bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of tin whisker growth over a 32-year period
Authors: Ashworth Mark Andrew , Dunn Barrie
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of a 32-year-old laboratory study of whisker growth from tin electrodeposits that was originally undertaken to gain an increased understanding of the phenomenon of tin whisker growth.

Design/methodology/approach

Whisker growth was evaluated using electroplated C-rings (both stressed and un-stressed) that were stored throughout in a desiccator at room temperature. Analysis has recently been undertaken to evaluate whisker growth and intermetallic growth after 32 years of storage. Scanning electron microscopy analysis has been performed to investigate whisker length and, using polished cross-sections, the morphology, thickness and type of intermetallic formation.

Findings

Normal tin-plated deposits on brass and steel with a copper barrier layer nucleated whiskers within five months, and in each case, these grew to lengths between 1 and 4.5 mm. For normal tin electroplated onto brass, a one- or two-month nucleation period was needed before whiskers developed. They reached a maximum length of about 1.5 mm after six months, and little or no further growth occurred during the subsequent 32 years. Very few whiskers grew on the tin-plated steel samples and no intermetallic formation was observed. None of the fused tin plating samples nucleated whiskers during the 32-year period.

Practical implications

Knowledge about vintage whiskers is important to take steps to increase the resiliency of space missions. Similarly, such knowledge is important to engineers engaged in products reaching their nominal end-of-life, but where, for reasons of economy, these products cannot be replaced.

Originality/value

This study represents a unique insight into whisker growth and intermetallic formation over an extremely long time period.
An unbiased GM(1,1)-based new hybrid approach for time series forecasting
Authors: Rathnayaka R.M. Kapila Tharanga , Seneviratna D.M.K.N. , Jianguo Wei , Arumawadu Hasitha Indika
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The time series forecasting is an essential methodology which can be used for analysing time series data in order to extract meaningful statistics based on the information obtained from past and present. These modelling approaches are particularly complicated when the available resources are limited as well as anomalous. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new hybrid forecasting approach based on unbiased GM(1,1) and artificial neural network (UBGM_BPNN) to forecast time series patterns to predict future behaviours. The empirical investigation was conducted by using daily share prices in Colombo Stock Exchange, Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this study is running under three main phases as follows. In the first phase, traditional grey operational mechanisms, namely, GM(1,1), unbiased GM(1,1) and nonlinear grey Bernoulli model, are used. In the second phase, the new proposed hybrid approach, namely, UBGM_BPNN was implemented successfully for forecasting short-term predictions under high volatility. In the last stage, to pick out the most suitable model for forecasting with a limited number of observations, three model-accuracy standards were employed. They are mean absolute deviation, mean absolute percentage error and root-mean-square error.

Findings

The empirical results disclosed that the UNBG_BPNN model gives the minimum error accuracies in both training and testing stages. Furthermore, results indicated that UNBG_BPNN affords the best simulation result than other selected models.

Practical implications

The authors strongly believe that this study will provide significant contributions to domestic and international policy makers as well as government to open up a new direction to develop investments in the future.

Originality/value

The new proposed UBGM_BPNN hybrid forecasting methodology is better to handle incomplete, noisy, and uncertain data in both model building and ex post testing stages.
Software solution of medical grey relational method based on SAS environment
Authors: Zhu Jin-Xiu , Tan Xue-Rui , Lu Nan , Chen Shao-Xing , Chen Xiao-Jun
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct a new algorithm of program procedure for medical grey relational method based on SAS software.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the SAS environment, the authors construct a new algorithm of program procedure through the following methods: the construction data set, confirmation of the comparison sequence and reference sequence, the original data transformation, calculation of the grey relational coefficient of reference sequence and comparison sequence and calculating the correlation.

