bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computer studies on the three-dimensional spontaneous fast reconnection model as a nonlinear instability
Authors: Ugai M. , Kondoh K. , Shimizu T.
Published: April 2004

The present paper studies the basic physics of the spontaneous fast reconnection model in a three-dimensional (3D) situation for different resistivity parameter values, where the threshold for occurrence of current-driven anomalous resistivity is allowed to increase with the thermal velocity (T), and the initial plasma density notably changes in space with the plasma pressure in the current sheet system. For any case, once the anomalous resistivity is ignited, the 3D fast reconnection mechanism explosively evolves as a nonlinear instability by the positive feedback between the anomalous resistivity and the reconnection flow, even if the threshold significantly increases with the thermal velocity; for the larger threshold values, the fast reconnection evolution becomes more drastic and the reconnection rate, finally attained on the nonlinear saturation phase, becomes larger. In the resulting 3D fast reconnection configuration, slow shocks stand and extend outwards in the finite extent; also, ahead of the fast reconnection jet, a large-scale 3D plasmoid swells and propagates in the central current sheet, and a vortex flow is formed near the plasmoid side boundary. In the wide range of parameter values, the basic physics of the 3D spontaneous fast reconnection evolution in the finite extent is found to be, qualitatively, consistent with the well-known two-dimensional one.
Studies of burning plasma physics in the Joint European Torus
Authors: Mayoral M.-L. , Buttery R. , Jones T. T. C. , Kiptily V. , Sharapov S. , Mantsinen M. J. , Coda S. , Sauter O. , Eriksson L.-G. , Nguyen F. , Borba D. N. , Mück A. , Pinches S. D. , Noterdaeme J.-M. , Contributors JET-EFDA
Published: April 2004

In burning plasma experiments, the very energetic alpha (α) particles resulting from a deuterium–tritium fusion reaction will be the dominant heating mechanism and will give rise to new physics issues. Recent experiments performed on the Joint European Torus [P. H. Rebut and B. E. Keen, Fusion Technol. 11, 13 (1987)] and aiming to investigate burning plasma physics are reported in this paper. In the presence of very energetic particles, the magnetohydrodynamic stability of plasmas is affected. Sawteeth will be strongly stabilized and may lead to the onset of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs), which are damaging for the plasma confinement. 4He ions injected at 120 keV by the neutral beam injection system and accelerated by ion cyclotron resonance frequency (ICRF) waves to the MeV energy range have provided the necessary energetic particles to investigate these effects. New scenarios have been used in order to control the stability of the sawteeth even in the presence of fast particles and to prevent or delay the appearance of NTMs. Finally, in a plasma self-heated by α-particles, the thermal stability is a critical point and equilibrium will have to be maintained between the α-heating and the transport losses. Experiments have been performed where a fraction of the ICRF heating has been used to simulate the α-heating. A situation of thermal runaway has been demonstrated and successfully controlled.
Shock propagation, preheat, and x-ray burnthrough in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion ablator materials
Authors: Olson R. E. , Leeper R. J. , Nobile A. , Oertel J. A. , Chandler G. A. , Cochrane K. , Dropinski S. C. , Evans S. , Haan S. W. , Kaae J. L. , Knauer J. P. , Lash K. , Mix L. P. , Nikroo A. , Rochau G. A. , Rivera G. , Russell C. , Schroen D. , Sebring R. J. , Tanner D. L. , Turner R. E. , Wallace R. J.
Published: April 2004

The velocities and temperatures of shock waves generated by laser-driven hohlraum radiation fields have been measured in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) capsule ablator materials. Time-resolved measurements of the preheat temperature ahead of the shock front have been performed and included in the analysis. Measurements of the x-ray burnthrough of the ablation front and the ablator x-ray re-emission have also been made in the Cu-doped beryllium, polyimide, and Ge-doped CH ablator samples. The experiments utilize 15 beams of the University of Rochester Omega Laser [Soures et al., Phys. Plasmas 3, 2108 (1996)] to heat hohlraums to radiation temperatures of ∼120–200 eV. In the experiments, planar samples of ablator material are exposed to the hohlraum radiation field, generating shocks in the range of 10–50 Mbars. The experimental results are compared to integrated two-dimensional Lasnex [G. B. Zimmerman and W. L. Kruer, Comments Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 2, 51 (1975)] calculations, in which the measured laser pulse is used as input and the time-dependent ultraviolet shock breakout and soft x-ray ablator burnthrough are calculated quantities. It is found that proper calculation of the time-dependent hohlraum x-ray flux, including spectral content, and the ablator opacity will be essential for obtaining the level of predictive capabilities required for the thermonuclear ignition of an ICF capsule at the U.S. National Ignition Facility [E. I. Moses, Fusion Technol. 44, 11 (2003)].
Reconstruction of gyrotropic phase-space distributions from one-dimensional projections
Authors: Egedal J. , Bindslev H.
Published: April 2004

