bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of Taguchi method in optimization of design parameter for turbocharger vaned diffuser
Authors: Amiruddin Hilmi , Wan Mahmood Wan Mohd Faizal , Abdullah Shahrir , Abu Mansor Mohd Radzi , Mamat Rizalman , Alias Azri 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the best vaned diffuser design that can generate higher pressure output at a predetermined speed.

Design/methodology/approach
Several vaned diffusers of thin, flat-type design with different number of blades and blade angle were fabricated. The vaned diffusers were fitted inside the turbocharger compressor and test on a cold-flow turbocharger test rig. A Taguchi L27 orthogonal array is selected for analysis of the data. Influence of number of blades, blade angle and rotational speed on output pressure is studied using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. Finally, confirmation tests are conducted to validate the experimental results.

Findings
The optimum design parameters of the vaned diffuser using signal-to-noise ratio analysis were six blades type, blade angle of 18° and rotational speed of 70,000 rpm. Results from ANOVA showed that the speed has the highest influence on output pressure. The number of blades and blade angle produced the least effect on the pressure output.

Originality/value
The study used the turbocharger with the impeller size 60 mm and adapted vaned diffuser to increase the output pressure.
Influence of steel fibres on friction behaviours with respect to speed, pressure and temperature
Authors: Ria Jaafar Talib , Ismail Noor Iswadi , Ismail Mohd Fauzi , Abu Othman Eliasidi 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of different volume percentage (Vol.%) of steel fibre on the pressure, surface temperature and speed sensitivity behaviour during braking process as known brake effectiveness and to propose the best steel fibre Vol.% in the formulation.

Design/methodology/approach
Three brake pads composed of three different steel fibre volume percentages were fabricated through powder metallurgy route. Selecting one sample as based formulations, steel fibre (Vol.%) was decreased and increased by 50 per cent in the other two samples, respectively. The other ingredients are proportionally increased and decreased accordingly to the base formulation. The samples were tested for determining their hardness, porosity and coefficient of friction (COF) using Rockwell hardness tester, hot bath and brake inertia dynamometer, respectively.

Findings
Test results indicated that Sample T1 which composed of 9 Vol.% of steel fibre had the lowest COF and was sensitive to applied pressure, surface temperature and speed. The samples which composed of 18 and 27 Vol.% of steel fibre were having the same trend of COF and were sensitive to surface temperature and speed. Sample T which composed of 18 Vol.% of steel fibre had lower brake pad and disc lost as compared to Sample T2 which composed of 27 Vol.%. Mechanical properties did not show any significant correlation with COF sensitivity with temperature, speed and pressure.

Originality/value
The sample with 18 Vol.% of steel fibre was found to be the best formulation which produced acceptable COF; less sensitive to temperature, pressure and speed during braking process; and better wear resistance of brake pad as well as the rotor.
Is Chinese outward FDI in MENA little?
Authors: Miniesy Rania S. , Elish Eman 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the host country determinants of Chinese Outward FDI (OFDI) and, given these determinants, examines whether Chinese OFDI in MENA is less than elsewhere.

Design/methodology/approach
Data for the top 40 Chinese OFDI recipients including seven MENA countries from 2003 to 2012 were obtained. A pooled ordinary least squares estimation technique on the lagged explanatory variables and the lagged dependent variable – flows and stocks alternatively – with robust standard errors was used.

Findings
Chinese OFDI is market, resource and efficiency seeking and is attracted by poor governance. The seven MENA countries seemingly receive significantly less Chinese OFDI flows compared to other countries. However, careful inspection shows that UAE is creating this bias. This maybe because exporting to UAE rather than licensing or FDI seems like the best scenario, or UAE is already satiated with FDI from other countries, or China is waiting for the right time to enter such an FDI-competitive market like that of UAE.

Originality/value
Chinese OFDI is particularly important for MENA because it has a comparative advantage relative to other FDI source countries, and no research so far has investigated if it is less than in other regions, which could provide insights on how to attract it.
Consolidated financial statements – a new challenge for the public sector administration
Authors: Cîrstea Andreea , Nistor Cristina Silvia , Tiron Tudor Adriana 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
Considering the worldwide importance granted to this topic, the purpose of this paper is to analyze, through a detailed pyramidal analysis, the intention of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) to respond better to the public sector characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology combines content analysis with the comparative and interpretive method, and also some statistical methods such as residual analysis, association coefficients, that come to bring added value to the public sector literature.

