bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Globalisation and manufacturing strategy in the TCF industry
Authors: Buxey Geoff 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe textiles, clothing, and footwear (TCF) industry has struggled in Australia since the government commenced dismantling tariffs. By sourcing from Asia, middlemen undercut established suppliers, and retail chains set benchmark low prices with their imported “house” labels. The policy‐makers predicted that local producers would become more efficient, and export to make up for lost sales, but the media paints a picture of rising imports, retrenchments, and factory closures. The research objective was to discover what strategies the survivors (actually) employ in adapting to the pressures of globalisation.Design/methodology/approachMore than 30 companies were involved in the study, ranging from small family businesses to subsidiaries of big multinationals. Each case study was based on an interview with a senior executive, normally followed by a plant tour. This methodology suits a fresh topic, as it avoids preconceptions and imposes no bounds.FindingsResults show that the policy change was based on “pie in the sky” forecasts. Increasingly, TCF production is transferred to cheap offshore locations, generally via subcontracting plus the “badging” of foreign designs. To survive, local factories should focus on quality and customer service, preferably in niche markets (like uniforms), or for specific customer groups, and develop technologically advanced products. A move down the supply chain into retailing can also assist. Large multinational corporations that engage in foreign direct investment dominate the management literature.Originality/valueThis paper presents a different perspective, neglected in international operations management, whereby domestically oriented businesses attempt to defend themselves against the adverse consequences of globalisation.
Best manufacturing practices
Authors: Timenes Laugen Bjørge , Acur Nuran , Boer Harry , Frick Jan 
Published: January 2005

PurposeResearch on best practices suffers from some fundamental problems. The problem addressed in the article is that authors tend to postulate, rather than show, the practices they address to be best – whether these practices do indeed produce best performance is often not investigated.Design/methodology/approachThis article assumes that the best performing companies must be the ones deploying the best practices. In order to find out what are those practices, the highest performing companies in the 2002 International Manufacturing Strategy Survey database were identified, and the role 14 practices play in these companies was investigated.FindingsProcess focus, pull production, equipment productivity and environmental compatibility appear to qualify as best practices. Quality management and ICT may have been best practice previously, but lost that status. E‐business, new product development (NPD), supplier strategy and outsourcing are relatively new, cannot yet be qualified as, but may develop into, best practice. Four other practices do not produce any significant performance effects.Research limitations/implicationsThere are four limitations to the research: Incompleteness of the set of practices tested: lack of insight into the effects of interaction between practices and the way in and extent to which they were implemented; good explanatory but poor predictive power; and lack of contextuality.Originality/valueTaking the position that best practice must be what best performing companies do, the paper is useful for managers using benchmarking to review the design and performance of their manufacturing system, and for scholars engaged or interested in best practice studies.
A study of the lead‐free hot air solder levelling process
Authors: Fellman Jack 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe traditional surface finish for bare boards, eutectic tin‐lead solder from the HASL process, is well characterized, but very little is known about the implementation of lead free solder in that application. This paper will present the results of a study that defined process parameters for both horizontal and vertical machines.Design/methodology/approachA test vehicle containing high aspect ratio PTH technology and fine pitch surface mount pads was used for the testing. Solder samples were taken while copper clad laminates were run through the machine. Test panels were run after each 100 laminates and were assessed for solder coverage, appearance, thickness and distribution. Board cleanliness was measured by SIR and ionic contamination.FindingsOperating parameters for the respective machines were established. Fluxes and oils were found to meet the requirements. Bright solder coatings produced on test panels contained no exposed copper and were found to meet industry standards. SIR results met the requirements of SM‐840C.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research to analyze and replenish the lead free solder pot with tin and nickel is needed to assist board shops with the production use of the process over a longer period of time. The work of this paper covered a few days of simulated production, depending on the daily throughput.Practical implicationsWork has been done and reported to demonstrate that the Lead Free HASL is a viable process ready for commercial implementation.Originality/valueThe work of this paper will allow a circuit board fabricator to have a starting point to implement the lead free HASL process. Copper and nickel tracking data are helpful to set up a solder dilution schedule to maintain their concentrations within operating limits.
