bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental management practices and environmental performance
Authors: Yu Wantao , Ramanathan Ramakrishnan 
Published: June 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to provide an initial analysis of the roles of functional capabilities in adopting environmental management practices (EMP) and improving environmental performance from an organizational capability perspective.Design/methodology/approach– By combing survey data and archival data from 121 UK-based manufacturing firms, this study explores the relationships among functional capabilities (marketing and operations), EMP and environmental performance.Findings– The results show that marketing and operations capabilities significantly affect EMP, which in turn leads to improved environmental performance. More specifically, this study finds that EMP fully mediates the relationship between marketing capability and environmental performance.Practical implications– The results of this study provide guidance for managers considering how to develop environmental capability in order to improve environmental performance.Originality/value– This study addresses a demonstrable gap in the existing literature that few empirical studies have explored the potential effects of functional capabilities on implementing EMP.
A hybrid multi-criteria decision model for supporting customer-focused profitability analysis
Authors: Lau Henry , Nakandala Dilupa , Samaranayake Premaratne , Shum Paul 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
– Strategic analysis of customer profitability for assessing market segmentation and reconfiguring customer relationship management (CRM) activities remains the key factor for achieving high return on CRM investment. The purpose of this paper is to map the profit-based ranking of corporate customers into the current market segments, with a view of determining the relative profitability of each market segment.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study develops a novel model that combines activity-based costing (ABC), CRM, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods to evaluate strategically customer profitability and prioritizing corporate accounts. This case study airline company has invested heavily in CRM over the past seven years on integrating multi-functional departments that touch customers. The airline operations management and marketing functions provide key inputs. Results of the hybrid model validate feasibility of the proposed model.

Findings
– The airline management makes use of the ranking results to optimize customer profitability by reconfiguring marketing programs, integrated schedule design, fleet assignment, maintenance routing, crew scheduling, and real-time optimization of schedule recovery in the aftermath of disruptions or irregularities. The proposed model also directs the marketing function to customize service offerings and introduce appropriate service levels to engage customers of different segments for the purpose of maximizing corporate profitability.

Research limitations/implications
– Significant amount of investment is necessary to design and implement the extensive CRM database and systems to assure customer data quality and availability so as to bear fruits in the proposed hybrid model. These data requirements can especially be a critical barrier for small to medium-sized companies.

Practical implications
– This hybrid model is able to capitalize on the benefits of the ABC, CRM, fuzzy AHP, and TOPSIS methods and offset their deficiencies. Most importantly, it can be applied to various industries without complex modification.

Originality/value
– This study represents the first move to adopt the fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS methods to analyze the ABC and CRM data inputs of an airline company. In mapping the profit-based ranking of corporate customers into the current market segments, the relative profitability of each market segment can be determined.
Path planning towards non-compulsory multiple targets using TWIN-RRT*
Authors: Pereira Nino , Ribeiro A.Fernando , Lopes Gil , Lino Jorge 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to characterise the TWIN-RRT* algorithm which solves a motion planning problem in which an agent has multiple possible targets where none of them is compulsory and retrieves feasible, “low cost”, asymptotically optimal and probabilistically complete paths. The TWIN-RRT* algorithm solves path planning problems for both holonomic and non-holonomic robots with or without kinematic constraints in a 2D environment.

Design/methodology/approach
It was designed to work equally well with higher degree of freedom agents in different applications. It provides a practical implementation of feasible and fast planning, namely where a closed loop is required. Initial and final configurations are allowed to be exactly the same.

Findings
The TWIN-RRT* algorithm computes an efficient path for a single agent towards multiple targets where none of them is mandatory. It inherits the low computational cost, probabilistic completeness and asymptotical optimality from RRT*.

Research limitations/implications
It uses efficiency as cost function, which can be adjusted to the requirements of any given application. TWIN-RRT also shows compliance with kinematic constraints.

Practical implications
The practical application where this work has been used consists of an autonomous mobile robot that picks up golf balls in a driving range. The multiple targets are the golf balls and the optimum path is a requirement to reduce the time and energy to refill as quickly as possible the balls dispensing machine.

Originality/value
The new random sampling algorithm – TWIN-RRT* – is able to generate feasible efficient paths towards multiple targets retrieving closed-loop paths starting and finishing at the same configuration.
Development of climbing robot for steel bridge inspection
Authors: Wang Rui , Kawamura Youhei 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a design of climbing robot with magnetic wheels which can move on the surface of steel bridge. The locomotion concept is based on adapted lightweight magnetic wheel units with relatively high attractive force and friction force.

