bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MECHANISMS AND FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE POSTWELD INTERGRANULAR UNDERCLAD CRACKING
Authors: Tigges D. , Piques R. , Buisine D. , Vignes J. L.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Forged components of ferritic steel can be protected by a welded austenitic stainless steel clad. Intergranular cracking can take place in the ferritic phase close to the ferritic austenitic interface. After developing a technique for fabrication of these cracks, the formation conditions are studied. Auger electron spectroscopy investigations of specimens containing a real crack opened inside the vacuum chamber are used for interpretation. Sulphur segregations embrittle the grain boundaries which are cracked by residual and thermal stresses during the postweld heat treatment.
FRACTURE SURFACE DEVELOPMENT IN AN OVERLOADED D16T Al‐ALLOY SUBJECTED TO BIAXIAL LOADING. A FRACTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Shanyavsky A. A. , Orlov E. F.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Fatigue crack growth experiments were carried out on cruciform specimens of D16T Al‐alloy, loaded under uniaxial and biaxial loads, including a sequence of various overloads. It is shown that, for biaxial cyclic loads at stress ratios λ and various R‐ratios, fracture surface development during overloads and the crack length dependences on the cyclic loads following overloads are similar to those for uniaxial loading.

The aim of this investigation was to study interaction effects by analyzing the crack retardation length and associated parameters together with their relationships. These parameters’depend on the biaxial ratio (λ) and the stress ratio (R) and their uses in crack growth modelling are briefly considered.
THE EXTENDED COMPACT TENSION SPECIMEN
Authors: Piascik R. S. , Newman J. C. , Underwood J. H.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— An extended compact tension, EC(T), specimen has been developed for fatigue and fracture testing. The EC(T) specimen exhibits distinct advantages compared to other cracked specimen configurations, i.e., standard compact tension, single‐edge crack, and middle‐crack tension specimens. Documented herein are stress‐intensity factor and compliance expressions for the EC(T) specimen.
THE BRITTLE FRACTURE OF 475°C EMBRITTLED CAST DUPLEX STAINLESS STEEL
Authors: Marrow T. J. , Bury N.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— The fracture behaviour of cast duplex stainless steels, heat treated to different ferrite contents and hardness was investigated using tensile and notched bend tests. The purpose was to identify the microstructural features which controlled the ductile‐to‐brittle fracture transition of 475°C embrittled duplex stainless steel. The results indicate that twin nucleated cleavage has a tensile stress fracture criteria and the brittle‐to‐ductile transition temperature depends on ferrite microhardness, ferrite grain size and constraint.
THE HIGH STRAIN‐RATE FRACTURE CHARACTERISTICS OF DUCTILE METALS AT ELEVATED AND SUB‐AMBIENT TEMPERATURES
Authors: Barton D. C. , Mirza M. S. , Waheed M. , Sturges J. L. , Church P.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— High strain‐rate tensile tests have been carried out on pre‐notched specimens of OFHC copper and Remko iron at both elevated and cryogenic temperatures. When properly expressed as a function of stress triaxiality at the centre of the notch (as predicted by numerical simulations of the experiment), the ductility of copper was found to be independent of temperature over a range from —190°C to 300°C. The specially‐processed Remko iron was found to undergo a ductile‐to‐brittle transition at a temperature dependent on the stress triaxiality and the particular batch of the material. Otherwise the fully ductile strains‐to‐failure (when expressed as a function of stress triaxiality) for iron were found to decrease with increasing temperature up to 400°C; this being the maximum temperature tested.
THE ANALYSIS OF MECHANICALLY FASTENED REPAIRS AND LAP JOINTS
Authors: Salgado N. K. , Aliabadi M. H.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— A new Dual Boundary Element formulation is presented, which allows for the analysis of mechanically fastened repairs and lap joints. The method requires only the boundaries of the problem to be discretized and the fasteners location is simply defined by a set of internal points.

The technique enables the evaluation of fastener forces, sheet stresses and the stress intensity factors which are important parameters for a Damage Tolerance assessment.

