bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of firm-specific characteristics on managers’ identity disclosure
Authors: Ndidi Asien Etumudon 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to examine the impact of firm-specific characteristics on managers’ identity disclosure in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Design/methodology/approach
– Research data were collected from 2010 annual reports and financial statements of 403 listed firms in the GCC countries. The data were analyzed by multiple regression models.

Findings
– Evidence suggesting that managers’ identity is significantly disclosed by firms that separate the office of chairman from that of chief executive officer was documented. It was also found that mature firms significantly disclose their managers’ identity. Our finding suggests that firms’ declaration that they comply with a set of corporate governance code leads them to disclose managers’ identity. However, we find that firms that are related to the state significantly disclose their managers’ identity, contrary to expectation.

Research limitations/implications
– One limitation is the lack of a uniform classification of industries by the stock exchanges in the GCC region. The implication of this is that researchers are lacking a uniform standard to apply in their research. Another limitation is the use of only 2010 annual reports and accounts; thus, there is a problem of inter-temporal generalizability. As markets in the GCC countries are evolving, it will be interesting to capture the state of managers’ identity disclosure after 2010.

Practical implications
– The paper has the potential to influence firms in the GCC region to begin disclosing managers’ personal details and other contact information. In addition, there is the prospect that market regulators in the GCC region and other emerging markets who may read this research may now require firms to disclose their managers’ identity.

Originality/value
– This is an Original research paper.
Food safety practices in European TV cooking shows
Authors: Borda Daniela , R. Thomas Miles , Langsrud Solveig , Rychli Kathrin , Jordan Kieran , van der Roest Joop , Ioana Nicolau Anca 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to determine how well cooking shows promote safe food handling via TV and to suggest their use for providing good hygiene and good cooking practices examples for consumers.Design/methodology/approach– Principal component analysis was applied for the multivariate statistical analysis of the cooking shows, the components being: personal hygiene, cross-contamination, cooking and storing practices and risk communication. Data were collected via a questionnaire special designed for the purpose of the study. The positive attributes were converted into numbers using a nine-point Likert scale. This conversion enabled ranking of the cooking shows as a function of the total results obtained and considering the best show as the one with the maximum score attained.Findings– Evaluation of cooking practices by food safety professionals highlighted the most frequent safety errors and poor practices that are disseminated by the TV shows.Practical implications– While the repetition of good food handling and cooking practices risks antagonizing viewers, an increase in occasional emphasis of good hygiene would be of benefit to domestic viewers and potentially improve food safety practices among the public.Originality/value– This is the first study that gives an European perspective on presentation of safety practices during food handling and preparation in a range of TV cooking shows as it examines 19 such shows broadcasted in six European countries over three months. Adherence to food safety standards and introduction of a star rating system for safety practices in TV cooking shows is proposed.
How can school education impact earthquake risk reduction in Lebanon?
Authors: Baytiyeh Hoda 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purposes of this article are to outline the existing seismic risk in Lebanon and to identify the crucial role of Lebanese school education in advancing both a culture of safety and the resilience of Lebanese communities to destructive earthquakes.Design/methodology/approach– This paper sets out to illustrate the exposure of Lebanon to seismic hazards and to investigate the current status of Lebanese public schools in terms of their preparedness for earthquake events. Interviews were conducted with principals from 17 different schools. From these interviews emerged the following four themes: curriculum deficiency, the structural vulnerability of school buildings, a lack of preparedness for natural hazards and the need for community engagement in this regard.Findings– School principals in Lebanon confirmed the need for schools to engage in earthquake disaster preparedness and mitigation, as well as to show an enthusiastic attitude for earthquake hazard reduction in terms of hazard education, greater preparedness and community engagement.Originality/value– As this article highlights the important role of school education in promoting earthquake disaster risk reduction, it has beneficial implications for educators, policymakers, administrators and government officials.
Assessing the quality of adhesive bonded joints using an innovative neural network approach
Authors: Vasilios Katsiropoulos Christos , D. Drainas Evangelos , G. Pantelakis Spiros 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality of adhesively bonded joints using an alternative artificial neural networks (ANN) approach.

Design/methodology/approach
– Following the necessary surface pre-treatment and bonding process, the coupons were investigated for possible defects using C-scan ultrasonic inspection. Afterwards, the damage severity factor (DSF) theory was applied in order to quantify the existing damage state. A series of G

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mechanical tests was then conducted so as to assess the fracture toughness behavior of the bonded samples. Finally, the data derived both from the NDT tests (DSF) and the mechanical tests (fracture toughness energy) were combined and used to train the ANN which was developed within the present work.

