bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of tribological properties at CuSn10 alloy journal bearings by experimental and means of artificial neural networks method
Authors: Sadık Ünlü Bekir , Durmuş Hülya , Meriç Cevdet 
Published: August 2012

PurposeIt is important to know the friction coefficient and wear loss for determination of tribological conditions at journal bearings. Tribological events that influence wear and its variations affect experimental results. The purpose of this paper is to determine friction coefficient and wear loss at CuSn10 alloy radial bearings by a new approach. In experiments, effects of bearings have been examined at dry and lubricated conditions and at different loads and velocities.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, friction coefficient and wear losses of journal and bearing have been determined by a new approach with a radial journal bearing test rig and artificial neural networks (ANNs) method. The ANN typifies a learning technique that enables the hidden input‐output relationship to be mapped accurately. Bronze‐based materials have been used as bearing material. Effects of friction coefficient and wear losses have been examined at same load and velocity and at dry and lubricated conditions.FindingsThe results obtained in ANN application are close to friction test results for dry and lubricated conditions. Therefore, by using trained ANN values, the intermediate results that were not obtained in the tests can be calculated. Experimental studies will be increased and research with ANN will be continued.Originality/valueBy using trained ANN values, the intermediate results that were not obtained in the tests can be calculated. The training finished on 30 min whereas experimental study had continued day after day.
The surface roughness effects of transverse patterns on the Hopf bifurcation behaviors of short journal bearings
Authors: Lin Jaw‐Ren 
Published: August 2012

PurposeOn the ground of the Hopf bifurcation theory derived by Hassard et al., the purpose of this paper is to investigate the weakly nonlinear dynamics of transverse rough‐surface short journal bearings.Design/methodology/approachBy application of the stochastic model of rough surfaces, developed by Christensen and Tonder, the roughness effects of transverse surface patterns on the bifurcation behaviors close to the Hopf bifurcation point are investigated.FindingsIt is found that the dynamic behavior of transverse rough‐surface short journal bearings can display Hopf bifurcation phenomena. Comparing with the case of isotropic rough‐surface bearing by Lin, under the same parameters, the effects of transverse surface roughness provide a reduced sub‐critical Hopf bifurcation region as well as an increased super‐critical Hopf bifurcation region. In addition, the effects of transverse surface roughness result in a lower stability‐threshold critical speed for both the sub‐critical bifurcation profile and the super‐critical bifurcation profile.Originality/valueThe present study, associated with the results of Hopf bifurcation regions and periodic orbits, can provide useful information for engineers when the transverse surface roughness effects and the bifurcation behavior are considered in a journal bearing system.
Attitudes to employment law and the consequent impact of legislation on employment relations practice
Authors: Curran Deirdre , Quinn Mary 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore attitudes to employment law and the consequent impact of legislation on Irish employment relations practice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a comparative approach using two separate pieces of employment law governing race equality, and employee information and consultation, respectively. Semi‐structured interviews with key informants are the main data source, augmented in the case of the information and consultation legislation by focus groups in individual workplaces.FindingsThe empirical evidence presented suggests that legislation is not the primary initiator of change. In the case of race equality the market was found to be a key determinant of practice (termed “market‐prompted voluntarism”). However, it is argued that regulation can influence change in organisations, depending on the complex dynamic between a number of contingencies, including the aspect of employment being regulated, the presence of supportive institutions, and organisation‐specific variables.Practical implicationsThe comparative findings in this research allow some important inferences to be made regarding the use of law to mandate change in employment relations practice. They, in turn, provide useful lessons for future policy makers, managers, trade unionists and workers.Originality/valueThis paper is unique in its comparison of two separate pieces of legislation. In both cases considered, the legislation was prompted by EU Directives, and the obligation on member states to transpose these Directives into national law. The findings suggest that readiness for legislation, based on length of national debate and acceptance of the underlying concept, can influence its impact. The concept of equality seems to have gained widespread acceptance since the debate provoked by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, understanding and acceptance of the concept of employee voice has been much less pronounced in the Anglo‐Saxon world.
