bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of electroless process parameters for nickel‐phosphorous coatings on carbon fibres
Authors: Abdel Hamid Z. , Abdel Aal A. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the deposition of uniform, adherent and crack‐free Ni‐P thin films on carbon fibres using the electroless deposition technique.Design/methodology/approachBefore applying the electroless process, the carbon fibre surfaces must be subjected to several treatment processes to remove the organic binder, etching and surface metallization. The surface morphology of the Ni‐P coatings was assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical compositions of Ni‐P layers were identified by energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDS). The bond strength of the coated layer was determined by measuring the electrical resistance at the fibre/coating interface. The magnetic properties of the fibres were estimated using a hysteresis diagram. The tensile performance of single fibres coated by Ni‐P has been investigated with respect to coating thickness.FindingsPre‐treatment processes are used to improve the adhesion of Ni‐P layers and to obtain homogeneous coatings. The influence of plating parameters (temperature, pH and time) on the coating thickness of the Ni‐P layer was investigated. It was found that the coating thickness increased as the pH value, plating time and the temperature of the bath increased. The results revealed that a complete and uniform Ni‐P coating on fibre could be obtained at optimum conditions 85°C, pH 6, for 60 min, and the results indicated that the P content in the electroless deposit is approximately 3.4 wt%. The tensile strength values are improved significantly after coating and increased by 3‐5 times with increasing of coating thickness from 0.3 to 2 μm.Originality/valueThe results presented in this work are an insight into understanding of the deposition and adherence of Ni‐P thin films on carbon fibre using the electroless technique and behaviour of the coated fibre.
Corrosion of the heat‐affected zone of stainless steel weldments
Authors: Santillan S.N. , Valdez S.B. , Schorr W.M. , Martinez R.A. , Colton S.J. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion of the heat‐affected zone (HAZ) and weld zone of austenitic stainless steels that have been welded using two different processes. The corrosion behavior is evaluated in synthetic seawater using the electrochemical polarization technique.Design/methodology/approachWelded and unwelded UNS S30403 specimens were welded by flux core arc, and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) techniques. The test equipment consisted of an electrochemical three‐electrode cell using synthetic seawater as the corrosive medium. The scan rate was 10 mV/s and the potential range was −500‐500 mV vs saturated calomel electrode. The pH for the synthetic seawater was around seven. The electrochemical tests were performed after 1, 2, 3, and, 11 weeks. The metal surface was characterized by examination using an inverted microscope and scanning electron microscopy.FindingsThe polarization measurements of the flux core arc welding‐HAZ showed a high corrosion susceptibility, while GTAW‐HAZ presented good corrosion performance.Practical implicationsWith the application and correct interpretation of this electrochemical technique, designers, welding engineers, and manufactures can access important information and take correct decisions regarding welding processes to meet corrosion resistance requirements.Originality/valueThe methodology and approach of interpreting the polarization plots used in this research can be applied to study other welding techniques and different welded metals in specific corrosive media, which will be of value to the welding industry.
Hidden parts in the history of the school library in Kuwait
Authors: Buabbas Hasan , Rezgui Yacine 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a clearer picture of the first establishment of school libraries in Kuwait. In addition, the paper explores the development of the school library between 1911 and 1962.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a qualitative research strategy. The interviews and documentation techniques have been utilized to gather data about the subject.FindingsThe findings traced the first appearance of the school library in Kuwait back to 1944. It showed that the development of the library encountered major difficulties.Originality/valueThe unique study reveals a branch of Kuwaiti education history hitherto concealed from its people, where the recognition of other disciplines in the field and the need for further study emerges.
