bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pay for performance and employee creativity
Authors: Zhang Yong , Long Lirong , Zhang Junwei 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– Previous studies concerning on the effect of reward on individual creativity have generated generally inconsistent conclusions. These ambiguities call for more studies to explore the potential boundary conditions under which reward may or may not promote creativity. The purpose of this paper is to clarify how pay for performance (PFP), a specific type of extrinsic reward awarded in field settings, impacts employees’ creative self-efficacy, and their creativity under varying levels of procedural justice as well as willingness to take risks.Design/methodology/approach– This study used a survey method to investigate nine enterprises in China. A total of 236 matched subordinate-supervisor questionnaires were returned (a 94.4 percent response rate). Because of missing data, the final usable sample comprised 213 subordinate-supervisor matched questionnaires.Findings– The results suggest that for employees with low procedural justice perception or low willingness to take risks, PFP was negatively related to creative self-efficacy and creativity; where procedural justice or willingness to take risks was high, those relationships were positive. In addition, moderated path analysis revealed that when procedural justice or willingness to take risks was high, PFP had a positive indirect effect on creativity via creative self-efficacy, whereas when procedural justice or willingness to take risks was low, the indirect effects of PFP on creativity via creative self-efficacy were negative.Research limitations/implications– The findings shed light on the process through which and the conditions under which PFP may promote creativity.Practical implications– The findings have concrete implications for how to leverage PFP to enhance employee creativity through creative self-efficacy.Originality/value– The results further underscore the need to rethink the simple reward-promotes (or hinders)-creativity model in order to think in more complex ways about how and under what conditions PFP might promote or inhibit creativity. Second, the results of this research better explain how PFP promotes or inhibits creative performance by pointing to the important mediating role of creative self-efficacy. Finally, the results indicated that social cognitive theory can be used as an overarching theory to clarify how and why reward can influence creativity. Thus, the research contributes to the current literature by developing a new theoretical perspective for exploring the relation of reward to creativity.
The renewal of assets using a tool to aid decision making
Authors: Muñoz-Porcar Antonio , Alonso-Nuez Mª Jesús , Flores-García Mónica , Duret-Solanas Daniel 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is the application of a tool to assist the multi-criteria decision-making process for selecting an asset for a company in the metallurgical industry which manufactures metal parts for diverse industries.

Design/methodology/approach
– This investment, complex due to the commitment of resources it requires, has been made with the assistance of decision-making methodologies, specifically versions I and IV of the ELECTRE method.

Findings
– This model of multi-criteria decision making has been chosen over other models because it offers the possibility of including technical and economic decisions so they can be analyzed simultaneously, therefore the decision is not based solely on financial aspects. Many companies base their decisions exclusively on financial returns, however in this case it is also appropriate to include the technical parameters, since the asset being replaced is the most important asset of the company.