Findings
The main findings of the research concern the appreciation of consolidation approach in the public sphere under a dual aspect. The first one is theoretical, by presenting the evolution of the concept in literature, and the second one is empirical, by analyzing how IPSAS correlates with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), how the Exposure Draft 49 (ED 49) respondents perceive its content and implications, along with the extent to which the publication of IPSAS 35 took into account the exposure draft stage. In the authors’ opinion, the study manages to capture, theoretically and empirically, the evolution and the stage of consolidation in the public sector. The main results of the study lie in the combination in the empirical sphere of the content analysis with the mathematical and statistical methods, in order to assess the correlation IPSAS/IFRS, the responses to ED 49, but also the influences on the final version of IPSAS 35.

Research limitations/implications
The main limitations of the study are: the diversity of the received responses to ED and the number of comment letters submitted by the respondents.

Practical implications
The study addresses to a broad range of users: theoreticians, practitioners or professional bodies/legislators who will have a basis for analyzing what the acceptance and inclusion of IPSAS 35 in the national accounting rules would mean.

Social implications
The paper offers the possibility to understand the evolution of the concept of public sector consolidation.

Originality/value
The first originality aspect is revealed by the theoretical documentation and the second one lies in the combination of the empirical sphere of the content analysis with the mathematical and statistical methods.
Intellectual capital and profitability in an emerging insurance market
Authors: Asare Nicholas , Alhassan Abdul Latif , Asamoah Michael Effah , Ntow-Gyamfi Matthew 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between intellectual capital (IC) and profitability of insurance companies in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach
Data on 36 life and non-life insurance companies from 2007 to 2011 are employed to estimate the value added intellectual coefficient of Pulic (2004, 2008). Using return on assets and underwriting profit as indicators of profitability, the ordinary least squares panel corrected standard errors of Beck and Katz (2005) is used in estimating the relationship in the presence of serial correlation and heteroskedasticity. Leverage, underwriting risk and insurers’ size are used as control variables.

Findings
Non-life insurers have high IC performance comparative to life insurers. This study finds a significant positive relationship between IC and profitability of insurers in Ghana while human capital efficiency is the main driver of insurers’ IC performance.

Practical implications
The study discusses relevance of IC for management of insurance companies in Ghana and other emerging insurance markets in Africa.

Originality/value
This appears to be the first study to examine the impact of IC on profitability of a developing insurance market in Africa.
Another piece of the puzzle: REIT IPO underpricing after the financial crisis
Authors: Dimovski Bill , Ratcliffe Christopher , Keneley Monica 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the underpricing of real estate investment trust (REIT) initial public offerings (IPOs) from January 2010 to June 2015, as the sector recovered from the global financial crisis.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyses the first day returns of US REIT IPOs in the post financial crisis period. The study then employs regression analysis to examine the factors that influence IPO underpricing.FindingsThe study observes that underpricing, on average, is not significantly different to zero. Furthermore, the REIT IPOs examined display underperformance in the longer term. In contrast to the earlier data samples of Chen and Lu (2006), the authors do not find that underwriting costs are a direct substitute for the indirect cost of underpricing, instead the authors find that higher underwriting costs are associated with higher underpricing. Also in contrast to the mainstream underpricing literature, the data suggest larger capital raisings require higher underpricing. The authors also find that newly listed REITs provided significant excess dividend returns over the post-listing period.Practical implicationsFor institutional and retail investors, the results will help to further inform investment opportunities in REIT IPOs.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the ongoing academic debate of the lack of underpricing in REIT IPOs relative to industrial companies. Research has shown periods of underpricing are often replaced with periods of overpricing suggesting that the pattern of behavior in REIT markets is substantially different.
Hospitality REITs and financial crisis: a comprehensive assessment of market quality
Authors: Jain Pawan , Robinson Spenser J. , Singh Arjun J. , Sunderman Mark 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine market microstructure differences in stock market quality for hospitality real estate investment trusts (REITs) during the pre- and post-financial crisis eras. It provides insight on different trading strategies based on the underlying liquidity and volatility of hospitality REITs as compared traditional REITs and the broader market.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses established microstructure measures for liquidity, trading volumes and risk assessment and compares daily and intraday trading patterns of REITs, hospitality REITs and the broad market.FindingsThe results suggest a quicker recovery of performance for hospitality REITs and some fundamental increases in liquidity measures post-crisis. The results of the study highlight the differences in trading volumes, liquidity and risk profile of hospitality REITs compared to traditional REITs both in the pre- and post-financial crisis periods.Practical implicationsThe quicker recovery of hospitality REITs in key trading measures may suggest flight to quality during periods of high volatility.Originality/valueThis study fills the gap in the literature relative to microstructure studies and provides information to help hotel firms and portfolio managers choose an appropriate organizational structure and investment vehicle, respectively.
Entropy – what kind of bet is real estate – really?
Authors: Brown Roger J. 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the way real estate data collection and dissemination can be improved.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper investigates that how information entropy fits into real estate research and data using Kelly betting as a framework.

