bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Porous honeycomb structures formed from interconnected MnO2 sheets on CNT-coated substrates for flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Ko Wen-Yin , Chen You-Feng , Lu Ke-Ming , Lin Kuan-Jiuh 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe use of lightweight and easily-fabricated MnO2/carbon nanotube (CNT)-based flexible networks as binder-free electrodes and a polyvinyl alcohol/H2SO4 electrolyte for the formation of stretchable solid-state supercapacitors was examined. The active electrodes were fabricated from 3D honeycomb porous MnO2 assembled from cross-walled and interconnected sheet-architectural MnO2 on CNT-based plastic substrates (denoted as honeycomb MnO2/CNT textiles).These substrates were fabricated through a simple two-step procedure involving the coating of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) onto commercial textiles by a dipping-drying process and subsequent electrodeposition of the interconnected MnO2 sheets onto the MWCNT-coated textile. With such unique MnO2 architectures integrated onto CNT flexible films, good performance was achieved with a specific capacitance of 324 F/g at 0.5 A/g. A maximum energy density of 7.2 Wh/kg and a power density as high as 3.3 kW/kg were exhibited by the honeycomb MnO2/CNT network device, which is comparable to the performance of other carbon-based and metal oxide/carbon-based solid-state supercapacitor devices. Specifically, the long-term cycling stability of this material is excellent, with almost no loss of its initial capacitance and good Coulombic efficiency of 82% after 5000 cycles. These impressive results identify these materials as a promising candidate for use in environmentally friendly, low-cost and high-performance flexible energy-storage devices.
‘‘I Didn’t Know He Had It in Him to Kill Me’’: Non lethal Firearms Use and Partner Violence Against Canadian Women
Authors: TUTTY LESLIE 
Published: January 2016

This qualitative research explored with women the nature and impact of non-lethal firearm-related assaults inflicted on them by their male partners. Forty women from Alberta, Canada described incident(s) in which firearms were central, with 5 contextual themes emerging: (a) threats by partners to commit suicide with firearms(4 women); (b) indirect threats (6 women); (c) explicit threats to harm with a firearm without producing the weapon(11 women); (d) one traumatic incident involving firearms (12 women); and (e) firearm threats or used throughout the relationship (7 women). Practice and policy options are presented for forensic and clinical social workers, shelter workers, and police officers.
Benchmarking deep-sea port performance in the Hamburg-Le Havre range
Authors: Wiegmans Bart , Dekker Sander 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to focus on answering the following research question: “How efficient are deep-sea ports in the Hamburg-Le Havre (HLH) range compared with each other?”

Design/methodology/approach
– Input-oriented (and output-oriented) Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) results demonstrate that the deep-sea port of Vlissingen is perfectly efficient and also that the port of Amsterdam is quite efficient. These DEA results are underligned by the single-point benchmarking results.

Findings
– The Dutch deep-sea ports are the most efficient ports in the HLH range. Finally, relatively smaller deep-sea ports (with a market share of about 5 percent, such as Amsterdam, Vlissingen, and Zeebrugge) are relatively more efficient than larger deep-sea container ports (such as Antwerp, Hamburg, and Rotterdam). It can be observed that especially in these larger ports, the container sector is (very) important as compared with the smaller ports. Furthermore, Dutch ports are relatively more efficient and receive the lowest subsidies, suggesting efficiency improvement opportunities for the Belgium, German, and French ports.

Originality/value
– The originality of the paper is in its focus on all deep-sea ports in the HLH range (and not on container ports only) and in the combination of methods (DEA and single-point benchmarking).
Development, measurement and validation of supply chain performance measurement (SCPM) scale in Indian retail sector
Authors: Gawankar Shradha , Kamble Sachin , Raut Rakesh 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to develop a scale with a high degree of reliability, validity and dimensionality which help to determine appropriate supply chain performance measurement (SCPM).

Design/methodology/approach
– The data were compiled and collected from 213 operations and supply chain heads from leading retail stores in India. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the validity of the proposed measurement scale.

Findings
– The major contribution of the present study is the development of SCPM constructs as well as a rigorously validated measurement instrument. The confirmation process is according to the typical standards of scale development.

Research limitations/implications
– This paper strives to contribute to the literature on the SCPM in Indian retail industry. This paper tests the validity of the measurement scales which will enable the managers to determine the appropriate SCPM.

