bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric corrosion of materials used in the civil construction industry
Authors: Pereira da Silva Egnalda , de Azevedo Alvarenga Evandro , das Mercês Reis de Castro Maria , de Freitas Cunha Lins Vanessa 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to select an atmospheric corrosion evaluation methodology and to establish a range of relative corrosion penetration and/or progress values, which could be used as reference in the selection of materials for the civil construction industry.Design/methodology/approachSalt spray, field tests, accelerated cyclic tests and accelerated field tests were used to evaluate atmospheric corrosion resistance of civil construction materials. The cyclic accelerated test and the field test with saline solution spray were found to be appropriate for atmospheric corrosion resistance evaluation.FindingsThe corrosion resistance of aluminium killed mild steel, aluminium killed copper added steel, and electrogalvanized steels, all phosphatized and painted, were evaluated by field and accelerated corrosion tests. Of the materials studied, aluminium killed mild steel showed the least resistance to atmospheric corrosion. The use of aluminium killed copper added steel is recommended for material specification in the civil construction industry.Research limitations/implicationsSalt sprays are not adequate to evaluate atmospheric corrosion resistance. There are other cyclic tests that could be tested in future work.Practical implicationsBrazilian technical standards, which specify the metallic materials used in the civil construction industry, will be changed in order to include the construction steel corrosion resistance evaluation methodology, which is proposed in this paper. As a result, the tendency of the construction materials lifetime is set to increase.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the improvement of the Brazilian Technical Standard by the inclusion of an atmospheric corrosion resistance requirement.
Inhibition efficiencies of some organic compounds on the corrosion of zinc in alkaline media
Authors: Bereket G. , Gülec M. , Yurt A. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the inhibiting properties of six quaternary ammonium salts, three cationic surfactants and two non‐ionic surfactants in 2 M KOH. An attempt also was made to correlate some molecular parameters of these compounds with their corrosion inhibitor efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThe inhibition efficiencies of quaternary ammonium salts, cationic surfactants and non‐ionic surfactants on the corrosion of zinc in 2 M KOH solution were investigated by potentiodynamic polarisation, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear polarisation methods.FindingsInhibition efficiencies of quaternary ammonium salts were found to be due to physical absorption on the cathodic sides of zinc electrode and dependence of inhibition efficiencies on substituents were found. Physical adsorption of cationic surfactants on zinc electrode slowed down both anodic and cathodic reactions; thus they were found to be mixed type inhibitors. On the other hand, inhibition behaviour of non‐ionic surfactants was found to be due to adsorption on zinc via polar groups. It was found that non‐ionic surfactants behaved as mixed type inhibitors.Originality/valueClarifies the role of molecular structure and substituents on the inhibition efficiency of surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds on the corrosion of zinc in alkaline media.
Quality assurance models in the food supply chain
Authors: Manning L. , Baines R.N. , Chadd S.A. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeQuality assurance (QA) standards are considered to be a proven mechanism for delivering quality of product and service. This paper seeks to analyse critically how effectively this mechanism has been implemented in the integrated food supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThis paper focuses on the development of QA standards and organisational business models. The research included a literature review and evaluation to determine the mechanisms currently in place with particular emphasis on poultry meat.FindingsHistorically private quality assurance schemes have been developed to demonstrate compliance with a set of extrinsic quality standards or “pre‐requisites”. These have often included qualitative rather than quantitative measures of quality. In order to demonstrate to external stakeholders and the consumer that QA schemes actually deliver tangible benefits, quantitative measurements should be included in QA models especially as these measures can improve intrinsic product quality, drive business performance and supply chain efficiency and compliance with legislative requirements.Originality/valueThis paper analyses the current status of QA in the food supply chain and is of relevance to a cross‐section of the industry.
