bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance measurement system implementation in a turbulent operating environment
Authors: Pekkola Sanna , Saunila Minna , Rantanen Hannu 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how a performance measurement system (PMS) can be designed for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in a turbulent environment. The current models and frameworks for the design and implementation of a PMS are for large companies; these traditional design and implementation processes are too multi-stage and long term for SMEs operating in a rapidly changing environment.

Design/methodology/approach
The study constructs a conceptual framework based on the performance measurement and management literature and empirical evidence from a longitudinal case study. Interviews, an analysis of strategic documents and documentation of the prevailing measurement system were conducted.

Findings
The study results reveal the framework for a flexible PMS design. In the framework, the PMS consists of core permanent measures that control the profitability of the company and supportive measures of the realisation of strategic targets. The supportive measures change and develop along with the strategy.

Originality/value
The study provides new understanding about the performance measurement design process in SMEs operating in a turbulent environment. The existing literature presents performance measurement design and implementation process models for large organisations, but these frameworks are too multi-stage and long term for SMEs.
Can Lean Six Sigma make UK public sector organisations more efficient and effective?
Authors: Antony Jiju , Rodgers Bryan , Gijo E.V. 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the widespread but fragmented application of Lean Six Sigma within the UK public sector, providing the context of some of the challenges faced within the sector as well as some of the successful applications of Lean Six Sigma. The paper fundamentally seeks to challenge the concept that Lean Six Sigma is not suitable for use in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach
A summary of the challenges facing the public sector is shown from current literature and this is presented as drivers for change. A number of successful applications of Lean Six Sigma are then evidenced demonstrating examples across areas of the public sector.

Findings
This paper concludes that while Lean Six Sigma is applicable to the UK public sector additional work is required to better evidence the benefits and return on investment that can be delivered as well as considering more holistic approaches on an agency wide basis.

Research limitations/implications
This paper seeks to contribute to and broaden the limited body of evidence of the applicability of Lean Six Sigma to the UK public sector and identifies areas for further research and review.

Practical implications
Understanding the applicability of Lean Six Sigma affords opportunities to public sector agencies in the current budget climate but additionally affords ways in which quality of service can be enhanced. In some cases, it provides opportunities to meet new statutory requirements around community empowerment.

Originality/value
The paper contributes to the body of evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma within the public sector and suggests opportunity for those agencies to meet funding challenges faced across the UK.
Factors affecting service recovery performance and customer service employees
Authors: Piaralal Shishi Kumar , Bhatti Muhammad Awais , Piaralal Niriender Kumar , Juhari Ariff Syah 
Published: September 2016

PurposeService recovery is very important to the insurance industry; it helps to maintain clients, it is a crucial competitive advantage for business survival and it adds value for the organization’s continued future. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors influencing service recovery performance (SRP) of customer service employees in the life insurance industry from three dimensions; organizational (customer service orientation and top management commitment), human resource management (rewards, training, teamwork and empowerment) and personal (affective organizational commitment, role ambiguity, role conflict and emotional exhaustion). This study also investigated job satisfaction and the intent to resign.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered through self-administered questionnaires from 350 customer service staff employed by life insurance companies in the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia by using a convenience sampling technique. Data were analyzed using multiple regressions.FindingsThe findings indicated that customer service orientation, training, empowerment, affective organizational commitment, role stressors and emotional exhaustion influenced staff’s SRP. The findings also showed that SRP influenced job satisfaction and intention to resign.Practical implicationsThe research advances understanding of the influence of organizational, personal and human resource management factors on SRP and result constructs, namely, turnover intentions and job satisfaction. The researchers in Malaysia can use this model for future research in a service sector fields such as banking, retailing and hospitality to replicate and compare this finding. For practitioners especially the managers in insurance services providers can take actions and formulate proper strategies for customer service employees to deliver high level of performance in order to satisfied customer and continue stay in the organizations.Originality/valueVery little attention has been given to examine the impact of human resource, personal and organizational factors on SRP and the influence of SRP on result constructs, namely, job satisfaction and intention to resign in the life insurances area. Furthermore applying equity theory especially in the SRP area was not given fully attention.
Assembly line productivity improvement as re-engineered by MOST
Authors: Karim A.N. Mustafizul , Tuan Saravanan Tanjong , Emrul Kays H.M. 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address and solve operational problems of an automotive industry in reaching production target by adopting Maynard Operation Sequence Technique (MOST) as lean and productivity improvement strategies.