Findings
Availability of real estate data is constrained by a host of impediments, paywalls and other archaic practices that limit the way it can be used to make worthwhile progress in the field.

Practical implications
Real-estate data will become available. Those who try to keep data close and restrict their common use will become irrelevant.

Originality/value
Entropy indicates uncertainty and chaos. Using this highly developed and respected area of science as context one can see how real estate research suffers from its present mindset.
Structured maintenance engineering policy development based on a production machine process perspective
Authors: Ahmad Rosmaini , Kamaruddin Shahrul 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a maintenance engineering policy in the context of a decision support model based on a production machine process perspective.

Design/methodology/approach
The structure of the policy is called the maintenance decision support (MDS) model, which consists of three steps: initial setup, deterioration monitoring, and decision making. A detailed presentation of each step of the proposed model together with a real case example from the pulp manufacturing industry proves the applicability of the model.

Findings
Validation of the proposed MDS model is as follows. In Task 1 of Step 1, the cutting, sealing, and perforating line processes are classified as critical machining processes. The analysis of Task 2 of Step 1 found that cutting knife, bearing, and motor are classified as the components that most possibly contribute to the cutting appearance quality. In Task 3 of Step 1, it was found that the cutting knife is classified as a maintenance-significant component with non-repairable and single-component type characteristics. The result of Step 2 suggested that at the 29th hour of operating time, the decision of do-something was suggested. In the following step (Step 3), for the case of the cutting knife, which has been classified as a non-repairable type component, the decision to perform preventive replacement of cutting knife is recommended to be carried out at the 29th hour of operating time.

Research limitations/implications
The uniqueness of this model is that it systematically considers different machinery component(s) characteristics, including single- and multiple-component cases, repairable and non-repairable types, and functional or/and physical failure types, to make maintenance decisions.

Practical implications
The proposed MDS model provides a systematic guideline for identifying, evaluating, and monitoring, which makes maintenance-related decisions. Three significant maintenance decisions can be determined based on the proposed MDS model, which includes an appropriate time-to-perform maintenance, correct maintenance actions to be performed, and the right component required for maintenance (for multi-component cases).

Originality/value
One of the vital elements in considering the production machine process perspective toward the development of the MDS model is the need to use product output/quality characteristics for machine deterioration-monitoring and decision-making processes.
Venture capital and the financial crisis in Portugal: the VC managers’ viewpoint
Authors: Cabral-Cardoso Carlos , Cortez Maria Céu , Lopes Luísa 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine, from the venture capital (VC) managers’ perspective, the impact of the international financial and sovereign debt crises on the VC industry in Portugal, and the changes and adjustments VC managers were forced to adopt to their procedures and current practices to cope with these challenges.Design/methodology/approachA two-step research design was adopted to best capture the dynamics of the crisis. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and content analysed. The initial set of interviews with ten VC managers was conducted in 2011, immediately before the country bailout; and the second set in 2013, when the full impact of the debt crisis was being felt.FindingsThe study shows that the crises had a significant impact on the VC industry producing a complex and dynamic environment with high levels of uncertainty. The VC managers’ contradictory perceptions reflect their own struggle to figure out the best way to deal with the pressures in such a volatile environment where new opportunities may also arise. In general, VC firms became more selective adopting a more prudential attitude and tighter control mechanisms.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the field by analysing, from the VC managers’ perspective, the cumulative impact of the international financial and sovereign debt crisis on a European VC market with specific features: small dimension of the industry operating in a bank-centred capital market and where family-owned SMEs predominate.
Investigating dynamic capabilities of family businesses in China: a social capital perspective
Authors: Wang Yong 
Published: March 2017

