bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomy - for Computers
Authors: Franz Nico , Sterner Beckett
Published: July 2015

We explore solutions for identifying and reconciling taxonomic concepts that take advantage of the powers of computational representation and reasoning without compromising the suitability of the Linnaean system of nomenclature for human communication. Using the model of the semiotic triangle, we show that taxonomic names must variously achieve reference to nomenclatural types, taxonomic concepts (human-created theories of taxonomic identities), and taxa (evolutionary entities in nature). Expansion of the reference models into temporally transitioning systems shows that the elements of each triangle, and provenance among elements across triangles, are only identifiable if taxonomic names and concepts are precisely contextualized. The Codes of nomenclature, by mandating identifier (name) reuse but not requiring concept-specific identifier granularity, leave the challenge of framing and aligning the symbol/reference instances to human communicators who have superior cognitive abilities in this regard. Computers, in turn, can process greater volumes of narrowly framed and logically aligned data. Comparative, taxonomically referenced biological data are becoming increasingly networked and reutilized in analyses that expand their original context of generation. If we expect our virtual comparative information environments to provide logically enabled taxonomic concept provenance services, then we must improve the syntax and semantics of human taxonomy making - for computers.
Dimerization-driven degradation of C. elegans and human E proteins
Authors: Sallee Maria D. , Greenwald Iva
Published: July 2015

E proteins are conserved regulators of growth and development. We show that the Caenorhabditis elegans E-protein helix–loop–helix-2 (HLH-2) functions as a homodimer in directing development and function of the anchor cell (AC) of the gonad, the critical organizer of uterine and vulval development. Our structure–function analysis of HLH-2 indicates that dimerization drives its degradation in other uterine cells (ventral uterine precursor cells [VUs]) that initially have potential to be the AC. We also provide evidence that this mode of dimerization-driven down-regulation can target other basic HLH (bHLH) dimers as well. Remarkably, human E proteins can functionally substitute for C. elegans HLH-2 in regulating AC development and also display dimerization-dependent degradation in VUs. Our results suggest that dimerization-driven regulation of bHLH protein stability may be a conserved mechanism for differential regulation in specific cell contexts.
RNA N6-methyladenosine methylation in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation
Authors: Yue Yanan , Liu Jianzhao , He Chuan
Published: July 2015

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent and internal modification that occurs in the messenger RNAs (mRNA) of most eukaryotes, although its functional relevance remained a mystery for decades. This modification is installed by the m6A methylation “writers” and can be reversed by demethylases that serve as “erasers.” In this review, we mainly summarize recent progress in the study of the m6A mRNA methylation machineries across eukaryotes and discuss their newly uncovered biological functions. The broad roles of m6A in regulating cell fates and embryonic development highlight the existence of another layer of epigenetic regulation at the RNA level, where mRNA is subjected to chemical modifications that affect protein expression.
Financing the foreign trade: the case of an India textile exporter
Authors: Rajput Namita , Bhagat Rohit , Bhagat Saachi Bhutani
Published: July 2015

Subject area

Trade Finance, International Trade, International Business, Emerging Markets, Textile Industry.

Study level/applicability

This case has been designed for the students studying courses on International Business during their graduation/post-graduation. Students are expected to have basic knowledge of International Trade and are also expected to study the different ways of financing the foreign trade to appreciate the case.

Case overview

The case describes the various ways of financing of foreign trade. The case has been designed in the context of an Indian Textile Exporter who has grown steadily over the past years. As business has increased, simultaneously the requirement of funds for the exporter has also increased. Through the medium of conversations, the different ways of financing the foreign trade have been explained in detail. Equipped with this knowledge, students are required to discuss the pros and cons of the different ways of financing the foreign trade. The case also discusses the dilemma of foreign currency hedging. This is a common dilemma faced by importers and exporters as they grow over a period of time.

Expected learning outcomes

This case has been designed to: understand the various ways of financing the foreign trade and understand their merits and demerits; understand the difference between factoring and forfeiting understand how the Exim Bank of India plays an important role in supporting exporters and importers in India; and understand the various ways of hedging the foreign currency risk.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Mahindra Powerol: powering entrepreneurial growth within a corporate group
Authors: Srinivasan R.
Published: July 2015

Subject area

Corporate Strategy, Vertical integration, Diversification.

Study level/applicability

Graduate.

