bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder complexity in large scale green building projects
Authors: Mok Ka Yan , Shen Geoffrey Qiping , Yang Rebecca
Published: October 2018

Purpose

In response to the world’s rising awareness on sustainability, industry players and policymakers are devoting great efforts to bolster green building developments. Every green building project (GBP) involves numerous stakeholders and potentially incompatible concerns. Despite the associated environmental, economic and social benefits, GBP developments have often confronted managerial barriers which are actually emerged from stakeholders – the actual key determinants of a project. Holistically analyzing the complexity of stakeholders in GBPs is, therefore, crucial to improving GBP management and achieving greater sustainability for all involved. The purpose of this paper is to analyze stakeholder complexity in large GBPs using a holistic framework which integrates both empirical and rationalistic analytical perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The complexity of stakeholders in GBPs can be considered from three aspects – identifying stakeholders, assessing stakeholder interactions and analyzing stakeholder concerns. The proposed stakeholder analysis framework uses both empirical methods (e.g. interviews and surveys) and rationalistic methods (e.g. chain referral sampling and social network analysis) to analyze GBP stakeholder complexity. Case study of a lab-enabled commercial GBP in Hong Kong was undertaken to illustrate the framework.

Findings

The framework enables a holistic, objective and effective stakeholder analysis; leading GBP leaders toward a complete understanding of project stakeholder complexity. The case study findings bring managerial insights to GBP leaders on the general SNA-related stakeholder dynamics and the important stakeholder concerns, of large Hong Kong GBPs. The findings diagnose general connectivity structures of GBP stakeholders, identify influential and peripheral actors in GBP information exchange, and suggest clues to improve their dynamics. In addition, ten key stakeholder concerns were identified, including comprehensive governmental standards and procedures, clear sustainability goals at the outset, effective stakeholder engagement, adequate design flexibility, and a “can-do” attitude of contractors and consultants – which are all vital for successful GBP development. The underlying reasons of these concerns and recommendations to addressing them were also discussed.

Originality/value

Many existing GBP stakeholder studies appear to use a single analytical perspective to assess project stakeholder complexity, but this may not gain a full understanding. The holistic stakeholder analysis framework used herein combines empiricism and rationalism. It helps to bring GBP leaders and implementers toward a more informed project decision making, a more thorough understanding of stakeholder complexity, as well as a more effective engagement of stakeholders.
A bibliometric review on innovation systems and ecosystems: a research agenda
Authors: Suominen Arho , Seppänen Marko , Dedehayir Ozgur
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The ecosystem perspective on innovation and business has emerged as the secret sauce of innovative organizations. While its theoretical foundations are premised on innovation system literature, the broad adoption of the ecosystem concept has resulted in conceptual ambiguity. The purpose of this paper is to tackle the ambiguous use of innovation ecosystem terminology and structure a conceptual frame for the field, identifying definitions of an innovation ecosystem and how the concept has been established in previous literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the ambiguous use of terminology by reviewing the literature with bibliometric coupling and co-citation analysis by which thematic differences in ecosystem literature were identified. The study gathered the scientific publications from Thomson Reuters Web of Sciences Core Collection (n=4,681) from 1990 to 2015.

Findings

Six major bibliometrically coupled clusters were identified, of which the three largest clusters are innovation system studies, regional innovation studies and technological innovation studies. In addition, further analysis shows an emerging cluster that is focused on ecosystems, having its roots in eight seminal papers. This ecosystem research cluster includes seven sub-clusters, such as innovation ecosystem studies, business ecosystem studies and studies focusing on ecosystem development.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ approach highlights how a lot of recent ecosystem studies actually belong to previous, well-developed research streams. However, there is also a separate, emergent research stream that includes the innovation and ecosystem studies. As a research implication, the paper concludes by suggesting the research agenda for further studies.

Originality/value

Even though literature on innovation systems and ecosystems is extensive literature, no studies have captured the emergence of the ecosystems approach and its relation with the systems of innovation literature.
Benefits and barriers in uptake of mobile apps in New Zealand construction industry
Authors: Liu Tong , Mathrani Anuradha , Mbachu Jasper
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Mobile apps offer construction workers a quick, affordable and user-friendly platform for meeting their information, communication and computing needs, with nearly 13,000 construction apps currently available in the market. This study aims to report construction managers’ perspectives on the uptake of mobile apps in the New Zealand construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory research methods were used in two stages. First stage involved interviews with 14 construction managers who were registered with the New Zealand Registered Master Builders Association, followed by an online questionnaire in the second stage. The link of online questionnaire was sent to all members of participating professional organisations by their administrators. In total, 228 responses were received, of which 60 per cent participants completed the entire questionnaire.

