bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ship optimization by globally convergent modification of PSO by a surrogate‐based Newton method
Authors: Peri Daniele , Diez Matteo 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the introduction of a globally convergent algorithm into a framework for global derivative‐free optimization, such as particle swarm optimization (PSO) for which a full proof of convergence is currently missing.Design/methodology/approachThe substitution of the classical PSO iteration by the Newton method is suggested when the global minimum is not improved. Use of surrogate models for the computation of the Hessian of the objective function is a key point for the overall computational effort. Adoption of a trust‐region approach guarantees the consistency of the present approach with the original formulation.FindingsThe approach proposed is mostly found to be an improvement of the classical PSO method. The use of surrogate models and the trust‐region approach maintains the overall computational effort at the same level as the original algorithm.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the number of algebraic test functions is pretty large, a single practical example is provided. Further numerical experiments are needed in order to increase the generality of the conclusions.Practical implicationsThe proposed method improves the efficiency of the standard PSO algorithm.Originality/valuePrevious literature does not provide comprehensive systematic studies for coupling PSO with local search algorithms. This paper is a contribution for closing the gap.
Active flow control of airfoil using mesh/meshless methods coupled to hierarchical genetic algorithms for drag reduction design
Authors: Wang Hong , Leskinen Jyri , Lee Dong‐Seop , Périaux Jacques 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate an active flow control technique called Shock Control Bump (SCB) for drag reduction using evolutionary algorithms.Design/methodology/approachA hierarchical genetic algorithm (HGA) consisting of multi‐fidelity models in three hierarchical topological layers is explored to speed up the design optimization process. The top layer consists of a single sub‐population operating on a precise model. On the middle layer, two sub‐populations operate on a model of intermediate accuracy. The bottom layer, consisting of four sub‐populations (two for each middle layer populations), operates on a coarse model. It is well‐known that genetic algorithms (GAs) are different from deterministic optimization tools in mimicking biological evolution based on Darwinian principle. In HGAs process, each population is handled by GA and the best genetic information obtained in the second or third layer migrates to the first or second layer for refinement.FindingsThe method was validated on a real life optimization problem consisting of two‐dimensional SCB design optimization installed on a natural laminar flow airfoil (RAE5243). Numerical results show that HGA is more efficient and achieves more drag reduction compared to a single population based GA.Originality/valueAlthough the idea of HGA approach is not new, the novelty of this paper is to combine it with mesh/meshless methods and multi‐fidelity flow analyzers. To take the full benefit of using hierarchical topology, the following conditions are implemented: the first layer uses a precise meshless Euler solver with fine cloud of points, the second layer uses a hybrid mesh/meshless Euler solver with intermediate mesh/clouds of points, the third layer uses a less fine mesh with Euler solver to explore efficiently the search space with large mutation span.
Increasing parallelism of evolutionary algorithms by Nash games in design inverse flow problems
Authors: Leskinen Jyri , Wang Hong , Périaux Jacques 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the efficiency of four different algorithmic parallelization methods for inverse shape design flow problems.Design/methodology/approachThe included algorithms are: a parallelized differential evolution algorithm; island‐model differential evolution with multiple subpopulations; Nash differential evolution with geometry decomposition using competitive Nash games; and the new Global Nash Game Coalition Algorithm (GNGCA) which combines domain and geometry decomposition into a “distributed one‐shot” method. The methods are compared using selected academic reconstruction problems using a different number of simultaneous processes.FindingsThe results demonstrate that the geometry decomposition approach can be used to improve algorithmic convergence. Additional improvements were achieved using the novel distributed one‐shot method.Originality/valueThis paper is a part of series of articles involving the GNGCA method. Further tests implemented for more complex problems are needed to study the efficiency of the approaches in more realistic cases.