A multimedia‐based library orientation programme at Dyal Singh College Library, New Delhi
Authors: Madhusudhan Margam , Singh Poonam 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThis paper is an outcome of the study made for designing the multimedia‐based orientation programme of the Dyal Singh College Library (DSCL), New Delhi, India. The purpose of this paper is to enlighten the new students and to create insight into the operations of the DSCL.Design/methodology/approachMacromedia Flash software is used in designing and developing the multimedia‐based library orientation programme of the DSCL. In this study, the quality and usefulness of the information provided is evaluated through feedback. The structure of the programme is divided into 227 snapshots lasting for 20 min. A survey was conducted using structured feedback comprising of five questions.FindingsRegarding the implementation of multimedia‐based library orientation programme and the responses received from the respondents regarding usefulness of information presented in the programme, except “library online public access catalogue & internet browsing”, all other features are found to be either excellent or very good. The quality features, such as, easy to understand (76.44 per cent), programme content (60.23 per cent), programme graphics, sound and special effects (46.76 per cent) are rated as excellent; and the length of the programme (72.28 per cent) and comprehensiveness (51.74 per cent) are rated as good. The overall evaluation of the programme is rated as very good (62.55 per cent).Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is not conceived to replace live college library tours, but rather to supplement them. In its present non‐linear form, the programme allows the user to start at the beginning and run through to the end. However, users cannot interact with the video but they can stop, forward and backward the programme.Practical implicationsHighly useful for new students who face the constraints of inconvenient timings and format; reduces the burden of the library staff of imparting physical library orientation and improves the library image in this age of information; and helps the user in overcoming the geographical and language barriers.Originality/valueThe paper provides the advantages of multimedia‐based library orientation in college libraries. The multimedia‐based library orientation programme has been developed as an effective means of conveyance and makes information handy and accessible on the college site as “virtual tour”. The entire programme can be viewed at and develops creativity among college librarians in designing such programmes.
Enhancing higher education students' employability and career management
Authors: Davey Anne 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the Bournemouth University Library's approach to enhance students' employability and encourage their career management.Design/methodology/approachThe library reviewed its trade publications collection and created a set of web pages to exploit these and newly discovered resources.FindingsPiloting the project using a few subject areas helped to uncover any inefficiencies, discovered tools that could be used (e.g. Ulrichsweb and Intute) to gain the best information and enabled the creation of a set of guidelines to distribute across the team. There are four phases to this project: review, information gathering, decisions and promotion.Practical implicationsSifting out good quality authoritative information takes time, although this process is aided by using tools such as Intute for example. It is important to keep the web pages up to date.Originality/valueThis paper discusses how a higher education library service can engage with students' career management.
When in India do as the…
Authors: Prabhakar Guru Prakash 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe emergence of India as an economic power over recent years has created a need to understand the way in which business is carried out in that part of the world. It is also important to realize how businesses are founded and structured in India. Many Indian companies are family‐run businesses just like their Italian counterparts. This research attempts to study a typical Italian company, its experiences in India, its aspirations, the challenges faced in the context of an emerging economy and the possible roadways to map the future.Design/methodology/approachThe work is based on an interview with Pietro Valfre'di Bonzo, chief corporate representative of Fiat International in India, conducted under the aegis of the GLOBE project (Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness Research Programme). The GLOBE study was conducted across 62 nations worldwide. It was initiated to study the leadership behaviours of top leaders across the globe and attempts to find out the key leader behaviours that are vital to the businesses. It also studies what leader behaviours are important in different countries and what might click in India may not click in France, and so on.FindingsThe automobile industry is a fast‐moving industry as far as India is concerned with global competitors present on Indian soil. Many authors observe that the industrial sector to which an organization belongs and the common kinds of pressures encountered by organizations, such as the rate of technological change and the general level of environmental turbulence, affect organizational cultural practices. Fiat too is trying to adapt with the changing dynamics of the Indian automobile industry.Practical implicationsWestern companies like Fiat face stiff competition from Indian car makers like Tata, Mahindra, Maruti etc. Pricing will play an important factor because of the emergence of a huge middle‐class population in India, promptly tapped by Tata, which has recently launched Tata Nano, touted as a triumph of Indian ingenuity and the world's cheapest car, costing just 100,000 rupees ($1,979; £1,366).Originality/valueThis is an original piece of work.
Developing complex, business‐to‐business products: issues and implications
Authors: Madhavaram Sreedhar , Appan Radha 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify issues that are critical to developing complex, business‐to‐business products and discuss implications for vendor firms.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs the critical review approach to current complex product literature and draws from relevant literature streams in engineering, management, and marketing to propose a conceptual framework.FindingsThe critical review of the complex products research reveals the following as critical issues for research and practice in the development of complex products: definition, internal and external complexity, product and process complexity, standardized to customized complex products continuum, component and process modularity, and operant resources.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper identifies six specific operant resources that are critical to the development of complex products and proposes a conceptual framework. Clearly, more needs to be done in terms of theoretical and empirical research with reference to the development of complex, business‐to‐business products. For example, researchers could empirically test the proposed framework; identify other relevant operant resources; and critique the proposed framework and develop a new, more comprehensive framework.Practical implicationsFirms that develop complex products could focus on developing the six operant resources that can help them become competent in developing complex products; and developing organizational structures and policies and providing an organizational environment that is conducive to developing robust internal and external social capital.Originality/valueThe proposed conceptual framework provides a theoretical foundation for practitioners and researchers to build on.
