bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of language change in a functional system
Authors: Nesselhauf Nadja
Published: July 2012

In this paper, the semantic developments of the major future time expressions in Late Modern English are traced in detail, with the aim of uncovering mechanisms of language change in a complex functional system. The results of the study reveal that to express a pure prediction, the major shift that has taken place in the Late Modern period is from a comparatively frequent use of shall to a comparatively frequent use of ’ll; that to express a prediction based on the intention of the subject, BE going to and the present progressive have replaced will and shall to a certain degree; and that to express a prediction based on a previous arrangement, earlier uses of the simple present have been replaced to a considerable degree by the progressive with future time reference. In addition, the construction WANT to is identified as what may be called an emerging future marker, which has started to be used for predictions based on the subject’s intention. Finally, the possible contribution of certain stylistic and socio-cultural changes to the many recent changes in the system of English future time expressions is also considered, such as the complexification of society, (pseudo-)democratization, and a tendency of many text types towards a more personal style.
Modelling information‐seeking behaviour of graduate students at Kuwait University
Authors: Al‐Muomen Nujoud , Morris Anne , Maynard Sally
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to report the results of research conducted to model the information‐seeking behaviour of graduate students at Kuwait University and the factors influencing that behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employed a number of different approaches: a questionnaire survey to 800 graduate students studying at Kuwait University; a questionnaire survey to 180 academics at the university; semi‐structured interviews with eight academics; face‐to‐face and online interviews with 11 university library staff, four focus groups with 24 students and three focus groups with ten faculty staff.

Findings

Significant factors influencing students' information‐seeking behaviour were found to be related to library awareness, information literacy, organisational and environmental issues, source characteristics, and demographics (specifically gender and nationality).

Research limitations/implications

The research focused on graduate students at a Kuwait University which is affiliated to the government sector, however, the information seeking model is more widely applicable, particularly to other developing countries.

Originality/value

Proposed is an information‐seeking model that extended two other relevant and influential models of information‐seeking behaviour. The extended model shows promise for its intended utility in identifying factors that influence the information behaviour of graduate students.
Development of Arabic library and information science
Authors: Saif Al‐Aufi Ali , Johan Lor Peter
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to utilize Whitley's theory of the intellectual and social organization of the sciences and build on research carried on by Aareket al., Vakkari, Rochester and Vakkari, and Åström, to analyze both intellectual and institutional characteristics of Arabic library and information science (LIS).

Design/methodology/approach

Data derived from a content analysis of sampled research articles published in seven core peer‐reviewed Arabic LIS journals and from an inventory of the currently identified Arabic LIS educational institutions, professional associations, and scholarly communication channels were analyzed in terms of Whitley's theory and relevant LIS research.

Findings

The social organization of Arabic LIS has highly influenced its intellectual organization. An analysis of types and diversity of institutional affiliations, determination of terminology, resources and fund accessibility, scholarly communication of intellectual productivity, and research collaboration point to high levels of “tasks uncertainty”, low levels of “mutual dependency” and uncontrolled “reputational autonomy”.

Research limitations/implications

Because Arabic LIS institutions, associations, and research channels are poorly represented on the internet or in accessible literature, it was difficult to collect data comprehensively. While the findings are suggestive and are in agreement with views from the Arabic LIS literature, the results cannot be generalized to regions beyond the Arab world. This investigation is not primarily intended as a contribution to the philosophy of LIS, but to describe the development of LIS in the Arab States within a broad social and intellectual framework.

Originality/value

While there is a considerable body of theoretically‐oriented interpretations for bibliometric findings, no research has been conducted to analyze the social and intellectual dimensions of LIS in the Arab world. This paper also fills a gap for this type of the research in Arabic LIS and creates awareness of Arabic LIS for English‐speaking readers.
Measuring the web impact of digitised scholarly resources
Authors: Eccles Kathryn E. , Thelwall Mike , Meyer Eric T.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Webometric studies, using hyperlinks between websites as the basic data type, have been used to assess academic networks, the “impact factor” of academic communications and to analyse the impact of online digital libraries, and the impact of digital scholarly images. This study aims to be the first to use these methods to trace the impact, or success, of digitised scholarly resources in the Humanities. Running alongside a number of other methods of measuring impact online, the webometric study described here also aims to assess whether it is possible to measure a resource's impact using webometric analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Link data were collected for five target project sites and a range of comparator sites.

