Qin Sheng, Shekhar Guha and Leonel Gonzalez
The purpose of this paper is to develop highly efficient decomposition finite difference methods for computing solutions of highly oscillatory beam propagation partial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop highly efficient decomposition finite difference methods for computing solutions of highly oscillatory beam propagation partial differential equations.
Design/methodology/approach
Highly oscillatory optical wave equations, such as the multidimensional paraxial Helmholtz equation, have been used extensively in modelling propagation of the light from lens to the focal region in various engineering applications. Numerical approximations of solutions of such equations contain crucial light information in focal regions even when the f-number is small. However, it has been difficult to acquire highly oscillatory numerical solutions efficiently. This paper proposes two correlated eikonal decomposition strategies for fast computations of the oscillatory solutions. Structures of the numerical methods are designed via an eikonal, or exponential, transformation. The approach converts successfully the oscillatory problems to non-oscillatory subproblems. Therefore, the underlying beam simulation equations can be solved readily with great accuracy and stability.
Findings
It is found that the two correlated eikonal transformation based decomposition methods effectively remove the highly oscillatory features of the wave equations. The coupled non-oscillatory subproblems resulted are easier to solve. Discretization steps in computations can be chosen to be relatively large and this ensures the efficiency of computations. The decomposed finite difference schemes are simple to use in different optical applications.
Practical implications
The computational approach provides a valuable tool to practical applications, such as those in the defence industry.
Originality/value
Although the eikonal transformation has been used in the theory of nonlinear optics, this is the first time it has been utilized for effective engineering computations.
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Ryan Schill, Ronei Leonel, Frances Fabian and David Frank Jorgensen
Following successful discussion of this case, students should be able to:▪ understand and apply the principles of effectuation;▪ understand the difficulty of obtaining traditional…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
Following successful discussion of this case, students should be able to:▪ understand and apply the principles of effectuation;▪ understand the difficulty of obtaining traditional financing in Latin America;▪ determine the importance of matching new hire and company values, particularly in a small business; and▪ analyze some of the unique problems facing a business at the point of scaling up and provide suggestions for how the protagonist could address those problems.
Case overview/synopsis
This case provides an introduction to the Fintech industry in South and Central America, fruitfully combining tenets of the lean startup methodology, effectual principles of entrepreneurship and a novel method of managing personal finances via decentralized vehicles provided through fintech. In addition, Kuiki Credit and its use of fintech represent a compelling example of industry disruption by an entrepreneurial firm. Owing to its unique location, this case provides students with a lens into a part of the world rife with bureaucracy and, in some cases, corruption. The disruption is thus unique in that not only does one view traditional disruption of industry dynamics, but also government policy and cultural mores. This is evinced within the body of the case through direct quotes from founder Ernesto Leal and Eduardo Morán, one of the company’s first employees. This information highlights the market Kuiki Credit pursued, one underserved by traditional financing and thus lacking access to credit.Consistent with effectual entrepreneurship principles, Ernesto Leal, the main protagonist and a Nicaraguan entrepreneur, drew upon his significant corporate experience in financial institutions and as a franchise owner to create a new venture. Kuiki Credit is designed to increase access to capital and disseminate fintech throughout Central and South America, and in particular first in Costa Rica and later in Nicaragua. The case is set in 2018, when Leal faces a scaling issue. Specifically, he wonders how to maintain an entrepreneurial company with high levels of innovation and a culture of continuous improvement despite the need to grow. Near the end of the case, some specific issues relative to culture are briefly reviewed in relation to the sales department and Leal feeling the need to restructure the company, while being encouraged by the board to hit breakeven targets for three consecutive months prior to expanding to new markets.
Complexity academic level
This case most appropriately lends itself to discussions in entrepreneurship at the junior or senior undergraduate level. To engage in this case most productively, students should have a basic understanding of entrepreneurship, the equivalent of two to three weeks into the semester.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS:3: Entrepreneurship.
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Luis Emmi, Leonel Paredes‐Madrid, Angela Ribeiro, Gonzalo Pajares and Pablo Gonzalez‐de‐Santos
The purpose of this paper is to propose going one step further in the simulation tools related to agriculture by integrating fleets of mobile robots for the execution of precision…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose going one step further in the simulation tools related to agriculture by integrating fleets of mobile robots for the execution of precision agriculture techniques. The proposed new simulation environment allows the user to define different mobiles robots and agricultural implements.
Design/methodology/approach
With this computational tool, the crop field, the fleet of robots and the different sensors and actuators that are incorporated into each robot can be configured by means of two interfaces: a configuration interface and a graphical interface, which interact with each other.
Findings
The system presented in this article unifies two very different areas – robotics and agriculture – to study and evaluate the implementation of precision agriculture techniques in a 3D virtual world. The simulation environment allows the users to represent realistic characteristics from a defined location and to model different variabilities that may affect the task performance accuracy of the fleet of robots.
Originality/value
This simulation environment, the first in incorporating fleets of heterogeneous mobile robots, provides realistic 3D simulations and videos, which grant a good representation and a better understanding of the robot labor in agricultural activities for researchers and engineers from different areas, who could be involved in the design and application of precision agriculture techniques. The environment is available at the internet, which is an added value for its expansion in the agriculture/robotics family.
