bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intention is not method, belief is not evidence, rank is not proof
Authors: Mitchell Renée J. , Lewis Stuart
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that police research has reached a level of acceptance such that executive management has an ethical obligation to their communities to use evidence-based practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) framework the authors apply an ethical-based decision-making model to policing decisions. EBM does not allow physicians to ignore research when giving guidance to patients. The authors compare the two professional approaches to decision making and argue policing has reached a level of research that if ignored, just like medicine, should be considered unethical. Police interventions can potentially be harmful. Rather than do no harm, the authors argue that police managers should implement practices that are the least harmful based on the current research.

Findings

The authors found policing has a substantial amount of research showing what works, what does not, and what looks promising to allow police executives to make decisions based on evidence rather than tradition, culture, or best practice. There is a deep enough fund of knowledge to enable law enforcement leadership to evaluate policies on how well the policies and procedures they enforce prevent crime with a minimum of harm to the communities they are sworn to protect and serve.

Originality/value

Policing has yet to view community interventions as potentially harmful. Realigning police ethics from a lying, cheating, stealing, lens to a “doing the least harm” lens can alter the practitioner’s view of why evidence-based policing is important. Viewing executive decision from an evidence-based ethical platform is the future of evaluating police executive decisions.
Purposeful leadership for the future police service
Authors: Yarlagadda Ramya , Bailey Catherine , Shantz Amanda , Briône Patrick , Zheltoukhova Ksenia
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence of purposeful and ethical leadership in a UK county police force – referred to by the pseudonym PoliceOrg. The paper also evaluates the extent to which officers feel their values fit with those of the organisation, and the outcomes achieved by purposeful and ethical leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey, interviews and focus groups were conducted at PoliceOrg. The findings are compared with those from a public sector case study and with a representative sample of the UK working population.

Findings

Purposeful leaders at PoliceOrg have a positive impact on important outcomes for their direct reports and provide a sense of direction and guidance to those who do not feel a strong fit between their values and those of their organisation.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on a new construct (purposeful leadership) that has not previously been explored in the academic literature. Consequently, the findings cannot be directly compared with those of other studies. The survey focused on the views of police sergeants and constables, and only one police force participated as a case study; hence, the generalisability of the findings is limited.

Practical implications

Police organisations should nurture and sustain workplace environments where leaders can translate their personal moral code and ethical values into their role behaviours to address the policing challenges of the future.

Originality/value

This study elucidates the concept of purposeful leadership in the context of a police force.
Horses aren’t always for courses-variety, culture and language: a think piece
Authors: Melling Aidan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to stimulate thinking about the future of leadership development in the emergency services, drawing on effective practice from a variety of different sectors in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a leadership think piece from an experienced practitioner in the field. It emphasises the benefits of a suite of development practices as opposed to a predominantly course-based approaches. It also stresses the importance of organisational culture and the use of contemporary leadership language and dialogue.

Findings

The paper highlights practice in police, education and health illustrating the way in which a variety of approaches to leadership development can be used. The approaches show a move towards variety in development methodologies with a strong emphasis on the job and practical development rather than a traditional course-based model. It links the evidence of short-term retention of learning through course attendance vs the benefits of learning reinforced with applied learning as well as peer support and reflection. The paper also provides a number of questions to assist the reader in considering their own organisation’s maturity in the development of leaders.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a series of views, issues and challenges for consideration based on the author’s experience and insight as well as evidence of leadership development across different sectors.

Practical implications

The paper should stimulate those who lead and influence leadership development to consider their own organisation’s practice and effectiveness. This includes looking at whether their planning is short-term or strategic, future-oriented, and whether it considers the nature of the future workforce as well as the future competition to attract, retain and develop highly capable leaders.

Social implications

The paper highlights evidence that great leadership and leadership development does not happen by chance and that variety within a suite of evidenced practices can lead to significant positive impact.

