bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of girdle's pressure on human body from the pressure measurement on a dummy
Authors: Fan J. , Chan A.P. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThis paper reports on the development of a method for the prediction of clothing pressure of girdles on the human body.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, we propose to use a standard mannequin dummy to measure the clothing pressure of girdles and from which to predict the pressure on the different human body. An improved mathematical programming method for numerical simulation of cloth wrinkling is investigated.FindingsIn general, the prediction equations of the model are effective in estimating the clothing pressure on the human body from the clothing pressure on a standard mannequin dummy.Practical implicationsThe method may be used by the manufacturers of girdles to test their products on a dummy to see whether the pressure distribution is satisfactory to the targeted group of consumers. It can also be used by consumers to assess the suitability of girdles based on the estimated clothing pressure, which may be predicted from the pressure pre‐tested on a dummy and the consumer's body characteristics.Originality/valueDirect measurement of clothing pressure on human body for the evaluation of pressure garments is time consuming, expensive. It is therefore desirable to predict the girdle's pressure instead of the direct measurement on human subjects. The method may be used by manufacturers of girdles as well as by consumers.
Towards quality e‐service in the public sector:
Authors: Ancarani Alessandro 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo define and test an approach for the evaluation of the quality of e‐service provided in the LPS sector.Design/methodology/approachThe study hypothesises a correlation among e‐service content quality, technological complexity of web sites, and the application of criteria for assessing efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency through organisational re‐engineering induced by e‐service. A model for describing the e‐service quality in the local public service sector is then defined.FindingsProvides a methodology for measuring the quality of e‐service in terms of functional quality. It is based on the relationship between benefits for customers and web site technological complexity, assumed to be represented by the level of organisational changes adopted by firms.Research limitations/implicationsIt is necessary to analyse organisational changes actually applied. It would be important to discuss in detail the relevant dimensions of e‐service quality in the public sector.Practical implicationsThe proposed approach should allow managers operating in public‐service organisations to develop useful operational frameworks for e‐service quality‐control systems – based on an analysis of the interactions and transactions made available to their stakeholders.Originality/valueThis paper addresses the increasing demand for transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in e‐service provision in the local public service sector. It provides a framework for understanding how the e‐service is provided, how it can be evaluated, and how to assess e‐service quality in terms of the content of the developed web sites.
Customer service quality in the Greek Cypriot banking industry
Authors: Arasli Huseyin , Mehtap‐Smadi Salime , Turan Katircioglu Salih 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo measure the service quality perceptions of Greek Cypriot bank customers and to examine the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and positive word of mouth, in the light of changing bank market dynamics due to EU accession.Design/methodology/approachA total of 260 retail bank customers responded to a Greek translated version of SERVQUAL. After descriptive and factor analysis, multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of service quality dimensions on overall customer satisfaction and the impact of satisfaction on positive word of mouth.FindingsThe SERVQUAL scale proved to be of a three‐dimensional structure in this study. Results revealed that the expectations of bank customers were not met where the largest gap was obtained in the responsiveness‐empathy dimension. Reliability items had the highest effect on customer satisfaction, which in turn had a statistically significant impact on the positive word of mouth.Research limitations/implicationsThere were some difficulties in conducting interviews, which may have restricted the potential sample size. Future research could be directed at how the service is delivered by front‐line employees.Practical implicationsFindings of this study will help Greek Cypriot banks to redefine their corporate image to one that is customer‐focused and emphasizes service quality. The findings will also be important for other countries that need to restructure their banking system as a prerequisite to EU membership.Originality/valueThis study assesses the five‐factor fit of the much debated SERVQUAL instrument to a new country setting, that of Cyprus, whose already developed banking system has undergone significant restructuring prior to EU accession.
An empirical investigation of the role of culture on service recovery expectations
Authors: Kanousi Argyro 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo investigate the impact of culture on service recovery expectations.Design/methodology/approachService recovery is measured through a recently developed instrument (RECOVSAT), while culture is measured through Hofstede's cultural dimensions. A total of 200 respondents completed the survey. The primary statistical technique used is multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe findings support the hypothesis that culture has an impact on service recovery expectations. Three of the five cultural dimensions (i.e. individualism, masculinity, and long‐term orientation) are associated with service recovery expectations. In particular, individualism is linked to higher expectations about empowerment and lower expectations about explanation. Masculinity is associated with higher expectations about the need for explanation and tangibles, whereas long‐term orientation is linked to higher expectations about tangibles.Research limitations/implicationsThe study examines service recovery in traditional (as opposed to online) settings.Practical implicationsFour different strategies are recommended for managing service recovery across different cultures.Originality/valueFindings have important implications for managers interested in the globalization of services.
