Abstract
Purpose
Studies on corporate boards examine how social ties between the CEO and independent board members affect the effectiveness of board monitoring. Much evidence suggests that social connections between the CEO and independent directors are associated with inadequate monitoring and lower firm value (Hwang and Kim, 2009; Fracassi and Tate, 2012). In this study, the authors note that social connections of the independent directors are of different nature and thus should not be treated as a homogeneous group; that is, the nature of connections among directors can be quite different from that between the CEO and directors, which is the primary focus of previous studies.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors classify independent directors into four mutually exclusive groups based on their social connections to the CEO and other independent board members and examine what role each type of connection plays in corporate monitoring using panel data and cross-sectional fixed effect regressions.
Findings
The authors find that Only_CEO%, the proportion of independent directors who are connected only to the CEO, is negatively associated with monitoring intensity. Specifically, firms with higher Only_CEO% have larger CEO compensation, lower likelihood of dismissing the CEO, more co-opted board and worse firm performance. In contrast, No_CEO_Ind%, the proportion of independent directors who have no connection to either the CEO or other independent directors is associated with more effective monitoring. These findings suggest that independent directors with different degrees of social connections exhibit different monitoring qualities.
Practical implications
When more independent directors, who are connected exclusively to the CEO, are on the board, they consistently deliver low monitoring quality. However, when more independent directors with no connections to either the CEO or any independent directors are on the board, they enhance monitoring quality. These findings can be used to construct board structures with more effective monitoring ability.
Originality/value
This paper extends the literature on social networks in corporate finance. The authors show that independent directors with exclusive connections to other independent directors do not have a significant effect on board monitoring, but those truly independent directors are associated with better monitoring quality. These findings suggest that different types of social connections of independent directors play a different role in board monitoring and help extend our understanding of the function of social connections of independent directors in corporate governance.
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Ahmet Cagri Kilinc, Turker Turkoglu, Harun Mert Ilbeyli, Sare Celik and Yunus Emre Nehri
The purpose of this study is to develop a low-cost and efficient method for 3D printing CuSn15 bronze alloy parts using a pneumatic extrusion system. By avoiding complex processes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a low-cost and efficient method for 3D printing CuSn15 bronze alloy parts using a pneumatic extrusion system. By avoiding complex processes such as filament preparation and solvent/catalytic debinding, the study aims to streamline the low-cost production process of metallic components while maintaining high mechanical performance. The research also seeks to evaluate the effects of different sintering temperatures and times on the mechanical properties of the printed parts.
Design/methodology/approach
A simple and cost-effective pneumatic extrusion system was designed to 3D print a metal paste containing CuSn15 alloy powders. The metal paste was prepared by manually mixing of CuSn15 powders, carboxymethyl cellulose and distilled water. The printed parts were subsequently dried and sintered at various temperatures and times to study the effects of these parameters on the material properties. Tensile test and scanning electron microscope analysis were conducted to assess the structural integrity and mechanical performance of the samples.
Findings
The study found that the pneumatic extrusion system enabled the successful 3D printing of CuSn15 bronze alloy parts without the need for complex processes. Increasing sintering temperature led to improved mechanical properties and decreased porosity. Increasing the sintering time at 820 °C led to a reduction in mechanical performance. The study demonstrated that the sintering parameters significantly influence the porosity and mechanical properties of the printed parts.
Originality/value
This study introduces a novel approach to 3D printing CuSn15 bronze alloy using a pneumatic extrusion system, eliminating the need for traditional filament preparation and solvent/catalytic debinding processes. The research provides new insights into the effect of sintering parameters on the mechanical properties of additively manufactured metal parts. By simplifying the production process, this study offers a low-cost, efficient method for producing complex-shaped metallic components, potentially expanding the applicability of 3D printing in industries such as electronics, marine and mechanical engineering.
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Vahide Yigit Gencten and Mehmet Gultekin
This study aims to investigate preschool teachers' perspectives on diversity in the unique educational context of Türkiye, a nation-state often underrepresented in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate preschool teachers' perspectives on diversity in the unique educational context of Türkiye, a nation-state often underrepresented in the predominantly Western-centric diversity literature.
Design/methodology/approach
Recognizing teachers as critical content integrators, the study involved semi-structured interviews to explore their views on diversity within early childhood education.
Findings
Analysis of the interviews revealed two key themes: first, the challenge of maintaining nation-state ideology, where teachers balance fostering a national identity with acknowledging diverse cultural backgrounds; and second, a willingness among educators to embrace diversity, highlighting their efforts to create inclusive, multicultural classrooms.
Practical implications
The authors call for developing context-specific teacher education programs addressing diversity in depth, equipping teachers to effectively promote context-specific multicultural education that would be different from Western countries.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is original in researching preschool teachers’ understandings of multicultural education in a nation-state country.