Case overview

The case discusses the evolution, decline and turnaround of Mahindra Powerol, a division inside the large Indian business group, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M). The Powerol division had its genesis from the then Farm Equipment Sector, when they used the surplus capacity in the tractor manufacturing facilities to produce and sell power generators (Gensets). Powerol capitalized on the rapid growth of the Indian telecommunications sector and the need for power backup at remote locations for the mobile communication towers. Adopting a lean asset model, it transformed the industry ecosystem and grew rapidly. As the telecom opportunity saturated, Powerol performance declined, but quickly rebound as it diversified into other products. As Powerol continues its diversification journey, there are questions about how Powerol can leverage the lean asset model that was their source of competitive advantage in the Gensets market, into other businesses.

Expected learning outcomes

Introduce the fundamental logic of vertical integration. The case elucidates how and when a firm vertically integrates/outsources its operations.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request Teaching notes Instructional Note and Case consent form.
Introducing modern technology to promote transparency in health services
Authors: Islam Mohammad Shafiqul
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Quantitative indicators show that Bangladeshi maternal and child healthcare is progressing satisfactorily. However, healthcare quality is still inadequate. It is hypothesised that modern technology enhances healthcare quality. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how modern technology such as electronic record keeping and the internet can contribute to enhancing Bangladeshi healthcare quality. This study also explores how socio-economic and political factors affect the healthcare quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on a qualitative case study involving 68 in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals, elected representatives, local informants and five focus group discussions with healthcare service users to understand technology’s effect on health service quality. The study has been conducted in one rural and one urban service organisations to understand how various factors contribute differently to healthcare quality.

Findings

– The findings show that modern technology, such as the internet and electronic devices for record keeping, contribute significantly to enhancing health service transparency, which in turn leads to quality health and family planning services. The findings also show that information and communication technology (ICT) is an effective mechanism for reducing corruption and promoting transparency. However, resource constraints impact adversely on the introduction of technology, which leads to less transparent healthcare. Progress in education and general socio-economic conditions makes it suitable to enhance ICT usage, which could lead to healthcare transparency, but political and bureaucratic factors pose a major challenge to ensure transparency.

Practical implications

– This paper can be a useful guide for promoting governance and healthcare quality in developing countries including Bangladesh. It analyses the ICT challenges that healthcare staff face when promoting transparent healthcare.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a deeper understanding of transparency and healthcare quality in an ICT context using empirical data, which has not been explored in Bangladesh. This critical thinking is useful for policy makers and healthcare practitioners for promoting health service quality.
Patient safety culture: finding meaning in patient experiences
Authors: Bishop Andrea C. , Cregan Brianna R.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine what patient and family stories can tell us about patient safety culture within health care organizations and how patients experience patient safety culture.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 11 patient and family stories of adverse event experiences were examined in September 2013 using publicly available videos on the Canadian Patient Safety Insitute web site. Videos were transcribed verbatim and collated as one complete data set. Thematic analysis was used to perform qualitative inquiry. All qualitative analysis was done using NVivo 10 software.

Findings

– A total of three themes were identified: first, Being Passed Around; second, Not Having the Conversation; and third, the Person Behind the Patient. Results from this research also suggest that while health care organizations and providers might expect patients to play a larger role in managing their health, there may be underlying reasons as to why patients are not doing so.

Practical implications

– The findings indicate that patient experiences and narratives are useful sources of information to better understand organizational safety culture and patient experiences of safety while hospitalized. Greater inclusion and analysis of patient safety narratives is important in understanding the needs of patients and how patient safety culture interventions can be improved to ensure translation of patient safety strategies at the frontlines of care.

Originality/value

– Greater acknowledgement of the patient and family experience provides organizations with an integral perspective to assist in defining and addressing deficiencies within their patient safety culture and to identify opportunities for improvement.
Epistemological trends in educational leadership studies in Israel: 2000-2012
Authors: Eyal Ori , Rom Noa
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the epistemological trends in the Israeli Educational Leadership (EL) scholarship between the years 2000 and 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

– The 51 studies included in this review were detected through a systematic search in online academic databases. Abstracts of studies identified as being relevant for this review were read, however, only empirical studies which addressed EL constructs, practices, and processes were ultimately included. As part of data analysis, studies were classified using categorization techniques. To ensure trustworthiness, two independent researchers systematically analyzed all studies. Themes were then compared with thematic trends found in other EL reviews.