Transformational leadership and service quality in UAE hospitals
Authors: Jabnoun Naceur , Juma AL Rasasi Aisha 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThis paper investigates the relationship between transformational leadership and service quality in UAE hospitals. The paper first determined the level of satisfaction of patients with the service quality they received. The paper also analyzed how hospital employees perceived the dimensions of transformational and transactional leadership of their leaders. Finally, the relationship between the dimensions of service quality and those of transformational and transactional leadership was investigatedDesign/methodology/approachTwo questionnaires were administered. The first questionnaire addressed service quality using an adapted SERVQUAL. The second one addressed transformational and transactional leadership using the multi‐level leadership questionnaire. The first questionnaire was distributed to patients of six major UAE hospitals while the second one was distributed to employees of the same hospitals. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS.FindingsThe paper found that UAE patients were generally satisfied with the service quality rendered by their hospitals. It however found that hospital employees had a low rating of their leaders in terms of the transformational leadership and contingent reward. Finally, service quality was found to be positively related to all dimension of transformational leadership and the transactional leadership dimension of contingent reward. The two dimensions of active exception and passive avoidant leadership were negatively related to service quality.Originality/valueThis paper bridged an important gap in the literature by addressing the relationship between service quality and transformational leadership. It provided important guidelines for managers on the dimensions of leadership that needed to be enhanced in order to improve service quality.
Multi‐nozzle deposition for construction of 3D biopolymer tissue scaffolds
Authors: Khalil S. , Nam J. , Sun W. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo introduce recent research and development of biopolymer deposition for freeform fabrication of three‐dimensional tissue scaffolds that is capable of depositing bioactive ingredients.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐nozzle biopolymer deposition system is developed, which is capable of extruding biopolymer solutions and living cells for freeform construction of 3D tissue scaffolds. The deposition process is biocompatible and occurs at room temperature and low pressures to reduce damage to cells. In contrast with other systems, this system is capable of, simultaneously with scaffold construction, depositing controlled amount of cells, growth factors, or other bioactive compounds with precise spatial position to form complex cell‐seeded tissue constructs. The examples shown are based on sodium alginate solutions and poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL). Studies of the biopolymer deposition feasibility, structural formability, and different material deposition through a multi‐nozzle heterogeneous system are conducted and presented.FindingsProvides information about the biopolymer deposition using different nozzle systems, the relations of process parameters on deposition flow rate and scaffold structural formability. Three‐dimensional alginate‐based scaffolds and scaffold embedded with living cells can be freeform constructed according to various design configurations at room temperature without using toxic materials.Research limitations/implicationsOther biopolymers may also be studied for structure formation. Studying cell viability and cellular tissue engineering behavior of the scaffolds after the cell deposition should be further investigated.Practical implicationsA very useful and effective tool for construction of bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering applications based on a multi‐nozzle biopolymer deposition.Originality/valueThis paper describes a novel process and manufacturing system for fabrication of bioactive tissue scaffolds, automatic cell loading, and heterogeneous tissue constructs for emerging regenerative medicine.
Development of nickel‐titanium graded composition components
Authors: Domack M.S. , Baughman J.M. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThree layer‐additive manufacturing methods were evaluated to producing nickel‐titanium graded composition material. One potential application is fabrication of attachment clips that join thermal protection systems to launch vehicle structure. Thermal gradients during flight generate excessive bending and shear loads that limit the service lifetime of the Inconel clips currently used. It is envisioned that a graded composition component could be tailored to reduce the stress concentrations.Design/methodology/approachDeposits with nearly continuous composition grade were built from Ti‐6‐4 and Inconel 718 powder using laser direct metal deposition. Layered deposits were produced by flat wire welding from Ti‐6‐4 and Inconel 718 wire. Ultrasonic consolidation was used to produce layered deposits from pure nickel and commercially pure titanium foils. Microstructure, bond line morphology, chemical composition, and reaction phases were characterized.FindingsAll three manufacturing methods require further development before graded composition material can be reliably produced. Laser direct metal deposition samples exhibited coarse dendritic microstructures and significant elemental segregation. Chemistries varied from calculated targets by up to 20 percent and macroscopic cracking occurred for chemistries greater than 60 percent Inconel 718. Flat wire welded deposits exhibited good mixing between the wire layers, however brittle cracking occurred adjacent to a 5 μm thick reaction layer. Ultrasonically‐consolidated samples demonstrated metallurgical bonding between pure Ni and commercially pure (CP) Ti foils, with material reaction limited to a 1 μm layer.Originality/valueProducing nickel‐titanium graded composition materials had not been attempted by the selected manufacturing methods. A refined experimental program is needed to resolve the remaining technical issues.