Findings

The results show that the novel algorithm of program procedure for medical grey relational method based on SAS software satisfies the properties properly. It also fully confirmed the biggest advantage of the grey relational analysis is that its requirements are not too high for the amount of data, and it does not need to follow the typical distribution.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in constructing a novel algorithm of program procedures for medical grey relational method and providing a valuable tool for solving similar problems.
Identifying key industry factors of remanufacturing industry using grey incidence analysis
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Zhang Jing , Wu Chenfan , Chang Xiangyun
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify most favorable (or quasi-preferred) industry characteristics of remanufacturing industry and most favorable (or quasi-preferred) industry factors which have an effect on these characteristics so as to improve these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Grey system theory has prominent advantage of using few data and uncertainty information to analyze many factors. Therefore, it is more suited for system analysis than traditional statistical analysis methods like regression analysis, variance analysis and principal component analysis, which require massive data, certain probability distribution in the data and few variant factors. So in this paper, grey incidence analysis method, which is an important part of grey system theory, is used to identify industry characteristics and key industry factor of remanufacturing industry in China and then put forward appropriate industrial policies and countermeasures to improve these industry factors.

Findings

According to the results of this study, it reveals that there are no most favorable industry characteristics and no most favorable industry factors in remanufacturing industry of China. “Annual sale of remanufacturing industry” is identified as quasi-preferred industry characteristic, and “total number of employees with master degree or above in remanufacturing enterprise” is identified as the quasi-preferred industry factor. “Total building area of remanufacturing enterprise” is referred as the most unfavorable industry factors.

Practical implications

Judging from the findings of this study, four practical implications are summarized as follows: “annual sale of remanufacturing industry” should be given great importance because it is a quasi-preferred industry characteristic. “Total number of employees with master degree or above in remanufacturing enterprise” and “total number of research institution and university participated in remanufacturing” should be further strengthened by establishing an industry-university-research institute collaboration network, due to the fact that they are the top two quasi-preferred industry factors. “Total investment of remanufacturing industry” and “total annual R&D expenditures” have not played their due role in improving remanufacturing industry, so they should be moderately controlled so as to reduce waste of investment. “Total building area of remanufacturing enterprise” must be strictly controlled because of its little impact on remanufacturing industry.

Originality/value

In this research, grey incidence analysis is applied to identify key industry factors of remanufacturing industry for the first time. It helps in finding industry factors which are in urgent need of improvement and assists in making appropriate industrial policies and countermeasures to improve them by studying relationships between industry characteristic and industry factors.
The natural disaster damage assessment of Sichuan province based on grey fixed-weight cluster
Authors: Yao Tianxiang , Cheng Wenrong , Gao Hong
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the natural disaster damage of Sichuan province and provide suggestions to prevent or decrease the loss owing to the natural disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

The disaster loss system of Sichuan is regarded as a grey system. Five evaluation indicators are selected such as the number of deaths, total affected area, collapsed houses, damaged houses, and the direct economic losses. Grey fixed-weight clustering approach is applied in the cluster analysis. In order to reduce the impact of human factors, grey correlation analysis method is applied to calculate the weights of grey fixed-weight clustering.

Findings

The results of this paper indicate that the frequency of occurrence of major natural disaster in Sichuan increased since 2008. The major natural disasters occurred in 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2013. In contrast, there was almost no major disaster during 2000-2007. Minor natural disaster occurred in 2002 and 2003.

Practical implications

Sichuan province is one of the provinces most affected by natural disasters in China. Natural disasters have occurred frequently in Sichuan province since 2008 and pose serious threats to life and property safety. They have become an important restricting factor for economic and social development. In order to prevent or decrease the effects of natural disasters, effective measures should be taken to protect the environment.

Originality/value

This paper first normalizes the raw sequence, calculates the weight, and then establishes the grey cluster model. A new method is applied to determine the weight when evaluating natural disaster damage.
Explanation of terms of concepts and fundamental principles of grey systems
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Yang Yingjie , Forrest Jeffrey , Rui Handan
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the terms of concepts and fundamental principles of grey systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The definitions of basic terms about concepts and fundamental principles of grey systems are presented one by one.

Findings

The reader could know the basic explanation about the important terms about concepts and fundamental principles of grey systems from this paper.

Practical implications

Many of the authors’ colleagues thought that unified definitions of key terms would be beneficial for both the readers and the authors.

Originality/value

It is a fundamental work to standardize all the definitions of terms for a new discipline. It is also propitious to spread the universal principles of grey system theory.
Explanation of terms of grey numbers and its operations
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Rui Handan , Fang Zhigeng , Yang Yingjie , Forrest Jeffrey
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the terms of grey numbers and its operations.

Design/methodology/approach

The definitions of elementary terms about grey numbers and its operations are presented one by one.

Findings

The reader could know the basic explanation about the important terms about grey numbers and its operations from this paper.