Findings

The results show that digitised resources online can leave traces that can be identified and used to assess their impact. Where digitised resources are situated on shifting URLs, or amalgamated into larger online resources, their impact is difficult to measure with these methods, however.

Originality/value

This study is the first to use webometric methods to probe the impact of digitised scholarly resources in the Humanities.
Journal peer review as an information retrieval process
Authors: Bornmann Lutz , Egghe Leo
Published: July 2012

Purpose

In editorial peer review systems of journals, one does not always accept the best papers. Due to different human perceptions, the evaluation of papers by peer review (for a journal) can be different from the impact that a paper has after its publication (measured by number of citations received) in this or another journal. This system (and corresponding problems) is similar to the information retrieval process in a documentary system. Also there, one retrieves not always the most relevant documents for a certain topic. This is so because the topic is described in the command language of the documentary system and this command does not always completely cover the “real topic” that one wants to describe. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on this statement classical information retrieval evaluation techniques were applied to the evaluation of peer review systems. Basic in such an information retrieval evaluation are the notions of precision and recall and the precision‐recall‐curve. Such notions are introduced here for the evaluation of peer review systems.

Findings

The analogues of precision and recall are defined and their curve constructed based on peer review data from the journal Angewandte Chemie – International Edition and on citation impact data of accepted papers by this journal or rejected but published elsewhere papers. It is concluded that, due to the imperfect peer review process (based on human evaluation), if we want to publish a high amount of qualified papers (the ones we seek), several non‐qualified papers should also be accepted.

Originality/value

The authors conclude that, due to the imperfect peer review process (based on human evaluation), if we want to publish a high amount of qualified papers (the ones we seek), one will also accept several non‐qualified papers.
Harvesting footnotes in a rural field: citation patterns in Swedish literary studies
Authors: Hammarfelt Björn
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The aim of this article is to study a locally‐oriented and book‐based research field using two Swedish language sources. Knowledge about citation patterns outside journal‐based, English language databases is scarce; thus a substantial part of research in the humanities and the social sciences is neglected in bibliometric studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Citation characteristics (publication type, language, gender and age) in the journalTidskrift för Litteraturvetenskap(2000‐2009) and in grant applications (2006‐2009) are studied. The datasets are analyzed further, adopting an author‐co‐citation approach for depicting and comparing the “intellectual base” of the field.

Findings

It is shown that monographs and anthologies are the main publication channel in Swedish literary research. English, followed by Swedish, is the major language, and the gender of authors seems to influence citation practices. Furthermore, a common intellectual base of literary studies that is independent of publication type and language could be identified.

Practical implications

Bibliometric analysis of fields within the humanities needs to go beyond established databases and materials. The extensive use of recent English language monographs in Swedish literary studies informs the acquisition policy of university libraries serving literature scholars.

Originality/value

Citation analysis of non‐English sources offers further knowledge about scholarly fields with a local and “rural” profile. The approach of using references in grant applications provides a novel and promising venue for bibliometric research.
LIS research on information sharing activities – people, places, or information
Authors: Pilerot Ola
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate and critically examine conceptualisations of information sharing activities in a selection of library and information science (LIS) literature.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to explore how LIS researchers define the concept of information sharing, and how the concept is connected with theory, empirical material and other supporting concepts, a literature review and a conceptual meta‐analysis was carried out on 35 papers and one monograph. The analysis was based on Waismann's concept of open texture, Wittgenstein's notion of language games and the concept of meaning holism.

Findings

Six theoretical frameworks were identified. These are not found to be incommensurable, but can be used as building blocks for an integrative framework. Ambiguous conceptualisations are frequent. Different conceptualisations tend to emphasize different aspects of information sharing activities: that which is shared; those who are sharing; and the location in which the sharing activities take place. The commonalities of the people involved in information sharing activities are often seen as a ground for the development of information sharing practices.

Practical implications

The findings provide a guide for future research which intends to explore activities of information sharing.

