bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of temperature on liquid penetration performance of surgical gown fabrics
Authors: Cao Wei , Cloud Rinn 
Published: October 2010

PurposeSurgical gown fabrics are categorized for liquid penetration resistance by standard tests under specified laboratory conditions, which can be different from the conditions encountered in the surgical environment. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of temperature and challenge liquid (CL) type on the effectiveness of liquid penetration resistance of surgical gown fabrics.Design/methodology/approachOne disposable and one reusable surgical gown fabric were tested for liquid penetration using standard methods required in American Society for Testing Materials F2407 for classifying the materials used in Levels 1‐3 surgical gowns. Standard test conditions were compared to varied conditions of ambient/fabric temperature (AFT), CL type and challenge liquid temperature (CLT). Analysis of variance was used to determine the effects of variables on liquid penetration.FindingsAFT, CL type and CLT were significant (p<0.05) variables for liquid penetration for at least one of the test fabrics. Higher ambient temperature, fabric and liquid temperature conditions resulted in greater liquid penetration. Use of synthetic blood as the CL resulted in higher liquid penetration than observed with distilled water.Research limitations/implicationsResults suggest that temperatures within the range of body heat or ambient surgical environments are sufficient to affect liquid penetration of surgical gown fabrics. Also, the use of CLs other than distilled water and the use of CLs warmed to body temperature may be needed to accurately assess the liquid penetration resistance of surgical gown fabrics. Level of protection afforded by surgical gowns may be compromised by variability in these conditions.Originality/valueConventional wisdom has held that differences between standard testing temperatures and body temperature or ambient temperature in the surgical theatre were insufficient to influence liquid penetration. This study has shown otherwise. No previous studies were found that addressed these variables but our study illustrates their effect on selected materials.
Thermo‐physiological comfort of a PES fabric with incorporated activated carbon
Authors: Splendore R. , Dotti F. , Cravello B. , Ferri A. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the thermo‐physiological comfort of a knitted polyester (PES) fabric which contains activated carbon particles in the back‐side.Design/methodology/approachAccording to the manufacturer's intention, the activated carbon particles, added in the PES extrusion process, give permanent attributes to the garment, such as odour resistance, UV protection and evaporative cooling. These features should make the modified PES ideal for sportswear. Standard fabric characteristics (morphology, mass per unit area, thickness) have been evaluated for two similar fabrics, the one containing the modified PES yarn and the other one made of conventional PES yarn. The investigated thermo‐physiological properties were air permeability (AP), water vapour resistance (Ret ), thermal resistance (Rct ), thermal conductivity and diffusion, drying rate, vertical wicking, horizontal liquid diffusion area and buffering capacity. They have been measured in controlled thermal and humidity conditions in a climatic chamber.FindingsThe modified fabric is more hydrophilic than the conventional one, thanks to the carbon particles sorption ability. Thus, the liquid management of the modified PES fabric was found to be better. On the other hand, liquid desorption was slow and the drying time was longer. Moreover, the dry heat and the vapour transfer were found slightly worse for the modified PES, probably due to the lower AP.Originality/valueThe paper shows a comprehensive fabric characterization of a functionalized fabric, highlighting the positive and negative effects of activated carbon particles on the liquid, vapour and heat management.
Algorithms of the Automatic Landmark Identification for various torso shapes
Authors: Han Hyunsook , Nam Yunja , Hwang Shin Su‐Jeong 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide algorithms of the automatic landmark extraction software program that are applicable for any torso shape.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, Automatic Landmark Identification (AULID), an automatic landmark extraction software program, was developed to extract consistent landmark locations from any torso shape. A methodology of geometrical characteristics of the body surfaces around each landmark was used for the algorithms and implemented with C++. The accuracy of the AULID was tested on various torso shapes. The verification methodology consisted of mean difference (MD), mean absolute differences (MAD), and one‐way analysis of variance. Duncan test for multiple comparisons was used to evaluate the significant differences of MAD values among different torso groups. The MAD values were compared to the anthropometric survey allowable errors.FindingsThe algorithms of AULID provided both accuracy and consistency of identifying landmarks on any body torso types.Originality/valueMost 3D body scanning systems often show landmark location errors when dealing with nonstandard body shapes. None of automatic landmark extraction software program provides consistency of identifying landmarks in various body shapes. However, algorithms of AULID, an automatic landmark extraction software program, in this study are only consistent definitions for identifying landmarks in any torso shape.
