Elena Beauchamp-Akatova and Richard Curran
The aim of this research is to provide an approach for modeling system risk management and to develop an analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based model for simulating decisions on…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this research is to provide an approach for modeling system risk management and to develop an analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based model for simulating decisions on introducing innovations in air transport systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper proposes AHP and analytic network process (ANP) methodologies for overcoming fragmentation in risk assessments perceived by risk, budget, quality or schedule managements, and for resolving potential conflicts between safety, efficiency and well-being.
Findings
Issues in system risk evaluation and management were identified and transferred to a list of requirements. A generic ANP-based model for system risk management was developed as well as a template for capture of knowledge on risks, including expert knowledge, and for implementation of a new decision-making process as applied to introducing innovation(s).
Research limitations/implications
Since this research addresses evaluation and management of non-event based risks due to innovations in air transport systems, further analysis and re-evaluation of risks is required during and after the implementation in order to provide continuously dynamic representation of system risk.
Practical implications
The results of this study contribute to the development and implementation of a usable version of multi-criteria decision analysis at senior management level. Further, it stimulates mechanism for learning and trade-offs between various stakeholders.
Originality/value
This work is original in that it is cross-disciplinary (e.g. risk management, management of innovation, systems design). It addresses the issue of integrating a safety management system with an overall business management system. Also, it introduces qualitative non-event risk assessments into system risk management. In addition to the use of the AHP-model for system risk management, an implementation model (“risk stakeholder model”) is also developed.
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Kemelli C. Estacio, Graham F. Carey and Norberto Mangiavacchi
The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel unstructured simulation approach for injection molding processes described by the Hele‐Shaw model.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel unstructured simulation approach for injection molding processes described by the Hele‐Shaw model.
Design/methodology/approach
The scheme involves dual dynamic meshes with active and inactive cells determined from an initial background pointset. The quasi‐static pressure solution in each timestep for this evolving unstructured mesh system is approximated using a control volume finite element method formulation coupled to a corresponding modified volume of fluid method. The flow is considered to be isothermal and non‐Newtonian.
Findings
Supporting numerical tests and performance studies for polystyrene described by Carreau, Cross, Ellis and Power‐law fluid models are conducted. Results for the present method are shown to be comparable to those from other methods for both Newtonian fluid and polystyrene fluid injected in different mold geometries.
Research limitations/implications
With respect to the methodology, the background pointset infers a mesh that is dynamically reconstructed here, and there are a number of efficiency issues and improvements that would be relevant to industrial applications. For instance, one can use the pointset to construct special bases and invoke a so‐called “meshless” scheme using the basis. This would require some interesting strategies to deal with the dynamic point enrichment of the moving front that could benefit from the present front treatment strategy. There are also issues related to mass conservation and fill‐time errors that might be addressed by introducing suitable projections. The general question of “rate of convergence” of these schemes requires analysis. Numerical results here suggest first‐order accuracy and are consistent with the approximations made, but theoretical results are not available yet for these methods.
Originality/value
This novel unstructured simulation approach involves dual meshes with active and inactive cells determined from an initial background pointset: local active dual patches are constructed “on‐the‐fly” for each “active point” to form a dynamic virtual mesh of active elements that evolves with the moving interface.
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J.W. Peterson, B.T. Murray and G.F. Carey
The purpose of this paper is to consider double‐diffusive convection in a heated porous medium saturated with a fluid. Of particular interest is the case where the fluid has a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider double‐diffusive convection in a heated porous medium saturated with a fluid. Of particular interest is the case where the fluid has a stabilizing concentration gradient and small diffusivity.
Design/methodology/approach
A fully‐coupled stabilized finite element scheme and adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) methodology are introduced to solve the resulting coupled multiphysics application and resolve fine scale solution features. The code is written on top of the open source finite element library LibMesh, and is suitable for parallel, high‐performance simulations of large‐scale problems.
Findings
The stabilized adaptive finite element scheme is used to compute steady and unsteady onset of convection in a generalized Horton‐Rogers‐Lapwood problem in both two and three‐dimensional domains. A detailed study confirming the applicability of AMR in obtaining the predicted dependence of solutal Nusselt number on Lewis number is given. A semi‐permeable barrier version of the generalized HRL problem is also studied and is believed to present an interesting benchmark for AMR codes owing to the different boundary and internal layers present in the problem. Finally, some representative adaptive results in a complex 3D heated‐pipe geometry are presented.
Originality/value
This work demonstrates the feasibility of stabilized, adaptive finite element schemes for computing simple double‐diffusive flow models, and it represents an easily‐generalizable starting point for more complex calculations since it is based on a highly‐general finite element library. The complementary nature of h‐adaptivity and stabilized finite element techniques for this class of problem is demonstrated using particularly simple error indicators and stabilization parameters. Finally, an interesting double‐diffusive convection benchmark problem having a semi‐permeable barrier is suggested.
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This chapter examines the interactions of formal and informal forms of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business support, characterised as interactions within an…
Abstract
This chapter examines the interactions of formal and informal forms of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business support, characterised as interactions within an ‘enterprise industry’. An analysis of the interactions revealed in the existing literature for different forms of business support develops a new conceptual framework for understanding those varied forms of external influence targeted at SMEs that constitute and extend a ‘patchwork quilt’ of provision. This chapter focusses on how different forms of support and advice interact, the centrality of state influence and how such interactions can be considered part of a firm’s regulatory context. This conceptualisation allows the consideration of both business support and state regulations to move beyond conceptions of positive or negative impacts on factors such as firm growth. Instead, it establishes a conceptual lens for considering how the different forms of external influence can shape the practices and attitudes of SMEs and their owner-managers. Policy makers and organisations within the enterprise industry seeking to develop effective forms of support or regulation should not consider such activities in isolation or in simple, decontextualised positive or negative terms.