Repeater insertion in global interconnects in VLSI circuits
Authors: Chandel Rajeevan , Sarkar S. , Agarwal R.P. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeDelay and power dissipation are the two major design constraints in very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits. These arise due to millions of active devices and interconnections connecting this gigantic number of devices on the chip. Important technique of repeater insertion in long interconnections to reduce delay in VLSI circuits has been reported during the last two decades. This paper deals with delay, power dissipation and the role of voltage‐scaling in repeaters loaded long interconnects in VLSI circuits for low power environment.Design/methodology/approachTrade off between delay and power dissipation in repeaters inserted long interconnects has been reviewed here with a bibliographic survey. SPICE simulations have been used to validate the findings.FindingsOptimum number of uniform sized CMOS repeaters inserted in long interconnects, lead to delay minimization. Voltage‐scaling is highly effective in reduction of power dissipation in repeaters loaded long interconnects. The new finding given here is that optimum number of repeaters required for delay minimization decreases with voltage‐scaling. This leads to area and further power saving.Research limitationsThe bibliographic survey needs to be revised in future, taking the various other aspects of VLSI interconnects viz. noise, cross talk extra into account.Originality/valueThe paper is of high significance in VLSI design and low‐power high‐speed applications. It is also valuable for new researchers in this emerging field.
An overview of the state of environmental assessment education at Canadian universities
Authors: Stelmack Colleen M. , Sinclair A. John , Fitzpatrick Patricia 
Published: January 2005

PurposeEnvironmental assessment (EA) is a proactive planning tool designed to consider the ecological, cultural, socio‐political and economic impacts of potential projects, making it a major tool for achieving sustainable development. Meaningful EA requires a bridging of the natural sciences with the social sciences to broaden understanding of the overall environmental impacts of development projects on humans, the natural environment and other organisms. As a result of this complexity, education and training needs are great. The purpose of this paper was to consider EA educational opportunities at Canadian universities and to test a model for the analysis of the state of such education.Design/methodology/approachThe research design used a qualitative interactive approach, including a survey of 2001 university course calendars, participant observation and semi‐structured interviews.FindingsResults indicate that the number of universities offering EA courses has tripled to 40 since the mid‐1980 s. While this is a positive finding, data illustrate that the bulk of the courses offered are survey‐oriented and introductory in nature, with little opportunity to specialize. This cursory approach is exacerbated by a lack of teaching resources and instructor development. Despite the nature of the courses offered, many professors encourage critical thinking and use innovative teaching techniques, including role‐playing, to promote self‐reflection. In fact, the interdisciplinary approach to the curricula and the promotion of critical thinking outside disciplinary boundaries are two strengths of current EA programming.Originality/valueIn light of this state of formal EA education in Canada, more research and international level dialogue are warranted.
A call for sustainability education in post‐secondary outdoor recreation programs
Authors: O'Connell Timothy S. , Potter Tom G. , Curthoys Lesley P. , Dyment Janet E. , Cuthbertson Brent 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the link between sustainability education and outdoor education and to encourage outdoor recreation educators to evaluate their programs with regard to sustainability and sustainable living.Design/methodology/approachThis paper starts by presenting several factors that currently hinder the delivery of sustainability education in outdoor recreation training programs. It then turns to a presentation of Lefebvre's sustainability education framework, which offers a helpful structure for integrating sustainability education into outdoor recreation academic curricula.FindingsAlthough there are programs that have successfully implemented sustainability training into their curricula, there are many factors that serve to hinder the education of outdoor recreation students in the philosophy and techniques of sustainability and sustainable living. No doubt these impediments pose critical challenges to those offering academic training programs. These challenges must be identified, met and overcome if the profession is to contribute, as it should, not only to local, national and global sustainable outdoor recreation, but also to sustainable living in general.Originality/valueIt is hoped that this paper will encourage educators of post‐secondary outdoor recreation to better equip their students to introduce and teach others with respect to sustainable living values and practices.