Findings

– Three themes, which reflect conceptual and methodological distinctions, emerged in this review: first, the impact of leadership on school effectiveness; second, the politics of leadership; third, alternative lenses of leadership. Findings revealed a prevalence of studies adopting alternative lenses in the Israeli scholarship, though they represent a blind spot internationally. In addition, findings revealed a blank spot in the Israeli research attributed to few studies which embed leadership into the realm of instruction, though they are prevalent around the world.

Originality/value

– Theoretically, the findings of this review are valuable for providing a foundation from which to address the blank and blind spots in the field of EL. Practically, its contributions offer insights regarding the cultural complexities of EL-related constructs which may be valuable for local and international EL academics, policymakers, and practitioners, researching or implementing EL scholarship worldwide.
Relationships, instruction, understandings: one district’s implementation of rounds
Authors: Roegman Rachel , Hatch Thomas , Hill Kathryn , Kniewel Victoria S.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show how instructional rounds contributes to shared understandings and facilitates the development of relationships among administrators.

Design/methodology/approach

– This mixed methods study draws on three years of data in a district engaged in rounds. Administrators annually completed a social network survey, which focussed on how often they interacted around instructional issues. Additionally, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample of administrators.

Findings

– Administrators have increased their participation in and understanding of instructional rounds, as well as their understanding of district initiatives. However, results are mixed when looking at the quantitative data. While the theory of rounds suggests that the process would lead to increased interactions, the authors found a statistically significant decrease.

Research limitations/implications

– Implications include examining rounds as part of a district’s set of formal and informal structures. Also, results suggest further examination of how turnover impacts networks. Finally, expanding the number of interviews may present a more mixed qualitative experience of rounds.

Practical implications

– As districts adopt initiatives based on observations, rounds can be used to support administrators’ growth in understanding these initiatives. Simultaneously, districts need to consider the purpose for both central office and building administrators and how those purposes align with protocols, norms, and practices they use.

Originality/value

– This paper advances the empirical knowledge on instructional rounds, which has been gaining popularity, though little empirical analysis exists of the process, how its theory of action is enacted, and how administrators experience rounds.
Conceptualizing social justice: interviews with principals
Authors: Wang Fei
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Today, as the understanding of diversity is further expanded, the meaning of social justice becomes even more complicated, if not confusing. The purpose of this paper is to explore how school principals with social justice commitment understand and perceive social justice in their leadership practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative research design is used for this study. In total, 22 school principals in Ontario were interviewed. The interviews glean data on principals’ work context, their perceptions of social justice, and anecdotes, stories, and examples concerning social justice in their practices.

Findings

– The research findings draw attention to the central importance of awareness of the social injustices in schools – in structure, policy, and practices – and open space for debate on what can be considered as leadership for social justice. They also provide a useful starting point in exploring how leadership roles and practices can be improved to reverse injustices associated with the diversity of students based on race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.

Originality/value

– What principals perceive may have a significant impact on the actions and practices for social justice. Therefore, it is important to gain insight into principals’ persecutions and perspectives on social justice as they may become norms and criteria that guide their actions.
Leadership toward creativity in virtual work in a start-up context
Authors: Humala Iris Annukka
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to better understand how to lead toward creativity in virtual work in a start-up context.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study investigates the participants’ experiences about the learning challenges in leadership toward creativity in virtual work in a start-up company and the meanings attributed to their experiences, and the measures they see to meet those challenges. The data have been gathered on a Finnish partnership start-up company through interviews capturing peoples’ personal perspectives and experiences. This study uses a qualitative research study approach to better understand leadership toward creativity in virtual work in a start-up.

Findings

– The results underline the importance of co-creative and assertive coaching leadership in a start-up to foster creativity and create new shared value. Key persons’ multiliteracy skills and lobbying are means to manage social and physical distances in virtual work.

Practical implications

– The study suggests collaborative coaching leadership and assertiveness for start-ups to minimize mistakes in virtual work. Practitioners must unlearn old courses of action to learn to operate in a start-up environment and utilize information and communication technology in a smart way.

Originality/value

– The paper gives empirical evidence in a start-up context about combining leadership and creativity within the virtual work research.
Developing a supportive learning environment in a newly formed organisation
Authors: Lancaster Sue , Di Milia Lee
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this study was to examine the factors that employees perceived were important in creating a supportive learning environment in a recently merged organisation. The study provides rich qualitative data from the employees’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– This case study used a qualitative phenomenological constructivist approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed with the aid of NVivo. The study was conducted in a large government-owned organisation in Australia and the sample consisted of 24 recent graduates of leadership development programs.

