bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Independent regulatory agencies and Australia's health workforce crisis
Authors: Willis Eileen , King Debra
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Workforce shortages and maldistribution in the health care sector are the outcome of poor planning processes, entrenched power relations, jurisdictional boundaries and professional silos. In seeking to redress these problems, countries are moving toward establishing independent agencies to monitor, regulate and shape the health workforce. In Australia, for example, Health Workforce Australia (HWA) has been established to provide data on workforce numbers and fund clinical education. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether this strategy is likely to work. By locating HWA within the framework of an Independent Regulatory Agency, the implicit strengths and weaknesses of using HWA to manage workforce planning are highlighted.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical discussion on regulatory capitalism and Independent Regulatory Authorities provides the context for the case study: the gynaecological cancer workforce – a niche health workforce that is complex and multidisciplinary. Data are from a mixed method study commissioned by Cancer Australia.

Findings

The analysis of the gynaecological cancer workforce illustrates the difficulties that HWA will face in defining the health workforce, in measuring supply and demand and in setting targets for training and education.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are limited by the fact that HWA was only established in mid 2009.

Social implications

The establishment of independent agencies to oversee and implement government policy is a new form of control over universities and health professionals that challenges their professional autonomy.

Originality/value

This paper points to the creation of new agencies of government control in the wake of an international health workforce crisis.
Fathers and work‐life balance in France and the UK: policy and practice
Authors: Gregory Abigail , Milner Susan
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to focus on the role of organizations in mediating the impact of national work‐life balance (WLB) policy on employees, in particular fathers.

Design/methodology/approach

It presents existing research about WLB policy implementation in organizations as well as the findings of empirical work in insurance and social work in France and the UK (questionnaire survey, case study analysis, interviews with national and sector‐level trade union officials).

Findings

These indicate that fathers' take‐up of WLB policies is the outcome of a complex dynamic between national fatherhood regimes, organizational and sector characteristics and the individual employee. They suggest that fathers tend to use WLB measures to spend time with their families where measures increase their sense of entitlement (state policies of paternity leave) or where measures offer non‐gendered flexibility (reduced working time/organizational systems of flexi‐time). In line with other studies it also finds that fathers extensively use informal flexibility where this is available (individual agency).

Practical implications

These findings have implications for the way WLB policies are framed at national and organizational level. At national level they indicate that policies work best when they give fathers a sense of entitlement, by giving specific rights linked to fatherhood (e.g. paternity leave or “daddy month”‐type arrangements), and or by providing universal rights (e.g. to reduced working time and/or flexible working time); however, where measures are linked to childcare they are often framed as mothers' rights when translated to the organizational level. The research also shows that informal flexibility is used and valued by fathers within organizations, but that such informal arrangements are highly subject to local variation and intermediation by line managers and co‐workers; hence, for effective and even coverage they would need to be backed up by formal rights.

Originality/value

Cross‐national comparative research into WLB policy and practice at national and organizational level is very rare. The empirical work presented in this paper, although exploratory, makes a significant contribution to our understanding of WLB policy and practice, particularly as it relates to fathers.
Public beliefs regarding the causes of poverty during transition
Authors: Habibov Nazim N.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Low‐income transitional countries in the region of the Caucasus and Central Asia lack the existence of a solid assessment of public perceptions regarding the causes of poverty during transition. The purpose of this paper is to fill that gap in the existing literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the secondary analysis of a recent cross‐sectional multinational survey to shed light on public beliefs of the causes of poverty in seven countries of the region – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In addition, Russia and Ukraine are used as a comparison point. The theoretical framework for this study is that the subjective beliefs regarding the explanations of poverty can be classified into three broad groups: individualistic, fatalistic, and structural. Hence, regression coefficients and marginal effects of the multinomial logit regression model (MNLM) are estimated to associate the set of various individual, households, and community characteristics selected in the conceptual framework with the likelihood of choosing one of the three afore‐mentioned explanations of poverty.

Findings

The results of cross‐tabulation reveal that in a majority of the countries studied, the predominant explanation for poverty is structural, with the exception of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, where predominant explanations are, respectively, fatalistic and individualistic. The results of MNLM show that most individual, household, and community characteristics possess the expected direction and are in line with previous findings. However, some of the characteristics have a similar significant effect across several countries, while other characteristics are significant for a single country only.

