bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeting firm social strategy at the community level in subsistence markets
Authors: Elaydi Raed 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the social bottom line in subsistence markets or base of the pyramid. This examination aims to suggest that social strategies for the second bottom line should be focused at the community level in measurement, assessment and impact.Design/methodology/approachA discussion of the double bottom line is presented. Social strategies are then discussed in terms of impact assessment at the community level and an impact assessment framework is developed reflective of the subsistence marketplace perspective. Implications are discussed in terms of poverty alleviation in subsistence markets and businessFindingsThis examination suggests social strategies for the second bottom line should be focused at the community level in measurement, assessment and impact. Focusing social strategies at the community level reframes the role of firms and promotes a business in service of the community approach. Assessing impact at the community level creates a long‐term sustainable focus to business in subsistence markets. This perspective is a more holistic view that incorporates the social, economic and environmental ecology of the community from a multi‐generational perspective that requires entrepreneurs to commit their life's work to developing and servicing the community they live in. Using “And beyond Africa” as a case example of the community‐level social strategy the theory and practice are integrated and the conceptual ideas can be understood as a holistic reflection of the community. Further, examining how social strategies at the community level are understood in terms of the individual and humanity level creates greater awareness of the importance of a social strategy at the community‐level. Suggesting that a social strategy focused on the community level can make the largest impact on all three levels (individual, community and humanity). By considering more than customer impact, a social strategy can look at a business's impact on the community and better understand its impact on humanity. This conclusion changes the role of the entrepreneur and business to be in the service of the community.Originality/valueThis paper develops a community‐level social strategy view to the double‐bottom line in subsistence markets or base of the pyramid.
Academic entrepreneurship in UK biotechnology firms
Authors: Gurău Călin , Dana Leo‐Paul , Lasch Frank 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to attempt to provide an insight into the individual aspects of academic entrepreneurship, defining a series of entrepreneurial profiles and investigating the challenges associated with each specific role as well as their impact on firm's performance.Design/methodology/approachThe presented findings are based on the analysis of secondary and primary data. First, a series of articles and reports regarding academic entrepreneurship have been accessed in order to define the research framework. Second, primary data were collected through semi‐structured interviews conducted with 26 academic entrepreneurs working in UK biotech firms.FindingsThe analysis of data revealed that academics choose mainly three forms of academic entrepreneurship: founder‐manager of an entrepreneurial firm; project manager in an existing firm; or scientific advisor to the board of directors of one or several firms. In each of these three situations, the personal responsibilities, the level of implication and the performance impact of the academic entrepreneur are different.Research implications/limitationsFindings demonstrate a direct relation between the specific responsibilities associated with the three types of academic entrepreneurship and the scientific/research performance of the investigated firms. Unfortunately, the small sample does not permit generalizations at industry or national level. Future studies should, on one hand, increase the field of investigation, in order to develop reliable measurements of academic entrepreneurship performance; and, on the other hand, collect additional qualitative information using a case study approach.Practical implicationsThe findings may provide useful information for academic entrepreneurs working in the biotech sector, regarding the specific challenges and positioning of each entrepreneurial role, allowing them to take better professional decisions.Originality/valueThe study enriches the existing literature on academic entrepreneurship, expanding the definition and the profile of entrepreneurial roles to include also intrapreneurship activities in medium‐size or larger organizations.
The second‐round effects of carbon taxes on power project finance
Authors: Simshauser Paul , Nelson Tim 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThe most problematic area of any carbon policy debate is the treatment of incumbent CO2 intensive coal‐fired electricity generators. Policy applied to the electricity sector is rarely well guided by macroeconomic theory and modeling alone, especially in the case of carbon where the impacts are concentrated, involve a small number of firms and an essential service. The purpose of this paper is to examine the consequences of poor climate change policy development on the efficiency of capital markets within the Australian electricity sector.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a survey of Australian project finance professionals to determine the risk profiles to be applied to the electricity sector, in the event a poorly‐designed climate change policy is adopted.FindingsThe Australian case study finds that if zero compensation results in the financial distress of project financed coal generators, finance costs for all plant rises, including new gas and renewables, leading to unnecessary increases in electricity prices. Accordingly, an unambiguous case for providing structural adjustment assistance to coal generators exists on the grounds of economic efficiency.Originality/valueAccordingly, the paper shows that an unambiguous case for providing structural adjustment assistance to coal generators exists, on the grounds of economic efficiency.