Findings

– The results suggested that together with the organisation’s leadership, there are several distinguishing characteristics of a learning environment. These include learning with colleagues, openness to new ideas and change, building relationships, open communication, sharing the learning, coaching and reflection. Providing support for managers to gain confidence and self-awareness was important to their ability to apply their learning. The results also suggest that learning with colleagues from different regional and functional areas helps to reform subcultures and contributes to an overarching learning culture and hence to creating a supportive learning environment. Some hindrances were also discovered.

Originality/value

– This study gives voice to employee perceptions of the important factors required to create a supportive learning environment. The authors used a qualitative methodology in a field dominated by quantitative studies to provide rich data that extends the extant literature.
Beyond being present: learning-oriented leadership in the daily work of middle managers
Authors: Döös Marianne , Johansson Peter , Wilhelmson Lena
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of learning-oriented leadership as being integrated in managers’ daily work. The particular focus is on managers’ efforts to change how work is carried out through indirect acts of influence. In their daily work, managers influence the organisation’s learning conditions in ways that go beyond face-to-face interaction. Neither the influencer nor those influenced are necessarily aware that they are engaged in learning processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was part of a larger case study. The data set comprised interviews with nine middle managers about ways of working during a period of organisational change. A learning-theoretical analysis model was used to categorise managerial acts of influence. The key concept concerned pedagogic interventions.

Findings

– Two qualitatively different routes for indirect influence were identified concerning social and organisational structures: one aligning, that narrows organisational members’ discretion, and one freeing, that widens discretion. Alignment is built on fixed views of objectives and on control of their interpretation. The freeing of structures is built on confidence in emerging competence and involvement of others.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was limited to managers’ descriptions in a specific context. An issue for future research is to see whether the identified categories of learning-oriented leadership are found in other organisations.

Practical implications

– The learning-oriented leadership categories cover a repertoire of acts of influence that create different learning conditions. These may be significant for the creation of a learning-conducive environment.

Originality/value

– Managerial work that creates conducive conditions for learning does not need to be a specific task. Learning-oriented elements are inherent in aspects of managerial work, and managers’ daily tasks can be understood as expressions of different kinds of pedagogic intervention.
Integrative capability for successful partnering: a critical dynamic capability
Authors: Jiang Wei , Mavondo Felix tinoziva , Matanda Margaret Jekanyika
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to advance the concept of “integrative capability” as a critical dynamic capability (DC) and empirically investigate its implications for a firm’s sustainable competitive advantage in business partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on an empirical analysis of a sample of 300 manufacturing firms in south and central China.

Findings

– Integrative capability is an important mediator in relationship between operational capabilities (managerial, marketing and technological capabilities) and firm performance. Integrative capability has a significant direct impact on a firm’s performance (marketing effectiveness and financial performance) and also indirect impact via the creation of new operational capabilities.

Practical implications

– Managers should recognise the significant payoffs of developing integrative capability. Integrative capability helps a firm transfer the benefits of operational capabilities from alliances partners to superior firm performance. Further, integrative capability also effectively updates and renews a firm’s operational capabilities that lead to an enhanced firm performance.

Originality/value

– Extending the DC literature, this study untangles the complex relationship among operational capabilities, DC and firm performance. Moreover, the study adds new insights into extant literature by conceptualising, operationalising and empirically testing one specific DC – integrative capability.
Crowdsourcing, innovation and firm performance
Authors: Xu Yejun , Ribeiro-Soriano D. Enrique , Gonzalez-Garcia J.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify whether firms that correctly use crowdfunding tools perform significantly better than firms that do not. For that purpose the authors develop a model that relates crowdfunding, innovation distinctive competences and its potential to create value in the firm. The authors want to know if crowdsourcing has more impact on Schumpeterian distinctive competences or continuous distinctive competences. Another aim is to create a new scale to measure the degree of crowdsourcing introduction in a firm.

Design/methodology/approach

– Within the knowledge intensive industries, the universe selected was the Chinese population of biotechnology and telecommunications industries. The information on the three variables was collected in a primary study, carried out by mail questionnaire. The questionnaire respondent was the manager of the firm. The measuring instrument was pre-tested in 30 firms, 15 from the biotechnology and 15 from the telecommunications industries. The fieldwork was undertaken between January and May 2013. The questionnaire was sent to all the firms making up the population. The sample finally included 393 firms (201 from the biotechnology industry and 192 from the telecommunications industry).