Originality/value

This paper provides a resource and opportunity for reflection for organisations and individuals.
Social- versus personal-oriented purchases: impacts of worry versus sadness on young consumers
Authors: Shi Bing , Li Shanshan , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Dan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the role of worry versus sadness in influencing young consumers’ purchase decisions and to clarify the differences across the worry–consumption versus the sadness–consumption relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies were conducted. Study 1 was a 3 (emotion: worry vs sadness vs neutral) × 2 (brand perceptions: conflicting vs consistent) between-subject design. Study 2 was a 3 (emotion: sadness vs worry vs neutral) × 2 (product type: social status associated vs hedonic) mixed design. Study 3 was a questionnaire survey.

Findings

The results demonstrate that worry induces young consumers’ identification with peers, and is more related to youth’s purchase intention for social status associated products rather than hedonic products. Sadness induces young consumers to follow their own perceptions, and is more associated with purchase intention for hedonic rather than social status-associated products. The drivers of purchase behavior for expensive products also differ: worried young consumers’ purchase intention is driven by perceptions of social status value associated with these products, whereas sad consumers’ purchase intention is driven by perceptions of hedonic value.

Practical implications

This research has significant implications for marketing practitioners on strategic marketing and communication to young consumers. It also provides important suggestions to young consumers on how to effectively regulate negative emotions via socially accepted behavior (i.e. purchases).

Originality/value

This research contributes to the extant literature on emotion’s impact on consumer behavior by elaborating carryover effects of emotion varying in the overlooked personal- and social-focus dimension. It also extends the literature on peer influence among young consumers.
Viewer perceptions of television commercials: a conceptual replication
Authors: Cheong Yunjae , de Gregorio Federico , Kim Kihan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The authors conceptually aim to replicate and update an early stream of research to find the key dimensions used by today’s audiences. They also show that the dimensions are directly related with attitude toward the ad, product attitude change and product recommendation and test the moderating impact of FCB Grid product type.

Design/methodology/approach

Across two studies, the authors survey a nationally representative sample of 1,223 US adults.

Findings

Consumers evaluate commercials using the dimensions: Dislikable, Meaningful, Ingenious and Warm. The latter three are positively related with ad attitude, attitude change and recommendation, whereas Dislikable is negatively related. Furthermore, results show that High and Low Involvement Think products moderate the relation between all four dimensions and all three outcomes. Only Meaningful affects the outcomes for High Involvement Feel products, whereas only Ingenious affects Low Involvement Feel product outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to TV commercials, limiting generalizability to other media. Furthermore, the sample is limited to the USA.

Practical implications

The paper provides a parsimonious four-dimension model for advertiser use. These dimensions also predict ad attitudes, product recommendation, and attitude change. The results further show that for emotionally driven products with high involvement, commercials should focus on meaningfulness. For emotionally driven products with little involvement, ads should emphasize creative elements.

Originality/value

Addressing the paucity of replications in marketing, this paper replicates and extends a stream of research to reveal dimensions consumers use to evaluate commercials and demonstrates their practical applications.
No pain, no gain: how PACE information attenuates consumption
Authors: Montford William J. , Peloza John , Goldsmith Ronald Earl
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The current research contributes to the marketing literature by examining, and more importantly, better understanding a presentation format (i.e. PACE) in which caloric information is complemented with physical activity time required to offset consumption. The purpose of this paper is to systematically evaluate the impact of this approach in both actual and simulated consumption settings while providing evidence of its contribution to healthier decision-making. This research uncovered several important insights into how consumers are influenced by, and respond to, the presence of physical activity time.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used experiential designs in five studies to examine how the presence of physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) information affects consumption. The studies measured both intended and actual consumption behavior. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance as well as bootstrapping methods.

Findings

The paper establishes that PACE information reduces consumption compared to NLEA-mandated information. We show that the effectiveness of PACE information differs based on consumers’ level of health consciousness as well as food type. Our research also uncovers a moderating effect based on perceived difficulty of the featured activity. Finally, we show the psychological process underlying the effectiveness of PACE information.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can address the generalizability of current findings across different consumption domains and contexts. Our work focuses on the efficacy of information delivery at the point of consumption. The results of the current study may differ when the decision is being made at the point of purchase for future consumption.

Practical implications

The paper’s findings represent a win-win scenario for consumers and manufacturers alike. Manufactures stand to benefit from PACE information as many consumers are seeking healthier food options and are willing to pay a premium for items that help them make more healthful choices. Consumers will benefit as well, given the struggle with obesity and other diet-related ills, by being provided with a more effective means of making healthier choices.