Findings

Results show an overall positive attitude towards the use of apps. Perceptions of top management personnel differed slightly from those of middle managers; the former expressed interest in apps usage at strategic level such as improving long-term client relationship management and satisfaction; while the latter were more interested in the apps use at operational and tactical levels such as task- or project-level productivity improvement.

Research limitations/implications

Though bias has been minimised by giving equal opportunity to each member of trade and professional organisations to participate in this survey, of the 228 responses received, only 60 per cent participants completed the entire questionnaire. This is below the minimum requirement for a holistic representation of views. As a result, the findings might not be generalised beyond the study’s scope.

Originality/value

The study provides new insights on the uptake of smartphone apps in New Zealand’s construction sector from the perspective of construction managers who make strategic decisions. The findings have implications for policy formulation and implementation in regards to the use of mobile apps for productivity improvement in the sector. Mobile apps developers could also gain understanding on functional needs and preferences of the construction workforce, which will help in development of more relevant apps.
On Darcy-Forchheimer squeezed flow of carbon nanotubes between two parallel disks
Authors: Hayat Tasawar , Ayub Tayyaba , Muhammad Taseer , Alsaedi Ahmed , Mustafa M.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct mathematical model for squeezed flow of carbon-water nanofluid between parallel disks considering Darcy–Forchheimer porous medium. Thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes is estimated through the well-known Xue model. Such research work is not carried out in the past even in the absence of Darcy–Forchheimer porous space. Forchheimer equation is preferred here to account for both low and high velocity inertial effects. Researchers also found that dispersion of carbon nanotubes in water elevates the thermal conductivity of resulting nanofluid by 100 per cent.

Design/methodology/approach

Homotopy analysis method (HAM) is used for the convergent series solutions of the governing system.

Findings

Nusselt number at the lower disk increases when squeezing parameter Sq enlarges. This illustrates that heat transfer rate at the lower wall can be enhanced by increasing the squeezing velocity of the lower disk. The results demonstrate a decreasing trend in temperature profile for increasing volume fraction of carbon nanotubes. Moreover, improvement in heat transfer rate because of existence of carbon nanotubes is also apparent. A significant enhancement in temperature profile is depicted when inertial permeability coefficient is enhanced. Skin friction coefficients at the lower and upper disks are higher for MWCNTs in comparison to the SWCNTs.

Originality/value

To the best of author’s knowledge, no such consideration has been given in the literature yet.
“Do I fit in?” Signals on corporate websites
Authors: Stockdale Emma , William Laura Catherine , Whiley Lilith
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Prospective job applicants tend to use signals that are presented on corporate websites to form perceptions about the organizations. Specifically, they decide whether they would “fit in.” The purpose of this paper is to examine the explicit and implicit signals presented by Financial Times Stock Exchange 250 Index (FTSE250) companies on their corporate websites.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis was carried out on FTSE250 corporate websites.

Findings

While many corporate websites do include general references to diversity, they do not engage with different protected characteristics on an equal basis. Furthermore, corporate websites often espouse the legal and business cases rationale for engaging with diversity.

Research limitations/implications

The authors were restricted by the information presented on corporate websites. Further research could use a multi-modal approach and include analysis of images.

Practical implications

Companies need to consider their overall rationale for engaging with diversity. Fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated will allow companies to showcase their genuine commitment to diversity on their websites and avoid sending disingenuous signals to minority groups.

Social implications

Increasing the perceived “fit” of minority groups in an organizational culture will foster inclusion and diversity and support minority group engagement.

Originality/value

This research examines diversity signals and relates these to job applicants’ perceptions.
Examining persistence factors of golf management students
Authors: Cain Christopher Paul , Cain Lisa Nicole , Rosser Vicki J.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine student, program and institutional support characteristics that relate to cohort intent to persist among Professional Golfers’ Association Golf Management University Program (PGA-GMUP) undergraduate students from 12 universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was created and disseminated to the targeted population. Multiple regressions were used to analyze the 473 responses of students’ intention to persist across the three independent variables (student, program and institutional support).

