bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Did 9/11 affect Hispanic‐Americans' self‐employment entry and exit decisions?
Authors: Wang Chunbei , Lofstrom Magnus 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the tragic events of 9/11 on the self‐employment entry/exit decisions of native‐born Hispanics.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the difference‐in‐differences approach with native Whites as the control group. The dynamics of entry and exit decisions are examined using data from 1999‐2003 CPS‐ORG.FindingsThe estimates reveal a negative impact of 9/11 on Hispanics' self‐employment entry decisions, which is mainly the result of less entry from the wage sector, and it has increased Hispanics' self‐employment exit, which is mainly the result of increased exit to the wage sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe results suggest that native Hispanics may have experienced increased job opportunities in the wake of 9/11 and hence became less likely to be “pushed” into self‐employment and more likely to be “pulled” out of self‐employment. The improved labor market opportunities stem from government increased sanctions against undocumented immigrants, which reduced the demand for illegal immigrant workers, many of whom are Hispanic immigrants, and that native‐born Hispanics are likely to be relatively close substitutes for immigrants Hispanics. A limitation of the research is that the estimates are statistically insignificant, possibly due to the relatively small sample size.Originality/valueExisting studies that examine the impact of 9/11 on the Hispanic's labor market outcomes are all focused on immigrants or wage‐employment. The paper complements the literature by examining the impact of 9/11 on native‐born Hispanics and in particular their self‐employment decisions, and thus provides a more complete picture of the impact of 9/11 on Hispanics.
Simultaneous effects of functional involvement and improvement programs on manufacturing and financial performance in Chinese firms
Authors: Qi Yinan , Sum Chee‐Chuong , Zhao Xiande 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the simultaneous effects of two process variables: functional involvement in strategy formulation, and manufacturing improvement programs, on manufacturing performance and financial performance of manufacturing firms in China.Design/methodology/approachRigorous empirical research methods are used to ensure proper data collection process, and reliability and validity of constructs. Structural equation modeling is used to examine the relationships between functional involvement, improvement programs, manufacturing performance and financial performance.FindingsIt was found that involvement of marketing, finance and operations in strategy formulation have an effect on cost and quality whereas the involvement of emerging functions such as human resources, public relations, research and development and information technology have an effect on all aspects of manufacturing performance.Originality/valueStudies of manufacturing strategy have primarily focused on choices and plans that denote strategic intent, rather than on the process of formulating and realizing strategy. Typical studies have used data from developed countries, such as Europe and North America. Insufficient attention has been paid to the process variables of manufacturing strategy and their effects on manufacturing performance. The study addresses these gaps in the literature using data collected from Chinese firms.
Financial development and economic growth
Authors: Seetanah Boopen , Ramessur Shalini T. , Rojid Sawkut 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the hypothesis that there exists a positive link between financial development and economic growth in island economies.Design/methodology/approachTo study this relationship both static and dynamic panel data techniques (GMM) are used for a sample of 20 island economies over a period of 22 years.FindingsResults from the fixed effect estimates show that financial development has a positive contribution on the output level of the islands. The positive link is also validated using GMM panel estimates and interestingly the presence of dynamics in the modelling is detected.Originality/valueThis research narrows the gap that exists in literature as much of the research in this field deals with only developed countries and very few with developing countries. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies have looked into a set of island economies – this study is the first of its kind.
Poverty, income distribution, and agriculture in developing countries
Authors: Quang Dao Minh 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate the determinants of rural and national poverty, of income distribution, and of agricultural growth in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachData for all variables are from the 2008 World Development Report. The author applies the least‐squares estimation technique in a multivariate linear regression.FindingsIt is found, from different size samples, that: the percentage of the rural population living below the national rural poverty line in a developing country is dependent upon the logarithm of per capita purchasing power parity gross national income and the region in which it is located; it linearly depends on its per capita agriculture value added and its geographic location; agriculture value added growth linearly depends on the share of women in the agricultural labor force, whether the developing country is agriculture‐based, and whether it is located in Europe or Central Asia; and agricultural productivity linearly depends on the amount of arable and permanent cropland per agricultural person, the share of women in the agricultural labor force, and the share of agricultural employment in total employment.Originality/valueStatistical results in this paper will assist governments in developing countries assess the magnitude of agricultural policy variables in an effort to use agriculture as an engine for economic development.