An investigation of the recommended immersion tin thickness for lead‐free soldering
Authors: Lamprecht Sven 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThis paper describes the different thickness measurement techniques that enable reliable thickness assessments, and the determination of the recommended immersion tin thickness for lead‐free soldering.Design/methodology/approachImmersion tin layers were prepared with systematically varying layer thicknesses. The samples were annealed at different reflow profiles, used in assembly for tin/silver/copper (SAC‐alloy) soldering. The layers were characterized with X‐ray fluorescence, electrochemical stripping coulometry, and by examining the cross sections using a scanning electron microscope. The solderability of the samples was determined with a solder balance (Solderability Tester Menisco ST60) using a SAC‐alloy (melting point 217°C) with T(max) at ΔT=28°C and ΔT=43°C above melting.FindingsIf all pure tin is converted into the Sn/Cu IMC, so that no pure tin is left as solderable layer, the wetting behaviour will decrease dramatically. Especially for multiple soldering processes, two times reflow followed by wave soldering, it is essential to have a pure tin layer covering the Sn/Cu IMC before going to the final soldering process. The required amount of residual pure tin over the Sn/Cu IMC is detailed in several papers. It is stated that a minimum of 0.2 μm of pure tin over the Sn/Cu IMC is absolutely necessary to ensure reliable wetting and solder joint formation. With the current immersion tin thickness recommendation of 1 μm, based on the needs of lead containing solder pastes, a residual pure tin layer will not be evident or thick enough to ensure reliable assembly for multiple soldering with lead‐free temperature profiles.Originality/valueHelps to enable reliable thickness assessments, and the determination of the recommended immersion tin thickness for lead‐free soldering.
Water use in the printed circuit board manufacturing process and approaches for reducing consumption
Authors: Goosey Martin 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo review water use in the PCB industry and to introduce approaches for minimising its consumption in order to reduce costs, enhance efficiency and to enable PCB producers to operate in a more sustainable manner.Design/methodology/approachThis paper has been written to provide a review of water consumption in the PCB industry. Opportunities and techniques for reducing water use have been described and the benefits of using less water discussed.FindingsIt was found that the purchase costs of water varied significantly between UK PCB manufacturers and that there was a strong business case for improving the efficiency of water use during PCB manufacturing, especially as water consumption can be as high as 1.5 m3 per m2 of board processed. The significant cost of water in the manufacturing process was also highlighted and it was also found that the cost of incoming water and outgoing water effluent had increased significantly in recent years.Originality/valueThe value of the paper lies in its ability to provide information on how to reduce water consumption in the PCB manufacturing process through the use of a range of measures. Reducing water consumption helps to minimise costs and to enhance efficiency in a very competitive industry.
Renewable resources for use in printed circuit boards
Authors: Nägele H. , Pfitzer J. , Lehnberger C. , Landeck H. , Birkner K. , Viebahn U. , Scheel W. , Schmidt R. , Hagelüken M. , Müller J. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThis paper focuses on the project “Development of electronic components on circuit boards made of renewable resources” which has the aim of developing materials and technologies for the production of electronic components with printed wiring boards (PWB) completely made of renewable resources.Design/methodology/approachReviews the use of renewable resources in the electronics industry where there is potential for fostering sustainable development through its technological innovations.FindingsOutlines that ARBOFORM, a high‐quality thermoplastic engineering material for applications that demand high technological standards, combines the positive properties of natural wood with the processing capabilities of thermoplastic materials.Originality/valueThe motivation for the substitution of non‐renewable raw materials is not only given by ecological aspects but could also be boosted in future as reserves of fossil resources are further depleted and costs increase.
Socio‐economic factors determining adult literacy in developing countries
Authors: Mazumdar Krishna 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThis study attempts to find the socio‐economic factors behind the differential achievement level in adult literacy in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachConsiders a number of theories. These include modernization theory, dependency/world systems theory, developmental state theory, new human ecology theory and convergence‐divergence theory as an explanation of the differential level of adult literacy rate.FindingsThe findings reveal the importance of the initial level of adult literacy and the population growth. Similarly short‐term economic growth has a significant impact on the initial level of adult literacy, and the medium human development and low human development samplesOriginality/valueThis attempt to find the factors behind adult literacy is of importance not only as a constituent indicator of the human development index, but also through its various contributions towards economic growth.