Originality/value

The article offers a systematic review of recent LIS literature on information sharing, and extends the theoretical base for information sharing research.
User verification of the FRBR conceptual model
Authors: Pisanski Jan , Žumer Maja
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to build on of a previous study of mental models of the bibliographic universe, which found that the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) conceptual model is intuitive.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 120 participants were presented with a list of bibliographic entities and six graphs each. They were asked to choose the graph they thought best represented the relationships between entities described.

Findings

The graph based on the FRBR model was chosen by more than half of the participants and none of the alternatives stood out. This gives further indication that FRBR is an appropriate model of the bibliographic universe from users' standpoint.

Research limitations/implications

The study only looked at the textual part of the bibliographic universe. Further research is needed for other types of materials.

Practical implications

This research suggests that there should be a more positive attitude towards implementation of FRBR‐based catalogues.

Originality/value

This is one of only a handful of user studies relating to FRBR, which looks to be the backbone of catalogues for years to come. As such, the results should be of interest to everybody involved with catalogues, from cataloguers to the end‐users.
OAIS functional model conformance test: a proposed measurement
Authors: Laughton Paul
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a test for data centres, repositories and archives to determine OAIS functional model conformance. The test developed was carried out among the World Data Centre (WDC) member data centres. The method used to develop the OAIS functional model conformance test is discussed, along with the test results.

Design/methodology/approach

To conduct the OAIS functional model conformance test, a quantitative approach in the format of an online survey was used. This was part of a mixed methods research project.

Findings

The test developed did produce a means for quantifying OAIS functional model conformance. The mean score for the 26 WDC member data centres that completed the test was 62.08 out of a possible 92. The highest scoring WDC member data centre obtained a score of 90, while the lowest score obtained was 27.

Research limitations/implications

This test was only conducted among a relatively small sample, making it difficult to generalise the results obtained and determine how effectively the OAIS functional model conformance test measured conformance. It remains a challenge to quantify data curation practices with regard to the OAIS functional model.

Originality/value

The OAIS functional model conformance test is the first attempt at quantifying OAIS functional model compliance.
Resolving controlled vocabulary in DITA markup: a case example in agroforestry
Authors: Zschocke Thomas
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to address the issue of matching controlled vocabulary on agroforestry from knowledge organization systems (KOS) and incorporating these terms in DITA markup. The paper has been selected for an extended version from MTSR'11.

Design/methodology/approach

After a general description of the steps taken to harmonize controlled vocabulary on agroforestry, a general discussion of related work enriching documents and matching controlled vocabularies as well as details on managing controlled vocabulary in DITA are provided.

Findings

The paper identifies a number of practical and theoretical issues in matching controlled vocabulary from different sources, e.g. the complexity of addressing inconsistencies and incompatibilities between systems, and came across a number of approaches to semantically enrich documents, such as semantic‐document approach, facet classification, and integrating metadata and markup in documents.

Practical implications

Ways of incorporating controlled vocabularies into DITA markup are presented that can be drawn upon to guide future work in this area.

Originality/value

No previous work has reflected on the actual experience used to enrich DITA markup, especially with reference to the agrorestry domain.
Supply chains and labour standards in China
Authors: Taylor Bill
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relations between supply chain strategies and impact on terms and conditions of employment of multinational corporations operating in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study analysis of two production plants owned by leading multinational corporations, and a number of their suppliers (five in total), was undertaken. Semi‐structured interviews with managers (personnel, production and supply chain) and workers in each case study were conducted both to gain information and to triangulate evidence. Visits were made to each of the factories and to the environment in which the workers lived and worked.

Findings

There is no uniform or single deterministic relationship between supply chains and labour standards. Supply chain strategies, ownership form and industry are all determinants of the relationship. However, size, as measured in terms of number of employees, does not seem a significant factor in power relations. There is also a balance between cost squeeze and other factors (the potential of cost saving, desire for predictability) in relations between existing firms in a supply chain.

