John Richard McCardle and Joe Bunyan
This paper aims to investigate whether the trabecular architecture found in natural bone can be effectively replicated through the selective laser sintering process of Nylon P2200.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate whether the trabecular architecture found in natural bone can be effectively replicated through the selective laser sintering process of Nylon P2200.
Design/methodology/approach
Trabecular bone was idealised into a scaled up hexagonal cell proven to replicate the natural structure. The structure was modelled in Solidworks 2013 to form a network of interlinking cells. The specific property analysed was the structure toughness through the measurement of the energy absorbed before sample fracture.
Findings
It was found that the impact absorption can be increased with the integration of a greater number of trabecular cells producing a finer resolution and not necessarily by increasing the trabecular size. The information gained from this research may be useful in the design of impact and shock absorbing components, with an emphasis on efficient use of material mass.
Research limitations/implications
Designers and engineers may find biomimetic methods of absorbing shock and impact an efficient alternative consideration in design applications.
Practical implications
The trabecular architecture should be designed so as to be weaker than the bounding surfaces, ensuring that the individual trabecular experience failure first, maximising their energy absorbing capability through increasing the period of deceleration. The simplest way of doing this is to ensure the rod thickness is less than the bounding material thickness.
Originality/value
This work documents original testing of both the RP material and consolidated design of samples of idealised bone structures. It builds on previous work in the area and through the results of empirical testing, derives recommendations for further considerations in this area of design and manufacture of biomimetic structures.
Details
Keywords
In the discussion groups subjects will be taken up which are not dealt with in the lectures. The subjects to be taken up in the discussion groups of each week and the assignments…
Colin Bryson and Richard Blackwell
To evaluate whether “numerical flexibility” – specifically a form of temporary and precarious employment – hourly‐paid part‐time teaching in the UK higher education sector – adds…
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate whether “numerical flexibility” – specifically a form of temporary and precarious employment – hourly‐paid part‐time teaching in the UK higher education sector – adds strategic value and demonstrates good practice.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on new evidence drawn from five case study organisations in which a range of managers was interviewed in depth.
Findings
Analysis identifies a continuum of strategies from integration into the main workforce through to “deepened differentiation”. Although integration is somewhat problematic when applied to a diverse group, differentiation seems predicated on a defensive, risk management approach designed to further marginalise this activity. Also, differentiation fails to address the aspirations of many employees, creating tensions between institutional strategy and the needs of academic heads.
Research limitations/implications
The number of case studies is limited. These case studies were selected because they had the most proactive strategies on this issue, which infers that the majority of employers in HE have not been rather less strategic or proactive.
Practical implications
The paper is of particular value to HR professionals considering the use of numerical flexibility approaches. It also contributes to the academic debate on the strategic value of such approaches.
Originality/value
The paper explores a neglected but important area of the workforce. The paper notes that some supposed benefits of numerical flexibility might be illusory, such as the deployment of allegedly “cheap and disposable” substitute workers which may be offset by unintentional consequences including rigidities in an organisation's human resource systems.
Details
Keywords
Jon Chiew Kwee Tan and Richard Lee
The purpose of this paper is to draw on agency theory (AT) to develop and validate a scale to investigate customers’ loyalty towards salespersons under agency problems. Especially…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to draw on agency theory (AT) to develop and validate a scale to investigate customers’ loyalty towards salespersons under agency problems. Especially with credence services, customer-salesperson relationships are beset by problems that stem from personal differences and conflicts of interests.
Design/methodology/approach
The context is financial investment services in Indonesia. Following Churchill’s (1979) procedure, initial qualitative surveys generated a pool of 44 items for the three AT asymmetries of risk, goal and information. Expert panel validation and exploratory factor analyses of a dataset (n = 429) confirmed a four-dimensional structure of 30 items. Finally, confirmatory factor analyses using a second dataset (n = 299) tested the effects of the four asymmetries on customer loyalty, and how the effects are moderated by customer trust and relationship duration.
Findings
Overall, agency problems negatively influence customer loyalty. Information asymmetry has two discriminantly distinct dimension, quality and timeliness. Low trust amplifies the effects of all asymmetries, whereas relationship duration reduces the effects of only risk asymmetry. Comparison with a three-factor model shows that the four-factor scale is superior.
Research limitations/implications
Service firms desiring long-term customer relationships need to be cognisant of potential asymmetries created by salespersons, and develop initiatives to minimise potential fallouts from each asymmetry. These include proper alignment of compensation structures, accurate and timely communications of product information, and matching risk profiles between customers and salespersons. Regular customer feedback regarding perceived asymmetries would also help early problem detection. Finally, the findings would inform the development of policy matters and industry best practices.
Originality/value
Besides contributing to the small stream of research that applies AT to marketing, this study is the first to develop and validate an AT scale that incorporates all three asymmetries.
Details
Keywords
George W. Mechling, James W. Pearce and James W. Busbin
Examines the adoption and strategic use of advanced manufacturingtechnologies (AMTs) by small manufacturing firms. Three major issues areexplored: the differences between…
Abstract
Examines the adoption and strategic use of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) by small manufacturing firms. Three major issues are explored: the differences between exporting and non‐exporting firms with regard to why they adopt AMT; the differences between exporting and non‐exporting firms with regard to how they adopt AMT; and the relationship between adopting AMT and exporting to global markets. Using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), multiple comparison tests, pair‐wise comparisons, regression, correlation, and partial correlation analysis, the authors found that: exporting and non‐exporting firms adopt AMT for different reasons; exporting and non‐exporting firms adopt AMT in different ways; and there is a significant positive relationship between adopting AMT and exporting to global markets.