bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value management practice by South African quantity surveyors
Authors: Bowen Paul , Cattell Keith , Edwards Peter , Jay Ian 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the nature and extent of value management (VM) practice by professional quantity surveyors in South Africa. The survey explores practitioners' awareness and understanding of VM and the nature and extent of the use of VM techniques within their organisations.Design/methodology/approachA web‐based, online questionnaire survey is employed to establish VM practice by South African registered quantity surveyors. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the survey response data.FindingsThe results suggest that, while VM (and more particularly its value engineering antecedent) is generally known among quantity surveyors in South Africa, it is less widely practiced. VM is seen predominantly as a cost reduction tool. This misperception, and the lack of awareness of the potential benefits of VM, must be remedied if quantity surveyors in South Africa are to provide clients with services that meet world's best practice standards. Quantity surveyors also need to know what those standards are.Practical implicationsRefresher courses in contemporary VM theory and practice are recommended, as well as exploration of the impacts on VM of other techniques such as risk, quality and environmental management.Originality/valueThe findings are important given the increasing globalization of construction services, especially given the international ties between designers, quantity surveyors and other built environment professionals.
The extent of use of relationship marketing in the UK FM sector
Authors: Sarshar Marjan , Sertyesilisik Begum , Parry Paul 
Published: January 2010

PurposeIn today's business world customers of all industry sectors are becoming more informed as to the level of choice and competition for their custom. This has led to the requirement for businesses to develop and maintain marketing strategies that will increase their competitiveness within their respective sector. Relationship marketing (RM) is a marketing theory, which has benefited businesses in many other sectors, though the concepts may be fairly new in the facilities management (FM) sector. This study is concerned with the review of the fundamental principles of RM, and its benefits for the FM sector. The purpose of this paper is to test whether the FM sector in the UK is aware of the RM theory, and is implementing this theory in its day‐to‐day practices. Research aims are to: investigate the level of understanding present in the FM industry with regards to RM; and to ascertain the benefits that could be available for the industry if an RM orientation is to be employed.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the literature review, a questionnaire is distributed to the members of the British Institute of Facilities Management in the North of England.FindingsThe survey identifies the FM industry's capability of using many RM strategies, however, the industry does not classify its customers at present, in order to deliver more targeted services.Originality/valueThe study reveals that the FM sector understands RM and that RM is a concept that the industry would benefit from.
Pilot trials of immersion silver deposition using a choline chloride based ionic liquid
Authors: Smith Emma L. , Abbott Andrew P. , Griffin Jason , Harris Robert C. , O'Connor Cecil , Ryder Karl S. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the optimisation of protocols for the immersion coating of silver onto copper‐track printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies, using a novel class of ionic liquid and to show the implementation of the scale up process.Design/methodology/approachVarious conditions (temperatures and silver concentrations) are studied individually under laboratory conditions and then optimised for a pilot scale demonstrator line that is used to process British Standard test coupons.FindingsThe use of these novel liquids for the immersion coating of silver produces silver dip coatings that are bright and even and which give solderability that is as good as the commercial aqueous, nitric acid based, electroless process without any solder‐mask interface etching.Research limitations/implicationsThe combined technology has been optimised for an immersion silver coating line. Further development work should be undertaken to tailor the technology for gold immersion coating of PCB assemblies.Originality/valueThe paper details a process in which no solder‐mask interface etching is observed; that does not require the use of strong inorganic acids or expensive catalysts to sustain deposition and which does not appear to be light sensitive in contrast to other processes.
OrmeSTAR Ultra – the organic metal nanofinish
Authors: Wessling B. , Rischka M. , Posdorfer J. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a new class of surface finishes as an alternative to current final surface finishes.Design/methodology/approachThis new finish utilises nanotechnology and is based on a new formulation of the “organic metal” (OM).FindingsThe final surface finish is an approximately 50 nm thin permanent layer, consisting of a complex between the OM and silver (Ag). Panels finished with OrmeSTAR™ Ultra show excellent solderability in spite of a low‐layer thickness and therefore offer significant advantages over existing surface finishes.Originality/valueThis new finish has proven to be a competitive alternative to current final finishes with excellent properties for soldering applications. The new nanotechnology can also significantly improve the environmental and economical consequences of solderable surface finishing.