Originality/value

Analysis of management practices and its relationship with employment issues in supply chain theory is still not well integrated. Part of the reason lies in the concerns of each discipline. By treating supply chain concerns as a menu of issues rather than an integrative theory, through case study analysis, a nuanced and explanatory detail can be given. These will need later repetition in quantitative or qualitative forms of research. Ontologically, the paper attempts to draw together the critical research and business school approaches to strategic management concerns. While both approaches provide a wealth of substantive evidence, there is a need to read from both perspectives to be able to catch the nature of work organisation and the management practices that inform them in China.
Normative identity processes in managers' personal development training
Authors: Andersson Thomas
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The article aims to analyze how personal development training influences managers' identity processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The article, taking an interpretive‐critical approach, is based on a qualitative, longitudinal study of five participants (managers) in a personal development training program. During the two years of research, 62 interviews (with the managers and related personnel) were conducted and 13 observations were made.

Findings

Personal development training provokes identity regulation by prescribing a normative identity process that claims managers should engage in a process of reflection in order to gain self‐awareness. Such training constitutes a local management discourse that may influence different levels of identity work and identity regulation processes depending on the participants' expectations, their organizations and professional situations, their level of insecurity, as well as their previous experience with management discourse.

Practical implications

Since management training influences participants' identity processes, program organizers, purchasers and participants should be wary of the expectation that management training will deliver content as “a package” of managerial skills.

Originality/value

The study challenges the traditional view of management training as a provider of skills and solutions for managers by focusing instead on its influence on managers' processes of identity work and identity regulation. Management training in general is claimed to regulate identities and direct identity work by providing inspirational identities. However, this study finds that personal development training regulates identities by prescribing the identity process in itself.
Federal Reserve forecasts of nonfarm payroll employment across different political regimes
Authors: Baghestani Hamid , Poulson Barry
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This study is motivated by the view that Democrats are concerned with reducing unemployment in the short‐run, while Republicans are concerned with keeping inflation low to promote economic stability and growth. The purpose of this paper is to ask whether the Federal Reserve forecasts of nonfarm payroll employment are accurate and free of systematic bias during the 1977‐2000 Democratic and Republican administrations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ comparable forecasts from a univariate autoregressive integrated moving‐average (ARIMA) model to assess forecast accuracy. An ARIMA model efficiently utilizes past information and thus yields desirable forecasts commonly used as benchmarks.

Findings

Federal Reserve forecasts during the Democratic Administrations, while failing to outperform the ARIMA forecasts, display systematic under‐prediction. Such evidence is consistent with a discretionary approach to monetary policy when the bias is in the direction of full employment. During the Republican Administrations, the Federal Reserve forecasts, while superior to the ARIMA forecasts, are free of systematic bias. This, we argue, is consistent with a monetary policy that approximated the Taylor rule.

Research limitations/implications

The distinct behavior over the two administrations is unique to the nonfarm payroll employment forecasts and cannot be substantiated for the Federal Reserve forecasts of other macroeconomic variables.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights into the monetary policies pursued during the 1977‐2000 Democratic and Republican administrations. The findings are useful and informative for the design and implementation of monetary policy.
Exploring Egypt‐China bilateral trade: dynamics and prospects
Authors: Reda Abu Hatab Assem , Abdelhamed Shoumann Nada , Xuexi Huo
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Bilateral trade between Egypt and China has expanded substantially in recent years. Few studies however have focused on the understanding of this trade relationship. The purpose of this paper is to fill a void in the literature by examining and understanding the two countries' trade pattern.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve the objectives of the paper, and in the light of the pool of literature and availability of data, the authors relied on qualitative methods to analyze the composition of trade between Egypt and China. In addition, the authors employed trade intensity index, intra‐industry trade index, and examined the trade complementarity to capture the dynamics and perspectives of bilateral trade between the two countries.

Findings

Results show low values in Egypt's trade intensity index, implying that Egyptian trade with China is less than it should be. The low values of the intra‐industry trade index suggest smaller trade between the two countries' firms in the same industry. The study clearly shows that there are few areas where there is an overlap in the two countries' comparative advantage. The trade complementarity analysis tends to suggest that the complementarity for China to export to Egypt is increasing, while that for Egypt to export to China is declining.

