bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human resource management strategies under uncertainty
Authors: Fields Dail , Chan Andrew , Akhtar Syed , Blum Terry C. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo compare the tendency of US and Hong Kong Chinese companies to utilize three alternative human resource management (HRM) strategies to offset uncertainties in the supply of labor.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 158 US and 66 Hong Kong Chinese companies concerning the extent to which these companies engaged in training and development, monitoring and assessment of employee performance, and staffing through an internal labor market. Data were also obtained concerning the uncertainty in the supply of qualified employees.FindingsAfter controlling differences in industries and company size, the results show that, when faced with labor uncertainty, use of the three (HRM) strategies was increased by Hong Kong Chinese companies, but decreased by US companies.Practical implicationsThis study provides new information about how cultural differences may play out in business organizations. The results may provide some insight into how competitors in a global marketplace may react to environmental uncertainties and greater resource dependence.Originality/valueThis study fills a need to understand how organizations operating different cultural contexts differ in their reactions to uncertainties in the business environment.
Human error in maintenance: a review
Authors: Dhillon B.S. , Liu Y. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to present the impact of human errors in maintenance as found in the literature in order for practitioners to be aware of their impact and develop actions to mitigate their effect.Design/methodology/approachThe paper systematically categorizes the published literature and then analyzes and reviews it methodically.FindingsHuman error in maintenance is a pressing problem.Practical implicationsA maintenance person plays an important role in the reliability of equipment. It is also a well‐known fact that a significantly large proportion of total human errors occur during the maintenance phase. Human error in maintenance is a subject which in the past has not been given the amount of attention that it deserves. This paper will be useful to people working in the area of maintenance engineering, as it presents a general review of literature published on maintenance errors in various sectors of industry.Originality/valueThe paper contains a comprehensive listing of publications on the field in question and their classification according to industry. The paper will be useful to researchers, maintenance professionals and others concerned with maintenance to understand the importance of human error in maintenance.
Maintenance of a reducer by vibration and wear particles analysis
Authors: Carlos Gonçalves Aparecido , Carvalho Cunha Rodrigo , Fabiano Lago Daniel 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to provide information on wear debris on oil and vibration analysis as predictive maintenance techniques in reducer.Design/methodology/approachThe estate of a reducer is verified by analyzing the vibration and oil conditions of a test rig under well‐designed conditions utilizing some predictive variables.FindingsAccording to the vibration and oil analysis it is found out what it was happening into the reducer without disassembling it.Practical implicationsThis paper demonstrates the use of oil debris analysis and vibration analysis as a technique that enhances preventive maintenance practices. The paper helps practitioners to utilize these techniques more effectively.Originality/valueThis paper gives information about two predictive maintenance techniques with a test rig.
An improved selective maintenance solution approach
Authors: Rajagopalan Rajanand , Cassady C. Richard 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an improved, enumerative solution procedure for solving the original selective maintenance problems. Selective maintenance refers to the process of identifying the set of maintenance actions to perform from a desirable set of maintenance actions.Design/methodology/approachA series of four improvements to a previously proposed enumerative solution procedure are presented. The improvements are defined and tested sequentially on an experimental set of problem instances. The improvements are characterized relative to the achieved reduction in CPU time for a software application.FindingsThe improved enumerative procedure reduces the CPU time required to solve the selective maintenance problems by as much as 99 per cent. There is a corresponding increase in practical problem size of more than 200 per cent.Practical implicationsAlmost all organizations use a variety of repairable systems to achieve their mission. Typically, these systems have to share the limited maintenance resources possessed by the organization. Therefore, an improved ability to solve selective maintenance problem is relevant to many industries.Originality/valueThe body of knowledge relative to selective maintenance continues to grow. However, this is the first study aimed at improving the capability of engineers to solve practically‐sized selective maintenance problems.