Social implications

These findings demonstrate that despite the dominant post‐socialist ideology which favors individualistic and fatalistic explanations of poverty based on the economic rationality of market capitalism, the efforts of the elites in promoting and imposing these ideologies has not been fully successful. Nevertheless, no single unified model of the determinants of beliefs regarding the causes of poverty in the countries of the region is observed.

Originality/value

This is one of the very few papers aimed at assessing public perceptions regarding the causes of poverty in transitional countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia.
After the fall
Authors: Smith Robert , McElwee Gerard
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of shame in entrepreneurship. Extant research in relation to the entrepreneurial process has tended to concentrate upon the entrepreneur as hero and other positive aspects of the process. Consequently, the darker sides of the entrepreneurial personality and enterprise culture such as the role of shame remain a relatively under researched facet of entrepreneurship theory. Despite this dearth of actual empirical studies, the negative aspects of entrepreneurial behaviour associated with the “flawed hero model of entrepreneurship” are implicitly understood. These negative aspects include hubris, tragedy, narcissism, over‐stretching, hedonism, personality disorders, status anxiety, self‐centeredness, destructive relationships, alcoholism, suicide and the most heinous of all, business failure.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers the deeply social phenomenon of shame on the entrepreneur and his or her world by developing a conceptual model of shame. The social script of shame is analysed as found in novels and as found in real life newspaper reports of such epic tragedies, using a chosen methodology of narrative analysis.

Findings

The world portrayed in narrative is very much a “man's world” in which shame is a personal construct, a penance to be endured or ended and in the process a narrative script is developed. Shame is a deeply personal cognitive emotion easier to study in narrative than in person. From the stories of flawed heroes we construct a holistic model of possible entrepreneurial trajectories that take cognisance of wellbeing issues and cover the unspoken events that occur after a fall from grace. But why should we expect the story to end with the entrepreneur in crisis staring into the abyss?

Originality/value

Little previous work has been undertaken to explore entrepreneurial shame using both the entrepreneurship literature and narrative analysis.
Social protection for women homeworkers: a case of healthcare services in Thailand
Authors: Namsomboon Boonsom , Kusakabe Kyoko
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine women homeworkers' access to healthcare services in Thailand. Specifically, it focuses on how the state's universal healthcare service, introduced in the year 2002, has responded/not responded to the needs of poor women homeworkers in Bangkok.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was done through a structured questionnaire with 415 women homeworkers from 16 districts in Bangkok, Thailand, ten in‐depth interviews and 13 group discussions.

Findings

It was found that less than half of the women homeworker respondents accessed the universal healthcare scheme. The obstacles for access include both financial (transportation cost, loss of wage) and time. Also, homeworkers need support from the community/household to access these services. Universal health services itself is not enough to ensure access to healthcare service, especially among poor and minimally educated homeworkers with small children.

Practical implications

The research showed the need to have multiple approaches (state‐provided services and community organizing, as well as awareness among men about their role in care work), in order to ensure universal healthcare coverage.

Originality/value

Universal healthcare services are considered the best way to extend healthcare services to workers in the informal economy. This paper argues that total dependence on state‐provided services does not ensure universal healthcare coverage. There is a need for additional community‐based support mechanisms to ensure access to these services.
The role of lasers in solar cell manufacture
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the present‐day and anticipated future uses of lasers in the production of solar cells.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a brief introduction to photovoltaics (PV), this paper first describes the two main types of solar cell, crystalline silicon and thin film and then discusses the use of lasers in their manufacture. Finally, future developments are considered.

Findings

The paper shows that lasers are used in the manufacture of both crystalline silicon and thin film PV. Applications are many and varied, e.g. edge isolation, hole drilling, border deletion and selective doping but few are yet adopted universally across the industry. Significant future prospects exist for laser‐based processes, as solar cell manufacturers seek to improve conversion efficiency and reduce production costs.

Originality/value

The paper shows that lasers play a vital role in solar cell manufacture and many additional applications will arise as photovoltaic technology is further developed.
Robotic virtual manipulations of a nuclear hot‐cell digital mock‐up system
Authors: Kim Kiho , Park Byung‐Suk , Kim Ho‐Dong , Hassan Syed , Yoon Jungwon
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Hot‐cells are shielded structures protecting individuals from radioactive materials. The purpose of this paper is to propose a design approach for a hot‐cell simulator using digital mock‐up (DMU) technology and combining Haptic guided complex robotic manipulation for assembly tasks in a virtual environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The principal reason for developing a simulator was to explore the feasibility of hot‐cell structure design and collision‐free assembly process. For this, a simulation design philosophy has been proposed that includes DMU facility offering the ability of analyzing the operations and performing complex robotic manipulations in the virtual hot‐cell environment. Furthermore, enhanced Haptic mapping for tele‐manipulation is proposed for training and guidance purposes.