Measuring macroeconomic and financial market interdependence: a critical survey
Authors: Li Linyue , Zhang Nan , Willett Thomas D. 
Published: May 2012

PurposeStudy of the interdependence among economies is of considerable importance. This area includes issues such as the increasing importance of regional economic interactions, the effects of economic growth and recession in the advanced economies on emerging market countries, and financial contagion. A wide range of related terms and methodologies are used in the literature of interdependence. The purpose of this paper is to review the major concepts and various measurements of interdependence in financial markets and the real economy, serving as a reference and benchmark for future research on interdependence among specific regional or global economies.Design/methodology/approachMajor measurements of interdependence are reviewed from simple approach to more complicated ones, and strengths and weaknesses of the various measurements of interdependence are discussed.FindingsThis paper surveys the various major measurements of interdependence and illustrates how they have been used to address a substantial range of issues.Originality/valueThe paper shows that studies of macroeconomic and financial interdependence use the same types of econometric measurements. The review and critiques of these various types of measures should be of value to those wishing to do research in these areas and also to those wishing to have a better understanding of papers that they read.
Feasibility of inflation targeting in an emerging market: evidence from Kenya
Authors: Nyakerario Misati Roseline , Morekwa Nyamongo Esman , Kamau Njoroge Lucas , Kaminchia Sheila 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the suitability of adopting inflation targeting in an emerging market, based on the pre‐conditions of inflation targeting identified in the literature.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses Granger causality and VAR approaches to assess the importance of the relationship between monetary policy variables and inflation.FindingsThe findings indicate a dominant role of fiscal policy on both prices and output. The results therefore support the fiscal theory of price level, implying a need for incorporation of a fiscal variable in the design of monetary policy. The study also observes that the employment contract of the office of the governor is relatively short‐term and less than the Kenyan election cycle. The exchange rate is found to have no role on both prices and output. More importantly, the results show that the Kenyan economy does not meet all the conditions necessary for adopting inflation targeting.Originality/valueThe study described in the paper is novel, as it is the first attempt the authors are aware of that empirically assesses the feasibility of inflation targeting in Kenya. The paper provides policy makers in emerging markets with useful information on the choice of appropriate policy frameworks for maintaining price stability. It also demonstrates the need for evaluation of any policy framework before adoption.
Plasticity and damage analysis of metal hollow sphere structures under dynamic compressive loading
Authors: Antônio Bragança da Cunda Luiz , Freitas de Oliveira Branca , Juan Creus Guillermo 
Published: May 2012

PurposeAs compared with homogeneous metals and alloys, cellular metals provide low density, high specific stiffness, high energy absorption and good damping, thus being interesting alternatives to employ as protection against shock and impact. Impact energy is dissipated through cell bending, buckling or fracture. The knowledge and computational modelling of the mechanical behaviour of metal foams structures is thus of great importance for real life applications. The purpose of this paper is to increase the knowledge of the differences in metallic hollow sphere structures' (MHSS) behaviour under dynamic loading, as compared with the corresponding behaviour under static loading and to determine the influence of inertia and loading rate.Design/methodology/approachComputational dynamical finite element analyses of representative volume elements (RVE) of MHSS have been performed considering varying loading rates. Partially bonded geometries are considered and the effect of the spheres' distribution is also taken into account.FindingsThe results of the numerical examples presented show that inertia plays an important role in the dynamic behaviour of this kind of energy‐absorbing structure. When compared with the corresponding values in the quasi‐static case, the effect of inertia makes the peak load higher. If the deformation rate is higher (greater than 1.39 m/s in the studied cases), the characteristic plateau usually present in compressed metal foams can vanish. For the geometries analysed, damage has a small influence on load‐deformation relations.Originality/valueThis paper presents and discusses differences between static and dynamic behaviour of partially bonded MHSS. There are few references in the literature covering this issue by means of numerical analysis.