Originality/value

Given the lack of research that examines and compares trade between the two countries, the paper provides an in‐depth understanding of the patterns of trade between them and the driving forces behind such dynamics, which is pertinent to best capture the opportunities presented by the Chinese market. Also, the findings can be used to draw policy implications for promoting future trade and cooperation between Egypt and China.
Is China compatible with ASEAN‐5? A gradual cointegration analysis
Authors: Ong Hway‐Boon , Shah Habibullah Muzafar
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper to examine if there is continuous macroeconomic compatibility between ASEAN‐5 and China. Thus, in addition to the typical VECM test of the long run macroeconomic cointegration test, this paper examines the existence of an ongoing cointegration analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The degree of convergence during different sub‐sample period of the full sample is employed, via Johansen cointegration rank tests, to examine if there is evidence of ongoing and improved cointegrating relationship among the economies.

Findings

A successful ASEAN‐China economic cooperation would only work if there is continuous macroeconomic interdependence between the partnership. Since a smooth transition of ACFTA will complement AFTA, the effective ASEAN‐China coordination plan is essential to endorse a successful ASEAN‐China coalition.

Originality/value

This paper suggests a quick yet effective verification on the continuous compatibility of economies intended to have a long‐term economic coordination.
Asymmetric interaction between government spending and terms of trade volatility
Authors: Hatemi‐J Abdulnasser , Irandoust Manuchehr
Published: July 2012

Purpose

In the literature on the effects of economic globalization, the compensation hypothesis suggests that there is a positive link between government size and external risk as governments perform a risk mitigating role to insure against productivity shocks through transfers. In contrast, the conventional wisdom hypothesis states that more openness will lower tax rates and lead to smaller government due to increased international factor mobility which undermines the ability of governments to tax. The purpose of this paper is to test the literature and present the authors' conclusions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using time series data for the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia over the period 1960‐2008, the authors test the asymmetric relationship between government size and terms‐of‐trade volatility by applying multivariate hidden cointegration analysis.

Findings

The findings show that high terms of trade volatility are positively related to government spending in the all sample countries. The effect is stronger in the case of positive movements than negative ones.

Practical implications

The policy implication is that the size of the public sector might play a risk‐reducing role in economies with significant amounts of external risk. In particular, public expenditure is considered to be an important fiscal policy instrument when terms of trade volatility are high.

Originality/value

The paper describes the first study of its kind.
New NDT techniques for new materials and applications
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the techniques used for the non‐destructive testing (NDT) of non‐metallic structural materials, notably polymer and ceramic composites.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this paper first considers methods for testing carbon fibre‐ and glass fibre‐reinforced polymer composites. It then discusses the role of NDT in wind and wave power systems and some of the techniques used to test ceramics and ceramic composites. Brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

This shows that the growing use of non‐metallic engineering materials in critical applications has highlighted the need for a range of advanced NDT methods. While some traditional techniques can be adapted to test these materials, in several instances novel methods are required. These include a range of thermal, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, radiographic and laser‐based technologies.

Originality/value

The paper provides a review of the techniques used and being developed for the non‐destructive testing of non‐metallic engineering materials.
Programmable materials for architectural assembly and automation
Authors: Tibbits Skylar , Cheung Kenny
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain a current implementation of a programmable and computational material, Logic Matter, and to describe potential applications for computational materials and self‐guided assembly.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, the paper describes the types of information currently found in architectural construction, then introduces Logic Matter, a building block embodying physical digital logic. Examples of structural optimization and construction scenarios are given, to demonstrate the benefits of programmable and computational physical materials for assembly.

Findings

Logic Matter demonstrates a prototype with embedded digital logic and programmability, offering new applications for automated assembly, online material analysis and physical computing.

Originality/value

The paper describes the existing types of architectural construction information and proposes a novel application of programmable and computational material for automated assembly.
Study of shape memory polymers snap‐fit for disassembly
Authors: Li Hua , Ortega Javier , Chen Ying , He Bang , Jin Kai
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of different shape memory polymer based snap‐fits in terms of disassembly time and reusability.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, six different sets of snap‐fits were designed and manufactured. Each set of snap‐fits was tested ten times in a testing device for disassembly time. The stress caused by training process is simulated and analyzed.