Findings

From the analysis and task scenarios performed in virtual simulator, the optimal positions of the manipulators and need of (bridge transport dual arm servo‐manipulators) type were identified. Operation tasks were performed remotely using virtual hot‐cell technology by simulating the scenarios in the DMU reducing the overall operation cost and user training. The graphic simulator substantially reduced the cost of the process and maintenance procedure as well as the process equipment by providing a pre‐analysis of whole scenario for real manipulation.

Originality/value

This research tries to contribute to the virtual hot‐cell design philosophy. Tele‐operated complex robotic operations in DMU technology are performed in virtual hot‐cell. The simulator provides improved Haptic guidance with force and torque feedback enhancing the realism of virtual environment.
Aerodynamic feeding systems: an example for changeable technology
Authors: Frädrich Thomas , Pachow‐Frauenhofer Julia , Torsten Fiege , Nyhuis Peter
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to transfer the idea of changeability to a concrete technical application.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the definition of changeability on a factory level, a transformation of the five change enablers specified therein for the work station level using the example of an aerodynamic feeding system takes place in this paper.

Findings

The observed aerodynamic feeding system can be determined as changeable.

Practical implications

Changeable systems are able to react with low effort to exterior influences, e.g. of the market, and thus represent a considerable competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The new element in this paper is the observation of change enablers on the work station level. This point of view enables the concrete figuration of changeable technical systems.
Simple rules to modify pre‐planned paths and improve gross robot motions associated with pick & place assembly tasks
Authors: Sanders David , Tewkesbury Giles , Graham‐Jones Jasper
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to describe real time improvements to the performance and trajectories of robots for which paths had already been planned by some means, automatic or otherwise. The techniques are applied to industrial robots during the gross motions associated with pick and place tasks. Simple rules for path improvement are described.

Design/methodology/approach

The dynamics of the manipulator in closed form Lagrange equations are used to represent the dynamics by a set of second‐order coupled non‐linear differential equations. The form of these equations is exploited in an attempt to establish some simple rules. Sub‐optimal paths are improved by considering simple rules developed from the model of the machinery dynamics. By considering the physical limitations of the manipulator, performance was improved by refining pre‐calculated paths. Experiments were performed with a prototype robot and an old Puma 560 robot in a laboratory environment. Once the method had been tested successfully then experiments were conducted with a Kuka KR125 Robot at Ford Motor Company. The measured quantities for all the robots were drive currents to the motors (which represented the torques) and the joint angular positions.

Findings

The method of path refinement presented in this paper uses a simplified model of the robot dynamics to successfully improve the gross motions associated with a pick and place task. The advantage of using the input‐output form described was that intermediate non‐linearities (such as gear friction) and the motor characteristics were directly incorporated into the model.

Research limitations/implications

Even though many of the theoretical problems in manipulator dynamics have been solved, the question of how to best apply the theories to industrial manipulators is still being debated. In the work presented in this paper, information on system dynamics is used to produce simple rules for “path improvement”.

Practical implications

Most fast algorithms are for mobile robots and algorithms are scarcer for manipulators with revolute joints (the most popular type of industrial robot). This work presents real time methods that allow the robot to continue working while new global paths are automatically planned and improved as necessary.

Originality/value

Motion planning for manipulators with many degrees of freedom is a complex task and research in this area has been mostly restricted to static environments, offline simulation or virtual environments. This research is applied in real time to industrial robots with revolute joints.
Six‐Sigma: methodology, tools and its future
Authors: Zare Mehrjerdi Yahia
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce some of the most important and fundamental points about Six‐Sigma and the main points that researchers, implementers and users should keep in mind in addressing Six‐Sigma to large and small companies as well as system development and/or planning for such applications. In addition to that this author proposes an algorithm for calculating the overall sigma level of a multistage system. Example problems are provided and the weighting technique is discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a general review of the Six‐Sigma and some of its extensions. The topic is followed by the introduction of a new algorithm that can be used for calculating the overall sigma level of a multistage system.

