bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of weave type on dimensional stability of woven fabrics
Authors: Topalbekiroğlu Mehmet , Kübra Kaynak Hatice 
Published: September 2008

PurposeTesting the effect of machine washing and drying on dimensional stability produces information about the fabric types that satisfy consumers during end use. At present, it is a known fact that the weave patterns affect the dimensional stability property of woven fabrics. But the essential requirement is to determine the magnitude of this effect for weave types and establish the proper weave types for end use in definite tolerances. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dimensional stability properties of 100 percent cotton woven fabrics as a function of weave type.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 12 woven fabrics with different weave derivatives are woven with 100 percent cotton and Ne 30/1 combed ring spun yarn for this investigation. These samples are then washed and dried according to domestic washing and drying standard test procedures. The shrinkage values are measured and then expressed as a percentage of the initial dimensions.FindingsIt was observed that weave pattern has a significant effect on the dimensional behavior of woven fabrics. Weave patterns with a high number of interlacings have lower shrinkage values. At the same time, lower yarn crimp values restricted the fabric shrinkage and resulted in better dimensional stability. According to one way ANOVA results, the effect of weave type on dimensional stability is found to be significant (p<0.01). In addition to these, Pearson correlation analysis showed that there is an important, positive and fair relationship between the number of washing cycles and total shrinkage.Research limitations/implicationsThe study covers 100 percent cotton woven fabrics with one type of warp and weft sett. The only finishing treatment applied to the sample fabrics was desizing. No dyeing was carried out.Originality/valueUnderstanding the magnitude of the effect of weave type on dimensional stability of cotton woven fabrics produces more knowledge about products which satisfy the customers with respect to dimensional stability during usage.
Study on heat transfer of liquid cooling garment based on a novel thermal manikin
Authors: Yang Kai , Jiao Ming‐Li , Chen Yi‐Song , Li Jun , Zhang Wei‐Yuan 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the heat transfer and establish a heat transfer model of an extravehicular liquid cooling garment based on a thermal manikin covered with soft simulated skin.Design/methodology/approachThe thermal manikin applied in this study was a copper manikin, typical of which was its soft simulated skin – a newly thermoplastic elastomer material. Based on this novel thermal manikin, the heat transfer analysis of an extravehicular liquid cooling garment was performed. To satisfy the practical engineering application and simplify analysis, the hypotheses were proposed, and then the heat transfer model was established by heat transfer theory, in which the heat exchange equation of the liquid cooling garment with the thermal manikin and with the air layer, and the garment's total heat dissipating capacity were derived.FindingsThe verification experiments performed in a climatic chamber by a thermal manikin wearing a liquid cooling garment at different surface temperatures of the thermal manikin show that the modeling value fits well with the experimental value, and the heat transfer model of the liquid cooling garment has a high accuracy. Meanwhile, the relationship between the heat‐dissipating capacity of the liquid cooling garment and its design parameters – inlet temperature and liquid velocity – is suggested as being based on the heat transfer model.Originality/valueThe paper shows that it is an effective method to control the heat‐dissipating capacity of a liquid cooling garment by changing the inlet temperature to some degree, but not by changing the liquid velocity.
The preliminary studies of influence of garments on human beings' corona discharge
Authors: Ciesielska Izabela L. , Masajtis Jozef 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the corona discharge films (CDFs) taken from the fingertips of human subjects who had contact for a long period of time with two sets of clothes, in order to establish in what way a long period of contact with textiles influences life's parameters: the heart beat (HB), the blood pressure (BP), and the volunteers' level of comfort.Design/methodology/approachThree volunteers took part in the experiments. They were placing a fingertip in the area of a strong electrical field of high voltage (10 kV) and high frequency (1,024 Hz) to register a CDF. A digital camera placed within the area of corona discharges records this phenomenon.FindingsThe paper finds that there is no statistical difference between the parameters of a CDF taken from the fingertips of volunteers after 5 h of wearing two sets of clothes. There is a connection between the level of comfort of the volunteers and their CDF.Originality/valueThe CDF shows the consequence of the different factors, impact on human subjects. The authors are moderate in their opinion about the influence of extreme textiles‐related feelings.