Constraint effect on the slow crack growth in polyethylene
Authors: Hutar Pavel , Zouhar Michal , Nezbedova Eva , Sadilek Jiri , Zidek Jan , Nahlik Lubos , Knesl Zdenek 
Published: May 2012

PurposeFrom the practical point of view, most relevant damage to high density polyethylene (HDPE) structures is caused by slow crack growth. Therefore, detailed information about this type of damage is necessary. Experimental results transfer from specimens to real structure can be influenced by structure geometry (constraint). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate and discuss the effect of the constraint and relation between crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) and crack length.Design/methodology/approachThe constraint effect is mainly effect of the structure geometry and can be quantified by T‐stress. Two different test specimens with different constraint level (T‐stress) were prepared: single edge notched specimen and modified single edge notch (SEN) specimen. The crack mouth opening displacement, crack tip opening displacement and crack length was measured.FindingsThe main conclusions of this work can be summarized as: the slow crack growth rate in HDPE materials corresponds to velocity of CMOD; the influence of the presented specimen geometry on slow crack growth rate can be considered as negligible; and for transfer of the experimental results from specimens to real structure the influence of the structure geometry (constraint) is not critical.Originality/valueExperimental results obtained from different specimens with different constraint level are rare and can lead to better data transfer from experimental specimens to the real structures.
GFRP sandwich panels with PU foam and PP honeycomb cores for civil engineering structural applications
Authors: Correia J.R. , Garrido M. , Gonilha J.A. , Branco F.A. , Reis L.G. 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present experimental investigations on the structural behaviour of composite sandwich panels for civil engineering applications. The performance of two different core materials – rigid plastic polyurethane (PU) foam and polypropylene (PP) honeycomb – combined with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) skins, and the effect of using GFRP ribs along the longitudinal edges of the panels were investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe experimental campaign first included flatwise tensile tests on the GFRP skins; edgewise and flatwise compressive tests; flatwise tensile tests on small‐scale sandwich specimens; and shear tests on the core materials. Subsequently, flexural static and dynamic tests were carried out in full‐scale sandwich panels (2.50×0.50×0.10 m3) in order to evaluate their service and failure behaviour. Linear elastic analytical and numerical models of the tested sandwich panels were developed in order to confirm the effects of varying the core material and of introducing GFRP ribs.FindingsTests confirmed the considerable influence of the core, namely of its stiffness and strength, on the performance of the unstrengthened panels; in addition, tests showed that the introduction of lateral reinforcements significantly increases the stiffness and strength of the panels, with the shear behaviour of strengthened panels being governed by the ribs. The unstrengthened panels collapsed due to core shear failure, while the strengthened panels failed due to face skin delamination followed by crushing of the skins. The models, validated with the experimental results, allowed simulating the serviceability behaviour of the sandwich panels with a good accuracy.Originality/valueThe present study confirmed that composite sandwich panels made of GFRP skins and PU rigid foam or PP honeycomb cores have significant potential for a wide range of structural applications, presenting significant stiffness and strength, particularly when strengthened with lateral GFRP ribs.
Crack propagation in a welded polyolefin pipe
Authors: Sevcik Martin , Hutar Pavel , Nahlik Lubos , Lach Ralf , Knesl Zdenek , Grellmann Wolfgang 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the effect of the material inhomogeneity on crack behavior initiated both axially and circumferentially in or near the butt weld and to discuss consequences on residual lifetime of the welded structure.Design/methodology/approachA three‐dimensional numerical model of pipe weld with smooth and continuous change of material properties has been used to study the fracture behavior of the cracked pipe structure. The stress intensity factor was considered as a parameter controlling the fracture behavior. The semi‐elliptical shape of the crack front was estimated under assumption of constant stress intensity factor along the crack front.FindingsAccording to the results obtained in the paper the following conclusions were deduced. First, the most critical location of the crack is in the middle of the inhomogeneous region (weld center) regardless of the crack orientation. The stress intensity factor is substantially higher than in the case of a crack located in the homogenous pipe. Second, with regard to crack shapes, the circumferentially oriented cracks are practically identical regardless to the crack location if compared with the axial cracks. Third, the stress intensity factors of axially‐oriented cracks are approximately twice higher than in the case of circumferential cracks. This implies that the cracks are more likely to grow in an axial direction.Originality/valueThe results described in the paper can be used for estimation of critical crack length or for estimation of the critical applied inner pressure of medium transported in the pipe and are of paramount importance for service life estimations of polymer welded pipes in actual use.