Social implications

Obesity and diet-related chronic diseases are global pandemics affecting consumers throughout the world. This paper contributes to this issue by presenting manufacturers and researchers with a better understanding of how consumers can be encouraged to make healthier choices and overcome the barriers to healthier lifestyles.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a gap in the literature as well as an important social concern by better understanding how healthier nutrition choices can be encouraged.
Examining the effectiveness of WOM/eWOM communications across age-based cohorts: implications for political marketers
Authors: Iyer Pramod , Yazdanparast Atefeh , Strutton David
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Political marketing is unable to reach out or influence voters as it once did. This study aims to identify means for political marketers to effectively reach to voters. Specifically, this study examines the role of different WOM/e-WOM political messages (shallow vs deep) delivered through various communication channels on voters’ message evaluation, believability, attitude towards the message and communication, message involvement, voting intentions and WOM/e-WOM intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental design studies were conducted to test the research hypotheses. Data were collected from age-based voting cohorts through snowball sampling and online consumer panels.

Findings

The results suggest that political WOM/e-WOM messages received via different communication modes are perceived differently by age-based voting cohorts in terms of message evaluation, believability and attitudinal dispositions. The perceived credibility of the communication source makes a difference in such evaluations and dispositions. Also, the complexity of message impacts behavioral intentions of age-based voting cohorts differently. Older (younger) voter cohorts are more receptive to complex and detailed (short and brief) messages. Political message involvement mediates the relationship between message believability and voting intentions, as well as WOM/e-WOM intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The results are limited in terms of generalizability due to the experimental nature of the studies. Future research may seek to use actual candidates and examine the effects of moderators such as the cognition-based needs of respondents to engage in central or peripheral processing.

Practical implications

Political marketers can achieve greater credibility and effectiveness and partially restore political marketing’s reputation by honoring three guidelines: construct shallower (or deeper) political marketing messages when targeting younger (or older) voting cohorts through internet-connected (or traditional) delivery modes.

Originality/value

This paper explores an important but under-researched area in political marketing (i.e. the use of WOM/e-WOM messages in political marketing) and identifies important differences in attitudinal and behavioral dispositions of age-based voting cohorts impacted by the choice of communication mode and message complexity. Moreover, the perceived credibility of the communication source (sender) can sway communication mode preferences for age-based voting cohorts.
Product diversification, business structure, and firm performance in Taiwanese property and liability insurance sector
Authors: Lee Chen-Ying
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze product diversification, business structure and insurer performance with a comprehensive look at the property-liability (P/L) insurance operations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a panel data, this study employs an ordinary least squares regression model, fixed effects model and random effects model to examine the impact of product diversification and business structure on the performance of P/L insurers. The study assesses insurer performance using both risk-adjusted return on assets and risk-adjusted return on equity.

Findings

The study finds that product diversification is significantly negatively related to the performance of P/L insurers. The results are consistent with the diversification discount theory. The empirical results reveal that business lines have significant impacts on firm performance, particularly on the lines of fire and marine insurances. Furthermore, the interaction between product diversification and firm size implies that product diversification significantly increases the performance of large-sized insurance firms.

Originality/value

The study provides some valuable insights into the effects of diversification and business structure on the performance of P/L insurers in a developing country. The study’s findings suggest that management of P/L insurers should clarify their objectives and carefully assess the company’s resources when dealing with product diversification and business structure. The results have practical implications for the financial services industry in Taiwan.
Residual foreign exchange risk: does CEO compensation matter?
Authors: Nouajaa Ghassen , Viviani Jean-Laurent
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether CEO compensation scheme may induce some agency conflicts in the foreign exchange risk hedging policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Residual exposure is a post-hedging variable computed as the ratio of unrealized foreign exchange risk gains/losses to international sales. The authors follow the optimal hedging theory developed by Smith and Stulz (1985). The residual foreign exchange risk exposure is a way to capture some consequences of the managerial risk aversion, whereas the compensation scheme granted to CEO reveals that of the shareholders. The authors interpret any deviation to the predictions of this theory as a mark that some agency conflicts exist.