Design/methodology/approach
In the undertaken case of auto-car rear window assembly line, a recurring production shortfall in fulfilling the daily demand is seemingly due to inappropriate work method. Initial observation of the operations led to suspect certain lapses in initiatives to adopt the time standards, to reduce or eliminate non-value added motions, to design suitable aisle and to assign tasks among workstations in a balanced manner. Subsequently an attempt is made to pinpoint the causes of poor performance and the bottlenecks through process flow analysis and time study by applying MOST. The elemental tasks are closely examined for possible reduction of workstation times by choosing efficient work methods with ergonomic features. Thus appropriate hand tools, jigs and fixture with nominal investment are prescribed to incorporate in the assembly works. The operational changes as steered by the MOST application have enhanced the workflow with a shorter cycle time which led to a substantial increase in productivity.

Findings
The productivity of the assembly line is increased by more than 29 percent from the earlier capacity through the MOST application which is deemed to meet the current level of demand.

Originality/value
The adopted framework for recognizing the effectiveness of MOST to expose and rectify the flaws in work methods without much investment is expected to be beneficial for a manufacturer in securing the competitiveness.
A personality-based measure of the wine consumption experience for millennial consumers
Authors: Spielmann Nathalie , Babin Barry J. , Verghote Caroline 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to propose a personality-based approach to measure Millennial consumers’ wine evaluations. Past personality-based measures (brand personality, country personality and product personality) each presents their own issues when it comes to measuring wine perceptions, especially those of neophyte wine consumers. This paper proposes a new, holistic and tailored measure to gauge the personality dimensions Millennials perceive in wine.

Design/methodology/approach
Multiple studies were conducted in France. Items from former personality scales were combined and condensed. An exploratory factor analysis (n = 318) followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (n = 236) across wines from different regions were conducted. Predictive validity tests relating the dimensions of wine personality to key consumer outcomes were also conducted. Finally, face validity tests with real wines were conducted (n = 190).

Findings
The results suggest two dimensions of wine personality for Millennial consumers: a social and a philosophical dimension. The nine-trait structure is stable across origins and each dimension can be related to quality and value perceptions, attitudes and purchase intent. The findings suggest a new way for managers to gauge the way their wine offering is received by Millennial wine consumers.

Originality/value
The initial personality structure, uncovered across the multiple studies, suggests a parsimonious way to understand how an important wine segment, Millennials, perceives wines. The measure includes brand, product and origin perceptions and thus proposes a holistic way of understanding young consumers’ perception of wine personality.
Desirability bias and perceived effectiveness influence on willingness-to-pay for pro-environmental wine products
Authors: Barber Nelson A. , Taylor D. Christopher , Remar Daniel 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
Consumer marketing suggests that greater concern for the environment is impacting purchase behavior. Recent surveys into US pro-environmental (PE) purchase patterns show a considerable gap between consumers’ attitude and actual behavior regarding PE products. What these products have in common is a normative component. This research aims to understand whether perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE) and social desirability bias (SDB) influence consumers’ purchase decisions regarding PE wine products and willingness to pay (WTP).

Design/methodology/approach
To assess whether PCE and SDB influence consumer’s actual WTP for PE and conventional wine despite normative beliefs (NBs), two studies with sample sizes of 117 and 124 were conducted in the USA. The first part of each study involved surveying participants as to their NB, SDB, PCE and demographics. The second part of the study measured their actual WTP through participation in an experimental auction.

Findings
Consumers with high levels of NBs were significantly more likely to pay higher premiums for PE wines compared to non-PE wines and had higher levels of PCE, suggesting that they believe their purchase behavior makes a difference to the environment. However, this same group is strongly influenced by SDB, indicating that they may “over-report” desirable behaviors. Controlling for PCE and SDB, the significant difference in price for PE wine and non-PE wine was mitigated. Those with lower NBs were just the opposite, less concerned whether their purchase behavior directly impacts the environment, feeling that non-PE wine may be a better value proposition.