Findings

In a journey to business excellence, an organization is successful if specific goals for critical processes of the organization are identified. The quality management programs implemented can modernize and simplify activities towards the ultimate goal of the business. Regarding that, the author discusses key issues as such as leadership commitment, what Six‐Sigma would bring to the organization, how it works, Six‐Sigma business strategies, Six‐Sigma methodologies, mathematical formulation of Six‐Sigma, the use of simulation with Six‐Sigma, new Six‐Sigma, benefits of Six‐Sigma, costs of Six‐Sigma, critical success factors and the future of Six‐Sigma.

Practical implications

Six‐Sigma has the potential to change the quality program of an organization. When the selected quality program is Six‐Sigma, the organizational goal is to reach a sigma level of 6, or the objective of 3.4 defects per million opportunities.

Originality/value

In this paper, the author reviews the fundamental concept of Six‐Sigma and elaborates why it is important for small and large organizations to employ Six‐Sigma concepts into their working methodology for quality improvement. The DMAIC steps to be taken, tools to be used and the deliverables are completely discussed. The author also discusses a Six‐Sigma weighted average methodology for calculating the overall Six‐Sigma level for an organization with many working stages or processes.
Purpose, process, place: design as a research tool
Authors: Duffy Francis , Craig David , Gillen Nicola
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to investigate how design variables – specifically spatial arrangements and adjacencies (which are termed “place”) – can be best deployed to improve working practices (which are called “process”) in order to help creative organisations to enhance the performance of working groups (i.e. support managerial purpose).

Design/methodology/approach

Observations of space use over time and questionnaires eliciting participants' opinions on the impact of the new spatial arrangements on working methods were used in two healthcare companies to study the outcomes of pilot projects.

Findings

The managerial objectives in both companies were to create working environments that could be used to stimulate interaction within and between diverse disciplines brought together to develop new healthcare products. Significant benefits were reported, particularly improved accessibility and collaboration within and between working groups – an important conclusion is that no individual design feature was responsible for the changes but rather the weaving together of place and process in pursuit of managerial purpose.

Research limitations/implications

The interaction of purpose, place and process has led one to conclude that methods dependent on limiting variables and controlling contexts are not appropriate for studying relationships between environment, productivity and user satisfaction. The synoptic, multivariate and interventionist Harvard Business School case study method may be more appropriate.

Originality/value

Environmental variables are far from being irrelevant to achieving improvements in organisational performance in creative organisations. However, context, purpose and process must also be taken into account.
The size of a logistics performance measurement system
Authors: Forslund Helena
Published: February 2011

Purpose

One practical challenge in managing logistics performance concerns the size, or the number of actors involved, in a performance measurement (PM) system. The first objective of this paper is to describe and compare the advantages and disadvantages of four logistics performance measurement system sizes. The second objective is to develop a model of the factors affecting logistics PM system size.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper based on a literature review.

Findings

Internal PM systems were related to advantages connected with convenience and the avoidance of implementation problems. Disadvantages of an applied system were severe, especially in a supply chain context. Supply chain PM systems contained attractive advantages that can be reached with an applied system. However, a number of disadvantages in the shape of implementation problems must be handled. A model of the factors affecting the decision on logistics PM system sizes was developed. Power, purpose and implementation were found to be important factors. Five propositions were formulated.

Research limitations/implications

The contribution of this paper is mainly theoretical; the results remain unverified until empirical studies are conducted.

Practical implications

The paper can be seen as a first step towards new knowledge on how logistics PM system size is decided.

Originality/value

As little research exists in the area, this paper highlights the theoretical aspects of a practical challenge.
Post‐occupancy evaluation of postgraduate hostel facilities
Authors: Adewunmi Yewande , Omirin Modupe , Famuyiwa Funlola , Farinloye Oluranti
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to adopt an investigative approach to post‐occupancy evaluation using major technical and functional criteria of performance on the facilities of a postgraduate hostel at the campus of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was based on a survey through self‐administered questionnaires in which users of the building were asked to report on their perceptions and experience of the facility. The user satisfaction survey was developed based on the students' feedback on their experience with 29 identified performance criteria obtained from a review of the literature and an interview with a member of the university's hall management committee. Data at the organizational level were collected by personal interviews with the facilities manager and co‐ordinator of hostels of the university.

