bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toward a practice perspective on strategic organizational learning
Authors: Voronov Maxim 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to add to the emerging literatures on organizational learning and strategic management by developing a practice perspective on strategic organizational learning (SOL). While the literature on SOL has been growing, much of it has targeted exclusively practitioners and has not yet elaborated the mechanics and the micro‐dynamics of SOL. This paper is an initial attempt at exploring two important aspects of SOL: deep‐structure politics, and sensegiving.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports a qualitative case study of a major construction project undertaken by a mid‐size urban university as a part of its strategic change initiative.FindingsSeveral ways in which deep‐structure politics shaped SOL at the research site are highlighted. The findings suggest that deep‐structure politics and sensegiving can shape identity processes in the context of SOL in important ways, such as dramatically altering the identity of the project team and symbolically separating it from the host institution.Originality/valueThe paper enriches the predominantly practitioner literature on SOL with empirical examination of the practices of SOL.
Web 2.0 as a non‐foundational network‐centric learning space
Authors: Eijkman Henk 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to initiate a timely discussion about the epistemological advantages of Web 2.0 as a non‐foundational network‐centric learning space in higher education.Design/methodology/approachA philosophical analysis of the underpinning design principles of Web 2.0 social media and of conventional “foundational” and emergent “non‐foundational” learning and which uses Wikipedia as a case study.FindingsFor academics in higher education to take a more informed approach to the use of Web 2.0 in formal learning settings and begin to consider integrating Web 2.0's architecture of participation with a non‐foundational architecture of learning, focused on acculturation into networks of practice.Practical implicationsThe paper argues that the continuing dominance and therefore likely application of conventional old paradigm foundational learning theory will work against the grain of, if not undermine, the powerful affordances Web 2.0 social media provides for learning focused on social interaction and collaborative knowledge construction. The paper puts the case for non‐foundational learning and draws attention to the importance of aligning Web 2.0's architecture of participation with a non‐foundational architecture of acculturation as the latter is better epistemologically placed to more fully realise the potential of Web 2.0 to position students on trajectories of acculturation into their new networks of practice.Originality/valueThis paper exposes the epistemological dilemma Web 2.0's participatory culture poses for academics wedded to conventional ideas about the nature of knowledge and learning as is, for instance, clearly evidenced by their sceptical disposition towards or outright rejection of, Wikipedia.
Educational and institutional flexibility of Australian educational software
Authors: Shurville Simon , O'Grady Thomas (Barry) , Mayall Peter 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to provide context for papers in this special issue on Australasian e‐learning. The paper aims to examine the background to Australian flexible and transnational education and to evaluate the educational and intuitional flexibility of three typical products of the Australian educational software industry.Design/methodology/approachThe history of Australian distance education is summarised and drivers for flexible education are presented. A model of flexible educational software is introduced with three dimensions: educational, institutional and support/training. Three educational software products are informally reviewed using this model to establish that the current generation of Australian educational software offers significant educational and institutional flexibility.FindingsThe three examples of Australian educational software rate highly in both educational and institutional flexibility and also offer excellent support.Research limitations/implicationsThe existence of hot spots of educational technology innovation in relatively isolated areas such as Perth and Tasmania warrants further investigation.Practical implicationsThe Australian educational software industry produces extremely flexible products with excellent support that are worthy of consideration by international customers. Policy makers in Australia are alerted that current policies in ICT off shoring and the Australian Research Quality Framework (equivalent to the British Research Assessment Exercise) may threaten this industry, which contributes to sizable exports in transnational education.Originality/valueThe paper brings the flexible nature of Australian educational software to light for an international audience.
Shaping online teaching practices
Authors: Henderson Michael , Bradey Scott 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the influence of professional and academic identities in online teaching practices in higher education.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on data from a longitudinal study of five professional degree academics teaching subjects in nursing, teaching, engineering, allied health sciences, and journalism (here a “subject” refers to a course or unit which is usually undertaken over a semester and forms a part of a larger degree program). The research utilises community of practice as a social theory of learning, and the construct of identity, to better understand the connection between academic teachers' pedagogical beliefs and their teaching practices in a web‐enhanced learning setting. The authors contend that lecturers' online teaching practices are mediated by their continually negotiated identities as members of multiple communities of practice.FindingsThis research has found that the professional degree lecturers intentionally utilised the available technologies and tools to enact pedagogical strategies in ways that enabled them to manage the integrity of their occasionally conflicting identities as educators, professional practitioners and institutional employees.Originality/valueThis research goes beyond the assumption that past experiences flavour teachers' pedagogical styles. A lecturer continually negotiates and maintains multiple identities where each represents a fundamental understanding of the world and can sometimes be at odds with one‐another. This study has revealed how educational technologies have mediated the gap between the multiple identities held by teaching academics and been used as a bridging mechanism to connect beliefs with practice.