Findings

– Although the potential of crowdsourcing systems and its indirect relationship with firm performance is complex, the authors have showed that those firms who use these technologies to capture the knowledge of the customers and transform it in innovation competences can obtain a better performance. This result has important managerial implications. Biotechnology and telecommunications companies should use information systems in an efficient way to immediately satisfy constantly changeable customer desires and needs, since firms that are not able to generate this added value across their information and technology systems, risk being relegated to price competition. Firm information systems should be used strategically to develop a deep understanding of preferences and behaviors of its customers in order to foster loyalty and retention. One way to improve innovation competences in a firm is to introduce information technology applications oriented to capture the needs of the customers.

Originality/value

– This work is an interesting contribution to the literature in that it exacts a knowledge of the causal relationship between crowdsourcing and innovation. The implantation of crowdsourcing techniques is not able to directly improve firm performance, but it exerts an indirect influence by developing innovation distinctive competences. A firm will successfully introduce crowdsourcing if it is able to imbue their principles and practices with processes, routines and individuals, in order to increase its organizational memory and its ability to improve or create new products. The authors have created a new scale to measure the degree of crowdsourcing introduction in a firm. It meets all the sociometric properties required to social sciences.
Speed leaders and quality champions
Authors: Leng Zongyang , Liu Zhiying , Tan Min , Pang Jiangang
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a concept of an alignment between market and technology orientations (MTs) and investigates the difference in new product innovation activities and performance among the four groups of high-tech firms which are classified into four categories labeled as MT, technology orientation (TO), market orientation (MO) and conservative (CO) firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 360 high-tech firms in China. MANOVA was used to identify whether or not new product innovation activities (i.e. timing of market entry and product quality) and performance vary across the four groups.

Findings

– The results indicate that the four groups of firms significantly differ with respect to new product performance and with new product innovation activities pertaining to timing of market-entry strategy and product quality. Further, the results show that first, MT firms have highest new product performance; second, TO firms are speed leaders which have first-to-market with new product; and third, MO firms are quality champions which are best for the perceived new product quality.

Originality/value

– This paper responds to call for synthetic studies of multiple orientations and cross-disciplinary research, especially in the areas of marketing and strategic management. This paper is the first to integrate MO and TO and examine the interactive effects of these two orientations on new product innovation. Against prior study believing the combination of strategic orientations play an important role in innovation management, the findings that TO firms are speed leaders and MO firms are quality champions suggest that the combination of different strategic orientations is not beneficial to all respects of new product innovation, such as timing of market-entry strategy and product quality.
Supporting entrepreneurial business success at the base of pyramid through entrepreneurial competencies
Authors: Rahman Syed Abidur , Amran Azlan , Ahmad Noor Hazlina , Taghizadeh Seyedeh Khadijeh
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Large private organisations (LPOs) creating entrepreneurship opportunities for people at the base of the economic pyramid (BoP) is a thought-provoking issue for researchers. The main purpose of this paper is to empirically explore the influence of support from LPOs on entrepreneurship business success among the BoP segment through entrepreneurial competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper follows a quantitative research approach. Data were collected from a sample of 134 BoP entrepreneurs in Bangladesh using a structured survey instrument. Partial least square has been employed as a statistical technique to analyse the data.

Findings

– The influence of support provided by LPOs, in terms of technical and training, increased entrepreneurial competencies among the BoP entrepreneurs. Further, entrepreneurial competencies contribute to the proliferation of the BoP entrepreneurship business success and play a mediating role to achieve business success as long as technical and training supports are provided.

Practical implications

– It is expected that business organisations can embrace this framework as a business model and contribute to the social initiatives.

Originality/value

– This paper invokes research on the entrepreneurship domain particularly focusing on the BoP segment of the society. The significant relationship between support of LPOs and success of small-scale entrepreneurship business can be viewed as a novel contribution in BoP domain.
Exploring absorptive capacity in cross-sector social partnerships
Authors: Pittz Thomas G , Intindola Melissa
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore cross-sector partnerships (CSSPs) from a strategic perspective to consider collaborations that are long lasting and transcend initial objectives. The authors integrate the concept of absorptive capacity (ACAP) with the CSSP literature and derive two new antecedents of ACAP, trust and goal interdependency, with relevance to this context. This work responds to a call from ACAP scholars to consider the construct in alternative settings and from collaboration scholars to employ strategy research that approaches CSSPs from a viewpoint beyond a mere transactional approach.