Findings

CEO compensation (stock-options, shares and so) significantly influence the level of the residual foreign exchange risk exposure. Both in-the-money exercisable options and shares are negatively related to the residual exposure of foreign exchange risk. The authors also document that the effect of agency problems is rather contingent because shares and options have especially a negative impact when the level of foreign exchange risk is relatively high.

Originality/value

The residual FX risk exposure variable the authors promote in this paper completes the traditional proxies used to depict the corporate hedging policy such as the nominal or total fair value of currency derivatives (Davies et al., 2006), use of nominal values (Spanò, 2007), use of fair values of derivatives and the fraction of production hedged (Wang and Fan, 2011). The information that it conveys differs significantly from the one provided by traditional proxies because it captures the year-end post hedging firm’s risk profile.
Perceived outcomes of action learning: study from a large public sector organization in UAE
Authors: Rao A. Srinivasa , Kareem Abdul Waheed , D’souza Nelson
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of action learning programs on individual performance improvement and career progression in a large banking sector organization in the UAE.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was proposed and measured the outcomes of the action learning program variables in a public sector bank in the UAE. A total of 106 employees of the organization who had participated in a certified management program (CMP) have responded to the survey.

Findings

The outcomes of action learning program variables, such as self-efficacy, teamwork and performance management, were found to have an influence significantly on individual performance improvement.

Research limitations/implications

As the current study was focused on banking sector only, similar studies from other industries/sectors (e.g. trading, services, etc.) can be taken up for further research by including antecedents and consequences of participants of action learning programs.

Practical implications

This study could offer specific guidance to managers as to how and what type of education and learning programs to be provided to their team members for competency development and career progression.

Social implications

As the UAE economy is growing and population staying in the region is becoming multicultural, there is an ample need for managers to foster learning and education environment in various organizations to change culture and managerial practices toward achieving organizational objectives.

Originality/value

The study is original and provides value and direction for managers and senior management on talent development processes.
A fuzzy cognitive mapping model for service supply chains performance
Authors: Rezaei Pandari Abbas , Azar Adel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study is to present a model for service supply chain performance evaluation (SSCPE) based on fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM).

Design/methodology/approach

Despite the unique nature of services, which distinguishes them from goods, the performance evaluation of service supply chains (SSCs) has still not received adequate attention from researchers or practitioners. With the help of in-depth interviews conducted with insurance industry experts in Iran, the performance measures of SSCs are defined, and the relevance between the performance measures, which are based upon the knowledge of experts in this field, are presented as a fuzzy cognitive map.

Findings

By blocking the aggregate map of experts, a model for SSCPE is developed that discusses performance measures and metrics of strategic, tactical and operational SSC processes, such as service-providing management, service-enabling management, market management, cash-flow management, customer-relationship management, supplier-relationship management, knowledge- and information-flow management and risk management. Indexes of FCM models indicate that the supply chain service quality and strategy blocks have the most importance compared with others.

Originality/value

The paper develops an original SSCPE model that can be used as a basis for SSC improvement and develops an excellence model for SSC.
Managing SME with an innovative hybrid cost of quality model
Authors: Czajkowski Marcin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine existing models for cost of quality. Having identified issues and limitations of historic models, develop and implement a novel, structured hybrid cost of quality model to identify and effectively manage cost of company’s product.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework is proposed based on an integration of three existing, historical cost of quality models into a structured hybrid model. Subsequently, an exploratory pilot case study in a manufacturing environment is described that illustrates the value of the model.

Findings

The paper manages to find how a hybrid model can help identify cost of quality more accurately than the traditional models. Thanks to the new model, the author shows how gaps between product’s theoretical and actual costs can be highlighted. This allows management to drive down cost of quality and improve business performance.

Research limitations/implications

The model would benefit from a company-wide implementation. The present study provides a starting point for further research in the international manufacturing sector.

Practical implications

The framework improves the knowledge of cost of quality by providing a new case study with full results and analysis from a UK-based manufacturing company. It provides a critical re-evaluation of available literature, including the most recent publications as far as practically possible within timescale available. The study shows the importance of comprehensive cost collection if companies are to have the right data needed to manage business excellence.

