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Joanna Clare Gamble, Christina Maree Bava and Mark Wohlers
The purpose of this paper is to understand stress triggers frequently experienced by relatively affluent working mothers of young children, to explore the situational context…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand stress triggers frequently experienced by relatively affluent working mothers of young children, to explore the situational context surrounding the various coping strategies used and to assess the value of foods specifically targeted at affecting stress (i.e. “mood foods”). Women with young children were selected as the focus because the greater dependency of young children creates the potential for significant work-family conflicts.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-staged study explored the stressors that mothers with young children encounter and identified their means of coping. Four fruit-based products (atomiser, pill, chocolate, drink) were then presented and the mothers ' receptivity to them assessed.
Findings
Some common coping strategies were viewed positively as behaviours the women wished to retain, but other strategies such as crying, yelling/shouting or drinking alcohol involved behaviours with which they were less happy. Time restraints limited the choice of coping strategy. Over three-quarters of the women in the study were interested in a fruit-based product with naturally occurring stress-relief properties that could either replace these behaviours or be used in tandem with acceptable behaviours, preference depending on the situation.
Research limitations/implications
Once beyond a conceptual stage, further research using techniques such as non-hypothetical markets should be conducted with a broader section of the public in order to determine the true value of such products.
Originality/value
The research demonstrates that the range of stress-relief strategies, and their use by women with young children are highly dependent on the situation. In addition, it confirms the willingness to try a novel fruit-based product that could assist in stress relief.
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The reflections in this chapter explore the genesis of tourism geography in the Netherlands and Belgium marked by political and linguistic constraints, plus historical, political…
Abstract
The reflections in this chapter explore the genesis of tourism geography in the Netherlands and Belgium marked by political and linguistic constraints, plus historical, political, and cultural factors, as well as the footprints of some pioneers. The dual language use of French and Dutch/Flemish has often been offered as an excuse for the low profile of the region’s universities in international knowledge networks. However, thanks to the involvement in thematic networks and a growing pressure for researchers to publish internationally in peer-reviewed journals, the research landscape in tourism has definitely changed. Geographical and spatial approaches to tourism have led to a colorful research landscape today.
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Rapid Prototyping, or additive fabrication (AF) technology as it is now more commonly known, has developed significantly in the past few years. Maturing AF processes, such as…
Abstract
Purpose
Rapid Prototyping, or additive fabrication (AF) technology as it is now more commonly known, has developed significantly in the past few years. Maturing AF processes, such as stereolithography, laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, and 3D Printing now offer the ability to build, layer and layer, and relatively quickly and cheaply, prototype or final use parts in plastic, metal, ceramic or composites. As a result the technology is increasingly having a major impact on the innovation, design and manufacturing practices in a rapidly growing number of companies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
In particular, the AF technology that is capturing industry attention at present is 3‐D printing. This technology is clearly no longer a novelty, and as numerous examples show it can now become an extremely effective addition to the innovation and product development aids employed by companies large and small.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
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Barry P. Haynes, Louise Suckley and Nick Nunnington
The paper aims to explore the relationship between office occupier work activity and workplace provision. It tests the proposition that location-fixed office workers are not…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to explore the relationship between office occupier work activity and workplace provision. It tests the proposition that location-fixed office workers are not well-supported in the working environment as location-flexible office workers. The research also explores the perceptions of the workplace provision based upon the types of tasks completed at the desk-location, whether this was collaborative or focussed.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts a cross-sectional approach using an online questionnaire to collect data from several offices in the Middles East. The dataset consists of 405 responses. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to understand the relationship between location flexibility and perception of productivity. In addition, a series of t test were used to evaluate the relationship between work activities and office environment.
Findings
The results show that those workers who were location-fixed perceived the workplace provision to have a more negative impact on their productivity than those who had a greater level of location-flexibility, particularly with regards to noise levels and interruptions. In terms of types of activities, those that undertook more collaborative tasks valued the facilitation of creativity and interaction from the workplace provision.