Design/methodology/approach

– This manuscript presents a thorough analysis of the process literature regarding CSSPs and the construct of ACAP to consider the importance of knowledge sharing and participatory decision making in the success of collaboration efforts. The combination of these research streams results in a refined model of ACAP to be used in the CSSP context.

Findings

– This manuscript provides conceptual and theoretical insights into how knowledge is acquired and exploited within CSSPs. A model for ACAP in CSSPs is proposed and suggests that two new antecedents of ACAP, trust and goal interdependence, be explored in this context through subsequent empirical research.

Research limitations/implications

– This type of conceptual work can benefit greatly from subsequent empirical research to test the developed propositions. This model shows considerable promise for future testing, however, and has the potential to encourage additional research into knowledge sharing and long-term success of cross-sector collaborations.

Practical implications

– This paper fulfills the need to apply a strategic lens to CSSPs and invites future research into the mutual organizational benefits derived from collaborations that cross economic sectors. It suggests that internal organizational mechanisms exist to be developed by managers that have the potential to enhance a firms ability to recognize the value of external knowledge, acquire it, and transform it for commercial and/or social objectives.

Social implications

– As collaborations across economic sectors are proving vital for addressing complex social needs, this manuscript provides a new model to serve as a guidepost for successful partnerships.

Originality/value

– This manuscript fulfills a need to integrate strategy scholarship with CSSPs that transcends the heretofore transactional perspective. Through an exploration of the literature, a new model for ACAP is proposed including two new antecedents, trust and goal interdependence, with application to the context of cross-sector collaborations.
International market development
Authors: Rundh Bo
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the international market development process in small- and medium-sized exporting firms (SMEs) and to examine the influence of “unexpected market events” in relation to actual market activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– The discussion is illustrated with a multiple case study. The data in the cases were collected by using secondary data, but also through face-to-face interviews with export executives in the firms. The cases for this research were selected on the basis of suggestions from the Swedish Export Council who applied their own interpretations of firms that have shown rapid export development.

Findings

– SMEs are becoming more involved in international activities and exhibiting market behaviours not previously seen. The recognition that internationalization is affected by multiple influences has led to a growing interest in contingency approaches. The findings in the study are illustrated by a typology of international market behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is limited to a few exporting firms within the manufacturing industry so the results of the study can only be tentative.

Practical implications

– The number of SME firms operating in international markets has grown. The findings in this paper emphasize the importance of the fact that management has the interest, experience and commitment necessary for international activities.

Originality/value

– The interest in the study is focused on capturing the steps in the development process that diverts internationalization in a firm from the traditional path of exporting in SMEs. The multiple case studies illustrate the fact that unexpected market events can influence the firm’s marketing behaviour and the international marketing strategy.
What managers should never want to hear: silence
Authors: Haskins Mark E. , Freeman R. Edward
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Every organizational member makes a daily decision to speak up or to be silent on a host of issues. Silence can be problematic. The purpose of this paper is to posit that managers should listen for the silence, not mistaking its presence for agreement or for understanding from those they work with and lead.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper’s “reflections on practice” (Schon, 1983) spring from 60+ years of discussions with practicing managers involving such questions as: “what makes for a sound, robust, successful decision-making process? How do you empower those you lead? What was missing in the decisions you have observed that went awry?”.

Findings

– A critical set of seven questions and six statements that managers should want to periodically hear from their employees are presented and discussed. Four root causes of silence are also presented, along with suggestions for their mitigation.

Practical implications

– The specifics presented are easily, broadly, and beneficially applicable.

Originality/value

– Readers are cued to: the problematic nature of silence, the key questions and statements they should want to hear from time to time, the likely reasons for the silence they hear, and ideas for remediating those reasons.
On the role of loan officers’ psychological traits in predicting microcredit default accuracy
Authors: Baklouti Ibtissem
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The present paper’s aim lies in providing an empirical analysis of whether the loan officers’ psychological traits display an explanation of their subjective prediction accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative and qualitative analysis has also been applied.