Originality/value

The paper presents a development of the first structured hybrid model for measuring cost of quality using the strongest points of main three approaches and addresses their limitations. It gives new arguments against allocation of some cost elements within BS 6143-2:1990, resulting in recommendations for further brainstorming of pros and cons of the suggestion.
Operations sustainability maturity model: preliminary findings of financial services in developing and developed countries
Authors: Parker David William , Loh Alicia , Chevers Delroy , Minto-Coy Indianna , Zeppetella Luca
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to develop and apply a measurement instrument to identify a comparative metric that identifies operational sustainability maturity across sectors and countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using structured interviews to complete the operations sustainability maturity model (OSMM) in financial services organisations, data were compared to show differences for developed and developing countries.

Findings

The preliminary findings indicate that there is no significant difference in the sustainability maturity index between countries. However, size and profitability are strong indicators of sustainability maturity.

Research limitations/implications

These findings represent preliminary findings drawn from the financial services sector in a limited number of countries. Expansion of the data set will give greater confidence of results.

Practical implications

The OSMM is an empirical tool used to collect data that allows statistical evaluation of sustainable strategies used by firms in various sectors and in different countries.

Social implications

Sustainability is of critical importance in the economic development of all countries. The OSMM embraces fiscal, operational and environmental considerations. The research gives new insights to alternative strategic imperatives.

Originality/value

With increased awareness of organisational sustainability, academics have developed a number of tools, approaches and strategies to ensure commercial viability. However, few corporations have successfully institutionalised ongoing sustainability. OSMM is unique. Its wider application to embrace additional industry sectors and countries will bring new insight to strategic intent.
Lean leadership competencies: a multi-method study
Authors: Seidel André , Saurin Tarcísio Abreu , Marodin Giuliano Almeida , Ribeiro José Luis Duarte
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the individual leadership competencies that are necessary to implement and sustain lean systems, based on a multi-method approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection involved a literature review of lean competencies, interviews with four experts from the university and the industry, and an empirical survey answered by 91 respondents, who represented companies from several sectors. These techniques provided a mix of qualitative and quantitative data, which set a basis for identifying a list of competencies and discussing its validity.

Findings

In total, 16 lean leadership competencies were identified and validated, in terms of content validity, face validity, and predictive validity. Regarding this latter validity type, the survey results indicated that the competencies are positively associated with key operational performance indicators, organizational maturity level of lean, and leaders’ experience with lean systems.

Practical implications

The identified list of competencies may be a basis for the development of formal lean leadership development programs. The list may also support the design of tools for assessing the competencies of leaders in lean companies.

Originality/value

A list of 16 lean leadership competencies was developed based on a verifiable research method that used a mix of data collection techniques. This methodological approach is a distinctive characteristic in comparison with earlier studies, which did not include an empirical validation of the competencies.
Linkage between dynamics capability and knowledge management factors
Authors: Gonzalez Rodrigo Valio Dominguez , Melo Tatiana Massaroli
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Organizations are currently set in a background of dramatic discontinuity, i.e., environments that require continuous change due to fierce competition and market latent demands. From this perspective, it becomes eminent for organizations to develop an organizational context that stimulates routines reconstruction and internal capabilities to continue to be a competitive organization. The purpose of this paper is to examine entry and exit relationships of knowledge management (KM). Entries are considered, in this paper, the foundation factors of KM, and exits are related to dynamic capability (DC).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey conducted with 550 companies of the automotive industry, which are registered in the database of SINDIPEÇAS (National Union of Automobile Component Industries) with return rate of 143 valid questionnaires. The hypothesis testing and analysis were conducted using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The research shows the organizational structure as the main contextual factor related to KM, that supports DC. Besides organizational structure, this paper also assesses the interaction between human resources and organizational culture related to DC.

Practical implications

The results may help managers of companies from the automotive industry to understand which initiatives promote DC and innovation.