At‐risk student averse: risk management and accountability
Authors: Vasquez Heilig Julian , Young Michelle , Williams Amy 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe prevailing theory of action underlying accountability is that holding schools and students accountable will increase educational output. While accountability's theory of action intuitively seemed plausible, at the point of No Child Left Behind's national implementation, little empirical research was available to either support or critique accountability claims or to predict the long‐term impact of accountability systems on the success of at‐risk students and the schools that served them. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the work and perceptions of school teachers and leaders as they seek to meet the requirements of educational accountability.Design/methodology/approachInterviews with 89 administrators, staff and teachers revealed a variety of methods utilized to manage risks associated with low test scores and accountability ratings.FindingsThe findings reported in this paper challenge the proposition that accountability improves the educational outcomes of at‐risk students and indicates that low‐performing Texas high schools, when faced with the press of accountability, tend to mirror corporate risk management processes, with unintended consequences for at‐risk students. Low‐scoring at‐risk students were often viewed as liabilities by school personnel who, in their scramble to meet testing thresholds and accountability goals, were at‐risk student averse – implementing practices designed to “force kids out of school.”Originality/valueIn this paper, the authors use theory and research on risk management to analyze the work and perceptions of school teachers and leaders as they seek to meet the requirements of educational accountability. This paper is among the first to use this particular perspective to conceptualize and understand the practices of educational organizations with regards to the treatment of at‐risk students attending low‐performing high schools in the midst of accountability.
Contrasting effects of instructional leadership practices on student learning in a high accountability context
Authors: Lee Moosung , Walker Allan , Ling Chui Yuk 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of different dimensions of instructional leadership on student learning in Hong Kong secondary schools, whose broader institutional contexts are critically characterized by high accountability policy environments.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes standardized test scores collected from (n=2,037) students in 42 secondary schools and data collected from key staff's perceptions of leadership practices, to investigate two dimensions of instructional leadership, which are conceptually interdependent but distinctive – i.e. instructional management and direct supervision of instruction. A cross‐level interaction analysis of hierarchical linear modeling was employed to investigate the effects of the two dimensions of instructional leadership on student learning.FindingsLeadership practices focused on instructional management were found to enhance student learning by boosting the positive effect of students’ attachment to their school on academic achievement. In contrast, leadership practices related to direct supervision of instruction were found to undermine student learning by weakening the positive effect of student perceptions of school attachment on academic performance when other school‐ and student‐level characteristics are held constant.Originality/valueThe paper reveals the contrasting effects of instructional leadership as a multi‐dimensional construct which is central in the current education reform agenda, rooted in accountability‐oriented policy of Hong Kong. It draws a number of implications for principal instructional leadership in Hong Kong Schools as they deal with demands for external accountability.
Investigative management and consumer research on the internet
Authors: Lugosi Peter , Janta Hania , Watson Pamela 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce the notion of investigative research on the internet (IRI) and conceptualise its processes through the principle of streaming. It seeks to discuss the similarities and differences between IRI and netnography and considers various aspects of the IRI process, including site selection, sampling, data collection and analysis.Design/methodology/approachInvestigative internet‐based research uses the techniques of ethnography and netnography, including variations of participant observation and analysis of visual and textual material. Three international empirical cases are used to illustrate the application of IRI and streaming in research on international workers, consumer cultures and on emerging business phenomena.FindingsIRI has a number of potential applications for hospitality management academics and practitioners. Streaming can help to understand the processes involved in conducting netnographic research, and streaming is a more appropriate way to conceptualise some internet‐based studies that do not conform to netnographic or ethnographic ideals.Research limitations/implicationsThe three empirical cases highlight the processes of streaming in practice, which can be applied elsewhere. Principal limitations are the ethical dimensions of conducting undisclosed research and the sampling bias resulting from adopting an unobtrusive role and focusing on active internet users.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights several issues, identified through streaming, that can be used to design human resource, marketing and operational strategies.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates the application of streaming. Streaming can help researchers conduct netnographic studies; it is also a more appropriate way to describe broader types of investigative internet research. Moreover, it demonstrates the applicability of streaming in research on hospitality management and public policy issues.