Originality/value
– Applying version I of the methodology, the optimal technical configuration of the asset will be analyzed based on the features requirements, all of which are among options available in the market. Once a subset of technically and economically viable alternatives has been defined, version IV will be applied and a ranking of the alternatives from the best to the worst will be obtained and, based on this ranking, the final decision will be made.
Inter-organizational knowledge transfer through corporate venture capital investment
Authors: Lee Sang M. , Kim Taewan , Jang Seung Hoon 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between corporate venture capital (CVC) investment and the level of knowledge transferred from start-ups to corporate investors. It also delineates the conditions under which CVC investment facilitates the knowledge transfer.Design/methodology/approach– A longitudinal design is used to examine annual snapshots of CVC investment and patent citing activities for the period from 1995 to 2005. This paper uses a negative binomial Poisson regression model to test proposed research hypotheses.Findings– The authors found that that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between the number of CVC investments and the level of knowledge transferred from the start-up. The results of this study also found that knowledge diversity of the investing firm moderates the inverted U-shaped relationship.Originality/value– This research contributes to the search literature by conceptualizing CVC investment as a distant search process for sourcing external knowledge from start-ups. By arguing theoretically and demonstrating empirically the effects of tie strength of CVC structure and technological knowledge diversity on organizational knowledge transfer, this current study extends the previous understanding and applicability of social relations and technological diversity to understand CVC activity.
Synergy management pitfalls in mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Fiorentino Raffaele , Garzella Stefano 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to advance a conceptual comprehensive framework to analyze synergy management pitfalls in mergers and acquisitions (M & As). The framework highlights the main dimensions of synergy management, the most relevant synergy pitfalls and the ways to overcome them.Design/methodology/approach– A greater recognition of synergy management literature in M & As is developed. A framework is provided integrating the compatible elements of previous broad areas of research and the main findings of studies on several topics related to synergy.Findings– Prior literature has suggested that synergy is an important motivation of M & As, has tended to be overestimated and has been difficult to achieve. Specifically, there are three relevant synergy pitfalls: the “mirage,” a tendency to overestimate synergy potential, the “gravity hill,” the underestimation of the difficulties in synergy realization and “amnesia,” a dangerous lack of attention to the realization of synergy. An effective synergy management requires an analysis of five dimensions: the steps of the M & A process, the several values of synergy, the forbidding effects of poor synergy management, the potential causes of synergy inflation and the selection of solutions to synergy pitfalls.Practical implications– The comprehensive framework suggests insights and guidelines to help managers to overcome pitfalls in synergy management. Managers will learn the following lessons: “when” pitfalls should embrace synergy management; “where” pitfalls may occur; “why” pitfalls may occur; “what” consequences can result in a value of “realized synergy” lower than the “expected synergy”; and “how” actions, tools and behaviors can overcome hidden dangers in synergy management.Originality/value– The study changes the focus from a single, generic synergy trap to three more analytical, useful synergy pitfalls: the mirage, the gravity hill and the amnesia. By shedding light on synergy management pitfalls, this paper enriches M & A literature and enhance practical solutions to reduce pitfalls in synergy decision making.
Qualitative Delphi approach of advanced algae biofuels
Authors: Ribeiro Lauro Andre , Pereira da Silva Patricia 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– Currently, experimental and theoretical work is being performed to ensure that biofuels from microalgae become a reality. However, there is a considerable number of discussions concerning in which processes should be focussed efforts of research and development. The purpose of this paper is to provide decision support not only to help build guidelines of research to be undertaken, but also to contribute to the design of more adequate policy and funding instruments. The key objective of this study is to determine the prospects of employing microalgae into the production of biofuels within a time scale extending to 2030.

Design/methodology/approach
– The Delphi method is a qualitative research aiming to support strategic future-oriented action, such as policy making in the areas of science and technology. It is especially appropriate in judgment and long-range forecasting (20-30 years) situations, when expert opinions are often the only source of information available, due to a lack of appropriate historical, economic or technical data.

Findings
– The Delphi method proved to be a successful research method when expert opinions are the main source of information available, due to a lack of appropriate historical, economic or technical data and the outcomes provided a clear outline of the main issues of microalgae biofuels’ market at present and in the future.

Research limitations/implications
– The outcomes might not represent the majority of the microalgae experts’ opinion due to the sample size.

Originality/value
– The work presented in this paper is especially original. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative Delphi study related to algae biofuels.
Modelling consumer preferences for electric vehicles in Portugal: an exploratory study
Authors: Oliveira Gabriela Duarte , Dias Luis Miguel Cândido , Sarabando dos Santos Paula Cristina 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to understand consumer preferences concerning electric vehicles (EV) in Portugal, based on comparisons with other vehicles with different powertrains.

Design/methodology/approach
– The analysis incorporated two survey-based approaches: choice-based conjoint analysis (CBC) and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) based. The survey interviewed 252 respondents. The criteria characterizing each vehicle are purchase price, range, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Another criterion was added to verify the potential of EV privileges to influence consumer preferences. A sensitivity analysis on the influence of purchase price and fuel price in the global utility of the vehicles was performed.

Findings
– The results showed that monetary criteria are those influencing vehicle purchase decisions the most, whereas the existence of privileges for EV owners has little relevance. EV are chosen by the consumer only if their price decreases or if gasoline and diesel prices increase sharply. The position of PHEV in the rankings makes the promotion of this type of vehicle an interesting path to exploit as potential intermediates to the diffusion of EV.

Practical implications
– The results underline the need of improving technical barriers of EV that are responsible for consumers’ relevant concerns and that a price subsidy could eventually be effective to increase EV sales at its current market price.

Originality/value
– This study compares a wide range of vehicles (conventional, hybrid and electric), addresses the Portuguese market and proposes an MCDA-based approach to obtain preference information, which is compared with a CBC approach.
Urban open space transition and management in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Adedeji Joseph Adeniran , Fadamiro Joseph Akinlabi 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– The poor outdoor quality of highly populated third-world cities is a consequence of the misuse of public open spaces as refuse dumps and for informal trading activities. This describes the situation of Lagos metropolis before the present political will that has infused great landscaping transition into the cityscape. However, the challenges of maintenance are germane to the sustainability of these landscape products. The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality and characteristics of the landscapes that have undergone transition and to formulate a framework for maintenance strategies.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study objectively evaluates the physical qualities of 22 randomly selected sites that have undergone transition through on-site assessment and photographic recording. The management regimes were subjectively studied to appraise the level of their effectiveness and to guide future strategies. This was carried out by collecting the opinions of 130 selected government officials in charge of maintaining the spaces with the aid an interview guide.

