S. Keck, J. Leighton and R. Morgner
This paper describes some of the benefits of electronic packages manufactured from silicon carbide reinforced aluminium composites. The housings which were analysed and tested…
Abstract
This paper describes some of the benefits of electronic packages manufactured from silicon carbide reinforced aluminium composites. The housings which were analysed and tested consisted of iron‐nickel alloy sidewalls soldered to composite bases. The metal matrix composite bases were produced using Lanxide's PRIMEX™ pressureless metal infiltration process. Hermeticity test results on the base to sidewall seals are presented along with comparative electrical performance of the composite versus conventional base materials. Analysis of the thermal, mechanical and weight performance of this approach is also provided.
Consideration needs to be given to the difference [that] the diversity of cities makes to theory.Robinson (2002, p. 549)
Abstract
Consideration needs to be given to the difference [that] the diversity of cities makes to theory.Robinson (2002, p. 549)
David M. Jacobson and Satti P.S. Sangha
The set of properties required for microwave packaging materials intended for aerospace applications is discussed in relation to the current range of materials that are…
Abstract
The set of properties required for microwave packaging materials intended for aerospace applications is discussed in relation to the current range of materials that are commercially available. Initiatives are being taken to replace kovar, the established packaging material, with substitutes which are lighter, stiffer and offer superior heat‐sinking. Promising in this regard are new family of beryllium‐beryllia and also silicon‐aluminium (Si‐Al) alloys high in silicon, with ratios of constituents chosen such that they optimally complement gallium arsenide MMIC devices and alumina circuit boards. Both types of material are relatively easy to machine and electroplate. Demonstrator microwave amplifier modules incorporating the Si‐Al alloys have been designed for space applications and have been successfully produced and tested. The manufacturing technology that has been developed for this purpose is described.
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Francisco Sarabia-Andreu, Francisco J. Sarabia-Sanchez, María Concepción Parra-Meroño and Pablo Moreno-Albaladejo
This study aims to examine the formal and metric properties of Gil et al.’s (2000) scale of attitudes toward organic products, which is the most popular scale to measure these…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the formal and metric properties of Gil et al.’s (2000) scale of attitudes toward organic products, which is the most popular scale to measure these attitudes.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 4,992 household shoppers living in Hong Kong, Germany, Norway, Spain and the UK. The questionnaire was distributed using a third-party consumer panel, and the fieldwork was conducted using computer-assisted Web interviewing. The approach was based on confirmatory factor analysis and measurement of invariance, as well as format analysis using a wording-syntactic and semantic descriptive method.
Findings
The scale reflects an attitude-toward-object model approach. Its use has been heavily varied (in terms of wording, item semantics and the attributes to be measured). A two-factor structure that meets the metric conditions (reliability and validity) is found. However, the analysis of invariance shows that the scale behaves differently in different countries.
Research limitations/implications
This scale offers a good starting point for measuring attitudes toward organic products. However, it requires refinement to adapt to consumer evolution and improve its metric validity. Verification of its applicability in cross-national studies is recommended.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that assesses the format and quantitative characteristics of this scale on a cross-national level. For scholars and companies with international interests, preventing the use of scales with poor properties at the transnational level can improve the design of future studies and save money through a more informed choice of attitudinal scale.
Propósito
Este estudio examina las propiedades formales y métricas de la escala de actitudes hacia los productos orgánicos de Gil et al. (2000), que es la escala más popular para medir estas actitudes.
Metodología
La muestra incluye 4.992 compradores principales en hogares de Hong Kong, Alemania, Noruega, España y el Reino Unido. El cuestionario se distribuyó utilizando un panel de consumidores, y el trabajo de campo se llevó a cabo mediante entrevistas online asistidas por ordenador. El enfoque se basó en un análisis factorial confirmatorio y en la invariancia de las medidas, así como en un análisis del formato utilizando un método descriptivo de redacción-sintáctico-semántico.
Hallazgos
La escala refleja un enfoque de actitud basada en el objeto. Su uso ha sido muy variado (en redacción, semántica de sus redacciones y los atributos que mide). Se encuentra una estructura de dos factores que cumple con las condiciones métricas (fiabilidad y validez). Sin embargo, el análisis de invariancia muestra que la escala se comporta de manera diferente en distintos países.
Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación
Esta escala ofrece un buen punto de partida para medir las actitudes hacia los productos orgánicos, pero requiere un refinamiento para adaptarse a la evolución del consumidor y para mejorar su validez métrica. Se recomienda verificar su aplicabilidad en los estudios internacionales comparados.