Australian farmers' and food processors' values
Authors: Lea Emma , Worsley Anthony 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe aim of this exploratory study was to examine and compare a range of business values held by farmers and food processors.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires with a section on business values were posted to 200 farmers and 200 food processing businesses in Victoria, Australia, with response rates of 44 per cent (n=69) and 31 per cent (n=48), respectively, achieved.FindingsThe most important of the 28 value items for farmers were high quality produce, honesty, and caring for employees. For processors, the most important values were quality products, customer value, and caring for employees. Between group differences reached statistical significance for one‐third of the items. In particular, processor businesses valued innovation and convenience products more highly and had a stronger process orientation than did farming businesses. Environmental sustainability, caring for the community, and providing healthy products were more integral to farming than processing businesses.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation was the small sample sizes, although it is likely that response bias was not high. Future research could survey a larger sample of food industry representatives and examine the values held by other food industry sectors.Practical implicationsThis information could increase the effectiveness of communications with industry groups on a range of issues and in the formulation of appropriate health and environmental policies.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to compare the values of farmers and food processors. This information is particularly important for those in the food industry and health and environmental policy makers.
Are European businesses getting the live e‐learning message?
Authors: Jensen Sylvia 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to discuss how WebEx Training Center is helping organizations implement e‐learning, looking at companies that are training employees in innovative ways and the conditions for providing the most engaging and interactive e‐learning environment. It also aims to look at factors to consider before implementing an e‐learning programme and how to ensure that the programme is adopted by the workforce.Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve this objective, case studies are used to illustrate the argument. The piece looks at a number of industries that are using e‐learning, from small businesses to large enterprises.FindingsIt was found that e‐learning is emerging as an extremely viable cost alternative to face‐to‐face learning and that the best e‐learning environments provide an engaging and interactive environment.Originality/valueThe paper is of use for training managers considering implementing an e‐learning programme.
Structure and function in retrieval languages
Authors: Vickery B.C. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to summarize the varied structural characteristics which may be present in retrieval languages.Design/methodology/approachThe languages serve varied purposes in information systems, and a number of these are identified. The relations between structure and function are discussed and suggestions made as to the most suitable structures needed for various purposes.FindingsA quantitative approach has been developed: a simple measure is the number of separate terms in a retrieval language, but this has to be related to the scope of its subject field. Some ratio of terms to items in the field seems a more suitable measure of the average specificity of the terms. Other aspects can be quantified – for example, the average number of links in hierarchical chains, or the average number of cross‐references in a thesaurus.Originality/valueAll the approaches to the analysis of retrieval language reported in this paper are of continuing value. Some practical studies of computer information systems undertaken by Aslib Research Department have suggested a further approach.
Diffusion factors
Authors: Faber Frandsen Tove , Rousseau Ronald , Rowlands Ian 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to clarify earlier work on journal diffusion metrics. Classical journal indicators such as the Garfield impact factor do not measure the breadth of influence across the literature of a particular journal title. As a new approach to measuring research influence, the study complements these existing metrics with a series of formally described diffusion factors.Design/methodology/approachUsing a publication‐citation matrix as an organising construct, the paper develops formal descriptions of two forms of diffusion metric: “relative diffusion factors” and “journal diffusion factors” in both their synchronous and diachronous forms. It also provides worked examples for selected library and information science and economics journals, plus a sample of health information papers to illustrate their construction and use.FindingsDiffusion factors capture different aspects of the citation reception process than existing bibliometric measures. The paper shows that diffusion factors can be applied at the whole journal level or for sets of articles and that they provide a richer evidence base for citation analyses than traditional measures alone.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of this paper is on clarifying the concepts underlying diffusion factors and there is unlimited scope for further work to apply these metrics to much larger and more comprehensive data sets than has been attempted here.Practical implicationsThese new tools extend the range of tools available for bibliometric, and possibly webometric, analysis. Diffusion factors might find particular application in studies where the research questions focus on the dynamic aspects of innovation and knowledge transfer.Originality/valueThis paper will be of interest to those with theoretical interests in informetric distributions as well as those interested in science policy and innovation studies.
Editorial
Authors: Torrance Anna , Peters John 
Published: June 2006

PurposeProvides an summary of the workshop and discussions held by Management Decision at the 2005 Academy of Management annual conference.Design/methodology/approachReports on the discussions that took place amongst the four work groups on the following subjects: qualitative versus quantitative methodologies, encouraging research from developing nations and practitioner authors, the value of history in management and how publishers can solve the main headaches for researchers.FindingsJournal and institutional rankings are playing an increasingly important part in academic life. This has both positive and negative implications.Originality/valueProvides information about issues that are important to the scholarly community and encourages authors, readers and anyone else involved in research to contribute their thoughts and opinions.