Findings

The user satisfaction survey identified areas of deficiency, particularly in maintenance, and facilitated the assessment of the overall performance of the building.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates how universities in Nigeria can assess the management of hostel facilities by hostel administrators and facilities managers. Apart from the results of the user satisfaction survey being useful as evidence to access funds for the improvement of student hostel facilities, the feedback will be helpful in the design and management of new hostel facilities.
Healthy workplaces: plantscaping for indoor environmental quality
Authors: Smith Andrew , Pitt Michael
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the indoor environmental quality benefits of plants in offices by undertaking trials using live plants.

Design/methodology/approach

Using two offices in the same building, one with plants and one as a control, daily tests were undertaken for relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results were analysed to identify any differences between the office with plants and the one without.

Findings

Relative humidity increased following the introduction of plants and more significantly following additional hydroculture plants being installed, taking it to within the recommended range. Carbon dioxide was slightly higher in the planted office for the majority of the trial, although there was an overall reduction in both offices. Carbon monoxide levels reduced with the introduction of plants and again with the additional plants. VOC levels were consistently lower in the non‐planted office.

Research limitations/implications

It would be useful to extend this research in a greater range of buildings and with more flexible VOC‐monitoring equipment.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that plants may provide an effective method of regulating the indoor environmental conditions within buildings. This can potentially lead to performance gains for the organisation and a reduction in instances of ill health among the workforce.

Originality/value

The majority of previous studies have relied on laboratory work and experimental chambers. This research aims to apply previous findings to a real working environment to determine whether the air‐purifying abilities of plants have practical relevance in the workplace.
Dynamic stability of an elastic beam with visco‐elastic translational and rotational supports
Authors: Majorana C.E. , Pomaro B.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how to find the regions of dynamic instability of a beam axially loaded and visco‐elastically constrained at its ends by Kelvin‐Voigt translational and rotational units variously arranged according to different configurations, by using the equation of boundary frequencies.

Design/methodology/approach

With respect to visco‐elasticity the time variable is present as a parameter so that the above‐mentioned exact approach is exploited to draw three‐dimensional diagrams of the dynamic component of the periodic load and its frequency, varying with time and with the viscosity parameter μ characterizing the restraints.

Findings

For not rigidly constrained configurations a peculiar asymptotic tendency is recognizable in both cases.

Research limitations/implications

The study allows for identifying the influence of visco‐elastic restraints in the response of a beam under a dynamic axial load. Dynamic excitation occurs in several fields of mechanics: dynamic loads are encountered in structural systems subjected to seismic action, aircraft structures under the load of a turbulent flow and industrial machines whose components transmit time‐dependant forces.

Practical implications

Visco‐elasticity accounts for possible vibration control solutions planned to improve the dynamic response of the rod; they can consist of layers of visco‐elastic material within the body of the modelled element or local viscous instruments affecting the boundary conditions; the latter is the application this paper focuses on.

Originality/value

With this paper a calculation procedure to get an exact solution for particular static configurations of the beam is followed in order to define the influence of visco‐elastic restraints under a dynamic axial load; the responses are given in terms of boundary frequencies domains and are supposed to be useful to learn the behaviour in time and in dependence of the intrinsic viscosity of the restraints.
An algorithm for defining load paths and a load bearing topology in finite element analysis
Authors: Kelly Donald W. , Reidsema Carl A. , Lee Merrill C.W.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a post‐processing procedure for defining load paths and a load bearing topology using the stresses from a finite element analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Cauchy stress vectors and a Runge‐Kutta algorithm are used to identify the paths being followed by load components aligned with the coordinate axes. An algorithm is then defined which identifies an efficient topology that will carry the loads by straightening the paths.

Findings

The aim of the algorithm is to provide insight into the way a structure is carrying loads by identifying the material most effective in performing the load transfer. The procedure is applied to a number of structures to demonstrate its applicability to structural design.

Research limitations/implications

The examples demonstrate an insight of structural behavior that is useful at the conceptual stage of the design process. The load paths identify load transfer and warn the designer of the creation of bending moments and the location of features such as holes on the load path. They also demonstrate that the new procedures can provide suggestions for alternate topologies for the load bearing structure.