Findings
– Using the developed neural network (NN) the bonding quality, in terms not only of defects but also of fracture toughness behavior, can be accessed through NDT testing, minimizing the need for mechanical tests only in the initial material characterization phase.

Originality/value
– The innovation of the paper stands on the feasibility of an alternative approach for assessing the quality of adhesively bonded joints using and ANNs, thus minimizing the necessary testing effort.
Chebyshev descriptors for SHM with acoustic emission and acousto ultrasonics
Authors: Crivelli Davide , Eaton Mark , Pearson Matthew , Holford Karen , Pullin Rhys 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to study the feasibility on the use of alternative parameters for representing acoustic emission (AE) and acousto-ultrasonic (AU) signals, using a wavelet-based approach and the computation of Chebyshev moments.

Design/methodology/approach
– Two tests were performed, one on AE artificial signals generated on a CFRP plate and one on an AU setup used for actively detecting impact damage. The waveforms were represented using a data reduction technique based on the Daubechies wavelet and an image processing technique using Chebyshev moments approximation, to get 32 descriptors for each waveform.

Findings
– The use of such descriptors allowed in the AE case to verify that the moments are similar when the waveforms are similar; in the AU setup the correlation coefficient of the descriptors with respect to a reference data set was found to be linked to the delimitation size.

Practical implications
– Such a data reduction while retaining all the useful information will be positive for wireless sensor networks, where power consumption during data transmission is key. With having to send only a reliable set of descriptors and not an entire waveform, the power consumption is believed to be reduced.

Originality/value
– This paper is a preliminary study that fulfils a need for a more reliable data reduction for ultrasonic transient signals, such as those used in AE and AU.
Dynamic modeling of a flexible oscillating pectoral fin for robotic fish
Authors: Bi Shusheng , Ma Hongwei , Cai Yueri , Niu Chuanmeng , Wang Yuliang 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The paper aims to present a dynamic model of flexible oscillating pectoral fin for further study on its propulsion mechanism.Design/methodology/approach– The chordwise and spanwise motions of cow-nosed ray’s pectoral fin are first analyzed based on the mechanism of active/passive flexible deformation. The kinematic model of oscillating pectoral fin is established by introducing the flexible deformation. Then, the dynamic model of the oscillating pectoral fin is developed based on the quasi-steady blade element theory. A series of hydrodynamic experiments on the oscillating pectoral fin are carried out to investigate the influences of motion parameters on the propulsion performance of the oscillating pectoral fin.Findings– The experimental results are consistent with that obtained through analytical calculation within a certain range, which indicates that the developed dynamic model in this paper is applicable to describe the dynamic characteristics of the oscillating pectoral fin approximately. The experimental results show that the average thrust of an oscillating pectoral fin increases with the increasing oscillating amplitude and frequency. However, the relationship between the average thrust and the oscillating frequency is nonlinear. Moreover, the experimental results show that there is an optimal phase difference at which the oscillating pectoral fin achieves the maximum average thrust.Originality/value– The developed dynamic model provides the theoretical basis for further research on propulsion mechanism of oscillating pectoral fins. It can also be used in the design of the bionic pectoral fins.
Robots have come to architecture to model, construct, fabricate and offer new approaches to create innovative designs, elements and structures
Authors: Bloss Richard 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to review the dramatic entry of robotics into the field of architecture and construction.

Design/methodology/approach
– Discussions with worldwide researchers in the field of applying robotics to architecture applications and attendance at the 2014 Rob-Arch Conference at Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Findings
– Robots are enabling many new and innovative methodologies for architecture design and implementation, as well as construction.

Practical implications
– Readers may be very surprised at the many tasks that robots are already tackling in enabling innovation to reach out to architectural design and implementation.

Originality/value
– A review of a wide range of the applications of robots worldwide to architectural innovation.
How capabilities evolve in a born global firm?
Authors: Kumar Nishant , Yakhlef Ali 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The aim of this paper to examine the mechanism through which the capabilities related to internationalisation emerge and are acquired as firms internationalise.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study draws on existing literature on born global firms and dynamic capabilities to develop a tentative framework and then use that to examine a longitudinal case study of an Indian firm operating within knowledge-intensive services industry. The role played by these capabilities in the survival and sustained international growth of born global firms has been probed.

