bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Governance and enterprise restructuring: the case of Macedonia
Authors: Apostolov Mico 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– This paper is a case study of the Republic of Macedonia and focuses on the development of governance and enterprise restructuring. Thus, country's effective corporate governance and corporate control, which impact enterprise restructuring, are essential in the analysis of market-driven restructuring through domestic financial institutions and markets. The data used in this article are analyzed with an econometric regression model, which as employed in this study examines the interrelationships between governance and enterprise restructuring and set of policies that influence the governance patterns. Two basic hypothesis are taken in the analysis: first, governance and enterprise restructuring depend on set of policies, such as, large-scale privatization, small-scale privatization, price liberalization, competition policy, trade and foreign exchange system, banking reform and interest rate liberalization, securities markets and non-bank financial institutions and overall infrastructure reform; and second, governance and enterprise restructuring improves over time due to imposed policies. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– The data used in this article are analyzed with an econometric regression model, which as employed in this study examines the interrelationships between governance and enterprise restructuring and set of policies that influence the governance patterns.Findings– There is still more to be done in order to bring these economies closer to the standards of developed ones. Indeed, it is needed considerable improvement of corporate governance, institution-building to control agency problems and imposing already adopted regulation, as well as, enforcing new enterprise restructuring policies, within existing policies of overall transition economy restructuring.Originality/value– This paper is a contribution to the research developing the business aspects of the Macedonian economy, as there is constant lack of scientific papers that deal with the specific issues of corporate governance and enterprise restructuring.
Innovation in emerging markets – the case of China
Authors: Yip George , McKern Bruce 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– Multinational companies are increasingly locating R&D activities in emerging markets, particularly China. This paper aims to focus on why China is moving from imitation to innovation, how MNCs are evolving their R&D activities in China, the challenges they face, and how they deal with these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach
– As this is a viewpoint paper, the authors do not report any methodology other than the general research that the authors have been conducting for the last two years, primarily interviews with companies.

Findings
– The key finding is that China is moving from imitation to innovation and that multinational companies should develop strategies for conducting R&D there.

Originality/value
– This is a fairly original paper in that there has been only limited research on innovation in China.
Implementing a multi-staged methodology to micro and nanotechnology
Authors: Islam Nazrul , Brousseau Emmanuel 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present a multi-staged methodology for the assessment of technology maturity profiles. In particular, this research is being developed to simplify the maturity evaluation procedure in order to combine a large number of inputs from R&D projects and thus to obtain a broad picture of technology maturity profiles that is not specific to a particular organisation, industry sector or particular process.

Design/methodology/approach
– A multi-stage method was employed. The first stage of which was a workshop involving a range of eminent academics and senior professionals from institutes or industry in order to outline the maturity scale and its defining characteristics. The second stage was to develop a questionnaire to investigate the maturity of particular technologies in the wider research portfolio. Finally, a case study was conducted to validate the practicability of the method by assessment of industry capability and advancement.

Findings
– Based on the responses received from the questionnaire, a maturity profile was constructed for each project, displaying percentages of R&D efforts along the adopted maturity scale. The findings demonstrate that the real value of the generic matrix is in tailoring the framework according to the particular context of a firm in order to identify risks that would compromise the exploitation of the emerging technologies under development.

Research limitations/implications
– There are some limitations in this study which provide ground for future research. For instance, the proposed methodology could be applied to industrially sponsored R&D projects in addition to the publicly funded projects, which have been targeted in this study. This study uses a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the method, but this could be applicable to other industry domain. Further testing of the method is necessary in order to increase its robustness and to better understand its applicability and feasibility.