Practical implications

Many of the colleagues thought that unified definitions of key terms would be beneficial for both the readers and the authors.

Originality/value

It is a fundamental work to standardise all the definitions of terms for a new discipline. It is also propitious to spread the universal principles of grey system theory.
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC): regulating and developing the housing sector workforce
Authors: Fowlie Anna
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction and background to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) with relation to the housing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The author outlines the role and importance of the SSSC with regards to regulating and developing the housing sector workforce.

Findings

This paper lays out the current SSSC approach to regulating the housing sector workforce via rolling out the implementation of work-based qualifications. Development of the workforce is being achieved via the advancement of learning technology work and improving the quality of the leadership and management of services.

Originality/value

The paper outlines the work of the SSSC in Scotland and draws out some general learning points for workforce development.
Access to healthcare services during incarceration among female inmates
Authors: Ahmed Rabia , Angel Cybele , Martel Rebecca , Pyne Diane , Keenan Louanne
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Incarcerated women have a disproportionate burden of infectious and chronic disease, in addition to substance use disorder and mental health illness, when compared to the general population (Binswanger et al., 2009; Fazel et al., 2006; Fuentes, 2013; Kouyoumdjian et al., 2012). Women often enter the correctional system in poor health, making incarceration an opportunity to address health issues. The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers to accessing health services that female inmates face during incarceration, the consequences to their health, and implications for correctional health services delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus groups were conducted in Canadian correctional center with female inmates. Focus groups explored women’s experiences with accessing health services while incarcerated; the impact of access to health services on health during incarceration and in the community; and recommendations for improving access to health services. Thematic analysis was completed using N-vivo 10.

Findings

The women described multiple barriers to accessing health services that resulted in negative consequences to their health: treatment interruption; health disempowerment; poor mental and physical health; and recidivism into addiction and crime upon release. Women made three important recommendations for correctional health service delivery: provision of comprehensive health entry and exit assessments; improvement of health literacy; and establishment of health support networks. The recommendations were organized into an “Accessing Health Services Resource Manual” for incarcerated women.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of existing literature examining provision of health services for female inmates. These findings have relevancy for correctional and community health care providers and organizations that provide health services for this vulnerable population.
Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia
Authors: Bick Joseph , Culbert Gabriel , Al-Darraji Haider A. , Koh Clayton , Pillai Veena , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Altice Frederick
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Criminalization of drug use in Malaysia has concentrated people who inject drugs (PWID) and people living with HIV into prisons where health services are minimal and HIV-related mortality is high. Few studies have comprehensively assessed the complex health needs of this population. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

From October 2012 through March 2013, 221 sequentially selected HIV-infected male prisoners underwent a comprehensive health assessment that included a structured history, physical examination, and clinically indicated diagnostic studies.

Findings

Participants were mostly PWID (83.7 percent) and diagnosed with HIV while incarcerated (66.9 percent). Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (90.4 percent), untreated syphilis (8.1 percent), active (13.1 percent), and latent (81.2 percent) tuberculosis infection was several fold higher than non-prisoner Malaysian adults, as was tobacco use (71.9 percent) and heavy drinking (30.8 percent). Most (89.5 percent) were aware of their HIV status before the current incarceration, yet few had been engaged previously in HIV care, including pre-incarceration CD4 monitoring (24.7 percent) or prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART) (16.7 percent). Despite most (73.7 percent) meeting Malaysia’s criteria for ART (CD4 <350 cells/μL), less than half (48.4 percent) ultimately received it. Nearly one-quarter (22.8 percent) of those with AIDS (<200 cells/μL) did not receive ART.

Originality/value

Drug addiction and communicable disease comorbidity, which interact negatively and synergistically with HIV and pose serious public health threats, are highly prevalent in HIV-infected prisoners. Interventions to address the critical shortage of healthcare providers and large gaps in treatment for HIV and other co-morbid conditions are urgently needed to meet the health needs of HIV-infected Malaysian prisoners, most of whom will soon transition to the community.
Facets of psychopathy in relation to trauma-exposure and posttraumatic stress symptomology in a sample of incarcerated male offenders
Authors: Woodfield Russell , Dhingra Katie , Boduszek Daniel , Debowska Agata
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of psychopathy facets on the relationship between traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were male prisoners incarcerated in the UK.