Design/methodology/approach
The robot has the main advantages of being compact (352 × – 215 × – 155 mm), lightweight (2.3 kg without battery) and simple mechanical structure. It is not only able to climb vertical walls and follow circumferential paths, but also able to pass complex obstacles such as bolts, steps, convex and concave corners with almost any inclination regarding gravity. By using a servo as a compliant joint, the wheel base can be changed to enable the robot to overcome convex corners.

Findings
The experiment results show that the climbing robot has a good performance on locomotion, and it is successful in negotiating the complex obstacles. On the other hand, the limitations in locomotion of the robot are also presented.

Originality/value
Compared with the past researches, the robot shows good performance on overcoming complex obstacles such as concave corners, convex corners, bolts and steps on the steel bridge. Magnetic wheel with the characterization of compact size and lightweight is able to provide bigger adhesion force and friction coefficient.
Visual research methodologies, branding and magazine readerships
Authors: Trigoni Mirsini 
Published: June 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore how interior spaces can be differently represented across home magazines of different background and target audiences. And investigates how visual texts can differentiate a brand, increase brand loyalty and target different market segments.Design/methodology/approach– This paper draws on material for comparative analysis from three home magazines (Wallpaper,Ideal HomeandElle Decoration). It combines quantitative methods (content analysis) and qualitative methods (fieldwork observations).Findings– This research suggests thatWallpaperis not just a magazine, but it has expanded to become a brand with a well-recognized logo. Practitioners managed to create a strong brand through the creation of a magazine with a very distinctive style among its competitors that clearly address the elite.Research limitations/implications– This paper focused on the production of magazine features and representations of interior spaces. Further research could be conducted to explore how readers belonging to different economic, social and cultural groups “receive” and comprehend the home magazine features.Practical implications– The findings of this research could be used to analyse fashion photography in editorial, fashion advertising, fashion brand websites and social media, thereby assisting in the analysis of fashion photography and the relationship between fashion items, set design, styling of space, target audiences, branding and visual communication; exploring further how fashion photography can effectively target different market segments and enhance a fashion brand and its identity.Originality/value– The area of magazine features, photography, set design and styling of space has received limited attention from scholars. The method of analysing interior spaces/set design presented in this paper can be developed further to provide in depth analysis of window and in store display design and the use of display design and visual merchandising as a way to reflect the fashion brand identity, target-specific market segments, differentiate and gain competitive advantage.
The evolution of management from a trust to arm’s length model in family run businesses
Authors: Berger Ron , Lamond David , Gavish Yossi , Herstein Ram 
Published: June 2016

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to fill the research gap regarding the evolution of managerial processes within (largely family) diamond industry firms, especially over the past seven decades.Design/methodology/approachQualitative data were gathered from interviews with 100 managers in the diamond industry in Israel, together with data from Israeli Government, industry and academic sources.FindingsOver the recent life cycle of the diamond industry, with its changing structures and dynamics, participant firms have evolved through seven stages of engagement, from one based on trust and personal connections to more impersonal, standardized connections that exist today.Research limitations/implicationsIn seeking to tell the story of industry participants as a group, the differences in behaviours between the family firms and the non-family firms have not explored. This should be the work of future research, which, if aimed at teasing out the results of this study, may help shed additional light on the strategic processes that occur within family firms.Practical implicationsAlthough the firms examined in this study were from one industry (and an arguably narrow cultural base), their development over time was not dissimilar to the experience reported in other industries and cultures. This suggests that the components of the evolution of the strategic process that ensues within family firms may be generalizable throughout cultures. In the absence of kin relationships, the importance of trust in their dealings cannot be overstated.Originality/valueThe findings demonstrate how one group of participants in the global diamond industry has responded to the changing economic, social and political contexts of their operations, where trust and personal connections have been replaced by more impersonal, standardized dealings.
Exploring the utility of a pilot tree of life group in an inpatient setting
Authors: Wellman Joshua , Lepori Francesca , Szlachcic Rebecca 
Published: June 2016