Originality/value

This paper presents one of the few researches that compare contextual factors related to KM that support DC; and it also compares the connection among human resources, organizational culture and organizational structure related to KM.
When do firms enter a repeated partnership? The effect of contract terms and relative partner characteristics
Authors: Oh Yoojin , Lee Jongkuk
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the mechanisms of partner selection from the transaction cost economics’ viewpoint. This paper reveals that a firm’s choice to initiate a new alliance with a new partner or form a repeated alliance with an existing partner depends on contract terms and the relative characteristics of partners.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine 555 alliances in high-tech industries from 2001 to 2009, which the authors collected from secondary sources, including the Securities Data Company Platinum and Compustat databases. The authors use a logit model to reveal the effect of contract terms and relative partner characteristics on repeated partnership.

Findings

The results show that repeated partnership is less likely to be combined with equity sharing. Repeated partnership is also negatively associated with the functional scope of a new alliance. Finally, a firm is more likely to enter a repeated partnership when its partner is from a different country.

Originality/value

This research provides new insights into how the choice of an alliance partner depends on contract terms and the relative characteristics of partners. Identifying factors associated with partner selection helps us understand the fundamental mechanisms of initiating a new alliance. It allows focal firms to foresee the behavior of their peers or competitors in certain circumstances and thus provides important insights for developing corresponding strategies more effectively.
Is executive coaching more effective than other management training and development methods?
Authors: Rekalde Izaskun , Landeta Jon , Albizu Eneka , Fernandez-Ferrin Pilar
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the results of applying executive coaching (EC) as a management competency training and development strategy, setting up a comparison with other known training and development methods.

Design/methodology/approach

A dual sample is used. On the one hand, information is collected from a sample of 100 managers who participated as coachees in an EC process. On the other hand, the study provides the opinions of 236 HR managers as prescribers and promoters of company executive training and development actions.

Findings

The results suggest that EC is an effective management training and development method (MTDM). Furthermore, it is confirmed to be more effective than the rest of the techniques analysed in relation with sustained and observable management behaviour changes, whilst also providing advantages and drawbacks in its use.

Practical implications

Coaching seems to provide the most effective method for altering a selected number of concrete managerial behaviours, although its cost, length, and specificity limit its capacity to be used exclusively as a tool for continuous and generalised management training.

Originality/value

In addition to incorporating two different samples and points of view within the analysis, this work contributes evidence regarding behaviours addressed in EC processes – a feature that has received little analysis in the academic literature – and breaks new ground by comparing the results of this method with other MTDMs in terms of their degree of effectiveness in attaining observable and lasting behaviour changes.
Evaluating the link between commercial governance ratings and firm performance in a cross-European setting
Authors: Núñez Izquierdo Manuel E. , Garcia-Blandon Josep
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ability of commercial governance ratings (CGR) to predict firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the review of the corporate governance literature, the authors pose five hypotheses on the relationship between CGR and firm performance. Then, the authors test these hypotheses for the latest version of the Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) index (Quickscore) with a sample of firms formed by the constituents of the Standard and Poor’s Europe 350 stock market index.

Findings

The authors have not found a consistent significant relationship between Quickscore ratings and firm performance. This main result holds across a variety of checks.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the additional analyses are conducted with rather small samples. The results of these analyses have to be carefully taken. Recommendations for further research are offered.

Practical implications

The results call into question the usefulness of CGR, marketed by influential consultant companies, and which are becoming increasingly popular among investors, as reliable predictors of firm performance.

Originality/value

Despite an increasing body of research on the use of CGR as predictors of firm performance, the available research is heavily concentrated in the US market. No previous study has explored this relationship using the recently developed ISS index Quickscore in a cross-European setting. The use of a cross-country sample of companies allows the authors to address the impact of institutional factors on the CGR-firm performance relationship. Moreover, the authors do not limit the study to the overall scores of the index but examine also the partial scores (pillars) which intend to assess specific dimensions of governance. This makes the evaluation of the relationship more complex and challenging.
A method for modularity in design rules for additive manufacturing
Authors: Jee Haeseong , Witherell Paul
Published: October 2017

Purpose

As the technology matures, design rules for additive manufacturing (AM) can help ensure manufacturability, which can be viewed as compatibility between designs and the fabrication processes that produce those designs. Though often informal, current rules frequently provide direct guidelines or constraints for designing AM-destined parts. The aim of this paper is to standardize how design rules are developed and conveyed in AM by presenting design rules as sets of modular components and associated formalisms.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology decomposes fundamental geometry, process and material relationships into reusable modules. Independent of context, modular representations can be more easily interpreted and efficiently implemented than current one. By providing task-specific context, components are specialized to represent process-specific parameters for different AM builds and processes. This method of specialization enables designers to reconfigure design rules, rather than create new rules from scratch, thus preserving fundamental AM principles while supporting customization and explicit representation.