Findings
– Analyses of the data revealed rich values of the landscapes and management strategies in favour of a public-private partnership. It recommends public open space transformation for recreational activities in cities as a vital means of enhancing urban living and city outlooks.

Practical implications
– The study concludes with formulation of sustainable management framework for the landscapes and argues in its favour. It thus has policy implications on the maintenance of urban open spaces that have undergone transition in Lagos and Nigeria at large.

Originality/value
– The study was carried out in May 2011. Its significance lies in its capacity of enhancing the quality of urban open spaces through appropriate policy formulation of management regimes.
Socio-environmental performance of transportation systems
Authors: Amiri Khorheh Mohammadreza , Moisiadis Frank , Davarzani Hoda 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to identify and categorize the social and environmental impacts of transportation systems, and address the appropriate solutions to mitigate and manage these impacts in order to achieve sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach
– This research performs a comprehensive literature review to suggest a framework on socio-environmental impacts of transportation and related solutions. The proposed framework is analyzed through quantitative methods and a survey study in freight transport.

Findings
– Findings support the direct relation of potential solutions and socio-environmental impacts of transportation. All four categories of solutions (technological, socio-economic and political, cultural and behavioral, and infrastructure related) reveal direct impact on reduction of environmental impacts. However only technological solutions were found to be influential on social impacts of the transportation.

Originality/value
– To the best of the authors’ knowledge there has not been any comprehensive framework covering social and environmental impacts of transportation in the literature. In addition, this paper categorizes potential solutions to enhance socio-environmental performance of the transportation and investigates their effectiveness.
Weathering of wood-polypropylene and wood-wollastonite-polypropylene composites containing pigments in Finnish climatic conditions
Authors: Butylina Svetlana , Hyvärinen Marko , Kärki Timo 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to study the resistance of wood-polypropylene and wood-wollastonite-polypropylene composites containing pigments to natural weathering.

Design/methodology/approach
– Natural weathering of composites was conducted in Finnish climatic conditions for one year. The colour of the composites was determined with a spectrophotometer, the morphology of the composite surface was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the changes in the polymer structure in surface layer of the composites were analysed with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Charpy impact strength was determined with an impact tester.

Findings
– The pigments used in this study reduced the colour change of the composites exposed to outdoor weathering as compared with the un-coloured composite. The carbon black pigment was more effective than the iron oxide pigment. Moreover, only the carbon black pigment was found to reduce the degradation of the surface layer of the composites. The addition of the carbon black pigment had a positive effect on the dimensional stability of the composites in a water absorption test. Only the combination of the carbon black pigment and wollastonite resulted in a composite which was capable to retain its Charpy impact strength both after one year of outdoor weathering and cyclic treatment.

Research limitations/implications
– This study is a part of continuous research on the development of wood-polymer composites (WPUs) suitable for outdoor applications in Finnish climatic conditions. The first part of the study, which has been published earlier, showed the results of weathering of composites in accelerated tests in comparison with 1,000 hours outdoor exposure during summer time (June and July). Outdoor weathering limited to 1,000 hours cannot give an objective view on the weathering behaviour of composites in Finnish climatic conditions. The results of the current study were obtained from one-year outdoor exposure of composites.

Originality/value
– The wood-polypropylene composite made with the combination of the carbon black pigment and wollastonite can be recommended for outdoor applications. The study provides useful information on the resistance of wood-polypropylene composites to weathering in Finnish climatic conditions.
Effect of substituents moiety in organic sensitiser based on carbazole on the performance of nanostructure dye-sensitised solar cells
Authors: Gharanjig Kamaladin , Hosseinnezhad Mozhgan 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to prepare new organic dyes and use them as sensitisers in dye-sensitised solar cells. These dyes were synthesised and purified and then characterised by analytical techniques. Spectrophotometric evaluations of the prepared dyes were carried out in solution and on a nano-anatase TiO2 substrate to assess the possible changes in the status of the dyes in different environments. Finally, the photovoltaic properties were investigated in dye-sensitised solar cells.

