bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of environmental reliability of optical polymer waveguides embedded on printed circuit boards
Authors: Immonen Marika P. , Karppinen Mikko , Kivilahti Jorma K. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeTo investigate the influences of environmental stresses on board‐embedded polymeric waveguides.Design/methodology/approachOptical multimode waveguides were embedded on printed circuit boards using commercial polymers. The optical‐PCBs varying in board structure and in optical build‐up materials were exposed to heat, moisture and ionic‐contaminants in accelerated reliability tests. The influence of stress factors on the structural integrity and functional parameters, namely the refractive index and optical transmissivity, was investigated at the key communication wavelengths.FindingsIsothermal annealing reduced the refractive index to the greatest extent. The optical‐PCB structure with an optical surface build‐up layer was observed to be more vulnerable under temperature shock when compared with the optical‐PCB with optical inner layer. The buffer layer beneath the optical build‐up was found to improve the stability of the optical waveguides significantly. The results indicated of wavelength dependence to the aging factor with a failure mechanism. The factors affecting the performance and reliability of polymer‐based optical waveguides on PCBs were discussed.Research limitations/implicationsMore experimental data and investigations of failure mechanisms are required to ultimately obtain sufficient reliability statistics for accurate life‐time prediction models.Originality/valueOptical interconnects are seen as a promising solution to overcome performance limitations encountered with high‐frequency electrical interconnections. As an emerging technology, only a limited amount of reliability data on optical/electrical packages is available. The paper investigates the influences of environmental stresses on board‐embedded polymeric waveguides.
Using both linear and non‐linear dimensional analysis, correction and prediction to improve PCB yields
Authors: Kelley Andrew 
Published: November 2007

PurposeTo present an update and the latest results from work on a project aimed at enabling printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing to reduce the effect upon production yields by material distortions during the manufacturing process.Design/methodology/approachMeasurement data was collated from inspection steps within the PCB manufacturing process and analysed to provide data describing the distortions of materials used. The data was used to generate a self‐learning model which can be used to predict material movement prior to manufacture.FindingsThe data collated enabled CAM engineers at the design introduction stage to model the PCB build and simulate the material movement that will take place during the manufacturing processes. With this knowledge, the correct compensations to counter the material movement can be applied to the production tooling, eliminating the need to run manufacturing test batches.Research limitations/implicationsThe technology has been used to ensure inner‐layer designs with nominal dimensions after the lamination stage. Further, development work should be undertaken to collate measured data from other parts of the PCB manufacturing process and model the material movement around all registration critical processes.Originality/valueThe paper details how data collated by production processes can be utilised to train mathematical models and provide modified‐tooling information to increase yields in the manufacturing process.
PWB reliability – the next step
Authors: Reid Paul 
Published: November 2007

PurposeTo share the findings of recent investigations of the influences of RoHS requirements on printed wire board (PWB) reliability.Design/methodology/approachInterconnect stress testing was used to measure the reduction in reliability of coupons that replicated high‐density multilayer circuit boards, after exposure to a simulation of the thermal excursion associated with “tin‐lead” and “lead‐free” assembly and rework. Coupons were preconditioned by exposure to tin‐lead assembly temperatures (230°C) or lead‐free assembly temperatures (245 or 260°C). Standard statistical methods were applied to the test data, which was compared between more than 20 dielectric materials.FindingsThere is a shift from copper quality being the dominant influence in reliability to copper and material quality working in concert being the major influence on PWB reliability. Delamination and crazing increases with lead‐free assembly and rework and this has the effect of artificially extending cycles to failure, frequently confounding data. Reliability testing to lead‐free temperatures requires an evaluation for delamination to ensure the cycle data are not artificially extended. A robust, well fabricated coupon's reliability is found to be reduced by 50 percent after lead‐free assembly and rework.Research limitations/implicationsThere is objective evidence of a significant reduction in reliability with the thermal excursion associated with lead‐free assembly but there has been no apparent reduction in acceptance criteria or limitation on warranties. This paper does not address the influence of reliability on the solder joints, components or other structures of an assembled PWB. This paper is limited to reliability influences on the PWB. The identification of materials used in this study is protected under non‐disclosure agreements.Originality/valueThis study expands the understanding of the implications of the effect of RoHS requirements on PWB reliability. It allows companies to optimise PWB reliability with quality fabrication, using robust materials and optimised PWB designs and to make sound business decisions in order to meet the new challenges of RoHS. Meeting the challenge of RoHS is not limited to a question of compliance by getting the lead out; it is also a question of optimising PWB's reliability.