Examples of applications to repair designs and to a lap joint are presented to demonstrate the robustness of the new formulation that is proposed in this paper.
LOW‐TEMPERATURE AUTOFRETTAGE: AN IMPROVED TECHNIQUE TO ENHANCE THE FATIGUE RESISTANCE OF THICK‐WALLED TUBES AGAINST PULSATING INTERNAL PRESSURE
Authors: Mughrabi H. , Donth B. , Vetter G.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— It is shown that autofrettage at low temperatures is superior to autofrettage at room temperature in enhancing the fatigue resistance of thick‐walled tubes against pulsating internal pressure. The physical reason is based on the well‐known temperature dependence of the mechanical behaviour of metals and alloys which generally exhibit an enhancement of both the yield stress and strain hardening behaviour at lower temperatures. As a consequence, significantly larger compressive residual hoop stresses can be introduced during pressurization at low temperatures than at room temperature. Experimental data obtained on thick‐walled tubes of the metastable austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 L which were subjected to pulsating internal pressure at room temperature after autofrettage at temperatures between‐110°C and room temperature are presented. These data demonstrate convincingly the advantages offered by low‐temperature autofrettage in enhancing both the fatigue life in the finite‐life region and the fatigue endurance limit in comparison with autofrettage at room temperature. In conclusion, some specific materials requirements for optimum low‐temperature autofrettage performance are discussed.
RETARDATION AND REPAIR OF FATIGUE CRACKS BY ADHESIVE INFILTRATION
Authors: Sharp P. K. , Clayton J. Q. , Clark G.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— This paper presents results which demonstrate that polymeric filler materials, such as low‐viscosity epoxies, can be vacuum‐infiltrated into fatigue cracks in 7050 aluminium alloy to produce significant levels of fatigue crack retardation. It was found that the main test variable affecting the degree of retardation was the stress level at which the adhesive was introduced and cured. Two infiltrated adhesives were tested.

Infiltration at 0% (of the original) peak fatigue stress level produced negligible retardation, while infiltration at the 80% stress level produced about 300% increase in fatigue life for one adhesive and 3000% for the other adhesive. For the highest infiltration stress level both crack‐face wedging and adhesion contributed initially to the retardation, but the adhesive component ceased after a crack grew through the adhesive to the original crack tip position. The results are discussed in terms of the applicability of the technique to highly‐stressed aircraft components.
MODELLING THE TENSILE FRACTURE BEHAVIOUR OF THE REINFORCING FIBRE YARNS IN CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES
Authors: Martín‐Meizoso A. , Martínez‐Esnaola J. M. , Scánchez J. M. , Puente I. , Elizalde R. , Daniel A. M. , Fuentes M.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Using experimentally determined data on fibre radius distributions, yarn geometry, matrix and fibre elastic moduli and frictional shear stress at the matrix/fibre interface (obtained by nano‐indentation experiments), the failure probability of the composite fibre yarns (after matrix cracking) is estimated. Each fibre is divided into a fixed number of segments above and below the matrix crack. The failure probability on every segment of each fibre is computed using Weibull fibre strength statistics. A fibre is assumed to be broken when the cumulative failure probability for the complete yarn reaches a value of 0.5. The segment and fibre are then selected at “random”, according to their individual failure probabilities. After fibre failure, the broken fibre can only carry the frictional load and the load drop is transferred to its neighbours according to their distances to the broken fibre. The remote stress is then modified to match again the cumulative failure probability of 0.5 and a new fibre is broken. This procedure is repeated until all the fibres are broken. In this way, it is possible to obtain the “characteristic” load carried by the yarn and its corresponding elongation. Fibre extraction and pull‐out behaviour are also considered. The roles of different load‐transfer laws (from global to highly localised) are examined. The model is applied to simulate the fracture tensile behaviour of individual yarns of SiC/SiC ceramic‐matrix composites. The results are compared with those obtained from tensile experiments on SiC/SiC individual yarns. The computed fracture morphology, in terms of individual pull‐out lengths, is also compared to the actual SEM fractography of a woven SiC/SiC composite.
K‐DOMINANCE CONDITION IN HYDROGEN ASSISTED CRACKING: THE ROLE OF THE FAR FIELD
Authors: Toribio J. , Kharin V.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— This paper analyses the validity of the fracture mechanics approach to hydrogen assisted cracking in metals on the basis of K‐dominance over both the stress‐strain state and the accumulation of hydrogen in the fracture process zone. Stress‐strain assisted diffusion of hydrogen is considered as the rate controlling factor of hydrogen assisted cracking under sustained or quasi‐static loading conditions. The discrepancy in the crack tip zone between the far‐field affected diffusion and the asymptotically driven (K‐controlled) process is elucidated. The far field (i.e., the stress‐strain field which is not K‐dominated) is shown to have a minor effect on near‐tip hydrogen diffusion. It can only widen the scatter band of crack growth rates in the near‐threshold portion of the crack growth kinetics curve.
ON THE USE OF THE STRIP‐YIELD MODEL TO PREDICT FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH UNDER IRREGULAR LOADING
Authors: Zapatero J. , Moreno B. , Domínguez J.
Published: April 2007

