B. Morten, G. De Cicco, A. Gandolfi and C. Tonelli
A study has been carried out on the relationship between the composition, poling condition and piezoelectric properties of thick film layers. Pastes based on…
Abstract
A study has been carried out on the relationship between the composition, poling condition and piezoelectric properties of thick film layers. Pastes based on lead‐titanate‐zirconate (PZT) powders, with either PbO or a lead‐alumina‐silicate glass frit as binder, were prepared. Microstructure, electrical and mechanical properties were analysed. Processing and poling conditions modify these properties; then a wide latitude of opportunities is offered in the choice of ferroelectric/piezoelectric characteristics of the layers used as sensing elements for sensors. A pressure sensor was realised where a circular diaphragm of alumina supports two piezoelectric layers obtained by screen printing and firing a PZT/PbO‐based ferroelectric paste. The design and the performance characteristics are described.
This paper is a conversation with Maria José Tonelli, conducted by Santiago Ibarreche, about her career as an Iberoamerican scholar.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is a conversation with Maria José Tonelli, conducted by Santiago Ibarreche, about her career as an Iberoamerican scholar.
Design/methodology/approach
Interview.
Findings
The interview explores Tonelli's career, her achievements and continued search for excellence in her institution, the IAM, and her country Brazil, as well as the way she has coped with life's demands.
Originality/value
The interview in this special section, A Life in Research, brings out an individual scholar's experience and history, not only as recognition of scholarly impact, but also as recognition of the person.
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Social networking sites (SNS) are enjoying growing popularity and have triggered new ethical issues including risks of deception, social grooming, cyber-bullying and surveillance…
Abstract
Purpose
Social networking sites (SNS) are enjoying growing popularity and have triggered new ethical issues including risks of deception, social grooming, cyber-bullying and surveillance. This development along with the growing power of SNS providers calls for an investigation of the CSR engagement of SNS companies. The chapter examines to what extent three prominent providers – Google, Facebook and Twitter – fulfill their responsibilities.
Methodology/approach
The chapter draws heavily on a politicized concept of CSR, namely ‘corporate citizenship’ (Crane, Matten, & Moon, 2008a; Matten & Crane, 2005) and ‘political CSR’ (Scherer & Palazzo, 2007, 2011) and discusses the role SNS providers play in administering citizenship rights. The chapter takes a qualitative case study approach.
Findings
Facebook, Twitter and Google have not only made clear commitments to act responsibly, they actually enhance the citizenship status of their users in many ways, e.g. by offering a platform for democracy activists. Deficiencies and contradictions also become visible, e.g. SNS providers inhibit citizenship by failing to provide sufficient privacy protection.
Research limitations/implications
The chapter is limited by its case study approach, but provides valuable insights to an industry with considerable influence. It contributes to CSR research by applying and testing the politicized concept of CSR in the context of SNS providers.
Originality/value
Although SNS have received appraisal as effective tools of CSR communication, there has been little attention to CSR policy and practice of the companies providing social networks. This is unfortunate since the activities of SNS providers directly impact on millions of users worldwide.
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A. Elidrissi, O. Krim and S. Ousslimane
To evaluate in the first stage, the efficiency of changing the nature and the length of diols on the properties of perfectly hard sequences polyurethanes (PU). In the second, the…
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate in the first stage, the efficiency of changing the nature and the length of diols on the properties of perfectly hard sequences polyurethanes (PU). In the second, the thermal properties of a new series of segmented PU with different concentrations of soft sequences were determined.
Design/methodology/approach
The synthesis of segmented PU has been realised in two stages known as the pre‐polymer method. Various compositions of PU were obtained by keeping the poly(tetramethylene glycol) – PTMG molecular weights constant, but varying its concentration. The products obtained were characterised by IR, NMR, gel permeation chromatography and studied by differential scanning calorimetry.
Findings
The level of phase segregation depends on several parameters, especially the nature of the soft segment and its average molecular weight, nature of the hard sequence and the number of hydrogen bonds established in the PU sequences.