Redundancy and novelty mining in the business blogosphere
Authors: Tsai Flora S. , Luk Chan Kap 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the performance of redundancy and novelty mining in the business blogosphere, which has not been studied before.Design/methodology/approachNovelty mining techniques are implemented to single out novel information out of a massive set of text documents. This paper adopted the mixed metric approach which combines symmetric and asymmetric metrics.FindingsThe results show that the novelty mining system can detect novel and redundant blogs in the dataset of business blogs with a very high accuracy.Originality/valueThis paper shows that novelty mining techniques can be applied to business blogs to help organizations filter redundant information, and that the cosine and mixed metrics approaches produce better results.
Organisational blogs: benefits and challenges of implementation
Authors: Baxter Gavin J. , Connolly Thomas M. , Stansfield Mark H. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the theoretical link between blogs and organisational learning. It aims to provide a set of practical guidelines on how to overcome the challenges of implementing an organisational blog.Design/methodology/approachA literature review will be used to examine blogs and their association towards organisational learning and an illustration of how one company reacted to using blogs will be provided.FindingsIt was discovered that implementing blogs within organisations can present challenges that might be overcome through properly informing and educating staff about their organisational benefits. A set of guidelines is presented as an implementation checklist for companies considering using internal blogs.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper does not examine the adoption of blog use within multiple organisations but reflects on the challenges of running blogs in one specific organisation. The problems identified might not apply to all types of organisations. Further research will be required to determine this.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a set of guidelines that allows organisations to assess whether blogging is right for them and suggests steps to take that can stimulate an organisational blogging culture.Originality/valueThe paper offers practical advice and guidelines that help management to overcome difficulties associated with the introducing of organisational blogs internally. The paper provides a novel academic perspective in which organisational blogs might not be as straightforward to implement as argued in the literature.
Competitive advantage in interfirm cooperation: old and new explanations
Authors: Ritala Paavo , Ellonen Hanna‐Kaisa 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how different strategy theories complement each other with respect to understanding competitive advantage of a single firm that utilizes interfirm cooperation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides an analytical review of three schools of strategy research in order to highlight their contributions, shortcomings, and interrelations with respect to sustainable competitive advantage and to clarify their explanations of competitive advantage in interfirm cooperation. On the basis of this analysis, an integrated perspective that captures industry, organization, and relationship attributes is proposed.FindingsThe paper suggests that old and new paradigms in strategic management (industrial organization economics, resource‐based theories, and the relational view) are applicable alongside each other when analyzing how a single firm gains competitive advantage by utilizing interfirm cooperation. It is argued here that no paradigm can be used to substitute others and thus an integrated perspective is needed. The paper provides a discussion and implications on how each paradigm complements others and illustrate this by sketching a refined strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis framework.Practical implicationsThe paper gives a practical implication for managers who utilize traditional SWOT analysis in their decision making. By including relationship potential and limitations to the conceptual toolbox of thinking strategy through SWOT, managers can gain additional insight into internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats analysis.Originality/valueThe study increases understanding on how prevailing perspectives on competitive advantage can be used in analyzing interfirm cooperation.
Trade protectionism: reasons and outcomes
Authors: Abboushi Suhail 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the benefits of free trade, to examine the reasons and outcomes of protectionist policies, and to evaluate the rationale behind trade protectionism.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used in this paper includes review of the literature and empirical studies published from 1967 to 2008, and descriptive statistical analysis of data published by international organizations.FindingsInternational trade has been growing faster than growth of world gross domestic product, and countries with freer trade policies benefit more than countries with restricted policies. Yet, trade protectionism continues to be exercised in response to pressure from select industries and political constituencies. The paper also establishes that trade restrictions are harmful to the economies of the trading partners.Originality/valueThis paper establishes the benefits of free trade, the harms of trade restrictions, and challenges the popular rationale for protectionism.