Abstract—In this paper, the behaviour of the LEFM strip‐yield model proposed by Newman and implemented in the FASTRAN II computer program is analyzed. The capabilities of the model to predict crack growth life under variable amplitude loading is considered. Special attention is paid to the effect of the constraint factors used to consider the stress condition (plane stress to plane strain), the effect of the finite length loading sequence and the effect of overloads into an irregular loading history. The results of simulation for 30 different loading histories obtained from the same stationary random process are analyzed and compared with the experimental results obtained for 2024‐T351 aluminium alloy. The simulated lives present a fairly good fit with the experimental results, with a strong influence of the constraint factor selected and of the maximum peak in the loading history. Although predictions are usually good, it has been found that for any constraint factor producing good life predictions (with respect to the mean value of the Life obtained with the 30 loading histories) the results of each particular simulation may be over‐ or under‐conservative depending on the maximum peak in the loading history used.
CALCULATION OF THE STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR AND ESTIMATION OF ITS ERROR BY A SHAPE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
Authors: Fuenmayor J. , Domínguez J. , Giner E. , Oliver J. L.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— The precision with which the stress intensity factor (SIF) can be calculated from a finite element solution depends essentially on the extraction method and on the discretization error. In this paper, the influence of the discretization error in the SIF calculation was studied and a method for estimating the resulting error was developed. The SIF calculation method used is based on a shape design sensitivity analysis; this assures that the resulting error in the extracted SIF depends solely on the global discretization error present in the finite element solution. Moreover, this method allows us to extend the Zienkiewicz‐Zhu discretization error estimator to the SIF calculation. The reliability of the proposed method was analysed solving a two‐dimensional problem using an h‐adaptive process. Also the convergence of the error with the h‐adaptive refinement was studied.
WEIGHT FUNCTIONS APPLIED TO FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH ANALYSIS
Authors: Beghini M. , Bertini L. , Vitale E.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— An overview is presented of studies conducted at the University of Pisa on the Weight Function technique as applied to Fatigue Crack Grown analysis. The fundamental theoretical aspects of the technique are summarised, discussing some recent methods for the determination of the Weight Function. The application of the technique to non‐linear (contact) problems and to the evaluation of the crack tip stress field is also discussed. It is shown that the Weight Function method allows one to efficiently consider many crack propagation problems, some examples of which are provided.
CREEP CRACK GROWTH MICROMECHANISMS AT 405°C IN COLD BENT TUBES OF A C‐Mn‐Mo STEEL
Authors: Rinaldi C. , Lucon E. , Casaroli F.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Creep Crack Growth (CCG) tests were performed at 405°C on specimens cut out of the cold bent extrados of five tubes of a C‐Mn‐Mo steel. Intergranular fracture and grain boundary cavitation was less in the C‐Mn‐Mo than in the C‐Mn steels, in accordance with better CCG resistance of the former material. The dimensions and hardness variation across the crack tip process zone were measured by microhardness profiles performed on metallographic sections of the broken samples. TEM analysis of the dislocation patterns close to the fracture surface confirmed the presence of temperature‐ and stress‐induced plasticity phenomena. A significant enrichment of N at grain boundaries (GB) inside the process zone was detected by Auger spectroscopy; N not only inhibits dislocation motion and stress field relaxation at the crack tip but also causes a decrease in GB cohesion ahead of the crack tip. These results help in understanding the micromechanisms which reduce the creep ductility of C‐Mn‐Mo and C‐Mn cold bent tubes and the role of chemical composition in improving CCG resistance.
CYCLIC LOADING BEHAVIOUR OF SODA‐LIME SILICATE GLASS USING INDENTATION CRACKS
Authors: Sglavo V. M. , Gadotti M. , Micheletti T.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Cyclic loading behaviour of soda‐lime silicate glass was studied using Vickers indentation flaws. Glass bars were indented in air using a load of 9.8 N. Some samples were annealed in order to remove the indentation residual stress field. Both as‐indented and annealed specimens were subjected to static and cyclic bending tests in a water environment using a four‐point bending configuration. The influence of maximum stress on lifetime was considered. Crack propagation was examined by fractography and fracture patterns were similar to those observed in static fatigue. Characteristic fracture markers were seen on samples subjected to cyclic load. Experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions which were obtained on the basis of typical sub‐critical crack growth behaviour. Precise determination of crack shape and residual stress factors were shown to play an important role in lifetime predictions.
FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH UNDER ULTRASONIC FATIGUE LOADING
Authors: Ni J. G.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— In this paper, a stress and modal analysis of an ultrasonic vibration system consisting of a notched specimen and one or two amplifying horns have been performed by using 3D finite element calculations. The stress intensity factors in ultrasonic fatigue crack propagation are evaluated by means of displacement and energy approaches. The particular advantages as well as limitations of the two approaches are briefly discussed. Two types of ultrasonic fatigue loading, with a different stress ratio, are exerted on the specimen. From a comparison of the results a conclusion is formed that the energy approach is more accurate; it also has a wide range of practicality in engineering industries.
INTERFACIAL CRACK INITIATION UNDER QUASI‐STATIC AND DYNAMIC LOADING CONDITIONS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Authors: Tippur H. V. , Xu L.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Interfacial fracture parameters under quasi‐static and dynamic loading are examined in a large elastic mismatch bimatenal system. A wide range of remote field loading ratios of shear and tension are considered. The crack tip fields are mapped using the optical method of coherent gradient sensing or CGS and fracture parameters are quantified. Distinctly different crack initiation responses are observed for positive and negative shear stresses acting on the interface. Also, low velocity impact loading experiments are conducted to study the influence of dynamic loading on crack initiation parameters. Dynamic interfacial crack tip fields are recorded using high speed photography and fracture parameters for dynamically loaded stationary cracks are obtained. Measurements suggest significant crack initiation toughness reduction under dynamic loading conditions.
Inflation, Translation and Conflicts in Statements of Financial Accounting Standards*
Authors: Adler Michael , Harris Trevor S.
Published: April 2007