The convergence of corporate social responsibility practices
Authors: Misani Nicola 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain why many socially responsible firms appear to converge on a standard set of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices instead of striving to differentiate themselves from rivals and achieve competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachThree explanations of this convergence are presented as follows: herd behaviour, institutional isomorphism and strategic cooperation. The different empirical predictions of these theories are laid down. The resulting framework is used to analyse a recent self‐regulatory scheme launched by the steel industry, in which knowledge sharing was used to stimulate poor performers to curb carbon dioxide emissions.FindingsSocial practices of firms are very often driven by pressures to conform, instead of pressures to perform. Even firms that want to be innovative may be forced by stakeholder requests to adopt passive and imitative behaviour.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that there are two types of CSR – convergent and divergent – and that firms need to establish which type of CSR best fits their needs before they address the issues raised by stakeholders.Originality/valueThe literature on CSR focuses on the relationship between stakeholders and single firms. The paper tries to add to this literature by analysing the relationship between stakeholders and industries. The paper also contributes to the debate on the financial benefits of CSR by arguing that in industries where the convergent type of CSR is dominant researchers should not expect above‐average returns for socially responsible firms.
Alternative scholarly communication: management issues in a Ghanaian university
Authors: Asamoah‐Hassan Helena 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThis paper sets out to present what the KNUST Library has done to introduce alternative scholarly communication in the form of an institutional repository to the University.Design/methodology/approachThe study discusses management issues like agreement on policy to govern it, its acceptance by management and faculty as well as library personnel, and the software to be used that came into play along with challenges when the institutional repository was being planned and implemented.FindingsThe paper indicates that the introduction of the KNUSTSpace institutional repository has brought several benefits to the researchers in the University by offering them an alternative to the traditional means for scholarly communication and through that exposing their research to the world and the benefits that come with that. The University has also been show‐cased.Originality/valueThe paper clearly explains the key management issues encountered in the process of setting up the institutional repository and how they were tackled successfully. The paper will therefore be of assistance to libraries contemplating setting up institutional repositories.
Assessing the impact of new technology on internal operations
Authors: Mbambo‐Thata Buhle 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss issues surrounding implementation of technology in libraries. The paper aims to focus on the process of implementing mobile phone services at the University of South Africa (UNISA) Library, and how the introduction impacted on internal operations. It is based on a survey of staff concerning the impact of the first six months of the service implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a limited survey conducted within the University of South Africa (UNISA) Library. It discusses the impact and potential on staff within the library and the service processes. The study provides information for management decisions if there should be changes in the operations. It outlines lessons learned. It further stresses the need to monitor and evaluate processes of introducing new technology in libraries.FindingsThe paper indicates that the introduction of new services should not be simply an add‐on‐ service, but should also be followed by monitoring and evaluation of impact.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is limited to the University of South Africa (UNISA) Library. Applications in different settings may yield different results.Practical implicationsThe findings could be used as lessons learned by other libraries wanting to introduce mobile phone services.Originality/valueThis is an original paper, not previously published providing useful information on the impact of new technology on library internal operations.
Retirement decisions in the context of the abolishment of mandatory retirement
Authors: Warren Amy M. , Kevin Kelloway E. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to use the theory of planned behavior to test a structural model of retirement timing intentions of older workers in Canada following the abolishment of mandatory retirement.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 281 working individuals was conducted in order to test a model of retirement timing.FindingsThe model was a good fit to the data. Attitudes toward people at work predicted people's attitudes toward work. Attitudes toward work predicted age and life perceptions. Age and life perceptions predicted control. Control predicted social/policy influences, and finally social/policy influences predicted planned retirement age.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitations of this study were that the authors tested a model based on self report data. Furthermore the data were correlational therefore they cannot make causal inferences.Practical implicationsWork attitudes predict people's own perceptions of their life and age. And these are predictive of norms. Organizations need to consider people's perceptions of their work, if they are to retain workers past the normal retirement age. Implementing work practices/policies, e.g. flexible work, become key considerations for these organizations.Originality/valueThe authors now have empirical support for the contention that norms are important for investigating the short term effects of lifting mandatory retirement, but also when considering the long term effects that changing mandatory retirement policies may have on individual's retirement timing. Furthermore, they have a more comprehensive model of retirement timing.