Conformal coatings and their increasing importance for a safe operation of electronic assemblies
Authors: Suppa Manfred 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to describe the various moisture loads affecting conformal coatings. It also seeks to differentiate these from dewing. In the case of dewing, osmotic processes may trigger completely different chemical‐physical processes on the electronic assemblies.Design/methodology/approachNumerous test methods are available to verify the climatic resistances of conformal coatings. Focussing on moisture load and dewing, the different types of load are discussed and illustrated by means of examples.FindingsThe tests performed to ascertain the temperature and moisture load of conformal coatings show that under these high loads the electrical functional reliability is maintained. Thus, impacts of the individual process steps can be examined and assessed by means of moisture and insulation measurements.Research limitations/implicationsUtilising different stress evaluations the described tests demonstrate the qualities of conformal coatings for electrical assemblies. Prospective tests for the purpose of lacquer and process qualification are presented.Originality/valueThe physical‐chemical load types with their consequences on conformal coatings for the protection of electrical assemblies are described.
Female career progression in retailing
Authors: Foster Carley , Whysall Paul , Harris Lynette 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to highlight the factors that limit and support female career progression in the retail industry.Design/methodology/approachThe research used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data were collected from employees and managers working in 31 stores belonging to national stores operating in the East Midlands as well as ten SME independent retailers based in the region.FindingsThe women in this study can be categorised into those women who are not interested in pursuing a career in retail, those that seek promotion but have difficulties balancing the demands of their work and domestic circumstances and those who have actively pursued a career in the industry. Despite these categorisations, the study suggests that the career progression of all female staff is helped and hindered by a number of interrelating factors, such as whether they have a role model, are loyal to the store they work in or have children.Practical implicationsIt is proposed that career initiatives in retailing need to be more adaptable so that they take account of the different development needs of these three types of women.Originality/valueThis is a large‐scale study that uses a mixed method approach and considers the opinions of store staff working in a range of roles.
Students' views of retail employment – key findings from Generation Ys
Authors: Broadbridge Adelina M. , Maxwell Gillian A. , Ogden Susan M. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to highlight some preliminary findings regarding students' perceptions of retail employment. It concentrates on those students who belong to Generation Y, those born between 1977 and 1994.Design/methodology/approachThe research instrument consisted of a questionnaire survey administered to business studies students at two Scottish universities – Glasgow Caledonian University and Stirling University. This paper reports on responses to 340 of these questionnaires – those students who already have some experience of retail employment, mainly as their part‐time employment experiences while studying for their degree.FindingsRetail employment experience is common with the majority of students. Their expectations for future retail employment after graduation is to enjoy their work, while they are also concerned with fairness, equality and tolerance from their future employment.Practical implicationsThe results are of benefit to retail employers' as preliminary indications of how they can attract potential graduate entrants into the sector. They provide some areas that retail companies should be addressing in their recruitment literature. These factors include future career opportunities including opportunities for self development, training and development, as well as pay and job security. Other factors that are also important to highlight are responsibility and challenging work opportunities and the maintenance of a good work‐life balance.Originality/valueThis is an under‐researched topic in the area of retail employment and Generation Y.
Permission‐based mobile marketing and sources of trust in selected European markets
Authors: Kautonen Teemu , Karjaluoto Heikki , Jayawardhena Chanaka , Kuckertz Andreas 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a three‐country comparison of personal and institutionally based trust as factors affecting consumers' willingness to participate in permission‐based mobile marketing.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model of different dimensions of personal and institutionally based trust and their effect on the consumer's willingness to provide personal information and the permission to use it is tested with data from surveys of young consumers in Finland, Germany and the UK. The data were analysed by structural equation modelling (LISREL8.7).FindingsThe main factor affecting the consumers' decision to participate in mobile marketing is the company's media presence, which is a significant factor in all three countries.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the results of this study establish the sources of trust that play a role in permission‐based mobile marketing, the study of trust in the context of mobile marketing would greatly benefit from research that addresses the process of how trust emerges and develops over time. As a company's presence in the media weighs more than the customer's own experiences or control, mobile marketers should focus on building a strong and positive media presence and image in order to gain consumers' permission for mobile marketing.Practical implicationsAs a company's reputation conveyed by the media weighs more than the customer's own experiences, mobile marketers should focus on building a strong and positive media presence and image, and thereby gain consumers' trust.Originality/valueThe paper is the first international empirical investigation of the different antecedents of trust in the context of mobile marketing.