Oil pipeline spill cause analysis
Authors: Bertolini Massimo , Bevilacqua Maurizio 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an easy and robust tool to develop a decision support system (DSS) for the inspection staff of oil pipelines. The aim is to predict “the class” of each spillage, with respect to some relevant variables such as, mechanical failure or system malfunction. The management will then be able to define which pipelines to monitor and to choose the most suitable monitoring policies, based on the decision tree analysis outcome.Design/methodology/approachA non‐parametric technique based on rule induction is proposed for the identification of the expected spill cause category of cross‐country oil pipelines. In particular, the classification and regression trees approach is used to automatically generate inspection or maintenance decision rules. The analysis that is described is based on an extended database concerning information about spill cause category in cross‐country oil pipelines in Western Europe.FindingsThe proposed technique represents an interesting added value tool for the management. The proposed methodology extrapolates rules for determining the expected spill cause category of cross‐country pipelines, depending on the boundary conditions.Practical implicationsThe methodology here presented will assist maintenance managers of oil pipeline to better plan maintenance activity. In particular, the procedure makes it possible to determine which parts of a pipeline have to be submitted to a monitoring action or particular protection, with the aim of improving the efficiency and reducing the risk of spillages.Originality/valueEffective planning, coordination, and scheduling of the maintenance function can be, and for many years was, accomplished without computer support. The proposed procedure may be included in an information systems tool (sound Computerized Maintenance Information Management System (CMMIS)), for more efficient and effective maintenance/inspection scheduling activities.
Influence of layer thickness on mechanical properties in stereolithography
Authors: Chockalingam K. , Jawahar N. , Chandrasekhar U. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeMechanical properties such as tensile, yield, impact strengths, and development of residual stresses play an important role intooling applications. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of layer thickness – one of the influential process parameters in stereolithography (SL) process, on mechanical properties of SL components.Design/methodology/approachTest specimens are constructed as per the ASTM standards for different layer thicknesses in SL 5000 machine, using epoxy resin CIBA tool ® SL5530, a high temperature resistant SL material that is suitable for rapid tooling applications. Tensile, yield and impact tests are carried out with suitable equipments. Residual stress is analysed using hole drill method.FindingsThe analysis reveals that when the layer thickness is smaller, the strength of the part is higher.Research limitations/implicationsConclusion of this research is drawn based on the analysis of the most widely used three layer thicknesses of 100, 125 and 150 μm. X‐ray diffraction or molecular resonance analysis may be useful to understand the reason for the variation in mechanical properties.Originality/valueThis experimental study provides the useful information to the SL machine users in the selection of layer thickness to manufacture rapid tools.
Application of fused deposition in controlled microstructure metal‐ceramic composites
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Amit , Das Kakoli , Marusich Jeff , Onagoruwa Seyi 
Published: July 2006

PurposeAl‐alumina interconnected phase composites were processed using the direct fused deposition process. These materials with tailored microstructures can find applications as structural materials with gradient properties.Design/methodology/approachIn this process, feedstock material with fused silica as a starting material was compounded at a high shear mixer and then extruded as a filament using a single screw extruder. Extruded filaments were used with a commercial fused deposition modeler, FDM 1650, to process controlled porosity green ceramic structures. Porous green ceramic preforms were subjected to binder removal and sintering cycles in furnace air. Controlled porosity sintered ceramic structures were infiltrated with Al 5052 metal by pressureless reactive metal infiltration to form an in situ Al‐alumina structured composite.FindingsThe main advantage for this approach is to control distribution of both metal and ceramic phases in the composite. During metal infiltration good bonding was observed between the metal and the ceramic phases. Composites were tested under both quasi‐static and dynamic shock loading to evaluate their mechanical properties. Compression strength of these composites was 689±95 MPa.Originality/valueThis paper describes application of the direct fused deposition process for fabrication of ceramic/metal composites where both macrostructure as well as microstructure can be controlled simultaneously. The paper also focuses on one of the potential application area for 5052‐Al alloy.