This paper describes mathematical tools applicable to the reconstruction of anisotropic velocity distributions through the unfolding of data coming from techniques like collective Thomson scattering or laser induced fluorescence, where one-dimensional projections of the velocity space along a “scattering” direction are measured. Salient details of gyrotropic distributions can be reproduced when using simultaneous measurements from two or three scattering directions. The mathematical framework can also be used to optimize instrumental geometry for maximal resolution of the velocity distribution. An example is given based on alpha particle distribution in the Joint European Torus tokamak [P. H. Rebut and B. E. Keen, Fusion Technol. 11, 13 (1987)].
Transport and magnetic properties of bulk La1−xSbxMnO3 (x=0.05,0.1)
Authors: Duan P. , Dai S. Y. , Tan G. T. , Lu H. B. , Zhou Y. L. , Cheng B. L. , Chen Z. H.
Published: April 2004

Bulk perovskite manganese oxide La1−xSbxMnO3 (x=0.05,0.1) samples were prepared using solid-state reaction technology. Electrical transport and magnetic properties have been investigated. The experimental results show that the compound exhibits typical colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) behavior. The temperature and time dependence of magnetization [M(T) and M(t)] confirm that the compounds are in cluster glass state at temperatures lower than Curie temperature. The zero-field-cooled magnetization strongly depends on the observed time, and all M(t) curves have an inflection point at an observation time very close to wait time tw. All our results show that the La1−xSbxMnO3 (x=0.05, 0.1) compound is a CMR oxide with a MR ratio of about 60% at 225 K and 5 T. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis has revealed that the Sb cation is in quin-valence state and the new compound could be considered as an electron doped system.
Optical and electrical properties of preferentially anisotropic single-walled carbon-nanotube films in terahertz region
Authors: Jeon Tae-In , Kim Keun-Ju , Kang Chul , Maeng In Hee , Son Joo-Hiuk , An Kay Hyeok , Lee Ji Yeong , Lee Young Hee
Published: April 2004

The absorption and dispersion of aligned single-walled carbon-nanotube films were measured from 0.2 to 2.0 THz using a source of freely propagating subpicosecond pulses of THz electromagnetic radiation. The real conductivity increased rapidly with increasing frequency up to 0.45 THz and decreased at a high-frequency range. The Maxwell–Garnett model, where the nanotubes were embedded in a dielectric host, fit the results of this study with the Drude–Lorentz model for nanotube network. We have observed the transverse phonon mode of 2.4 THz propagating along the c direction. This suggested that the carbon nanotube network is composed of metallic and semiconducting nanotubes embedded in an air dielectric host.
Water-induced degradation in 0.91Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.09PbTiO3 single crystals
Authors: Chen W. P. , Qi J. Q. , Wang Y. , Jiang X. P. , Chan H. L. W.
Published: April 2004

Water-induced degradation in 0.91Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.09PbTiO3 (PZN–PT) single crystals was studied through an electrochemical hydrogen charging process, in which silver electrodes were fired onto the single crystals and hydrogen was deposited on the electrodes via electrolysis of water in 0.01 M NaOH solution. The degradation was characterized by dramatic increases in the leakage current and in the dielectric loss of the crystals. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystals were decomposed into metallic lead, zinc, and a niobium-rich face-centered-cubic phase. Water-induced degradation limits the application of PZN–PT single crystals.
Very high-efficiency and low voltage phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes based on a p-i-n junction
Authors: He Gufeng , Schneider Oliver , Qin Dashan , Zhou Xiang , Pfeiffer Martin , Leo Karl
Published: April 2004

Green phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) employing tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium doped into a wide energy gap hole transport host have been studied. N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-benzidine doped with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane is used as a hole injection and transport layer, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline and cesium are coevaporated as a n-doped electron transport layer, and an intrinsic emission layer is sandwiched between these two doped layer. Such a p-i-n device features efficient carrier injection from both contacts into the doped transport layers and low ohmic losses in these highly conductive layers. Thus, low operating voltages are obtained compared to conventional undoped OLEDs. By modifying the device structure, we optimized the carrier balance in the emission layer and at its interfaces. For the optimized device, the maximum power efficiency is 53 lm/W, and a luminance of 1000 cd/m2 is reached at 3.1 V with a power efficiency of 45 lm/W.
Deep depletion phenomenon of SrTiO3 gate dielectric capacitor
Authors: Liu Chih-Yi , Chen Bo-Yang , Tseng Tseung-Yuen
Published: April 2004

