bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A study of the effects of different binders and fillers on the properties of flame retardant paints
Authors: Abdel‐Mohsen F.F. , Emira H.S. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo improve the efficiency of flame retardant paints for wood by using different fillers and thermoplastic and thermosetting binders.Design/methodology/approachFor effective flame retardancy, various paint compositions were made by incorporating different binders and fillers. The physical and mechanical properties, of the paint films, storage stability, limited oxygen index (LOI) and differential thermal analysis were investigated.FindingsDiammonium hydrogen orthophosphate has all the characteristics required to be used as flame retardant filler for paint, in contrary to magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2, which has undesired effect on the storage stability of paints based on alkyd resin. The values of LOI depend on the type and composition of the binder.Research limitations/implicationsThe flame retardancy of the prepared paints could also be evaluated using more conventional methods such as oxygen index test.Practical implicationsSpecial fillers and binders that could be used in highly efficient flame retardant paint for wood have been identified.Originality/valueThe fillers are non‐toxic. Different fillers obtained could be used in various thermosetting binders beside thermoplastic ones.
Blends of Mesua ferrea L. seed oil based polyurethane with epoxy resin
Authors: Dutta S. , Karak N. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo evaluate the performance of the blends of Mesua ferrea L. seed oil based polyurethane resins with a commercially available bisphenol‐A epoxy resin at different weight ratios.Design/methodology/approachFor effective improvement of their various properties, polyurethane‐ester (PE) and polyurethane‐amide (PA) resins of Mesua ferrea L. seed oil were blended with a commercially available bisphenol‐A‐based epoxy (EP) in different ratios (PE or PA:EP = 100:40, 100:50 and 100:60 by weight) by using the solution blending technique in xylene. The tensile strength, impact strength, adhesive strength, flexibility, hardness, elongation at break, swelling behaviour and chemical resistance in different media of the films for both the blends have been studied.FindingsThe blending of PE and PA resins of Mesua ferrea L. seed oil with a commercially available bisphenol‐A‐based epoxy (EP) showed very good compatibility of the components as observed by SEM study. The blending also significantly improved the performance characteristics such as drying time, tensile strength, impact strength, adhesive strength, chemical resistance, etc. of the films.Research limitations/implicationsThe epoxy resin and the hardener are used of a particular grade of a particular manufacturer. Further, it could be obtained from different sources and of different grades. In addition, the performance characteristics could also be studied to optimise the exact blend ratio.Practical implicationsThe method developed provided a simple and practical solution to improve the performance characteristic of polyurethane resin with less than one NCO/OH ratio.Originality/valueThe method for improving the performance characteristics of epoxy modified vegetable oil based polyurethane is something novel and could find numerous applications in surface coatings, adhesive and thin film.
Rhetoric in standard setting: the case of the going‐concern audit
Authors: Masocha Walter , Weetman Pauline 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore in depth the ways in which the rhetoric of the standard setter responds to comments received during development of a standard.Design/methodology/approachPrevious research has explored the use of rhetorical strategies in accounting standards to construct and persuade as to what is “good” and to silence potential criticisms and alternative proposals. The exploration is extended to the development of an auditing standard and is strengthened by relating the opinions of lobbyists to the rhetoric used in the response.FindingsThe analysis shows that, in a situation where the standard setter's position changed significantly during the exposure of proposals to comment, rhetorical strategies in the exposure draft or standard were adapted to match the changing direction of persuasion, with silencing of potential counter‐argument evidenced in the surrounding explanatory material.Research implications/limitationsThe research demonstrates that those using standards should be aware of the normative nature of these documents and the subjectivity inherent in the nature of the text.Originality/valueThe paper builds on Young's 2003 paper by exploring the dynamics of the ways in which the rhetoric of the standard setter responds to comment during the consultation process.