Findings

The research findings suggest higher levels of college GPA, career goals specific to the student’s desire to become a PGA professional, higher levels of faculty engagement, higher levels of satisfaction with major, being a leader in the student association and involvement in the student association are related to students’ intent to persist. Conversely, the results suggest career goals focused on being happy instead of graduation or working as a PGA professional and finding it difficult to make friends are associated with lower levels of intention to persist, while parental expectations of advanced degrees negatively affected students’ intent to persist. Additionally, passing a player ability test did not have bearing on intention to persist.

Originality/value

Results from this analysis offer insight into which persistence factors lead to students’ matriculation, with the ultimate goal of program completion. Identifying persistence factors may help PGA-GMUPs and other hospitality programs recruit students that are more likely to persist in the program, develop program characteristics that optimize cohort matriculation, and utilize university or institutional support services characteristics that may ensure program completion.
Increased acid-resistance of lab-coats by hydrophobic finishing
Authors: Hilenberg Erik , Taskin Ersin , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Usual lab coats are designed to protect the wearer from the splats of chemicals, oil, dirt, etc. Simple lab coats are damaged by concentrated acids, thus quickly showing typical small holes along the front when worn in a laboratory where acids are used. For intense handling of acids and other chemicals, special protective lab coats with rubber or vinyl apron or chemical-resistant overalls are used. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility to protect lab coats from acid damages by finishing them with commercially available hydrophobization chemicals.

Design/methodology/approach

Two commercial hydrophobic sprays were applied on cotton, polyamide and polyester lab coat materials. Contact and roll-off angles were compared with the untreated textile fabrics before typical laboratory acids were applied on the fabrics. Finally, antibacterial properties of the finished textiles were examined.

Findings

Spray 1 resulted in significantly increased hydrophobicity, while spray 2 did not have any influence on the results. With spray 1, the originally hydrophobic fabrics became more hydrophobic, and even the originally strongly hydrophilic fabrics showed large contact angles of 130–140°. Roll-off angles were significantly reduced from 40 to 50° (for the hydrophobic fabrics) or even 90° (in case of hydrophilic fabrics) to approximately 15–25°. Correspondingly, spray 1 showed an increase of the acid resistance of the finished textile fabrics of up to 30 min for the originally hydrophobic fabrics and up to 20 min for the originally hydrophilic ones, with only one polyester fabric showing no acid resistance at all, while spray 2 led to increased antibacterial properties.

Practical implications

While spray 1 can support laboratory safety by increasing the time until acids penetrate through a lab coat, spray 2 can support sterile work in a biological laboratory.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, increasing the acid resistance as well as the antibacterial properties of lab coats with easily accessible sprays has not been reported before in the scientific literature.
Flood risk to commercial property
Authors: Bhattacharya-Mis Namrata , Lamond Jessica , Montz Burrell , Kreibich Heidi , Wilkinson Sara , Chan Faith , Proverbs David
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Improved management of commercial property at risk from flooding may result from well-targeted advice from built environment (BE) professionals, such as surveyors, valuers and project managers. However, research indicates that the role of these professionals in providing such advice is currently limited for a variety of reasons. This paper aims to investigate the (perceived and real) barriers and opportunities for providing such advice in a number of international locations. In particular, the research sought greater understanding of the link between regulation and guidance; perceived roles and capacity; and training and education needs.

Design/methodology/approach

To cover different international settings, an illustrative case study approach was adopted within the selected countries (Australia, UK, USA, China and Germany). This involved a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews of BE professionals with experience of advising on commercial properties at risk of flooding. Due to the specific nature of these interviews, a purposive sampling approach was implemented, leading to a sample of 72 interviews across the five international locations.

Findings

Perceived barriers were linked to regulatory issues, a shortage of suitably experienced professionals, a lack of formal guidance and insurance requirements. BE professionals defined their roles differently in each case study in relation to these factors and stressed the need for closer collaboration among the various disciplines and indeed the other key stakeholders (i.e. insurers, loss adjusters and contractors). A shortage of knowledgeable experts caused by a lack of formal training, and education was a common challenge highlighted in all locations.