Advances in three dimensional printing – state of the art and future perspectives
Authors: Dimitrov D. , Schreve K. , de Beer N. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper surveys the current state and capabilities of three dimensional printing (3DP). A comprehensive review of 3D Printing applications is presented. The scope of the applications includes design, manufacturing, the medical field and architecture.Design/methodology/approachA large variety of manufacturing applications such as rapid pattern making and rapid tooling using the 3DP process directly or as core technology, as well as further implications in design and engineering analysis, medicine, and architecture are presented and evaluated.FindingsSome research issues are also discussed. An attempt, based on the state of the art, to show weaknesses and opportunities, and to draw conclusions about the future of this important process rounds up this paper.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this research survey is limited to evaluation and comparison of processes that may be characterised as 3D printing technologies.Practical implicationsThe study is very useful as a basis for matching evaluated 3D printing machine and process capabilities to user requirements, and forms a framework on which future comparative studies can build.Originality/valueA comprehensive overview of the capabilities of 3DP processes is presented and evaluated. It shows the application of 3D printing beyond concept modelling. The paper is valuable for researchers as well as individuals, who require adequate and relevant comparative information during decision making.
Mesoscale RF relay enabled by integrated rapid manufacturing
Authors: Palmer J.A. , Jokiel B. , Nordquist C.D. , Kast B.A. , Atwood C.J. , Grant E. , Livingston F.J. , Medina F. , Wicker R.B. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper presents a novel mesoscale RF (mRF) relay that integrates advanced high resolution stereolithography (SL) and micro wire electro discharge machining (μEDM) technologies. Methods and infrastructure for reliable batch assembly of electromechanical actuators and structural parts less than 5 mm3 in volume are described. Switches made using these techniques are expected to have greater power handling capability relative to current micro RF relay products.Design/methodology/approachThe conjecture is that the integration of SL and similar rapid additive manufacturing with other mesofabrication technologies can yield innovative miniature products with novel capabilities. A series of mRF prototypes consisting of a contact mechanism and actuator with return spring were fabricated assembled, inspected, and characterized for electromechanical performance. Characterization results led to specific conclusions regarding capabilities of the mRF product, and the integrated manufacturing technique.FindingsThe microassembly apparatus and epoxy‐based fastening system led to durable prototypes within 4 h (excluding a 16‐24 h cure cycle). Relay stroke ranged from 560 to 1,650 μm indicating a relative assembly accuracy of 90 percent. Prototypes demonstrated insertion loss of 1.3 dB at 100 MHz and isolation of better than 30 dB through 300 MHz.Research limitations/implicationsResults indicated that fully functional and robust mesoscale relays are possible using integrated manufacturing with SL. However, prototypes exhibited high contact resistance and lacked assembly precision in the context of contact mechanism stroke. Opportunities exist to reduce contact resistance and switching time.Practical implicationsThe research provides a practical new product application for integrated mesoscale rapid manufacturing.Originality/valueThis work represents one of the first examples of a mesoscale relay rapidly manufactured with a combination of μEDM and SL components.
Academic entrepreneurship: an exploratory case study
Authors: Brennan Michael C. , McGowan Pauric 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo explore, describe and explain what processes are at work in facilitating or inhibiting entrepreneurship amongst academics.Design/methodology/approachA corporate entrepreneurship perspective is used to construct a framework for understanding academic entrepreneurship at different ontological levels within a university context. A single case study method is adopted involving a purposeful sampling strategy of academic entrepreneurs within one university. A sense‐making approach investigated the practice of entrepreneurship by academics.FindingsDevelops a tentative framework for bounding the phenomenon of academic entrepreneurship and presents a model that attempts to identify key elements of academic entrepreneurship in terms of different modes of knowledge production and value‐creating processes.Research limitations/implicationsThe single case setting limits the applicability of the research to other institutions. However, the framework and model that are developed and the overall approach are valuable contributions to an important, emerging research area. The academic entrepreneurship framework provides a series of logically related conceptual bins that form a basis for future research. The model of academic entrepreneurship attempts to explain how academics produce different types of knowledge.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that academic entrepreneurs have a complex set of relationships with their parent disciplines and the university setting within which they operate. The outcomes indicate that orthodox models of entrepreneurship are not always meaningful as regards understanding what academic entrepreneurs actually do in practice.Originality/valueThe paper investigates a little‐understood phenomenon and one that is increasingly important for UK policy makers and university administrators. The academic entrepreneurship framework and model is an original and valuable contribution to the study of this phenomenon.