Evidence on formal strategic planning and company performance
Authors: Falshaw J. Richard , Glaister Keith W. , Tatoglu Ekrem 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis empirical study of 113 UK companies attempts to examine the relationship between formal strategic planning and financial performance in a non‐US context while taking into consideration the important contingent variables identified by previous researchers of organizational size, environmental turbulence and industry.Design/methodology/approachBased on a postal questionnaire primary data was collected from 113 UK companies. A series of multivariate analyses were undertaken to test the hypothesized relationships.FindingsWhile hypotheses explaining the formality of a company's planning process were well accounted for, no relationship between formal planning process and subjective company performance was observed.Research limitations/implicationsMeasurement validity may be a problem. The data are cross‐sectional, therefore causal linkages among the variables cannot be firmly established. Related to this point is the fact that firm performance is a function of prior, not current, planning and other management practices. Longitudinal data would be needed in order to prove that causal relationships exist and control for time lag effects.Originality/valueDespite the continued importance of performance objectives in the prescriptive literature, recent attention has not been given to strategic planning and performance in empirical research. One function of this paper is to re‐kindle this area of research. More specifically, the empirical study reported in this paper draws on data from UK companies, which is novel in this stream of research. In a review of 29 relevant studies by Greenley (1994) the only study identified reporting UK data was that of Grinyer and Norburn (1975), the majority of the remaining studies reporting data from the USA. Greenley notes that while this represents a stream of research from a single business culture, the major issue is one of relevance to the practice of strategic planning in Europe and other countries. Although the principles of strategic planning should, of course, have universal application, there may be national differences in strategic planning, country dependent influences from business culture, and influences from different national trading conditions. The strategic management field can be criticized for not examining particular phenomena in non‐US contexts, with respect to the impact of FSP and organizational performance this study attempts to rectify this imbalance.
In the driver's seat or rubber stamp?
Authors: Kemp Sharon 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThere has been increasing interest in Australia regarding corporate boards, their role and the contribution they make to organisations' performance and success. There is however, a gap in our knowledge about what board members do. To better understand boards, we need to know more about the behaviour of those who sit on boards. Many chairmen and all non‐executive directors serve on corporate boards in a part‐time capacity, however, such part‐time service does not negate a role in strategy. The purpose of this paper is to ask how, if at all, do part‐time board members influence strategy in Australian public companies?Design/methodology/approachThis paper first examines the literature on choice, change and control as key aspects of firms' strategic conduct. Second, attention turns to generating empirical data to examine how part‐time board members engage with these processes. Attention is given to the actions of part‐time board membersvis‐à‐visexecutive directors, both inside and outside the boardroom. Data from interviews with 20 board members are interpreted using the 1999 framework of McNulty and Pettigrew which conceptualises part‐time board members' involvement in strategy as: ”taking strategic decisions”, ”shaping strategic decisions” and ”shaping the content, context and conduct of strategy”.FindingsEach of the three levels of part‐time board member involvement in strategy described by McNulty and Pettigrew engage part‐time board members in processes of choice, change and control in differing ways. Part‐time board members are able to shape both the ideas that form the content of corporations' strategies and the methodologies and processes by which those ideas evolve. In so doing, part‐time board members are capable of exerting control over management and influencing processes of strategic choice and change. Boards of directors have a role in strategy formulation, strategic decision‐making and strategic control.Practical implicationsThe board's role is in the driver's seat not as a rubber stamp. A process whereby board members can engage and exert a controlling influence over strategic direction and outcomes of the corporation is of benefit not only to Australian corporations but has global corporate benefit. The paper describes and analyses the contribution to strategy made by board members in five Australian companiesOriginality/valueThis paper describes and analyzes the contribution to strategy made by board members in five Australian companies.