Originality/value

The research is unique in providing an international perspective on issues affecting BE professionals in providing robust and impartial advice on commercial property at risk of flooding. While acknowledging the existence of local flood conditions, regulatory frameworks and insurance regimes, the results indicate some recurring themes, indicating a lack of general flood risk education and training across all five case study countries. Learning across case studies coupled with appropriate policy development could contribute toward improved skills development and more consistent integration of BE professionals within future flood risk management practice, policy and strategy.
Rescue responses during a full moon and Friday 13th
Authors: Greatbatch Ian , Koester Robert J. , Kleinsmith Andrea L.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

It is a well held belief that the full moon period and the date Friday 13th has an impact on the number of emergency call outs for emergency services. The purpose of this paper is to critically explore that belief. It also examines the versatility and richness of response records, and demonstrates the effectiveness of combining data sets.

Design/methodology/approach

The work takes four varied data sets, from four rescue agencies along with the International Search and Rescue Database and compared the average number of calls on a full moon night, non-full moon and full moon period (the full moon night, the day before and day after). The average number of incidents on Friday 13th was also investigated. It uses a statistical approach to test the difference between “normal” dates and those dates traditionally believed to be busier.

Findings

Although there were differences between Friday 13th, full moon nights, full moon periods and “normal” days, the differences were in general extremely small, not significantly significant and in most cases actually dropped during the supposedly unlucky period. The exception to this is a very small increase in the average number of responses during full moons for most data sets, although this was not statistically significant. This paper concludes that there is no evidence in the data for any impact of the full moon upon rescue teams’ activities.

Research limitations/implications

This research deals with a small set of responses, from the UK only, and addresses an issue that is clearly not the most pressing. However, it does demonstrate evidenced-based management in practice, in that resources have incorrectly been assigned in the past to these dates.

Practical implications

This work shows that preconceptions exist within the emergency services and that, without evidence-led management, resources can be allocated on hearsay. This shows that widely available software and techniques can be applied to organisational data and used to make management decisions more appropriate.

Social implications

Rescue organisations are almost exclusively charity or public sector organisations, meaning that their budgets are sourced from donations or the tax-payer. Putting to bed misconceptions over resources for certain dates will ultimately benefit society in those terms.

Originality/value

There has been very little work on this phenomenon, although some works on A&E department admissions have taken place. This is the only work to date to combine data in this way for this purpose.
Gender difference in equity crowdfunding: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Malaga Ross , Mamonov Stanislav , Rosenblum Janet
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Title II of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act aims to make it easier for new ventures to raise funds from accredited investors via equity crowdfunding. The purpose of this paper is to understand whether Title II equity crowdfunding represents an opportunity for women-owned companies (those that have one or more female owners/founders) to raise capital at rates similar to companies owned by men.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct an exploratory analysis using a data set containing 6,234 Title II equity crowdfunded offerings aggregated across 17 crowdfunding platforms between September 2013 and December 2015.

Findings

The authors find that women-owned companies constitute only 15.2 per cent of the ventures seeking funding in this data set; however, gender had no effect on the likelihood of successful fundraising under Title II.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the roll of gender on the success of equity crowdfunding campaigns the USA. It provides empirical evidence that crowdfunding has had limited impact on democratizing access to capital for woman-owned startups and small businesses. The data reveal that woman-owned companies are underrepresented in Title II equity crowdfunding to an even greater extent than they are underrepresented in angel and venture capital (VC) investments. The results of this study also highlight the importance of examining the role of gender in equity crowdfunding across different countries.
Gender and innovation policy in Canada and Sweden
Authors: Rowe Andrea May
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative case study of national innovation system in Canada and Sweden from the perspective of gender equality. The case study focuses on public policy to illuminate the formal aspects of innovation systems as they are conceived by the state in relation to gender, diversity and social inclusion. Formal policy measures are contrasted with interview data to provide a holistic picture of innovation policy as it relates to gender equality in both countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper relies on data from 44 qualitative interviews with innovation leaders in the public sector, private sector and academia in Canada and Sweden, as well as a sample of innovation and gender experts at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in Paris, France, between 2012 and 2014. The theoretical framework draws on feminist institutionalism to explain the gendered interactions of institutions in innovation spaces.

Findings

This study finds that Sweden is a global policy leader in the development of gender-conscious innovation policy, while Canada has yet to consider a gender-conscious approach to innovation policy. Gender-conscious innovation policy norms have not traveled across the OECD because of administrative solos and political opportunity structures.

Research/limitations implications

Each of the people contacted to sit for an interview was chosen primarily on their professional title and their ability to speak from a place of knowledge about innovation in their country and or industry, and this creates a success bias within the study focusing on the knowledge of elites in the field.