PurposeDynamic capabilities are regarded as the bedrock of businesses that survive in a dynamic environment. Building upon the social capital theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the nexus between dynamic capabilities and social capital in family businesses.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a quantitative approach. As there is no formal business database available in China, the study followed a snowball sampling procedure. In total, 628 useful responses were gathered.FindingsThe study echoes the call of Arregleet al.(2007) for understanding family business’s internal sources of competitiveness and the role of social capital. Results show that the three dimensions of social capital, namely, structural, cognitive, and relational capital, influence dynamic capabilities of family businesses.Research limitations/implicationsThe lack of an official business database in China made the conventional representative sample survey used in the West difficult to replicate. Furthermore, empirical data were collected from different regions of China; regional cultures and different levels of economic development across the regions might influence the social capital-dynamic capabilities connection, but these were not examined in the current study.Originality/valueThe study integrates two significant but disconnected research streams, i.e. social capital and dynamic capabilities. Furthermore, the study shows how different dimensions of social capital influence dynamic capabilities. Research findings derived may contribute to the entrepreneurial debate as to why some family businesses can survive in the dynamic environment while others cannot.
What influences ethnic entrepreneurs’ decision to start-up
Authors: Ullah Farid , Rahman Md Zillur , Smith Robert , Beloucif Ahmed 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore some key factors that influences ethnic entrepreneur’s decision in starting-up a new business in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors set out to investigate the motives, drivers and attitudes of ethnic minorities in seeking entrepreneurial opportunities. The authors conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews with 25 ethnic entrepreneurs from a variety of nationalities and cultures originating mainly from the Indian subcontinent region. This includes entrepreneurs from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and some others. The motivations varies according to their culture, traditions, religion and other environmental factors influencing on their decision to start-up.

Findings
The results reveal some interesting influential factors that lead to the successful start-up decision. These include a positive mindset, self-efficacy, strong determination, knowing of the market and local business culture and good financial management.

Originality/value
This paper is based on empirical research and new data have been collected specifically for this research. The authors hope the new findings from this research work will enhance the understanding about ethnic minority businesses in the context of Aberdeen, Scotland.
The Kenyan Judiciary’s Open Government Initiative: prospects and challenges
Authors: Maseh Elsebah , Katuu Shadrack 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
This paper is based on an empirical study undertaken between April 2014 to December 2014 that aims to investigate the Open Government Initiative in the Kenyan Judiciary and its contribution to Judiciary transformation for enhanced justice delivery.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws from both literature and data collected from representative professionals in the Kenyan Judiciary through interviews and questionnaires.

Findings
The findings indicated that the Kenyan Judiciary was at its initial stages of implementing its Open Government Initiative, and several strategies for the implementation were identified. Further, the findings revealed the benefits of opening up the Judiciary for public participation which pointed toward an improved justice delivery.

Originality/value
This paper presents findings of the investigation of Open Government Initiative in the Kenyan Judiciary as a contributory factor to the then on-going Judiciary transformation aimed at enhanced justice delivery. The paper provides a nexus between open government and records management and demonstrates the importance of sound records management for successful Open Government Initiative.
An empirical study on application and efficiency of gridded management in public service supply of Chinese Government
Authors: XiuYin Bai , Hanif Muhammad Imran , Fensheng Li , Hanif Muhammad Shehzad , Yinhua Gu 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
Gridded management in the public service supply is still in the experience exploratory stage, and this paper aims to analyze the inherent logic and operation mode of the gridding mechanism of the public supply based on the existing theory study and practices, and verify its efficiency so as to come to the conclusion whether it could be promoted to a wider range.

Design/methodology/approach
The methodology applied in this paper was case study/deductive induction.

Findings
The grid model in the public service supply needs to be demonstrated completely in theoretical logic and operation principles before it is promoted across the country. Meanwhile, full support of the government is required in terms of service concept, function distribution, technical parameters and infrastructure.

Research limitations/implications
The inherent logic and operation mode of the gridding mechanism of the public service supply needs enough practice tests. The practical test of efficiency analysis of the gridding mechanism of the public service supply is not enough.

Social implications
This paper validated whether the gridding mechanism that originated from China’s urban management can be promoted to all over the country in the public service supply. It provides references for government policy.

Originality/value
This paper constructs a gridded management model for public service provision in urban and rural areas on the basis of an analysis of the plight of traditional model of public service provision, thus delivering the same standard of public service for both urban and rural areas through optimization of resource allocation without requiring more supply and fundamental change to the content of service.