A collaborative process for evaluating new educational technologies
Authors: Kelly Greta 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to propose a collaborative process for evaluating, piloting and selecting, new and emerging educational technologies. It aims to promote discussion about how such an evaluative process can be inclusive of interdisciplinary stakeholders and envision the actual application of these technologies in real teaching and learning contexts across disciplines.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology applied in the piloting and evaluation of new educational technologies involves the design and identification of learning activities, the development of evaluation criteria which map to the goals of the learning activities and stakeholders' needs, and the incorporation of the technology‐enabled activities into the total course design.FindingsEvaluation methodologies that involve interdisciplinary stakeholders collaborating on a software pilot expose participants to multiple perspectives and divergent views. The evaluation of new educational technologies within a teaching and learning context is more effective in exposing the benefits and weaknesses of the technology than a conventional software pilot.Research limitations/implicationsThe new educational technologies evaluation methodology proposed in this paper has only been fully applied in three product pilots and is still in its developmental stage. The research is limited to the evaluation of educational software, not the implementation of new educational technologies.Practical implicationsThe re‐iterative and time‐consuming process of piloting and evaluating new educational technologies within a course context is one in which academics require pedagogical, technological and administrative support. This paper presents a methodology that ensures each of these varieties of support is included.Originality/valueWith the rapid expansion of new, sometimes costly educational technologies, universities can benefit from employing evaluation techniques based within an educational context, and ensure that their investments in these tools make an effective contribution to the enhancement of teaching and learning.
Coordinated, collaborative and coherent
Authors: Suddaby Gordon , Milne John 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to discusses two complementary initiatives focussed on developing and implementing e‐learning guidelines to support good pedagogy in e‐learning practice.Design/methodology/approachThe first initiative is the development of a coherent set of open access e‐learning guidelines for the New Zealand tertiary sector. The second project, arising from the e‐learning guidelines project, will implement selected guidelines in 18 tertiary institutions and evaluate the implementation processes and the outcomes.FindingsThe guidelines provide a framework for good pedagogical practice that supports quality e‐learning activity and engages staff in critically reflecting on e‐learning practice. The paper describes how e‐learning quality guidelines contribute to enhanced pedagogical quality, greater collaboration, and an approach that is focused on the learner.Practical implicationsInstitutions need to provide motivation, support and resources to successfully implement e‐learning guidelines.Originality/valueThe paper describes an innovative approach to collaborating on improving e‐learning quality and coherence across a national tertiary education system.
Effect of processing conditions on the bonding quality of FDM polymer filaments
Authors: Sun Q. , Rizvi G.M. , Bellehumeur C.T. , Gu P. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanisms controlling the bond formation among extruded polymer filaments in the fused deposition modeling (FDM) process. The bonding phenomenon is thermally driven and ultimately determines the integrity and mechanical properties of the resultant prototypes.Design/methodology/approachThe bond quality was assessed through measuring and analyzing changes in the mesostructure and the degree of healing achieved at the interfaces between the adjoining polymer filaments. Experimental measurements of the temperature profiles were carried out for specimens produced under different processing conditions, and the effects on mesostructures and mechanical properties were observed. Parallel to the experimental work, predictions of the degree of bonding achieved during the filament deposition process were made based on the thermal analysis of extruded polymer filaments.FindingsExperimental results showed that the fabrication strategy, the envelope temperature and variations in the convection coefficient had strong effects on the cooling temperature profile, as well as on the mesostructure and overall quality of the bond strength between filaments. The sintering phenomenon was found to have a significant effect on bond formation, but only for the very short duration when the filament's temperature was above the critical sintering temperature. Otherwise, creep deformation was found to dominate changes in the mesostructure.Originality/valueThis study provides valuable information about the effect of deposition strategies and processing conditions on the mesostructure and local mechanical properties within FDM prototypes. It also brings a better understanding of phenomena controlling the integrity of FDM products. Such knowledge is essential for manufacturing functional parts and diversifying the range of application of this process. The findings are particularly relevant to work conducted on modeling of the process and for the formulation of materials new to the FDM process.
