bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries
Authors: Javadi Siavash , Bruch Jessica , Bellgran Monica 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to understand how the characteristics of low-volume manufacturing industries influence the product introduction process and factors which can facilitate that process in low-volume manufacturing industries.

Design/methodology/approach
– A literature review and a multiple-case study were used to achieve the purpose of the paper. The multiple-case study was based on two product development projects in a low-volume manufacturing company.

Findings
– The main identified characteristics of the product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries were a low number of prototypes, absence of conventional production ramp-up, reduced complexity of the process, failure to consider the manufacturability of the products due to an extensive focus on their functionality and increased complexity of resource allocation. It was determined that prior production of similar products could serve as a facilitator of the manufacturing process.

Research limitations/implications
– The main limitation of this study is that the identified characteristics and facilitating factors are confined to the internal variables of the studied company. A study of the role of external variables during the product introduction process such as suppliers and customers could be the subject of future studies.

Practical implications
– This research will provide practitioners in low-volume manufacturing industries with general insight about the characteristics of the product introduction process and the aspects that should be considered during the process.

Originality/value
– Whereas there is a significant body of work about product introduction process in high-volume manufacturing industries, the research on characteristics of the product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries is limited.
A reliability diagnosis to support servitization decision-making process
Authors: Dahmani Sarra , Boucher Xavier , Peillon Sophie , Besombes Béatrix 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– Servitization of manufacturing is characterized by very complex decision processes within strongly unstable and uncertain decision contexts. Decision-makers are face situations of lack of internal and external information. The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision aid approach to support the management of servitization decision-making processes.Design/methodology/approach– The scientific orientation of this research consists in working at improving the efficiency of the servitization decision-making process, by identifying factors of non-reliability, in order to propose remediation actions for the whole process. Improving the final decisions taken by the managers is considered as a consequence of the improvement of the decision-making process reliability. The method, based on modeling and evaluation, requires the specification of a decision process model for servitization, used as a basis to assess decision process reliability and diagnose the enterprise’s servitization decision system. Improving the final decisions made by the managers is considered as a consequence of the improvement of the decision-making process reliability.Findings– Key added values: first, to formalize a servitization decision-making reference model; second, to specify a reliability assessment applied to the decision system; and third, to define a decision process reliability diagnosis procedure for servitization, illustrated in a case study.Research limitations/implications– A direct perspective is to complete the focus on procedural reliability, by taking into consideration the subjective rationality of decision-makers in the reliability assessment procedure. Additionally, this reliability assessment method and diagnosis could become the basis of a larger risk management approach for servitization.Practical implications– The diagnosis procedure proposed in the paper is dedicated to generating practical results for enterprise decision-makers, consisting in recommendations for decision process improvements, in the context of servitization. The approach is illustrated through an industrial SME case study. The practical implications are highly contextualized.Originality/value– The key originality of this research is to tackle servitization complexity with a decision system modeling and diagnosis orientation, including the formalization of the notion of “decision process reliability,” and the specification and implementation of a quantitative assessment procedure.
Independent accountant’s reports: signaling and early-stage venture funding
Authors: Foster Benjamin Patrick , Garrett, Jr Robert P. , Shastri Trimbak 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to examine whether the ability of early-stage ventures to obtain external funding and the amount of additional information provided to potential investors are affected by the level of assurance (audit, review or compilation) received from independent accountants on the ventures’ historical financial statements. The assurance level provided should differently impact potential investors’ willingness to invest in a new venture and need for additional information during due diligence evaluation of the organization and entrepreneur.

Design/methodology/approach
To examine the relative effects of the signal provided by these levels of assurance on investment decisions, a survey is administered to collect data regarding an investment-related decision scenario. The three levels of assurance in independent accountant’s reports (audit, review or compilation) is manipulated when eliciting participants’ responses.

Findings
Results indicate that respondents perceive the signal provided by compilation reports, review reports and audit reports as increasing in reliability and are more likely to invest in a venture providing reports with that increasing reliability. Audited financial statements are viewed as the most reliable and provide a positive signal to potential investors and lenders. Consequently, potential investors may require less additional information from entrepreneurs with audited financial statements when conducting due diligence investigations.

Research limitations/implications
Subjects used (Master of Business Administration students, with an average work experience of over six years, including some with investing experience) may not be the best proxies for early-stage investors.