The value‐relevance of corporate reputation during the financial crisis
Authors: Raithel Sascha , Wilczynski Petra , Schloderer Matthias P. , Schwaiger Manfred 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the value‐relevance of corporate reputation during times of crisis. The paper seeks to extend the view beyond the traditional focus on the cognitive component of reputation, shed light on its affective component, and integrate the perceptions of different stakeholder groups.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses two large‐scale surveys, one from before and one from after the financial crisis year of 2008, to ascertain the reputation evaluations of the largest publicly listed corporations in Germany. The paper employs a model augmented with standard accounting variables (i.e. sales, return on assets, etc.) to analyse the link between corporate reputation as noted by different stakeholder groups and future firm value.FindingsEven though corporations are not able to elude the overall negative impact of an economic crisis, the magnitude of influence depends on the individual firm dynamics as related to the firm's reputation. In particular, firm value dynamics are significantly associated with a reputation's affective component as perceived by the general public and its cognitive component as perceived by opinion leaders.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper analyses only very large corporations in Germany over a limited period of time.Practical implicationsManagers cannot influence the course of a trans‐national crisis, but they can immunise their company against its impacts by managing financial and non‐financial drivers of firm reputation within the various stakeholder groups.Originality/valueThe paper extends previous research on the value‐relevance of corporate reputation by exploring the roles of different stakeholder groups' perceptions of the affective and cognitive component of reputation.
Exploring the relationship between corporate, internal and employer branding
Authors: Foster Carley , Punjaisri Khanyapuss , Cheng Ranis 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe corporate branding concept places an emphasis on employees' attitudes and behaviours. This has given rise to internal branding and employer branding, which argue for a closer alignment between the employees' values and those of the corporate brand. However, few studies have attempted to provide a platform by which the two concepts could be synergised to achieve a strong, consistent corporate brand. This paper therefore seeks to explore and demonstrate how the three concepts of branding are interrelated through a new framework.Design/methodology/approachThree bodies of literature (corporate branding, internal branding, and employer branding) were selected for review and examination in terms of their implications for the proposed framework that conceptualises the relationships between the three areas.FindingsThe review of the literature highlights the importance of employer branding and internal branding, and its potential to support the corporate brand‐building initiatives, whilst maintaining their distinctiveness in the literature. It also sheds light in terms of the inter‐relationships among the three concepts of branding.Originality/valueThe analysis of the literature reveals a degree of synergy and integration between employer branding and internal branding. It also facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the implications of the two concepts for branding and integrated corporate brand management.
Conceptualising the notion of corporate brand covenant
Authors: Otubanjo Olutayo , Abimbola Temi , Amujo Olusanmi 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to theorise the concept of corporate brand covenant.Design/methodology/approachChristian theology is drawn on to define and identify the source of the notion of covenant. Similarly, a review of the literature on the meaning and management of corporate branding is presented. Following a thorough review of the literature, the notion of a corporate brand covenant is conceptualised and discussed. This is firmly supported by a semiotic deconstruction of a corporate advertisement from HSBC.FindingsSix important findings emerged from the study. The first is the Christian theological insight into the notion of covenant. This finding drew the attention of corporate branding academics to the source of this phenomenon. Second, a total of six cardinal principles (initial scenario; a covenanter, a covenant and a covenantee; the covenant is binding on all parties; the covenant is perpetual; the covenant is irreversible; the covenant stems from God and is then handed on to man) were proposed. Third, a template highlighting how the biblical covenant is managed was conceptualised. Fourth, six mandatory components of corporate branding: firm's personality; corporate positioning; interactions; corporate communications; stakeholders; corporate reputation/image; were identified. Fifth, an integrative framework highlighting the points of linkages between the biblical covenant and the corporate brand‐oriented covenant was developed. Sixth, a new definition of corporate brand covenant was suggested and supported by a semiotic deconstruction of HSBC's corporate advertising campaign.Research limitations/implicationsThere is little literature devoted to corporate brand covenant. The majority of works addressing this concept have done so anecdotally. Thus, by addressing this phenomenon via a Christian theological lens, the study solidifies the corporate branding literature, which at the moment lacks a strong foundation in social science theory.Practical implicationsPractitioners are encouraged to remember that the successful management of a corporate brand begins with a thorough understanding of what a corporate brand covenant means. An understanding of this concept will enable managers to define and deploy strategies that will promote corporate branding issues.Originality/valueThe paper extends the frontiers of existing anecdotal discourse on corporate brand covenant. In so doing, a fuller and more robust understanding of the concept of corporate branding among academics and practitioners is achieved.
