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Article
Publication date: 16 August 2013

Heping Chen, Hongtai Cheng and Ben Mooring

The electronics industries are relying increasingly on robotics for their production. Wafer handling robots are used to transfer wafers between wafer processing stations. A…

396

Abstract

Purpose

The electronics industries are relying increasingly on robotics for their production. Wafer handling robots are used to transfer wafers between wafer processing stations. A pick‐measure‐place method is typically utilized to transfer wafers accurately. The measurement step is performed using an aligner, which is time‐consuming. To increase wafer transfer efficiency, it is desirable to speed up the measurement process or place it in parallel with other operations. To solve the problem, optic sensors are installed at each station to estimate the wafer eccentricity on‐the‐fly. The eccentricity values are then applied to control the robot to place the wafer directly onto another station accurately without using the aligner. However, current methods face problems to achieve high accuracy requirements to meet the electronic manufacturing needs. The purpose of this paper is to develop a technique to improve the wafer handling performance in semiconductor manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

The kinematics model of the wafer handling robot is developed. Two sensor location calibration algorithms are proposed. Method I is based on the wafer handling path. Method II uses the offset paths from the wafer handling path. The results from these two methods are compared. To compute the wafer eccentricity on‐the‐fly, a wafer eccentricity estimation technique is developed.

Findings

The developed methods are implemented using a wafer handling robotic system in semiconductor manufacturing. The wafer eccentricity estimation errors are greatly reduced using the developed methods. The experimental results demonstrate that Method II achieves better results and can be used to improve the wafer handling accuracy and efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed technique is implemented and tested many times on a wafer handing robotic system. The notch alignment in the wafer handling needs further research.

Practical implications

The developed method is validated using a system in semiconductor manufacturing. Hence the developed method can be directly implemented in production if the notch of a wafer can be identified.

Originality/value

This paper provides techniques to improve the wafer handling accuracy in semiconductor manufacturing. Compared with the results using other methods, Method II greatly increases the wafer handling accuracy to satisfy the semiconductor manufacturing needs.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 40 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 6 December 2022

Marco Meier and Christian Maier

Evidence suggests that retail investors who invest in individual stocks are, in the long run, largely outperformed by market indexes such as the MSCI World. While some turn to…

724

Abstract

Purpose

Evidence suggests that retail investors who invest in individual stocks are, in the long run, largely outperformed by market indexes such as the MSCI World. While some turn to exchange traded funds (ETFs) to invest in such market indexes, few migrate completely to ETFs. This study aims to shed light on the rationale behind retail investors' partial and complete migration from stocks to ETFs.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the pull-push-mooring framework, a qualitative study (N = 21) informs a quantitative study (N = 282) by following established mixed methods guidelines. This study develops propositions for partial and complete migration intention to ETFs.

Findings

Results reveal that perceived investment possibilities, perceived risk reduction, perceived administrative effort, perceived expensiveness and monetary loss costs influence the migration from stocks to ETFs. This study shows that three configurations of perceptions result in partial migration intention and one configuration results in complete migration intention.

Originality/value

This study explains why some migrate partially from stocks to ETFs and others migrate completely. Findings show that both migration behaviors are subject to the same perceptions, but the configurations that form the behaviors are different. While only some identified perceptions must be present for a partial migration, all of them must be present for a complete migration, as it requires retail investors to sell their stocks and accept the costs incurred to invest in ETFs instead.

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Article
Publication date: 27 May 2021

Onsa Akrout and Salma Damak Ayadi

The present work aimed to enhance the understanding of professional turnover intentions of accounting professionals by exploring their attitudes towards this phenomenon in an…

702

Abstract

Purpose

The present work aimed to enhance the understanding of professional turnover intentions of accounting professionals by exploring their attitudes towards this phenomenon in an emerging economy (Tunisia).

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory research was conducted using a narrative approach (episodic interviewing) after having interviewed accounting professionals. Data were analysed with the thematic coding method using NVivo software based on the push-pull-mooring (PPM) framework. Based on this analysis, four types of professionals were identified.

Findings

The interconnections among PPM factors, which are different from one type of professionals to another, play a vital role in whether a professional intends to leave the accounting profession or not. All four types of professionals perceived unpleasant facets of the public practice environment (push factors) and manifested a tendency to switch to available job opportunities (pull factors). Nevertheless, the latitude for profession change, for the third and the fourth types who perceived the professional experience differently, is restricted by mooring factors. That is not the case for the first type of professionals who have already left public accounting and the second type who intend to quit the profession, as we did not find any mooring factors.