Originality/value
This is the first study to examine the relative effectiveness of signals provided by the independent accountant’s audit, review and compilation reports in assisting early-stage business ventures and entrepreneurs raising funds, and dealing with due diligence requests for additional information. Results indicate that engaging an auditor for independent assurance on financial statements can benefit entrepreneurs by increasing the likelihood of obtaining necessary funds and decreasing the amount of additional information needed by potential investors.
Personality, risk tolerance and social network use: an exploratory study
Authors: Wasiuzzaman Shaista , Edalat Siavash 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The vast amount of information available via online social networks (OSN) makes it a very good avenue for understanding human behavior. One of the human characteristics of interest to financial practitioners is an individual’s financial risk tolerance. The purpose of this paper is to look at the relationship between an individual’s OSN behavior and his/her financial risk tolerance.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study uses data collected from a sample of 220 university students and the backward variables selection ordinary least squares regression analysis technique to achieve its objective.

Findings
– The results of the study find that the frequency of logging on to social network sites indicates an individual who has higher financial risk tolerance. Additionally, the increasing use of social networks for social connection is found to be associated with lower financial risk tolerance. The results are mostly consistent when the sample is split based on prior financial knowledge.

Originality/value
– To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study which documents the possibility of understanding an individual’s financial risk tolerance via his/her social network activity. This provides investment/financial consultants with more avenues for gathering information in order to understand their current or potential clients hence providing better services.
Template-free fabrication of NiO nanobelts: promising candidate for ethanol gas sensor at room temperature
Authors: Li Zhiwei 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to seek a surfactant or template-free, simple and green method to fabricate NiO nanobelts and to find an effective technique to detect the ethanol vapor at room temperature.

Design/methodology/approach
NiO nanobelts with high aspect ratio and dispersive distribution have been synthesized by a template-free hydrothermal reaction at 160°C for 12 h. The products are studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopY, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selective area electron diffractio and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In particular, the room-temperature ethanol sensitivity of NiO nanobelts is investigated by the surface photo voltage (SPV) technique.

Findings
The prepared NiO nanobelts is single crystalline bunsenite structure with the length of approximately 10 μm and the diameter of approximately 30 nm. The atomic ratio of “Ni” to “O” is 0.92:1. When the concentration of ethanol vapor reaches 100 ppm, the sensitivity of NiO nanobelts is 7, which can meet the commercial demanding of ethanol gas sensor.

Originality/value
The NiO nanobelts can be obtained by a template-free, simple and green hydrothermal reaction at 160°C for 12 h. The NiO nanobelts-based gas sensor is a promising candidate for the application in ethanol monitoring at room temperature by SPV technique.
Failure analysis of epoxy molded IC packages
Authors: Janeczek Kamil , Arazna Aneta , Futera Konrad , Koziol Grazyna 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The aim of this paper is to present non-destructive and destructive methods of failure analysis of epoxy moulded IC packages on the example of power MOSFETs in SOT-227 package.

Design/methodology/approach
A power MOSFET in SOT-227 package was examined twice using X-ray inspection, at first as the whole component to check if it is damaged and then after removing the upper part of package by mechanical grinding. The purpose of the second X-ray inspection was to prepare images for estimation of the total number and approximate location of voids in soft solder layers. Finally, power MOSFETs were subjected to decapsulation process using a concentrated sulphuric acid to verify existence of damage areas noticed during X-ray analysis and to observe other possible failures such as cracks in aluminium metallization or wires deformation.

Findings
X-ray analysis was revealed to be adequate technique to detect damage (e.g. meltings) in power MOSFETs in SOT-227 package, but only when tested components were analysed in the side view. This type of analysis combined with a graphic software is also suitable for voids estimation in soft solder layers. Moreover, it was found that a single acid (concentrated sulphuric acid) at elevated temperature can be successfully used for decapsulation of power MOSFETs in SOT-227 package without damage of aluminium metallization and aluminium wires. Such decapsulation process enables analysis of defects in wire, die and package materials.

Research limitations/implications
Further investigations are required to examine if the presented methods of failures analysis can be used for other types of components (e.g. high power resistors) in similar packages.

Practical/implications
The described methods of failure analysis can find application in electronic industry to select components which are free of damage and in effect which allow to produce high reliable devices. Apart from it, the presented method is applicable to evaluate reasons of improper work of tested electronic devices and to identify faked components.