Findings

One of the designs shows shortest average disassembly time, lowest standard deviation, and lowest stress. However, the overall reusability of the snap‐fits is not good enough for industrial use.

Originality/value

The paper tests the Veritex shape memory polymer sheets manufactured by CRG Industries LLC. The reusability has been analyzed based on the stress caused by the training process.
Generating NC program based on template for mass customization product
Authors: Xu Xinsheng , Yan Tianhong , Tao Xizhu , Zhu Tianrong , Li Dan
Published: July 2012

Purpose

In the case of mass customization, product variety leads to exponentially increased variation in the production system. Providing flexible manufacturing solution for customized product rapidly is the key measure to achieve the goal of cost and delivery time. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Following introduction, the paper describes flexible manufacturing and numerical control (NC) machining techniques in mass customization. The kernel idea is that NC program for mass customization product should be generated from parametric manufacturing information template, so as to achieve NC program variant design in accord with product variant design. The elements of NC programming system discussed in this paper address the definition of machining feature, the development of NC subprogram, template construct, and the architecture of NC programming system for mass customization product.

Findings

Machining feature, NC subprogram, and template are made to help manufacturing system to deal with the increased variation requirements resulting from product variety. The effects can be verified by the case study.

Originality/value

This paper provides a practical NC programming system for mass customization product and makes detailed technical solution to manufacturing system developer and its applications.
Fastener identification and assembly verification via IR tracking
Authors: Rusli Leonard , Luscher Anthony
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create an assembly verification system that is capable of verifying complete assembly and torque for each individual fastener.

Design/methodology/approach

The 3D position of the tool used to torque the fastener and the assembly pallet will be tracked using an infrared (IR) tracking system. A set of retro‐reflective markers are attached to the tool and assembly while being tracked by multiple IR cameras. Software is used to triangulate the relative position of the tool in order to identify the fastener being torqued. The torque value is obtained from the tool controller device. By combining the location of the tool and the torque value from the tool controller, assembly of each individual fastener can be verified and its achieved torque recorded.

Findings

The IR tracking is capable of tracking within 2‐3 mm for each tracking ball, with a resulting practical resolution of 24 mm distance between fasteners while maintaining 99.9999 per cent reliability without false positive fastener identification.

Research limitations/implications

This experiment was run under simulated assembly line lighting conditions.

Practical implications

By being able to verify assembly reliably, the need for manual torque check is eliminate and hence yield significant cost savings. This will also allow programming electric tools according in real time based on the fastener in proximity identification.

Originality/value

Currently, assembly verification is only done using the torque values. In automated assembly line, each process might involve fastening multiple fasteners. Using this system, a new level of assembly verification is achieved by recording the assembled fastener and its associated torque.
Intelligent gripping system for handling flexible web fabric
Authors: Ayub Muhammad A. , Tajuddin Ruziyati , Jackson Michael R.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

In the garment industry, web lace fabric material must be tensioned and placed at the right position and orientation prior to the cutting process. In order to avoid a bottleneck, the speed of material handling must be relatively fast compared to the laser cutting speed so that the use of a laser for rapid prototyping of two‐dimensional (2D) cutting shapes is feasible. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a novel gripping system for handling flexible web materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The manner in which this intelligent material handling system operates will be discussed in this paper. This includes its system configuration, errors that may occur during the web handling operation, and sequential operations of web distortion control. The material handling system uses a machine vision system coupled with a self‐tuning motion control strategy to assist the material handling system in controlling the web tension, adjusting the web deformation parameters and transporting the web materials.

Findings

The online image analysis and a novel mechanical design concept, coupled with the motion controller, are the key issues in the mechatronic integration of this intelligent web‐based material handling system.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel approach to designing and realizing an intelligent gripping system, which has not previously been attempted.
Moulds design for adhesive bulk and joint specimens manufacturing
Authors: Banea Mariana D. , da Silva Lucas F.M. , Campilho Raul D.S.G.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the techniques which are used and developed for adhesive bulk and joint specimens manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

After a short introduction, the paper discusses various techniques for adhesive bulk and joint specimens manufacturing and highlights their advantages and limitations. A number of examples in the form of different bulk and joint specimens of different types of adhesives are used to show the methods for determining the adhesive's mechanical properties needed for design in adhesive technology. In order to predict the adhesive joint strength, the stress distribution and a suitable failure criterion are essential. If a continuum mechanics approach is used, the availability of the stress‐strain curve of the adhesive is sufficient (the bulk tensile test or the TAST test is used). For fracture mechanics‐based design, mode I and mode II toughness is needed (DCB and ENF tests are used). Finally, single lap joints (SLJs) are used to assess the adhesive's performance in a joint.