Purpose– Narrative therapy uses psychological thinking to help people reconnect with important aspects of their lives that have become subjugated by a dominant problem story. Collective narrative practices (CNPs) such as the tree of life (ToL) metaphor apply these principles to communities. Limited research suggests that ToL groups benefit service users and staff in inpatient settings. The purpose of this paper is to explore the utility of a pilot ToL group, run in an inpatient treatment ward.Design/methodology/approach– Nine participants attended a seven-week ToL group. Eight service users and two facilitators contributed to the evaluation. Qualitative data were derived from interviews and questionnaires and analysed from a social constructionist perspective using inductive thematic analysis.Findings– Three themes were generated: first, a sense of community – service user and staff relationships developed both inside and outside of the group, through sharing personal experiences. Second, rediscovering identity – participants reconnected with important aspects of their lives, which helped them to plan their recovery. Third, usefulness of the metaphor – service users and staff reflected on useful aspects of the ToL metaphor and how groups could be improved in the future. Data collection methods were key limitations of the study. Further groups should be conducted, whilst considering means of developing CNPs and their evaluation in this setting.Originality/value– Few evaluations of ToL groups have been conducted in inpatient settings. This research outlines considerations for setting up and evaluating ToL groups and highlights their value for service users and staff.
Comparing the knowledge management practices in selected European higher education libraries
Authors: Balagué Núria , Düren Petra , Saarti Jarmo 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
– Knowledge Management (KM) in libraries refers to the systematic management and control of knowledge as an important resource when producing high-quality library and information services. If one wishes to make the optimal use and dissemination of organizational and other work life related knowledge, then one needs to acquire appropriate KM tools and to adopt a systematic procedure for KM throughout the organization. This can exert an energizing effect on the lifelong learning of the libraries’ staff which is essential in today’s rapidly changing scientific information environment. The purpose of this paper is to analyze KM practices is selected higher education libraries.

Design/methodology/approach
– This qualitative research conducted in three academic libraries – IZUS/Universitätsbibliothek Stuttgart, Germany; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) Library Barcelona, Spain; and University of Eastern Finland (UEF) Library, Finland – makes a comparison of the KM processes being implemented in each of the institutions to ensure the continuous learning of the libraries’ staff.

Findings
– This comparative study revealed several key reasons and best practices for implementing KM procedures in the selected university libraries. They are collected under three main issues: KM advantages; KM technological opportunities; and KM organizational culture.

Research limitations/implications
– Based on three cases and thus are mainly examples of the KM implementation.

Practical implications
– Paper gives tools for libraries and their management on the KM system implementation.

Social implications
– Based on the paper’s findings the KM implementation in all the selected libraries led to better management and better staff inclusion into the library service development.

Originality/value
– KM implementation studies are still rare among the libraries.
Synergistic inhibition of aluminium corrosion in H2SO4 solution by polypropylene glycol in the presence of iodide ions
Authors: Solomon Moses M. , Umoren Saviour A. , Israel Aniekemeabasi U. , Etim Idongesit G. 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of polypropylene glycol (PPG), as a corrosion inhibitor for aluminium corrosion in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution at 303-333 K and the effect of addition of iodide ions on the corrosion inhibition efficacy of PPG.

Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion inhibition performance of PPG alone and on addition of iodide ions in the acid medium was evaluated using weight loss and electrochemical [electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarisation resistance (LPR) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP)] methods as well as surface analysis approach at 303-333 K. The morphology of the corroding aluminium surface without and with the additives was visualised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The trend of inhibition efficiency with temperature was used to propose the mechanism of inhibition and type of adsorption.

Findings
Results obtained showed that PPG moderately retarded the corrosion of Al in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. Addition of KI to PPG is found to synergistically improve the inhibitive ability of PPG. From the variation of inhibition efficiency, K_ads, and E_a, with rise in temperature, physisorption mechanism is proposed for the adsorption of PPG and PPG + KI onto the Al surface in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. Polarisation results showed that PPG and PPG + KI acted as mixed type inhibitor. The adsorption of PPG and PPG + KI, respectively, onto the metal surface followed El-Awady et al. adsorption isotherm model. SEM and water contact angle analysis confirmed the adsorption of PPG and PPG + KI on Al surface.

Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to aqueous acid environment in aerated condition, and all tests were performed under static conditions.

Practical implications
The use of PPG as corrosion inhibitor for Al corrosion in acidic medium were reported for the first time. The results suggest that iodide ions could be used to enhance corrosion protection ability of PPG which could find practical application in corrosion control in aqueous acidic environment. The data obtained would form part of database on the synergistic effect of iodide ions addition to polymer to control acid-induced corrosion of metal.