Findings

The analysis revealed differential associations between the two facets of psychopathy, with potentially traumatic events and symptoms of PTSD. Specifically, neither primary psychopathy nor trauma exposure were significantly related to PTSD, while secondary psychopathy was positively and significantly related with PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, the effect of trauma exposure on PTSD was found to depend on the level of secondary psychopathy. More specifically, trauma exposure was strongly and positively associated with PTSD symptoms for low levels of secondary psychopathy and negatively associated with PTSD symptomology for individuals with high levels of secondary psychopathy.

Originality/value

The findings clarify linkages among psychopathy facets, trauma, and PTSD, and extend the understanding of the presentation of PTSD in male prisoners.
Portfolio optimization using the generalized reduced gradient nonlinear algorithm
Authors: Alrabadi Dima Waleed Hanna
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This study aims to utilize the mean–variance optimization framework of Markowitz (1952) and the generalized reduced gradient (GRG) nonlinear algorithm to find the optimal portfolio that maximizes return while keeping risk at minimum.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the portfolio optimization concept of Markowitz (1952) and the GRG nonlinear algorithm to a portfolio consisting of the 30 leading stocks from the three different sectors in Amman Stock Exchange over the period from 2009 to 2013.

Findings

The selected portfolios achieve a monthly return of 5 per cent whilst keeping risk at minimum. However, if the short-selling constraint is relaxed, the monthly return will be 9 per cent. Moreover, the GRG nonlinear algorithm enables to construct a portfolio with a Sharpe ratio of 7.4.

Practical implications

The results of this study are vital to both academics and practitioners, specifically the Arab and Jordanian investors.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study in Jordan and in the Arab world that constructs optimum portfolios based on the mean–variance optimization framework of Markowitz (1952) and the GRG nonlinear algorithm.
Modelling public behavioral intention to adopt Islamic banking in Uganda
Authors: Lujja Sulaiman , Omar Mohammad Mustafa , Hassan Rusni
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Islamic banking (IB) has resulted in abundant cross-border financial flows and diversified economic inter-linkages with over US$2tn in assets that have extended beyond Muslim countries to more established global financial centres and other emerging economies. Despite this remarkable diffusion, numerous developing and least-developed countries are yet to embrace IB. This study aims to examine the factors that determine public intention to adopt IB in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertook a quantitative approach where the theory of reasoned action (TRA) was used as a theoretical framework and structural equation modelling technique was applied to determine the relationship between attitude, subjective norm and public intention to adopt IB. Thus, a sample of 300 bank customers was surveyed using a questionnaire.

Findings

Initially, the measurement model did not fit the data well. So, the model was modified by removing an indicator with a lower loading. Finally, the structural model under maximum likelihood estimate analysis confirmed a good model fit for the data. Key findings were as follows: attitude positively influenced intention to adopt IB, whereas subjective norm influence to intention is mediated by attitude. Furthermore, public intention to adopt IB in Uganda can be predicted by attitude (R2 = 0.89) which also mediates the prediction of subjective norm to intention (R2 = 0.58).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has used the TRA on the feasibility and adoption of IB. Thus, the present study is relevant in extending the theoretical body of knowledge by validating the TRA in a new field.
Examining US approvals of Islamic financing products and the Islamic theory of lawful profit
Authors: Abdullah Adam
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the legal interpretation of three Islamic financing products considered for approval by US authorities, from the United Bank of Kuwait and Guidance Residential, even though the USA has not enacted anyShari’ahlegislation in relation to the Islamic law of transactions (fiqh mu’amalat).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper primarily adopted qualitative document and content analysis, supported by quantitative numerical analysis, in reviewing legal interpretive letters from the US Office of the Comptroller of Currency and National Administrator of Banks (OCC) and the US Department of Revenue.

Findings

The research found that in assessing economic substance over legal form, each of the three products involved risk-free transactions and interest.

Research limitations/implications

The research had access to published OCC, Department of Revenue and US Patent Office material that fully disclosed the mechanics of each of the selected products.

Practical implications

The implication for the Islamic financial institutions involvesShari’ahcompliance risk. When tested against the Islamic normative theory of lawful profit, it confirms that the products are non-compliant.