Practical implications
– In the long run a good set of identified SCPM and their implementation would inevitability enables in deriving meticulous supply chain strategies.

Social implications
– SCM managers in evaluating their current supply chain performance. This can help the managers to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their supply chain.

Originality/value
– This study proved that the SCPM can be used from different perspectives, all of which are integrated into one exclusive assessment instrument, applied to the SCPM in this case.
The reliability of currency and purchasing power parity conversion for international project cost benchmarking
Authors: Langston Craig 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– Project cost is normally a key performance indicator for all projects, and therefore features prominently in benchmarking exercises aimed at identifying best practice. However, projects in different locations first require all costs to be expressed in equivalent units. Failing to do this leads to erroneous and unreliable results. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– Applying international construction as the focus for the study, cost data from 23 cities worldwide are compared using a range of methods including currency conversion and purchasing power parity (PPP). Coefficient of variation (CoV) forms the test for identifying the method with the lowest volatility.

Findings
– It is found that purchasing power is the preferable theoretical base for international cost conversion, and currency conversion (frequently used by practitioners) is not recommended. The citiBLOC PPP method has the lowest CoV across the data set and therefore more closely reflects the Law of One Price that underpins the concept of PPP.

Originality/value
– This research highlights the importance of a valid cost conversion methodology to properly understand the comparative performance of projects. Its application to benchmarking is demonstrated using the data envelopment analysis method.
Performance evaluation of Indian Railway zones using DEMATEL and VIKOR methods
Authors: Ranjan Rajeev , Chatterjee Prasenjit , Chakraborty Shankar 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to propose the application of a decision-making tool for performance evaluation of Indian Railway zones. It basically seeks to analyze the effects of various evaluation criteria on the performance of Indian Railways using a combined multi-criteria decision-making approach which employs decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and “VIse Kriterijumska Optimizacija kompromisno Resenje” (VIKOR) methods.Design/methodology/approach– The performance of 16 Indian Railway zones is first evaluated using DEMATEL method which addresses the inter-relationships between different criteria with the aid of a relationship structure. The VIKOR method which is a compromise ranking approach is then adopted to rank those candidate railway zones. Pareto analysis is also carried out to identify the benchmark railway zones for the under/poor performers so as to improve their operational excellence.Findings– A numerical example from Indian Railways is illustrated and solved for better understanding of the integrated decision-making tool in which the relevant information for the considered railway zones with respect to different evaluation criteria are collected from various websites and Indian Railways annual statistical report. Western and North-Eastern zones, respectively, take the first and the last positions in the derived ranking list. The relevance of selecting different performance indices/evaluation criteria is also discussed.Practical implications– The application of this integrated methodology would serve as a systematic approach for measurement of the aggregate operational performance of Indian Railway zones so as to gain valuable academic and practical insights. It is also expected to provide an insightful guidance to the railway administrators in taking valuable strategic decisions in promoting the service of Indian Railways.Originality/value– The integrated DEMATEL-VIKOR method is conceptually simple and easily comprehensible which can consider numerous attributes simultaneously. This paper enables the readers to gain some valuable inputs from a managerial perspective for Indian Railways to formulate strategies for its zones to foster better performance.
A framework for benchmarking product sustainability efforts
Authors: Brockhaus Sebastian , Fawcett Stan , Kersten Wolfgang , Knemeyer Michael 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– Regulatory pressure, consumer awareness, and the quest for competitive advantage place sustainable products in today’s decision-making spotlight. The purpose of this paper is to explore supply chain dynamics as they relate to sustainable product programs and to empirically develop a framework to align efforts across the supply chain to bring sustainable products to market.Design/methodology/approach– Grounded in systems design, stakeholder theory, and the theory of planned behavior, the authors conduct an inductive empirical study of 28 European and US companies.Findings– The authors make three contributions. First, the authors identify six dimensions of product sustainability, which map to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s sustainability scope model. Second, the authors model relational dynamics using systems diagrams to provide a framework that: first, communicates a common understanding of product sustainability; and second, facilitates tradeoff analysis. Third, the authors elaborate behaviors needed to reduce ambiguity and compliance costs.Practical implications– Managers can use the framework to assess product sustainability and evaluate tradeoffs across product dimensions and supply chain participants. Using this insight, managers can design sustainable product programs that engage supply chain participants.Social implications– By identifying dimensions, defining costs, and uncovering tradeoffs, managers can more effectively implement sustainable product programs.Originality/value– The framework provides a much needed source of clarity to mitigate role ambiguity, reduce compliance costs, and promote collaborative behavior in bringing sustainable products to market.
Obstacles to socioeconomic integration of highly-skilled immigrant women