Originality/value

The load path theory has been published elsewhere. The new work in this paper is the definition of the Runge‐Kutta algorithm to define the paths and the algorithm to identify the topology performing the load transfer.
Corporate culture: its value as a resource for competitive advantage
Authors: Klein Andrew
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the application of the resource‐based view to a construct of organizational culture, doing so in the context of the generic models of business strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The original research underlying this paper was an empirical study of 311 organizational sub‐units, comprising over 2,600 individual respondents. The measures consisted of two data collection instruments: a valid and reliable survey instrument (the Organizational Culture Inventory; OCI), and an Executive Manager Interview form designed for this research project.

Findings

Although the author has all of the research results in terms of statistical results, for the practitioner readership of this journal, the results are restated the results in conceptual, not statistical, terms. The findings included that adaptive, flexible (technically “constructive” cultures) appear to be positively related to desirable outcomes (including quality of the firm's products and services), regardless of the type of strategy deployed.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that to become a high‐performance organization, key members need to understand their business strategy and create an adaptive, flexible, constructive culture that will facilitate the implementation of the business strategy.

Originality/value

This research fills a void in the area of empirical studies testing the linkage between business strategy and organizational culture.
Money for nothing
Authors: Jackson Stuart E.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Most business organizations put lots of thought and effort into how to sell and deliver to customers a product or service that meets their needs at a particular point in time. But they often neglect to think about what is important to the customer to get the most value from the product or service after the sale is complete. For example, customers may be concerned about product maintenance, ongoing monitoring, protection in the event of breakdowns or the need to fund overhaul or replacement of the product when it wears out. The author discusses case examples of companies that do a good job of anticipating and addressing these needs, which often leads to highly profitable recurring revenue streams for providers. The author proposes six key strategies for companies considering going down this path.

Design/methodology/approach

In this article, the author cites a number of case examples of businesses that have built recurring revenues from after‐sales service offerings. Examples industries included in the article include the consumer home services and commercial capital equipment. The author then draws lessons that can be applied broadly by any company considering ways to build recurring service revenues from its customers.

Findings

The author proposes six strategies for building service plan businesses: create awareness of potential losses; lower the barriers to sign up; make it an easy add‐on; incentivize front‐line salespeople; make it self‐renewing; and trade on your company's good name.

Originality/value

This article sheds light on the economics and benefits of well‐designed service plans. When done well, this can often transform a servicing cost center into a highly profitable business line that can help carry product businesses through lean periods of new product sales.
Stock market integration in Africa
Authors: Agyei‐Ampomah Sam
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and extent of linkages between African stock markets and the relationships between these markets and that of regional and global indices.

Design/methodology/approach

The monthly returns of S&P/IFC return indices for ten African countries over the period 1998‐2007 were analyzed. The index return volatility was decomposed into three components following Barari and the contributions of regional and global market movements to the local index volatility were estimated.

Findings

It was found that African stock markets are still segmented from global markets in spite of recent structural adjustments and that the local index volatility is largely country‐specific, which can be diversified away by cross‐country diversification.

Originality/value

This paper provides further evidence on stock market integration in emerging markets. The finding suggests that African stock markets, with the exception of South Africa, are still segmented from global markets. Thus, recent structural adjustment and liberalisation policies have not reduced stock market segmentation in Africa. This paper therefore has implications for policy makers and international investors.
Sunshine trading in an African stock market
Authors: Dia Magueye , Pouget Sébastien
Published: February 2011

Purpose

How is liquidity formed in emerging financial markets? Do traders preannounce their orders to attract outside liquidity providers (a practice referred to as sunshine trading)? The purpose of this paper is to study liquidity formation of infrequently traded stocks. It also investigates the role of preopening periods in the formation of liquidity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on the eight largest stocks traded on the West African Bourse in 2000. The dataset includes all the orders submitted to the market from January 3 to December 13, including their time of placement, limit price, and proposed quantity, and the identity of the broker‐dealers who submitted them. The paper analyzes order placement strategies as well as preopening price efficiency and broker‐dealers' profits.

Findings

The evidence is consistent with broker‐dealers engaging in sunshine trading. First, large orders are placed early during the preopening period and are not cancelled. Second, for most of the stocks in our sample, preopening prices reveal information long before trading actually occurs. Third, large volumes are traded without significant price movements. Fourth, the most active brokers' profits are lower than less significant intermediaries' ones, indicating that the former do not manipulate the market.