This paper utilizes the concept of aggregative consistency defined in Rubinstein and Fishburn [1986], and the FASB's concept of representational faithfulness to evaluate foreign currency translation and accounting for changing prices as embodied in SFAS 70. The paper shows that SFAS 70 produces measurement errors and creates a foreign currency translation adjustment which does not reflect the effects of exchange rate changes. The conditions defined in the paper also facilitate an evaluation of the relative merits of restate/translate and translate/restate. Restate/translate can conceivably be used if there is no consolidation. In the more usual case where consolidation is required, translate/restate using the relevant shareholders' consumption index will yield aggregatively consistent values under fewer restrictive conditions.
International Financial Analysis and Comparative Corporate Performance: The Impact of UK versus US Accounting Principles on Earnings*
Authors: Weetman Pauline , Gray Sidney J.
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which there are systematic differences between UK and US accounting principles likely to give rise to significant quantitative differences in earnings and assessments of comparative corporate performance. The results of the empirical analysis provide evidence of a systematically more conservative bias in earnings measurement under US accounting principles. The most frequently occurring differences were found to be those dealing with amortisation of goodwill and with provision for deferred taxation. However, the dominant effect on earnings was accounted for by the different treatment of goodwill.
Risk Shifting in International Licensing Agreements: A Note*
Authors: Ravichandran R. , Pinegar J. Michael
Published: April 2007

On average, announcements of international licensing agreements are followed by reductions in US firms' betas only for licensing agreements announced after 1980 and only for licences that transfer technology. These findings are inconsistent with an unambiguous benefit from indirect international diversification through firms. When risk does change, the change relates positively to announcement period abnormal returns for multinational corporations but not for firms going abroad for the first time. The absence of a significant relation between abnormal returns and the change in risk for first‐time entrants into international markets may be caused by small sample sizes, by extraproject information conveyed by licensing announcements made by these firms, or by potential estimation risk.
Management Accounting Practices in the U.S. and Japan: Comparative Survey Findings and Research Implications*
Authors: Shields Michael D. , Chow Chee W. , Kato Yutaka , Nakagawa Yu
Published: April 2007

In recent years, the success of Japanese firms in the global market has prompted efforts to understand the sources of their competitive advantage. It has been suggested that one such source is the Japanese firms' management accounting systems, and a number of articles have claimed that important differences do exist between U.S. and Japanese firms in this area. However, these claims have tended to be supported by anecdotal, rather than systematic, evidence. The objective of this article is to contribute further insights into similarities and differences between U.S. and Japanese firms' management accounting practices. Exhaustive searches of published surveys in the U.S. and Japanese literatures (much of which is in Japanese) provided the basis for U.S.‐Japan comparisons on six aspects of management accounting practices. In turn, these comparisons were used for deriving implications for future research. Two major limitations of extant research and, thus, directions for future research are identified. First, future research needs to go beyond the simple use or non‐use of techniques to investigate more detailed aspects of technique use. Second, since management accounting is only one component of a firm's total management system, attention also needs to be devoted to the organizational context, process, and goals of a firm's management accounting practices.
Merger Premia and National Differences in Accounting for Goodwill
Authors: Choi Frederick D. S. , Lee Changwoo
Published: April 2007

We examine the effects of international accounting diversity on the market for corporate control with particular reference to whether national differences in the treatment of purchased goodwill are associated with differences in premia offered by U.K. as opposed to U.S. acquirers of U.S. targets. We find merger premia associated with U.K. acquisitions to be consistently higher than those for U.S. acquisitions. Moreover, higher premiums offered by U.K. acquirors appear to be associated with not having to amortize goodwill to earnings. The evidence provided here suggests that national differences in accounting impact differentially on managerial behavior.
Coping with International Accounting Diversity: Fund Managers' Views on Disclosure, Reconciliation, and Harmonization*
Authors: Bhushan Ravi , Lessard Donald R.
Published: April 2007