Approaches to strategic alignment of business and information systems
Authors: Kajalo Sami , Rajala Risto , Westerlund Mika 
Published: November 2007

PurposeTechnology‐related issues have an increasing impact on business. The alignment between overall business objectives and technology‐related decisions, such as decisions on application service acquisitions, resurfaces occasionally in the intense academic discussion on information systems (IS). Prior research indicates that the alignment of business and IS decisions remains a major concern for business practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that drive the consistency in technology‐related decisions and result in diverse modes of business‐IS alignment.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates application service acquisitions among the top 200 firms in Finland. In this quantitative empirical study, principal component analysis with varimax rotation method is used to examine the companies' drivers for business‐IS alignment. Moreover, the firms are categorized using the cluster analysis method.FindingsThis study identifies four factors that drive the achievement of business‐IS alignment. These factors are: awareness of the impact and risks of IS decisions, efficacy of IS management, systematic decision making process, and business development orientation of IS management. Moreover, the study identifies four clusters of firms that illustrate diverse modes of business‐IS alignment: ad‐hoc alignment, business‐driven alignment, consensual alignment, and technology‐driven alignment.Originality/valueThe value of the study lies in revealing the key factors influencing the alignment of vital IS investments and the overall business strategy. The study identifies four clearly different approaches to business‐IS alignment. Moreover, the paper suggests that business‐IS alignment stems from several factors, including the collective development of strategies that reflect the combined knowledge of business and IS managers.
Business assistance for SMEs: New Zealand owner‐managers make their assessment
Authors: Lewis Kate , Massey Claire , Ashby Mary , Coetzer Alan , Harris Candice 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the business assistance realities of New Zealand small and medium enterprise (SME) owner‐managers in order to better understand those experiences in terms of their ability to identify and use what is provided.Design/methodology/approachSite visits were made to 51 small firms that had been recruited from a random sample of 500 New Zealand firms that employed up to 50 full‐time equivalent staff and were in the “manufacturing” or “service” sector. An interview was then carried out with the owner‐manager of the firm.FindingsThe owner‐managers of some SMEs interact with the support infrastructure regularly, while others do not. The sources of business assistance most frequently accessed where not necessarily those that were subsequently perceived as being the most useful or significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are limited in their generalisability due to the research methodology and research context. However, the conclusions will be of interest to researchers, policy‐makers and business assistance providers.Originality/valueThe paper addresses a gap in the knowledge base surrounding business assistance and SMEs. Typically investigations on this topic focus on supply‐side issues (i.e. how service provision can be improved) rather than those that relate to demand (i.e. investigating the needs of owner‐managers). The project was unique in the New Zealand context (both in terms of scale and research approach).
Can broadband access rescue the rural economy?
Authors: Galloway Laura 
Published: November 2007

PurposeGovernment is promoting broadband for all, and specifically, is advocating business up‐take of broadband that affords high‐speed internet activity, to foster global competitiveness. Urban areas have economies of scale and the effect on price of concentration of demand. Rural areas do not, and potential broadband provision is thus problematic. The paper aims to study technology roll‐out in rural areas, and provide a commentary, based on empirical work, on the potential of demand for, and use of, the service.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws from secondary research sourced from academic papers, government and agency documents to evaluate rural broadband provision, and analyses the suitability of current “solutions”. It also draws together conclusions of various empirical and survey researches on the potential of uptake and business use of broadband.FindingsThe paper questions whether broadband access in rural areas has the potential to contribute to economic development. It also identifies the limitations of current broadband technologies, concluding that, in fact, none are appropriate for rural and remote locations. The paper finds that rural businesses tend to lack propensity for growth and diversification; therefore, accessibility for rural businesses may be an issue secondary to that of lack of enterprise in many rural areas. Therefore, efforts to roll out technology to rural areas may not provide results desired or expected.Originality/valueThe value of the paper lies in providing a holistic viewpoint, based on research and technology considerations, from which policy can be informed.
