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The absorption of moisture/water can affect the mechanical and thermal properties of polymers and polymer composites as many polymers, mainly polyamide thermoplastics, are sensitive to environmental humidity and can absorb a large amount of moisture. This paper investigates the effect of water molecules' absorption on mechanical and thermal properties of polyamide6/hexagonal boron nitride (PA6/h-BN) composites.

The PA6/h-BN composites were exposed to an open environment and water for 15 days to analyse the effect of humidity/water molecules' absorption on mechanical and thermal properties. The tensile strength, hardness and impact strength of materials were measured and compared. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses were utilized to see the influence of water absorption on microstructure, crystallinity and glass transition temperatures.

After exposing materials to an open environment and water, the tensile strength and hardness were found to decline, while improvement in impact strength was noticed. SEM characterization revealed the formation of voids/pockets in water-immersed materials. DSC analysis revealed the loss in glass transition temperatures, and XRD analysis revealed the loss in crystallinity of water-immersed materials.

Environmental conditions vary according to the geographical areas, and it varies in many countries throughout the year. Polyamides are sensitive to the environmental humidity and can absorb a large amount of moisture from the environment. It becomes necessary to test these materials in their original working conditions, and sometimes it is mandatory to see the effects of extreme environmental conditions on a component. In this article, efforts have been made to investigate the influence of extreme humidity/water conditions on thermo-mechanical properties of PA6/h-BN composites.

This paper aims to investigate the tribological performance, i.e. abrasion resistance, friction coefficient and wear rates, of self-lubricated water conditioned polyamide6/boric oxide composites.

Polyamide6 and polyamide6/boric oxide self-lubricated composites were immersed in water for 15 days to analyze the effect of water conditioning on friction, wear and abrasion resistance. Tribological testing on pin-on-disc tribometer and abrasion resistance testing on TABER abrader were performed to see the friction coefficient and wear rates of materials. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterizations were performed to analyze the wear tracks.

Tribological testing results revealed the loss in abrasive resistance, but there was an improvement in frictional coefficient and wear rates with steel after water absorption. The SEM images clearly show less depth of wear tracks in water-conditioned materials than dry ones. Water conditioning was found supportive in the formation of smooth lubricating transfer film on steel disc during the tribological testing.

The tribological behaviour of polymer composites is different in dry and in high humidity or water conditions. Experiments were performed to investigate B₂O₃ solid lubricant filler effectiveness on tribological behaviour of water-conditioned polyamide composites. Bonding between polyamide6 and water molecules plus the formation of orthoboric acid was found advantageous in decreasing the friction coefficient and wear rates of composites.

The mechanical and tribological properties of polymers and polymer composites vary with different environmental conditions. This paper aims to review the influence of humidity/water conditions on various polymers and polymer composites' mechanical properties and tribological behaviors.

The influence of humidity and water absorption on mechanical and tribological properties of various polymers, fillers and composites has been discussed in this paper. Tensile strength, modulus, yield strength, impact strength, COF and wear rates of polymer composites are compared for different environmental conditions. The interaction between the water molecules and hydrophobic polymers is also represented.

Pure polymer matrices show somewhat mixed behavior in humid environments. Absorbed moisture generally plasticizes the epoxies and polyamides and lowers the tensile strength, yield strength and modulus. Wear rates of PVC generally decrease in humid environments, while for polyamides, it increases. Fillers like graphite and boron-based compounds exhibit low COF, while MoS2 particulate fillers exhibit higher COF at high humidity and water conditions. The mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composites tend to decrease as the rate of humidity increases while the wear rates of fiber-reinforced polymer composites show somewhat mixed behavior. Particulate fillers like metals and advanced ceramics reinforced polymer composites exhibit low COF and wear rates as the rate of humidity increases.

The mechanical and tribological properties of polymers and polymer composites vary with the humidity value present in the environment. In dry conditions, wear loss is determined by the hardness of the contacting surfaces, which may not effectively work for high humid environments. The tribological performance of composite constituents, i.e. matrix and fillers in humid environments, defines the overall performance of polymer composite in said environments.

This paper aims to investigate the mechanical and thermal behavior, i.e. tensile strength, hardness, impact strength and glass transition temperatures of water-treated polyamide6/boric oxide (PA) composites.

The PA6 and PA6/boric oxide composites were exposed to an open environment and immersed in water for 15 days to analyze the effect of environmental humidity and frequent water immersion conditions on the composite’s mechanical and thermal properties. The tensile strength, elastic modulus, hardness and impact strength of materials were measured to identify the mechanical properties. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) characterizations were used to see the effect of humidity/water absorption on microstructure, crystallinity and glass transition temperatures.

The testing results revealed the loss in strength, elastic modulus and hardness, while the impact resistance was improved after exposure of materials to humidity/water. SEM images clearly show the formation of voids and XRD graphs revealed the loss in crystallinity after water immersion. The DSC plots of water immersed materials revealed the loss of glass transition temperatures up to 15°C.