Research limitations/implications

This study explored the attitudes of accounting professionals towards professional turnover intention. A deeper insight into the views of the academics and the Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie (OECT) might help understand this phenomenon.

Practical implications

Understanding the relative impact of push, pull and mooring allows the accounting professionals to determine their attitudes towards the intention to leave the profession. This enables firms to develop more effective programmes to retain valued accounting human resources. The findings highlight that the professional associations should promote the values the profession brings to the community through nationwide public awareness campaigns and enhance career opportunities by providing more branches of activity within the profession.

Originality/value

The paper responds to calls for further examination of factors behind professional turnover intention at a time when high rates of turnover were observed among accounting professionals. Also, the cultural context of Tunisia helps explain our findings.

Details

Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-1168

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Article
Publication date: 9 April 2019

Elif Inan-Eroglu and Aylin Ayaz

Recent evidence suggests that especially processed foods may lead to undesirable metabolic effects in gut microbiota. The emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners that are added to…

575

Abstract

Purpose

Recent evidence suggests that especially processed foods may lead to undesirable metabolic effects in gut microbiota. The emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners that are added to processed foods may play a role in the progression of the diseases through the modulation of microbiota in mice. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a narrative review of the effects of emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners which are mainly in consumed in the Western diet, to the gut microbiota by mainly focusing on the experimental studies.

Findings

Although in vivo studies and animal model studies showed various adverse effects of sweeteners and emulsifiers to microbiota, studies should be conducted in humans to investigate the effects of these food additives to human microbiota by making dietary interventions in the context of ethical rules.

Originality/value

In future, studies will allow us to draw more definitive conclusion whether human population consuming sweeteners and emulsifiers are at risk.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 49 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

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Article
Publication date: 14 October 2021

Carlo Alberini

This contribution aims to demonstrate that the adoption of a holistic approach to the development of infrastructures supporting the growth of cruise tourism can represent a…

406

Abstract

Purpose

This contribution aims to demonstrate that the adoption of a holistic approach to the development of infrastructures supporting the growth of cruise tourism can represent a trigger for a more sustainable urban and port planning in the Moroccan context. Although, along with this growth, there are global-local issues pertaining to sustainability and resilience that need to be addressed to support sustainable urban and social development of tourist cities.

Design/methodology/approach

Documents and literature review were used to develop an in-depth analysis related to the different fields involved in the proposed theoretical reflection. Scientific publications, data and international statistical reports have been used to validate the approach.

Findings

The work provides empirical insights to show the strengths of the country related to the sustainability, suggesting that they deserve to be integrated, involving urban planning, green energy transition, as well as the economic and social sustainability of tourism industry.

Originality/value

This paper aims to stimulate a debate among stakeholders and scholars involved on tourist port cities urban planning to avoid a “silos” approach and to favour a more sustainable infrastructure development process. In that sense, the paper fulfils the need to provide a basis to encourage the integration of different strategic topics and agenda concerning social and economic growth of tourist port cities.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

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Article
Publication date: 19 March 2024

Junsung Park, Joon Woo Yoo, Youngju Cho and Heejun Park

This study aims to understand the reasons for individuals switching from traditional banks to Internet-only banks and examine how switching intentions differ between Generation X…

1256

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand the reasons for individuals switching from traditional banks to Internet-only banks and examine how switching intentions differ between Generation X and Generation Z. Notably, Generation Z, being digital natives, exhibits distinct characteristics compared to Generation X, who often referred to as digital immigrants. Given the technology-driven nature of Internet-only banks, a multi-group analysis between these two generations was conducted.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes Bansal’s push–pull–mooring model as a framework to analyze switching intention. The study collected survey data from 383 Korean participants, consisting of 198 participants from Generation Z and 185 participants from Generation X.