In this paper we examine the practices of representative samples of U.S.‐ and U.K.‐based international investment managers in order to determine whether and how they are affected by accounting diversity and, therefore, by the presence or absence of quantitative reconciliation, and what their views are towards greater disclosure, reconciliation, or harmonization. We find that all three forms of reduced diversity‐more uniform disclosure, quantitative reconciliation to U.S. GAAP, and international harmonization are viewed as good things by managers. None, however, appears to be critical in the investment process. Reconciliation is a costly requirement and we conclude that the SEC's insistence on reconciliation is not well‐founded and that other means, especially greater emphasis on mutual recognition subject to certain minimum standards of disclosure and presentation, would be more effective.
Foreign Currency Translation Reporting and the Exchange‐Rate Exposure Effect
Authors: Bartov Eli , Bodnar Gordon M.
Published: April 2007

This study further explores a structural break in the relation between stock returns of firms with foreign currency positions and lagged exchange rate changes (exchange rate exposure effect) documented in Bartov and Bodnar (1994). We examine whether changes in the financial accounting reporting of foreign currency positions from SFAS No. 52 might have improved investors' ability to characterize firms' economic exchange rate exposures, and thus the impact of exchange rate movements on firm value. Our findings indicate that only firms reporting using the dollar as the functional currency (i.e., those reporting as if they were still under SFAS No. 8) retain a significant relation between the lagged change in the dollar and firm value in the post‐SFAS No. 52 period. For firms reporting using the foreign currency as the functional currency (i.e., those who switched to the new translation method) the significant lagged relation disappears. This is consistent with the use of a foreign currency as the functional currency under SFAS No. 52 facilitating valuation of U.S. firms with foreign operations.
The Choice of Accounting Policy In Japan
Authors: Inoue Tatsuo , Thomas Wayne B.
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors which potentially influence Japanese managers' choices of accounting policies. Several factors have been posed to affect the choice of accounting policy of U.S. managers (e.g., Watts and Zimmerman's (1986) positive accounting theory). However, the general business characteristics of the U.S. environment differ, sometimes drastically, from those in Japan. Factors affecting the choice of accounting policy in the U.S. may not similarly affect the choice of accounting policy in Japan. At the same time, new factors may be identified in the Japanese business environment.

Income strategy models are developed for each firm according to the type (income increasing or income decreasing) of accounting policies employed. The results suggest that both the size and debt/equity hypotheses are significant, even for keiretsu firms. These results are surprising given (1) the close relationship between firms and the government, (2) regulations of the commercial code which serve to protect the interests of debtholders, and (3) the tight relationship between banks and firms within keiretsu groups which protects firms from bankruptcy and takeover. Variables representing firms' effective tax rate, ability to finance operations internally, and foreign political costs are also shown to significantly affect Japanese managers' choices of accounting policy. The bonus hypothesis is not significant in the Japanese environment. Furthermore, the choice of accounting policy is explained more by individual firm characteristics than by keiretsu membership or industry membership.
Voluntary US GAAP Disclosure in India: The Case of Infosys Technologies Limited
Authors: Narayanaswamy R.
Published: April 2007

This paper describes the impact of economic liberalisation in India on financial reporting. It explains the role of internationalisation of business on financial reporting by firms. Infosys Technologies Limited, a leading Indian software company with extensive international operations, has recently provided supplementary unaudited US GAAP financial statements in addition to the financial statements required under Indian company law. The paper presents a case study of this company to illustrate the incentives for voluntary non‐domestic GAAP financial statements in corporate reports.
The Influence of the Keiretsu on Japanese Corporate Disclosure
Authors: Cooke T. E.
Published: April 2007

This paper represents a contribution to testing whether the extent of disclosure in Japanese corporate annual reports varies according to group structure. Consideration is given to keiretsu (group interfirm networks) classification and the mechanism for monitoring by a main bank or main company. This topic is of interest because the Japanese system of corporate governance is fundamentally different from those prevailing in Anglo‐Saxon countries and this distinction may impact on corporate disclosure policy. Attention is focused on the exclusionary theory of corporate disclosure in which information is disseminated within group members but specifically excludes others. Regression analysis is undertaken to assess the importance of group structure in explaining variability in the extent of disclosure after controlling for known factors such as size, stock market listing, industry, borrowings, and type of business. The results suggest that companies within a keiretsu with a main‐bank or main‐company monitor and which are therefore less subject to capital market discipline do not disclose less information than other companies in their annual reports. It appears that whatever type of corporate governance mechanism is adopted in Japan there exists a monitor that places approximately equal demands on information disclosure in corporate annual reports.
Some Administrative Aspects of Regionalism
Authors: Robertson C. J.
Published: April 2007