Value relevance of voluntary disclosure and the global financial crisis: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Zhuoming , Jahangir Ali Muhammad , Al‐Akra Mahmoud 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine whether the level of voluntary disclosure affects firm value in the Chinese capital market. It also investigates whether voluntary disclosure and the values of Chinese firms are influenced by the global financial crisis (GFC).Design/methodology/approachThe study used a sample of 714 firm‐year annual reports of listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges over a period of five years from 2005 to 2009 and adopt a two‐stage OLS (2SLS) procedure.FindingsIt is found that the extent of voluntary disclosure has improved in China during the period studied. The multiple regression results indicate that more voluntary disclosure does not create value for Chinese firms. It is also observed that multinational ownership, non‐executive directors, and audit committee presence are positively and significantly associated with voluntary disclosure. Furthermore, the study reports that state and individual ownerships are negatively associated with firm value while multinational ownership and liquidity have a positive significant association with firm value. During the financial crisis, voluntary disclosure continues to increase, however, firm value has decreased.Originality/valueUsing data from the Chinese market, the study fills a research gap by examining the value relevance of voluntary disclosure and tests whether the Global Financial Crisis has influenced voluntary disclosure levels and Chinese firms' values.
Successes and struggles with building web teams: a usability committee case study
Authors: Dethloff Nora , German Elizabeth M. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to raise issues and challenges with the formation and structure of web teams within libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe authors review the literature and reflect on their experience with web teams.FindingsThe literature is scarce when it comes to discussions on building web and usability teams. However, using team formation theory can strengthen any sort of web team regardless of the exact nature of its formation and structure.Practical implicationsThis paper reviews and reflects on a list of team formation aspects that could be beneficial while building a web team.Originality/valueThis case study fills a gap in the literature about how web and usability teams are formed and how team structure affects the success of the group.
Introduction to history of Islamic banking in Malaysia
Authors: Abdullah Saif Al Nasser Sulaiman , Datin  
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the history of Islamic banking in Malaysia from 1963 until 2010.Design/methodology/approachTo review the history of Islamic banking in Malaysia, data have been gathered from different articles, books and reports about the Islamic banking system in Malaysia.FindingsThe paper found that Malaysia as an Islamic country has an outstanding infrastructure to support the establishment of an Islamic banking hub in the Islamic region.Originality/valueThe paper shows that Malaysia was of the first countries to take a systematic planning approach to develop the Islamic finance system in the region. Islamic banking systems in Malaysia are growing rapidly and progressively, in spite of some other countries wishing to be ahead of Malaysia, such as Singapore and the UK.
The impact of financial crisis on UAE real estate and construction sector: analysis and implications
Authors: Al‐Malkawi Husam‐Aldin N. , Pillai Rekha 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the performance of real estate and construction companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the pre (2006‐2007) and post (2008‐2009) global financial crisis periods.Design/methodology/approachA ratio analysis was conducted on a sample of six companies in the real estate and construction sector. A nonparametric test, namely the Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank test, was employed to see whether the calculated ratios differ between the pre‐crisis and post‐crisis periods.FindingsThe findings reveal a negative impact of the business cycle on the performance of real estate companies in the UAE. There is a significant fall in the liquidity, profitability, leverage and activity ratios after the financial crisis.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the study revolve around factors such as limited sample size, non‐availability of data for the aforesaid periods, low transparency in revealing some financial details and non‐availability of yearly industry averages.Practical implicationsThe companies in this sector could be obligated to ensure better transparency in revealing financial information to the public. Implementation of stringent regulatory policies in the real estate sector will help the unprecedented downturn in these companies.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study conducted to examine the impact of the global financial crisis on the performance of the real estate and construction companies in the UAE.
Store managers, profitability and satisfaction in multi-unit enterprises
Authors: M. Murray Lynn , R. Evans Kenneth 
Published: May 2013