A less‐developed country perspective of consumer ethnocentrism and “country of origin” effects: Indonesian evidence
Authors: Hamin  , Elliott Greg 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the concept of “consumer ethnocentrism” (CE) and its impact on product evaluation and preferences among Indonesian consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe survey involved interviewing a representative sample of Indonesian consumers who had previously purchased the products in question, namely colour television and who had travelled by international airlines. A total of 547 usable questionnaires were completed in face‐to‐face interviews in Indonesia. Conjoint analysis was employed to study the relative importance and part‐worth estimates of country‐of‐origin (COO) effects across high and low CE groups.FindingsResults of a sample survey of Indonesian consumers are discussed. They show, firstly, that the overall level of CE of Indonesian consumers, compared with published results for a range of countries, is notably high. Secondly, results of conjoint analysis showing the relationship between CE and consumer evaluations of “COO”, product quality perceptions, and purchase intentions, for both tangible goods and intangible services, are discussed.Research limitations/implicationsThe actual sample was heavily biased to upper socio‐economic groups because of its focus on international airlines as one of the subject products. This will inevitably distort the average Consumer ethnocentric tendency scale score, but was felt to be unavoidable.Originality/valueIn the past, research on country‐of‐origin effects has been carried out mostly in more developed countries considering products made in less developed countries (LDC's). In the present research, attention has been given to understand the effects of consumer CE on perceptions of product quality, price, perceived value, and product choice from the point of view of consumers from LDC's. In addition, the study of COO effects in relation to intangible services is noteworthy.
The influence of explicit and implicit service promises on Chinese students’ expectations of overseas universities
Authors: Prugsamatz Sunita , Ofstad Lars 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis study aims to extend the knowledge and literature on which information sources influences (explicit service promises such as advertising, personal selling; implicit service promises such as tangibles and price; past experiences; word of mouth; image and reputation) Chinese students’ expectations of overseas universities’ service quality.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from undergraduate Chinese students from two universities in Australia. A total of 133 questionnaires were returned for data analysis. Factor analysis and multiple analysis of variance were conducted for this study.FindingsResults indicate the three most influential sources of information on Chinese students expectations of universities are: past experiences, advertising and word of mouth. Findings suggest that the more explicit and implicit service promises the respondent is exposed to; the higher the desired and predicted expectations of the university's service quality. However their level of expectations (both desired and predicted) is considerably greater when exposed to explicit service promises.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation of this study includes the results obtained as not necessarily generalisable or applicable to other cultures (for instance Europeans). Future research could examine Chinese students’ formation of expectations based on other factors such as human values.Originality/valueThe theoretical contribution of this study consists of applying and extending Zeithamlet al.'s model, that proposes that a customer's level of expectations is dependent on several antecedents, within a higher education (pre‐purchase) context using a Chinese sample. The main managerial implication is that measuring the influence of information sources on Chinese students will provide universities with more effective ways of targeting Chinese consumers with their marketing communication campaigns.
The role of communication and visual identity in modern organisations
Authors: Melewar T.C. , Bassett Kara , Simões Cláudia 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper attempts to shed light on a further understanding of the notion of corporate identity especially in relation to communication and visual identity, and its relevance for the organisation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a main theoretical background reviewing and discussing the literature in corporate identity in particular, addressing the following dimensions: communications and visual identity. The paper also resorts to examples that illustrate how organisations change or shape their corporate identity to face (new) market and environmental conditions.FindingsThe paper shows that corporate identity is an issue of growing importance to all companies. Its development and management has become a key dimension within an organisation's strategy. The paper highlights that corporate identity extends beyond the company's logo and name. It covers all forms of internal and external communications of the company. It further discusses the implications for corporate identity change or adaptation in the context of market and other environmental alterations and how it leads to attaining competitive advantage.Practical implicationsThe paper describes how practitioners applied (and may apply) corporate identity as a strategic resource.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to a further understanding of the magnitude of corporate identity, its strategic relevance and managerial dynamics. Moreover, by stressing communication and visual identity dimensions, it underlines how “parts” of identity need and should be managed in a company's setting.