Originality/value
This paper contains valuable information for research and technical staff involved in the assessment of electronic devices who needs practical methods of failure analysis of epoxy moulded IC packages.
Do review valence and review volume impact consumers’ purchase decisions as assumed?
Authors: Yang Jing , Sarathy Rathindra , Walsh Stephen M. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
To explore the psychological mechanism through which consumer reviews affect people’s purchasing decisions and behavior, this study aims to examine the impact of statistical evidence embedded in product reviews on consumers’ perceptions and purchasing intentions.

Design/methodology/approach
The effects review valence and review volume are tested using a 3 (valence: positive vs neutral vs negative) × 2 (volume: high vs low) quasi-experimental design and online questionnaires.

Findings
The study finds that review valence has a stronger impact on consumers’ perceptions than review volume does. Negative reviews induce higher risk perception and a less favorable attitude toward purchases compared to positive reviews. In addition, although both attitude toward purchase and subjective norm are good antecedents of purchase intention, the attitude statistically has a stronger impact than the subjective norm.

Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to extant literature from three perspectives. The authors have reexamined the findings of econometric models and advanced their implications by explaining the related psychological changes in people’s perceptions. Second, the authors have extended the application of the theory of reasoned action and found it to be a good fit in explaining consumers’ behavior related to consumer reviews. And finally, the authors have provided a clear guideline on the magnitude of the effects of review valence and volume on consumers’ perceptions.

Originality/value
This study provides a good complement to econometric studies from both theoretical and practical perspectives. It bridges the gap between exploratory studies and behavioral studies in the field of consumer reviews.
Investor views, investment screen use, and socially responsible investment behavior
Authors: Dilla William , Janvrin Diane , Perkins Jon , Raschke Robyn 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
Despite the increasing demand for socially responsible investments (SRIs) and the importance of information intermediaries in providing corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance information through SRI screens, relatively little is known about the relationship between nonprofessional investors’ views regarding SRI, their use of SRI screens and their actual SRI behavior. This study aims to distinguish between investor views about the importance of corporate environmental responsibility (environmental performance importance views) and whether they view environmentally responsible firms as yielding higher returns (environmental performance return views). It examines the association between these views, SRI screen use and reported SRI holdings.

Design/methodology/approach
Nonprofessional investor participants completed an online survey about their SRI investment views, screen use and investment behavior. The survey yielded 201 usable responses.

Findings
The strength of participants’ environmental performance importance and environmental performance return views is positively associated with their use of SRI screens and the proportion of their portfolios held in SRIs. SRI screen use only partially mediates the association between investors’ environmental performance importance and return views and their SRI holdings.

Research limitations/implications
The study does not precisely address what types of SRI screens nonprofessional investors may be using. It does not control for investors’ specific experience with SRIs, nor does it examine how or why investors come to believe that environmental responsibility may improve a company’s return potential.

Practical implications
The fact that SRI screen use only partially mediates the association between investors’ views and their SRI holdings suggests that either reliable, unfiltered CSR information is important for nonprofessional investors or some investors are choosing SRIs without obtaining adequate relevant information.

Social implications
The study’s findings confirm earlier research findings which show an association between investors’ pro-environmental views and their decision to invest in SRIs (Williams, 2007; Nilsson, 2008) and suggest that nonprofessional investors are becoming aware of the positive relation between environmental performance and firm value (Dhaliwal et al., 2011; Clarkson et al., 2013; Hawn et al., 2014; Matsumura et al., 2014).

Originality/value
This study simultaneously examines the influence of environmental performance importance (an “alternative” investment perspective) and environmental performance return (a “traditional” investment perspective) on investors’ SRI behavior.
Contributing barriers to corporate social and environmental responsibility practices in a developing country
Authors: Hossain Md Moazzem , Alam Manzurul , Hecimovic Angela , Alamgir Hossain Mohammad , Choudhury Lema Aklema 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the contributing barriers to corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER) practices. In particular, this study focuses on non-managerial stakeholders’ perceptions of the barriers to CSER practices in a developing country context. The study also investigates the current initiatives undertaken by the different stakeholders, such as government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and regulators.

Design/methodology/approach
The study takes a qualitative approach, undertaking semi-structured in-depth interviews with 26 participants from NGOs, the media, regulatory authorities, government departments, shareholders, trade union leaders and customers.

