bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finite element modeling of mandrel speed in cold expansion process
Authors: Farhangdoost Khalil , Hosseini Abbas 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe bodies of aircraft structures have a lot of fastener holes and under different situations these holes bear external forces, which cause a tensile stress on the surface that leads to the failure of materials. Cold expansion process is one of the widely‐used methods to improve the fatigue behavior of materials used in aerospace industry, and such improvement is due to the compressive residual stress around cold expanded hole. The induced residual stress distribution around cold expanded hole is affected by several parameters such as, diametrical interfaces, surface finish of fastener holes, temperature, mandrel speed, i.e. the speed of inserting mandrel into the hole, and so on. In previous studies, most of effective parameters were investigated, whereas, the effect of mandrel speed on the residual stress distribution has not been considered. The present study, seeks to simulate cold expansion process on aluminum alloy 2A12TA using ABAQUS finite element (FE) package and to consider the effect of different mandrel speeds on residual stress distribution around cold expanded hole. It aims to verify the results of FE simulation by experimental data.Design/methodology/approachThere are two kinds of data in this paper; experimental and FE results. The experimental results for cold expansion process have been extracted from the literature and ABAQUS finite element package was employed in order to simulate the above‐mentioned process. Moreover, FE results were validated by the experiments.FindingsThe results presented here show the influence of mandrel speed on residual stress distribution around cold expanded hole using a new analytical‐numerical method. The results gained by FE simulation show relative differences between the diagrams of residual stress distribution corresponding different mandrel speeds. It is shown in the paper; the residual stress around cold expanded hole rises by the increase of mandrel speed and consequently the improvement of fatigue life will be achieved.Originality/valueThe present study is part of Abbas Hosseini's MSc. dissertation, an original research work.
Effects of LMS, self‐efficacy, and self‐regulated learning on LMS effectiveness in business education
Authors: Eom Sean B. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe majority of e‐learning empirical research studies have focused on the two research streams: outcome comparison studies with classroom‐based learning and studies examining potential predictors of e‐learning success. The determinants of e‐learning success include interactions, instructor support and mentoring, information delivery technology, course content, self‐motivation, learning styles, and course structure. Most of these empirical studies failed to include the technological dimension as an antecedent of effectiveness of e‐learning systems. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the effects of e‐learning management systems (LMS), self‐efficacy and self‐regulated learning on learner satisfaction and system effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachThis research model is an extension of the information systems success model of DeLone and McLean and the virtual learning environment effectiveness model of Piccoli et al. The research model was tested using the structural equation modelling‐based Partial Least Squares (PLS) methodology.FindingsFirst, use of e‐LMS is not positively related to systems quality, information quality, self‐managed learning, and user satisfaction. Second, the findings strongly support the previous works of Rai, et al., Livari, and Freeze, et al. These three studies found strong positive relationships between information quality and user‐satisfaction and between systems quality and user‐satisfaction in a voluntary or mandatory use context. Third, perceived user satisfaction with e‐LMS is a very strong predictor of system effectiveness. This is in accordance with the findings and conclusions discussed in the literature on student satisfaction (Freeze et al., Eom et al., Rai et al., Livari). Of the four factors hypothesized to affect user satisfaction with e‐LMS, only two (systems quality and information quality) are supported at p<0.01.Practical implicationsThis paper provides empirical evidence to support that e‐learner satisfaction is an important predictor of e‐LMS effectiveness and that systems quality and information quality have significant direct impacts on the perceived satisfaction of e‐learners with e‐LMS.Originality/valueThis study provides new empirical evidence that e‐learners' self‐regulated learning behavior may not lead to a higher level of e‐learners' satisfaction with e‐LMS, but it may lead to a higher level of satisfaction with web‐based courses.