Synopsis

Introductory. The advantages of a hierarchy of administrative units. Growth of occupational devolution at expense of areal devolution. “Planning” tends to restore the balance in favour of areal units. Occupational and areal units complementary. The need for an order of administrative units intermediate between the central administration and the local administration. Development of administrative regionalism in Germany, the U.S.S.R., Portugal, Italy, France, England and Wales, and Scotland. Advantages of the general‐purpose region as against ad hoc regions. The ad hoc region, particularly in Great Britain. Weaknesses of systems of ad hoc regions. Compromises between general‐purpose and ad hoc regions. Construction of regions: agglomerative or “organic.” Factors determining the size of the administrative region. The special importance of means of transportation. Other factors. Advantages of the region as against smaller units. The balancing of regions. The delimitation of regional boundaries. The need for elasticity. Boundaries as zones of change. Regional centres. The regional personnel. Public relations. The delegation of powers to the region. The prospects of regionalism in Great Britain.
Masculinity, Autobiography and History
Authors: MORGAN DAVID
Published: April 2007

Men's history—masculine history, if you will—begins when we redefine our usual notion of historical significance and when we shift our usual frame of reference. Once we have made these two conceptual adjustments, we uncover some secrets hidden in the familiar landscape of the past. More often—and ultimately more important—as we shift our angle of vision, we recognise new meanings in the evidence that lay in front of our eyes all along.1

A man would never set out to write a book on the peculiar situation of the human male. But if I wish to define myself I must first of all say: ‘I am a woman’; a man never begins by presenting himself as an individual of a certain sex, it goes without saying that he is a man.2
THEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: KENT SUSAN KINGSLEY
Published: April 2007

M. Jeanne Peterson, Family, Love, and Work in the Lives of Victorian Gentlewomen

Norma Clarke, Ambitious Heights: Writing, Friendship, Love ‐ The Jewsbury Sisters, Felicia Hemans, and Jane Welsh Carlyle

Mary Lyndon Shanley, Feminism, Marriage, and the Law in Victorian England, 1850–1895

Carol Dyhouse, Feminism and the Family in England, 1880–1939
Selection Methods used by Executive Search Consultancies in Four European Countries: A Survey and Critique
Authors: Clark Timothy
Published: April 2007

This article identifies two deficiencies in the existing literature on selection methods used for the recruitment of managers: 1. The central focus has been the relationship between the employing organization and the applicant/candidate. It has been assumed that all managerial employees are recruited directly by the employing organization. As a consequence, only the selection methods used by the employer have been examined. 2. Few researchers have considered managerial selection from a cross‐national perspective, particularly in relation to the use of external recruitment consultancies. These two issues are the central concern of this article. The use of external executive recruitment consultancies is examined in four European countries: France, Germany, Italy and the UK. Results are presented from two studies on the use of selection methods by such consultancies. A significant difference between France and the UK, and these two countries and the other two, in their use of references and graphology is reported. The evidence shows that, in general, German, Italian and UK search consultancies use low validity techniques, primarily unstructured interviews and references, while France makes use of these two methods in addition to graphology. It is suggested they use low validity selection methods because validity is not the primary ‘evaluative standard’by which the usefulness of selection methods are assessed. Five alternative ‘evaluative standards’are suggested: client expectations, role of consultants, consultant qualifications, impact on candidates and importance of characteristics being assessed. The utilization of different selection methods by search consultancies located in the four countries is negligible. This may be due to three factors: organizational (the form of international search network adopted), individual (the multi‐cultural background experiences of consultants) and external (the nature of clients served).
Personality Profiles of Canadian Public Accountants
Authors: Davidson Ronald A. , Dalby J. Thomas
Published: April 2007

This research describes the personality characteristics of a sample of Canadian public accountants using the 16 Personality Factors Questionnaire. Comparisons are made with the general population, between male and female accountants, and between firms of different sizes. Since success in a public accounting firm is indicated by becoming a partner, the personalities of successful public accountants are determined by comparing partners and staff at other levels. Findings indicate that accountants, as a group, have personality profiles that are significantly different from the general population. Significant differences were found between male and female accountants, and between accountants in large and small firms. Personality appears to be a significant factor in promotion as partners have personality profiles that are significantly different from those of accountants at other levels.
Assessment of In‐Basket Performance by Quickly‐Scored Methods: Development and Psychometric Evaluation
Authors: Hakstian A. Ralph , Harlos Karen P.
Published: April 2007