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Barbara de Lima Voss, David Bernard Carter and Bruno Meirelles Salotti
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in…
Abstract
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in the construction of hegemonies in SEA research in Brazil. In particular, we examine the role of hegemony in relation to the co-option of SEA literature and sustainability in the Brazilian context by the logic of development for economic growth in emerging economies. The methodological approach adopts a post-structural perspective that reflects Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. The study employs a hermeneutical, rhetorical approach to understand and classify 352 Brazilian research articles on SEA. We employ Brown and Fraser’s (2006) categorizations of SEA literature to help in our analysis: the business case, the stakeholder–accountability approach, and the critical case. We argue that the business case is prominent in Brazilian studies. Second-stage analysis suggests that the major themes under discussion include measurement, consulting, and descriptive approach. We argue that these themes illustrate the degree of influence of the hegemonic politics relevant to emerging economics, as these themes predominantly concern economic growth and a capitalist context. This paper discusses trends and practices in the Brazilian literature on SEA and argues that the focus means that SEA avoids critical debates of the role of capitalist logics in an emerging economy concerning sustainability. We urge the Brazilian academy to understand the implications of its reifying agenda and engage, counter-hegemonically, in a social and political agenda beyond the hegemonic support of a particular set of capitalist interests.
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Sonja Gallhofer, Kathy Gibson, Jim Haslam, Patty McNicholas and Bella Takiari
The view is taken that the study of diverse cultures can contribute to the development of environmental accounting and reporting. The focus is upon seeking to articulate insights…
Abstract
The view is taken that the study of diverse cultures can contribute to the development of environmental accounting and reporting. The focus is upon seeking to articulate insights from three indigenous cultures: the Australian Aboriginal, the Maori and the Native American. These cultures, alive today, provide relevant insights for those concerned with challenging mainstream and Western practices and seeking to develop alternatives. Attention is focused on these insights and it is hoped that further research will be stimulated.
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Zhe Du, Changjie Chen and Xinhou Wang
Stab-resistant body armor (SRBA) is used to protect the body from sharp knives. However, most SRBA materials currently have the disadvantages of large weight and thickness. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Stab-resistant body armor (SRBA) is used to protect the body from sharp knives. However, most SRBA materials currently have the disadvantages of large weight and thickness. This paper aims to prepare lightweight and high-performance SRBA by 3D printing truss structure and resin-filling method.
Design/methodology/approach
The stab resistance truss structure was prepared by the fused deposition modeling method, and the composite structure was formed after filling with resin for dynamic and quasi-static stab tests. The optimized structural plate can meet the standard GA68-2019. Digital image correlation technology was used to analyze the local strain changes during puncture. The puncture failure mode was summarized by the final failure morphologies. The explicit dynamics module in ANSYS Workbench was used to analyze the design of the overlapped structure stab resistance process in this paper.
Findings
The stab resistance performance of the 3D-printed structural plate is affected by the internal filling pattern. The stab resistance performance of 3D-printed structural parts was significantly improved after resin filling. The 50%-diamond-PLA-epoxy, with a thickness of only 5 mm was able to meet the stab resistance standard. Resins are used to increase the strength and hardness of the material but also to increase crack propagation and reduce the toughness of the material. The overlapping semicircular structure was inspired by the exoskeleton structure of the demon iron beetle, which improved the stab resistance between gaps. The truss structure can effectively disperse stress for toughening. The filled resin was reinforced by absorbing impact energy.
Originality/value
The 3D-printed resin-filled truss structure can be used to prepare high-performance stab resistance structural plates, which balance the toughness and strength of the overall structure and ultimately reduce the thickness and weight of the SRBA.
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Bilal Afsar, Basheer M. Al-Ghazali, Sadia Cheema and Farheen Javed
Because of the rapidly changing environment and fleeting market opportunities, employee's innovative work behavior is increasingly assuming a pivotal role in enhancing…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the rapidly changing environment and fleeting market opportunities, employee's innovative work behavior is increasingly assuming a pivotal role in enhancing organizational effectiveness and competitive advantage. The success of organizations is largely depended on their employees' ability to innovate. The role of cultural intelligence to enhance innovative work behavior is yet to be explored in the innovation research. The purpose of this study is to examine how cultural intelligence enhances employees' innovative work behavior through work engagement and interpersonal trust.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is a cross-sectional design which utilizes data from 381 participants from multinational corporations in Saudi Arabia.
Findings
The results indicate that cultural intelligence can significantly affect employee's innovative work behavior. It further reveals that both work engagement and interpersonal trust partially mediate the effect of cultural intelligence on innovative work behavior.
Originality/value
This study adds to the literature on intelligence by examining an underexplored type of intelligence (i.e. cultural intelligence) in relation to employee's innovative work behavior. It reveals work engagement and interpersonal trust as the psychological mechanisms that can link cultural intelligence to innovative work behaviors.
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Joost Bücker, Olivier Furrer and Tanja Peeters Weem
The purpose of this paper is to assess the cross-cultural equivalence of the four-dimensional 20-item Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) and the two-dimensional 12-item cultural…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the cross-cultural equivalence of the four-dimensional 20-item Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) and the two-dimensional 12-item cultural intelligence (CQ) short scale. Furthermore, the study elaborates on the results by discussing the differences between culturally equivalent and culturally non-equivalent items.
Design/methodology/approach
Data gathered from 607 students with a Chinese or Dutch background and mature international experience serve to test the cross-cultural equivalence of the CQS.
Findings
This study addresses the lack of clarity concerning the cross-cultural equivalence of the CQS in the extended domain of empirical research involving CQ. Furthermore, the consequences of the cultural equivalence tests are discussed.
Practical implications
Comparing CQ scores across cultures is only meaningful with the use of the adjusted, two-dimensional scale. Practitioners must be aware of the emic-etic character of the measurement instrument they use.
Originality/value
This study addresses the lack of clarity concerning the cross-cultural equivalence of the CQS in the extended domain of empirical research involving CQ. Furthermore, the consequences of the cultural equivalence tests are discussed.