Findings

Before an adhesive can be specified for an application, screening tests should be conducted in order to compare and evaluate the various adhesion parameters. Properties of adhesives can vary greatly and an appropriate selection is essential for a proper joint design. Thus, to determine the stresses and strains in adhesive joints in a variety of configurations, it is necessary to characterize the adhesive behaviour in order to know its mechanical properties. A great variety of test geometries and specimens are used to obtain adhesive properties. However, for manufacturing of adhesive bulk specimens and joints necessary for use in these tests, properly, moulds should be designed.

Originality/value

The paper summarises the main methods of preparing adhesive bulk and joint specimens and the test methods for determining the mechanical properties needed for design in adhesive technology. Emphasis is given to the preparation of specimens of suitable quality for mechanical property determination and the moulds designed for this purpose.
Conceptual design and workspace analysis of reconfigurable fixturing robots for sheet metal assembly
Authors: Yu Hongjian , Li Bing , Wang Yang , Hu Ying
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Reconfigurability of the assembly fixtures, which enables a set of sheet metal automotive parts to be produced on a single production line, is becoming crucial to maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly changing market. One of the key issues in reconfigurable fixture design is to identify the fixture configuration and make sure there is enough workspace for a family of parts. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue, through the design and analysis of two novel reconfigurable fixturing robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, the application of the reconfigurable fixturing robot addressed in this paper is described; it is characterized by using parallel manipulator as programmable fixture elements. Kinematic design and reconfigurable design of the fixturing robot is presented based on screw theory and modularized design, respectively.

Findings

The proposed reconfigurable fixturing robots can transform their configurations with 4 DoF (degrees‐of‐freedom), and have a continuous workspace for their application.

Originality/value

Reconfigurability of the assembly fixtures is an important issue for automotive manufacturing, due to the highly competitive nature of this industry. The proposed reconfigurable fixturing robots can greatly facilitate the development of new models of vehicles.
An exploration and extension of the Value Discipline Strategy (VDS) typology in educational institutions
Authors: Ross Mitchell , Grace Debra
Published: July 2012

Purpose

While marketing research in the context of educational institutions continues to grow, little is known about the strategic choices associated with international student recruitment (ISR), an important activity that, increasingly, has significant influence on the longevity and prosperity of education institutions in many countries. This study addresses a deficit in the marketing/education literature by using the Value Discipline Strategy (VDS) typology as an appropriate framework upon which to investigate and expand our knowledge of international student recruitment (ISR) strategies operating in educational institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design comprised two stages involving both qualitative and quantitative methods. Participants were ISR practitioners in the secondary school and university sectors across two countries, i.e. Australia and New Zealand. Phase 1 involved in‐depth interviews with ISR marketing practitioners across educational sectors, while Phase 2 involved the use of an online survey to a larger sample of ISR marketing practitioners.

Findings

While the use of the VDS typology was found to be appropriate in the education sector, it was incomplete. This led to the proposal of a fourth strategy the authors label as entrenched isolation (Phase 1). Phase 2 results identified strategy commonalities and some important differences across sectors and countries.

Research limitations/implications

From a theoretical perspective, the implications of this study are important as the findings lead to an expansion of the VDS typology.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective, ISR practitioners are provided with a valuable tool to identify the ISR marketing strategy in their institution and, furthermore, implement strategic change that can be effectively measured.