Practical implications

This study explores how policy might be reimagined to support gender equality and diversity, thus changing the institutional landscape to support a wider range of innovations and distributing the benefits of innovation in a more equitable way.

Social implications

This paper challenges assumptions about the social and economic power dynamics reflected in current innovation systems in Canada and Sweden.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind in comparative public policy to explore differences in gender equality and innovation policy in Canada and Sweden. This research also contributes more widely to the existing body of gender, public policy and innovation literatures in Canada and Sweden, respectively.
The paradox of political dynasties of regeneration type
and poverty in regional autonomy era
Authors: Guritno Danur Condro , Samudro Bhimo Rizky , Soesilo Albertus Maqnus
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to identify some key points about the practice of political
dynasties and poverty in the era of regional autonomy through literature
studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses literature study method and is organized into three parts.
The first is to elaborate reflections on regional autonomy, political
dynasty and substantive poverty. The second is to decipher the reality and
the practice of political dynasty in the era of regional autonomy and
poverty level. The third is to analyze the political dynasty and poverty in
the era of regional autonomy. The last is the policy advices.

Findings

The start of dynastic leadership began before the era of direct elections in
2005 and continued after the direct elections, so that the decentralization
system provided space to build a political dynasty. Regional autonomy poses
the risk of full control by local elites and the birth of local ruling
elites, or it indicates the presence of local elite dominance both
economically and politically in the region. The autonomy era had an impact
on the decrease of poverty in the area of regeneration political dynasty.
This is evidenced by the decrease in the percentage of poverty index from
year to year, although not yet out of the category of poor areas (based on
national index), or only 4 regions from 12 regions that belong to non-poor
areas. Although the average dynasties count is able to reduce poverty each
year, the income distribution in majority of the political dynasty regions
is uneven.

Originality/value

This research is a preliminary study on the political dynasty of regeneration
type in Indonesia which is a hot issue in the era of regional autonomy as
well as can add empirical evidence about the debate about political dynasty
and poverty.
Mapping the cataloguing practices in information environment: a review of linked data challenges
Authors: Wahid Nazia , Warraich Nosheen Fatima , Tahira Muzammil
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to explore the development of cataloguing standards used to organize information sources in libraries and information centers. Its key objective is to assess the challenges faced by information professionals to apply new bibliographic standards in linked data (LD) environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on extensive review of scholarly literature. Several databases were searched to identify relevant literature. Keywords such as RDA, FRBR, MARC and BIBFRAME were used along with LD to conduct search. Related literature was consulted and reviewed accordingly.

Findings

Findings reveal that cataloguing standards are subsequently evolving with the advancement of information technology. Libraries have been publishing their legacy metadata into LD. Many tools are developed for mapping the library metadata into LD applications. The Library of Congress has developed BIBFRAME model to fulfill the requirements of new bibliographic standards by using LD technology. It is found that extensive use of MARC standards, complexity of LD technologies, non-availability of vocabulary and inconsistency of terminologies are the major challenges for libraries to adopt LD applications.

Practical implications

This review will be a valuable addition for LIS scholars to understand the challenges of LD application. This study would be significant for the library community and policymakers who are interested in implementing LD technologies.

Originality/value

This paper is a one of its kind, where the development in cataloguing models and standards is explained along with the challenges to adopt LD applications for legacy data.
Retail Islamic banking and financial services
Authors: Zinser Brian Arthur
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of the intended use of Islamic banking and financial services by US Muslims. It builds on the plethora of studies primarily conducted in Muslim-majority countries.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended theory of planned behavior model was tested using structural equation modeling. The hypothesized paths were positive attitude, positive subject norms, perceived behavioral control, greater Islamic religiosity and lower perceived cost of being Muslim. A sample size of n = 251 was analyzed.

Findings

The analysis showed that positive attitudes toward Islamic financial services were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001), and its path was the strongest. The higher Muslim identification path was trending toward being statistically significant (p < 0.086). The analysis also showed that lower perceived cost of being Muslim path was statistically significant (p < 0.035), but in the opposite hypothesized direction. No support was found for the effect of positive subjective norms or perceived behavior control hypotheses.

Research limitations/implications

The study was exploratory in nature and has limitations, including some discriminant validity problems.