Creativity in business schools – post financial crisis implications
Authors: Mihai‐Yiannaki Simona , Savvides Savvas 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight for the first time, creativity's vital role in a new approach in the higher education world which can improve the current university instructional strategies post financial crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe paper offers a theoretical framework which has emerged from literature review and personal business and educational experiences of the authors. It seeks to provide synthetically some answers/“solutions”, focusing on a three dimensional framework: where to play the game of creativity; how to deliver creativity to business students, meaning by what structures and methods; and how to win in implementing this game.FindingsMany researchers appeared to focus on making their findings applicable to the entire education system paying little attention to issues specific to the business education sector. Succinctly, the focus of the papers is on “how to do it” part, which provides several realistic insights on how to connect communities into the game of creativity. Other methods required relate to: balancing creativity with core essentials; promoting excellence and sustainability; networking between students; faculty, management and community; improving learning environment; developing staff; teaching; learning competencies and programme curricula under an integrated service vision; anticipating educational future trends in networking; and building creative climates and partnerships.Originality/valueThe paper's conclusions and recommendations present a practical set of good practices through the explicit and implicit identification of core characteristics for creativity in higher education. Eventually, the first mission in wanting to be creative is to really comprehend the problem, knowing all ways to approach it.
Survival in good, bad, and ugly times: attaining personal and professional excellence
Authors: Marques Joan 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThis article aims to present the findings from data gathered from 1,160 individuals who participated over the course of five years in a series of workshops, university courses and business dialogue sessions on the subject of personal and professional excellence.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered from dialogue sessions and workshops with LA‐based workforce members, and classroom sessions in higher business education. The shift from general management teaching to focused self‐management dialogues was explained, emerged themes from five years of data gathering were examined and the themes and keywords were visualized and results noted.FindingsThe paper finds that in today's rapidly changing world of work, people are seeking ways to reinvent themselves in order to become more resilient. The findings listed in this paper are not exhaustive but should rather be used as a pragmatic tool for further research on the topic.Research limitations/implicationsThe population used for data was large, yet geographically limited, as it consisted of members of the Los Angeles workforce and business and management students in Los Angeles. The themes to be formed could have been named differently, as the clustering process was done by the author and not the audience. It is suggested that future research should concentrate on applying this study among other geographical and cultural audiences for a greater foundation in findings and for capturing additional, possibly deviating, perspectives.Practical implicationsFour main themes are presented as a result of the analysis of the collected data: right action, right thinking, right mindfulness, and right connection, along with 20 keywords. Personal and professional excellence is not a one‐time achievement, but a continuous effort in which multiple aspects need to be addressed at the same time. It could be seen as an ongoing paradigm renewal.Originality/valueThe paper tailors a model for personal and professional excellence in the twenty‐first century AD to a model that was developed in the twenty‐fifth century BC.
Simulated work environments: facilitating learning within pre‐apprenticeship programs
Authors: Oultram Teresa 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how particular organisational spaces and practices are constructed as mechanisms to encourage desired behaviours. Through the example of learning/working spaces within Further Education Colleges, the paper aims to examine how vocational courses, such as the pre‐apprenticeship programme, try to emulate work‐based practices. It also aims to claim that such spaces can be understood as disciplinary technologies aimed at indoctrinating young adults to adopt appropriate “enterprising” work attitudes prior to entering the workplace.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative empirical paper based on two case studies of schemes conducted within North West England.FindingsThe paper shows how day‐to‐day practices both support this indoctrination yet at the same time limit its effectiveness. It is shown that the mobilising of space and practice, both in the learning and working environment for specific agendas cannot be totalising as there are always spaces for alternate understandings and practice.Originality/valueThis paper's aim is to question some of the taken‐for‐granted practices and to provide a greater understanding of how space and practices influence behaviour and actions. It is envisaged that this paper will be of interest to readers interested in learning and development and for those conducting research with a spatiality lens.
Reverse logistics network design model based on e‐commerce
Authors: XiaoYan Qian , Yong Han , Qinli Da , Stokes Peter 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to study reverse logistics network design in order to better facilitate the location of factories, online retailers, and the third party logistics in the context of e‐commerce.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on types of third party collections of returned products, the paper proposes a 0‐1 mixed integrate linear programming (0‐1MILP) mathematic model for reverse logistics networks in e‐business and a further mathematical model is discussed in relation to determining the market demands and returns. Furthermore, a case study is developed and described with the intention of illustrating the value of this model and network.FindingsThe paper identifies possibilities for the application of the reverse logistics network models to deal with returned products from customers in companies using e‐business.Research limitations/implicationsThere is scope for future research to build on the present research and consider further factors in relation to the influences on return logistics.Originality/valueThis paper provides novel insights for e‐companies setting up and operating a reverse logistics network. The application of these models could decrease costs and allow optimal decisions on price and return price in order to increase efficiency and profit levels.