The benefits of short‐term study abroad as a blended learning experience
Authors: Slotkin Michael H. , Durie Christopher J. , Eisenberg Jarin R. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the role blended learning plays in expanding study abroad opportunities.Design/methodology/approachThe approach utilized involves providing a synopsis of research dealing with study abroad and its benefits, particularly for student populations likely to comprise a significant portion of the distance learning market. Perspectives on the benefits derived from incorporating distance learning into short‐term study abroad programs are then discussed based on the experiences of a business college with a significant enrollment of online students.FindingsThis paper highlights the flexibility afforded by online education in fulfilling academic content requirements, showcasing blended learning as a strategic complementary input in content delivery. The enhancement in study abroad options afforded offers the potential to introduce international business experiences to student populations historically underserved.Practical implicationsBlended learning facilitates the inclusion of online students, enhancing the financial viability of study abroad courses and programs.Social implicationsBlended learning facilitates the inclusion of online students, expanding study abroad opportunities to student populations historically underserved.Originality/valueConceptualizing blended learning as a facilitating device for study abroad is a contribution to the literature; research surrounding the nexus between online learning and study abroad is embryonic. Within this nascent area, this paper also provides value in offering suggestions for future empirical research.
Critical success factors for the effective implementation of Lean Sigma
Authors: Laureani Alessandro , Antony Jiju 
Published: November 2012

PurposeIdentification of critical success factors (CSFs) for any continuous improvement initiative is important as it allows organisations to focus their efforts on these factors to ensure a success. The purpose of this paper is to present the CSFs for the effective implementation of Lean Six Sigma and to analyze the implementation of Lean Six Sigma, focusing on the CSFs identified in the literature, through a survey of companies, geographically dispersed, from both the manufacturing and service industry.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken by authors in this study has two fundamental parts. The first part was to analyse the current literature on CSFs for all continuous improvement initiatives such as TQM, Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. The second part was to design a survey questionnaire based on the literature. The questionnaire was sent to 600 companies (both manufacturing and service) and the response rate is approximately 17 per cent.FindingsAnalysis of key findings highlighted that the most important factors are: management commitment, cultural change, linking Lean Six Sigma to business strategy and leadership styles. The results also revealed that the least important factors are linking Six Sigma to HR rewards and extending Lean Six Sigma to supply chain.Research limitations/implicationsA sample size of 101 companies is not sufficient to generalise our key findings. This will be rectified by carrying out further surveys in the forthcoming months and making this investigation a longitudinal study. Moreover, the authors have to execute semi‐structured interviews to obtain a better understanding of the current practice of Lean Six Sigma in participating organisations. An online survey was administered for this study; however future semi‐structured interviews with employees in those companies would enable one to have a better understanding of their practice of Lean Six Sigma programmes.Originality/valueAlthough there are a number of papers published on CSFs of Lean and Six Sigma, it was found that there is a dearth of literature on CSFs of Lean Six Sigma implementation. The authors also compare and contrast the CSFs in both manufacturing and service organisations. The results showed what the most and least important factors are for a successful implementation of Lean Six Sigma, providing valuable insights for organizations which will be embarking on this journey.
Biofuels investments in tropical forest‐rich countries: implications for responsible finance
Authors: Willem van Gelder Jan , German Laura , Bailis Rob 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe global biofuels sector has expanded rapidly in the past decade, with feedstock expansion penetrating many tropical areas. While the emerging demand for biofuels represents an opportunity for developing countries, it also poses a host of social and environmental risks. Large investments are needed to finance expansion of biofuel and feedstock production, suggesting that the financial sector may have a crucial role to play in mitigating these risks. This paper seeks to explore the role of financiers in expanding biofuel feedstock production and refining in tropical forest‐rich countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America to better understand the role and future potential of responsible finance in the biofuel sector.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis draws on published data and reports from academia, industry, governments, civil society and the press, to quantify the magnitude and source of investments made from 2000‐2010 in 16 countries sampled from “ecoregions” subject to high rates of forest conversion, weak land tenure institutions, and vulnerable communities.FindingsIt is found that the case study countries received USD 5.3‐7.3 billion for feedstock production and USD 5.7‐6.7 billion for biofuel refining between 2000 and 2009. This was financed by a mix of entrepreneurs, private banks, investors, governments and multilateral banks. While no clear patterns emerge, foreign banks and institutional investors rank as “important” for most feedstocks and regions. Multilateral banks and domestic institutional investors seem to be the least important. Few financiers have criteria in place in order to ensure sustainable investing practices, and those who do tend to have policies of limited quality.Originality/valueWhile much has been written on biofuel sustainability and governance, there is little research that delineates the nature of investment and finance in the sector.