Rx for smart hospital purchasing decisions
Authors: Kumar Sameer , DeGroot Rebecca A. , Choe Daewon 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of packaging design on purchasing decisions in hospitals and to identify inefficiencies in the US hospital supply chain. Recognition of inefficiencies helped to directly relate to the effects on critical factors of operation such as environment, traceability, and logistical ease which significantly add to the cost of health care.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument was designed to be completed by purchasing agents in US hospitals and clinics. Statistical analysis was then applied to the survey data to draw inferences. In addition, existing studies of best practices of supply chain and packaging design were considered to determine what may be applied to the US hospital supply chains.FindingsAnalysis showed very little correlation between packaging requirements and hospital supply chain design. The data from the survey also supports the supply chain literature that the healthcare industry in the USA has been slow to adopt inventory efficient systems like just in time and lean development, including product tracking through bar coding and radio frequency identification devices; though most US hospitals have the capability to migrate to such a supply chain system.Research limitations/implicationsA small number of respondents were involved in the survey. Such efforts were limited by the availability of participants which were primarily supply chain procurement staff in various large community hospitals in major metropolitan areas across the USA.Practical implicationsThere is a substantial opportunity for management of hospitals to educate their purchasing agents on the benefits of collaborating with their suppliers in order to take their relationships to the next level to lower costs of the US hospital supply chain. This has been shown by the responses in support of critical factors of the supply chain. Case studies have shown some hospitals are leading the way towards efficient use of their supply chain strategies.Originality/valueAnalysis of survey data revealed that packaging and environmental friendly suppliers/medical products do not currently play a role in hospital purchasing decisions. Nearly, all of the community hospitals in the USA that participated in the survey do not value packaging as providing a means to a more efficient inventory management program.
Using super‐efficiency analysis for ranking suppliers in the presence of volume discount offers
Authors: Farzipoor Saen Reza 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose an innovative algorithm for ranking suppliers in the presence of volume discount offers, with regard to various criteria, based on super‐efficiency analysis.Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces an innovative approach, which is based on super‐efficiency analysis (one of the data envelopment analysis models).FindingsTo rank the suppliers in the conditions that they offer volume discounts, an algorithm was introduced.Practical implicationsThe results of this paper can be applied from both a buyer's and supplier's perspective. The buyer can use it as a tool in ranking the suppliers. The supplier can use these results from a marketing perspective. A specific supplier who achieves a high mean score, when compared to the other suppliers, can use these results for promoting its product. On the other hand, if a particular supplier is poorly performing, then the supplier can use the analysis for benchmarking purposes. This result may mean that the supplier must provide better performance levels at the same input.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, there is no comprehensive and feasible model that deals with supplier ranking by super‐efficiency analysis in the presence of volume discount offers.
Multi‐perspective strategic goal setting, performance reporting and organisational performance
Authors: Iselin Errol R. , Mia Lokman , Sands John 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper's aim is to study multi‐perspective strategic goal setting and performance reporting systems and investigate: if the strength of the alignment of the goals and performance measures is associated with organisational performance and if performance reporting emphasis (PRE) is associated with performance.Design/methodology/approachStructured interviews with CEOs of 50 Australian companies with sales greater than $100 million per annum were conducted.FindingsThe research identified 11 dimensions of PRE and 13 dimensions of organisational performance. The strength of the alignment of the strategic goals and the performance reporting measures was positively associated with organisational performance. PRE was positively associated with organisational performance. The alignment finding was the stronger of the two.Originality/valueThe research identified several dimensions of performance reporting that organisations might consider using in their performance reporting systems. The findings suggest organisations should closely align their strategic goals with their performance reporting measures. Further, if an organisation wishes to achieve high performance on a particular dimension, it should be given some emphasis in their performance reporting system.
Exploring the myth of customer relationship management
Authors: Smith Malcolm , Lakhani Sangeeta 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the relationship between customer satisfaction and branch profitability within the UK retail‐banking sector.Design/methodology/approachA survey is conducted within one UK bank, providing access to national customer survey data, and access to branch managers and branch performance data.FindingsThe findings provide further evidence to debunk the myth perpetuated in the literature of the 1990s, that customer satisfaction has a positive impact on corporate profitability. The findings, though remarkably consistent, are based on a relatively small sample of bank branches over a relatively narrow time frame, and consequently may not necessarily be applicable to other banking groups, or other countries.Practical implicationsThe findings have important practical implications for bank expenditures on customer satisfaction and loyalty programmes, since they suggest that current levels of investment may not be justified by the benefits accruing.Originality/valueThe paper provides further evidence of the absence of an important supposed relationship, in an area of the literature subject to contentious and conflicting research findings.