On the use of FBG sensors for measurement of curing strains in photocurable resins
Authors: Karalekas Dimitrios 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe objective of this study is to investigate the use of a fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensor for measuring of curing strains that develop during the solidification of a photocurable resin used in 3D microfabrication.Design/methodology/approachThe followed approach consists of embedding a 1,300 nm FBG into a cylindrical specimen, fabricated into a transparent mould, being exposed to ultraviolet laser light. The further development of the cure induced strains under thermal treatment was also studied by post‐conditioning the cylindrical specimen in an oven at 70°C.FindingsThe experimental results demonstrate the capability of the FBG sensor to provide useful information on the strain build‐up during laser solidification and their post‐cure evolution under the presence of a thermal environment.Research limitations/implicationsFuture work should involve the use of smaller diameter FBG sensors in microstereolithography built parts.Practical implicationsIt is shown that considerable cure strains are developed at the end of the photo‐polymerisation process that eventually can affect the structural resolution of final parts fabricated by microstereolithography.Originality/valueThe presented method can be used to investigate other photopolymers used in micro‐stereolithography.
Fusion behavior of TrueFormTM/SiO2 composite powders during selective laser sintering
Authors: Fan K.M. , Cheung W.L. , Gibson I. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to study the effects of solid additives and compounding processes on the selective laser sintering (SLS) behavior of composite powders.Design/methodology/approachComposite powders were prepared from TrueForm™ acrylic‐styrene co‐polymer and SiO2 powder. Dry mixing and melt extrusion were used as the blending processes to produce the composite powders. Some SiO2 powder was ground and treated with silane coupling agent before blending to study the effects of particle size and surface treatment of the filler, respectively. The temperature of the powder bed was monitored using an infrared thermometer. The fusion behaviors of the powders were investigated in situ using an optical microscope and the sintered specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy.FindingsFor a given volume fraction of the filler, reducing its particle size will hinder fusion between the polymer particles and weaken the sintered specimens. Surface treatment of the filler by silane coupling agent had little effect on the morphology of the sintered specimens; however, it slightly improved their strength. The blending method plays an important role in the sintering behavior of the composite powders. Although melt blending improved the polymer‐to‐polymer contact between the composite powder particles, the high‐resultant viscosity of the material adversely affected the densification of the powder bed, leading to a highly porous structure of the sintered specimens.Research limitations/implicationsThe sintering experiments were conducted in ambient conditions using a laser engraving machine instead of a commercial SLS machine with atmospheric control. The temperature gradient within the powder bed was expected to be higher than that in normal SLS processes.Practical implicationsThe SLS behavior of a composite powder not only depends on its composition but also on the powder preparation method or powder morphology.Originality/valueThis paper provides some useful information for future development of composite powders for SLS applications.
Influence of hybrid mould on moulded parts properties
Authors: Godec Damir , Šercer Mladen , Rujnić‐Sokele Maja 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to emphasize compared experimental analysis of influence of hybrid and classic moulds on the properties of moulded parts and the processing parameters. Such analysis enables optimization of processing parameters in case of the hybrid mould.Design/methodology/approachRepresentative moulded part and appropriate hybrid and classic moulds have been designed and manufactured. The experimental work contains a screening design and the main central composite design for analysing the performance of both moulds and moulded parts properties. In case of hybrid mould a numerical optimization of processing parameters was used.FindingsIt was found that hybrid moulds can be successfully applied for production of thin‐wall moulded parts with some limitations. The compressibility of prototype mould inserts was higher compared to classic inserts. The differences in thermal properties of mould inserts materials result in different moulded part properties and mould cavity wall temperature fields. These differences can be reduced by optimizing the processing parameters.Practical implicationsRT technologies can be usefully applied for fast production of moulds for injection moulding. The potential user of hybrid moulds should be aware of the influence of prototype inserts on the moulded part properties. Guidelines for optimization can be used for fast achieving of parameters from optimal processing window.Originality/valueThis paper shows a detailed analysis of influence of hybrid and classic moulds on the thermoplastic moulded part properties. Some of these influences are explained in detail, which was not found in the related papers. In this paper, a further step was made by optimizing the processing parameters in case of hybrid mould.