Research limitations/implications
The segmented PU obtained were synthesised from PTMG of number molecular weight 2,000. They could also be synthesised from PTMG of molecular weight 600, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, etc. The effect of change of PTMG molecular weight on PU properties could also be studied.
Practical implications
Better understanding of the morphology of segmented PU and its effect in the practical domains.
Originality/value
Novel perfectly hard sequences PU have been synthesised and characterised. The effect of soft sequence nature and concentration on the phase segregation in these new series of segmented PU is discussed.
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Azemeraw Tadesse Mengistu and Roberto Panizzolo
The lack of suitable indicators tailored to manufacturing industries’ needs, particularly to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has been the major challenge to measure and…
Abstract
Purpose
The lack of suitable indicators tailored to manufacturing industries’ needs, particularly to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has been the major challenge to measure and manage industrial sustainability performance. This paper aims to empirically analyze and select the useful and applicable indicators to measure sustainability performance in the context of SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review was carried out to identify potential sustainability indicators from the literature. A questionnaire was designed based on the identified indicators and then pretested with the selected industrial experts, scholars, and researchers to further refine the indicators before data collection from the Italian footwear SMEs. Fuzzy Delphi method with consistency aggregation method was applied to analyze and select the final indicators.
Findings
The study’s findings show that the selected indicators emphasized measuring progress toward achieving industrial sustainability goals in terms of increasing financial benefits, reducing costs, improving market competitiveness, improving the effectiveness of resources utilization, and promoting the well-being of employees, customers and the community. In doing so, Italian footwear SMEs can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting health and well-being, promoting sustainable economic growth, providing productive employment and decent work, and ensuring responsible consumption and production.
Social implications
The results of this study have significant social implications in terms of promoting the well-being of employees, customers, and the community.
Originality/value
By providing empirically supported indicators tailored to measure and manage sustainability performance in the context of SMEs, this paper contributes to the existing knowledge in the field of industrial sustainability performance measurement. Furthermore, it links the selected indicators to their respective SDGs to provide policy implications.
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Rafaela Benan Zara, Guilherme Natal Moro, Rodrigo dos Santos Veloso Martins and Thalita Gorban Ferreira Giglio
Lightweight building systems have emerged as alternatives to reduce the high environmental impact of conventional masonry. However, in subtropical climates, the low thermal…
Abstract
Purpose
Lightweight building systems have emerged as alternatives to reduce the high environmental impact of conventional masonry. However, in subtropical climates, the low thermal inertia of lightweight envelopes negatively affects energy performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the thermophysical parameters that influence heating and cooling energy consumption in lightweight residential buildings under subtropical climates and develop a model to predict these parameters using statistical and machine learning tools.
Design/methodology/approach
A database was created with computer simulation data on the energy performance of 2048 building conditions generated by factorial combination of 10 parameters. Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify which parameters contribute most to energy performance indicators. Subsequently, decision trees were created using a classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm to visualize parameters and improve energy performance indicators, particularly cooling energy consumption.
Findings
Low thermal transmittance and ground contact are interesting strategies for low thermal capacity buildings. Furthermore, the findings showed that relying only on the most influential properties does not ensure good energy performance; rather, it is the adequate combination of envelope properties that leads to good energy efficiency. The tree developed by CART can be used as a guide to assist designers and researchers in the initial selection of building envelopes, demonstrating the impact of each choice on electrical energy consumption for indoor climate control.
Originality/value
By adopting a global approach to assess the thermal performance of lightweight buildings, this study makes a significant contribution to synthesizing the results of a complex and time-consuming methodology into a guide for optimizing envelope design decisions and directing efforts and resources toward efficient strategies.
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Dara Mojtahedi, Rosie Allen, Ellie Jess, Maria Ioannou and John Synnott
Employability skills training programmes are an effective means for reducing unemployment rates. Such programmes also have the potential to improve the general well-being (e.g…
Abstract
Purpose
Employability skills training programmes are an effective means for reducing unemployment rates. Such programmes also have the potential to improve the general well-being (e.g. self-efficacy) of disadvantaged individuals, however, reliable longitudinal evaluations of the psychological benefits of such programmes are limited. The present study evaluated the impact of an employability programme offered to disadvantaged adults in North-West England on self-efficacy. Additionally, the study aimed to identify risk factors for programme disengagement to identify at-risk groups that require further support.