Originality/value
– It could be considered that the success of this study could be emulated in a wider context of new manufacturing technologies which are being taken up by industry, utilising a comparable but amended scale of technology vs level of take-up and/or funding. It is potentially a useful way for funding bodies to monitor impact of sponsored R&D projects. For industry, it is also a vital link to the academic institutions developing emerging technologies, by guiding both industry sectors and individual customers to the relative maturity of particular technologies.
Readiness factors for the Lean Six Sigma journey in the higher education sector
Authors: Antony Jiju 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to reveal the readiness factors (RFs) which are required for the successful introduction and development of a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) initiative within the context of higher education (HE) sector. These RFs are a pre-requisite for the successful implementation, deployment and sustainability of LSS in higher education institutions (HEIs).Design/methodology/approach– The author uses secondary data from literature to justify the need for RFs before any HEI invests on continuous improvement (CI) methodologies such as LSS. The author would argue that these RFs must be assessed properly to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the HEI.Findings– The paper presents the RFs which are essential for the implementation and sustainability of LSS. It is important to note that RFs are prior to embarking on a CI initiative whereas success factors are determined once the senior management team decides to invest on a specific CI initiative (Lean, LSS, etc.)Research limitations/implications– This is a very theoretical paper based on the existing literature and authors’ experiences in the HE sector. The next stage of the research is to carry out empirical studies in a number of HEIs to determine the RFs for LSS as a business process improvement methodology.Originality/value– This paper makes an attempt to derive the RFs for the successful development of LSS in the HE sector from the current literature. The RFs would assist any HE sector who would like to launch a LSS journey for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes across the business.
Internet addiction among young people in China
Authors: Jiang Qiaolei 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interrelationships between internet connectedness, online gaming, internet addiction symptoms, and academic performance decrement among the internet-dependent young people in China.

Design/methodology/approach
– A paper-based survey was conducted among the young clients in one of the earliest and largest internet addiction clinics in China. A total of 594 in-patients (mean age=17.76 y) voluntarily participated in this study.

Findings
– By adopting the concept of internet connectedness, this study explored the internet use patterns among the young internet addicts, for example, internet café patrons and those who use internet with more goals or higher degree of internet adhesiveness had more internet addiction symptoms. Online gaming was found to play a significant role in the development of internet addiction. As expected, the level of internet addiction is significantly linked to academic performance decrement. Consistent with previous studies, males showed higher degree of internet connectedness and online game usage than females. Noticeably, the moderation effect of online game playing and the mediating effect of internet addiction were also tested.

Research limitations/implications
– This research is focussed on the internet-dependent group, thus the generalizability of the results need to be interpreted with caution.

Practical implications
– This study provides insight for parents, educators, health professionals, and policy makers regarding treatment and intervention for internet addiction among young people in China.

Originality/value
– Since very little research has been done focussing on diagnosed internet-dependent group, this paper scores as a pioneering study of its kind in China.
The effects of hedonic/utilitarian expectations and social influence on continuance intention to play online games
Authors: Chang I-Cheng , Liu Chuang-Chun , Chen Kuanchin 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The focus in this study is a model that predicts continuance intention of online multi-player games. In this integrated model, the social cognitive theory (SCT) lays out the foundation of two types of pre-use (pre-play) expectations, the flow theory captures the affective feeling with the game as a moderator for the effect from the two pre-use expectations, and subjective norm together with its associated antecedents cover a wide spectrum of social influences.Design/methodology/approach– A questionnaire was designed and pre-tested before distributing to target respondents. The reliability and validity of the instrument both met the commonly accepted guidelines. The integrated model was assessed first by examining its measurement model and then the structural model.Findings– The integration of cognitive, affective and social influence in this model explains a larger amount of variance compared to the competing models and existing studies.Originality/value– Unlike a popular trend that studies predictors of online games from either cognitive or affect angle, the work looks at both together to study how their joint effect is related to continuance intention. This marks an important improvement as cognitive expectations derived from SCT captures the pre-use experience that may be influenced or swayed by sources including those that are inflated or incorrect. By studying flow as a moderator in conjunction with other sources of influence, the authors are able to further the understanding of how the pre-use expectations may be shaped by one's own experience.
Formation of augmented-reality interactive technology's persuasive effects from the perspective of experiential value
Authors: Huang Tseng-Lung , Hsu Liu Feng 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which presence, media richness, and narrative experiences yield the highest experiential value in augmented-reality interactive technology (ARIT).

Design/methodology/approach
– A survey is performed to collect data. Valid questionnaires of 344 ARIT users are identified. The hypothesized associations are analyzed using structure equation modeling.