Practical implications

The paper includes recommendations for US Islamic banking and financial services providers to develop more effective market segmentation and targeting, as well as integrated marketing communication strategies.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills a void in research on Islamic marketing in the West, particularly the USA, a country with a nominal Muslim population.
Mental health promotion competencies in the health sector based on a Delphi study
Authors: Tamminen Nina , Solin Pia , Kannas Lasse , Linturi Hannu , Stengård Eija , Kettunen Tarja
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Effective public mental health policy and practice call for a trained workforce that is competent in mental health promotion and delivering on improved mental health. Systematic information on what competencies are needed for mental health promotion practice in the health sector is lacking. The purpose of this paper is to investigate these competencies for mental health promotion.

Design/methodology/approach

A Delphi survey was carried out to facilitate a consensus-building process on development of the competencies. Professionals (n=32) working in mental health and mental health promotion took part in the survey. The experts were asked their professional views on the needed competencies as well as to rank the importance of the competencies. Two questionnaire rounds were carried out in order to reach consensus.

Findings

In total, 16 main competencies and 56 subcompetencies were identified through the Delphi survey. The competencies were divided into three category domains: theoretical knowledge, practical skills and attitudes and values each category representing an important aspect of mental health promotion competency.

Practical implications

The competencies provide a resource for workforce development, as they illustrate what theoretical knowledge, practical skills and attitudes and values are required. They provide an instrument to enhance education and training programmes in mental health promotion contributing to a more skilled workforce and improved quality of practice as well.

Originality/value

A strong consensus was reached within the participating experts, them viewing all competencies as important. The identified competencies highlight the great variety of different competencies and competency areas that are needed for effective mental health promotion practice in the health sector.
Analysis of network design for a circular production system using multi-objective mixed integer linear programming model
Authors: Vimal K.E.K. , Rajak Sonu , Kandasamy Jayakrishna
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a mathematical model for the design of a circular production system (CPS) for an Indian manufacturing organization participating in a symbiotic network.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-objective mixed integer linear programming is used to model the network for quantifying the economic benefits. The data set collected from the case organization is used. The GAMS optimization package is used to simulate the model.

Findings

The model is able to compute the economic benefit achieved through circular operations in the case organization. The flow of different items through the network is also obtained.

Research limitations/implications

The data set of the single organization in the symbiotic network is used to validate the proposed mathematical model. Further research can be done considering the all the organizations in the considered symbiotic network.

Practical implications

This paper will help the authors to better understand the role of sustainable supply chains in a circular economy model especially in energy and materials intensive industries.

Originality/value

This study has uniquely utilized a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming approach for the analysis of variables in CPSs and the corresponding economic benefits.
Paying attention to the customer: consumer forces in small town entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Roundy Philip T.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Entrepreneurial ecosystems – the inter-related forces that promote and sustain regional entrepreneurship – are receiving intense academic, policymaker and practitioner attention. Prior research primarily focuses on mature entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) in large, urban areas. Scholars are slow to examine the functioning of EEs in small towns, which face unique challenges in spurring entrepreneurial activity. Most notably, small town EEs are dependent on a key stakeholder group – local customers – which receives almost no attention in prior research on ecosystems. The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework for understanding the role of customers in EEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper integrates work on the service-dominant logic and service ecosystems with entrepreneurship research to theorize about the influence of customers in small town EEs.

Findings

The proposed theory draws attention to the role of customers in evaluating the services provided by entrepreneurs and co-creating value in small town EEs. Theory is developed about the influence of three sets of customer characteristics on entrepreneurial activities: the local market potential (based on the number of local and transient customers), customers’ abilities to access the ecosystem (based on income levels) and customers’ preferences for services provided by the ecosystem’s entrepreneurs (based on preferences for innovativeness, local versus global brands and in- versus out-shopping).

Originality/value

Entrepreneurial ecosystems research has implicitly adopted a producer-dominant logic focusing on entrepreneurs and their ventures as the primary creators of value. The proposed theoretical framework applies the service-dominant logic to EEs and conceptualizes EEs as a unique type of service ecosystem. The theorizing generates implications for scholars and practitioners and suggests that more work is needed at the interface of entrepreneurship, marketing and regional economic development.
Validating the usability attributes of AHP-software risk prioritization model using partial least square-structural equation modeling
Authors: Anthony Jnr. Bokolo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to develop a software risk prioritization model using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and further validate the usability attributes of the model in prioritizing operational, technical, technological, strategic and environmental software risks.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire was used to collect data from software practitioners to evaluate the usability attributes of the AHP-software risk prioritization model. Accordingly, partial least square-structural equation modeling was used to analyze the collected data.

