Lee Evans and Ki-Hwan Bae
The paper aims to estimates the limitations of a forced distribution performance appraisal system in identifying the highest performing individuals within an organization…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to estimates the limitations of a forced distribution performance appraisal system in identifying the highest performing individuals within an organization. Traditionally, manpower modeling allows organizations to develop plans that meet future human resource requirements by modeling the flow of personnel within an organization. The aim is to quantify the limitations of a performance appraisal system in identifying the best-qualified individuals to fill future requirements.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes an exploratory study using discrete event simulation based on the assignment, evaluation and promotion history of over 2,500 officers in the US Army. The obtained data provide a basis for estimating simulation inputs that include system structure, system dynamics, human behavior and policy constraints. The simulation approach facilitates modeling officers who receive evaluations as they move throughout the system over time.
Findings
The paper provides insights into the effect of system structure and system dynamics on the evaluation outcome of employees. It suggests that decreasing the number of a rater’s subordinates has a significant effect on the accuracy of performance appraisals. However, increasing the amount of time individuals spend on each assignment has little effect on system accuracy.
Practical implications
This research allows an organization’s leadership to evaluate the possible consequences associated with evaluation policy prior to policy implementation.
Originality/value
This work advances a framework in assessing the effect of system dynamics and structure, and the extent to which they limit or enhance the accuracy of an organization’s forced distribution performance appraisal system.
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Benlih Huang, Arnab Dasgupta and Ning‐Cheng Lee
Tombstoning and voiding have been plaguing the surface mount assembly industry for decades. The recent global move toward lead‐free soldering and the extensive adoption of…
Abstract
Purpose
Tombstoning and voiding have been plaguing the surface mount assembly industry for decades. The recent global move toward lead‐free soldering and the extensive adoption of microvia technology further aggravate the problems. The present study investigates the impact of SnAgCu (SAC) alloy composition on these important issues.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, tombstoning and voiding at microvias are studied for a series of SAC lead‐free solders, with an attempt to identify a possible “composition window” for controlling these problems. Properties which may be related to these problems, such as alloy surface tension, alloy melting pattern, and solder wetting behaviour, were investigated in order to assess the critical characteristics required to control these problems.
Findings
The results indicate that the tombstoning of SAC alloys is greatly influenced by the solder composition. Both the wetting force and the wetting time at a temperature well above the melting point have no correlation with the tombstoning frequencies. Because the tombstoning is caused by imbalanced wetting forces, the results suggest that the tombstoning may be controlled by the wetting at the onset of the paste melting stage. A maximum tombstoning incidence was observed for the 95.5Sn3.5Ag1Cu alloy. The tombstoning rate decreased with increasing deviation in Ag content from this composition. A differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study indicated that this was mainly due to the increasing presence of the pasty phase in the solders, which result in a slower wetting speed at the onset of solder paste melting stage. Surface tension plays a minor role, with lower surface tension correlating with a higher tombstoning rate. The voiding rate at the microvias was studied by employing simulated microvias. The voiding level was lowest for the 95.5Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu and 95.5Sn3.5Ag1Cu alloys, and increases with a further decrease in the Ag content. The results indicate that voiding at microvias is governed by the via filling and the exclusion of fluxes. The voiding rate decreased with decreasing surface tension and increasing wetting force, which in turn is dictated by the solder wetting or spreading. Both low surface tension and high solder wetting prevents the flux from being entrapped within a microvia. A fast wetting speed may also facilitate reducing voiding. However, this factor is considered not as important as the final solder coverage area.
Research limitations/implications
In general, compositions which deviate from the ternary eutectic SAC in Ag content, particularly with a Ag content lower than 3.5Ag, exhibit a greater solid fraction at the onset of melting, resulting in a lower tombstoning rate, presumably due to a slower wetting speed. The SAC compositions with an Ag content lower than 3.5 per cent, such as 2.5Ag, resulted in a lower tombstoning rate with minimal risk of forming Ag3Sn intermetallic platelets. On the other hand, ternary eutectic SAC exhibits a lower surface tension resulting in an easier solder spread or solder wetting, and consequently exhibit a higher tombstoning frequency and a lower incidence of voiding.
Practical implications
Provides a solution to the tombstoning problem in lead‐free soldering.
Originality/value
The present study provided a solution to the tombstoning problem encountered in lead free soldering by controlling the SAC solder alloy compositions.