SrTiO 3 (STO) thin films were deposited on p-type silicon substrate by radio-frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering in an Ar–O2 and Ar–N2 mixed ambient to form metal/insulator/semiconductor (MIS) structure. We found the Schottky emission and Fowler–Nordheim tunneling mechanisms as responsible for the leakage current in the STO-based MIS structures at low and high electric fields under negative bias voltage, respectively. On the other hand, it was also observed that the generation current dominated the leakage mechanism at the high electric field under positive bias voltage due to the highly leaky insulator and lack of electrons. To maintain the leakage current at the higher electric field, the depletion width would broaden to generate more electrons, which is called deep depletion. Therefore, deep depletion was induced by high leakage current density under positive bias voltage. We also investigated the correlation between deep depletion and the leakage mechanism in STO-based gate dielectric capacitors under positive bias voltage to extract the generation lifetime of silicon substrates. The extracted generation lifetime can be used to examine the quality of silicon substrates after different processing conditions.
The physical properties of cubic plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition TaN films
Authors: Kim H. , Lavoie C. , Copel M. , Narayanan V. , Park D.-G. , Rossnagel S. M.
Published: April 2004

Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE–ALD) is a promising technique to produce high quality metal and nitride thin films at low growth temperature. In this study, very thin (<10 nm) low resistivity (350 μΩ cm) cubic TaN Cu diffusion barrier were deposited by PE–ALD from TaCl5 and a plasma of both hydrogen and nitrogen. The physical properties of TaN thin films including microstructure, conformality, roughness, and thermal stability were investigated by various analytical techniques including x-ray diffraction, medium energy ion scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The Cu diffusion barrier properties of PE–ALD TaN thin films were studied using synchrotron x-ray diffraction, optical scattering, and sheet resistance measurements during thermal annealing of the test structures. The barrier failure temperatures were obtained as a function of film thickness and compared with those of PE–ALD Ta, physical vapor deposition (PVD) Ta, and PVD TaN. A diffusion kinetics analysis showed that the microstructure of the barrier materials is one of the most critical factors for Cu diffusion barrier performance.
Numerical study of neoclassical plasma pedestal in a tokamak geometry
Authors: Chang C. S. , Ku Seunghoe , Weitzner H.
Published: April 2004

The fundamental properties of steep neoclassical plasma pedestals in a quiescent tokamak plasma have been investigated with a new guiding center particle code XGC: an X-point included Guiding Center code. It is shown that the width of the steepest neoclassical pedestals is similar to an experimentally observed edge pedestal width, and that a steep pedestal must be accompanied by a self-consistent negative radial electric field well. It is also shown that a steep neoclassical pedestal can form naturally at a quiescent diverted edge as the particle source from the neutral penetration (and heat flux from the core plasma) is balanced by the sharply increasing convective ion loss toward the separatrix. The steep neoclassical pedestal and the strong radial electric field well are suppressed by an anomalous diffusion coefficient of a strength appropriate to an L-mode state; nonetheless, the E×B shearing rate increases rapidly with pedestal temperature. Additionally, the present study shows that a steep pedestal at the diverted edge acts as a cocurrent parallel momentum source.
Impact of the metal cathode and CsF buffer layer on the performance of organic light-emitting devices
Authors: Chan M. Y. , Lai S. L. , Fung M. K. , Lee C. S. , Lee S. T.
Published: April 2004

The influences of different metal cathodes on the performance of organic light-emitting devices were systematically studied. In addition to the well-known effects of metal work function, the effects of reflectivity and reactivity of the metal cathode on the device efficiency and operational stability were explored. The interplays of different metal cathodes and a CsF buffer layer were also studied in standard α-napthylphenylbiphenyl diamine/tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (NPB/Alq3) devices. It was found that when the metal cathode is directly deposited on the organic layer, the device performance improves as the metal work function decreases. This effect is modulated by the metal reflectivity such that rare-earth metal cathodes, which typically have a lower reflectance, have a lower efficiency than alkaline-earth metal cathodes. Device operational stability is found to be related to the reactivity between Alq3 and the metal cathode. Devices with metal cathodes that react detrimentally with Alq3, such as Al and Ca, have a much lower lifetime than devices with other cathodes. On the other hand, when a thin CsF buffer layer was inserted at the organic/metal interface, I-V characteristics and efficiency improve considerably and become almost independent of the metal work function. Device lifetime also increases, and its dependence on the reactivity between the Alq3 and the metal cathode remains.
Optimal design of semiconductor opening switches for use in the inductive stage of high power pulse generators
Authors: Engelko A. , Bluhm H.
Published: April 2004