Evaluation of Thailand national external quality assessment on HIV testing
Authors: Chalermchan Wilai , Pitak Sirporn , Sungkawasee Suwanee 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe Thailand National Institute of Health (NIH) established an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme on HIV serology testing since 1994 for many public health laboratories. For the past six years, the NIH has evaluated the activities of 226 laboratories.Design/methodology/approachApproximately 40,000 tests using 16 trial samples of external quality assessment panel performed at 226 laboratories during 2000‐2006. The methods performed were classified into five assays; machine‐based enzyme immunoassay (MBA), microplate‐based enzyme immunoassay (EIA), simple/rapid test and antigen assay only performed at blood screening laboratory centers. A few laboratories performed confirmation method by western blot (WB). Most participating laboratories performed at least two methods.FindingsThe evaluation showed that, during the six‐year period, the program had an increasing response rate among all groups of laboratories: government hospital laboratories, private hospital and clinic laboratories and blood screening laboratory centers. Moreover, there were no significantly different errors found between these groups. The highest median percent of overall errors found was in antigen assay. Very minimal errors appeared on other methods.Originality/valueNational HIV EQA program has played an important role in improving the quality of participating laboratory performance. The participating laboratories gained a better understanding and were able to use good quality anti‐HIV approved kits. Furthermore, HIV serology testing selection was varied over the past six years as microplate‐based EIA was mostly used in the past but currently MBA and simple/rapid test are more commonly used. The test methods were determined by test volumes and budget. In addition, sensitivity was one critical reason labs chose to use EIA. The most popular method used was simple/rapid testing. Overall errors occurred with all assays but not with WB. Errors could occur with any test techniques if good quality management is not employed.
Quality in psychiatric care: an instrument evaluating patients' expectations and experiences
Authors: Schröder Agneta , Wilde Larsson Bodil , Ahlström Gerd 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe principal aim of this paper is to develop an instrument to measure quality of care in the psychiatric setting from an in‐patient perspective and to describe quality of care by means of this instrument. A further aim is to investigate the influence of background variables and expectations on the experience of care.Design/methodology/approachThe instrument “Quality in psychiatric care” consists of two parts: one for measuring the patient's expectations regarding quality of care, the other for measuring his or her experiences regarding it. The instrument was derived from an earlier interview study of patients' perceptions of the quality of psychiatric care. A sample of 116 patients from eight in‐patient wards in Sweden participated in the present study.FindingsResults indicate a generally high quality of care. Experienced quality of care was significantly lower, however, than expectations in all the dimensions of the instrument: total dimension, dignity, security, participation, recovery and environment. Patients who perceived that the time of discharge was consistent with the stage of their illness experienced significantly higher Recovery; patients with good psychiatric health experienced this too, but also significantly higher participation.Research limitations/implicationsThis new instrument needs to be further tested before the psychometric properties can be established.Originality/valueThe value of the research is that instruments for measuring the quality of in‐patient psychiatric care from the patient's perspective and with a theoretical foundation are less common.
Individual trust and development of online business communities
Authors: Nolan Terry , Brizland Ray , Macaulay Linda 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the notion of trust as an enabler or restrictor to online engagement. The purpose of the inquiry is to improve knowledge acquisition within small businesses (SMEs) through engagement in an online network.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explains the outcomes from a three‐year long Action Research (AR) study into online participation utilising a purpose built Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based networking tool.FindingsThe paper finds that the overall notion of trust is deconstructed into component conditions, which are shown to represent conflicting priorities for individuals. These components are reconstructed to form a model that illustrates how trust needs to develop at the level of the individual for an online community to be formed. The paper provides an insight into the complexities of socio‐technological engagements in an online environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that the proposed model is context‐specific and has not been subjected to testing for replicability within other settings.Practical implicationsThe model proposed in this paper is of use to Information System (IS) developers, helping to identify the reasons for participation or non‐participation in online networks/communities.Originality/valueThe paper builds upon existing theories, by applying an extended notion of trust incorporating interrelated individual factors, such as risk, interest, power and information utility, to the development of online communities.
A strategic modeling technique for information security risk assessment
Authors: Misra Subhas C. , Kumar Vinod , Kumar Uma 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to present a conceptual modeling approach, which is new in the domain of information systems security risk assessment.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is helpful for performing means‐end analysis, thereby uncovering the structural origin of security risks in information systems, and how the root‐causes of such risks can be controlled from the early stages of the projects.FindingsThough some attempts have previously been made to model security risk assessment in information systems using conventional modeling techniques such as data flow diagrams and UML, the previous works have analyzed and modeled the same just by addressing “what” a process is like. However, they do not address “why” the process is the way it is.Originality/valueThe approach addresses the limitation of the existing security risk assessment models by exploring the strategic dependencies between the actors of a system and analyzing the motivations, intents and rationales behind the different entities and activities constituting the system.