Using focus groups as a tool to develop a hospitality work‐life research study
Authors: O'Neill John W. 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe how the results of the qualitative research method of focus groups may be used as conceptual data at the onset of a research study to inform researchers regarding relevant issues for future more in‐depth quantitative study.Design/methodology/approachSeven focus group sessions with a total of 50 participants were conducted, each focus group with six to eight participants. All focus groups included the homogeneous participants of new entrants to the hospitality industry. Focus group questions were inductive and naturalistic and centered on career expectations and work‐life issues. Sessions averaged 1 hour and 15 minutes and were conducted by trained graduate students.FindingsThe paper suggests that long, unpredictable hours create both work‐related and non‐work stress. Further, there is general agreement regarding the stressors and benefits associated with working in the hospitality industry.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include the use of senior, hospitality management majors, all of whom had hospitality industry employment experience, but some of whom had fewer than 1,000 hours of such experience.Originality/valueThis work illustrates how focus groups may fit into a larger research study involving the hospitality industry. This work also explores the common issue, but understudied topic of work‐life balance in the hotel industry. In so doing, it provides greater understanding of the issue to researchers.
Beyond consensus: an alternative use of Delphi enquiry in hospitality research
Authors: Paraskevas Alexandros , Saunders Mark N.K. 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis paper's aim is to critically review the use of Delphi techniques in qualitative research for utilising “expert” opinions and to explore through a detailed example how Policy Delphi can be used by hospitality researchers as an alternative to the more widely used Normative Delphi.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reflects on the research methodology of a project that explored organisational crisis signals detection using Policy Delphi with a criterion sample comprising 16 senior hotel executives involved in crisis management.FindingsThe main methodological concerns regarding Delphi are the definition of consensus, the expertise of the panel, its lack of scientific rigour, and – due to its lack of uniformity – reliability and validity of findings. Policy Delphi by default addresses the first since it does not seek consensus and can, through its design and execution, address the remaining concerns.Research limitations/implicationsCarefully designed Policy Delphi can offer a powerful research tool for exploratory research in hospitality, particularly for development of policies and strategies within an organisation. Unlike Normative Delphi, it is not intended as a decision making tool, but rather as a tool to generate options and suggest alternative courses of action for consideration.Originality/valueThe paper presents a valuable research tool that has evaded the attention of many hospitality researchers offering an illustrative example of its use in exploratory research to deliver credible, transferable and confirmable findings.
A framework for designing sustainable telemedicine information systems in developing countries
Authors: Mayoka Kituyi G. , Rwashana Agnes S. , Mbarika Victor W. , Isabalija Stephen 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for designing sustainable telemedicine information systems in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachBoth quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. Primary data were collected from two hospitals in Uganda using a self‐administered questionnaire and an interview guide. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data, while content analysis method was used to analyze interview responses. The framework was developed based on Hevner et al.'s design science framework.FindingsThe key requirements for designing sustainable telemedicine information systems in developing countries were identified as the need for speed, ease of use and affordability.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was theoretical in nature. Although primary data were used, the researchers were unable to carry out a series of practical tests of this framework with prototype systems on a cross‐section of users.Practical implicationsDesign and sustainability of telemedicine information systems is still a big challenge to most developing countries, despite its wide usage in the developed countries. While various telemedicine frameworks exist, not much has been done to adequately address the issue of design for sustainability. This paper proposes an appropriate framework that will guide telemedicine information systems designers on designing telemedicine systems that are sustainable in local conditions of developing countries.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is in the area of information systems design for sustainability, from a developing country perspective. The paper also extends on the constructs of design science research theory and shows how they can be applied in information systems design and evaluation.
An innovative information hiding technique utilizing cumulative peak histogram regions
Authors: Al‐Omari Faruq A. , Al‐Khaleel Osama D. , Rayyashi Ghassan A. , Ghwanmeh Sameh H. 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an innovative information hiding algorithm.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed algorithm is based on image histogram statistics. Cumulative‐peak histogram regions are utilized to hide multiple bits of the secret message by performing histogram bin substitution. The embedding capacity, otherwise known as payload, and peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), as well as security, are the main metrics used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm.FindingsAccording to the obtained results, the proposed algorithm shows high embedding capacity and security at comparable PSNR compared with existing hiding information techniques.Originality/valueThe simplicity, security, random distribution of embedding pixels, and on‐demand high capacity are the key advantages of the proposed approach.