Originalidad/valor
Este es el primer estudio que evalúa el formato y las características cuantitativas de esta escala a nivel internacional. Para los académicos y las empresas con intereses internacionales, evitar el uso de escalas con propiedades deficientes a nivel transnacional puede mejorar el diseño de futuros estudios y ahorrar dinero a través de una elección más informada de la escala actitudinal.
Palabras clave
Actitudes, Productos orgánicos, Estudio transnacional, Análisis factorial confirmatorio, Validación de la escala
Tipo de trabajo
Artículo de investigación.
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Yee Ling Yap, Yong Sheng Edgar Tan, Heang Kuan Joel Tan, Zhen Kai Peh, Xue Yi Low, Wai Yee Yeong, Colin Siang Hui Tan and Augustinus Laude
The design process of a bio-model involves multiple factors including data acquisition technique, material requirement, resolution of the printing technique, cost-effectiveness of…
Abstract
Purpose
The design process of a bio-model involves multiple factors including data acquisition technique, material requirement, resolution of the printing technique, cost-effectiveness of the printing process and end-use requirements. This paper aims to compare and highlight the effects of these design factors on the printing outcome of bio-models.
Design/methodology/approach
Different data sources including engineering drawing, computed tomography (CT), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were converted to a printable data format. Three different bio-models, namely, an ophthalmic model, a retina model and a distal tibia model, were printed using two different techniques, namely, PolyJet and fused deposition modelling. The process flow and 3D printed models were analysed.
Findings
The data acquisition and 3D printing process affect the overall printing resolution. The design process flows using different data sources were established and the bio-models were printed successfully.
Research limitations/implications
Data acquisition techniques contained inherent noise data and resulted in inaccuracies during data conversion.
Originality/value
This work showed that the data acquisition and conversion technique had a significant effect on the quality of the bio-model blueprint and subsequently the printing outcome. In addition, important design factors of bio-models were highlighted such as material requirement and the cost-effectiveness of the printing technique. This paper provides a systematic discussion for future development of an engineering design process in three-dimensional (3D) printed bio-models.
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Sunny Mosangzi Xu and Paul R. Carlile
This paper revisits the foundational concepts of agency and action in routine dynamics to provide guidance for intentional and directional change in a world in flux from a routine…
Abstract
This paper revisits the foundational concepts of agency and action in routine dynamics to provide guidance for intentional and directional change in a world in flux from a routine dynamics perspective. First, the authors put forward a relational-temporal triad of agency as a ratio of the past, present, and future to outline what gives shape to individual action. Second, the authors combine with this a relational-temporal triad of routine as a ratio of patterning, performing, and projecting to outline what gives shape to social action. Based on this, the authors reconceptualize the dynamic of routines as an enfolding inside-out and outside-in process that expresses the relational constraints between the intentionality of individual action and the directionality of social action. In managing a world in flux toward desirable futures, routines – as temporal structures for carrying out organizational work – need to be able to carry some degree of continuity to bring about change in fulfilling a desired and identified direction. The authors identify in-tension-less, in-tension-al, and in-tension-ful as three different degrees of intentionality in individual action and continuing, renewing, and transforming as the spectrum of a continuum of directionality in social action for routine change. Using time to bring in a fully relational understanding of agency and action in routine dynamics, the authors render the complexities of structure-agency and continuity-change dualities clearer and reveal their otherwise latent properties. This more complete picture of routine dynamics would allow for more intentional organizational routine change forward when facing significant environmental and social challenges in a world of flux.
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Rusnah Muhamad, T.C. Melewar and Sharifah Faridah Syed Alwi
The purpose of this paper is to explore the different segments of consumers in the Islamic financial services industry (IFSI) and their relationship with product/brand positioning…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the different segments of consumers in the Islamic financial services industry (IFSI) and their relationship with product/brand positioning for Islamic financial services (IFS).
Design/methodology/approach
In‐depth interviews were conducted with individuals in managerial positions among the key market players in the IFSI to explore the segmentation of consumers and their buying motives.
Findings
Four segments of IFS consumers emerged, namely, Religious conviction group; Religious conviction and economic rationality group; Ethical observant group; and Economic rationality group. These segmentation groups were appropriately categorized through a psychographic (value)‐based approach.