Findings
– Empirical results indicate that narrative experience induces a higher experiential value than other simulative experiences, including presence and media richness.

Practical implications
– Results of this study provide a valuable reference for managers attempting to design an ARIT process in order to optimize the experiential value in various online simulation environments.

Originality/value
– This study adopts an integrated framework that incorporates narrative theory, media richness theory, and presence in the online ARIT. Exactly how narrative experience, media richness, and presence affect the formation of experiential value in the ARIT process is explored as well.
Incremental performance of an eChannel addition
Authors: Lee Yung-Hsin , Shui-Lien Chen Lily , Fei Chen I , Lin Bing-Huei 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to use the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to evaluate the incremental performance of an eChannel addition.Design/methodology/approach– Data were collected from 53 Taiwan financial services firms. In total, 33 of them introduced their online services, whereas the other 20 firms did not introduce their online services during the period under examination.Findings– The research findings show that firm asset values increase following eChannel additions. Thus, eChannel additions enhance firm financial performance. A further analysis comparing the performance between firms with and without eChannel additions also shows that firms with eChannel additions have higher asset value growth rates, which further validates the capacity of eChannel additions to enhance financial performance.Practical implications– Managers and shareholders in firms making eChannel additions are not required to be concerned regarding stock price volatility, and managers in firms without any eChannel investment could use eChannels to enhance their stock price and seize future opportunities. Using eChannel is a valid approach for firms to provide enhanced services to current customers, access new markets, and extend market coverage, thus enhancing overall financial performance. Investors could confide those firms implementing eChannel additions.Originality/value– Studies investigating whether eChannel additions enhance firm financial performance are scant. No study has evaluated performance from a long-term perspective or from a volatility aspect (both are important considerations in eChannel performance evaluation). The research represents a pioneering work that empirically investigates these issues.
An empirical analysis of homeownership in urban China
Authors: Gan Christopher , Hu Baiding , Gao Cindy , Kao Betty , A. Cohen David 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– This paper seeks to investigate the impact of socioeconomic factors of homebuyers such as gender, age, marital status, education, economic status and race on home ownership and loan decisions in urban China.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper employs logistic regression to investigate the socioeconomic factors affecting the consumers' house purchase decision in urban China and the factors affecting the housing loan application.

Findings
– Using a structured questionnaire to collect relevant data from household residents (both homeowners and non-home owners) in Nanjing in 2010, the findings document that male respondents who are non-minorities and have higher levels of education are more likely to purchase a house. The results also show that race, educational attainment, size of household and credit card ownership are significantly related to rejection for a housing loan.

Research limitations/implications
– The findings in this paper provide homebuyers with a better understanding of factors affecting the housing loans and their decision to purchase a house. Homebuyers can accurately assess their financial ability and improve the use of their credit to purchase a house. In addition, Chinese homebuyers should be encouraged to save since savings serve as a step in building their credit worthiness; therefore, their accessibility to housing loans can be improved and the rate of homeownership will be increased as well.