Findings

– The reached results reveal that, with respect to microfinance institutions, the loan officers’ accurate subjective judgment crucially relies on the principle of learning-through-experience so as to construct a special type of relevant skills and competences. Learning is both an intellectual and an emotional process, whereby loan officers acquire certain specific experience likely to enhance their cognitive skills and shape their emotional intelligence, which would, in turn, sharpen their forecasting accuracy. In fact, the higher emotional intelligence is, the easier it makes it for loan officer to adjust or reduce their judgmental errors and make a more effective application of the pertinent heuristics. Conversely, however, the lack or absence of emotions and feelings of novice loan officer is likely to hinder and inhibit the cognitive as well as the learning processes.

Originality/value

– The paper considers the role of individual psychological traits on the decisions of experienced and inexperienced individuals when deciding on the default risk in the context of loan decisions. Learning is both an intellectual and an emotional process, whereby loan officers acquire certain specific experience likely to enhance their cognitive skills and shape their emotional intelligence, which would, in turn, sharpen their forecasting accuracy.
Virtual geometricity is rare
Authors: Cashen Christopher H. , Manning Jason F.
Published: July 2015

We present the results of computer experiments suggesting that the probability that a random multiword in a free group is virtually geometric decays to zero exponentially quickly in the length of the multiword. We also prove this fact.
Experimental Validation Data for Computational Fluid Dynamics of Forced Convection on a Vertical Flat Plate
Authors: Harris Jeff R. , Lance Blake W. , Smith Barton L.
Published: July 2015

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation dataset for turbulent forced convection on a vertical plate is presented. The design of the apparatus is based on recent validation literature and provides a means to simultaneously measure boundary conditions (BCs) and system response quantities (SRQs). All important inflow quantities for Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS). CFD are also measured. Data are acquired at two heating conditions and cover the range 40,000 < Rex < 300,000, 357 <  Reδ2 < 813, and 0.02 < Gr/Re2 < 0.232.
A Framework to Normalize Ontology Representation for Stable Measurement
Authors: Ma Yinglong , Wang Chunlong , Jin Beihong
Published: July 2015

Ontology measurement is an important challenge in the field of knowledge management in order to manage the development of ontology based systems and reduce the risk of project failure. Effective ontology measurement is the precondition on which the meaningful and useful ontology evaluation can be made. We propose a framework to normalize representation of ontologies for their stable measurement, where the semantic enriched representation model (SERM) is proposed as the unique representation for ontologies. By the normalization framework, we provide a four-step procedure to extract ontology entities and calculate measures based on SERM model. Both the theoretical analysis and the experimental results show that our framework is effective and useful to perform stable ontology measurement. It is suitable to measure more expressive ontologies. This framework enables users to perform automatic ontology measurement without much expertise knowledge about ontology programming and reasoning.
Semi-Empirical Study of Water Flow Through Vortex Triodes and Performance Optimization
Authors: Belforte Guido , Bertetto Andrea Manuello , Mazza Luigi
Published: July 2015

A study was carried out to evaluate behavior and performance of vortex triodes. In particular, the study investigated the geometries and operating conditions which minimize the control flow capable of intercepting the supply flow. The study was conducted experimentally using a specially designed test bench on prototypes operating with water. The geometric parameters which influence vortex valve performance were identified and varied so as to minimize the ratio between control and supply flows. The paper presents a semi-empirical formula to predict vortex valve performance. In particular, the formula takes valve outlet geometry and the shape of outlet diffusers into account.
Effect of Deformation and Temperature Paths in Severe Plastic Deformation Using Groove Pressing on Microstructure, Texture, and Mechanical Properties of AZ31-O
Authors: Fong Kai Soon , Atsushi Danno , Jen Tan Ming , Chua Beng Wah
Published: July 2015

Processing of wrought magnesium alloy sheet by severe plastic deformation (SPD) for improving its formability is attractive so as to encourage the wider applications of the alloy. In this study, SPD by means of groove pressing (GP) was carried out on AZ31B-O magnesium sheet at different deformation paths and temperatures in order to investigate its effects on microstructure, textures, and mechanical properties. GP using an orthogonal pressing at every cycle and at a progressively decreasing temperature was found to be effectively for manufacturing fine-grained microstructures with an average grain diameter of 1.9 μm. The final microstructures were homogenous in both the transverse direction (TD) and rolling direction (RD) and consisting of fine grains of 0.6–1 μm with a small fraction of coarser grains of 3–5 μm. The increase in yield stress (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and tensile elongation after annealing was 12%, −2.9%, and 25.6%, respectively, in the RD. A good balance between fine-grained microstructure and ductility was obtained by the pressing at a constant processing temperature of 473 K. In this pressing path, average grain diameter was 3.8 μm and the increased in YS, UTS, and tensile elongation before annealing was 21.9%, 9.1%, and 19.8%, respectively, in the RD. It was shown that the texture modification combined with fine-grained microstructure contributed to the overall improvement in ductility.
Four-Dimensional Printing for Freeform Surfaces: Design Optimization of Origami and Kirigami Structures
Authors: Kwok Tsz-Ho , Wang Charlie C. L. , Deng Dongping , Zhang Yunbo , Chen Yong
Published: July 2015