Institutions and economic volatility: democracy versus risk of expropriation
Authors: Ponczek Vladimir , Mattos Enlinson 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to decompose the effects of democracy and risk of expropriation on economic volatility.Design/methodology/approachThe authors follow Acemouglu et al. and use settler mortality in former colonies in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as an instrument of “risk of expropriation,” in addition to a democracy index to capture institutional effects on economic stability.FindingsThe authors present empirical evidence that the economic performance of more centralized former European colonies is not more volatile than that of democratic ones, once the exogenous variation of expropriation risk across countries is included in the modelOriginality/valueThe paper investigates the role of a spectrum of different institutions on economic stability. In this sense, the paper contributes to the literature analyzing the effect of property‐rights protection, as measured by a risk‐of‐expropriation index, on the relation between democracy and economic stability.
Risk exposure and financial policy
Authors: Abor Joshua , Sarpong‐Kumankoma Emmanuel , Fiawoyife Eme , Osei Kofi A. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate the effect of risk on the financial policy of emerging market firms.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from 34 emerging markets during a 17‐year period, 1990‐2006, a panel data model is employed for the analysis.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that firms with high probability of survival are likely to employ more debt. The level of risk exposure, particularly business risk is important in influencing the financial decisions of firms in emerging market economies. It is argued that since the use of debt increases firms' exposure to financial risk, firms with high business risk would shy away from using more debt. Also, finance providers in the financial market may not be interested in lending to firms with high business risk. This study also identified profitability, dividend, asset tangibility, growth opportunities, and GDP per capita as important determinants of the financial policy of emerging market firms.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the extant literature by providing empirical evidence regarding the effect of risk on the financial policy of emerging market firms.
Entrepreneurial firms and their knowledge creation: a study of real estate management
Authors: Fong Patrick S.W. , Dettwiler Paul 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThis article interweaves the disciplines of knowledge management and entrepreneurship, where the purpose is to develop a model that depicts the knowledge creation relationship of entrepreneurial firms in particular and its environmental context related to real estate management. How does the educational level of workers affect knowledge creation in entrepreneurial firms?Design/methodology/approachThis article is based on the results of a survey in Sweden that consisted of an investigation of the offices of 967 enlisted growth firms covering the entire country, forming a basis for further theoretical development.FindingsThe findings suggest that education level has a gravitational character according to traditional location theories. Three concepts from the theories of entrepreneurship are transferred to real estate management factors where the educational level of staff would play a significant role.Practical implicationsEntrepreneurial firms have a particular vulnerability, which is their human capital, and require particular management skills to prevent losses.Originality/valueThe significant contribution of this paper is that it provides a basis for conceptualising a model of knowledge creation in entrepreneurial (in contrast to conservative) firms performing under dynamic and competitive environments.
Getting the attention the facilities manager deserves
Authors: Bainbridge Murray , Finch Edward F. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the role of computer‐aided facilities management (CAFM) in the delivery of knowledge management solutions. It aims to highlight the increasing problem of “attention” as a limited resource amongst facilities stakeholders. The paper attempts to describe the findings of a study to establish the types of CAFM functionality sought by facilities management practitioners.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved a structured questionnaire study of 110 respondents in Scotland (from 395 administered questionnaires) using a stratified sample. The objective was to obtain a profile of early‐adopters and to identify barriers to further adoption.FindingsThe findings indicate that the use of information technology in the form of CAFM is more likely amongst dedicated FM service providers than organisations with in‐house FM delivery and that medium‐sized enterprises (between 51 and 250 employees) are least likely to be using CAFM. A limiting factor in continued adoption appears to be the diminishing returns resulting from information overload. “Attention” appears to be the limiting resource in an increasingly complex and information hungry environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on a national survey in Scotland and may have limited reproducibility outside of the UK. Nevertheless the general findings are relevant to the international context.Practical implicationsThis paper provides an indicative analysis of current trends in the computer‐aided facilities management (CAFM) arena. It identifies an increasing need to capture “tacit” as well as “explicit” knowledge in such systems.Originality/valueThis work develops the idea of the “attention economy” in the context of facilities management, highlighting the current impasse for information systems aspiring to become knowledge management systems.