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Terence P. Curran, Linda L. Richardson and Andrea E. Smith-Hunter
This case presents an overview of the confectionary industry, a description of the Hershey Foods Corporation, and a look at the company's strategies and the impact of these…
Abstract
This case presents an overview of the confectionary industry, a description of the Hershey Foods Corporation, and a look at the company's strategies and the impact of these strategies. The case focuses on the unintended consequences that result from the implementation of dramatic new strategies for a company and what occurs in a company town that displays a very strong paternalistic culture. Some analysts had previously thought that Hershey's profitability and its close relationship with the town, the trust and the school made the company untouchable, but events proved otherwise.
After reading this case, the reader will feel compelled to answer the following questions. What is the best strategy for future growth of Hershey? How important is organizational culture on a corporation's strategic direction? Should the company indeed be sold to a larger corporation?
Henry George came to maturity at a time when the simplicity and democratic values that had governed the United States were under assault. Slow and placid rhythms of life…
Abstract
Henry George came to maturity at a time when the simplicity and democratic values that had governed the United States were under assault. Slow and placid rhythms of life prevailed, but their future would be brief. Factories were flinging mass-produced goods into an economy accustomed to expecting a hat or a pair of shoes to come to an individual consumer from a local craftsman, or perhaps from a merchant drawing craft products from small shops at some distance. Canals and then rail tracks had begun slicing into the backcountry. Cities were taking on a character Americans might more quickly have expected of ancient times: overcrowded housing, uncollected sewage, the ravages of cholera, and the spread of street crime.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolution of relationship marketing (RM) in a new technology-based firm (NTBF) and to illustrate how social embeddednesss benefits can…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolution of relationship marketing (RM) in a new technology-based firm (NTBF) and to illustrate how social embeddednesss benefits can be achieved by engaging in RM in a rural resource-constrained bilingual context.
Design/methodology/approach
A single in-depth case study of a NTBF operating in a rural bilingual context was explored over a five-year period. As part of the case study, participant observation was carried out and interviews with the novice entrepreneur, the firm’s employees and its customers were conducted.
Findings
Developing mutually beneficial relationships with customers and key partners can enable a novice entrepreneur with no prior business ownership and limited marketing experience to accumulate and mobilise resources in order to achieve credibility and business growth. By analysing information from the NTBF’s entrepreneur, customers and other actors, the authors build theory and present propositions relating to the RM process.
Practical implications
This case illustrates that RM can enhance the legitimacy of an inexperienced entrepreneur, and can enable a firm to address the liabilities of newness in a rural resource-constrained context. Entrepreneurs need to focus on relevant and specialised partnership and alliance relationships that can provide strategic resources for firm development. The bilingual influence has also been shown to aid the development of new relationships and thus ensuring social embeddedness.
Originality/value
The theoretical contribution of this study is to integrate insights from both RM and social embeddedness theories, and illustrate the extent to which a NTBF demonstrates social embeddedness benefits relating to customer retention and accumulation of strategic resources due to RM.
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Arun Kumar Kaushik and Zillur Rahman
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the various antecedent beliefs predicting customers’ attitudes toward, and adoption of, self-service technologies (SSTs) available in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the various antecedent beliefs predicting customers’ attitudes toward, and adoption of, self-service technologies (SSTs) available in the banking industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive research design with survey approach is used to develop and test a conceptual model of adoption for all three self-service banking technologies (SSBTs).
Findings
The results of the comparative analysis showed that antecedent beliefs affecting adopters’ attitude vary across different SSBTs. It extends and tests the technology acceptance model (TAM) by including two additional antecedents from the theories of adoption behavior.
Research limitations/implications
All three SSBTs included in the paper are from the banking industry, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other industries. Many other limitations were also reported.
Practical implications
The findings reveal why and how customers decide to adopt different SSBTs and why a few SSBTs are more widely accepted than others. The practicality of the findings guides managers and designers of technological interfaces.
Social implications
People will also benefit from the effective implementation of SSTs.
Originality/value
This study stands out as one of the early studies to empirically examine the antecedents-attitude-intention relationship across different SSBTs available in Indian banking industry.
Retraction notice
The International Journal of Bank Marketing wishes to retract the article Kaushik, A.K. and Rahman, Z. (2015), “Innovation adoption across self-service banking technologies in India”, published in International Journal of Bank Marketing, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 96-121.
It has come to our attention that the article contains substantial similarities to the following article: Curran, J.M. and Meuter, M.L. (2005), “Self-service technology adoption: comparing three technologies”, Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 103-113, https://doi.org/10.1108/08876040510591411.
The authors have fully cooperated with this investigation and supplied the original dataset for review. Using this dataset, the editorial team were unable to replicate the results included in the article, and as a result, the decision has been made to retract the article.
The International Journal of Bank Marketing author guidelines make it clear that articles must be original and must not infringe any existing copyright.
The journal apologises to both Professor Curran and Professor Meuter, and its readers.