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Yong‐Won Lee, Keun‐Soo Kim and Katsuaki Suganuma
To propose a solution procedure to minimize/eliminate tombstoning defects in small chip components with different micro via‐in pad designs for high density module assembly.
Abstract
Purpose
To propose a solution procedure to minimize/eliminate tombstoning defects in small chip components with different micro via‐in pad designs for high density module assembly.
Design/methodology/approach
Four different micro via‐in pad designs were compared (via‐hole diameter): ultra small via‐in pads (10 μm), small via‐in pads (20 μm) and large via‐in pads (60 μm), as well as designs with no via‐in pads and capped via‐in pads. Two process variables were also evaluated for the goal of achieving a high‐yield assembly solution in micro via‐in pad and lead‐free solder conditions. Potential factors such as the preheat conditions of the reflow profile and stencil aperture size, which might affect tombstoning in components with micro via‐in pads, were investigated.
Findings
The results indicated that the micro via‐in pad design significantly increased the tombstoning; thus, tombstoning did not occur in components with both no via‐in pads and capped via‐in pads. Capped via‐in pads exhibited the best results in preventing tombstoning and provided a wide process window for the selection of process parameters. The results showed that tombstoning was found to decrease with both increasing stencil opening ratio and use of reflow profile with long‐preheat condition.
Originality/value
The paper's findings provide certain process guidelines for high density module assemblies with via‐in pad design. The strategy is to prevent tombstoning by adopting capped via‐in pad design if possible when employing micro via‐in pad technology.
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Apprenticeships in England are currently experiencing a revival. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of apprenticeships in England, examine current…
Abstract
Purpose
Apprenticeships in England are currently experiencing a revival. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of apprenticeships in England, examine current government policy, and explore current issues around the further development of apprenticeships.
Design/methodology/approach
Desk research, including reviewing other research articles and labour market intelligence has been carried out to provide a general overview of the issues.
Findings
Apprenticeships have traditionally been regarded as the vocational route to stable employment. Although they have sometimes suffered from a poor reputation they are now becoming an increasingly popular option for both younger and older people. The knowledge economy is driving up the demand for higher level skills and concurrent with this is the notion that, in today's competitive labour market, experience is vital. Not only has this impacted on the popularity of apprenticeships but also upon more traditional “academic” routes such as higher education (HE). In addition it has raised questions about higher level skills and vocational education. The introduction of Higher Apprenticeships and work experience/real world interactions built into HE courses are establishing synergies between the two elements of the skills/education system; however, developing these synergies further is a critical issue for future consideration.
Originality/value
There is a proliferation of publications tracking the nature and value of apprenticeships. This paper traces apprenticeships and their evolution and examines how practices adopted can be applied to newer vocational options being integrated into HE. The paper considers apprenticeships and other vocational options, building on the author's own discussions with employers and recent graduates.
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Ehsan Abedi, Davood Ghorbanzadeh and Atena Rahehagh
Today, consumers play an active role in creating, generating and distributing the electronic word of mouth (eWOM) independent of marketers. Customer acquisition through referrals…
Abstract
Purpose
Today, consumers play an active role in creating, generating and distributing the electronic word of mouth (eWOM) independent of marketers. Customer acquisition through referrals and word of mouth (WOM) has thus become an important goal for firms. In addition, mobile social networks have created valuable opportunities for eWOM. People are now able to discuss products and services of brands with their friends and acquaintances. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of eWOM information on consumers’ behavioral intentions in mobile social networks.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed the information adoption model (IAM), theory of reasoned action and social exchange theory to investigate the influence of eWOM information on consumers’ behavioral intentions in mobile social networks. The study used 394 respondents to evaluate the proposed model using SmartPLS software.
Findings
Results show that the quality and credibility of eWOM information has a positive direct effect on perceived information usefulness. Attitude toward eWOM information mediates the influence of perceived information usefulness on information adoption. Also, attitude toward eWOM information has a significant positive influence on behavioral intentions, such as purchase intention and forwarding of eWOM information. However, information adoption does not have any significant relationship with the forwarding of eWOM information.
Research limitations/implications
This study seeks to address the dearth of research in the field of mobile social networks, especially regarding eWOM information. The study proposes a new model and empirically validates the hypothesized relationships. This research can serve as a stepping-stone for future research in this field.
Practical implications
This research is one of the first studies focusing on the influence of eWOM information, especially in mobile social networks. The research offers comprehensive and empirically validated factors pertaining to eWOM information in mobile social networks. The results of this study may be useful also for practitioners and managers of online companies.