Design/methodology/approach
– So as to synthesise dyes, N-substituents carbazole were utilised as the fundamental electron donor group and cyanoacrylic acid or acrylic acid as electron acceptor anchoring groups. Purified dyes were dissolved in solution and coated on TiO2 substrate. Finally, dye-sensitised solar cells were fabricated to determine the photovoltaic behaviour and conversion efficiency of each individual dye.

Findings
– The results showed that the dyes form j-type aggregates on the nano TiO2. The oxidation potential of synthesised carbazole dyes is
>
0.2 V vs Fc/Fc+; hence, their high performance in dye-sensitised solar cells. Dye 3 exhibited 2.11 per cent of conversion efficiency in comparison to 2.89 per cent for the identical cells with Dye 9 containing cyanoacrylic acid which acted as the best acceptor group.

Practical implications
– The novel dyes look as promising as highly light fast, efficient dyes for dye-sensitised solar cells.

Social implications
– Organic dye provides low cost and less hazardous materials for dye-sensitised solar cells.

Originality/value
– A series of new organic dyes were synthesised as sensitisers for dye-sensitised solar cells for the first time.
BisGMA/EPDM/amine functionalised MWCNTs based nanocomposites
Authors: Praharaj Ankita Pritam , Behera Dibakar , Bastia Tapan Kumar , Rout Arun Kumar 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to focus on the development and study properties of bisphenol-A glycidyldimethacrylate (BisGMA) and ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) blend-based nanocomposites containing amine-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-NH2) as a compatibiliser.Design/methodology/approach– First, BisGMA was synthesised from epoxy and methacrylic acid followed by the amine functionalisation of MWCNTs. A novel two-roll milling technique was then conducted to prepare nanocomposite specimens with MWCNT-NH2 as compatibiliser. Effect of MWCNT-NH2 content on the mechanical, thermal, electrical, corrosive and water absorption properties of the nanocomposites was investigated and results have been reported.Findings– The results of the present work reveal that MWCNT-NH2 acts as a potential compatibiliser and nanofiller in BisGMA/EPDM blend-based nanocomposites. The authors report here that the nanocomposites exhibit improved mechanical, thermal and electrical properties with increased addition of MWCNT-NH2. Moreover, desirable results are obtained at 5 phr of nanofiller loading beyond which the properties deteriorate due to particle agglomeration. The nanocomposites display negligible corrosion and water absorption characteristics. Thus, the above fabricated nanocomposites with optimum compatibiliser content can serve as low-cost structural, thermal and electrical materials which can also be utilised in corrosive and moist environments.Research limitations/implications– The present investigation has come up with the successful and cost-effective fabrication of BisGMA/EPDM blend-based nanocomposites with optimum nanofiller/compatibiliser (MWCNT-NH2) content that can be used for a wide range of structural, thermal and electrical projects, as it is corrosion and moisture resistant. It is also the most durable from the mechanical point of view.Originality/value– The above nanocomposites have never been designed before.
Indole-3-carbaldehyde and 2-methylindole as corrosion inhibitors of mild steel during pickling
Authors: Ashhari Shabnam , Sarabi Ali Asghar 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to investigate the corrosion inhibition effects of indole-3-carbaldehyde and 2-methylindole on mild steel in 1 M HCl solution.Design/methodology/approach– Indole-3-carbaldehyde and 2-methylindole as corrosion inhibitors of mild steel in 1 M HCl solution were investigated by polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Adsorption isotherm and mechanism were calculated. Quantum chemical calculations were used to find out a correlation between electronic structure of inhibitors and inhibition efficiency. Changes in the properties of metal surface in HCl solution in the presence of inhibitors were studied by contact angle measurements.Findings– Polarisation results revealed inhibitors could reduce cathodic and anodic reactions rates on metal surface. EIS analysis showed that inhibition efficiency of indoles increases by increasing the inhibitors’ concentration; maximum inhibition efficiency was 95 and 94 per cent in solutions containing 1 mM indole-3-carbaldehyde and 2-methylindole, respectively. Inhibitors’ adsorptions on metal surface were confirmed by analysing the exposed metals’ surface through contact angles measurements. The adsorption of inhibitors was found to follow Langmuir isotherm. Quantum chemical calculations showed that a more positively charged benzene ring in the structure of two indole-based inhibitors would lead to higher adsorption to metal.Originality/value– This research was carried out to understand the effects of two different functional groups (-C=O, -CH3) with different induction effects on the indole structure and on inhibition efficiency of corrosion inhibitors with the purpose of using these components in industrial application as acid wash solutions to etch and remove rusts from metal surfaces.