Regulating for rights and sustainability: biofuel in Malaysia
Authors: McPhail Ken , Farrah Maimunah Tengku 
Published: November 2012

PurposeIndustrial biofuels have been promoted as one solution to energy security, climate change and rural development, however many non‐government organisations argue that national biofuel policies could violate many individuals' right to food. Drawing specifically on the palm oil industry in Malaysia, this opinion piece therefore seeks to provoke debate on the relationship between rights and sustainability and whether emergent business and human rights regulatory frameworks grasp the complexity of business's impact on the right to food.Design/methodology/approachThe commentary draws on an analysis of disclosure made by all palm oil companies listed in the Malaysian stock exchange. The annual, corporate social responsibility reports and web pages for all companies as at June 2011 were reviewed. Each company's disclosures on human rights; sustainability and biofuel were analysed and related this to evidence of government investment. The primary objective in undertaking the content analysis was to explore whether and how the discourse of corporate accountability in the palm oil industry is evolving, specifically in relation to human rights and sustainability.FindingsThe paper finds that there is little evidence that rights, the environment and biofuel are being connected at a policy or conceptual level in the palm oil sector in Malaysia. In the majority of disclosures, sustainability and rights appear to be substantively disconnected. In the main, the increase in demand for palm oil that will result from the growth of national biofuel targets is constructed as positive for business. This paper address the regulatory implications of the findings.Originality/valueThis opinion piece contributes toward filling a significant gap in the literature on the inter‐relationship between rights and sustainability. This study will primarily be of value to regulators and policy setters within the palm oil industry in Malaysia. However, the findings may have value to policy setters within the biofuels sector internationally.
Sincerity, excitement and sophistication
Authors: He Jiaxun 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThis study aims to fill in new evidence related to theoretical explanations on how perception of sincerity, excitement and sophistication relates to attitudes towards the different kinds of brand extensions, namely, horizontal extension and vertical extension.Design/methodology/approachTaking an established Chinese brand as a test object and a survey sample data from three cities in China, the strength of perception of brand personality and its effect on attitudes towards brand extension is tested. T‐test is used to analyze the data.FindingsResults show that, a salient perception of personality “sincerity” is significantly favourable to downward extension, but has no significant effect on upward, near or far extension. A salient perception of personalities “excitement” and “sophistication” is significantly favourable to upward and far extension, but has no significant effect on downward or near extension.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the data used for testing the hypotheses in this article are taken from three cities in China, spanning four major age groups, this collection of data does not eliminate the possible errors introduced in the course of survey. Another limitation is that this survey takes one single established brand.Practical implicationsThis study provides targeted strategies for the long‐term management of Chinese local brands, particularly established brands. Decision makers for enterprises of established brands are consequently faced with two alternative solution approaches. One is to undertake brand extension and develop and promote new products to improve brand personality. The second is to reform a brand's personality to make it conducive for reasonable market extension.Originality/valueThis study contributes to branding theories by pioneering research on attitudes towards a parent brand as an evaluation factor in research on the mechanism of brand extension, as well as by enriching research on matters related to brand personality traits.
Clinical and legal issues associated with the use of cycle helmets
Authors: Mc Nicholl Declan , Slow Dawn , Oliver Anne E. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to be a review of the clinical and legal issues surrounding the wearing of cycle helmets. It explains how helmets work, the standards currently in place and arguments for and against their protective value. It then considers how this clinical and actuarial data has been interpreted in case law and in particular the issue of contributory negligence.Design/methodology/approachA search of scientific databases and public search engines was used to review the relevant literature up to August 2012.FindingsThere is conflicting evidence for the protective value of cycle helmets. Some researchers have found helmets to protect against head and facial injuries. Others have criticised the research methods used and questioned whether helmets can protect the wearer from the most damaging types of head injury. No trial judge has yet found a case for contributory negligence on the part of a cyclist not wearing a helmet.Research limitations/implicationsResearch cannot use randomised control trials and is limited to other methodologies. Further work should focus on a range of aspects of safer cycling including cyclist and driver safety awareness along with comparing the safety factors of existing designs and developing better helmet design. Cyclists may wish to consider wearing a helmet to avoid claims for contributory negligence in the future.Originality/valueThis paper combines both the clinical and legal debate surrounding cycle helmet use. The paper will better inform clinicians, members of the legal profession, members of Government responsible for introducing legislation, helmet designers/manufacturers and individuals wishing to make an informed decision about helmet use.
Housing benefit for service charges in sheltered housing schemes: an exercise in semantics or an application of reality?