Consumer trust: privacy policies and third‐party seals
Authors: Peterson Dane , Meinert David , Criswell John , Crossland Martin 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis study aims to compare the effectiveness of third‐party seals with self‐reported privacy policy statements with regard to the willingness of potential e‐commerce customers to provide web sites with various types of personal information.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to 374 graduate business students at two Midwestern universities in the USA.FindingsThe results indicated that third‐party seals were not as effective as self‐reported privacy statements with a strong guarantee of security.Research limitations/implicationsThis study did not provide any evidence to support the necessity for small enterprises to incur the added costs in terms of money and time required to obtain a third‐party seal. Rather the results suggest small enterprises may increase consumer trust more effectively through strong privacy policy statements.Originality/valueThis study provides useful information on the effectiveness of third‐party seals with self‐reported privacy policy statements with regard to the willingness of potential e‐commerce customers to provide web sites with various types of personal information.
Job‐matching and employee diversity: an exploratory study
Authors: Ruggeri Stevens Geoff 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe investigation reported here aims to: adapt existing recruitment theory to add to tools available to small business recruiters for job matching; provide job‐specific scoring methods to help employers in recruitment processes; and enhance the consideration of reasonable adjustment issues in the possible employment of disabled individuals.Design/methodology/approachA total of 32 interviews were conducted on‐site with managers to devise and test templates combining person specifications with job characteristics, based on managers' judgements of what is important. The methods devised and used are an original adaptation of repertory grid principles. Where there were disabled employees, indications of the employees' success and difficulty were elicited.FindingsA simplified derivative of repertory grid method to give a combined abilities/tasks matrix was found usable and clarifying by respondents.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigation was confined to hotel and leisure small to medium‐sized enterprises in Sussex, UK. As they stand, the methods could be used in business sectors beyond the sector to which the research reported in this paper has been confined, but further work is needed on resource consequences, and on the implications for state benefits and related support in the case of disabled applicants.Originality/valueResults of the analysis could be used almost immediately by a company: for future applicants, the company could make direct use of the completed matrix by scoring the applicant on the matrix variables, superimposing the applicant matrix on the requirements matrix, and calculating the percentage of desirable scores met.
Performance measurement in the construction research and development
Authors: Kulatunga Udayangani , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Haigh Richard 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of performance measurement (PM) within construction research and development (R&D) activities to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature review is used as the methodology of this paper where it will look into two main areas. First, the paper discusses R&D work in construction industry with particular reference to its role, main contributors, and the issues which hinders its successfulness. From this section the paper arrives at a definition for construction R&D and the scope of the study. The second section of the paper defines PM and identifies the importance of it in general. Finally, the paper justifies how the issues within construction R&D could be minimised by implementing PM system.FindingsThe paper justifies the implementation of PM within construction R&D and identifies how PM could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of construction R&D through: identifying requirements of the parties involved within the research process; defining clear aims and objectives; evaluation of the successfulness of activates/confirmation of milestones; providing information for the research funders regarding the utilisation of resources; improving the communication and coordination of the parties involved; and providing feedback for future improvements of the research work.Originality/valueThe paper reveals the impact and influence of PM towards the construction R&D activities.
Cloning and Characterization of Two
Lactobacillus casei
Genes Encoding a Cystathionine Lyase
Authors: Irmler Stefan , Raboud Sylvie , Beisert Beata , Rauhut Doris , Berthoud Hélène 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Volatile sulfur compounds are key flavor compounds in several cheese types. To better understand the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, which certainly plays a key role in the release of volatile sulfur compounds, we searched the genome database of
Lactobacillus casei
ATCC 334 for genes encoding putative homologs of enzymes known to degrade cysteine, cystathionine, and methionine. The search revealed that
L. casei
possesses two genes that putatively encode a cystathionine β-lyase (CBL; EC 4.4.1.8). The enzyme has been implicated in the degradation of not only cystathionine but also cysteine and methionine. Recombinant CBL proteins catalyzed the degradation of
l
-cystathionine,
O
-succinyl-
l
-homoserine,
l
-cysteine,
l
-serine, and
l
-methionine to form α-keto acid, hydrogen sulfide, or methanethiol. The two enzymes showed notable differences in substrate specificity and pH optimum.