Mergers and acquisitions process: the use of corporate culture analysis
Authors: Weber Yaakov , Yedidia Tarba Shlomo 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance cross‐cultural management during mergers and acquisitions (M&A), an issue that remains poorly understood despite a large body of literature accumulated over many years of study and experience.Design/methodology/approachBased on literature review and case studies of both successful and unsuccessful companies, this paper clarifies the concept, the assessment and the use of corporate culture and its dimensions during all mergers and acquisitions stages, and as such shows its role as an important and influential milestone in the international business environment exploration.FindingsThe paper arrives at the conclusion that the enduring paradox of the high rate of M&A failure vs the growing activity of M&A may be due to lack of synchronized activities of all merger stages.Practical implicationsThe paper presents frameworks and managerial tools that can help researchers and practitioners conduct better corporate culture assessment during all stages of the M&A, including screening, planning, and negotiation, and enhance the effectiveness of interventions carried out during post‐merger integration process.Originality/valueThe paper offers insights into corporate culture and its impact during pre‐merger stage, negotiation, and the post‐merger integration process.
Impact of culture on online management education
Authors: Wan Lee Jung , Becker Kip , Nobre Helena 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of national culture on the acceptance, and online interaction, of management education and training online using Hall's cultural classifications and Hofstede's cultural framework. Potential differences in perceptions of personal innovativeness and levels of online management education acceptance were examined.Design/methodology/approachFactor analysis, structural modeling techniques and independent sample t‐statistics were used to analyze samples collected from online management classes in the USA and Korea.FindingsResults suggest that high‐context and collectivism cultures are more conservative to the adoption of online management education and training and participation in online interaction. A second interesting finding is evidence of the significant difference of adoption likelihood of learning innovation and changes. It was clear that a nation's culture directly affects the manner in which participants engage, relate and benefit from online management education/training.Originality/valueThese insights may help multinational companies predict adoption of online management education and the appropriateness of online training across regional differences so as to formulate more effective online management education and training strategies by accommodating their cultural influences.
Hi fans! Tell us your story!
Authors: Byrd Simone 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to establish an understanding of what components of the stewardship model (reciprocity, responsibility, reporting and relationship nurturing) were present on Toyota's corporate Facebook page through communicative patterns and themes in the wake of the 2010‐2011 vehicle recall crisis: and what comments/posts by the social media team – who act as “admins” of the social networking site to communicate with stakeholders and fans – indicate components of the stewardship model.Design/methodology/approachUsing Kelly's stewardship model as the theoretical framework, the study incorporated qualitative methods – specifically, a textual analysis to review the recall‐related conversation on the Toyota corporate Facebook page from January 2010 until the end of the first quarter in March 2010. The Facebook page was reviewed two to three times per day to monitor the discussion. In conducting the actual analysis, Toyota's Facebook page “Wall” was reviewed for words and phrases that referenced one or more components associated with the presence of the stewardship model.FindingsAs the crisis situation unfolded and the media coverage of the recalls intensified, the results of the textual analysis indicated a significant integration of the steps consistent with the stewardship model. After receiving compelling criticism from Facebook followers of the company for not engaging enough, Toyota's social media team formulated an enhanced social media engagement effort which focused on stressing the importance of genuine, two‐way, online engagement in a consumer‐driven environment. By doing so, this greatly contributed to Toyota's ability to quickly rebound from the crisis as well as emerge with their company's brand reputation intact.Originality/valueOverall, this research is significant because of its practicality and contribution to previous research in stewardship and social media. Furthermore, companies can learn from the example set by Toyota in that, while profits are important, building and nurturing long‐term relationships in a socially‐responsible manner can result in reinforced positive attitudes and behaviors, which are far more important to the company's bottom line. Finally, through the utilization of the stewardship model in an online engagement strategy during times of crises, incorporating a two‐way communication approach can yield positive results for the company's brand reputation.