Purpose
– This study aims to explore how managers of multi-unit retail chains balance unit customer satisfaction and profitability through the manager
'
s customer, sales, and production operating orientations.

Design/methodology/approach
– This research links survey data (gathered from unit managers and customers) to customer satisfaction and unit financial performance.

Findings
– The study found that the store managers
'
customer and sales operating orientations are strongly related to financial performance; further, these effects are negatively moderated by a production operating orientation. Results also indicate that the store manager
'
s customer and sales operating orientations are related to customer satisfaction only when moderated by his/her production operating orientation.

Research limitations/implications
– Using a sample drawn from within a single firm, this research examines profitability and customer satisfaction at the unit level and identifies the manager of the unit as occupying a key strategic role in the multi-unit enterprise.

Practical implications
– The findings highlight the critical role the unit manager of a multi-unit enterprise plays in driving customer satisfaction and unit profitability. Further, the results point to the challenge of managing the production-related responsibilities of the retail enterprise while striving to be sales and/or customer oriented. Implications for management are particularly salient when considering the combined effect of production-sales and production-customer orientations.

Originality/value
– This study merges services operations and services marketing theory to explore how conflicting strategic initiatives are implemented at the store level, and how these, in turn, influence unit financial performance and customer satisfaction.
The impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer trust on the restoration of loyalty after service failure and recovery
Authors: Choi Beomjoon , La Suna 
Published: May 2013

Purpose
– This study seeks to examine perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) with a focus on ethical and legal questions, related to the constructs such as recovery satisfaction, customer trust, and loyalty after a service failure.

Design/methodology/approach
– An empirical test was conducted on this relationship in the context of service failure and recovery. A structural equation model was employed to test the hypotheses.

Findings
– Results indicate that perceived CSR has a significant impact on customer trust and loyalty and that customer trust serves as a key mediating variable in service recovery.

Research limitations/implications
– This study provides a theoretical implication for the relationship between perceived CSR and the relationship constructs such as service recovery satisfaction, customer trust, and loyalty.

Practical implications
– The results suggest that managers may need to be aware of perceived CSR as a key variable in restoring customer loyalty. The results further suggest that perceived CSR has a direct and indirect positive effect on loyalty; perceived CSR has a direct impact on loyalty, but it also has an indirect influence on loyalty through customer trust.

Originality/value
– In an attempt to deepen the understanding of how customer perceptions of firm CSR are connected with other customer-related outcomes during service recovery, the present research proposes a comprehensive model which encompasses CSR and other key relationship constructs after a service failure and recovery.
Developing a competitive international service strategy: a case of international joint venture in the global service industry
Authors: Lee Kyuho , Madanoglu Melih , Ko Jae-Youn 
Published: May 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine how an international joint venture (IJV) company can efficiently develop a competitive international service strategy in the competitive global marketplace. Specifically, this study seeks to highlight the key antecedents related to the development of an international service strategy and its implementation through the case of the IJV of Starbucks Korea.

Design/methodology/approach
– The case study method is used. A series of in-depth personal interviews with the CEO of Starbucks Korea, a marketing manager at Starbucks Korea, and outlet managers of Starbucks Korea were conducted. Furthermore, an array of secondary data and company documentation was reviewed to triangulate the findings of the study.

Findings
– Several themes illuminating the development and implementation of a successful international service strategy in the case of an international joint venture are identified. It was found that one of the critical antecedents related to the successful international service strategy in the context of an IJV is the similarity of organizational values between the IJV partners. The similarity between the corporate values and missions of the two partners in Starbucks Korea has become a major impetus in the development of a competitive international service strategy for Starbucks Korea.

Research limitations/implications
– The findings of the study may not be applicable to other service firms since the study uses a single firm and a single country as its context.