Practical implications

The analysis suggests that the actual liquidity on the West African Bourse is higher than what is indicated by the average state of the order book. This might increase the attractiveness of African stock markets for global portfolio managers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first to empirically study sunshine trading as theoretically analyzed by Admati and Pfleiderer.
The stock market reaction to stock dividends in Nigeria and their information content
Authors: Campbell Kevin , Ohuocha Chijioke
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether stock dividend announcements create value for companies traded on the Nigerian stock market and to ascertain the nature of the information such announcements convey.

Design/methodology/approach

A standard event study methodology, employing the market model, is applied to determine the abnormal returns both on and surrounding the stock dividend announcement date. A sample is broken down based on the timing of announcements and on the frequency with which the announcing companies' shares are traded. The authors also examine the information content of stock dividends by applying the χ2 technique to test the level of association between earnings, cash dividends and stock dividends.

Findings

The findings suggest that companies that choose their own announcement date outside the Nigerian stock exchange announcement window experience positive abnormal returns if their stock is more frequently traded and negative abnormal returns if their stock is less frequently traded. In addition, support is found for both the cash substitution hypothesis and the signalling hypothesis as explanations for the information stock dividends convey to shareholders.

Research limitations/implications

The small number of companies in the “early announcement” group may not permit a definitive view to be established about the stock market reaction to early stock dividend announcements for this group of companies.

Practical implications

The findings are of practical relevance to researchers, practitioners and investors interested in companies listed on the Nigerian stock market as they reveal the extent to which the shares reflect fundamental information from corporate announcements.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the very limited academic research on the stock market reaction to stock dividend announcements in Nigeria.
On the influence of the pole and teeth shapes on the performance of linear switched reluctance actuator
Authors: Espírito‐Santo A.E. , Calado M.R.A. , Cabrita C.M.P.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the evaluation of the influence of pole and teeth shapes on the behaviour of a linear switched reluctance actuator (LSRA). The study was carried out through the application of a finite element static analysis and the application of a new method for dynamic analysis. Those studies are thereafter evaluated with experimentations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper characterizes the performance of an LSRA for different polar geometries. A finite element tool is used at an early research stage. Results are then used to build a dynamic numerical model. Obtained data allow the construction of a laboratory prototype.

Findings

Polar shape has great influence in actuator behaviour. Different geometrical polar configurations are evaluated and their influence is observed. The obtained data allow attraction force minimization with minimal penalty in the thrust force. A numerical dynamic model is used to evaluate actuator movement with different polar shapes, without taking into consideration the influence of magnetic losses.

Practical implications

This paper allows the knowledge of each pole shape configuration to be adopted according to the actuator application and desired performance.

Originality/value

This paper presents the effect of the different pole shapes on the behaviour of static and dynamic characteristics of the LSRA. It is shown that the use of non‐traditionally pole shapes, round or wedge, leads to a small penalty in thrust force and a considerable attraction force minimization. The benefit in actuator effects concerning mechanical structure and performance is evident.
SVM‐based method for high‐impedance faults detection in distribution networks
Authors: Sarlak M. , Shahrtash S.M.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new pattern recognition‐based algorithm to detect high‐impedance faults (HIFs), including only with broken conductor and arcs, in distribution networks.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed method, using discrete wavelet transform, the time‐frequency‐based features of the current waveform are calculated. Then, to extract the best feature set of the generated time‐frequency features, principle components analysis (PCA) is applied and finally support vector machines (SVM) is used as a classifier to distinguish between the HIFs, including only with broken conductor and arcs, and other similar phenomena such as capacitor banks switching, no load transformer switching, load switching, insulator leakage current and harmonic loads.

Findings

The experimental results have shown that using SVM with PCA as the feature extraction method and radial basis function (RBF) as the kernel function has acceptable security and dependability performances in distinguishing HIFs, including only with broken conductor and arcs, from other similar phenomena and is superior to the Bayes and multi‐layer perceptron neural network classifiers.

