Almost every metal article, at one or more stages during its progress from the rough casting or forging to the finished product, undergoes a wet process. Such a process, which may…
Abstract
Almost every metal article, at one or more stages during its progress from the rough casting or forging to the finished product, undergoes a wet process. Such a process, which may be acid pickling, alkaline degreasing or derusting, electroplating, phosphating or rinsing, or may form part of a mechanical treatment such as drawing or cutting, involves the contact of an aqueous solution with a metal surface and some chemical or physical action there: chemical dissolution of scale, physical removal of grease, deposition of a metal or a compound etc.
The importance of organic chemicals in the wide field of metal treatment is only gradually being realised. A carefully planned approach to the selection of suitable organic…
Abstract
The importance of organic chemicals in the wide field of metal treatment is only gradually being realised. A carefully planned approach to the selection of suitable organic additives for metal treatment processes is very much overdue, say the authors. They herein discuss the newer organic chemicals in metal protection and lubrication with particular reference to their use in the prevention of corrosion.
Phuong Thanh To and David Grierson
Providing improved access to nature within educational settings can promote stronger child–nature connections and is conditional on making evidence-based decisions for the…
Abstract
Purpose
Providing improved access to nature within educational settings can promote stronger child–nature connections and is conditional on making evidence-based decisions for the planning, design and refurbishment of school architecture. The study offers insight into ways of reconnecting children with nature by examining the distribution and classification of diverse natural elements for enhancing children's visual and non-visual experiences of educational environments.
Design/methodology/approach
This study combines quantitative and qualitative analysis of data gathered through measurement and observation at three schools in Glasgow, with a total of 75 students, to identify key issues influencing child–nature multi-sensorial connections within indoor and outdoor environments and on building envelopes and layouts. It applies children's open-questions and diagrams to investigate children's discovery of nature, their feelings around natural attributes and their environmental preferences within school contexts.
Findings
This study's findings reveal that architectural features and landscape settings have significant influence on the quantitative and qualitative degrees of children's natural exploration through visual and non-visual sensorial modalities and environmental preferences.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this study are that the data was gathered in the Spring season and with different groups of children from The Glasgow Academy who received the same educational curriculum. Thus, there is a need for further investigation on children's experiences of nature based on temporal and contextual differences, and varying educational-socio-cultural and economic factors.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that applications of natural diversity, accessible and flexible pathways and indoor natural settings, are potential approaches to connect children with nature within their study and play environments.
Originality/value
The authors provide a deeper understanding of how nature-based settings, including indoor and outdoor environments, constructively benefit children's multi-sensorial experiences, knowledge and biophilic feelings toward nature.
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Rebecca J. Collie, Helena Granziera and Andrew J. Martin
The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which several workplace factors are implicated in school principals' well-being. Two job resources (i.e. participatory climate…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which several workplace factors are implicated in school principals' well-being. Two job resources (i.e. participatory climate and collegial climate) and two job demands (i.e. barriers to professional learning and staff shortages) were investigated, along with two well-being outcomes (i.e. job satisfaction and occupational commitment). Interaction effects between the job resource and job demand variables were also tested.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were from 5,951 principals in 22 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries that participated in the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013. Path analysis of direct and interaction effects was tested, along with multigroup path analysis to determine any differences in results across nations.
Findings
The results showed that staff shortages and collegial climate predicted job satisfaction. All of the job resources and demands predicted occupational commitment. In addition, one interaction effect was significant showing that a participatory climate was especially important for occupational commitment under conditions of high staff shortages. The findings were similar across the 22 countries.
Originality/value
The study yields important knowledge about the cross-national salience of four job resources and demands that are associated with principals' well-being at work.
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Laurie A. Rudman and Julie E. Phelan
Early research on sexism presumed the traditional model of prejudice as an antipathy. This research focused on negative stereotypes of women as less competent than men and…
Abstract
Early research on sexism presumed the traditional model of prejudice as an antipathy. This research focused on negative stereotypes of women as less competent than men and hostility toward gender equality. More recently, sexism has been revealed to have a “benevolent” component; although it reflects positive beliefs about women, it also supports gender inequality by implying that women are weaker than men. In addition, although disconfirming stereotypes should provide women with a means of thwarting sex discrimination, recent research shows that even ambitious and successful women are punished for violating prescriptive stereotypes that assign them to subordinate roles.
This study aims to examine the influence of organizational flexibility (OF) and shared vision (SV) on sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) with the mediation role of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the influence of organizational flexibility (OF) and shared vision (SV) on sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) with the mediation role of responsible innovation (RI) in the manufacturing industry of a developing country. Furthermore, big data analytics capability (BDAC) serves as a moderator between RI and SCA.
Design/methodology/approach
The study's hypotheses are investigated using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method. Through simple random sampling, information was gathered from 247 owners/managers of manufacturing SMEs.