Research limitations/implications
The empirical findings of this study pave the way for embarking on promising and relevant future research, which is needed to substantiate and enrich the academic understanding and managerial practice of linking market segmentation and brand positioning for IFS in the global market. Future research should focus on analysing these issues from the perspective of consumers of IFS to identify the purchase trend.
Practical implications
The study provides empirical evidence of the bases or initial dimensions of consumer segmentation for IFS. The findings are useful in guiding the management of institutions offering IFS in making decisions relating to the marketing communication and promotion strategy as well as product and brand positioning strategy.
Originality/value
For both academia and the IFSI, this study provides useful knowledge in strategically using market segmentation to position IFS in the global market.
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The focus on new technologies in service situations is growing and is of particular importance in financial‐services contexts. It is argued that there is mutuality of benefit for…
Abstract
The focus on new technologies in service situations is growing and is of particular importance in financial‐services contexts. It is argued that there is mutuality of benefit for both bank and customer through the adoption of self‐service technologies (SSTs), of which e‐banking is but one example. Having established problems in the use of conventional segmentation methods, this paper reports on a study into Internet banking that focuses on the extent to which 480 retail‐bank customers can be clustered according to an adapted decision‐making framework. How such clusters can help influence the adoption of the Internet‐banking interface is explored. Findings show an encouraging match between the four sample clusters identified from the case bank and the a priori classification of decision styles. This raises opportunities for the case bank's marketing strategy in terms of offering greater insight into the motivations for the adoption of e‐banking solutions within the customer base. High levels of Internet use at work are seen to positively influence e‐banking registration.
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Rusnah Muhamad and Sharifah Alwi
The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the current research on the Islamic financial services industry attempts to classify its consumers and provide a fresh and critical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the current research on the Islamic financial services industry attempts to classify its consumers and provide a fresh and critical insight into the retail Islamic banking market segmentation to harness and enhance understanding, as well as provide a guideline for a better segmentation to bank marketers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is conceptual in nature. Based on Qur’anic verses and previous literature, the authors aim to propose an applicable model of market segmentation for the retail Islamic banking market in Malaysia. Consumer segmentation in the conventional financial service industry is analysed, and prior studies on the selection criteria of Islamic banks are evaluated.
Findings
In moving forward, taking cue from the classification of people in classical doctrinal and historical literature and the initial exploratory study conducted from the managerial perspective, the authors propose five cluster groups of consumers for the retail Islamic banking market in Malaysia, namely, religious conviction, religious and economic rationality, economic rationality, ethical observant and economic rationality and ethical observant. A discussion linking consumer segmentation to the branding in the retail Islamic banking market is discussed.
Research limitations/implications
The five cluster groups of consumers for the retail Islamic banking market in Malaysia proposed in this study pave the way for embarking on promising and relevant future research, which is needed to substantiate and enrich the academic understanding and managerial practice of linking market segmentation and brand positioning for Islamic banking market in Malaysia. Future research should focus on verifying the five proposed segments by conducting empirical studies on a larger scale among the retail banking consumers in Malaysia and globally.
Practical implications
The study provides an initial bases or dimensions of consumers of the retail Islamic banking market in Malaysia. The proposed consumers segments are useful in guiding the management of Islamic bank in Malaysia in making decisions relating to the promotion strategy as well as product and brand positioning strategy.
Originality/value
For both academia and the Islamic banking industry, this study provides useful knowledge in strategically using market segmentation to position Islamic banking products and services in Malaysia and the global market.
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To develop a new conceptualisation of the public particular emphasis is placed on later developments in the work of Niklas Luhmann using theoretical terms such as medium, form and…
Abstract
Purpose
To develop a new conceptualisation of the public particular emphasis is placed on later developments in the work of Niklas Luhmann using theoretical terms such as medium, form and observation.
Design/methodology/approach
Current theoretical approaches conceptualise the public domain as a sphere, field or system, and theorists disagree about the range of meanings of the term public. While acknowledging that diversity of meanings, this paper seeks to avoid the limitations imposed by figures such as sphere, field or system by invoking the sociological theory developed by Niklas Luhmann.
Findings
Building on Luhmann’s work, the public is conceived here as (connection) medium and projection.
Originality/value
The paper draws on a range of diverse phenomena to illustrate the wider scope of this conception and its potential application, including public interactions, the transformation of texts as publications, audience formation, the role of media communication and the concept of traffic. In so doing, the paper contributes to the development of system theory as well as to a wide-ranging theory of the public.