Acquisition, reuse and sharing of knowledge in property management firms
Authors: Fong Patrick S.W. , Fung Lee Hang 
Published: May 2009

PurposeIn the knowledge economy, the management of knowledge is important because the value of corporations and individuals is directly related to their knowledge and intellectual capital. This is especially true for real estate management, which is of increasing concern to the public and plays an important role in the property market today. This paper aims to show the nature of property professionals' acquisition, sharing and reuse of knowledge in their work.Design/methodology/approachTo better understand the practices of knowledge management (KM) currently employed by property management firms, a study of the general practices of knowledge management in property management firms in Hong Kong was undertaken. This study described the notion of knowledge and knowledge management and investigated the norms of property professionals in acquiring, sharing and reusing knowledge in their daily practices. It also analyzed the relationship between size of firms and methods of knowledge acquisition and sharing. A questionnaire survey was conducted to study the opinions of professional property managers on the acquisition and reuse of knowledge and experience in their daily work. Questionnaires were sent to 103 PM firms with a response rate of 30 percent.FindingsThe survey results reveal that property managers mostly acquire their knowledge from the internet and newspapers. They also obtain knowledge from their colleagues and thus they are always important target persons with whom to share knowledge. In addition, property managers have close contact with professionals within and beyond their profession, allowing them to tap into and share knowledge across organizational boundaries. Although property managers are willing to share knowledge with others, there is no evidence to show that there are formal knowledge management strategies in PM firms. It seems that there is a need for explicit knowledge management strategies in property management, which could leverage their employees' knowledge assets.Research limitations/implicationsPast research that studied other types of knowledge workers may not be applicable to the unique nature of professionals working in the property management sector.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper is that it examines the practices of property professionals in acquiring, sharing and reusing knowledge in their daily practices which have not been studied systematically before. This paper also makes suggestions for improving knowledge‐managing strategies in this profession to prevent knowledge loss.
Standardizing FM knowledge acquisition when information is inadequate
Authors: Das Sutapa , Leng Poh Kim , Yit Lin Chew Michael 
Published: May 2009

PurposeBesides designing a comprehensive building maintainability scoring system, this paper aims to develop a standard and reliable method for acquisition of tacit knowledge in facility management (FM) and convert the same into organizational records so that the current dearth of information and poor feedback leading to recurrent defects and arbitrary FM strategies can be eliminated.Design/methodology/approachNine major building elements in terms of maintainability were compared by analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Various aspects of consistency checking and group decision making were reviewed to find the best suitable method. During data collection via an AHP questionnaire in face‐to‐face interviews, logical reasoning employed by experts was noted and later matched with the subjective data.FindingsIt was observed that technical viability of services and business profile given by building height and location, respectively, set different priorities for major building elements. HVAC system is the prime element followed by elevator and façade. Such priorities can be derived from consistent judgment which improves steadily with a decision‐maker's work experience. A threshold of 10 per cent consistency and aggregating individual priorities (AIP) using geometric mean method of AHP were found most appropriate.Practical implicationsAdaptation of this framework will help industry experts to document their tacit knowledge in a structured manner without facing present constraints. By tracking the recorded facts and logical reasoning, neophytes can learn the multi‐faceted aspects of FM without trial and error.Originality/valueThis research establishes AHP as a standard and reliable method for knowledge acquisition and thus elevates its status from a multi‐criteria decision analysis tool to decision enhancement tool.
An element‐free Galerkin method for metal forming simulations
Authors: Rossi Rodrigo , Krajnc Alves Marcelo , Al‐Qureshi Hazim Ali 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of the element‐free Galerkin (EFG) method to the simulation of metal forming processes and to propose a strategy to deal with volumetric locking problem in this context.Design/methodology/approachThe J2 elastoplastic material model, employed in the work, assumes a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into an elastic and a plastic part and incorporates a non‐linear isotropic hardening response. The constitutive model is written in terms of the rotated Kirchhoff stress and the logarithmic strain measure. A Total Lagrangian formulation of the problem is considered in order to improve the computational performance of the proposed algorithm. The imposition of the essential boundary conditions and also of the unilateral contact with friction condition are made by the application of the Augmented Lagrangian method. Here, aspects related to the volumetric locking are investigated and an F‐bar approach is applied.FindingsThe results show that the proposed approach presents no volumetric locking phenomenon when using the mean dilation approach. Moreover, differently from finite element approximations, no hour‐glass instabilities in the deformation pattern are observed, avoiding in this way the need to devise additional stabilization procedures in the proposed procedure.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates the implementation and validation of the mean dilation approach, in the scope of the EFG, which was successful in coping with the volumetric locking phenomena and presented no hour‐glass instabilities in the problem cases considered in this work.