Developments in the public‐private partnership funding of Scottish schools
Authors: Hannah Gwen 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the development of the public finance initiative (PFI) in a £2 billion investment to build new schools in Scotland in order to understand how the PFI negotiation process is evolving as the public and private sectors' experiences of PFI grows.Design/methodology/approachSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with officials from three different Scottish councils. Further insight was gained from attendance at a Scottish conference where presentations were made on the PFI process in building schools.FindingsCouncil officials' handling of PFI processes has improved over time with more assistance being available to aid project organisers. However, the process continues to be very lengthy with significant sums being spent on professional advice. The balance sheet treatment of PFI transactions remains a crucial consideration.Originality/valueThis paper assesses recent developments in PFI schools' building projects in Scotland and provides some insight into areas where previously reported difficulties have been resolved and where problems continue to exist.
The diffusion of technological and management accounting innovation: Malaysian evidence
Authors: Smith Malcolm , Abdullah Zaharah , Abdul Razak Rafizan 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe study aims to examine the scope and extent of technological and management accounting innovation in Malaysia by identifying the stage of development of practice in industrial companies. Further, it seeks to investigate the factors determining their adoption of technological and management accounting innovations.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire‐based study is conducted within a tightly defined industrial area in the Klang Valley, so permitting personal follow‐up of individual companies.FindingsThe study confirms the dominance of financial accounting for the purposes of management control, with minimal adoption of innovative management accounting tools, even for large companies.Originality/valueThe Akira model for management accounting development is applied in recognition that it will fit developing South East Asian countries better than western equivalents, because of relatively low levels of automation.
Internal audit outsourcing practice and rationales: SME evidence from New Zealand
Authors: Van Peursem Karen , Jiang Lehan 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis study seeks to examine practices in, and rationales for, internal audit outsourcing in New Zealand (NZ) companies. The purpose is to assess whether practice and preference conform to expectations where small‐to‐medium businesses dominate.Design/methodology/approachSenior financial managers of all 165 NZ Stock Exchange listed companies are surveyed. Questions are drawn from the strategic management and auditing literature. Relationships between size, international association and industry are tested or revealed from descriptive statistics and qualitative analyses. Comparisons to overseas studies, where possible, are drawn.FindingsOf 63 usable responses (38.2 per cent response rate), a comparatively low 57 per cent carry out some form of internal audit and a further 27 per cent claim interest in doing so. International companies are more likely to engage in internal audit, and preliminary findings point to less interest within consumer and equity/trust industries. As to outsourcers, 65 per cent (11) only began doing so recently, Big4 accounting firms are a major source, access to quality is an important reason and most 82 per cent (14 of 17) are aware of independence issues. Conclusions analyse legislative incentive patterns found and suggest further research.Originality/valueRecent scandals and legislation in the USA, UK and Australia highlight the importance of the internal audit function to industry. This study looks at practices in and rationales for internal audit outsourcing found within the NZ corporate sector.
A content and citation analysis of accounting education manuscripts published in the Asian Review of Accounting: 1992‐2007
Authors: Faux Jeffrey 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the accounting education manuscripts published in the Asian Review of Accounting from 1992 to 2007.Design/methodology/approachContent and citation analyse techniques have been used to examine authorship, affiliation, educational themes and citation arrangements of manuscripts.FindingsResults indicate that whilst there is a predominance of authors and institutional affiliation to Australia, educational themes tend to focus on Asian issues.Originality/valueThe regional nature of the Asian Review of Accounting and the lack of a dedicated accounting education journal in the region over the period provides valuable insight into the publishing patterns in accounting education and the regional interests of academics.
Articles of faith and mystic matrices
Authors: Ardley Barry 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis purpose of this paper is to show that theories of marketing, as evident in a range of key textbooks, represent a set of reified articles of faith, which are unreflective of the reality of the practitioner's world.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on some interpretative research findings into the nature of marketing practice. A series of phenomenological interviews were carried out with senior marketing managers. Their views were compared with existing representations of marketing as it appears in a range of textbooks.FindingsMarketing textbooks were found to be highly alike drawing as they do on an implicit systems based paradigm. The findings from the interviews show that marketing is a locally defined, highly contextualised activity that is dissimilar in many ways to the generalised prescriptions of mainstream textbooks.Research limitations/implicationsScholarship in the form of textbooks should attempt to move away from the dictates of the dominant articles of faith as espoused by the established church of marketing. Differing interpretations of marketing should not be viewed as being heretical. They should be seen as being the result of diverse organisational contexts and outcomes which stem from the socially constructed nature of reality.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is to show that marketing in practice is not constituted by textbook theory, but by context and the individual perceptions of people as they carry out their actions and routines in organisations.