Distribution of income and the structure of economy and society
Authors: Spithoven A.H.G.M. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeMany economists and politicians have declared the price mechanism to be the most effective coordination mechanism. On the contrary, the economic perspectives at the beginning of the twenty‐first century reveal that an increase in the supply of products does not necessarily engender an increasing demand. That is why more and more economists agree that every society not only can, but also must, choose the combination of coordination mechanisms that are most appropriate under its specific conditions.Design/methodology/approachEconomic development and growth are approached as being dependent on the development of society and vice versa. The empirical relation between economic openness of a country and the structure of its industrial relations is analysed in relation to different economic outcomes. Special attention is paid to the question whether a policy to engender smaller income differentials does or does not provide a positive drive for the structural change towards a modern information technology‐based economy.FindingsAlthough some authors argue that smaller income differentials coincide with lower productivity rates, this study reveals that there is no such trade‐off. Different sets of coordinating mechanisms determine economic performance. The market mechanism is therefore not the overriding force determining economic development. On the contrary, income and education seem to be two drivers of the sectoral shift to an ICT‐based service economy.Originality/valueDifferent sets of coordination mechanisms seem to support the same economic performance. This implies that governments should once again take responsibility for structuring the economy and society – that is to enforce a system of reliable justice for the vast majority of citizens.
A socio‐economic framework of interpretation and analysis
Authors: Keizer Pieter 
Published: January 2005

PurposeEconomics and sociology are two different theoretical disciplines dealing with one and the same subject. The aim of the paper is to integrate the two paradigms into one framework of interpretation and analysis.Design/methodology/approachEconomics is presented as a science that approaches human behaviour being subject to the omni‐present phenomenon of scarcity, assuming rationality and social independence of human actors. Sociology is presented as a science that interprets human behaviour as group behaviour. Groups are motivated to rank one another in terms of status. Integration must take place by relating the two analyses based on these paradigms.FindingsThe basic economic framework is about the relationship between preferences and scarce resources, determining the structure of allocation of goods. The basic sociological framework is about the relationship between the distribution of socially valued goods and the culture that gives goods their social meaning. A socio‐economic framework is about the relation between allocation, distribution, culture and preferences.Originality/valueWhen applying the socio‐economic framework to real‐life phenomena both the economic and the social motives play a role in the explanation, which is not the case in applied economics and applied sociology.
User survey at Waterford Institute of Technology Libraries
Authors: Hayden Helen , O'Brien Terry , Ó Rathaille Maoilíosa 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThis paper describes a comprehensive user survey carried out in an Irish higher education academic library (Waterford Institute of Technology library service) as part of a strategic initiative to engage with library users.Design/methodology/approachTwo major user groups – full‐time undergraduate students and academic staff – were surveyed. The survey instrument was a hardcopy questionnaire. The paper outlines the relative merits of different survey types and the reasoning behind the final choice of survey instrument.FindingsThe main results of the survey are synopsised. The paper also includes selected free‐text comments made by survey respondents and the library's response to the results in terms of how issues highlighted will be addressed.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey focused on two specific user groups, which leaves scope for future research by this institution into how the library is used by other types of users, such as distance learners.Practical implicationsThe survey was a good way of communicating with users. This was the first time such a project has been undertaken at WIT and WIT library service will continue to survey users on a regular basis and to use the results to inform service delivery.Originality/valueAs the first comprehensive survey to be undertaken in the Institute of Technology sector in Ireland, the paper is of potential value to library practitioners in this, or indeed in other sectors, who are considering doing a survey of their users.
Ethical perspectives of library and information science graduate students in the United States
Authors: Jefferson Renée N. , Contreras Sylvia 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the ethical perspectives of library and information science professionals prior to their entry into the profession.Design/methodology/approachThe population consisted of 46 graduate students enrolled in a library and information science program during summer 2003. Three scenarios related to general, legal, and health ethical issues were used. Participants were randomly assigned to a scenario. First, they read the scenario and provided initial reactions. Second, they read the professional code of ethics related to the scenario. Finally, they re‐read the scenario and provided reactions based on the professional code of ethics.FindingsThe initial reactions of participants to the scenarios were similar to their reactions after reading and applying the assigned code of ethics. For example, participants initially reported that the library director should permit staff to attend the American Library Association conference in Toronto even with the SARS issue (85 percent), After reading the Health Sciences Code of Ethics, they selected promoting access to health information and working without prejudice to support their positions.Originality/valueThe findings of this study illustrate the influence of codes of ethics on students' ethical perspectives. Investigating the professional ethics of future library and information science graduate students is of value to students and faculty.