Originality/value
– This research would benefit both lender and borrowers. The research findings provide banks with a better understanding of homebuyers' characteristics that influence their accessibilities to housing loans. Homeownership requires affordable housing financing. Banks should consider repackaging their home loan products to make them more attractive to those with limited means. Such products should focus on making loans more affordable in real terms. First-time homebuyers are almost always young and earn low incomes.
Discovering academics' key learning connections
Authors: Pataraia Nino , Margaryan Anoush , Falconer Isobel , Littlejohn Allison , Falconer Jennifer 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The aim of this exploratory study is to investigate the role of personal networks in supporting academics' professional learning. In particular, the paper examines the composition of academics' networks and the implications of network tendencies for academics' learning about teaching.Design/methodology/approach– The study adopts a mixed-methods approach. Firstly, the composition of academics' networks is examined using social network analysis. Secondly, the role of these networks in academics' learning about teaching is analysed through semi-structured interviews.Findings– Findings reveal the prevalence of localised and strong-tie connections, which could inhibit opportunities for effective learning and spread of innovations in teaching. The study highlights the need to promote connectivity within and across institutions, creating favourable conditions for effective professional learning.Research limitations/implications– While the study makes a valuable contribution to the literature, the generalisability of these findings is limited, because the sample is restricted to 37 academics. Participants' characteristics and networking behaviours may not be fully representative of academics in a wider range of contexts and settings. Another limitation is that the evaluation of people's learning was limited to self-reported measures. Future research should measure a broader range of evidence related to academics' professional networks.Practical implications– This study extends the discussion of professional learning in academia in a novel way, by taking a social network perspective. The approach employed attempts to enrich the limited understanding of academics' networks, by unpacking the ways in which academics' personal networks support their learning.Originality/value– The originality of this work lies in its intent to uncover relationships that condition professional learning and enhancement of teaching practice. Reflection on personal networks can potentially enable individuals to determine the effectiveness of their networks and the significance of their network connections.
Rapid tooling using 3D printing system for manufacturing of customized tracheal stent
Authors: L. Melgoza Evila , Vallicrosa Guillem , Serenó Lidia , Ciurana Joaquim , A. Rodríguez Ciro 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– This work aims to present the design of a new continuous tool-path strategy for open-source low-cost fused deposition modeling (FDM) machines, such as Fab@Home or RepRap; and the development of an innovative integrated tool to design and fabricate customized tracheal stents with any FDM machine and six patient parameters. Both contributions were validated and implemented by obtaining a customized medical-grade silicone tracheal stent.

Design/methodology/approach
– For the design of the new deposition strategy, a Python programming language was used. The new tool-path strategy was proposed as a continuous path to avoid drops and gaps and to improve the accuracy of the final model. Meanwhile, patient parameters were obtained by medical doctors and introduced into the innovative integrated system. On the one hand, one mold generated automatically, and viewed with Matlab® software, was fabricated with a Fab@Home machine, optimized with the continuous tool-path strategy. On the other hand, the same generated mold was viewed in SolidWorks/Excel software and was fabricated using a commercial FDM machine. Finally, the mold was filled with medical grade silicone, and a silicone tracheal stent was obtained.

Findings
– Path planning for extrusion technologies is still a major concern, especially for open-source FDM machines. The results obtained in this work show the benefits of applying the newly developed continuous tool-path strategy to optimize the performance and efficiency of these machines. In addition, the proposed innovative integrated system allows the fabrication of customized tracheal stents rapidly and affordably.

Practical implications
– The possibility of obtaining customized tracheal stents is a worthy challenge. Medical doctors could play a more active role and interact during the design process, helping to obtain more suitable stents. The method proposed herein would provide the opportunity to obtain real values from the trachea of a patient in the operating room and quickly fabricate a customized stent that would fit the patient's trachea perfectly.

Originality/value
– The results obtained in this work are relevant and have future applications in both the medical and the additive manufacturing fields. The optimized tool-path strategy can help to improve and enhance the use of low-cost FDM machines. Moreover, the innovative automatic design approach to fabricate tracheal stents may open new market opportunities in the medical device field.
Process capability analysis of fused deposition modelling for plastic components
Authors: Singh Rupinder 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of the present study is process capability analysis of fused deposition modelling (FDM) process as rapid pattern making (RDPM) solutions for plastic components.

Design/methodology/approach
– Starting from the identification of component, prototypes with ABS plastic material were produced and dimensional measurements were made with coordinate measuring machine (CMM). Some important mechanical properties were also compared to verify the suitability of the components.

Findings
– The study highlighted the best settings of orientation, support material quantity for the selected component as a case study on FDM machine from dimensional accuracy and economic point of view as RDPM solution for plastic components.

Practical implications
– This process ensures rapid production of statistically controlled pre-series technological prototypes and proof of concept at less production cost and time. Final components produced are acceptable as per ISO standard UNI EN 20286-I and DIN16901.

Originality/value
– The results of the study suggest that FDM process lies in ±4.5 sigma (σ) limit in regard to dimensional accuracy of plastic component is concerned and may be gainfully employed as RDPM solution for bio-medical applications.