Effectiveness of embedded capacitors in reducing the number of surface mount capacitors for decoupling applications
Authors: Alam Mohammed A. , Azarian Michael H. , Osterman Michael , Pecht Michael 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an analytical approach to find the reduction in the required number of surface mount capacitors by the use of embedded capacitors in decoupling applications.Design/methodology/approachThe analytical model used to perform decoupling is cavity model from theory of microstrip antenna and N‐port impedance matrix. The methodology involves addition of decoupling capacitors between the power and the ground plane such that the impedance between ports on the power‐ground plane becomes lower than the target impedance at that frequency. A case study is presented in which a 0.3 m×0.3 m power‐ground plane is decoupled by using various combinations of surface mount capacitors and embedded capacitors in the frequency range of 0.001‐1 GHz and at a target impedance of 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 Ω. The total number of surface mount capacitors are compared in each case.FindingsUse of embedded planar capacitors with a thin dielectric (about 8 mm) dampened board resonances at high frequency, as compared to a thick dielectric. Embedded capacitors are found to reduce the number of surface mount capacitors when the target impedance is low and the operating frequency is high.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology discusses in this paper is applicable to a simplified power‐ground plane (which has no cut‐outs and is rectangular in shape) as compared to actual digital circuits.Originality/valueThis methodology can be used as a quick preliminary tool to evaluate the decrease in the number of surface mount capacitors (by the use of embedded capacitors) as compared to complex and time consuming electromagnetic solvers.
Inner‐layer copper reliability of electroless copper processes
Authors: Li Crystal P.L. , Ciccolo Paul , Yee Dennis K.W. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the alternative testing approaches that may be used to assess interconnect quality and their application to laminate material and plated‐through‐hole (PTH) process control.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces the importance of inner‐layer copper reliability and how to evaluate it. It reviews and discusses the effects of all factors involved, including laminate material, panel design, and chemical controls, on interconnect defects (ICDs).FindingsThe best possible reliability can only be achieved by implementation of process controls ranging from incoming laminate material inspection to drilling parameters and finally chemical controls within the electroless copper process.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper focuses on through‐hole multilayer reliability. Although blind via reliability shares some aspects with through‐hole reliability, there are other factors that only apply to blind vias. This area will be the subject of a future publication.Originality/valueThe paper provides an overall review, integrating information on the whole electroless copper process, starting from ICD testing methods, and including the effects of laminate material, desmear, and PTH control. It provides a reference for readers involved in trouble shooting or process improvement.
Energy conservation and related best practices in printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing
Authors: Goosey Martin , Kellner Rod 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the details of key best practices that can help printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing companies to optimize energy consumption, conserve materials, and reduce waste and costs.Design/methodology/approachVarious individual opportunities for making energy saving are discussed along with the accompanying manufacturing best practices.FindingsThere are many opportunities to reduce energy consumption across the whole PCB manufacturing process. Additional savings may also be made by enhancements to the broader activities within PCB manufacturing plants.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper summarises key findings that have been reported in a much larger Best Practice Guide and due to space considerations the amount of information given is somewhat restricted.Originality/valueThe paper details how the introduction of best practices in each stage of the PCB manufacturing process can lead to material and energy savings that have value in helping board makers to reduce costs. Readers are directed to a larger Best Practice Guide which is freely available from the SurfEnergy web site.
Second‐stage events and bondholder wealth
Authors: Thompson Thomas H. , Apilado Vince 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive initial evaluation of the wealth transfer hypothesis as applied to the second‐stage events and announcements that follow carve‐outs during the period from 1983 to 2004.Design/methodology/approachUsing daily security prices, such combinations are shown to have multi‐faceted wealth transfers and wealth creation.FindingsIn contrast with the wealth losses found in previous studies, wealth increases are observed for parent stockholders and bondholders in the spin‐off announcement and event phases for combination carve‐outs and spin‐offs. Also, the spin‐off is the most prevalent second divestiture choice for parents with traded debt.Originality/valueThis study makes several contributions to the literature. First, in contrast with recent wealth transfer studies that use monthly bond returns, daily stock and bond returns are used to examine the wealth effect for parent stockholders and bondholders during the announcement and ex‐dates of second‐stage events. Second, in contrast with previous studies that found a wealth transfer from bondholders to stockholders in the spin‐off phase, statistically significant wealth retention was observed for bondholders and for stockholders at spin‐off and other second event announcements. Third, the results reflect that increased collateral from the carve‐out phase lessens the potential for bondholder wealth loss in the spin‐off phase.