Findings

Results reveal that the developed AHP-software risk prioritization model is efficient and effective in facilitating software risk factor prioritization. In addition, results suggest that the experts are satisfied with the learnability, accessibility and navigation capability of the model. Besides, results indicate that the model provides a useable interface and system design for content availability of information needed by software practitioners in evaluating and prioritizing operational, technical, technological, strategic and environmental risk. Furthermore, results show that the experts intend to adopt the model to prioritize identified software risk in their firm.

Research limitations/implications

Methodologically, the developed AHP-software risk prioritization model is faced with issues such as inconsistency in judgments, weakness of confronting ambiguities and uncertainties of high complexity. Empirically, data were collected from software practitioners in Malaysia to validate the AHP-software risk prioritization model. Hence, results from this study cannot be generalized to other software practitioners in different countries.

Practical implications

This study developed a software risk prioritization model to evaluate and prioritize software risks that occur in software organizations by deploying AHP to carryout risk factor priority selection. Moreover, the model provides risk knowledge as guidelines for evaluating software risks in software organizations.

Social implications

The developed AHP-software risk prioritization model computes risk prioritization factor priority selection and further supports software practitioners and evaluates risks and associated risk factors. Besides, this study develops an instrument that can be used in project risk management to validate the usability attributes of software risk approaches.

Originality/value

This research designs use case and class diagram to show how the AHP-software risk prioritization model evaluates and prioritizes software risks factors by using risk evaluation questions. Additionally, the AHP-software risk prioritization model computes, evaluates and prioritizes software risk factors using risk factor priority selection for software project management.
Gender influence, social responsibility and governance in performance
Authors: Dani Andreia Carpes , Picolo Jaime Dagostim , Klann Roberto Carlos
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the influence of gender diversity on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate governance (CG) and economic and financial performance of Brazilian publicly traded companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises 68 non-financial public companies comprising the IBX100 index of BM&FBOVESPA. For that, it was used panel data modeling, correlation and ranking by TOPSIS method.

Findings

The results suggest a significant relationship between CG and economic–financial performance when mediated by gender diversity. This relationship was not observed between CSR and economic–financial performance. Thus, it can be concluded that in a diversified board of directors, in terms of gender, better monitoring of managers can occur because of the increase in their independence in decisions, as well as performance increase. These results diverge from the literature on the influence of women’s participation in corporate boards in CSR. It is assumed that this result is because of the fact that the participation of women is recent in Brazil.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations are the number of companies analyzed, the choice of ISE index to verify the CSR variable and the metric used to verify the CG mechanisms.

Originality/value

In general, this research contributes to the literature of the area, especially in Brazil, in confirming that the mediating variable gender diversity makes the relationship between CG and performance more significant.
Mechanical, thermal and melt flow of aluminum-reinforced PA6/ABS blend feedstock filament for fused deposition modeling
Authors: Singh Rupinder , Kumar Ranvijay , Ahuja IPS
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to highlights the mechanical, thermal and melting behavior compatibility of aluminum (Al)-reinforced polyamide (PA) 6/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)-based functional prototypes prepared using fused deposition modeling (FDM) from the friction welding point of view. Previous studies have highlighted the use of metallic/non-metallic fillers in polymer matrix for preparations of mechanically improved FDM feedstock filaments and functional prototypes. But hitherto, very less has been reported on fabrication of functional prototypes which fulfill the compatibility of two polymers for joining/welding-based applications. The compatibility of two dissimilar polymers enables the friction welding for maintenance applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The twin screw extrusion process has been used for mechanical mixing of metallic reinforcement in polymer matrix, and final blend of reinforced polymers in the form of extruded feed stock filament has been used on FDM for printing of functional prototypes (for friction welding). The methodology involves melt flow index (MFI) investigations, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) investigations for thermal properties, tensile and hardness testing for mechanical properties and photo micrographic investigations for metallurgical properties on extruded samples.

Findings

It was observed that the reinforced ABS and PA6 polymers have better compatibility in the terms of similar melt flow, thermal properties and can lead to the better joint efficiency with friction welding.