Findings

Modularity and formalisms provide both structure for the generalizations and a means to tailor that structure for a specific process, machine or build. The adoption of principles and formalisms that allow us to modify, extend, reconfigure or customize generalized rules as needed – instinctively and deliberately.

Originality/value

This method of specialization enables designers to reconfigure design rules, rather than create new rules from scratch, thus preserving fundamental AM principles while supporting customization and explicit representation.
A hybrid electrospinning and electrospraying 3D printing for tissue engineered scaffolds
Authors: Wu Yang , Fuh Jerry , Wong Yoke San , Sun Jie
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Fabricating functionally graded scaffolds to mimic the complex spatial distributions of the composition, micro-structure and functionality of native tissues will be one of the key objectives for future tissue engineering research. This study aims to create a scaffold to mimic functionally-graded tissue using a hybrid process, which incorporated electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) and electrosprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) in a simple pathway.

Design/methodology/approach

The PCL and HA were dispensed simultaneously from different positions to form a layer on a rotational mandrel, and a gradient construct was achieved by adjusting dispensing rates of both materials.

Findings

The morphology of scaffolds changed gradually from one layer to another layer with the change of the dispensing conditions of the two materials. The elemental distribution analysis revealed that C/Ca ratio linearly increased with certain dispensing rate ratio of PCL:HA. In addition, the thickness, mechanical properties (i.e. ultimate tensile stress and Young’s modulus), surface roughness and water contact angle of each layer changed accordingly with the variation of dispensing rate of PCL and HA, and the diameter distributions of PCL fibres and HA particles did not vary significantly.

Originality/value

This study showed the hybrid process has the potential to be used in fabrication of scaffold with functionally graded structure for tissue engineering applications, especially for mimicking the nature of the native 3D tendon–bone interface.
Effect of energy input on the UHMWPE fabricating process by selective laser sintering
Authors: Song Changhui , Huang Aibing , Yang Yongqiang , Xiao Zefeng , Yu Jia-kuo
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to achieve customized prosthesis for total joint arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. Selective laser sintering (SLS) as additive manufacturing could enable small-scale fabrication of customized Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) components; however, the processes for SLS of UHMWPE need to be improved.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper begins by improving the preheating system of the SLS fabricating equipment and then fabricating cuboids with the same size and cuboids with same volume and different size to study the warpage, demonstrating the effect of the value and uniformity of the preheating temperature on component fabrication. Warpage, density and tensile properties are investigated from the perspective of energy input density. Finally, complicated industrial parts are produced effectively by using optimized technological parameters.

Findings

The results show that components can be fabricated effectively after the optimization of the SLS technological parameters i.e. the preheating temperature the laser power the scanning interval and the scanning speed. The resulting warpage was found to be less than 0.1 mm along with the density as 83.25 and the tensile strength up to 14.1 Mpa. UHMWPE sample parts with good appearance and strength are obtained after ascertaining the effect of each factor on the fabrication of the sample parts.

Originality/value

It is very challenging to fabricate UHMWPE sample parts by SLS. This is a new step in the fabrication of customized UHMWPE sample parts.
Application of ultrasonic peening during DMLS production of 316L stainless steel and its effect on material behavior
Authors: Gale Joshua , Achuhan Ajit
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) processes involve a layer-by-layer sintering of metallic powders to produce fully functional three-dimensional parts. This layer-by-layer building process provides a unique opportunity to enhance mechanical properties by applying treatments that previously were possible only on the surface in traditional manufacturing techniques. The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of ultrasonic peening (UP) applied during a layer-by-layer direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) fabrication of 316L stainless steel on its mechanical properties and microstructure.