Does ownership form in community banking impact profitability?
Authors: Westort Peter , Kashian Russ , Cummings Richard 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the profitability of different ownership forms of banks. The two ownership forms are corporations that elect to be taxed as a Subchapter S corporation (limited to 100 shareholders) as opposed to those corporations that do not make this election. The impact this election has on the dividends paid to the investors is examined.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses Call Report Data on Wisconsin banks as collected by SNL Securities as its database. The research methodology uses two measures of performance: dividend ratio and accounting return on assets (ROA). The dividend ratio is defined as dividends as a percentage of net income (dividends/net income). Accounting return on investment is net income as a percentage of total assets (net income/total assets) and is a measure of profitability. A number of regressions were created with these as the endogenenous variables and a heteroskedasticity‐corrected ordinary least squares (OLS) model was used.FindingsSubchapter S banks were found to be more profitable (as measured by ROA). However, when taxes are taken into account, there is no practical difference in profitability between the two types of corporate structure.Research limitations/implicationsBy limiting the analysis to Wisconsin, a single state, confusion that may be caused by both state laws (personal and corporate) and local corporate cultures is avoided.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this research can guide the federal government in determining whether this form of stock ownership is a device that reduces or increases federal tax revenues. It can also provide insight to the stockholders of these banks into the differences in profitability these corporate forms offer.Originality/valueWhile earlier literature has reviewed the concept of Subchapter S corporations and its theoretical impact, little research has been conducted that tests the actual results. Due to the private nature of the corporate form (these types of corporations are often not publicly traded and have no incentive to reveal private financial records), this original research is the result of the public nature of banks that provide a rich dataset for us to examine.
The effect of stock splits on iShare exchange‐traded funds
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Pia , Hackard James , Tse Yiuman 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the pre‐ and post‐split behavior for trades and quotes of iShare exchange‐traded funds (ETFs) that split in June 2005. The objective is to determine whether post‐split changes in the bid‐ask spread, trade turnover, average dollar‐size trade, frequency of small trades, trade price location, and order imbalance support either or both of the two widely examined hypotheses for the motivation for share splits.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of the iShares split around the split date was studied, using the measures above to examine the support, if any, for each of two hypotheses, broker promotion and/or the trading inconvenience, with regard to the sample and time period under study.FindingsBid‐ask spread, average dollar order size, and frequency of small trades were found to fail to reject the broker‐promotion hypothesis, while the increase in post‐split turnover fails to reject the trading‐inconvenience hypothesis. Changes in the trade‐price‐location parameter and in order imbalance fail to support either hypothesis.Practical implicationsBecause of the importance of basket securities in the determination of the prices for listed securities, issuers of these securities, investors and regulators should be interested whether the price behavior of splitting iShares is similar to that experienced in other securities.Originality/valueNumerous studies in the literature have investigated the effects of stock splits on individual securities, but it is believed, none has yet appeared studying the recent splits in iShares.
A practical method to estimate the cost of equity capital for a firm using cluster analysis
Authors: Ingram Marcus , Margetis Speros 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and test a method for selecting a portfolio of public firms which can be used for computing the cost of equity capital for a non‐public firm or division of a firm.Design/methodology/approachThis method relies on cluster analysis and a large sample of firms. Using the accounting data from the firms, portfolios are formed that are expected to have a high degree of within‐group similarity on measures of systematic risk, such as beta. The average beta of the group can be used as an estimate of the beta of the target firm within the group, which is then used to compute the cost of equity capital of the target.FindingsCluster analysis shows significant potential to group together firms that are found to have high similarity in systematic risk. Cost of equity capital estimates made using the betas of the proxy portfolio firms are predictive of the measured betas of randomly selected target firms.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has shown significant predictive relationships between accounting data and market based cost of capital estimates, but the relationship is noisy, and the fit of the model could be improved with additional calibration.Originality/valueThis approach uses well known data and methodology, but is unique in this application. This suggests many other potentially fruitful applications may be found for cluster analysis in financial research.