Originality/value

In the present work composite feed stock filament composed of ABS and PA6 with reinforcement of Al powder has been successfully developed for preparation of functional prototype in friction welding applications.
The effect of hatch angle rotation on parts manufactured using selective laser melting
Authors: Robinson Joseph Henry , Ashton Ian Robert Thomas , Jones Eric , Fox Peter , Sutcliffe Chris
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present an investigation into the variation of scan vector hatch rotation strategies in selective laser melting (SLM), focussing on how it effects density, surface roughness, tensile strength and residual stress.

Design/methodology/approach

First the optimum angle of hatch vector rotation is proposed by analysing the effect of different increment angles on distribution of scan vectors. Sectioning methods are then used to determine the effect that the chosen strategies have on the density of the parts. The top surface roughness was analysed using optical metrology, and the tensile properties were determined using uni-axial tensile testing. Finally, a novel multi-support deflection geometry was used to quantify the effects of rotation angles on residual stress.

Findings

The results of this research showed that the hatch rotation angle had little effect on the density, top surface roughness and strength of the parts. The greatest residual stress deflection was measured parallel to unidirectional scan vectors. The use of hatch rotations other than alternating 90° showed little benefit in lowering the magnitude of residual stresses. However, the use of rotation angles with a good suitability measure distributes stresses in all directions more evenly for certain part geometries.

Research limitations/implications

All samples produced in this work were made from commercially pure titanium, therefore care must be taken when applying these results to other materials.

Originality/value

This paper serves to increase the understanding of SLM scanning strategies and their effect on the properties of the material.
Additive manufacturing of elastomeric foam with cell unit design for broadening compressive stress plateau
Authors: Zhu Xiaowei , Chen Yanqiu , Liu Yu , Deng Yongqiang , Tang Changyu , Gao Weilian , Mei Jun , Zhao Junhua , Liu Tong , Yang Jian
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide additive manufacturing-based solutions for preparation of elastomeric foam with broaden compressive stress plateau.

Design/methodology/approach

Mechanic models are developed for obtaining designs of foam cell units with enhanced elastic buckling. An experimental approach is taken to fabricate the foams based on direct ink writing technique. Experimental and simulation data are collected to assist understanding of our proposals and solutions.

Findings

A simple tetragonal structured elastomeric foam is proposed and fabricated by direct ink writing, in which its cell unit is theoretically designed by repeating every four filament layers. The foam exhibits a broader stress plateau, because of the pronounced elastic buckling under compressive loading as predicted by the authors’ mechanic modeling. A two-stage stress plateaus as observed in the foam, being attributed to the dual elastic buckling of the cell units along two lateral directions of the XY plane during compression.

Research limitations/implications

Future work should incorporate more microscopic parameters to tune the elastomeric foam for mechanic performance testing on linear elastic deformation and densification of polymer matrix.

Practical implications

Additive manufacturing offers an alternative to fabricate elastomeric foam with controlled cell unit design and therefore mechanics. Our results comment on its broad space for development such superior cushioning or damping material in the fields of vibration and energy absorption.

Originality/value

This work has contributed to new knowledge on preparation of high performance elastomeric foam by providing a better understanding on its cell structure, being printed using direct ink writing machines.
The unintended consequence of Financial Fair Play
Authors: Plumley Daniel , Ramchandani Girish Mohan , Wilson Robert
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine competitive balance in European football leagues before and after the inception of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations by Union of European Football Associations in 2011, designed to bring about financial stability and improve competitive balance in the European game.

Design/methodology/approach

The research focuses on the top division football leagues in England (English Premier League), Germany (Bundesliga), France (Ligue 1), Italy (Serie A) and Spain (La Liga). The paper is organised into two distinct time periods: pre-FFP, comprising the six seasons between 2005/2006 and 2010/2011; and post-FFP, comprising the six seasons between 2011/2012 and 2016/2017. The paper uses recognised measures of concentration and dominance to measure competitive balance.

Findings

The results show a statistically significant decline in competitive balance post-FFP for leagues in Spain, Germany and France but not for England and Italy. Furthermore, the results report significantly higher levels of concentration and dominance by a select number of clubs in Germany.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first to analyse competitive balance in this way both pre- and post-FFP. Whilst the paper cannot demonstrate a causal link between FFP and competitive balance, there are strong indications that competitive balance has been adversely affected (for some leagues) since the regulations have been imposed. To that end, the paper argues that FFP has had “unintended consequences” in respect of competitive balance.