Television viewers' motivations to follow the 2005 Ashes Test series: implications for the rebranding of English cricket
Authors: Bennett Roger , Ali‐Choudhury Rehnuma , Mousley Wendy 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine the factors that induced people to follow the 2005 Ashes cricket series on television and to explore the implications of these factors for the marketing of English cricket as a brand.Design/methodology/approachA total of 427 members of the public who reported that they had watched at least part of the 2005 Ashes series on television were questioned about their motives for having done so. Specific motives were then related to viewing intensity and to an individual's intention to follow cricket in the future.FindingsThe study finds that viewers who had been motivated to watch the Ashes series because of cricket's nostalgic associations with England's past were more likely than others to have followed the series intensively and to state that they would continue to be interested in cricket. Patriotic motivations led to short‐ but not to long‐term support. Social pressure, prior involvement with cricket, and several variables identified from a review of the general academic literature in the sports marketing area also exerted significant influences on future intentions to watch cricket.Research limitations/implicationsIt was not feasible to establish the socio‐demographic, cultural and economic backgrounds of individuals who exhibited strong tendencies in relation to the motivations covered by the study. Thus it was not possible to relate these background characteristics to decisions to follow cricket in the longer period.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that English cricket may indeed be regarded as a brand, and that certain aspects of cricket's brand identity should be incorporated into marketing communications that promote the sport.Originality/valueThis was the first empirical study to analyse the factors underlying the highly successful rebranding of English cricket that occurred between 1997 and 2004.
Does image of country‐of‐origin matter to brand equity?
Authors: Mohd Yasin Norjaya , Nasser Noor Mohd , Mohamad Osman 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the effects of brand's country‐of‐origin image on the formation of brand equity.Design/methodology/approachTo accomplish this, the brand equity of household electrical appliances, particularly televisions, refrigerators and air‐conditioners, in the Malaysian market is examined. A conceptual framework in which brand's country‐of‐origin image is postulated to influence the dimensions of brand equity, which is made up of brand loyalty, brand awareness, perceived quality, and brand associations. These dimensions, in turn, influence brand equity. Data were collected from consumers of household electrical appliances using probability sampling.FindingsFactor analysis conducted on brand equity dimensions, produced three factors namely, brand distinctiveness, brand loyalty, and brand awareness/associations. The regression analysis results show that brand's country‐of‐origin image positively and significantly influences dimensions of brand equity. The results also show that brand's country‐of‐origin image influences brand equity, either directly or indirectly, through the mediating effects of brand distinctiveness, brand loyalty and brand awareness/associations.Research limitations/implicationsThe study investigates brand equity of durable goods of three product categories namely television, refrigerator and air‐conditioner. It only considers brand's country‐of‐origin image as one of the sources of brand equity. The conceptual framework does not take into consideration factors that moderate the influence of antecedent of brand equity on brand equity.Practical implicationsProducers of household electrical appliances should put greater emphasis in creating brand loyalty for their products. The good image of brand's original country should be highlighted in order to enhance the overall image of the brand. Favorable country image can also be capitalized in brand‐naming strategy.Originality/valueThis is paper important in identifying the sources of brand equity.
Advertised versus unexpected next purchase coupons: consumer satisfaction, perceptions of value, and fairness
Authors: Chatterjee Patrali 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis research aims to investigate how consumers differ in their interpretation of advertised and “surprise” (or unexpected) next‐purchase coupons as delayed rewards or immediate losses based on promotion context and coupon start date restrictions.Design/methodology/approachTwo laboratory experiments examine how consumers respond to next‐purchase coupons. In Study 1, next‐purchase coupon types (advertised; unexpected) vs competing brand promotions (yes; no) vs coupon start date restriction (unrestricted; restricted to future start date) between‐subjects experimental design was used to examine the impact on purchase satisfaction, perceived promotion value, and perceived retailer fairness. In Study 2, four between‐subjects factors were used to examine the impact on purchase satisfaction, perceived value, and retailer fairness: next‐purchase coupon type vs coupon start date restriction vs coupon target restriction (brand‐specific; non brand‐specific) and the measured need‐for‐cognition variable (high; low).FindingsStudy 1 indicates that unexpected next‐purchase coupons lead to higher purchase satisfaction but lower perceptions of retailer fairness compared to advertised coupons. Study 2 indicates that consumer predisposition toward effortful thought (NFC) amplifies the impact of unrestricted start date on perceptions of retailer unfairness. Furthermore, this effect is stronger on purchase satisfaction and perceived value for unrestricted unexpected next‐purchase coupons.Research limitations/implicationsResults imply that advertised and unexpected next‐purchase coupons differ in their impact on post‐purchase outcomes of consumers. Differences in competing brand promotions and coupon start date restrictions lead to interpretations of next‐purchase coupons as immediate loss vs delayed gains.Practical implicationsManagerial implications for the design and use of next‐purchase promotions are discussed.Originality/valueThis research paper is the first to study how consumers respond to checkout or next‐purchase coupons.
