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A general approach to the problem is suggested. Using optical contrast as a general characteristic it is shown how objects are identified as such before their structure is analysed. Perception is regarded as a preprocessing phase for pattern recognition, in which essential information is abstracted from an optical image. A focusing device enables the suggested system to analyse the shape of objects in detail.

Adopting an agentic positioning, we question and compare competing logics hybridization within French hospitals and universities facing major reforms inspired by new public management. In addition to the resulting forms of hybridization exposed in the literature (accepted or refused), we observe four additional modes: instrumentalized, uncomfortable, reformulated, and suffered. They all reveal the varied manner with which each professional faces reform. However, we develop a new argument: the ways professionals hybridize (or do not) their prevailing logic depends on an overarching mode of hybridization that characterizes the way their organization deals with reform. We identify two contrasting modes: overarching strategic logics hybridization and overarching enforced logics hybridization. They give insight into how actors decouple structure from practices. We contribute to the literature on logics hybridization by first analyzing the role of specific actors who act as either a translator-actor or a closure-actor to respectively facilitate appropriation of the reforms or to protect professionals against the growing dominance of the new logic introduced by the law; and secondly by discussing importance of articulating higher and lower organizational levels all involved in hybridization.

The fable of the monkey, which by sheer chance recreates a masterpiece of literature, is discussed in general terms. It is demonstrated that the general properties of structural characteristics can be derived directly from the study of interacting structures. Characteristics are indivisible entities defined in relation to test objects; the borderlines are not accurately definable. It is argued that structures, which are integrated in a well‐defined system, have their own quantitatively variable but by no means random characteristics. It is concluded that investigations of properties of an object, which neglect structural interactions and relationships, may lead to difficulties in defining its characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a scientometric analysis of the body of literature contained in international peer‐reviewed journals, university publications, reports of development organizations and conference publications on the performance management of the microfinance institutions.

A total of 71 research papers (1995‐2010) published in international peer‐reviewed journals, reports of developmental organizations, university reports and international conference publications, which aim to provide insights into the assessment of the microfinance institutions, was reviewed. The review was done along different parameters, namely financial performance, social performance, outreach, sustainability, efficiency, productivity, institutional characteristics and governance.

Based on the literature review, a new conceptual model is proposed that focuses on the overall performance of the MFIs. The study also documents the various dimensions of the performance measurement of the MFIs done so far. It is expected that this study would help turn the attention of microfinance researchers, microfinance practitioners, and various rating agencies to the various dimensions affecting the overall assessment of microfinance institutions.

Attempt was made to make the sample as inclusive and exhaustive as possible, but some research work may inadvertently have not found a place in this study.

A scientometric analysis of the MFI performance measurement is done in terms of longitudinal spread as well as geographical spread focusing the various performance dimensions of microfinance institutions.

In the context of Saudi Arabia, this chapter investigates how clustering promotes knowledge sharing and transfer in an emerging, government-directed industry cluster. It is determined that lateral actors play a key facilitating role, and formal and informal mechanisms and interpersonal links among actors support that cluster knowledge exchange. Limited social capital strength and depth and a lack of trust that prevents knowledge sharing are partially explained by the cluster's limited vertical and horizontal actors.

The author's company uses colour measurements in all phases of its iron oxide business, including production, quality assurance, marketing, and research.

The purpose of this work is to explain the emergence of warpage due to a locally and temporally inhomogeneous shrinkage in 3D printing (Binder-Jetting) of polymers.

An analysis of shrinkage yields parameters for a one-dimensional layer model of the binding process. Based on this, residual stresses and deformation are calculated by means of a numerical simulation model.

The simulation supports the assumption that the curling of specimens is created by a force transmission between layers due to inhomogeneous shrinkage. Furthermore, the layered production process might contribute to nonlinear deformations of not horizontally orientated surfaces.

The simulation allows imitating the warping during the manufacturing process qualitatively. Exact values of deformations cannot be predicted, yet.

The results expand the knowledge about warpage effects in 3D printing caused by the layer-wise building process.

The developed model imitates the mechanisms leading to deformations during the 3D printing process, focusing on the physical interaction of layers with each other.

Plastic seems to be getting a universally bad press at the moment with the current opinion being that plastic is incompatible with sustainability. In this chapter the nature of plastic or sustainability and of social responsibility are examined and redefined. The conclusion is that it is not plastic which is irresponsible but rather people and business which need to change. In doing so a number of seemingly diverse topics are considered and examined to show their relevance to this argument.

This study investigates whether Savings and Credit Co-operatives’ (SACCOS) services such as loans, savings and training improve household livelihood outcomes.

The study employed a quasi-experimental design. Six SACCOS were purposively selected in four districts of Mwanza and Tabora regions in Tanzania. A sample of 500 respondents was randomly selected of whom 200 were SACCOS’ members and 300 were non-members. A questionnaire and a key informant interview guide were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to analyse the quantitative data whereas qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis.

The results indicate that SACCOS’ services had significantly impacted on the household livelihood outcomes in terms of maize yields, household assets, savings, food expenditures and non-food expenditures.

This study was conducted in two regions of Tanzania using six SACCOS. Similar studies can be conducted in a larger area of Tanzania by capturing more than six SACCOS. In addition, the study focused on the rural areas of Tanzania. The future studies can be carried out in urban areas or both urban and rural areas of Tanzania.

Local leaders, SACCOS’ leaders and other stakeholders in the study area should thus mobilise non-members in their areas to join SACCOS. In addition, the Tanzania government should facilitate the formation of new SACCOS and strengthen those already operating in rural areas.

SACCOS provide opportunities for individuals and households in rural areas to converge socially and economically to achieve better results (positive impact on livelihood outcomes), which otherwise could be non-achievable through single household or individual efforts.

Unlike previous studies, this study provides empirical evidence on the impact of SACCOS’ services on livelihood outcomes of SACCOS members in rural areas of Tanzania where abject poverty is widespread and where the majority of SACCOS are found.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2021-0028

Several years after the regularization of microfinance activity in Côte d’Ivoire, smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits still remains marginal. The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze key determinants of access to microfinance credit in Sassandra-Marahoué District.

A total of 150 smallholder farmers were randomly sampled using an interview guide and semi-structured questionnaires. Univariate statistics and Probit binary modeling were employed for data analyses.

Results revealed that socio-economic/demographic characteristics of smallholder farmers and credit requirements imposed by microfinance institutions (MFIs) are key determinants of smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits in the district.

Although, the authors shed light on the determinants of microfinance credit access for smallholder farmers in this district, the study focused on a single source of financial credit. Future research will need to explore the determinants of credit demand and the choice between different sources of rural credits in Côte d’Ivoire.

The findings suggest that MFIs seldom take into account smallholder farmers who are not engaged in off-farm income-generating activities and savings account; and those with low level of education. Sensitization programs on the importance of savings mobilization and credit policy by MFIs will potentially increase smallholder’s knowledge on credit access requirements and thereby increased access.

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study investigating determinants of smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits in Côte d’Ivoire specifically in the Sassandra-Marahoué District. The results of this study will serve as a guide for MFIs for improving smallholder farmers’ access to credit.