Social implications

The social implication is customer awareness ofShari’ahnon-compliance in the USA and the impact for other jurisdictions carrying the same products.

Originality/value

The significance of this research for Islamic banking product design and development is that it enhances the ability to block the legal means to an unlawful outcome (sadd al-dhara’i), thereby avoiding harm (al-darar) attributed to usury (riba), and upholding what is in the public interest (maslahah), to fulfil one of the objectives of theShari’ah(maqasid al-Shari’ah), which is to protect wealth (hafiz al-mal).
Addressing illicit financial flows in Africa
Authors: Schlenther Bernd Otto
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the underlying key components of illicit financial flows (IFFs) and highlights the priority areas where government resources should be pooled under a whole of government approach to mitigate the risks posed by IFFs. These areas are tax avoidance and tax evasion (specifically intra-company profit shifting, investment and profit shifting within the extractive sector, fraud and beneficial ownership), anti-corruption measures, governance and accountability measures, anti-money laundering effectiveness and effectiveness in the detection of falsified customs declarations.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of IFFs is emerging as an umbrella term for bringing together seemingly disconnected issues. The concept is ill-defined, but there are various identifiable components supporting the term IFF such as capital flight, corruption, money laundering, tax avoidance, tax havens and transfer pricing practices. The author identifies the key areas of concern through a literature review and recommends prioritization of short- to medium-term risk areas and long-term policy imperatives.

Findings

In the short- to medium-term, an effective “whole-of-government” approach should be based on uniform risk identification and prioritization between mandated government agencies and in the long run, it should be focused on building responsive and effective institutions through a process of good governance and effective taxation.

Originality/value

A large body of literature deals with “IFFs” and the “whole-of-government approach” as separate concepts. This paper draws on the existing literature and identifies priority areas for addressing IFFs, and, for these to be successful, they are entirely dependent on a whole-of-government approach – both in the short and long run.
Corollaries of corruption and bribery on international business
Authors: Malgwi Charles A.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold: it examines and analyzes the extent to which corruption and bribery have become the quintessential problem of international business and economies; analyzes the effect of corruption and bribery on international business at the macro level; and recommends specific action-oriented sustainable initiatives to help mitigate corruption and bribery.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has conducted an in-depth global analysis of extant literature on corruption and bribery affecting international business.

Findings

This paper provides a succinct analysis of corruption and bribery relevant and critical to international business. It shows that corruption undermines democracy and the rule of law; leads to violations of human rights; distorts markets; erodes the quality of life; and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats to human security.

Research limitations/implications

This paper realizes that not all corruption and bribery have the same degree of impact on all countries and economies. This issue is not discussed, as it is outside the scope of the paper.

Practical implications

This paper serves as a good reference for international business community, anti-corruption agencies, law enforcement and for pedagogy in the classroom.

Originality/value

Provides a concise macro level of pertinent corruption and bribery issues useful as a learning material for international business, trade and development and corporate social responsibility.
EFCC and the politics of combating corruption in Nigeria (2003-2012)
Authors: Albert Akume T. , Okoli F.C.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to assess if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been effective in combating corruption in Nigeria from 2003-2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopted a documentary analytical approach.

Findings

The organization has not been effective in combating corruption in Nigeria.

Research limitations/implications

The study is between 2003-2012.

Practical implications

There is a need to correct those identified inhibitors that undermined the Commission’s capacity, such as intrusive government interference, lack of autonomy, poor funding and weak laws, among others, to mitigate corruption.

Social implications

Eliminating those identified constraints will remove the incentive to be corrupt, thereby curbing the desire to be corrupt.

Originality/value

This paper is an original assessment of the EFCC's effectiveness in combating corruption in Nigeria during the specified period.
Cash economy: tax evasion amongst SMEs in Malaysia
Authors: Mohamad Azhar , Zakaria Mohd Hasrol , Hamid Zarinah
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between tax evasion and certain demographic factors such as location, engagement of tax agent, size and type of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) industry in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, using proprietary tax audit data from the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) on the 2011 tax returns of SMEs, the authors run a multiple regression analysis to examine the impact of location, agent, type of industry, size of enterprise and type of tax evasion on SMEs’ tax evasion in Malaysia.

Findings

The authors find that tax evasion among SMEs in Malaysia is the highest when the business is located in a suburban environment and has no tax agent. Tax evasion is also influenced by the size of the SME (micro or medium).