Research limitations/implications
The use of an auction method to assess actual behavior may be skewed by the attempt to get a winning bid, and this research was conducted in one particular part of the USA, which limits the generalizability of the results to other parts of the country or world.

Originality/value
The findings from the current research provide important information for wine producers, distributors and retailers, specifically the development of marketing and branding strategies, and as a method for normative product/brand differentiation in a competitive marketplace.
Transient thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication of point contacts subjected to normal vibration
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Ni Qibo , Wang Jing , Guo Feng 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
Vibration exists widely in all machineries working under high speed. The unpredictability of vibration and the change of the relative surface speed may result in difficulties in the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) analysis. By far, few studies on EHL relating to vibration have been published. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of the vertical vibrations and the influence of temperature on the thermal EHL contacts.

Design/methodology/approach
The lubricant was assumed to be Newtonian fluid. The time-dependent numerical solutions were achieved instant after instant in each period of the vibration. At each instant, the pressure field was solved with a multi-level technique, the surface deformation was solved with a multi-level multi-integration method and the temperature filed was solved with a finite different scheme through a sweeping progress. The periodic error was checked at each end of the vibration period until the responses of pressure, film thickness and temperature were all periodic functions with the frequency of the roller’s vibrations.

Findings
The results reveal that normal vibration produces little drastic change of pressure, film thickness and temperature in EHL. Under some conditions, the vibrations of the roller can produce transient dimples within the contact conjunction. It is also showed that the lubrication in the same sliding is better than the opposite sliding.

Research limitations/implications
For the unpredictability of vibration, it is not easy to do the experiment to realize a real comparison with numerical results. The reach does not show any verification and consider the effect of non-Newtonian fluid.

Originality/value
The effect of the vertical vibrations on the thermal EHL point contact hast been studied. The effects of both the amplitude and the frequency on the predicted load-carrying capacity, minimum film thickness, center pressure and center temperature and the coefficient of friction were investigated. The role of the thermal effect was given.
Tribological modification of high-density polyethylene by using carbon soot from diesel combustion
Authors: Cao X.A. , Shao G.Q. , Hu K.H. 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the tribological properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) modified by carbon soot from the combustion of No. 0 diesel.

Design/methodology/approach
Carbon soot is characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. The tribological properties of HDPE samples with carbon soot are investigated on a materials surface tester with a ball-on-disk friction pair.

Findings
The collected carbon soot mainly comprises amorphous carbon nanoparticles of 50-100 nm in diameter. The main wear behaviours of pure HDPE include abrasive wear and plastic deformation. After adding carbon soot nanoparticles to HDPE, HDPE wear decreases. The appropriate carbon soot content is 8 per cent in HDPE under the selected testing conditions. Compared with other HDPE samples, HDPE with 8 per cent carbon soot has higher melting temperature, lower abrasive wear and better wear resistance. The lubrication of HDPE with carbon soot is due to the formation of a transferring film composed of HDPE, amorphous carbon and graphite carbon.

Originality/value
The paper reveals the HDPE modification and lubrication mechanisms by using carbon soot from the combustion of diesel. Related research can perhaps provide a potential approach for the treatment of carbon soot exhaust emission.
Conductive capacity and tribological properties of several carbon materials in conductive greases
Authors: Cao Zhengfeng , Xia Yanqiu , Ge Xiangyu 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to synthesize a new kind of conductive grease which possesses a prominent conductive capacity and good tribological properties.

Design/methodology/approach
A two-step method was used to prepare complex lithium-based grease. Ketjen black (KB), acetylene black (AB) and carbon black (CB) were characterized by transmission electron microscope and used as lubricant additives to prepare conductive greases. Conductive capacity was evaluated by a conductivity meter, a surface volume resistivity meter and a circuit resistance meter. Tribological properties were investigated by a reciprocating friction and wear tester (MFT-R4000). The worn surfaces were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope.