Originality/value
– The results of the study should help international service firms understand the importance of a successful international service strategy in the case of an international joint venture. Furthermore, the findings of the study illustrate the importance of understanding the local culture to develop a successful international service strategy.
The practice turn in environmental reporting
Authors: Lodhia Sumit , Jacobs Kerry 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore environmental reporting in the Australian Commonwealth public sector through the focus on departments with a primary responsibility for social and environmental issues.Design/methodology/approachThe research moves beyond the existing theorisation for environmental reporting through a legitimacy theory perspective and adopts Bourdieu's theory of practice. The practices of the two selected departments for this study are assessed through interviews and documentary data.FindingsThe findings suggest that the practice of environmental reporting in a research context moves beyond legitimacy considerations with the internal context being critical in explaining current practices. It is in this regard that the theoretical perspective provides useful insights in understanding environmental reporting in the Australian commonwealth public sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper calls for further studies that go beyond desk‐based analysis of environmental disclosure and utilise field studies and varying theoretical perspectives which focus on the practices that lead to the production of environmental reporting via various media.Practical implicationsThis paper provides insights into how internal actors influence the practice of public sector environmental reporting which has practical implications for the development and enhancement of environmental reporting in many jurisdictions.Originality/valueThe paper develops a theoretical perspective for environmental accounting that provides a comprehensive account of environmental reporting in a specific context. This approach could be utilised in different contexts and contributes towards extending the existing theorisation for environmental reporting.
Freedom and responsibility for French universities: from global steering to local management
Authors: Boitier Marie , Rivière Anne 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper seeks to extend the understanding of how formal management control systems (MCSs) contribute to the construction of performance management systems (PMSs) in the French higher education (HE) sector.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data are gathered both at the global level and at the local (university) level through an in‐depth case study. This allows a dynamic multi‐level analysis based on a neo‐institutional framework.FindingsThis article shows how formal MCSs contribute to the institutionalisation of a wider PMS at the global level of the HE sector. The social context then has a determining influence on universities, through the diffusion of values and norms drained by formal MCSs, calling into question the effectiveness of the autonomy supposed to be given to universities under the new PMS. Moreover, within universities, the complex interactions between MCS and PMS resulting from learning, political interactions and conflicts of values, lead to still uncertain outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses on one main case‐study, which is still undergoing change. Analysis could be reinforced by further longitudinal and comparative research.Social implicationsSteering organisations within a framework where the State defines strategic priorities requires both appropriate performance indicators and a dialogue allowing objectives to be shared at both the social and local levels.Originality/valueInstitutionalisation of MCSs and accountability are discussed in the specific French context of cultural centralisation.
Practices of management knowing in university research management
Authors: Hendriks Paul H.J. , Sousa Célio A.A. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insight into how research managers and directors conceive, adopt and adapt organizational structures to regulate and stimulate academic research.Design/methodology/approachThe study used principles of a grounded theory approach for collecting and analysing data in interviews with research directors and programme managers working at universities within the discipline of Business Administration in The Netherlands.FindingsIn total, four clusters of concepts emerged from the data, related to: the definition of organization structures; the effects and by‐products of providing structures; academic research as management object; and using organizational structures. The collected clusters show that research universities adopt all kinds of organization structures (formal, informal, narrow, broad, intentional, emergent) and that the perceptions and practices of research managers are crucial for deciding whether these structures may become “seeding” or “controlling”.Originality/valueThe “practice turn” in organization studies has highlighted how important work practices of individual knowledge workers are, but so far has not paid systematic attention to the role of management, or has even downplayed that role. Structuration, which is a key management domain, is not inherently “good” or “bad” (seeding vs controlling), nor is avoiding structuration. Research managers as quintessential knowledge managers appear centre stage in making structures work or not. What makes structures “seeding” (or not) is their selection, combination, adjustment and/or intentional ignoration in practices of management knowing. An important mechanism is that of negotiation in attempts to accommodate possibly divergent interpretations. The concept of management knowing introduced and elaborated claims that management knowledge and practices are intertwined and not independent management knowledge categories.
Initial outcomes of a therapeutic community‐based outpatient programme in the management of personality disorder
Authors: Jones Barry , Juett Georgia , Hill Nathan 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis study aims to describe the effectiveness of two arms of a personality disorder service: a modified mentalization based therapy (MBT) day programme and an open access service‐user network (SUN) support. Both arms utilised therapeutic community principles in service delivery.Design/methodology/approachPersonality disorder subtypes for all patients entering the modified MBT programme were diagnosed at a clinical assessment interview and corroborated through use of a standardized semi‐structured interview (SCID II). All patients were also allowed open access to a service user network community support group (SUN Project). Outcome measures were applied at baseline, mid‐therapy and end of therapy and included self‐report measures of depression, anxiety, general symptom distress, interpersonal function, social adjustment and patient satisfaction. Clinician‐rated measures of general health and functioning were also used. Data analysis used paired sample T‐tests and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests, depending upon the assessment of parametric or nonparametric tests of trend. The open access nature of the SUN Project demanded a different data collection method. All members received a Standardized Assessment of Personality – abbreviated scale (SAPAS). Two validated empowerment questionnaires were sent to all SUN members that had achieved six months of membership: the first relating to the six‐month period before joining the SUN and the second to the six‐month period after joining the SUN Project. Paired sample T‐tests were used to compare sets of empowerment scores.FindingsPatients who completed 18 months of MBT‐tc treatment showed a statistically significant improvement on the clinician‐administered measures relating to psychological, social and occupational functioning, compared to baseline. Patients also reported statistically significant improvement in using the brief symptom inventory. All SUN members perceived significant increases in empowerment across the five score subscales. No completed suicidal acts were recorded within the period of analysis within either arm of the service.Originality/valueAn integrated therapeutic community day service appears to afford improvements in perceived empowerment and symptom severity for patients. Further data collection with a larger sample is needed to clarify whether these outcomes support the development of a wider integration of the relatively low cost SUN Project model and MBT within therapeutic communities.