Semiconductor opening switches (SOS) are able to interrupt currents at density levels of up to 10 kA/cm2 in less than 10 ns, operate at repetition rates up to 1 kHz, and possess lifetimes of more than 1011 pulses. If stacked, SOS diodes can hold off voltage levels up to several 100 kV. They are therefore ideal for the design of compact high voltage pulse generators of the GW-class for industrial applications. The aim of this work was to improve our understanding of the opening process in a semiconductor diode of SOS-type with a doping profile of p+pnn+ structure, obtainable through diffusion from the surfaces. To simulate the physical processes inside this diode the code POSEOSS was developed. It contains a detailed physical model of charge carrier transport under the influence of density gradients and electric fields and considers all relevant generation and recombination processes. It possesses a large degree of flexibility and is easy to use, and thus allows to carry out parameter studies to determine the influence of different physical quantities, such as doping and impurity levels, on the performance of the device. When applying the code some interesting results concerning the plasma dynamics during the opening process in the switch have been found. In particular, using realistic values for the charge carrier mobility, it was found that the opening process starts first at the n–n+ boundary. Also it has been possible to derive the physical conditions for the occurrence of the SOS-effect. Based on the simulation results a simplified SOS equivalent circuit model has been developed. This model can be used in the circuit simulation program PSPICE. A pulse generator scheme based on inductive storage is proposed, in which power multiplication is achieved by unloading the inductors, previously charged in series, in parallel. This scheme can be considered as the inductive equivalent of a Marx-generator. PSPICE simulations of such a scheme based on semiconductor opening switches are presented. The theoretical results have been compared to measurements obtained with a simple experimental set-up using two 100 kV SOS-switches. The measurements showed good agreement with the simulation results. Further improvements seem possible by adapting the SOS device structure to the specific generator circuit.
Mn and Sm doped lead titanate ceramic fibers and fiber/epoxy 13 composites
Authors: Li Kun , Pang Geoffrey , Wa Chan Helen Lai , Choy Chung Loong , Li Jin-hua
Published: April 2004

Manganese and samarium doped lead titanate [Pb0.85Sm0.10(Ti0.98Mn0.02)O3, PSmT] fibers were prepared by sol-gel method. The micrographs obtained using scanning electron microscope show that PSmT ceramic fibers are round and dense. The diameter of the fibers was in the range of 30–35 μm. The crystalline grains size is ∼2.5 μm. The micrographs obtained using transmission electron microscope also unveiled the layer-by-layer 90° domains in the grains. X-ray diffraction patterns of the fibers show that PSmT ceramics have a pure perovskite structure. The c/a ratio of the unit cell was 1.04. The PSmT fiber/epoxy 1-3 composites were fabricated by filling the ceramic fiber bundle with epoxy. The dielectric permittivity ε, electromechanical coefficient kt, and the piezoelectric constant d33 of PSmT fiber/epoxy 1-3 composites with 68% fiber loading were 118, 0.51, and 48 pC/N, respectively. The hysteresis loop of the composites was measured by the Sawyer–Tower method. It was also found that the composites could withstand an electric field of 15 kV/mm at room temperature.
Infertility with defective spermatogenesis and hypotestosteronemia in male mice lacking the androgen receptor in Sertoli cells
Authors: Chang Chawnshang , Chen Yen-Ta , Yeh Shauh-Der , Xu Qingquan , Wang Ruey-Sheng , Guillou Florian , Lardy Henry , Yeh Shuyuan
Published: April 2004

Androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) play important roles in male fertility, although the detailed mechanisms, particularly how androgen/AR influences spermatogenesis in particular cell types, remain unclear. Using a Cre-Lox conditional knockout strategy, we generated a tissue-specific knockout mouse with the AR gene deleted only in Sertoli cells (S-AR
-/y
). Phenotype analyses show the S-AR
-/y
mice were indistinguishable from WT AR mice (B6 AR
+/y
) with the exception of testes, which were significantly atrophied. S-AR
-/y
mice were infertile, with spermatogenic arrest predominately at the diplotene premeiotic stage and almost no sperm detected in the epididymides. S-AR
-/y
mice also have lower serum testosterone concentrations and higher serum leuteinizing hormone concentrations than B6 AR
+/y
mice. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that S-AR
-/y
mice have defects in the expression of anti-Müllerian hormone, androgen-binding protein, cyclin A1, and sperm-1, which play important roles in the control of spermatogenesis and/or steroidogenesis. Together, our Sertoli cell-specific AR knockout mice provide
in vivo
evidence of the need for functional AR in Sertoli cells to maintain normal spermatogenesis and testosterone production, and ensure normal male fertility.
Phactrs 1–4: A family of protein phosphatase 1 and actin regulatory proteins
Authors: Allen Patrick B. , Greenfield Audrey T. , Svenningsson Per , Haspeslagh Derek C. , Greengard Paul
Published: April 2004

Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a multifunctional enzyme with diverse roles in the nervous system, including regulation of synaptic activity and dendritic morphology. PP1 activity is controlled via association with a family of regulatory subunits that govern subcellular localization and substrate specificity. A previously undescribed class of PP1-binding proteins was detected by interaction cloning. Family members were also found to bind to cytoplasmic actin via Arg, Pro, Glu, and Leu repeat-containing sequences. The prototypical member of this family, phosphatase and actin regulator (phactr) 1 was a potent modulator of PP1 activity
in vitro
. Phactr-1 protein is selectively expressed in brain, where high levels were found in cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, with enrichment of the protein at synapses. Additional family members displayed highly distinct mRNA transcript expression patterns within rat brain. The current findings present a mechanism by which PP1 may be directed toward neuronal substrates associated with the actin cytoskeleton.
Mental Representation of Logical Connectives
Authors: Sloutsky Vladimir M. , Goldvarg Yevgeniya
Published: April 2004

Logical connectives, such as “AND”, “OR”, “IF… THEN”, and “IF AND ONLY IF” are ubiquitous in both language and cognition; however, reasoning with logical connectives is error–prone. We argue that some of these errors may stem from people's tendency to minimize the number of possibilities compatible with logical connectives and to construct a “minimalist” one–possibility representation. As a result, connectives denoting a single possibility (e.g., conjunctions) are likely to be represented correctly, whereas connectives denoting multiple possibilities (e.g., disjunctions or conditionals) are likely to be erroneously represented as conjunctions. These predictions were tested and confirmed in three experiments using different paradigms. In Experiment 1, participants were presented with a multiple–choice task and asked to select all and only those possibilities that would indicate that compound verbal propositions were true versus false. In Experiment 2, a somewhat similar task was used, except that participants were asked later to perform a cued recall of verbal propositions. Finally, Experiment 3 used an old/new recognition paradigm to examine participants’ ability to accurately recognize different logical connectives. The results of the three experiments are discussed in relation to theories of representation of possibilities and theories of reasoning.
The 30th Sir Frederick Bartlett Lecture: Fact, Artefact, and Myth about Blindsight
Authors: Cowey Alan
Published: April 2004

Blindsight is the ability, still controversial if a vote is taken, of subjects with clinically blind field defects to detect, localize, and discriminate visual stimuli of which the subjects say they are completely unaware—the original definition—or of which they might be aware but not in the sense of experiencing a visual percept. These two conditions are known as blindsight Types I and II. This Bartlett lecture narrates the discovery of blindsight and its mounting opposition, and it evaluates the continuing and often perplexing debate about its standing as a visual cognitive phenomenon.
An academic leadership‐based group experience
Authors: Lorena Hernández Yáñez María
Published: April 2004

From 1997 to 1999, the University of Guadalajara (in the state of Jalisco, Mexico), implemented for the first time the Retention and Stimuli for Academic Leadership Groups Program, better known in the institutional context as PRYEGLA. In the context of Mexican higher education this program constituted an innovative experience, because its principal focus of interest was stimulating performance on a group, rather than on an individual basis. Using the case study approach, the paper describes the institutional concept of these so‐called “academic leadership groups”, and discusses some of the problems associated with the institutional design of this program and the evaluation of the performance of such groups. Finally, a preliminary set of suggestions for improving the program is provided from the point of view of the different actors involved.
Exploring leadership preferences in multicultural workgroups
Authors: Brain Kenneth , Lewis Dianne
Published: April 2004

A workforce comprising individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds necessitates attention to subordinate leadership preferences. Exploratory studies conducted within an Australian Government department examined the mix of leadership behaviours that different cultural workgroups preferred their supervisors to display. Transactional and transformational leadership approaches were explored and workgroups were classified either as Australian or Non‐Australian background (NAB). Case study methodology employing semi‐structured interviews, written surveys, organisational document review and on‐site observations was used. Findings indicate that Australian supervisors and their subordinates were not aware of the types of, or the subordinates’ preferences for leadership behaviours displayed by the supervisors. While both cultural workgroups preferred transformational leadership behaviours, they differed in the mix and intensity of transactional and transformational leadership behaviours they would prefer their supervisors to display. The findings have significance for supervisory leadership practices and leadership training for organisations and leaders who wish to develop their culturally diverse workgroup leadership skills.
Identifying sectoral management cultures through recruitment advertising
Authors: Cullen John
Published: April 2004

Adapting the research methodology and framework utilised by Communal and Senior, this paper analyses messages conveyed by advertisements for senior management positions in the Irish national press with a view to discerning if there are sectoral differences in management cultures in Ireland. Following the literature review and presentation of the research methodology, a report on the overall findings of the data collected is presented. A qualitative comparison of messages about management cultures in the private, public and non‐government organisation sector is presented. In some cases, quantitative data are employed to enhance the findings. Distinct messages about differing management cultures on a sectoral basis are uncovered throughout the research.
The emergent prerequisites of managerial learning in small firm networks
Authors: Florén Henrik , Tell Joakim
Published: April 2004