Effects of socio‐technical factors on organizational intention to encourage knowledge sharing
Authors: Lin Hsiu‐Fen , Lee Gwo‐Guang 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo examine how socio‐technical factors (e.g. organizational climate and IT support) affect the intention to encourage knowledge sharing through their effects on three innovation characteristics: perceived relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity.Design/methodology/approachThe data from a survey of 154 senior executives in Taiwan were used empirically to test the proposed research model. Moreover, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the validity of the measurement model, and the structural model also was analysed to test the associations hypothesized in the research model.FindingsThe results showed that organizational climate significantly influences perceived relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity, which in turn positively affected the intention to encourage knowledge sharing. Contrary to previous studies, this study found that IT support did not significantly affect the three innovation characteristics of knowledge sharing.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper was limited to examine the perceptions of senior executives regarding knowledge sharing. Therefore, a similar research model should be developed to predict and explain the determinants of organizational intention to encourage knowledge sharing by perceptions of employees.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests that make an increased effort to allow employees to suggest ideas for new opportunities and foster a positive social interaction culture before introducing knowledge sharing initiatives. Specifically, creating an organizational climate characterized by top management support, open communication, stimulus to develop new ideas and respond rapidly to new opportunities is likely to encourage both management and employees to socialize and interact frequently with each other thus driving knowledge sharing intentions.Originality/valueThis paper has implications for business managers or policy makers to formulate policies and target organizations appropriately to ensure the effective creation of a knowledge sharing culture.
Father leadership: the Singapore case study
Authors: Kim Cheng Low Patrick 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo show and analyse the concept, practice, problems and prospects of father leadership in Singapore. The study also proposes such practices in Asian countries.Design/methodology/approachThe focus group participants, were mostly of experienced corporate and business leaders, and did not represent a cross‐section of the population; they were made of business people because of the peculiarities of Singapore's history and economy.FindingsThe Singapore Government leads the way and father leadership is widely practiced. An analysis is also made of the management approach, problems and prospects of father leadership as practised in Singapore with its practices proposed in other Asian countries.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include time and costs constraints; otherwise more focus group sessions can be held and the focus group participants, mostly of experienced corporate and business leaders, did not represent a cross‐section of the population; they were made of business people because of the peculiarities of Singapore's history and economy. It is argued that a synonymous match exists between the national culture and business culture in Singapore; hence the selection of the business people in the focus group. That synonymous match is primarily because of the country's small size and lack of natural resources, and because since its birth as a modern nation, Singapore is dependent on human capital and relies strongly on its economy for its survival and growth.Practical implicationsThe study provides useful lessons for businesses and political analysts outside Singapore to better understand the Government's paternalistic instincts in ensuring the long‐term sustainability of Singapore's economy and her citizenry.Originality/valueThe article provides a continuing perspective on governance and management in Singapore. It also extends existing studies into Confucianistic societies/ societies that are perceived by the outside world as being autocratic.
Decision orders: a decision taxonomy
Authors: Scherpereel Christopher M. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe proper identification of a decision problem is paramount to finding a course of action or solution. This paper attempts to capture the general laws or principles that define decision problems. These principles are then used to establish a decision classification system called the decision‐order taxonomy.Design/methodology/approachThe decision‐order taxonomy is developed by performing a content analysis on the seminal literature in the natural, social, and applied sciences. By identifying the semantic descriptors used to partition various domains, an implicit taxonomy for proper identification of decision problems is hypothesized.FindingsThe multidimensional taxonomic classification system and defined nomenclature, together with the identification process, comprise the complete decision‐order taxonomy developed in this paper. While applying the decision‐order taxonomy to an actual decision problem, insights are exposed which will guide the decision maker toward appropriate solution methodologies.Research limitations/implicationsThe theoretical foundation developed can be used to promote future research in decision classification. By providing a theoretically derived model, rich opportunities to test the taxonomy empirically are offered. Researchers are also given a foundation upon which they can build interdisciplinary decision models.Practical implicationsFor practitioners, the decision‐order taxonomy provides a new paradigm for communicating decision problems across disciplinary boundaries. The taxonomy also provides guidance to the practitioner as they search for appropriate solution methodologies in unfamiliar disciplines.Originality/valueThe establishment of a useful decision‐problem taxonomy is a significant contribution to understanding the multidimensional interdisciplinary nature of real world decision problems. The original classifications will promote cross disciplinary communication, a central element in business success.