Marketing strategy selection, marketing metrics, and firm performance
Authors: Zahay Debra , Griffin Abbie 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThis research aims to investigate the relationship between customer‐based performance measures (marketing measures of firm success) and business growth performance (strategy measures of firm success), in the context of strategic marketing positioning decisions and suggests customer‐based metrics may play a key role in measuring overall business achievements.Design/methodology/approachThis is an empirical survey of 209 business‐to‐business services firms.FindingsCustomer‐based performance (marketing measures) is associated with the choice of generic positioning and segmentation strategies, while strategic positioning choice (i.e. low‐cost vs differentiation) is indirectly, rather than directly, associated with business growth performance. The “both” strategy, where firms simultaneously pursue both low‐cost and differentiated strategies, leads to improved performance in these B2B services firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe study potentially has industry‐ and/or service‐specific limitations.Practical implicationsThis research suggests that firms that cannot measure performance at the customer level may be failing to understand the outcomes of successful marketing programs and decisions. In addition, this research suggests that both operational efficiency and differentiation are keys to growth in B2B services.Originality/valueThis study reinforces the continued applicability of Porter's generic positioning and segmentation strategies for B2B services but suggests that performance differences between strategies in this context are best captured using a customer‐based measure (share of wallet, lifetime value, retention rate and return on marketing investment) rather than a more general business growth measure.
Managerial trust and NPD team performance: team commitment and longevity as mediators
Authors: Dayan Mumin 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effects of team commitment and longevity between managerial trust and team performance (e.g. team learning and product success), using environmental turbulence as a moderator.Design/methodology/approachTo test the proposed model, data were collected from 335 team members and team leaders of 107 Turkish new product/project development teams.FindingsThe results of the structural equation model showed that managerial trust (as rated by team members) was significantly associated with team commitment and longevity; and team commitment and longevity significantly mediated the relationships between managerial trust and team learning, and managerial trust and product success. Moreover, the findings showed that the impact of managerial trust on team commitment and longevity was higher when environmental turbulence was high. However, the mediating impact of team commitment was significant regardless of market or technical turbulence; and team longevity had a significant mediating impact if environment was turbulent. Theoretical and managerial implications of the study findings were discussed at the end.Originality/valueThe novelty of the research lies in the empirical test of managerial trust in the context of teams with innovation projects (e.g. product development teams). Furthermore, the inclusion of team commitment and longevity as moderators represents an added value of the study.
The determinants of long‐term relationship on inter‐organizational systems performance
Authors: Hsin Chang Hsin , Wang Hsin‐Wei , Wei Kao Ta 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThis study aims to explore the relations among inter‐organizational, organizational, technical factors, inter‐organizational systems (IOS) use, IOS performance and long‐term relationship.Design/methodology/approachTo test the research hypotheses, this study primarily used LISREL 8.52 to do the SEM in order to ensure the relation across various dimensions. After SEM, path analysis is applied to test each of the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings of this study show that organizations exerting more power on suppliers are more likely to be aggressive in expanding the extent of IOS use. Organizations with strong executive support for IOS are more likely to be aggressive in expanding the extent of IOS use, and the extent of IOS use has significant and positive moderating effects on long‐term relationships and IOS performance.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies may focus on competition pressure and IS compatibility. It may increase the number of samples, while including small companies for the study, in order to achieve generality.Practical implicationsThis study found that IOS will not only improve a company's productivity, product quality and costs, but also strengthen the long‐term relationship with their partner. Both buyers and suppliers can pay attention about how to improve and expand the extent of IOS use by three major factors: inter‐organizational, organizational, and technological perspectives.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine three dimensions of factors (inter‐organizational, organizational, and technical factors) and their interaction with the use of IOS. This study is also the first to simultaneously discuss the relationships among IOS usage, IOS performance and long‐term relationships.