Descriptive studies have shown that co‐operation in networks produces better possibilities for higher‐level learning than small firms can organise on their own. Previous studies of learning in networks, however, have not considered how the prerequisites for higher‐level learning develop over time in networks. This paper reports on a seven‐year participant observational study of two different network constellations. A conclusion from the study is that the learning in networks of small‐firm owner/managers is based on trust and has emergent prerequisites. These prerequisites are reciprocity between learning actors, the learning actors’ receptive and confronting capacity, and the transparency of the dialogue in the networks. Over time these prerequisites develop and create better opportunities for higher‐level learning.
Global environmental planning at the Technical University of Catalonia
Authors: Ferrer‐Balas Didac
Published: April 2004

In 1996 the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) adopted an Environment Plan which incorporated classical technical education, promoting multidisciplinary environmental research, and improving the environmental performance of university life as a whole. This paper outlines the first environment plan (1996‐2001). It discusses its encouraging results and consequences, and describes how it was the main motivation for the design of a second environment plan for the period (2002‐2005). The paper pays special attention to the curriculum greening experience of UPC: six years ago the university decided to start greening its entire range of courses, over a wide range of technical and scientific areas. The paper explains the most relevant projects, and attempts to evaluate their effectiveness in improving the environmental performance of the university.
Sustainability in tertiary curricula: what is stopping it happening?
Authors: Thomas Ian
Published: April 2004

The concepts of environmental education and education for sustainability have been acknowledged by many tertiary institutions for over a decade. An appreciable number of institutions have signed agreements to educate students in all disciplines about sustainability. Although several Australian institutions of higher education have signed the Talloire Declaration, a recent survey finds little indication that their curricula have been changed to include sustainability education. Despite the apparent widespread support for the concept of student education in sustainability, there is little implementation. The experience of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University suggests that those concerned about education and environment/sustainability need more than conviction and vision. A strategic approach – based on change management and supported by staff development – is needed to implement these sorts of changes. Rather than attempting to outline a grand plan or model for implementation, this paper identifies key issues and looks into the current experience associated with implementation approaches.
Early‐warning system for crisis in SMEs: preliminary evidence from Finland and the UK
Authors: Laitinen Erkki K. , Gin Chong H.
Published: April 2004

This paper presents a model for predicting crises in small businesses using early‐warning signals. It summarises the results of two separate studies carried out in Finland (with 72 per cent response) and the UK (26 per cent) on the decision process of corporate analysts (Finland) and bank managers (UK) in predicting the failure of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Both studies consist of seven main headings and over 40 sub‐headings of possible factors leading to failure. Weighted averages were used for both studies to show the importance of these factors. There are significant similarities in the results of the two studies. Management incompetence was regarded as the most important factor, followed by deficiencies in the accounting system and attitude towards customers. However, low accounting staff morale was considered a very important factor in Finland but not in the UK. Unlike Finland, the UK results emphasised the importance of accounting systems and internal control. These two studies differ from previous studies as managerial auditing elements like the importance of internal control departments (UK evidence) and budgetary control systems were included. Similarities in the results of these surveys conducted under two separate EU environments imply that it would be interesting and beneficial to extend these studies to other member states.
Family orientation in family firms: a model and some empirical evidence
Authors: Reid Renee , Dunn Barbara , Cromie Stan , Adams John
Published: April 2004

Attention has been drawn recently to the differences which exist between family and non‐family firms, but Ward indicates that there are different types of family firms. More specifically, as Dunn puts it, “in some families it is evident that the business serves the family, as opposed to the family serves the business”. For some families in business, economic rationality dominates decision making, yet for others a “family first” ethos is to the fore, while a third group recognises the need to respond to economic and family considerations. In this paper firms which pay attention to both family and business are not investigated. However, Ward’s model of the characteristics of family firms is discussed and data based on a Scottish and Irish sample of 234 firms which put family first when business and family objectives clash, and 830 firms which focus on business objectives, are presented. Results suggest that the former exhibit several of the characteristics defined by Ward. This suggests that a considerable number of family firms may be lifestyle – as opposed to growth‐oriented businesses. These results have major implications for policy makers. If a substantial number of family firms differ from rational economic ventures by their methods of operation, then policy makers should be flexible with regard to the methods of intervention required to support this important section of the SME community. Policy issues in connection with family firms in Britain are considered in the light of our findings.
“Ethnic matching” in enterprise support: the process in action
Authors: Ram Monder , Sanghera Kul , Raja Khan Dilpazir , Abbas Tahir
Published: April 2004