The present research was aimed primarily at establishing and evaluating an In‐Basket exercise and scoring procedures that greatly reduce training and scoring time while retaining adequate reliability and validity. In the first of two studies, an optimal subset of In‐Basket items was identified for scoring. Their reliability and concurrent validity were then re‐evaluated in a second, cross‐validation study. No loss in reliability and little in validity resulted from the scoring‐item reduction. In addition, results emerged that shed light on attainable In‐Basket reliability and criterion‐related validity. Implications for In‐Basket use are noted.
Applying the M‐92, A Self‐Knowledge Technique for Determining Job Aspirations and Expectations
Authors: Mullet Etienne , Teresa Muñoz Sastre Maria , Duponchelle Ludovic
Published: April 2007

The M‐92 technique is aimed at helping teenagers become aware of: (a) the relationships between certain classic determinants such as prestige, income, and job opportunities and their system of job aspirations and/or expectations; (b) the strong and weak points in their system of information about jobs; (c) the internal structure of their system of occupational representations; and (d) possible conflicts in values or discordancies between aspirations and expectations. From a theoretical standpoint the M‐92 draws directly on Coombs (1975) and Gottfredson (1981). Methodologically, it is an extension of the Hammondet al.(1988) Social Judgement Theory to the case of pair comparisons. Several concrete examples of the M‐92 in use are described.
A Review of North American Selection Procedures: Canada and the United States of America
Authors: Gowing Marilyn K. , Slivinski L.W.
Published: April 2007

This article reviews North American selection procedures used to make employment decisions (hiring, promotion, training, layoff and demotion) within public and private organizations in Canada and the United States of America. We present the conclusions of several surveys of selection practices including those conducted by the International Personnel Management Association and the American Management Association. We summarize the literature on assessment centers, biodata, computerized assessment, education and experience criteria, individual assessment, education and experience criteria, individual assessment, integrity testing, interviews, job knowledge tests, physical and psychomotor tests and written tests. We also describe selection procedures being used for a variety of occupations from Air Traffic Controller to Telephone Operator. We conclude by describing future trends in personnel assessment in North America and predict greater collaborative research efforts between our two countries.
Fairness from the Applicant's Perspective: Reactions to Employee Selection Procedures
Authors: Gilliland Stephen W.
Published: April 2007

Applicants' reactions to selection procedures were examined in terms of the satisfaction and/or violation of 10 procedural justice rules. Critical incidents (n= 237) of fair and unfair treatment during selection were collected from 31 individuals who had recently experienced job search and hiring processes. Incidents were categorized into 10 procedural justice rules and the distribution of these incidents was examined for different hiring outcomes and different selection procedures. Dominant procedural concerns reflected selection procedure job relatedness and interpersonal treatment applicants received. Accepted applicants were primarily concerned about consistency of treatment, while rejected applicants were more concerned with timely feedback and blatant bias. Ease of faking was the primary procedural concern of applicants taking honesty and personality tests, while job relatedness was the primary concern with ability and work sample tests. Research issues were discussed and a number of practical suggestions were offered in terms of minimizing applicants' negative reactions to the selection process.
Validation of the Micropat Battery
Authors: Bartram Dave
Published: April 2007

Micropat is a battery of computer‐based aptitude tests designed to assess aspects of psychomotor coordination and information management. Initial research and development work on Micropat started in 1980 with the Army Air Corps and the tests were successfully validated against rotary wing pilot training outcome. In 1985, funding for the project was taken over by the Royal Navy (RN) with a view to improving selection for both RN Pilots and RN Observers. Validation of the main battery was carried out on Pilot and Observer trainees at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), Dartmouth, UK.

The paper outlines the development of the Micropat programme over the past decade, focusing on a number of key practical methodological issues. These include discussion of the task‐based approach to test construction, the use made of the potential afforded by computer‐based assessment and the problem of developing robust composite predictors from small samples. In particular, the relative merits of unit‐weighted, rationally weighted and empirically weighted composite predictors are examined.

Evidence for the validity of the tests is summarized. It is concluded that we are unlikely to improve substantially on the levels of prediction which were being obtained in the 1950s. Continual development and improvement in selection testing is needed simply to maintain levels of prediction as the demands of flying change. The new forms of test made possible by computer‐based assessment technology provide the means of maintaining useful levels of prediction as flying training courses become longer and more complex.
Models and Personality Traits in Occupational Psychological Testing
Authors: Kline Paul
Published: April 2007

From a study of methods of test construction – criterion‐keying, item analytic, factor analytic and using item characteristic curves – it is shown that, in the sphere of personality tests, only factor analytic methods can ensure univariate measures. A further scrutiny of factor analytic methodology reveals various technical defects which have created a chaos of different findings and factors in personality inventories. It is finally demonstrated that rotation to simple structure yields reliable and replicable factors and that when this is done, four or five factors account for most of the variance in personality inventories. It is concluded that in occupational testing only tests measuring these factors, or primary factors clearly related to them, should be used.
New Directions for Performance Appraisal: Some Findings and Observations
Authors: Fletcher Clive
Published: April 2007