Burnout and older workers' intentions to retire
Authors: Henkens Kène , Leenders Monique 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe central theme of this article is early retirement intentions and burnout among older workers. The paper aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the burnout dimensions exhaustion, cynicism and competence and retirement intentions.Design/methodology/approachThe data were taken from a survey held among Dutch older workers (50+) and their spouses (n=2,892).FindingsThe results show that a high workload, heavy physical work, lack of challenge, autonomy and social support from colleagues and managers are related to burnout complaints, although in a different way for the three dimensions. The results show that besides the effect of burnout, retirement intentions are related to the level of marital quality. Older workers who report a higher level of marital quality report a stronger intention to retire. Burnout and retirement intentions are related, but appear to have partly different predictors. While burnout can generally be explained by the work environment, non‐work related factors enhance the understanding of retirement intentions.Originality/valueThis study shows that actual retirement is often preceded by feelings of burnout, in particular a mental detachment from work and feelings of exhaustion.
Do European employers support later retirement?
Authors: van Dalen Hendrik P. , Henkens Kène , Henderikse Wilma , Schippers Joop 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to examine whether employers' opinions and expectations regarding workers' retirement age are in line with the ideas of the EU‐Member States' governments to increase the participation of older workers and to postpone the transition from paid work into retirement at the end of the labour market career.Design/methodology/approachA comparative survey was used among employers from five European countries: Greece, Hungary, Spain, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.FindingsThe authors found that most employers are reluctant in supporting later retirement. Part of this reluctance is the result of the perception that an ageing work force is a burden rather than a boom to organizations.Originality/valueThis study shows that there still is a discrepancy between the aims formulated at the level of the European Union and member state countries with respect to stimulating the labour force participation of older workers and the attitudes of individual employers. In particular, the fact that employers perceive alternative solutions to the challenges of an ageing and shrinking workforce, other than delaying retirement, suggests that most employers will not be a major driving force for extending the working life.
A new fast converging Kalman filter for sensor fault detection and isolation
Authors: Jayaram Sanjay 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to present an approach to detect and isolate the sensor failures, using a bank of extended Kalman filters (EKF) using an innovative initialization of covariance matrix using system dynamics.Design/methodology/approachThe EKF is developed for nonlinear flight dynamic estimation of a spacecraft and the effects of the sensor failures using a bank of Kalman filters is investigated. The approach is to develop a fast convergence Kalman filter algorithm based on covariance matrix computation for rapid sensor fault detection. The proposed nonlinear filter has been tested and compared with the classical Kalman filter schemes via simulations performed on the model of a space vehicle; this simulation activity has shown the benefits of the novel approach.FindingsIn the simulations, the rotational dynamics of a spacecraft dynamic model are considered, and the sensor failures are detected and isolated.Research limitations/implicationsA novel fast convergence Kalman filter for detection and isolation of faulty sensors applied to the three‐axis spacecraft attitude control problem is examined and an effective approach to isolate the faulty sensor measurements is proposed. Advantages of using innovative initialization of covariance matrix are presented in the paper. The proposed scheme enhances the improvement in estimation accuracy. The proposed method takes advantage of both the fast convergence capability and the robustness of numerical stability. Quaternion‐based initialization of the covariance matrix is not considered in this paper.Originality/valueA new fast converging Kalman filter for sensor fault detection and isolation by innovative initialization of covariance matrix applied to a nonlinear spacecraft dynamic model is examined and an effective approach to isolate the measurements from failed sensors is proposed. An EKF is developed for the nonlinear dynamic estimation of an orbiting spacecraft. The proposed methodology detects and decides if and where a sensor fault has occurred, isolates the faulty sensor, and outputs the corresponding healthy sensor measurement.