Originality/value

This study gives insight that the IRBM can use to aid its collection department in profiling SMEs that have a higher tendency to evade paying tax.
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the benefits of voluntary disclosure
Authors: Leasure Peter
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Various federal agencies have acknowledged that they would take voluntary disclosure of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) misconduct into account in assessing a transgressing company’s fines. However, several scholars questioned whether companies would actually receive that benefit. Previous research yielded the answer that companies do not get any benefit from voluntarily disclosing. The current study aims to revisit this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses a census approach where all FCPA cases will be analyzed. The present study also uses added control variables and different statistical approaches in an effort to answer the question of whether there is a benefit to voluntary disclosure.

Findings

The results here contradict previous findings and show that companies do actually receive a benefit to voluntary disclosure when the bribe promised or paid is under a certain amount. Once the bribe paid or promised surpasses this amount, the benefit to voluntary disclosure ceases.

Practical implications

Findings provide insight to companies facing possible FCPA violations.

Originality/value

Only one author attempted to answer the question of whether there was a benefit to voluntary disclosure. However, a subsequent study illuminated several flaws within that previous research. The current study is the first to provide a substantial answer to the question.
Integration-responsiveness framework: Indian IT subsidiaries in Mexico
Authors: Rao Pramila
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This qualitative case study research describes the human resource management (HRM) practices of four leading Indian information technology (IT) subsidiaries located in Mexico. The purpose of this study is to understand the implementation of these practices from the global integration-local responsiveness perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a qualitative multiple case-design approach to compare HRM themes across multiple cases. This research was conducted with HRM leaders from December 2011 through August 2012. This research involved interviews with 50 per cent of the population of Indian IT companies in Mexico. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed to maintain the rigor of the research. This study also followed other guidelines to maintain validity and reliability in research.

Findings

The results indicate that each function has to be considered independently because of contextual factors. Recruitment and compensation are usually localized as cultural norms, and local laws dictate following domestic practices. Performance management and professional development follow the guidelines from the headquarters as these companies seek standardization of work-related behaviors among their global employees.

Practical implications

This study provides preliminary guidelines for global IT practitioners who may be interested in doing business in Mexico. This paper also details challenges and guidelines for IT multinationals planning to establish in Mexico as articulated by the respondents.

Originality/value

This can be considered a pioneer research, as no other research papers (either qualitative or empirical) have explored the HRM practices of Indian multinational subsidiaries in Mexico. This paper thus provides a preliminary step in understanding this cross-cultural literature in emerging markets.
Medical tourism in India – in whose interest?
Authors: Gola Swati
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The present paper aims to analyse who actually benefits from the policies to promote international trade in healthcare services through medical tourism in India. It also assesses the implications of unfettered and unchecked medical tourism for public health policy-making.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology adopted in this paper is inter-disciplinary (socioeconomic and legal) and includes a mix of doctrinal and empirical qualitative research.

Findings

The present paper argues that in the absence of any baseline data in the public domain on inbound traffic of tourists visiting India on medical tourism, it is difficult to assess and evaluate the private sector claims and that the absence of any format for data collection, management and analysis results in questionable accountability and institutional fragmentation and non-coordination. Furthermore, it results in asymmetrical policy-making in areas like international trade, which may have unintended negative effects for public health.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings of the present paper will also assist other developing countries considering to promote medical tourism to learn lessons from India’s experiences.

Originality/value

The present paper uses the qualitative empirical research conducted by the author to analyse the state of affair of medical tourism in India.
Nation branding for foreign direct investment: an Integrative review and directions for research and strategy
Authors: Papadopoulos Nicolas , Hamzaoui-Essoussi Leila , El Banna Alia
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This study aims to address a heretofore neglected area in research, nation branding, for the purpose of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). It compares and contrasts the well-established literature on decision-making and location choice in FDI with studies in the nascent field of nation branding, with a view to developing directions for future research that result from the identification of research gaps at the intersection point between the two areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a systematic and integrative review of several streams within the relevant literatures, from the theory of decision-making in FDI to the similarities and differences between advertising, promotion, branding and marketing for investment on the part of nations and sub- or supra-national places.