Should enterprise support for ethnic minority firms be configured along ethnic lines? This question has confronted many officers engaged in the “enterprise industry”, as they grapple with the task of supporting the increasingly significant phenomenon of ethnic minority entrepreneurship. The situation is complicated by the markedly different experiences of ethnic minority groups in business; the apparently low take‐up of existing services; and wider debates in the policy world encouraging the “integration” of business support activities. Policy initiatives to support ethnic minority businesses have had to engage with such issues; but rarely have they been documented. This paper assesses the experience in a Midlands city of AsCo, a Pakistani‐dominated business group that is attempting to “bridge the gap” between South Asians in the retail sector and the providers of business services. The paper is distinctive in a number of respects: The issue of practical enterprise support provision for South Asian firms has rarely been subject to academic scrutiny. Hence, the paper provides a rare case study of this process in action; The design of the initiative was a genuinely collaborative endeavour involving the researchers, policy makers (the local Training and Enterprise Council) and small businesses in AsCo. Indeed, the research was commissioned by the local Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) and AsCo; A methodologically heterogeneous approach is adopted. This involved in‐depth qualitative interviews with 25 member businesses of AsCo (out of a total membership of 80); ten interviews with non‐members; observations of a number of AsCo executive committee meetings; interviews with key TEC officers; and an insider’s view (the second author) of how the research has actually informed TEC policy.
Employment creation and small firms: reflections on Lone Henriksen’s keynote address
Authors: Perren Lew
Published: April 2004

This paper reflects upon issues raised in Lone Henriksen’s keynote address at the Ninth Annual Small Business and Enterprise Development Conference (the text of which is included at the beginning of this issue of the journal). Her address provides thought‐provoking insights into the European Commission’s agenda for small firms and job creation. It is encouraging to find agreement between policy makers and academics that SMEs have an important role in generating new jobs and that a European policy is needed to provide coordination between member states while encouraging devolved responsibility through local tailored initiatives. The challenge that practitioners, policy makers and academics now face is finding the best way to help SMEs and the unemployed. Lone Henriksen’s address and the current literature provide a helpful springboard to reflect upon this challenge and to give some suggestions.
Pension rights for part‐time workers – the fog comes down again!
Authors: Hanlon James
Published: April 2004

Employers can be forgiven for a continuing sense of confusion over pension rights for part‐time workers. While UK tribunals and courts hand down decisions which limit rights to retrospective membership, the European Court of Justice seems to open the door to the maximum number of claims. This paper attempts to clarify the issues and to set out the realities for employers and their advisers.
Franchising as a small business development strategy: a qualitative study of operational and “failed” franchisors in the UK
Authors: Kirby David , Watson Anna
Published: April 2004

The study of franchising as a small business growth strategy is only weakly researched and understood. This preliminary, qualitative investigation examines the experiences of 17 operational and five “failed” franchises in the UK, in translating their business concepts into a franchise format. It reveals that small firms select franchising as a growth strategy for both economic and idiosyncratic reasons, but that economic reasons tend to prevail. The findings suggest that franchising is a viable growth strategy for small firms and that per se it creates few major problems for growth‐oriented small businesses. It is argued that further research is needed, particularly into the experiences of “failed” franchises and into the problems encountered by growing small firms who do not adopt franchising as a growth strategy.
Planning, business objectives and capital budgeting in Japanese, German and domestic SMEs: some evidence from the UK manufacturing sector
Authors: Peel Michael
Published: April 2004

The study of franchising as a small business growth strategy is only weakly researched and understood. This preliminary, qualitative investigation examines the experiences of 17 operational and five “failed” franchises in the UK, in translating their business concepts into a franchise format. It reveals that small firms select franchising as a growth strategy for both economic and idiosyncratic reasons, but that economic reasons tend to prevail. The findings suggest that franchising is a viable growth strategy for small firms and that per se it creates few major problems for growth‐oriented small businesses. It is argued that further research is needed, particularly into the experiences of “failed” franchises and into the problems encountered by growing small firms who do not adopt franchising as a growth strategy.
The characteristics of new equity markets for SMEs
Authors: Clatworthy Mark A.
Published: April 2004

Against the background of a continuing SME equity gap, this paper describes the regulatory framework and characteristics of three new secondary equity markets (AIM, OFEX and EASDAQ) which have recently been launched in an attempt to facilitate the raising of external equity finance by SMEs. The paper provides some new evidence of the costs of joining each market compared to those of joining the Official List (the “first market”). New evidence is also provided of the characteristics and performance attributes of AIM firms, together with the cost of raising finance on AIM relative to the Official List. In addition, the characteristics of each market are examined with reference to market capitalisation, liquidity and share trading. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential of the expanding number of new European secondary equity markets to bridge the SME equity gap, together with suggested areas for future research.
Owner‐manager relationships preceding and during start‐up: issues of help, harm, trust and morality
Authors: Perren Lew
Published: April 2004

This paper explores the relationship between 16 owner‐managers and other individuals preceding and during the start‐up of their businesses. Multiple sources of evidence are used, including taped biographical accounts and semi‐structured interviews, in an endeavour to establish who is helped and who is harmed by these relationships. The relationships are explored before and after start‐up to trace the chains of causality which result in the helping and harming consequences for the businesses and individuals. Trust between the owner‐managers and other individuals is found to be at the core of the chains of causality. The relationship between owner‐managers and their ex‐employers emerges as being particularly significant and largely overlooked by existing research. Managerial and policy implications are explored. This leads to a discussion of the morality of harming in order to support the development of the emergent firm.
Entrepreneurship and the changing structure of estate agency in the UK
Authors: Boyle Emily
Published: April 2004