Originality/value

The contribution of the research is threefold. Firstly, the authors extend marketing strategy theory through the expanded VDS model. Secondly, the authors identify and validate strategies adopted by ISR departments across two countries and, finally, the authors validate the use of the self‐typing paragraph method as an appropriate mechanism for strategy identification.
Innovative mobile marketing via smartphones
Authors: Persaud Ajax , Azhar Irfan
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Smartphone adoption by consumers is increasing exponentially, and presents marketers with many new opportunites to reach and serve customers. However, are consumers ready for mobile marketing through their smartphones? This study aims to investigate consumers' willingness to accept marketing through their smartphones.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an online survey of 428 respondents. The data is analyzed through ANOVA and regression analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that consumers' shopping style, brand trust, and value are key motivations for engaging in mobile marketing through their smartphones. Further research should focus on specific tactics marketers use to engage customers beyond marketing messages, that is, how they engage customers in dialogue to build relationships, encourage purchases and build loyalty. This could reveal how customers really want to engage in mobile marketing.

Research limitations/implications

This research adds to the growing body of evidence on acceptance of mobile marketing.

Practical implications

This study found that successful enagement of customers in mobile marketing requires that marketers focus their strategies and tactics around value creation; getting customers to engage with their brand in an authentic way; and respecting customers' shopping style, i.e. engaging customers the way they want to be engaged. Marketers must listen to their customers and develop appropriate strategies rather than simply adapting existing marketing strategies.

Originality/value

The topic of mobile marketing through smartphones is important to both marketing executives and marketing researchers. To date, this topic has attracted little research attention and marketing executives are simply basing their decsions on anecdotal case studies and reports in the popular press. This study contributes to fulfilling the need for research evidence.
Mobile banking adoption of the youth market
Authors: Akturan Ulun , Tezcan Nuray
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This study aims to investigate consumers' mobile banking adoption through an integration of the technology acceptance model (TAM) with work on perceived benefits and perceived risks.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 435 university students who were non‐users but future prospects, and analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

It was found that perceived usefulness, perceived social risk, perceived performance risk and perceived benefit directly affect attitudes towards mobile banking, and that attitude is the major determinant of mobile banking adoption intention. In addition, no direct relationship between perceived usefulness and intention to use, perceived ease of use and attitude, financial risk, time risk, security/privacy risk and attitude was detected.

Research limitations/implications

This study reflects the perceptions of non‐users and university students – potential future prospects – in an emerging country. The main theoretical contribution of this research is the development of a risk‐benefit model by extending TAM.

Practical implications

Banks should rely on increasing the benefit perceptions of mobile banking. Simultaneously, decreases in social and performance risk should be promoted strongly.

Originality/value

In the study, the adoption intention of mobile banking is tested by integrating TAM with perceived benefits and perceived risks – social risk, performance risk, financial risk, time risk, security risk and privacy risk.
The effect of electronic word of mouth on brand image and purchase intention
Authors: Reza Jalilvand Mohammad , Samiei Neda
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Word‐of‐mouth (WOM) has been recognized as one of the most influential resources of information transmission. Advances in information technology and the emergence of online social network sites have changed the way information is transmitted. This phenomenon impacts consumers as this easily accessible information could greatly affect the consumption decision. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which e‐WOM among consumers can influence brand image and purchase intention in the automobile industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Measurement items are adapted from existing scales found in the marketing literature. Academic colleagues reviewed the items for face validity and readability. The scales are evaluated for reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity using data collected in a survey of Iran Khodro's prospective customers in Iran. A structural equation modeling procedure is applied to the examination of the influences of e‐WOM on brand image and purchase intention. The research model was tested empirically using a sample of 341 respondents who had experience within online communities of customers and referred to Iran Khodro's agencies during the period of research.

Findings

The paper found that e‐WOM is one of the most effective factors influencing brand image and purchase intention of brands in consumer markets.

Research limitations/implications

The paper outlines ways to promote a brand effectively through online customer communities, as well as general tips for website and forum moderators for facilitating such presentation in a manner useful to the members of their online communities. While there is a substantial research stream that examines the branding of consumers goods and an increasing literature on product brands, little is known about brand image in the context of online communications. This paper extends existing measurement of brand image to a new setting, namely e‐WOM.

Originality/value

This paper provides valuable insight into the measurement of e‐WOM, brand image, and purchase intention in the automobile industry and offers a foundation for future product branding research.