Originality/value
The use of PPG as corrosion inhibitor for Al corrosion in acidic medium were reported for the first time. The results suggest that iodide ions could be used to enhance corrosion protection ability of PPG which could find practical application in corrosion control in aqueous acidic environment. The data obtained would form part of database on the synergistic effect of iodide ions addition to polymer to control acid-induced corrosion of metal.
Investigation on the mechanical and electrical properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNCTs) based isotropic conductive adhesives
Authors: Durairaj R. , Pheng Lim Seow , Ping Liew Jian 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to characterise the electrical and mechanical properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-based isotropic conductive adhesives (ICAs). The paper also compares the electrical and mechanical performance of MWCNTs-based ICAs with silver flakes and silver nanoparticles-based ICAs.

Design/methodology/approach
The ICAs were formulated with dyglycidyl ether bisphenol A epoxy resin and conductive fillers such as silver flakes, silver nanoparticles and MWCNTs. The four-point probe is used to measure the bulk resistivity of the ICAs.

Findings
The results from the study showed that the percolation threshold of the MWCNTs-based ICAs is 1.5 Wt.%. At 3 Wt.%, the drop in bulk resistivity is lower than the conventional ICAs. The addition of silver nanoparticles increased the overall bulk resistivity of the system. The mechanical properties improved with the introduction of carbon nanotubes into the silver flakes–epoxy system.

Practical implications
The results from bulk resistivity and mechanical properties of the MWCNTs could help to formulate MWCNTs-based ICAs with optimum weight fraction.

Originality/value
The paper demonstrates that the addition of MWCNTs to the silver-based ICAs will enhance their mechanical and electrical conductivity. In addition, the optimum weight percentage is also determined, which shows a bulk resistivity value lower along with improved mechanical property with the conventional ICA system.
Preparation and characterization of carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel
Authors: Yan E.Y. , Hao X.Y. , Cao M.L. , Fan Y.M. , Zhang D.Q. , Xie W. , Sun J.P. , Hou S.Q. 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to investigate the process for the preparation of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) hydrogel and to characterize such a hydrogel via various analytical techniques.

Design/methodology/approach
The hydrogel in the aqueous solution was prepared by using CMCS as the raw material and glutaraldehyde as the crosslinking agent. The as-prepared CMCS hydrogel was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra.

Findings
The CMCS hydrogel possessed a porous structure and the shape of the pore was irregular. Generally, the diameter of the pores ranged from 20 to 70 nm. The results from FTIR, UV-vis and XRD showed that there was no obvious difference between the structures of the CMCS hydrogel and CMCS powder.

Research limitations/implications
The strength of the hydrogel is not high enough and the degree of swelling is relatively small. So, improving the strength and swelling degree of the hydrogel is necessary.

Practical implications
The CMCS hydrogel presented obvious hollow structures and its fabrication was processed absolutely in aqueous phase. Besides, it possessed low toxicity, good biocompatibility and biodegradability. So, the hydrogel will have potential applications in drug delivery and release, tissue engineering and other biomedical fields.

Originality/value
This paper is the first to present the relationship between the structures of the CMCS hydrogel and CMCS micromolecule, and it confirms that there is no fundamental difference between them.
Psychological contracts and intention to leave with mediation effect of organizational commitment and employee satisfaction at times of recession
Authors: Behery Mohamed , Abdallah Salam , Parakandi Mohammed , Kukunuru Sai 
Published: June 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the implications of psychological contract on employees’ intention to leave and their relationship with employee commitment and satisfaction. The study focuses on measuring these attributes in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) multicultural workforce.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a total of 373 employees from government, semi-government and private organizations covering different hierarchical levels across various industries. Structural equation modeling was used to test the predicted relationship.FindingsThe study reveals that the relational component of psychological contracts plays a significant role in developing strong employer–employee relationships and reducing employee intentions to leave the organization. The study has also demonstrated the partial mediation effect of organizational commitment and employee satisfaction between the independent and dependent variables. Finally, our finding stresses the moderating effect of gender and citizenship demographics on the relationships between the independent and dependent variables.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation of this study was the fact that data collection was conducted in the context of economic crisis which is accompanied by downsizing of organizations. Another factor being the survey is restricted to the UAE which limits the generalizability of the results outside the region.Originality/valueAs little is known about the potential effect of psychological contracts on the intention to leave in the Middle Eastern context, this paper is expected to provide empirical evidences that will make significant contributions to the employee engagement literature in the Middle Eastern contexts.