Authors: Gauthier Carol-Anne 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of obstacles to socioeconomic integration faced by highly-skilled immigrant women (HSIW) to Quebec, followed by a discussion of Quebec’s socio-political context and interculturalism, in an effort to better situate these obstacles. With these in mind, implications for diversity management are discussed.Design/methodology/approach– The paper is largely based on a review of the immigrant integration, interculturalism and diversity management literatures pertaining to the socioeconomic integration of highly-skilled immigrants. It focusses on the socioeconomic integration of HSIW in the Quebec context.Findings– The authors find that researchers should continue to examine aspects of the social and political contexts in which immigrant integration and diversity management take place when conducting studies in these areas. The authors also encourage continued research pertaining to specific groups, as these may bring to light-specific dynamics that can lead to exclusion.Practical implications– This paper includes implications for diversity management in organizations seeking to foster inclusive practices with regards to ethnic minorities and immigrants in general, and HSIW in particular.Originality/value– The paper sheds new light on immigrant integration and diversity management in Quebec by bridging the gap between three areas of study that are interconnected but seldom discussed together: socioeconomic integration of immigrants, interculturalism and diversity management in organizations.
Grounded intersectionality
Authors: Marfelt Mikkel Mouritz 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to build on contemporary intersectional literature to develop a grounded methodological framework for the study of social differences.Design/methodology/approach– A systematic literature review serves as the foundation for a discussion of the challenges associated with intersectional research. The findings assist in positioning the proposed methodological framework within recent intersectional debates.Findings– The review shows a rise in intersectional publications since the birth of the “intersectionality” term in 1989. Moreover, the paper points to four tensions within the field: a tension between looking at or beyond oppression; a tension between structural-oriented and process-oriented perspectives; an apparent incommensurability among the macro, meso, and micro levels of analysis; and a lack of coherent methodology.Research limitations/implications– On the basis of the highlighted tensions in contemporary research as well as the limitations of that research, the present presents a methodological framework and a discussion of the implications of that framework for the wider diversity literature.Practical implications– The paper suggests an empirically grounded approach to studying differences. This provides an opportunity, for scholars and practitioners, to reassess possible a priori given assumptions, and open up to new explorations beyond conventional identity theorization.Social implications– The paper suggests a need for an empirically grounded approach to studying social differences, which would not only create an opportunity to reassess common assumptions but also open up for explorations beyond conventional identity theorizations.Originality/value– The framework departs from traditional (critical) diversity scholarship, as it is process oriented but still emphasizes stable concepts. Moreover, it does not give primacy to oppression. Finally, it adopts a critical stance on the nature of the macro, meso, and micro levels as dominant analytical perspectives. As a result, this paper focusses on the importance of intersectionality as a conceptual tool for exploring social differences.
Identity, diversity and diversity management
Authors: Holck Lotte , Muhr Sara Louise , Villesèche Florence 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the identity and diversity literatures and discuss how a better understanding of the theoretical connections between the two informs both diversity research and diversity management practices.Design/methodology/approach– Literature review followed by a discussion of the theoretical and practical consequences of connecting the identity and diversity literatures.Findings– The authors inform future research in three ways. First, by showing how definitions of identity influence diversity theorizing in specific ways. Second, the authors explore how such definitions entail distinct foci regarding how diversity should be analyzed and interventions actioned. Third, the authors discuss how theoretical coherence between definitions of identity and diversity perspectives – as well as knowledge about a perspective’s advantages and limitations – is crucial for successful diversity management research and practice.Research limitations/implications– The authors argue for a better understanding of differences, overlaps and limits of different identity perspectives, and for a stronger engagement with practice.Practical implications– The work can encourage policy makers, diversity and HR managers to question their own practices and assumptions leading to more theoretical informed diversity management practices.Originality/value– The theoretical connections between identity and diversity literature have so far not been reviewed systematically. The work foregrounds how important it is for diversity scholars to consider identity underpinnings of diversity research to help further develop the field within and beyond the three streams the authors discuss.
Organisational learning and the organisational life cycle
Authors: Tam Steven , Gray David E 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to relate the practice of organisational learning in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the organisational life cycle (OLC), contextualising the differential aspects of an integrated relationship between them.Design/methodology/approach– It is a mixed-method study with two consecutive phases. In Phase I, 30 Hong Kong SMEs identified through theoretical sampling were classified into three life-cycle stages – inception, high growth and maturity. In Phase II, their employees’ learning practices (grouped by learning levels) were statistically compared using the analysis of variance and then followed up for confirmation with qualitative semi-structured interviews.Findings– This study uniquely suggests the nature of a relationship between SME organisational learning and the OLC. Empirical results show that three of the four learning levels (individual, group, organisational and inter-organisational) practised in SMEs are varied in importance between life-cycle stages.Research limitations/implications– Comparative studies are encouraged in other parts of the world to strengthen the findings – with either SMEs or large organisations.Practical implications– The study informs SME owner/managers about what is important for employee learning at different business stages so that appropriate learning strategies or human resource development policies can be formulated in a timely fashion to promote competitiveness.Originality/value– It is among the first studies to connect SME learning with organisational growth. The relationships found serve as a sound foundation for further empirical investigations.
Do service providers adopting market segmentation need cooperation with third parties?
Authors: Du Fei , Yang Feng , Liang Liang , Yang Mingming 
Published: January 2016