Would the real corporate university please stand up?
Authors: Walton John 
Published: January 2005

PurposeAims to investigate the similarities and differencers between traditional and corporate universities and determine whether their respective futures will continue to plough separate furrows or converge.Design/methodology/approachExamines mission statements, core values, guiding principles, aims and objectives from a sample of traditional and corporate university web sites covering both the USA and the UK.FindingsIt reinforces other studies whicht have found little in the way of commonality. It expresses some scepticism over the predominantly aspirational tone of the statements from the traditional universities, which provide little indication of “corporatisation”. On the other hand, it finds little evidence of “intellectualisation” in the corporate counterparts.Practical implicationsDemonstrates the importance of conducting a relational analysis when studying texts, and of establishing the context in which words are used. Broadly, there is little evidence of convergence of outlook between entities coming from different roots and traditions.Originality/valueContains good advice for anyone setting out to establish a (hopefully) convergent institution, showing that is is virtually impossible for corporate‐minded members to implement traditional aspirations successfully.
Teaching and technology transfer as alternative revenue streams
Authors: Van Hoorebeek Mark , Marson James 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the financial and intellectual issues facing the university sector as many institutions in the UK pursue alternative revenue streams. As a consequence to the increasing financial pressures, university departments are increasingly exposed to new forms of potential litigation and also face the risk to the prestige of their university and departmental brand.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical and analytical approach is adopted whereby an introduction to the topic of revenue streams is presented before a review is conducted of the two most prominent and important streams available to the higher education sector – teaching and technology transfer. The paper furthers this analysis through a discussion of the accompanying legal consequences to UK universities and offers strategies to be adopted by such institutions to avoid these pitfalls.FindingsThe investigation has identified that the pursuit of additional sources of money from teaching and technology transfer pose significant risks and should only be considered after a rigorous analysis of the associated cost by institutional and departmental management structures.Originality/valueThe paper offers an insight into the experience of litigation and the intellectual problems encountered by university departments in the USA. This evidence is utilised to consider how it may provide UK‐based counterparts with a guide to avoid similar problems. It will be of relevance to practitioners, managers and strategic planners in the university sector.
Multicultural education knowledgebase, attitudes and preparedness for diversity
Authors: Wasonga Teresa A. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate the effect of multicultural knowledgebase on attitudes and feelings of preparedness to teach children from diverse backgrounds among pre‐service teachers. Currently issues of multicultural education have been heightened by the academic achievement gap and emphasis on standardized test‐scores as the indicator of learning.Design/methodology/approachThis descriptive study was conducted using surveys. A variety of data were collected through pre‐ and post‐tests. Questionnaires included Multicultural Content Test‐Educational (MCCT‐E), Multicultural Questionnaire (MC), and Preparedness Survey (PS). Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.FindingsResults indicated that a class in multicultural education significantly increased knowledge about diversity, attitudes towards multiculturalism, and levels of preparedness to teach children from diverse backgrounds. There was no correlation between multicultural knowledge and attitudes and between attitudes and preparedness to teach children from diverse backgrounds.Practical implicationsAs teacher education evolves, there is need to rethink opportunities to learn how to teach children from diverse backgrounds beyond multicultural knowledgebase. More extensive and well integrated methods (direct experiences, mentorship, observing and working in authentic settings) are recommended. These methods enhance internalization of concepts, and ability to confront fears, misconceptions and misinformation during teacher preparation. This study suggested that teacher education programs should provide more sustained interaction with diversity issues and/or children of diverse backgrounds in order to transform the gain in multicultural attitudes into practice.Originality/valueThe study challenges the assumption in teacher preparation programs that knowledge transforms pre‐service teachers’ attitudes and preparedness to teach children from diverse backgrounds.