The mechanical and thermal behavior of PA composites varies according to the surrounding atmosphere. Experiments were performed to investigate the influence of water treatment on the PA6/B₂O₃ composite’s mechanical and thermal properties. Water treatment resulted in the bonding between PA and water molecules, which generated voids in the materials. These voids generations are found the main reason for the low strength and hardness of water-treated materials.

There are currently two issues that generate growing interest among specialized scholars within the family business field: technological innovation (TI) and socioemotional wealth (SEW). While it is true that both topics are highly popular among researchers, the joint study of both perspectives is scarce. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the interrelationships between TI and SEW in the context of family firms.

This literature review systematically analyses the findings of 25 journal articles focusing on TI and SEW, published between 2012 and 2018.

The findings reveal an integrative approach, identifying different variables that relate TI and SEW. A conceptual framework is built in which these variables are incorporated into four categories (SEW, TI, moderating effects and performance). New lines of research emerge with the development of a conceptual model and the formulation of six propositions.

The conceptual framework can be useful as integrative summary of the factors that family business managers and directors should take into account to be successful in implementing innovative projects and strategies.

The study of TI from the SEW approach has emerged as a fruitful field of research in recent years, but the current knowledge of the role that SEW plays in family firms’ TI is still scarce. This paper contributes to the family business literature by offering a conceptual framework of the SEW–TI relationship and new research avenues that will provide a better comprehension for scholars and specialists for future investigations in the field.

Actualmente existen dos temas que generan un creciente interés entre los académicos especializados en el campo de estudio de la empresa familiar: la innovación tecnológica y la riqueza socioemocional. Si bien es cierto que ambos temas son muy populares entre los investigadores, el estudio conjunto de ambas perspectivas es escaso. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las interrelaciones entre la innovación tecnológica (IT) y la riqueza socioemocional (SEW) en el contexto de las empresas familiares.

Esta revisión de la literatura analiza sistemáticamente los hallazgos de 25 artículos de revistas que se centran en la IT y el SEW, publicados entre 2012 y 2018.

Los hallazgos revelan un enfoque integrador, identificando diferentes variables que relacionan la IT y el SEW. Así pues, se construye un marco conceptual en el que estas variables son incorporadas en cuatro categorías (SEW, IT, efectos moderadores y rendimiento). Nuevas líneas de investigación surgen con el desarrollo de un modelo conceptual y la formulación de seis proposiciones.

El marco conceptual puede ser útil como resumen exhaustivo de los factores que los gerentes y directores de empresas familiares deben tener en cuenta para tener éxito en la implementación de proyectos y estrategias innovadoras.

El estudio de la IT desde el enfoque del SEW ha surgido como un campo de investigación fructífero en los últimos años, pero el conocimiento actual del rol que juega el SEW en la IT de las empresas familiares es todavía escaso. Este trabajo contribuye a la literatura de la empresa familiar ofreciendo un marco conceptual de la relación SEW-IT y nuevas vías de investigación que proporcionarán una mejor comprensión a académicos y especialistas para futuras investigaciones en este campo de estudio.

Innovación tecnológica, Riqueza socioemocional, Empresas familiares, Revisión de literature

Revisión general

Actualmente existem dois temas que geram um crescente interesse entre os acadêmicos especializados no campo de estudo da empresa familiar: inovação tecnológica e riqueza sócio-emocional. Conquanto é verdadeiro que ambos temas são muito populares entre os investigadores, o estudo conjunto de ambas perspectivas é escasso. Assim, o objectivo deste trabalho é analisar as inter-relações entre inovação tecnológica (IT) e riqueza socioemocional (SEW) no contexto das empresas familiares.

Esta revisão da literatura analisa sistematicamente os achados de 25 artigos de revistas que se centram na IT e o SEW, publicados entre 2012 e 2018.

Os achados revelam um enfoque integrador, identificando diferentes variáveis que relacionam a IT e o SEW. Constrói-se um marco conceptual no qual estas variáveis são incorporadas em quatro categorias (SEW, TI, efeitos moderadores e rendimento). Novas linhas de investigação surgem com o desenvolvimento de um modelo conceptual e a formulação de seis proposições.

O marco conceptual pode ser útil como resumo exhaustivo dos factores que os gerentes e diretores de empresas familiares devem ter em conta para ter sucesso na implementação de projectos e estratégias inovadoras.

O estudo da IT desde o enfoque do SEW tem surgido como um campo de investigação frutífero nos últimos anos, mas o conhecimento atual do papel que joga o SEW na IT das empresas familiares é ainda escasso. Este trabalho contribui à literatura da empresa familiar oferecendo um marco conceptual da relação SEW-TI e novas vias de investigação que proporcionarão um melhor entendimento a académicos e especialistas para futuras investigações neste campo de estudo.

Inovação tecnológica, Riqueza sócio-emocional, Empresas familiares, Revisão da literatura

Revisão geral

Investigation of family firm radical innovation is burgeoning but far less prevalent than studies of family firm innovation in general. Concurrently, studies repeatedly report that family firms exhibit mostly conservative and incremental innovation rather than more radical ones. This is unfortunate because without radical innovation, family firms risk a competency trap in which long-term competitiveness is lost to more innovative rivals. This situation has led to urgent calls among scholars to explicitly acknowledge the heterogeneity of family firm innovation and to understand the conditions for family firm radical innovation.

