perceptions of the challenges they face in developing and delivering active and experiential constructivist entrepreneurship education. Whilst these concerns may impact how the educators’ approach the task, these concerns are only perceived, as the educators’ have not yet implemented the introduction of constructivist entrepreneurship education when other challenges may become evident.

Originality/value

Encouragement by the Chinese Government to develop and deliver constructivist active and experiential entrepreneurship education has resulted in a number of tensions and challenges. Entrepreneurship education in China is still relatively young and under researched and this research contributes to the literature by exploring the challenges that educators face in developing and delivering constructivist entrepreneurship education in Chinese vocational colleges.
The SMEs’ technology acceptance of digital media for stakeholder engagement
Authors: Camilleri Mark Anthony
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly communicating and interacting with stakeholders through digital media. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the SME owner-managers’ attitudes toward the pace of technological innovation, and it examines their perceived use and ease of digital media for stakeholder engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology integrated measuring items from the technology acceptance model, the pace of technological innovation and corporate social responsibility, to better understand the SME owner-managers’ rationale for using digital media. The respondents were expected to reveal their attitudes toward commercial, ethical and social responsibilities.

Findings

A factor analysis indicated that the SME owner-managers were perceiving the usefulness of digital media to engage with marketplace stakeholders. Whilst, a stepwise regression analysis reported positive and significant relationships between the pace of technological innovation and the SMEs’ perceived usefulness of digital media for communication purposes. The results also revealed that young owner-managers from large SMEs were more likely to utilize digital media than their smaller counterparts.

Originality/value

This contribution implies that both small and micro businesses are utilizing digital media to improve their stakeholder engagement. This study indicates that the pace of technological innovation, the SMEs’ perceived ease of use of digital media, as well as their commercial responsibility were significant antecedents for the SMEs’ online communication.
Aspects of measuring the impact of new innovations in Finnish libraries
Authors: Laitinen Markku Antero
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine aspects of measuring the impact of new innovations in Finnish libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Along with the change of paradigm of libraries’ ways of action toward more networked and with the developing of new innovative services, new evaluation methods and indicators will be needed to show the value and impact of the operation of these services.

Findings

To measure the impact of services produced by the networking of several organizations and the added value perceived by the patrons, new methods of impact assessment are needed, as well as change in the way of thinking.

Originality/value

In the libraries, there is only a little if at all discussion about the need and means of showing the results, impact and value of the library services to their clientele, their frame organizations or the society. This is the first article to examine aspects of measuring the impact of new innovations in Finnish libraries.
The role of green management in creating sustainability performance on the small and medium enterprises
Authors: Raharjo Kusdi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of the relationship between stakeholder demand, resources, knowledge and product uniqueness on green marketing and its implication on sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative research approach that explains the phenomenon by collecting numerical data analyzed using mathematically based methods. The research location was Batik Lawean Center of Surakarta, which is the centers of Batik industry and heritage. These locations were chosen because Laweyan and Kedung Baruk have a vision as the center of Batik industry and environment-friendly heritage through sustainable development.

Findings

Stakeholder demand, resource, knowledge and the uniqueness of the product have a significant effect on the application of green management, and the green management has a significant effect on the sustainability performance. It means that the stakeholder demand, resources, knowledge and product uniqueness have a significant effect on green management, and green management simultaneously shows a significant effect on sustainability performance. The application of green management will also improve sustainability performance.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is on the testing of simultaneous relationships between the factors making up the application of green marketing, namely stakeholder demand, resources, knowledge and product uniqueness, as well as the impact of green marketing implementation on sustainability performance. This study focuses on the application of green management by involving the measurement of environmental performance and financial performance, as has been investigated by Karagiorgos (2010) and Earnhart and Lizal (2006). On the other hand, this study attempts to review the application of green management in the form of environmental performance as studied by Filbeck and Gorman (2004) and Sarah and Peter (2000), which reveal several determinants of environmental performance, as suggested by Mutamimah and Handoko (2011). However, this study focuses on the qualitative determinants that have been found by researchers (Raharjo, 2016) that the low or high level of green management application is determined by the demand of stakeholders, resources, knowledge, and product uniqueness considering the object of research is the Batik industry, which is certainly different from other industries, such as those that have been investigated by Karagiorgos (2010), Earnhart and Lizal (2006), Mutamimah and Handoko (2011), Filbeck and Gorman (2004), and Sarah and Peter (2000). This study also combines the measurement of financial performance and non-financial performance in the form of sustainability performance variables.
Silk Road Economic Belt strategy and industrial total-factor productivity
Authors: Feng Jian , Zhao Lingdi , Jia Huanyu , Shao Shuangyu
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) strategy and its role of industrial productivity in China.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify the causal effect of this strategy on industrial sustainable development, the authors first use the slacks-based measure model to calculate industries’ total-factor productivity (TFP) considered with CO2emissions as undesirable output on the provincial level. Then, the authors use the PSM-DID method to identify the difference of TFPs between provinces and industries before and after the implementation of SREB strategy.

Findings

However, the authors find that there is no difference or even a relative decrease in TFPs of industries in target provinces after the implementation of the strategy, which reveals that the SREB strategy does not play a positive role of the industries’ sustainable development in years of 2014 and 2015.

Originality/value

The value of this result is to identify the short-term impact of SREB strategy and to seek for probable causes and appropriate solutions.
Ultrasonic characterization of the complex Young’s modulus of polymer parts fabricated with microstereolithography
Authors: Morris Clinton B. , Cormack John M. , Hamilton Mark F. , Haberman Michael R. , Seepersad Carolyn C.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Microstereolithography is capable of producing millimeter-scale polymer parts having micron-scale features. Material properties of the cured polymers can vary depending on build parameters such as exposure. Current techniques for determining the material properties of these polymers are limited to static measurements via micro/nanoindentation, leaving the dynamic response undetermined. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a method to measure the dynamic response of additively manufactured parts to infer the dynamic modulus of the material in the ultrasonic range.

Design/methodology/approach

Frequency-dependent material parameters, such as the complex Young’s modulus, have been determined for other relaxing materials by measuring the wave speed and attenuation of an ultrasonic pulse traveling through the materials. This work uses laser Doppler velocimetry to measure propagating ultrasonic waves in a solid cylindrical waveguide produced using microstereolithography to determine the frequency-dependent material parameters of the polymer. Because the ultrasonic wavelength is comparable with the part size, a model that accounts for both geometric and viscoelastic dispersive effects is used to determine the material properties using experimental data.

Findings

The dynamic modulus in the ultrasonic range of 0.4-1.3 MHz was determined for a microstereolithography part. Results were corroborated by using the same experimental method for an acrylic part with known properties and by evaluating the natural frequency and storage modulus of the same microstereolithography part with a shaker table experiment.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates a method for determining the dynamic modulus of additively manufactured parts, including relatively small parts fabricated with microstereolithography.