Heuristic design procedure for structures with displacement‐dependent damping devices
Authors: Pong Wenshen , Lee Zu‐Hsu , Tsai Chong‐Shein , Chen Bo‐Jen 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe use of supplemental damping to dissipate energy is one of the most economical and effective ways to mitigate the effects of earthquake on structures. For practicing engineers, the ideal design procedure for buildings with supplemental damping should not be too complex to implement in practice. Building on the existing theoretical frame, the purpose of this paper is to develop simple and heuristic methods for the above design procedure.Design/methodology/approachPassive displacement‐dependent devices are considered in this paper. Based on the theoretical results for added damping and added stiffness (ADAS) devices, the paper first analyzes the generated forces and the effects of ADAS devices on structures under seismic impact. We identify design parameters and variables are identified, and present the procedure of how the values of the variables (e.g. column shear force, ductility ratio) are finalized so that the design requirements can be met is presented. A four‐story six‐bay steel building frame and a ten‐story, one‐bay steel building frame, equipped with ADAS devices, are used to demonstrate the performance of the design procedure.FindingsEmpirical results show that the arrangement of damping devices based on the proposed procedure not only significantly reduces earthquake‐induced energy, but also accomplishes the goal of being cost‐effective by the control of ductility ratio.Originality/valueThe proposed step‐by‐step procedure is easy for practicing engineers to apply for structures equipped with displacement‐dependent dampers, although the modeling requirements may be complex. It will also allow practicing engineers to effectively design economic seismic dampers in the preliminary design phase and further explore the cost factors by comparing different building seismic performance objectives throughout design.
The pressure angle effects of spur gears on stress concentration factor
Authors: Khoshnaw Fuad M. , Ahmed Namam M. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of pressure angle, and module of spur gear teeth on stress concentration factor, using photoelasticity method, and numerical MSC/NASTRAN finite element package.Design/methodology/approachThe stress concentration factor is determined as a ratio between maximum stress (determined in the fillet radius by photoelastic and finite element methods), and nominal stress (calculated by a common standard formulas). In order to specify the geometric parameters (height and thickness) of gears, both standard Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN)/Japanese Gear Manufactures Association (JGMA), and five other non‐standard approaches are used.FindingsThe results show that the stress concentration factor increases by decreasing the pressure angle. In addition, the values which are obtained by finite element analyses exhibit more uniformity than photoelastic method.Practical implicationsAn accurate determination of stress concentration factors will limit both over and under design of the gears.Originality/valueThe results show that one of the suggested non‐standard approaches gives the highest stress concentration factor than the standard approaches.
A study on flow characteristics of electrorheological fluid in a damper model
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Zhang Xin‐Rong , Inoue Daisuke 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate flow behavior of electrorheological (ER) fluid in a closed piston–cylinder system.Design/methodology/approachA basic study of flow characteristics of ER fluid in a damper model is conducted experimentally and numerically. The electric field is applied between inner wall of the cylinder and outer wall of the piston, and the pressure difference between upper and lower chamber of the cylinder is measured. A numerical prediction of ER fluid flow in the damper model system is performed in order to study the ER fluid flow characteristics. Visualization experiment is also made and used to qualitatively verify the numerical formulation.FindingsThe agreement between the numerical predictions and experimental results is encouraging, and the ER fluid flow patterns under different piston aspect ratios, movement speeds and applied electric field strengths are presented. The results show that the piston aspect ratio has much smaller influence on the ER flow pattern than other influencing factors. Increasing piston movement speed or reducing the electric field applied is helpful to reduce the pressure response time period, which is an important indicator showing sensitiveness of the damper. It is also seen that the pressure difference between the upper and lower chamber of the cylinder increases with the electric field strength and the piston movement speed.Originality/valueFirst time the detailed investigation into the hydrodynamics behavior in such working models of engineering applications for ER fluid.