A systematic review of 51 papers categorized into four scholarly conversations build the foundation for a critical discussion of each line of inquiry.

The authors analyze 51 leading articles and identify four persistent theoretical positions: (1) RBV and capabilities, (2) agency and stewardship, (3) behavioral agency and socioemotional wealth, and (4) the ability and willingness paradox. The authors identify key research problems and research questions needing urgent scholarly and present a framework that captures their complementary and competing assumptions to enable rigorous future research.

To galvanize and spearhead future research efforts, this paper provides a critical analysis of our understanding of family firm radical innovation with a specific emphasis on the theoretical assumptions at the core of existing investigations and the eight most important research questions in need of answers.

With the ever-growing population in the urban areas, the concept of smart cities started to be more present in the literature. Smart cities are seen as a solution that will respond to the needs of providing a sustainable place for living, and at the same time improving residents’ lives. To achieve this, various information and communication technologies (ICTs) are exploited, making the digitalization in the modern world of an immense importance. Advanced digital technologies enable the transformation of existing and the creation of new business models, the development of new products and services, increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the economy, and contribute to wider socio-economic development. Digitization of society and the economy through innovative and intensive use of ICTs has great potential for growth and is the basis for further development and competitiveness. This all generates an enormous amounts of data sets from which useful information are generated and used again the decision support systems. This chapter presents two examples from Slovenia where big data is used for improving residents’ lives, as part of the strategies for smart cities.

Nowadays, understanding green consumers has become very critical given its implications for marketers to understand and communicate green purchase patterns on the one hand, and to design and strategize both product offerings and customer services on the other hand. The purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction effect of product attributes on the degree of environment concern, the intention of green purchase and a series of green purchase proposed patterns. This paper is built on the theory of planned behavior, and expands it by replacing subjective norms and perceived behavioral control with respectively environmental knowledge and perceived consumer effectiveness, and also by extending purchase behavior to three types of purchase patterns, namely, unconditional purchase, conditional purchase and accidental purchase.

The interaction effect is analyzed through ANOVA, whereas path analysis is used to understand path strengths of proposed model, which is assessed through standardized regression weights and significance through p-value.

Overall, this study reveals the importance of product attributes in the decision-making process of green purchasers.

This study deals with environmental behavior in general, and further research with a focus on specific behaviors is needed in this field investigating the rise of green consumption.

Product attributes play a role in the decision making of consumers willing to buy green products, and both communication and promotion of green products should integrate product attributes accordingly.

Worldwide, consumers are buying more and more green products, and this study leads to a better understanding of the decision-making process of consumers’ green products.

In this paper, the authors have used a systematic literature review methodology of 147 journal articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The analysis includes studies based on country of origin, the periodic proliferation of studies and the methodological design of the studies. As an outcome of the review, the studies are classified on the innovation in family firms under four broad categories – innovation input, family governance mechanisms, innovation output and the external environment. Some fruitful avenues of research are outlined in this domain.

The literature on innovation in family firms – the most dominant and ubiquitous form of organization across the world – is gaining pace. The influence of family by way controlling ownership, management and governance on, and in interaction with business acts as a complex proposition that shapes the strategic decision-making in the family firm including innovation. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to advance the understanding of innovation in family firms and provide a list of future research questions of theoretical and practical value.

Based on this review, the authors provide future research directions pertaining to innovation in emerging economy family firms, effect of the institutional environment of family firm innovation as well family firms' innovativeness in the wake of pro-market reforms, different classes of ownership in family firms and innovation, family firm goal heterogeneity and innovation, and family firm dynamic capabilities and innovation.

The review provides a comprehensive understanding, trends and future research directions in the domain of innovation in family firms.

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the impact of family ownership on the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of firms in an emerging market and the contingencies under which it is likely to be affected.

The paper adopted a panel data multiple regression using ordinary least square methodology on a sample of 51,972 observations belonging to 12,250 firms from India.

The study finds that family businesses have higher EO than non-family firms. However, it is likely to be affected during institutional transition due to environmental uncertainty. Furthermore, during institutional transition, there will be differences in the EO of family business groups and stand-alone family firms due to the former’s ubiquitous network-level resource advantages.

This paper contributes to the literature on family business by reconciling the positive and negative views on the effect of family ownership on EO by arguing that the risk-taking behavior of family firms is contingent on the environmental conditions and the resource position of the firm.

This study will enable managers and other stakeholders to predict the entrepreneurial attitude of family-owned firms during environmentally stable as well as turbulent times.

This study highlights the implication of institutional transition through reforms on a vital part of the economy. Policy makers have to be sensitive to repercussions on family business due to environmental turbulence.

This is one of the first papers that investigate the influence of institutional transition and the resource position of Indian family firms on their EO.