Originality/value

Using new combination of time‐frequency‐based features with SVM provides a new algorithm to detect HIFs, including only with broken conductor and arcs, that has acceptable security and dependability.
A new family of multi‐output DC‐DC converter topologies to supply an asymmetrical four‐level diode‐clamped inverter
Authors: Abbasalizadeh Boora Arash , Zare Firuz , Ghosh Arindam
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Multi‐level diode‐clamped inverters have the challenge of capacitor voltage balancing when the number of DC‐link capacitors is three or more. On the other hand, asymmetrical DC‐link voltage sources have been applied to increase the number of voltage levels without increasing the number of switches. The purpose of this paper is to show that an appropriate multi‐output DC‐DC converter can resolve the problem of capacitor voltage balancing and utilize the asymmetrical DC‐link voltages advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

A family of multi‐output DC‐DC converters is presented in this paper. The application of these converters is to convert the output voltage of a photovoltaic (PV) panel to regulate DC‐link voltages of an asymmetrical four‐level diode‐clamped inverter utilized for domestic applications. To verify the versatility of the presented topology, simulations have been directed for different situations and results are presented. Some related experiments have been developed to examine the capabilities of the proposed converters.

Findings

The three‐output voltage‐sharing converters presented in this paper have been mathematically analysed and proven to be appropriate to improve the quality of the residential application of PV by means of four‐level asymmetrical diode‐clamped inverter supplying highly resistive loads.

Originality/value

This paper shows that an appropriate multi‐output DC‐DC converter can resolve the problem of capacitor voltage balancing and utilize the asymmetrical DC‐link voltages advantages and that there is a possibility of operation at high‐modulation index despite reference voltage magnitude and power factor variations.
Heat generation and transport in nanoscale semiconductor devices via Monte Carlo and hydrodynamic simulations
Authors: Muscato Orazio , Di Stefano Vincenza
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set up a consistent off‐equilibrium thermodynamic theory to deal with the self‐heating of electronic nano‐devices.

Design/methodology/approach

From the Bloch‐Boltzmann‐Peierls kinetic equations for the coupled system formed by electrons and phonons, an extended hydrodynamic model (HM) has been obtained on the basis of the maximum entropy principle. An electrothermal Monte Carlo (ETMC) simulator has been developed to check the above thermodynamic model.

Findings

A 1D n+−n−n+ silicon diode has been simulated by using the extended HM and the ETMC simulator, confirming the general behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The paper's analysis is limited to the 1D case. Future researches will also consider 2D realistic devices.

Originality/value

The non‐equilibrium character of electrons and phonons has been taken into account. In previous works, this methodology was used only for equilibrium phonons.
Identification of the 2D vector Preisach hysteresis model
Authors: Kuczmann Miklós
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a Preisach model to simulate the vector hysteresis properties of ferromagnetic materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The vector behavior has been studied at low frequency applying a single‐sheet tester with a round‐shaped specimen, and the locus of the magnetic flux density vector has been controlled by a digital measurement system. An inverse vector Preisach hysteresis model has been developed and identified by using the measured data.

Findings

Finally, the inverse model has been inserted into a finite element procedure through the combination of the fixed point technique and the reduced magnetic scalar potential formulation. The developed single‐sheet tester measurement system has been simulated. The applicability of the realized measurement system as well as the developed model has been proven by comparing measured and simulated results.

Originality/value

The identification technique is original, based on a previous work of the author.
Investigation of the dynamics of electromagnetic valves by a coupled magneto‐mechanical algorithm including contact mechanics
Authors: Ertl Michael , Kaltenbacher Manfred
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The fast and flexible development of fast switching electromagnetic valves as used in modern gasoline engine demands the availability of efficient and accurate simulation tools. The purpose of this paper is to provide an enhanced computational scheme of these actuators including all relevant physical effects of magneto‐mechanical systems and including contact mechanics.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element (FE) method is applied to efficiently solve the arising coupled system of partial differential equations describing magneto‐mechanical systems. The algorithm for contact mechanics is based on the cross‐constraint method using an energy‐ and momentum‐conserving time‐discretisation scheme. Although solving separately for the electromagnetic and mechanical system, a strong coupling is ensured within each time step by an iterative process with stopping criterion.

Findings

The numerical simulations of the full switching cycle of an electromagnetic direct injection valve, including the bouncing during the closing state, are just feasible with an enhanced and robust mechanical contact algorithm. Furthermore, the solution of the nonlinear electromagnetic and mechanical equations needs a Newton scheme with a line search scheme for the relaxation of the step size.

Originality/value

The paper provides a numerical simulation scheme based on the FE method, which includes all relevant physical effects in magneto‐mechanical systems, and which is robust even for long‐term contact periods with multitude re‐opening phases.