Findings
The views of stakeholder groups were analysed to identify the contributing barriers to CSER practices. The findings of the study reveal that corruption and politics, lack of coordination, lack of government initiatives and unsatisfactory implementation of laws are perceived as the major barriers that hinder CSER practices in Bangladesh. The study also found a lack of awareness amongst various stakeholder groups regarding the influential role CSER plays in promoting sustainable development. The current initiatives undertaken by various stakeholders to improve CSER practices were limited but growing.

Research Limitations/implications
The study utilises the stakeholder theory to examine the role of stakeholders, rather than managers, in relation to CSER practice in Bangladesh. The findings may provide impetus for mitigating CSER barriers in a developing country context.

Originality/value
This study is one of the few engagement-based studies to explore the non-managerial stakeholders’ views on CSER in a developing country context.
Experimental study on the performance of an azimuthal acoustic receiver sonde for a downhole tool
Authors: Che Xiaohua , Qiao Wenxiao , Ju Xiaodong , Wu Jinping , Men Baiyong 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTA new azimuthal acoustic receiver sonde with a body and corresponding circuits was designed for a downhole tool. The 64‐sensor receiver sonde holds eight receiver stations that can be combined into at least 64 three‐sensor receiver subarrays. As a result, the receiver sonde can use different sensor combinations instead of different transducer types to produce multiple modes, including a phased azimuthal reception mode and conventional monopole, dipole, and quadruple modes. Laboratory measurements were conducted to study the performance of the azimuthal acoustic receiver sonde for a downhole tool, and the experimental results indicate that the receiver sonde provides a consistent reception performance. Individual sensors receive similar time‐domain waveforms, and their corresponding frequency bands and sensitivities are consistent within the measurement errors of around 5%. The direction of the reception main lobe is approximately parallel to its exterior normal direction. In addition, a receiver subarray with three sensors receives waveforms that have higher energy and narrower beamwidths. For individual sensors, the angular width of the dominant reception lobe is 191.3° on average, whereas that of the individual receiver subarrays is approximately 52.1° on average. The amplitude of the first arrival received by the receiver subarray centred at the primary sensor directly pointing to the source is approximately 2.2 times the average amplitude of the first arrivals received by the other receiver subarrays in the same receiver station. Thus, the maximum amplitude of the waveforms received by the receiver subarrays can be used to determine the direction of the incident waves. This approach represents a promising method for determining the reflector azimuth for acoustic reflection logging and three‐dimensional acoustic logging.
Does media coverage influence public attitudes towards welfare recipients? The impact of the 2011 English riots
Authors: Reeves Aaron , de Vries Robert 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFollowing the shooting of Mark Duggan by police on 4 August 2011, there were riots in many large cities in the UK. As the rioting was widely perceived to be perpetrated by the urban poor, links were quickly made with Britain's welfare policies. In this paper, we examine whether the riots, and the subsequent media coverage, influenced attitudes toward welfare recipients. Using the British Social Attitudes survey, we use multivariate difference‐in‐differences regression models to compare attitudes toward welfare recipients among those interviewed before (pre‐intervention: i.e. prior to 6 August) and after (post‐intervention: 10 August–10 September) the riots occurred (N = 3,311). We use variation in exposure to the media coverage to test theories of media persuasion in the context of attitudes toward welfare recipients. Before the riots, there were no significant differences between newspaper readers and non‐readers in their attitudes towards welfare recipients. However, after the riots, attitudes diverged. Newspaper readers became more likely than non‐readers to believe that those on welfare did not really deserve help, that the unemployed could find a job if they wanted to and that those on the dole were being dishonest in claiming benefits. Although the divergence was clearest between right‐leaning newspaper and non‐newspaper readers, we do not a find statistically significant difference between right‐ and left‐leaning newspapers. These results suggest that media coverage of the riots influenced attitudes towards welfare recipients; specifically, newspaper coverage of the riots increased the likelihood that readers of the print media expressed negative attitudes towards welfare recipients when compared with the rest of the population.
Walk them or no leg to stand on! Diagnostic delay of neurologic conditions in young children
Authors: Stock Amanda , Dunn Karen , Cheek John A 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDiagnosis of low incidence neurological conditions can be a challenge in paediatric emergency medicine. Neurological examination in young children can be very difficult, and medical staff may not previously have encountered conditions like acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis. We propose that the simple process of walking a child (provided they were previously ambulant) is the crucial step in the neurological examination. We present three cases to demonstrate this important part of the examination.