Authors: Sandford Paul , Shepherd James 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to give guidance on the level of service charges that can be claimed by residents in sheltered housing as part of their housing benefit claims.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the relevant legislation and recent opinions and rulings of both the Upper Tribunal and the Supreme Court.FindingsA broad based non arithmetical approach must be taken, particularly as many key words are not statutorily defined.Originality/valueClaimants, advocates and decision makers should use the guidance outlined when considering housing benefit claims by sheltered housing residents.
Stakeholder consultation practices within healthcare infrastructure planning
Authors: Mahadkar Sameedha , Mills Grant , Price Andrew D.F. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeWith the advent of the Darzi review in 2008, and more recently the White Paper “Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS” (2010), the NHS in England is being redesigned to provide high quality, person‐centred services with improved capacity and performance. In this change oriented scenario, stakeholder consultation has a critical role to play given the widespread advocacy in government policy and healthcare literature. In order to support informed decision making, the purpose of this paper is to: explore healthcare infrastructure planning through various approaches to stakeholder consultation within English Primary Care Trusts (PCTs); and develop a conceptual approach to strategic asset management (SAM) based on the findings of stakeholder consultation and engagement exercises.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐method triangulation approach including action research has been adopted to evaluate current stakeholder consultation practices with a local PCT and to explore their approach to healthcare infrastructure planning through: a literature review of stakeholder engagement and theory; evaluation of a local consultation exercise; and a web based document review of consultation practices within 149 English PCTs.FindingsPCT estate managers and healthcare planners have to operate within constantly changing dynamic healthcare environments and need to reduce uncertainty and indecision that often surrounds the debate of reconfiguration of healthcare facilities and services. Consultations by the PCTs vary in: the level of detail provided to the public; sample sizes; detail and transparency of the consultation; distribution and analyses of the consultation; and techniques and approaches.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can be used by healthcare policy makers to: inform how clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) could be better involved during patient and public engagement; and determine practical ways of putting patients at the heart of General Practitioners (GP) commissioning.Originality/valueThe research identifies gaps within current stakeholder consultation practices in English PCTs and develops a conceptual approach to SAM that accounts for stakeholder consultation; decision making levels within healthcare infrastructure planning within a wider competency based organisational view, which currently does not exist.
Stakeholder service delivery expectations of military facilities management
Authors: Rahman Jumat Abdul , Coffey Vaughan , Skitmore Martin 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the quality of service of a South East Asian country's military facilities management organisation.Design/methodology/approachAn interview survey and questionnaire survey were used to obtain a description and summary of stakeholders’ expectations and the extent to which they were being satisfied by the services provided.FindingsThe method provides a useful means of identifying and prioritising varying expectations between stakeholder groups and of indicating any mismatch in expectations in the management of military facilities.Social implicationsThe development and use of a method to test and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the management of military facilities helps in providing better value for money.Originality/valueIn addition to re‐affirming Parasuraman's overall dimensions of service expectation, the empirical summary of the stakeholders’ expectations obtained in this way is of practical value for the service provider in developing a strategy for expectation management. For the case studied, it is also apparent that although the current processes in service delivery are well understood by all involved stakeholders, there is a need for further improvement with regards to their expectation levels. It is also one of the very few reported studies on the management of military facilities.
System‐of‐systems approach for assessment of financial innovations in infrastructure
Authors: Mostafavi Ali , Abraham Dulcy M. , Lee Joung 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the study presented in this paper is to assess determinants of financial innovations in infrastructure using a system‐of‐systems approach, and to demonstrate this approach in the context of the US highway transportation sector.Design/methodology/approachA system‐of‐systems approach is adopted for systemic assessment. Data obtained from a case‐based research approach and a survey deployed to the state Departments of Transportation in the US is utilized in parallel with a network analysis to explore the status quo, key players and interactions, and the drivers of financial innovations for infrastructure.FindingsThe findings include constructs regarding the players, practices, and activities and also a conceptual model relating to the drivers of financial innovations.Practical implicationsThe model along with the constructs provides an analytical tool for understanding the dynamics of financial innovations. Such understanding would lead to expansion of the creation and diffusion of financial innovation practices in the highway transportation infrastructure globally.Originality/valueThe study presented in this paper is the first of its kind to identify the determinants of financial innovations in infrastructure based on a systemic approach.