Findings
– The study establishes a link between firm’s ability to develop such capabilities for global service delivery and its growth and survival. It is suggested that dynamic capabilities emerge as the result of a mix of experiential and deliberate learning processes, being in a constant change in rhythm with changes in domestic and in international business environments.

Research limitations/implications
– This study is based on a single case study from knowledge-intensive service industry in India with its own particular characteristics. Thus, the findings of this study may not be generalised across other emerging markets or industry.

Practical implications
– Entrepreneurs and managers of new ventures can benefit from this study, as this study helps them develop a deeper understanding of the different capability requirements for successful internationalisation.

Originality/value
– This study contributed to the existing literature on capability evolution in born global firms.
Unpacking the relationships between conflicts and team innovation
Authors: He Yuanqiong , Ding Xiu-Hao , Yang Kunpeng 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– Teamwork is important for innovation, but it often incurs conflicts. Previous literature has reported inconsistent relationships between conflicts and team performance. The purpose of this paper is to clarify this relationship and explore how to improve team innovation using conflict management styles.Design/methodology/approach– This study collects data in China and the survey covering 436 participants from 126 project teams. Then, structure equation model by AMOS and moderated regression analyses are used for hypotheses testing.Findings– This study finds that cognitive conflict and affective conflict have positive and negative effects on team innovation separately, and cognitive conflict positively affects affective conflict, with the total effect of cognitive conflict on team innovation being negative. Moreover, this study suggests that cooperative conflict management styles and dominating style (one of competitive conflict management styles) moderate the relationship between cognitive conflict and affective conflict negatively and positively.Research limitations/implications– First, this study did not consider features of organizations as control variables. Future research can advance in this direction. Second, the data were collected from a single marketing innovation program. Further research might use more diversified teams to test the hypotheses.Practical implications– Firms should realize that cognitive conflict promotes team innovation directly, but it also harms team innovation through affective conflict. Then, cooperative conflict management styles are effective in weakening the relationship between cognitive conflict and affective conflict.Originality/value– This study fulfills an identified need to clarify the relationship between conflict and team performance, as well as how conflict management styles moderating the relationship between cognitive conflict and affective conflict.
Do cross-border acquisitions involving emerging market firms create value
Authors: Narayan P.C. , Thenmozhi M. 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to M&A literature by explicitly investigating whether cross-border acquisitions involving emerging markets, either as acquirers or as targets, create value and how is the performance outcome in such acquisitions impacted by deal-specific characteristics.Design/methodology/approach– This study uses industry-adjusted operating performance to measure acquisition gains, the Wilcoxon signed rank test to examine value creation potential and OLS regression to evaluate the impact of deal characteristics on acquisition gains.Findings– The authors find very pronounced value destruction when emerging market firms acquire targets in developed markets, the adverse outcome being further aggravated when the mode of acquisition is “tender offer” rather than a “negotiated deal”. On the other hand, when developed market firms acquire targets from emerging markets, there is an even chance of value creation, the outcome being favourably influenced by the pre-acquisition performance of the two firms, relative size of the target and cash (not stock-swap) as the mode of payment.Originality/value– The findings from this paper offer an important, statistically significant explanation on the value creation potential and the impact of deal characteristics on post-acquisition operating performance in cross-border acquisitions involving emerging market firms. This finding assumes immense significance, given the rapidly changing landscape of global M&A, witnessed through a continuous rise in the volume and value of cross-border acquisitions involving emerging market firms.
Assessing longitudinal relationships between financial performance and downsizing
Authors: N. Chhinzer Nita , Currie Elliott 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to suggest that divergent financial performance triggers different rationales for the decision to downsize (excuses, justifications, apologies or denials) and that organizational financial performance post-downsizing varies based on the initial downsizing rationale.Design/methodology/approach– A mixed methods approach paired content analysis of 178 downsizing announcements from 2005 to 2011 with organizational financial data pre and post-downsizing event. Paired samplet-tests determined mean differences in organizational financial performance pre- and post-downsizing based on six commonly used organizational performance measures (accounting and human resources metrics). Longitudinal performance trends were evaluated using event history analysis.Findings– Organizational experiencing both financial growth and decline engage in downsizing, but organizational financial performance varies based on downsizing rationale. For example, organizations engaging in excuse-based downsizing experienced significant levels of volatility and decline pre-downsizing, but growth post-downsizing. However, organizations engaging in justification-based downsizing experienced financial decline pre-downsizing, but no significant additional decline post-downsizing.Research limitations/implications– Collection of information over multiple business or economic cycles, or categorizing organizations based on industry, organizations size or number of employees may provide additional information on the relationship between downsizing and organizational financial performance.Practical implications– Organizational performance pre- and post-downsizing varies based on downsizing rationale. Additionally, metrics used to evaluate downsizing success or failure should be considered carefully.Originality/value– The authors help explain divergent results in existing research on the relationship between downsizing and organizational financial performance by identifying downsizing as a multi-dimensional event. The study indicates that organizational experience both financial growth and decline engage in downsizing, but rationalize the downsizing differently (according to social accounts).
The role of trust in cruise passenger behavioral intentions
Authors: Forgas-Coll Santiago , Palau-Saumell Ramon , Sánchez-García Javier , María Caplliure-Giner Eva 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a framework to investigate the relationship between perceived value, satisfaction, trust and behavioral intentions and the moderator effect of the cruise line on cruise passengers’ perceptions.Design/methodology/approach– A structural model was developed. In order to verify the hypotheses, a total of 729 cruise passengers were sampled. The study of the data used structural equation models by means of a multi-group analysis.Findings– The results of this study suggest significant paths to increase behavioral intentions: perceived service quality? satisfaction? trust?. In addition, it has been proved that the cruise line moderates the relationships between constructs in most of the relationships in the two cruise lines analyzed.Practical implications– The differences in the relationships of perceived service quality with overall satisfaction, trust and behavioral intentions suggest that one of the cruise lines analyzed ought to make decisions to improve the installations and the services on board the ships. These decisions involve substantial investments which affect, as well as the marketing management regarding the design of the product, the financial management and also the CEO.Originality/value– Unlike earlier studies of cruise tourism carried out in Caribbean and Asian destinations, this study empirically tested a model of the formation of behavioral intentions which incorporates trust as a mediator variable between satisfaction and behavioral intentions and between perceived service quality and behavioral intentions in the Mediterranean. Also tests the moderator effect exercised by the cruise line on the consumers’ perception on the way to behavioral intentions.
Trust and the cultivation of relation-specific skills. Evidence from a multinational automotive supplier in Japan and Germany
Authors: Saeki Yasuo , Horak Sven 
Published: September 2014

Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to draw on Asanuma's concept of relation-specific skills in order to analyse collaboration between automaker and supplier. The cultivation of relation-specific skills has been widely regarded a key factor of competitiveness in the Japanese automotive industry. Yet, the concept has been described mostly in economic terms only. This research attempts to extend this view by analysing the role of informal institutions (trust) in developing relation-specific skills.Design/methodology/approach– By drawing on expert interview data, evaluated by using content analysis, within the frame of a case study research approach, the authors gathered data from the leading multinational automotive supplier Bosch in its facilities in Japan and Germany.Findings– The results show that the influence of trust plays a role in determining relation-specific skills. In conclusion, the authors assume that cultural homophily positively influences the cultivation of relation-specific skills and recommend future research to take this assumption into account.Practical implications– Findings imply that over the course of business transactions organisational structures hardly converge leading to higher transaction cost. Moreover,Keiretsustructures are still strong in the field of automotive electronics.Originality/value– So far the concept of relation-specific skills has been regarded a “culture-free” concept. The results provide a first indication that cultural differences affect the cultivation of relation-specific skill, and thus need to be considered integral to the concept.
The relationship between growth and volatility in small firms
Authors: Maria Moreno Ana , A. Zarrias Jose , L. Barbero Jose 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of predictors of growth (entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and environmental hostility) and growth itself on small-firm volatility. The objective is to find out: first, whether growth and volatility possess a similar nature; second, what are the predictors of small-firm volatility.Design/methodology/approach– Questionnaire data were collected from CEOs of 433 Spanish small firms (<500 employees) who provided qualitative as well as quantitative information.Findings– The authors find that some of the predictors on growth can also be used to predict firm volatility. Specifically, the authors find that firm volatility is influenced by EO and environmental hostility. Growth also influences firm volatility. The authors also find a strong interaction effect of growth and firm size on firm volatility. The authors conclude that although growth and firm volatility are related concepts, they are different.Originality/value– Growth has concentrated small-firm research during the last 20 years. However, during the last few years, the environment has become very dynamic and small firms need research helping them to deal with such dynamism. There are few studies on firm-level volatility. The research helps understand more the determinants of small-firm volatility.