Intellectual capital reporting and credit risk analysis
Authors: Guimón José 
Published: January 2005

PurposeAims to increase our understanding of the role of intangibles in credit risk analysis and of the main factors which enable or disable the impact of intellectual capital (IC) reports.Design/methodology/approachDiscusses recent findings from the European Union‐funded E*Know‐Net project (2001‐2003) and reviews other works on the subject. This literature review is complemented with two case studies. The first presents the results of an experimental workshop with 12 credit risk analysts from Banco Santander Central Hispano, a major Spanish bank. The second case study looks at how the European Investment Bank integrates intangibles into its project appraisal process.FindingsProvides a comprehensive conceptual framework to analyze the impact of IC reporting in credit risk analysis. Argues that there is a significant gap between the perceived potential impact of IC reports and their real impact in practice, and proposes a classification of the barriers in the market for corporate information that help explain this apparent paradox. The case studies presented illustrate some of the factors that enable or disable the impact of IC reporting in practice.Originality/valueIncreases understanding of the relevance and impact of intangibles and IC reports in the lending process. Draws conclusions for companies, credit institutions and policy makers.
A framework of intangible valuation areas (FIVA)
Authors: Green Annie , Ryan Julie J.C.H. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThis study investigates the adequacy of existing intangible asset models and defines and codifies common principal valuation drivers of intangible assets for use in enterprise balanced scorecard valuation practices of information technology (IT) firms.Design/methodology/approachExisting intangible asset balance scorecard valuation models and value chain models are evaluated to extract their value components and align them with performance‐based activities of the business enterprise to define a common taxonomy of value drivers of intangible assets. Chief executive officers (CEOs), chief finance officers (CFOs) and “other executives” of IT firms validate the taxonomy.FindingsIT firms that use a standard and consistent taxonomy of intangible assets could increase its ability to identify and account for more intangible assets for measurement and valuation.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to the Washington Metropolitan Area, is a single sector study (IT firms), the target audience is CEOs and CFOs; and emphasis is on the Score Card (SC) type model as classified by Sveiby. Future studies could expand the geographic circumference, the scope to other industry sectors, and the target audience to other decision makersPractical implicationsThe framework of intangible valuation areas (FIVA) allows a business to identify and link performance measurements/indicators to its intangible value drivers. It supports the capture and subsequent evaluation of leading and lagging indicators in the achievement of a knowledge management strategy.Originality/valueFIVA provides a framework to have command of and access to effective utilization of business resources and knowledge, to develop, sustain and enhance its mission effectiveness and/or competitive advantage.
Identifying tangible costs, benefits and risks of an investment in intellectual capital
Authors: MacDougall Shelley L. , Hurst Deborah 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe use of contingent knowledge workers may be an efficient means of investing in an organization's intellectual capital. However, exposing contingent workers to private, key competitive knowledge is considered risky. A study was undertaken to collect the costs, benefits and losses experienced by organizations that had contracted contingent knowledge workers to develop intellectual capital.Design/methodology/approachA purposive cross‐section of senior managers of knowledge‐intensive organizations were interviewed regarding the tangible benefits, costs, perceived risks, and experienced losses from contingent knowledge worker arrangements. The constant comparison method of analysis was used.FindingsThe data revealed perceived increases in flexibility, expertise, creative stimuli, and knowledge bank development. These benefits were believed to have bottom‐line impact through product and process improvements and innovations, and operational efficiencies. The managers did not perceive much risk or experience material losses as a result of the contingent knowledge worker arrangements.Research limitations/implicationsThese findings are based on interviews with a small group of organizations. Although not generalizable, they present an interesting contrast to previous researchers’ conclusions regarding the use of contingent knowledge workers. Further empirical work is needed to test the degree to which this study's findings can be generalized.Practical implicationsContrary to recent literature, this study suggests that contracting contingent knowledge workers to develop in‐house intellectual capital is worth the risk.Originality/valueThe study presents a divergent viewpoint on the contracting of contingent knowledge workers. It also initiates research on rational evaluation of investments in intellectual capital, which constitutes an important contribution to the area of knowledge management. It also contributes to the ongoing research on intellectual capital valuation.