The changing emphasis on the aims of performance appraisal systems is discussed, with particular reference to the notion of appraisal as a motivating mechanism. The contention of the Total Quality school that the traditional focus on the assessment function of appraisal is counterproductive is supported, and some data are presented illustrating the doubtful value and accuracy of appraisal ratings, both for evaluating staff and as validation criteria for personality measures. Some implications of recent organizational changes for the development role of performance appraisal are reviewed, with particular reference to upward feedback and competency‐based appraisal. Finally, the emerging shape of a new approach to meeting the purposes formerly served by appraisal systems is described.
Effects of Organizational Citizenship Behaviours: Evidence from Production Supervisors
Authors: Lowery Christopher M. , Krilowicz Thomas J.
Published: April 2007

Based on a sample of production workers in a textile firm, supervisory ratings of employee performance were found to be influenced by supervisors' perceptions of employees' organizational citizenship behaviours as well as by employees' objectively measured performance. Regression analysis indicated that supervisory ratings were influenced by two dimensions of organizational citizenship behaviour — conscientiousness and altruism — as well as by objective performance. These three variables explained 53% of the variance in ratings. A third dimension of OCB, sportsmanship, did not affect supervisory ratings.
Unfair Discrimination in the Selection Interview: An Attributional Account
Authors: Silvester J. , Chapman A.J.
Published: April 2007

The selection interview remains the most popular method by which organizations select employees, yet it is also widely criticized for being vulnerable to bias and unfair discrimination. This paper draws upon two specific areas of attribution research: cross‐cultural studies of attributional processes and studies of intergroup attributional bias in order to discuss how attributional processes can contribute to unfair discrimination in selection interviews. It is argued that unfair discrimination can arise in two ways: first, as a consequence of ethnocentric attributional biases on the part of interviewers when explaining the behaviour of candidates associated with in‐group or out‐group status; second, as a result of different patterns of attributions manifest by candidates from diverse cultural groups.
Poverty and welfare in Denmark
Authors: Abrahamson P.
Published: April 2007

From 1945 to the 1980s, Denmark was characterized by the absence of poverty or at least by the lack of any debate over poverty. However, by the mid‐1980s, the presence of new forms of poverty made it impossible for politicians and social scientists to neglect poverty as an issue. The re‐emergence of poverty did not clarify its extent, but it is widely agreed that poverty now is related to social exclusion and marginalization from the labour market. Empirical evidence is given that shows a poverty incidence of about 8%; the extent of marginalization is calculated to include 20‐25% of the population of working age. The existence of poverty can be seen as a critique of the Scandinavian welfare state project, which was developed explicitly to fight and eliminate poverty. The article concludes with a discussion of the latest welfare state development in Scandinavia and possible future trends, summarized as welfare pluralism. The further implementation of the concept of welfare pluralism holds both positive and negative prospects for the poor, since it opens up both a more differentiated yet possibly also more stratified distribution of welfare
Which kind of Europe?: An exhortation to act locally and think globally
Authors: Wagner A.
Published: April 2007

The attempt to create a European Economic Space by January 1, 1993 has heightened awareness among politicans, concerned citizens and the scientific community of the increasing trend toward integration in Europe. There is, however, a basic dichotomy endemic to the process of European integration: the dichotomy of “wider or deeper”. The “C” in EC seems to stand for club and not for community. European integration functions as an instrument of exclusion, rather than an instrument of inclusion. This article seeks to develop a political theory of integration, promoting the idea of integration achieved through transactions of sharing rather than transactions of exchange. This view constitutes a challenge for European social work practitioners and educators, to transform existing international networks from rather exclusive groups into all‐inclusive international communities.
Emotionally supportive counselling for health care personnel led by social welfare officers: effects on well‐being
Authors: Larsson G.
Published: April 2007

The aim of this study was to evalute an emotionally supportive counselling program for health care personnel that can be led by social welfare officers. The program consisted of 1‐hour sessions conducted every second week for 7 months. The meetings were devoted to talks about personal stress experiences related to patients and their relatives. Nurses and nursing aides (n= 51) in counselling groups showed significant changes in a favourable direction on the following variables: fewer perceived daily hassles; fewer self‐reported physical and psychological symptoms; and improved subjective well‐being. No effects were noted on sense of coherence and subjective physical health status. Interviews with program participants, the group leaders (social welfare officers), and their supervisor (a psychotherapist) indicated how the counselling program may be affected by the personality and competence of the group leader, the working conditions of the wards in general and the attitudes of the head nurse in particular. The results were discussed as promising.