A self-folding structure fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) can be automatically folded into a demanding three-dimensional (3D) shape by actuation mechanisms such as heating. However, 3D surfaces can only be fabricated by self-folding structures when they are flattenable. Most generally, designed parts are not flattenable. To address the problem, we develop a shape optimization method to modify a nonflattenable surface into flattenable. The shape optimization framework is equipped with topological operators for adding interior/boundary cuts to further improve the flattenability. When inserting cuts, self-intersection is locally prevented on the flattened two-dimensional (2D) pieces. The total length of inserted cuts is also minimized to reduce artifacts on the finally folded 3D shape.
An Approach for Determination of Basic Machine-Tool Settings From Blank Data in Face-Hobbed and Face-Milled Hypoid Gears
Authors: Gonzalez-Perez Ignacio , Fuentes Alfonso , Ruiz-Orzaez Ramon
Published: July 2015

The conditions of meshing and contact in hypoid gear drives depend substantially on the machine-tool settings to be applied. Determination of gear geometry is the first step in the design process of a hypoid gear drive. An approach for determination of basic machine-tool settings for face-hobbed and face-milled hypoid gears is proposed, covering the cases when the gear is generated and nongenerated. Gear basic machine-tool settings are determined from the blank data that can be obtained from application of Standard ANSI/AGMA 2005-C96. Some machine-tool settings are determined analytically considering the imaginary generation of the gear by a crown gear. Some other machine-tool settings are obtained numerically in order to provide some given blank data as the normal chordal tooth thickness and the normal pressure angles of the gear teeth. The developed theory is illustrated with numerical examples.
Actual Tooth Contact Analysis of Straight Bevel Gears
Authors: Kolivand M. , Ligata H. , Steyer G. , Benedict D. K. , Chen J.
Published: July 2015

Theoretically, spherical involutes are used as one of the base topographies for straight bevel gears. Actual bevel gears, however, have deviations from their intended topographies due to manufacturing errors, heat treatment deviations, and finishing processes. Measuring the physical parts with coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), this study proposes a new approach to capture such deviations. The measured deviations from spherical involute are expressed in form of a third-order two-dimensional (2D) polynomial function and added to the base topography to duplicate the geometry of the actual part; tooth thickness deviation is also accounted for and corrected through changing the theoretical tooth thickness. The resultant surfaces are then used to construct ease-off and surface of roll angle topographies and to perform tooth contact analysis (TCA) and calculate motion transmission error (TE). At the end a sample straight bevel gear set is measured and utilizing the proposed approach its predicted TCA is compared to the experimental TCA obtained from roll tester. The results show very good correlation between the predicted and actual TCA of the parts. Utilizing the proposed methodology, the other bevel gear base profile geometries (such as octoids) can also be analyzed. In the proposed approach, the difference between other base geometries and spherical involutes can be treated as deviations from spherical involutes and can be taken into account to perform TCA.
Modeling Large Planar Deflections of Flexible Beams in Compliant Mechanisms Using Chained Beam-Constraint-Model1
Authors: Ma Fulei , Chen Guimin
Published: July 2015

Modeling large deflections has been one of the most fundamental problems in the research community of compliant mechanisms. Although many methods are available, there still exists a need for a method that is simple, accurate, and can be applied to a vast variety of large deflection problems. Based on the beam-constraint model (BCM), we propose a new method for modeling large deflections called chained BCM (CBCM), which divides a flexible beam into a few elements and models each element by BCM. The approaches for determining the strain energy stored in a deflected beam and the stress distributed on it are also presented within the framework of CBCM. Several typical examples were analyzed and the results show CBCMs capabilities of modeling various large deflections of flexible beams in compliant mechanisms. Generally, CBCM can serve as an efficient and versatile tool for solving large deflection problems in a variety of compliant mechanisms.