Innovative corporate social responsibility: the founder's role in creating a trustworthy corporate brand through “green innovation”
Authors: Hillestad Tore , Xie Chunyan , Haugland Sven A. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop new knowledge on corporate branding from a corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspective. The paper is particularly concerned with how environmental awareness can function as a specific CSR activity, and how environmental awareness can impact corporate brand. The paper also investigates the role of personal leadership, both within the company and externally, in developing an environmentally responsible company.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses an explorative research method and studies one company within the Norwegian offshore oil and gas industry. The analysis is based on qualitative interview data.FindingsThe study shows how the founder's role as “cultural architect” has a positive impact on how external constituents assess the image of the company, especially with regard to the company's innovations and its awareness of environmental issues, in two ways: first, it shapes, coordinates, energizes and leverages employees' attitudes and behaviors in relation to environmental issues; second, it thereby enforces a positive external reputation for the company, especially as a “green innovator”.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are induced from a case study of one company in a particular industry. The results may therefore not be applicable or generalizable to other companies or other industries.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that companies may gain reputational advantages and differentiation in integrating corporate social responsibility and environmental awareness as a core element of their business strategy.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the corporate branding literature by exploring the role of CSR, and in particular concern for environmental issues and personal leadership, in building corporate reputation and developing a strong corporate brand.
Who endorses whom? Meanings transfer in celebrity endorsement
Authors: Halonen‐Knight Elina , Hurmerinta Leila 
Published: October 2010

PurposeCelebrity endorsement is one of the most popular forms of marketing, and this study aims to suggest that celebrity endorsement should be considered as a brand alliance, where meanings and values can transfer from either partner to the other. This paper seeks to report on an exploratory attempt to identify the processes involved and explore whether celebrity endorsement should be considered a brand alliance.Design/methodology/approachAfter a review of both celebrity endorsement and brand alliance literature, a case of meaning transfer process was examined. The collaboration between Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was studied as a case, within which a special episode of negative publicity emerged and was analysed through newspaper articles.FindingsA model for a reciprocal meaning transfer process is proposed and the existence of a brand‐alliance‐like relationship in the case is established.Originality/valueThe paper is the first qualitative study to examine meaning transfer process in a real life celebrity endorsement context. It indicates the need for managing celebrity endorsement as a brand alliance by suggesting that celebrity endorsement should be considered as an alliance of equals. A model illustrated and supported by a case study is proposed.
Teetering between eras: higher education in a global, knowledge networked world
Authors: Mellow Gail O. , Woolis Diana D. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the major influences shaping higher education today and how they will transform higher education over the next 20 years.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on research and observation of the higher education system in America. It uses LaGuardia Community College, a large, two‐year college located in Queens, New York, as a signpost for the anticipated changes.FindingsThere are three fundamental and monumental changes that will profoundly alter the field of higher education in the next several decades: the globalization of higher education; the impact of technology on changing definitions of students, faculty and knowledge; and the impact of the marketplace on the basic “business model” of higher education. The paper describes how each of these three forces will reshape higher education, while identifying factors that may accelerate or inhibit the impact of these influences.Originality/valueThis paper draws on the knowledge, experiences and insights of two leading higher education leaders, who regularly interact with countless faculty, administrators, students and policy makers.
A new model for financing public colleges and universities
Authors: Greer Darryl G. , Klein Michael W. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest public service corporations as a new means of helping to finance comprehensive public colleges and universities based on a well‐documented assumption that the current shared responsibility for financing public colleges is broken.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on financing comprehensive public colleges and universities, and explicitly does not focus on research, community, or proprietary institutions. The paper draws heavily from national data and literature on college finance and productivity, and uses New Jersey's state colleges and universities as primary examples.FindingsThe paper asserts that a new funding rationale for public colleges is imperative or these institutions will fail the principal mission of broad access for middle‐income students. Citing examples from New Jersey and other states, and drawing on work of other policy analysts, the paper proposes creation of new public service corporations not only as a means of generating new revenue to replace diminished state investment, but also as a means of enhancing transparency, accountability and public trust. The paper discusses explicit purposes and measurable benefits of the public service corporation.Originality/valueThe paper is written by two higher education policy practitioners with a combined 40 years executive experience in higher education law and policy at the state and national levels. They have been a leading voice for policy innovation in New Jersey. The paper has significant value for college presidents, trustees, governors, legislators, and policy analysts.