Design/methodology/approach

Uniaxial tensile tests were performed at 1.27 mm/s to determine the effect of UP treatment on the average global behavior of a 316L part, whereas hardness measurements using nanoindentation were performed to determine the modification of local mechanical properties. Compressive buckling tests at a loading rate of 3 mm/min were performed on sample coupons with a large aspect ratio to evaluate the effect of UP on any potential delamination of DMLS layers. Techniques such as optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging were utilized to determine the effect of UP on the microstructure.

Findings

Overall, significant modification in mechanical properties such as hardness and yield strength, along with microstructure, was observed. Large increases in both the average global and local mechanical properties, as well as a disruption in the columnar grain microstructure, was observed in DMLS parts treated with UP treatment.

Originality/value

Results indicate an opportunity for UP to be used as an in-situ process during AM processes for dynamically altering the mechanical behavior, microstructure, and distortion due to residual stress formation, in a tunable fashion.
A 3D-printed osseointegrated combined jaw and dental implant prosthesis – a case study
Authors: Malyala Santosh Kumar , Y. Ravi Kumar , Alwala Aditya Mohan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a new design in the area of basal osseointegrated implant (BOI) for oral and maxillofacial surgery using a patient-specific computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing (AM) approach. The BOI was designed and fabricated according to the patient’s specific requirement, of maxilla stabilisation and dental fixation, a capacity not currently available in conventional BOI. The combination of CAD and AM techniques provides a powerful approach for optimisation and realisation of the implant in a design which helps to minimise blood loss and surgery time, translating into better patient outcomes and reduced financial burdens on healthcare providers.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study integrates the capabilities of conventional medical imaging techniques, CAD and metal AM to realise the BOI. The patient’s anatomy was scanned using a 128-slice spiral computed tomography scanner into a standard Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) data output. The DICOM data are processed using MIMICS software to construct a digital representative patient model to aid the design process, and the final customised implant was designed using Creo software. The final, surgically implanted BOI was fabricated using direct metal laser sintering in titanium (Ti-64).

Findings

The current approach assisted us to design BOI customised to the patient’s unique anatomy to improve patient outcomes. The design realises a nerve relieving option and placement of porous structure at the required area based up on the analysis of patient bone structural data.

Originality/value

The novelty in this work is that developed BOI comprises a patient-specific design that allows for custom fabrication around the patients' nerves, provides structural support to the compromised maxilla and comprises a dual abutment design, with the capacity of supporting fixation of up to four teeth. Conventional BOIs are only available for a signal abutment capable of holding one or two teeth only. Given the customised nature of the design, the concept could easily be extended to explore a greater number of fixation abutments, abutment length/location, adjusted dental fixation size or greater levels of maxilla support. The study highlights the significance of CAD packages to construct patient-specific solution directly from medical imaging data, and the efficiency of metal AM to translate designs into a functional implant.
A method to estimate the transient fluid pressure of a piezoelectric inkjet printer using system dynamic analysis
Authors: Wang Kun , Xi Juntong
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a method based on dynamics to find the transient pressure at the nozzle area of a piezoelectric inkjet printer. This pressure responds to input signals of the piezoelectric driver deformation. The pressure at the nozzle is the boundary condition of the computational fluid dynamics model of the inkjet printer nozzle, and serves as the “bridge” between the piezoelectric driver actuation and the droplet generation of an inkjet printer.

Design/methodology/approach

The transient pressure was estimated using a fluid-solid coupling numerical model of the printerhead. In this study, a simple step-shape signal was applied. The printerhead chamber was considered to act as a linear Helmholtz resonator to determine the system transfer function between the input of driver deformation and the output of pressure. By decomposing the input signal into several simple signals, the transient pressure is the superposition of those calculated pressures.

Findings

The pressure values determined by transfer function and by superposition match the pressure values directly calculated by a fluid-solid coupling model. This demonstrates the rationality and practicability of the method.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a method to identify a proper boundary condition of pressure for numerical models that only include the fluid field around the nozzle. This strategy eliminates the need to calculate the complex and unstable fluid-solid coupling for every pattern of input. Additionally, the suitable boundary condition of transient pressure can be set rather than relying on the shape of the PZT driver deformation signal.