In the 1970s estate agency in the UK was a highly fragmented industry. Small, locally based, independent businesses dominated the industry. This industry structure meant that estate agency was seen as a typical entrepreneurial activity. By the first half of the 1990s, however, most estate agencies were in the hands of large institutions in the financial services sector, although recently independent estate agents have begun to reappear on the high street. Nevertheless the dramatic change in the character and structure of estate agency in the UK between the end of the 1970s and the present day raises a number of questions about the nature of entrepreneurship and its impact on industry development. In this paper the development of estate agency in the UK over the past 20 years is analysed, in order to ascertain, first, the relationship between an industry’s fragmentation and the existence of entrepreneurial opportunities within it, and, secondly, the extent to which the radical change in the industry’s structure during that period was the result of the exploitation of an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Management development in SMEs: what needs to be done?
Authors: Smith Alison , Whittaker John
Published: April 2004

This paper examines the state of play regarding management development in SMEs. Additionally, it discusses government initiatives which seek to develop SME competitiveness through encouraging increased take‐up of management development. Helping SMEs to develop and grow is important to the national economy and a number of government initiatives are now in place to meet this need. Developing people in line with business objectives is a priority which the government is promoting through the Investors in People process and the acquisition of National Vocational Qualifications. However, the style of SMEs is focused upon short‐term activist priorities of obtaining business while the longer term strategic view, of which people development is a significant part, tends to be an overlooked area. The paper reviews the current literature regarding the contribution of SMEs to the UK economy and the relationship of management training to SME performance. The authors identify a need for research investigating the level of awareness amongst SMEs of the opportunities available to them for developing their staff, their attitudes toward the range of initiatives and options, and the degree of take‐up. A greater understanding of the adequacy and appropriateness of government approaches to SME development would allow agencies which can support SMEs, such as Training and Enterprise Councils, Regional Development Agencies and providers of training and development, to target their assistance more effectively.
Management buy‐outs: the impact of ownership changes on performance
Authors: Weir Charlie , Laing David
Published: April 2004

Management buy‐outs bring about a change in status of the management team from employee to owner. According to the “agency model”, this change in status provides the financial incentives necessary to ensure that company performance will improve post‐MBO. The key financial incentive present is that the rewards of better performance now accrue to the management team rather than to the previous owners. The “agency model” argues that having a significant financial stake in a company will militate against discretionary behaviour by the new owners. A sample of small management buy‐outs was analysed in terms of two performance indicators, cash management and profitability. Performance was measured against three benchmarks: prior company performance, the performance of companies of similar size and the performance of the industry average. In general, there is no real evidence of better cash management but there is some evidence of improved profitability. The results therefore, offer limited support for the role of incentives proposed by the agency model.
Public policy and SME performance: the case of Northern Ireland in the 1990s
Authors: Hart Mark , McGuinness Seamus , O’Reilly Maureen , Gudgin Graham
Published: April 2004

Recent research has demonstrated that small firm performance in Northern Ireland has benefited from the availability of a comprehensive and well‐funded programme of selective financial assistance provided by the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU), the small business agency for the region. Such assistance to small firms was seen to overcome many of the constraints of doing business in a peripheral location such as Northern Ireland. However, one question remains unanswered by that research and that is the precise way in which LEDU financial assistance impacts upon business performance. One interpretation of the research to date could be that the relatively better performance of LEDU‐assisted small firms is due to the fact that they are more likely to be faster growing businesses in the first instance, because either they are self‐selecting in presenting themselves for LEDU assistance or else the LEDU engages in a “creaming” process, which results in the granting of assistance to the more successful firms in Northern Ireland. In order to probe further into the impact of LEDU assistance, it is necessary to examine the differential impact on growth of the wide range of support programmes and initiatives for small firms operated by the small business agency in Northern Ireland. This paper will report the results of the first stage of such an analysis by analysing the business performance of two broad groups of LEDU‐assisted clients who have received different levels of assistance in the 1990s – “Growth” and “Established” clients. The analysis is based on information drawn from a specially created database of approximately 1,600 small firms who were in receipt of LEDU financial assistance in the period 1991‐97. The analysis of the employment and turnover performance of LEDU‐assisted firms revealed that Growth clients grew faster than Established clients in the 1991‐97 period and provides tentative evidence that a more intense and directed package of assistance is clearly associated with faster business growth. The age of Growth firms was much older than Established LEDU clients and, therefore, this differential growth performance cannot be related to a simple life‐cycle explanation. The shift in LEDU policy in the 1990s towards a greater concentration of effort on firms with growth potential would appear to have been successful.