Findings

Each of the two areas is characterized by lack of consensus as to the principal factors that affect investor and nation decisions and actions, resulting in several knowledge gaps that need to be addressed by new research along the lines suggested in the study.

Research limitations/implications

A large number of avenues for potential future research are identified, from assessing the importance of target country image in location choice to the adverse effects arising from the emphasis on “promotion” rather than “marketing” on the part of places engaged in nation branding efforts.

Practical implications

The study examines several problems that affect the practice of nation branding for FDI and points to alternative approaches that may enhance place marketers’ effectiveness in their efforts to attract foreign capital.

Originality/value

Notwithstanding the global growth of FDI in volume and importance, and the omnipresence of nation branding campaigns to promote exports or attract tourism and investment, there has been virtually no research to date on the core issue, nation branding for FDI. The study uses a strategic perspective that highlights key nation branding issues related to FDI, and FDI issues related to nation branding, and suggests a comprehensive agenda for research in the future.
Strategies Snarks and stories: SME owner manager perceptions of business advisers
Authors: Ardley Barry , Moss Philip , Taylor Nick
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the perceptions of small business entrepreneurs regarding the efficacy of external business advisers in delivering sustainable strategic and operational guidance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is interpretivist, exploring the narratives of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owner/managers in manufacturing. Five in-depth interviews were carried out, revealing a range of decision stories about the use of external business advisers.

Findings

While there was some scepticism towards the use of advisers in certain situations, the research revealed that levels of trust, relationship building and the credibility of the consultant are substantial factors in determining whether the engagement is successful.

Research limitations/implications

As a small-scale study, it would be worthwhile to examine the perceptions of additional entrepreneurs to business advisers to compare research findings.

Practical implications

Policy regarding advice to small businesses should be framed in terms of the local context of the firm and its owner, rather than on broad and generalisable systems of business knowledge. Time and effort is required to build a sustainable relationship between advisers and owners, and it is recommended that particular attention be paid to the process.

Social implications

The research suggests that potentially, industrial policy regarding current delivery of small business advice requires readjustments towards more of a relationship focus.

Originality/value

Little established research appears to exist in relation to the tendency or otherwise, for SME decision makers to pursue and use external advice. This paper helps to fill an important gap in the literature while offering some significant and nuanced insights into the perceptions of SME owner managers.
Bricolage in the marketing efforts of a social enterprise
Authors: Kannampuzha Merie Joseph , Suoranta Mari
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to understand how resource constraints are addressed in the development of a marketing strategy by a social enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used an in-depth case study of collaboration between a Finnish university and an Indian social enterprise as the methodology for the research in which the data were collected over a period of two years. The data involve semi-structured interviews, field notes and student reports.

Findings

The authors propose bricolage as a method of marketing ingenuity in resource-constrained social enterprises. Network bricolage and entrepreneurship education bricolage were identified as two mechanisms adopted to address resource constraints in the early stage of the development of a social enterprise. Further studies need to be conducted to test the applicability of network bricolage among a variety of small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups. Bricolage could be explored in more detail as an alternative to resource leveraging to understand the marketing activities of social businesses in their initial stages.

Research limitations/implications

Network bricolage is a type of bricolage in which an entrepreneur utilizes existing personal and professional networks as a resource at hand. Although networking and resource leveraging imply that the founders of an organization pursue resources from previously unknown people, network bricolage involves already known contacts of the entrepreneur.

Practical implications

Another type of bricolage that observed by the authors was entrepreneurship education bricolage. A combination of students, business mentors and university resources such as faculty members was utilized as an ingenuity mechanism to develop creative solutions for a shortage of marketing resources.

Originality/value

The theoretical framework of entrepreneurial bricolage is applied in the context of the marketing of a social enterprise.
Effective techniques for the segmentation of academic library users
Authors: Yi Zhixian
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how Australian academic librarians perceived effective techniques used to segment library users into smaller groups and the influencing factors for their perceptions of the used techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was sent to 400 academic librarians in 37 Australian universities and 230 (57.5 per cent) respondents completed and returned surveys. The descriptive and inferential statistics and content analysis method were used to analyse the collected data.

Findings

A variety of effective techniques were utilised to segment library users. Library variables such as number of staff and number of library branches and human capital variables such as education level, years of present position, formally studying marketing and attending a workshop on marketing in the last five years were significant predictors of perceptions of the effective segmentation techniques used, but this study indicates that other predictors such as number of different library professional positions and years involved in all library services and demographical variables made no difference.