Research limitations/implications
The research has limitations as data collection was at one-point in time and therefore lacks the opportunity to undertake longitudinal analysis. However, the research gives greater insights into the alignment of office environments based on flexibility and work activity.
Practical implications
The paper identifies implications for the design and development of office environments by identifying the need for office occupier activity profiles. These profiles can underpin data-led design which should promote a tailored choice appropriate work setting that can maximise productivity.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the research area of workplace alignment. It establishes that optimal workplace alignment requires a better understanding of office occupier needs based on location-flexibility and work activity.
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R.I. Campbell and D.J. de Beer
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of rapid prototyping (RP) within the Republic of South Africa (RSA).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of rapid prototyping (RP) within the Republic of South Africa (RSA).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is a general review of the RP research and development effort within South Africa. It begins by looking at the progressive development of RP in the RSA to date. Next, the current situation is appraised in terms of the facilities that are now available, important emerging research areas and the development of human resources. Future prospects are then evaluated through a SWOT analysis.
Findings
The main lessons have been learnt in South Africa are as follows: it is never too late to get involved in RP; strong governmental support can enhance the growth of RP; an effective RP association can help to co‐ordinate HE and industry activities leading to a pooling of scarce resources rather than wastage through duplication of efforts; research must be aimed at local priorities to ensure industrial support and government funding; human resource development is crucial and can be promoted through international partnerships.
Practical implications
Readers from several backgrounds (industrial, academic and governmental) will be able to learn important lessons from the experiences and successes of South African RP practitioners.
Originality/value
The authors believe that the development of RP in RSA represents good practice in both the application of RP and also the national strategies introduced to promote the technologies.
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Brian N. Turner, Robert Strong and Scott A. Gold
The purpose of this paper is to systematically and critically review the literature related to process design and modeling of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and similar…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to systematically and critically review the literature related to process design and modeling of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and similar extrusion-based additive manufacturing (AM) or rapid prototyping processes.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review of the literature focusing on process design and mathematical process modeling was carried out.
Findings
FDM and similar processes are among the most widely used rapid prototyping processes with growing application in finished part manufacturing. Key elements of the typical processes, including the material feed mechanism, liquefier and print nozzle; the build surface and environment; and approaches to part finishing are described. Approaches to estimating the motor torque and power required to achieve a desired filament feed rate are presented. Models of required heat flux, shear on the melt and pressure drop in the liquefier are reviewed. On leaving the print nozzle, die swelling and bead cooling are considered. Approaches to modeling the spread of a deposited road of material and the bonding of polymer roads to one another are also reviewed.
Originality/value
To date, no other systematic review of process design and modeling research related to melt extrusion AM has been published. Understanding and improving process models will be key to improving system process controls, as well as enabling the development of advanced engineering material feedstocks for FDM processes.
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This chapter discusses the main research interests and outputs in the various branches of geography that have influenced the study of tourism from a geographical perspective. It…
Abstract
This chapter discusses the main research interests and outputs in the various branches of geography that have influenced the study of tourism from a geographical perspective. It argues that the idiographic tradition has been transversal throughout, leading to the growing interest for tourism within the geography academic community in the last 10 years. There is a focus on the birth of specific research groups, mainly related to a constellation of new university curricula on tourism and—with few exceptions of territorial tradition—to an intermittent availability of public research funds. The chapter concludes with a more general picture of the place of tourism within the geography discipline in Italy and of evolving trends in terms of research results, dissemination, and evaluation.
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Depending on the research approach one uses, the development of particular bodies of knowledge over time is the result of a combination of agency, chance, opportunity, patronage…
Abstract
Depending on the research approach one uses, the development of particular bodies of knowledge over time is the result of a combination of agency, chance, opportunity, patronage, power, or structure. This particular account of the development of geographies of tourism stresses its place as understood within the context of different approaches, different research behaviors and foci, and its location within the wider research community and society. The chapter charts the development of different epistemological, methodological, and theoretical traditions over time, their rise and fall, and, in some cases, rediscovery. The chapter concludes that the marketization of academic production will have an increasingly important influence on the nature and direction of tourism geographies.