Investment in Central and Eastern European equities
Authors: Middleton Calum A.J. , Fifield Suzanne G.M. , Power David M. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the issues faced by institutional investors looking to invest in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. In particular, the paper seeks to ascertain the views of practitioners on the reasons for undertaking CEE investment, the structures of their investment processes for the CEE region, the barriers to CEE investment, and the future of the CEE region.Design/methodology/approachA series of semi‐structured interviews was conducted with institutional investors who had substantial knowledge and experience of investing in the CEE region.FindingsThe findings indicated that funds followed a bottom‐up approach whereby they researched company fundamentals and then applied a macroeconomic overview in their decision. The risks considered were not those frequently discussed in the current literature. For example, while currency risk and political risk were not seen as problematic, interviewees were concerned with liquidity problems and corporate governance issues. Finally, investors thought that the economic growth of the CEE region, together with its convergence with the EU, would create a more attractive investment environment than that available in other emerging market regions.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the more qualitative aspects of CEE investment decisions, such as perceptions about the risks of acquiring shares in CEE firms, by analysing practitioner perspectives on equity investment in the region. This qualitative approach facilitates an investigation of issues which cannot be captured in quantitative analyses.
Consistency and controversy in corporate financing practices
Authors: Colombage Sisira R.N. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe main aim of this paper is to report on a comprehensive survey of corporate financing decision‐making process in Sri Lankan listed companies and to compare these results with those of similar studies conducted in developed markets.Design/methodology/approachThe study was based on a survey questionnaire distributed among the chief executive officers (CEOs) of companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, with the content of the questionnaire being based upon a review of theoretical and empirical literature in the field of finance.FindingsThe results demonstrate an adherence to a financial hierarchy, which appears to be the dominant financial policy among listed Sri Lankan companies. Corporate financing decisions seem to be influenced mostly by interest and tax considerations, while lesser weight is accorded to financial flexibility in determining the amount of funds to be raised externally through debt contracts. The evidence largely supports the propositions of the pecking order model, but also confirms some predictions found in static trade‐off theory.Practical implicationsSome of the most striking implications of the analysis relate to the under‐development of the local capital market, and the apparent need for an efficient financial system that spurs economic growth. An efficient capital market will in turn ensure that capital will be more easily channeled into financing investments.Originality/valueThis paper highlights how and why the determinants of capital structure decisions reported for developed capital markets may differ from those existing in transitional or emerging economies.
Why is synergy so difficult in mergers of related businesses?
Authors: Chatterjee Sayan 
Published: March 2007

PurposeWhen a merger or an acquisition fails, usually integration problems or overpayment gets the blame. The authors illustrate that a common cause of failure is the traditional notion of synergy that exacerbates the overpayment and integration problems. This synergy usually leads to the failure of many mergers, yet synergy remains one of the most common justifications that management uses to shareholders.Design/methodology/approachThe main methodology is the author's interview of the CEOs of many successful acquiring firms as well as case studies of unsuccessful firms (some based on secondary sources). This methodology is complemented by academic research on these topics dating back to the early 1980s that had raised caution signals but were largely ignored.FindingsThe key finding is that it is very difficult to evaluate the nature of synergies, especially revenue synergies, during merger negotiations. This leads to overpayment and unanticipated integration problems.Research limitations/implicationsSuggested implications are to conduct in‐depth case studies that can follow the process in real‐time (fly on the wall approach).Practical implicationThe practical implication is to discount any revenue synergies more heavily than you may be inclined to do. Alert managers to the problem of justifying an acquisition or a merger based on the synergy rationale. Invest in getting to know the target – possibly years in advance.Originality/valueThe value is to alert managers considering related mergers to some potential landmines and what to do about them.