Findings
The conductive grease prepared with KB has a prominent conductive capacity at room temperature, 100°C and 150°C. Further, this conductive grease also possesses better tribological properties than AB and KB greases. When the concentration of KB is 1.8 Wt.%, the coefficient of friction and wear width reduced by 11 and 14 per cent, respectively.

Originality/value
This work is a new application of nanometer KB as a lubricant additive in grease, which provides a direction for preparing conductive grease. The conductivity and tribology experiments have been carried out though the variation of experiment conductions.
Engineering research of DLC coating in piston pins and bucket tappets
Authors: Kong Xiaoli , Zhou Bo , Wang Jixiao , Li Wenping 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the engineering application of diamond like carbon (DLC) coatings on the surfaces of piston pins and bucket tappets for a 2.0 L supercharged gasoline engine. The friction loss and durability of DLC-coated components were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach
The tribological characteristics were examined under oil-lubricated conditions in a CETR UMT reciprocating tribometer. In a motored engine test rig, friction loss torque test was performed to estimate the improvement in fuel economy. Fired engine durability bench tests of typical duration of 450 h were completed to access the durability and wear resistance of DLC coating. Before and after durability tests, coated and uncoated components were measured on the sliding surface by a profilometer technique.

Findings
Friction and wear test results show that DLC coating has low friction coefficient and reduces the wear rates by almost ten times compared to those of uncoated surfaces. Friction loss measurements indicate that DLC-coated tappets can reduce valve train friction loss by 29 per cent, and DLC-coated piston pins can reduce piston group friction by 11 per cent. Based on fired engine durability bench tests, it is evidenced that none of the coated tappets and pins show any noticeable peeling or delamination. Wear profiles analysis results indicate that DLC-coated engine components give rise to a substantial reduction in wear.

Originality/value

DLC coating applied onto the working surface of piston pin and bucket tappet can effectively reduce the friction loss of gasoline engine. DLC coating exhibits sufficient durability and improves friction and wear performance.
Tribological and emission characteristics of indirect ignition diesel engine fuelled with waste edible oil
Authors: Peng De-Xing 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
Energy is the prime mover of economic growth and is vital to the sustenance of a modern economy. Future economic growth depends heavily on the long-term availability of energy from sources that are affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly. Regulating the sulfur content in diesel fuel is expected to reduce the lubricity of these fuels, which may result in increased wear and damage of fuel injection systems in diesel engines.

Design/methodology/approach
The tribological properties of the biodiesels as additive in pure petro-diesel are studied by ball-on-ring wear tester to find optimal concentration, and the mechanism of the reduction of wear and friction will be investigated by optical microscopy.

Findings
Studies have shown that low concentrations of biodiesel blends are more effective as lubricants because of their superior polarity. Using biodiesel as a fuel additive in a pure petroleum diesel fuel improves engine performance and exhaust emissions. The high biodegradability and superior lubricating property of biodiesel when used in compression ignition engines renders it an excellent fuel.

Originality/value
This detailed experimental investigation confirms that biodiesel can substitute mineral diesel without any modification in the engine. The use of biofuels as diesel engine fuels can play a vital role in helping the developed and developing countries to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
Organizational trustworthiness – empirical insights from a Chinese perspective
Authors: Xu Benhua , Xu Feng , Caldwell Cam , Sheard Geoff , Floyd Larry 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of trustworthiness at an organizational level. A comparison of Chinese and US perspectives facilitated the identified insight into the nature of trustworthiness.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is an exploratory study of cross-cultural perceptions of trustworthiness at an organizational level. A survey was administered to business school students, faculty members and industrial managers in a major Chinese city. Usable data collected from 398 respondents was analyzed identifying significant factors characterizing organizational trustworthiness.

Findings
Seven factors were identified that characterize organizational trustworthiness. These factors were significant for both US and Chinese respondents, with procedural fairness considered most important of the identified factors.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to trustworthiness literature at the organizational level. Prior empirical research is based on data collected from US business school students. This is the first reported study based on a comparison of data collected from Chinese and US participants. Identifying the seven significant factors characterizing organizational trustworthiness has practical value to international employers who work with the Chinese students who will become tomorrow’s Chinese employees.