Practical implications

This paper provides a useful overview of the effective techniques used to segment library users.

Originality/value

The value of this study is that librarians may utilise the results to better understand different techniques, to reflect on the effectiveness of the used techniques, and to balance the weight of the influencing factors. This will enable them to segment library users more effectively in the future.
The dance of change in libraries: a case study of FUM libraries merger in Iran
Authors: Akhshik Somaye Sadat , Parirokh Mehri
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of individual and organizational dimensions on creating the resistance to change according to the role of unlearning and knowledge stickiness in merging of libraries as planned change.

Design/methodology/approach

Borrowing from the Lewin’s field theory, knowledge stickiness theory and unlearning the framework of planned change process designed. The paper opted for a survey study using the questionnaire, five depth interviews and focus group discussion with librarians, middle and senior managers.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights about pattern of planned change in the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad library. The role of knowledge stickiness and unlearning factors associated with process of planned change. It suggests that successful change act as overcoming forces of unlearning to knowledge stickiness on two dimensions: individual and organizational.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research case, the research results may lack statistical generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Originality/value

The importance of managing obsolescence knowledge in individual and organizational dimensions in process of planned change is highlighted as managerial point of view.
The orchestration of business models for territorial development
Authors: Pisano Vincenzo , Ferrari Elisa Rita , Fasone Vincenzo
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the competitiveness of a certain territory may be developed and maintained in the context of a global economy through the exploitation of its intrinsic value. The paper contributes to managerial literature by embracing a systemic perspective using business models (BMs) and adapting the original Osterwalder and Pigneur’s (2010) framework (canvas) to the specific context of territorial development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a conceptual framework placing the territory and its actors in a dominant position. This choice allows us to look at BMs as the instruments of success of an entire territory (instead of a single firm as typically assessed in managerial literature) – a cooperating system. To do so, the authors build on previous works on “triple” and “quadruple helix”, which, although primarily focused on technological innovation, may also be used for more general aims such as guiding the specialization of a specific territory and supporting its economic sustainability. The paper contends that a BM might be the instrument to orchestrate actors’ (helices) cooperation by combining the focus on territories with a systemic perspective. Through the implementation of a common BM, each system should be able to orchestrate policies implemented by the different leading forces of the territory to assist processes of economic development.

Findings

The paper extends the literature on BMs conceptually linking its roots to the existing managerial literature on territory governance and networks. It offers a dual range of outcomes: first, it provides public policy makers with useful guidelines with regard to political, institutional, educational and entrepreneurial choices to be implemented for the development of a given geographical area; second, it examines the relational network linking the various actors of a territory, which are key to its growth and success.

Originality/value

This paper offers a new way for recovering/sustaining economically depressed areas. To the authors’ knowledge, BMs have never been used at territorial level, but only at firm level. They believe that, through this new view of BMs, policy makers can help each territory to express its intrinsic and peculiar value. By combining BMs with the concepts of triple and quadruple helix, the authors offer a new way to look at how governments, educational institutions and firms can cooperate to help a territory in finding and improving its intrinsic specialization.
Managing costs by business model: issues emerging from the case of E-Car
Authors: Giannetti Riccardo , Risso Laura , Cinquini Lino
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the managing of cost drivers using a business model (BM) design. Particularly, the paper explores the link between a BM and cost driver analysis adopting a service-dominant logic (SDL) perspective. The empirical domain addresses the dynamic and complex scenarios of electric cars, where many actors are involved, several marketing and technological aspects are still unclear and where the high cost of batteries delays the wide diffusion of electric vehicles. The paper explores how SDL could support the BM design and how the cost driver analysis and BM design are linked when the SDL perspective is adopted.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses secondary data and findings collected by interviews performed with managers belonging to the automotive sector.

Findings

The results show that the BM design could be a solution to address cost problems and the cost driver analysis may play a role in formulating an economically sustainable BM. Splitting a product into a “package of services” can provide direction for research of an alternative BM design in an attempt to manage the impact of cost drivers and pursue economic sustainability.

Originality/value

This paper explores a topic that has not yet focused on cost management research, i.e. the link between BM and cost driver analysis adopting an SDL perspective.