Findings

The findings indicate that low satisfaction and discomfort are factors that push people to leave traditional banks. Specifically, Generation Z shows a significantly higher inclination to leave traditional banks due to discomfort. On the other hand, relative advantage, compatibility, observability and trialability are factors that pull people to switch to Internet-only banks. Generation X is more likely to consider adopting Internet-only banks when compatibility is high and complexity is low.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore unique motivators for Generation Z, such as their discomfort with interpersonal interactions in the retail banking sector. These findings challenge earlier research emphasizing human interaction’s importance in technology adoption, offering insights into their future adoption of contactless services.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 42 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 28 October 2024

Mohsen Ben Mabrouk, Sami Hammami and Mohamed Nejib Ouertani

In Tunisia, foreign commercial exchanges are predominantly maintained via ocean freight and accomplished through eight major ports. The latter play a critical role in the Tunisian…

109

Abstract

Purpose

In Tunisia, foreign commercial exchanges are predominantly maintained via ocean freight and accomplished through eight major ports. The latter play a critical role in the Tunisian economy, whereby nearly 30.7 million tons of goods were transited in 2018. Maintaining their efficiency therefore remains a very important objective to achieve. In this context, the present study is designed to investigate the technical efficiency of respective Tunisian ports over the 16-year period (2005–2020).

Design/methodology/approach

The stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) method is applied to measure the associated time-invariant and time-varying technical efficiency. Moreover, through technical inefficiency modeling, effects of both rail connectivity and private sector participation in handling activities on technical efficiency have also been accounted for.

Findings

The reached results turn out to reveal well that the Tunisian ports appear to operate below their production frontier, noticeably marked by persistent technical inefficiency. Additionally, the relevant estimates tend to confirm the berth variable associated importance in highlighting production related to Tunisian ports. More particularly, our analysis reveals that the private sector’s participation proves to display a significantly negative association with technical efficiency, while the ports’ rail connectivity turns out to demonstrate a significantly positive correlation with technical efficiency.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can provide port authorities and policymakers with insights into the technical efficiency of Tunisian ports by identifying best practices, the main factors influencing their efficiency (such as rail connectivity and private sector’s participation) and areas for improvement in these ports.

Originality/value

The present study stands as a pioneering attempt to examine the efficiency dimension through the implementation of panel data estimation modeling frameworks, particularly the random-effects and the Battese and Coelli (1995) approaches, applied to measure the technical efficiency of the Tunisian port sector. Similarly, the present study also represents an effective attempt, whereby the effects of exogenous variables, notably the rail connectivity and private sector participation, are thoroughly considered in exploring the technical efficiency of Tunisian ports.

Details

Maritime Business Review, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2397-3757

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2002

378

Abstract

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 11 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

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Book part
Publication date: 22 July 2011

Donald B. Summers and Bruno Dyck

This chapter develops a model and provides an exemplary case study of social intrapreneurship within a for-profit organization. The model has two components. The first looks at…

Abstract

This chapter develops a model and provides an exemplary case study of social intrapreneurship within a for-profit organization. The model has two components. The first looks at the antecedent conditions enabling social intrapreneurship, identifying three deinstitutionalizing mechanisms that ready a traditional for-profit organization to embrace a social enterprise: (1) changes in extra-organizational environment that disconnect sanctions and rewards; (2) disassociating existing institutional norms and practices from their mooring in a moral foundation; and (3) undermining core assumptions and beliefs. The second component of the model suggests that the social intrapreneurship process unfolds in four phases associated: (1) socialization (conception of social enterprise idea), (2) externalization (development), (3) integration (implementation), and (4) the internalization (institutionalization). We use the model as a lens to examine the history and development of the First Community Bank in Boston and end with a discussion of the implications of our research for theory and practice.

Details

Social and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-073-5

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Book part
Publication date: 26 September 2005

Chris Poulson, Joseph Duncan and Michelle Massie

It may be daunting for those who do not know or care for Shakespeare, but Othello is a compelling case study of destructive emotions in an organizational setting. Iago's chilling…

Abstract

It may be daunting for those who do not know or care for Shakespeare, but Othello is a compelling case study of destructive emotions in an organizational setting. Iago's chilling words from The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice are the title of this chapter, “I am not what I am”. Passed over for promotion, Iago wreaks havoc in the personal and professional life of the General who chose not to appoint him. We use this play as a case study of destructive emotions – specifically jealousy, anger, and shame – in an organizational hierarchy. The premise is that those who are passed over present a special managerial problem, one that we address at the end of the chapter after carefully looking at how revenge came to manifest from the emotions of the principal characters in the play. In addition, this chapter contributes to the growing literature on specific emotions as experienced in organizational life as well as advancing the links between management and the humanities by using one of Shakespeare's best-known tragedies as a case study.

Details

The Effect of Affect in Organizational Settings
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-76231-234-4

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