Findings
The results elucidate that OF and SV significantly determine RI and SCA. Moreover, RI significantly mediates between SV, OF and SCA. Besides, RI significantly determines SCA. BDAC significantly leads to SCA. Finally, BDAC significantly moderates between RI and SCA.
Research limitations/implications
RI is crucial for manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gain SCA and BDAC is important to address the changing demands of consumers for environment-friendly products. This study gives the public an overview of the different degrees to which SMEs are embracing RI and BDAC; with more environment-friendly initiatives, the natural environment will become more sustainable. Environmental sustainability will benefit each individual living in society.
Originality/value
This study adds value to the existing literature by focusing on predictors that affect SCA. Using dynamic capability theory, this initial study examines the influence of SV and OF on SCA and RI as mediators. Furthermore, BDAC is used as a moderating variable between RI and SCA. Managers, students and researchers can benefit from this study.
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Antonio Chirumbolo, Antonino Callea and Flavio Urbini
The purpose of this study was to extend our knowledge of the relationship between quantitative and qualitative job insecurity and performance. On the basis of stress theories, we…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to extend our knowledge of the relationship between quantitative and qualitative job insecurity and performance. On the basis of stress theories, we hypothesised that qualitative job insecurity (QLJI) would mediate the negative effect of quantitative job insecurity (QTJI) on two different indicators of performance: task performance (TP) and counterproductive work behaviours (CPWBs). In addition, the authors hypothesised that the effect of QTJI on QLJI would be moderated by the economic sector (public vs private) in which employees worked. Therefore, the authors empirically tested a moderated mediation model via PROCESS.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants were 431 employees from various Italian organisations. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire measuring QTJI, QLJI, TP and CPWBs.
Findings
The results indicated that economic sector moderated the relationship between quantitative and QLJI. Both quantitative and QLJI were related to performance outcomes. Furthermore, QLJI mediated the effect of QTJI on TP and CPWB. However, this mediation was particularly apparent among employees in the private sector, supporting our hypothesised moderated mediation model.
Practical implications
The results suggest that managers of private and public organisations need to apply different policies to reduce the impact of job insecurity on CPWBs and increase the TP of their employees.
Originality/value
This study attempted to examine the job insecurity–performance relationship in more depth. For the first time, the effects of both job insecurity dimensions on performance were simultaneously investigated, with economic sector as a moderator and QLJI as a mediator.
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This paper aims to present a longitudinal and visualizing study using scientometric approaches to depict the historical changes in the academic community, intellectual base and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a longitudinal and visualizing study using scientometric approaches to depict the historical changes in the academic community, intellectual base and research hotspots within the business domain.
Design/methodology/approach
Two mapping methods are used, namely, co-citation analysis and co-occurrence analysis. Both the co-citation analysis and co-occurrence analysis in this study are conducted using CiteSpace, a Java-based scientific visualization software.
Findings
This paper detects changes in academic communities in 24 business journals chosen by the University of Texas at Dallas as leading journals (UTD24) and identifies the research hotspots such as corporate governance, organizational research and capital research. Many authors and academic communities appear in two or even three periods, which indicates the lasting academic vitality of scholars in this field. This paper determines the evolution of scholars' research interests by identifying high-frequency keywords during the entire period.
Originality/value
This paper reveals a systematic and holistic picture of the developmental landscape of the business domain, which can provide a potential guide for future research. Furthermore, based on empirical data and knowledge visualization, the intellectual structure and evolution of the business domain can be identified more objectively.
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Hui Wang, Zheng Zhang, Zhao Xiong, Tianye Liu, Kai Long, Xusong Quan and Xiaodong Yuan
It is a huge technical and engineering challenge to realize the precise assembly of thousands of large optics in high power solid-state laser system. Using the 400-mm…
Abstract
Purpose
It is a huge technical and engineering challenge to realize the precise assembly of thousands of large optics in high power solid-state laser system. Using the 400-mm aperture-sized transport mirror as a case, this paper aims to present an intelligent numerical computation methodology for mounting performance analysis and modeling of large optics in a high-power laser system for inertial confinement fusion (ICF).
Design/methodology/approach
Fundamental principles of modeling and analysis of the transport mirror surface distortion are proposed, and a genetic algorithm-based computation framework is proposed to evaluate and optimize the assembly and mounting performance of large laser optics.
Findings
The stringent specifications of large ICF optics place very tight constraints upon the transport mirror’s assembly and mounts. The operational requirements on surface distortion [peak-to-valley and root mean square (RMS)] can be met as it is appropriately assembled by the close loop of assembly-inspection-optimization-fastening. In the end, the experimental study validates the reliability and effectiveness of the transport mirror mounting method.
Originality/value
In the assembly design and mounting performance evaluation of large laser optics, the whole study has the advantages of accurate evaluation and intelligent optimization on nano-level optical surface distortion, which provides a fundamental methodology for precise assembly and mounting of large ICF optics.