Using metallic resin and aluminum alloy molds to manufacture propellers with RP/RT technique
Authors: Hsu C.Y. , Huang C.K. , Tzou G.J. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis purpose of this study is to investigate an effective method to manufacture propellers.Design/methodology/approachThe investment casting process and injection molding process have been applied separately to the rapid prototyping/rapid tooling (RP/RT) to obtain metal (Al‐Si alloy) propellers and plastic (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene – ABS) propellers. The two different manufacturing processes were compared following the same master model (MM). The Moldflow software is used to optimize the experimental parameters of the molding. Furthermore, a gypsum type of powder is used to produce the RP MM of the propeller according to the Pro‐E software. The RP MM then is filled with a metallic resin material (at room temperature) to obtain a wax mold. Then, this wax mold was coating by dipping the ZrO2 slurry to improve heat resistant ability, and following solidification, and then filled with metal alloy to obtain metal (Al‐Si alloy) propellers. Another process, the RP MM by dipping the ZrO2 slurry to increase the heat resistance and then is filled with aluminum alloy and an injection mold can be obtained, the plastic (ABS) propellers can be duplicated. To ensure the precision of dimension and improves the surface roughness for the RT (metallic resin mold and aluminum alloy mold), the contour of the duplicated molds were milling with the high‐speed CNC manufacturing program.FindingsThe advantage of this process is that combining the RP/RT system with the high‐speed CNC machining center enables easy production of injection molds.Originality/valueThis process provides engineers with a quick way to fabricate parts and modify the designs. This study demonstrates that this process provides a practical way to fabricate parts and saves the cost and time which increases market competition. The molds with high precision and good surface roughness were duplicated by the rapid‐prototype technique. Furthermore, this investigation demonstrates that: if the product contains special shapes? The material requires a large amount of cutting? or In the case of expensive and hard to machine materials, the proposed process is the best choice to duplicate cost‐effective mold.
Process repeatability and sources of error in indirect SLS of aluminium
Authors: Hopkinson Neil , Sercombe T.B. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the accuracy and repeatability of the indirect selective laser sintering of aluminium process.Design/methodology/approachThis work characterised the shrinkage of indirect SLS aluminium parts during the various stages of production. Standard scale parts were measured using a Giddings and Lewis co‐ordinate measuring machine in both the green and infiltrated condition.FindingsThe experiments conducted show that most accuracy is lost during the furnace cycle and that the greatest loss of accuracy occurred in the Z dimension. Additionally the position of parts within the part bed in both X, Y and Z is shown to influence accuracy, with smaller parts being built closer to the edge of the bed later in the build. These results have been interpreted as being a result of the phenomenon of “Z‐growth”. Finally, the research shows that the overall accuracy of the indirect selective laser sintering of aluminium process is comparable with many existing processes such as investment casting.Originality/valueBefore any new material can be accepted, there is a need to not only fully characterise the dimensional accuracy attainable, but also to gain a thorough understanding of the processes that contribute to the inaccuracies. This paper addresses this need.
Applications of structural optimization in direct metal fabrication
Authors: Cansizoglu Omer , Harrysson Ola L.A. , West Harvey A. , Cormier Denis R. , Mahale Tushar 
Published: April 2008

PurposeOptimization techniques can be used to design geometrically complex components with a wide variety of optimization criteria. However, such components have been very difficult and costly to produce. Layered fabrication technologies such as electron beam melting (EBM) open up new possibilities though. This paper seeks to investigate the integration of structural optimization and direct metal fabrication process.Design/methodology/approachMesh structures were designed, and optimization problems were defined to improve structural performance. Finite element analysis code in conjunction with nonlinear optimization routines were used in MATLAB. Element data were extracted from an STL‐file, and output structures from the optimization routine were manufactured using an EBM machine. Original and optimized structures were tested and compared.FindingsThere were discrepancies between the performance of the theoretical structures and the physical EBM structures due to the layered fabrication approach. A scaling factor was developed to account for the effect of layering on the material properties.Practical implicationsStructural optimization can be used to improve the performance of a design, and direct fabrication technologies can be used to realise these structures. However, designers must realize that fabricated structures are not identical to idealized CAD structures, hence material properties much be adjusted accordingly.Originality/valueIntegration of structural optimization and direct metal fabrication was reported in the paper. It shows the process from design through manufacturing with integrated analysis.