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the tradeoff between two potential marketing strategies for service providers, namely, market segmentation on the basis of reservation lead time and cooperation with third parties.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes an optimization model to describe market segmentation strategy after cooperating with third parties by taking hotels for example.FindingsThe results show that the profitability of adopting two strategies simultaneously is lower than that with market segmentation alone under some cases, which is relevant with attributes of travel agencies, such as switch rate and market share.Research limitations/implicationsThis study indicates that cooperation with third parties has a negative impact on profitability of hotels using market segmentation in some cases. However, randomness of demand, customer loyalty and existence of cancellation should be considered in further research.Practical implicationsIn an e-commerce era, hotels with market segmentation based on reservation lead time, are not required to cooperate with third parties under a number of situations (e.g. high switch rates and small market sizes of travel agencies). In addition, hotels should revise the segmentation strategy based on the change rate of potential demand of individual customers. Furthermore, hotels should enhance customer loyalty, strengthen cooperation with travel agencies that possess large market shares or small switch rates.Originality/valueThe study preliminarily formulates the optimal market segmentation strategy on the basis of reservation lead time after cooperating with third parties, which contributes to the revenue management.
An empirical framework to predict idiosyncratic risk in a time of crisis
Authors: Hua Nan , Dalbor Michael C. , Lee Seoki , Guchait Priyanko 
Published: January 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to invoke prospect theory to construct an empirical framework to predict idiosyncratic risk, and argue that when a firm performs better than its benchmarks, the firm tends to play safe by avoiding firm-specific risk to maintain its satisfactory performance level, but when a firm performs worse than its benchmarks, the firm may become aggressive with taking more risks to achieve an increased level of performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study tested the relationships between restaurant firms’ future idiosyncratic risk and the proposed firm financial characteristics. Heteroscedasticity- and autocorrelation-consistent (HAC) standard errors (Newey and West, 1994) were used to deal with potential problems of autocorrelations and heteroscedasticity. The standard error of residuals from the Fama-French three-factor model (Fama and French, 1993) was estimated to proxy for restaurant idiosyncratic risk.FindingsThe main analysis reveals that five financial characteristics are significant predictors for restaurant firms’ future idiosyncratic risk in accordance with the proposed, negative relationship based on the prospect theory.Practical implicationsManagers may predict their competitors’ future risk-taking behaviors using the current study’s findings, which will provide competitive advantage in a highly competitive business environment that we have now. Also, in practice, restaurant investors may consider findings of this study in forecasting future risks of their portfolio to help evaluate and revise their portfolios.Originality/valueFirst, this is a new endeavor of its kind dealing with the restaurant industry, filling the void in the literature in predicting the risk-taking behavior of restaurant firms in a time of crisis. Second, this study forms a prediction model that establishes “predictive causality” (Diebold, 2001) motivated by prospect theory. Third, building upon prior research, this study comprehensively examines relationships between the firm characteristics that capture firm-specific strategies (Ou and Penman, 1989) and the idiosyncratic risk that are “associated with firm-specific strategies” (Luo and Bhattacharya, 2009) in a restaurant setting. Finally, the findings of this study bear significant implications for practitioners and other parties of interest.