PVRS and advertising exposure: a video ethnographic study
Authors: Pearson Sarah , Barwise Patrick 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the use of the personal video recorder (PVR) in the home and the impact on TV advertising exposure.Design/methodology/approachA video ethnographic study of 22 participants in eight homes with PVRs.FindingsUse of the PVR differed widely between and within homes but of the 22 individuals, 21 used the PVR – if at all, as a backup when there was nothing on that they wanted to watch live. Consequently, of 3,480 individual opportunities to see commercials during the study, Only 30 per cent were time‐shifted and 70 per cent viewed live. Even for the 30 per cent of commercials that were time‐shifted, there was variable but significant ad exposure. This paper suggests that in combination with other, complementary studies, the impact of PVRs on advertising exposure will be limited.Research limitations/implicationsMany respondents perceived themselves as using the PVR much more than they actually did and claimed to have zero exposure to commercials when they watched time‐shifted programmes. In line with previous research, this shows that claimed behaviour is not reliable and it is important to observe actual behaviour in the natural context in order to understand future use of technology. As with all qualitative research the main limitation of this study is the small sample size. In practice, however, the results were very consistent with comparable results from the two main quantitative sources BARB and the Sky + panel. What our methodology provides, which quantitative methods cannot, is breadth and richness of insight into actual consumer behaviour in a natural context. The two methods are consistent and complementary. Further research could be improved if it was longitudinal and focused on the motivations to use and value of use of PVR and other emerging technologies, e.g. video on demand, internet protocol television and mobile TV.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the necessity of observing actual behaviour in order to gain an accurate understanding of the impact of new technologies on behaviour.
Revealing the expectations and preferences of complaining customers by combining the laddering interviewing technique with the Kano model of customer satisfaction
Authors: Gruber Thorsten , Reppel Alexander , Szmigin Isabelle , Voss Roediger 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on complaint satisfaction with a particular emphasis on the qualities and behaviours that affect customers during personal complaint handling encounters.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a literature review of complaint satisfaction and the role of customer contact employees in complaint encounters, an exploratory study using both the laddering interviewing technique and Kano questionnaires is presented.FindingsThe laddering results indicate that being taken seriously in the complaint encounter and the employee's friendliness, listening skills and competence are particularly important. The fact that interpersonal factors are highly regarded indicates that customers want to satisfy these process needs first and their outcome expectations second. The Kano results show that employees' active listening skills are the only must‐be requirements while the two concepts “Apology” and “Respectful Treatment” are close to being must‐be criteria. In addition, the employee's feedback after the complaint handling encounter can almost be categorized as an excitement factor.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to the exploratory nature of the study and the scope and size of the chosen sample, the results outlined are tentative in nature.Originality/valueBy combing two research methods, this paper develops an area of research that could reap considerable benefits for researchers interested in the area of customer complaint satisfaction.
To have and to hold: managing channels in UK high street financial services
Authors: Dawes Farquhar Jillian , Panther Tracy , Tiu Wright Len 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine multiple channels in retail banking and demonstrate how qualitative market research investigations can inform strategic decision making. Research into customer acquisition and retention has only recently begun to consider them as part of a single marketing process Inviting exploratory qualitative expert investigation.Design/methodology/approachA review of the literature suggested an outline guide for interviewing a selection of expert informants, from a variety of high‐street banks and building societies. The interview data were analysed using both computer‐aided and manual techniques in parallel as part of strengthening the findings.FindingsThe analysis of the interview data suggest five themes of that make up the management of channels in UK high‐street banks that have an impact on customer acquisition and retention and which are as follows: customer groups, interaction style, relationship and loyalty, networks and service and satisfaction.Originality/valueThe themes identified in this preliminary investigation provide a model that maps five aspects that underpin customer acquisition and retention in traditional high‐street banks including for the purposes of this research, building societies in the UK.