Originality/value
A new eWOM IAM in mobile social networks is proposed based on information characteristics and consumer behavior. The model is validated afterward.
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Saira Arsh, Samia Nasreen and Xuan-Hoa Nghiem
The adoption and usage of information and communication technology (ICT) has introduced transformation in the tourism arena with ICT applications extensively used in tourism…
Abstract
The adoption and usage of information and communication technology (ICT) has introduced transformation in the tourism arena with ICT applications extensively used in tourism industry. In addition to ICT, an advanced infrastructure is essential for the development of tourism industry. Thus, the goal of present research is to probe the impact of ICT and infrastructure on tourism development (TD) in 28 Asian economies using method of moments panel quantile regression (MM-QR) model introduced by Machado and Silva (2019) applied to a panel data from 2008 to 2020. Empirical findings demonstrate that there is an asymmetric non-linear effect of ICT and infrastructure through all quantile range. This indicates that ICT has negative effect on TD in poor countries while positive impact in rich countries. Negative impact in poor countries may be due to higher establishment cost and information technology (IT) productivity paradox. However, results confirm the importance of ICT and infrastructure in endorsing the development of tourism sector in Asian nations by lessening time and money costs and facilitating travelers.
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The first purpose of this study is to respond to Matthews’ (2017) criticisms of Larson's (1977) professional project and accounting historians' past use of Larson (1977) when…
Abstract
Purpose
The first purpose of this study is to respond to Matthews’ (2017) criticisms of Larson's (1977) professional project and accounting historians' past use of Larson (1977) when researching public accountancy professionalization. The second purpose is to use the response to Matthews (2017) as the foundation to construct a model of socio-economic closures of potential use for research and study.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to respond to Matthews (2017), the study provides an interpretive review of Larson (1977) and analyses historical professionalization research published in leading accounting journals over three decades. The review and response, together with prior theory contributions, form the foundation for the proposed model of closures.
Findings
Matthews’ (2017) criticisms of Larson (1977) and accounting historians' past use of Larson (1977) are, with some exceptions, not well-founded. Larson's (1977) professional project is an ideal model of professionalization and has been used appropriately by accounting historians to introduce and explain rather than a model or test public accountancy professionalization. The analyzed data from research journals are consistent with Larson (1977) in terms of identifiable historical phases of and specific closures actions in the professionalization process.
Research limitations/implications
The study analyses peer-reviewed studies in selected accounting research journals over a defined period.
Practical implications
The study provides a nuanced review of Larson (1977), clarifies evidence of the past use of Larson (1977) by accounting historians, challenges criticism of this use, identifies primary research that focuses on socio-economic closures and proposes a model of such closures for future research and study.
Originality/value
The study contains a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed research of public accountancy professionalization and proposes a model of closures inductively derived from empirical evidence and prior theoretical contributions.
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Abstract
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Quan Zhou, Chei Sian Lee, Sei-Ching Joanna Sin, Sijie Lin, Huijie Hu and Muhammad Fahmi Firdaus Bin Ismail
Drawing from social cognitive theory, the purpose of this study is to examine how personal, environmental and behavioral factors can interplay to influence people's use of YouTube…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing from social cognitive theory, the purpose of this study is to examine how personal, environmental and behavioral factors can interplay to influence people's use of YouTube as a learning resource.
Design/methodology/approach
This study proposed a conceptual model, which was then tested with data collected from a survey with 150 participants who had the experience of using YouTube for learning. The bootstrap method was employed to test the direct and mediation hypotheses in the model.
Findings
The results revealed that personal factors, i.e. learning outcome expectations and attitude, had direct effects on using YouTube as a learning resource (person → behavior). The environmental factor, i.e. the sociability of YouTube, influenced the attitude (environment → person), while the behavioral factor, i.e. prior experience of learning on YouTube, affected learning outcome expectations (behavior → person). Moreover, the two personal factors fully mediated the influences of sociability and prior experience on YouTube usage for learning.
Practical implications
The factors and their relationships identified in this study provide important implications for individual learners, platform designers, educators and other stakeholders who encourage the use of YouTube as a learning resource.
Originality/value
This study draws on a comprehensive theoretical perspective (i.e. social cognitive theory) to investigate the interplay of critical components (i.e. individual, environment and behavior) in YouTube's learning ecosystem. Personal factors not only directly influenced the extent to which people use YouTube as a learning resource but also mediated the effects of environmental and behavioral factors on the usage behavior.