Design/methodology/approach
Secondary longitudinal data pertaining to the background characteristics, programme engagement and self-efficacy scores (repeatedly measured on a monthly basis) of 308 programme users were analysed.
Findings
Results demonstrated that employability programme engagement significantly increased self-efficacy scores. Additionally, the findings suggested that individuals with mental health and learning difficulties were more likely to disengage from the programme. The findings demonstrate that employability programmes can have a positive impact on the well-being of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, however, prolonged engagement is needed for which some individuals require further support with.
Originality/value
The present study analysed longitudinal data from a diverse sample of disadvantaged individuals to reliably evaluate psychological outcomes from employability training programmes.
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Samuel Ssekajja Mayanja, Henry Mutebi and Juliet Wakaisuka Isingoma
This study examines the mediating role of self-organization and entrepreneurial learning behaviors in the relationship between entrepreneurial networking and sustainability of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the mediating role of self-organization and entrepreneurial learning behaviors in the relationship between entrepreneurial networking and sustainability of women owned micro-enterprise performance.
Design/methodology/approach
We tested our model based on a sample of 518 women-owned micro-enterprises in Eastern Uganda using ordinary partial least squares regression through Smart PLS version 3.3.3.
Findings
The results show a direct relationship between entrepreneurial networking, entrepreneurial learning behavior, self-organization and sustainability of women owned micro-enterprise performance. In addition, self-organization mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial networking, entrepreneurial learning behavior and sustainability of women owned micro-enterprise performance. Furthermore, entrepreneurial learning behavior mediates the relationship between self-organization and sustainability of women owned micro-enterprise performance.
Research limitations/implications
The study was cross-sectional; it is possible that the views held by individuals may change over the years.
Originality/value
This research contributes to gender-based sustainability of micro-enterprise performance by empirically testing the anecdotal and conceptual evidence.
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Neli Regina Siqueira Ortega, Paulo Cesar Sallum and Eduardo Massad
Proposes an application of fuzzy set theory to model epidemiological problems. Fuzzy logic has been revealed as a powerful predictive tool in the epidemiology of infectious…
Abstract
Proposes an application of fuzzy set theory to model epidemiological problems. Fuzzy logic has been revealed as a powerful predictive tool in the epidemiology of infectious diseases and some ideas are presented on how this could be done. This work presents an attempt to model the dynamics of rabies among a population of partially vaccinated dogs. This study demonstrates how a dynamical system can be modelled by fuzzy linguistic rules compared to the classical differential equations approach. The results are very encouraging and the approach through a more complex dynamical system is discussed in the final section.
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Nilupama Wijewardena, Ramanie Samaratunge, Ajantha Sisira Kumara, Alex Newman and Lakmal Abeysekera
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether family-to-business support acts as a job resource that attenuates the negative effects of work demands on the stress and creativity…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether family-to-business support acts as a job resource that attenuates the negative effects of work demands on the stress and creativity of women micro-entrepreneurs in the informal sector in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 359 women micro-entrepreneurs and their respective case officers in local government were used to test the hypothesized relationship between work demands and their creativity through the mediating mechanism of stress and the moderating effect of family-to-business support on the said relationship.
Findings
Work demands reduced creativity through heightening the levels of stress faced by women micro-entrepreneurs. However, family-to-business support reduced the negative influence of work demands on creativity through stress.
Practical implications
Women micro-entrepreneurs should build strong family ties to obtain support from family members. In addition, government training programs that target women micro-entrepreneurs should be extended to include their immediate family members.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature by examining whether family-to-business support buffers the negative effects of work demands for women micro-entrepreneurs in the informal sector. In doing so it makes a theoretical contribution by testing the key tenets of the JD-R model in entrepreneurial settings.