Jannica Heinström, Farhan Ahmad, Isto Huvila and Stefan Ek
This study introduces sense of coherence (SOC) as a factor in information sharing at the workplace.
Abstract
Purpose
This study introduces sense of coherence (SOC) as a factor in information sharing at the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected by a survey conducted on 311 respondents in a multinational organization, and analyzed using partial least square structural equation modelling.
Findings
SOC influenced information sharing both directly and indirectly as mediated by trust and employee learning orientation. Trust, moreover, influenced receiving information more strongly than sending it, while employee learning orientation more strongly affected sending information.
Originality/value
The findings underline the importance of a holistic understanding of information sharing, including individual differences and employee well-being.
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Isto Huvila, Kim Holmberg, Stefan Ek and Gunilla Widén‐Wulff
Second Life is a user‐created online virtual world, which is a place where people with shared interests can meet and be together and share information. The purpose of this study…
Abstract
Purpose
Second Life is a user‐created online virtual world, which is a place where people with shared interests can meet and be together and share information. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Second Life communities foster and nurture social capital, whether social capital within Second Life is related to social capital outside the virtual world, whether some characteristics affect the likelihood of users having social capital, and whether some existing measure of social capital can be modified and used to study social capital in Second Life.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was based on a statistical analysis of data gathered in a web survey of a convenience sample (n= 67) of Second Life residents. The social capital measure used was based on Bullen and Onyx.
Findings
Second Life is an environment that fosters the emergence of social capital. Residents who consider themselves producers have higher levels of social capital than those who consider themselves non‐producers. Having social capital within Second Life is unrelated to having social capital outside the virtual world. The consistency of the instrument proved to be excellent for measuring social capital within Second Life and good outside the virtual world.
Research limitations/implications
The small sample size and the composition of the research population limit the ability to generalise the findings.
Practical implications
Second Life is a potent environment for community building and collective action. However, communities and collective action within Second Life cannot be based on social activity outside the virtual world.
Originality/value
The present study is the first systematic investigation of social capital in Second Life.
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Krzysztof Krykowski, Janusz Hetmańczyk, Zbigniew Gałuszkiewicz and Roman Miksiewicz
The purpose of this paper is to elaborate a method of computer analysis of high‐speed motor with specific parameters and verifying the obtained results, i.e. computer models by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to elaborate a method of computer analysis of high‐speed motor with specific parameters and verifying the obtained results, i.e. computer models by experimental (laboratory) tests.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to determine motor properties from the viewpoint of energy conversion, a model using FEM was worked out with the help of Maxwell software. To determine static and dynamic properties of both motor and drive, Matlab/Simulink models were used; one of these models was a built‐in (library) model, the other one was proposed by the authors.
Findings
The new analysis method and model of high‐speed motor have been carried out.
Research limitations/implications
The permanent magnet brushless direct current high‐speed motor was the subject of the research. In the first part of the research, the properties of the motor were determined by using finite element method.
Practical implications
The laboratory prototype can be a starting point in establishing the production of the high‐speed motors with rotational speed in the range of 50,000‐100,000 rpm.
Social implications
At this moment, there are several possible application of the high‐speed motor and it should be expected that other new applications can appear in near future after the start of the production.
Originality/value
The paper shows that the computer‐based analysis method determines the motor properties accurately. It is also pointed out that a motor with half‐open slots has advantageous properties. The new simulation model of high‐speed motor has been carried out. This model allows taking into account some imperfections caused by slots and rectangular cross‐section magnets.
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Stefan Winter and Rainer Lasch
Companies have to assess the benefit of supplier innovation before realization. The specific situation of supplier innovation differs from conventional innovation evaluation…
Abstract
Purpose
Companies have to assess the benefit of supplier innovation before realization. The specific situation of supplier innovation differs from conventional innovation evaluation because a supplier innovation refers to a subproduct for which the supplier is responsible. To date, supplier innovation evaluation has not been comprehensively discussed in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to focus on how supplier innovation should be evaluated.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, a case study based on expert interviews has been conducted to identify how supplier innovation is evaluated in practice. On the basis of the empirical findings the specific situation of supplier innovation is discussed in relation to theoretical basics about the object, objective, time, reference, person, recipient, criteria, and methods of evaluation as well as the evaluation and selection process.
Findings
Results are recommendations for the special situation of supplier innovation evaluation before their realization in the purchasing company.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the recommendations, a systematic and comprehensive approach with evaluation criteria and methods should be developed. Future research should address useful evaluation criteria and methods.
Practical implications
Managers can use the recommendations to evaluate supplier innovation in practice and to establish a systematic evaluation and selection process for supplier innovation.
Originality/value
The research findings contribute to the literature about innovation management and supplier management research by providing insights into the special situation of supplier innovation evaluation; in particular, this is the first paper which provides a systematic and comprehensive discussion about supplier innovation evaluation.
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Nadia Bhuiyan, Margaret Young and Daniel J. Svyantek
Over one million individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will be entering adulthood and attempting to cultivate fulfilling, meaningful life experiences. These…
Abstract
Over one million individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will be entering adulthood and attempting to cultivate fulfilling, meaningful life experiences. These young adults with ASD represent Generation A. The workplace will be a major element in cultivating fulfilling lives for Generation A. Social interaction is an integral component for functioning within most postsecondary and occupational settings. It is necessary to understand the interaction between autistic adults and organizations to understand potential social and behavioral deficits. The workplace is inherently a social place. Understanding both formal and informal social information in the workplace may be critical to successful job performance. Fit, particularly person–organization fit, is used to address this social nature of the workplace. Understanding this interaction helps provide a means for crafting both individual and organizational interventions which support autistic adults in the workplace. This chapter provides an analysis of interventions that support those with ASD in the workplace. It is proposed that these interventions will help create a more supportive work environment for those with ASD. As important, it is proposed that the accommodations for those with ASD are reasonable for any organization seeking to improve both satisfaction and performance for all its employees. By addressing these issues, organizations have the potential to create a more satisfying workplace for all workers, not just those in Generation A.
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Mohamed A.F. Ragab and Amr Arisha
Knowledge is the currency of the current economy, a vital organisational asset and a key to creating a sustainable competitive advantage. The consequent interest in knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge is the currency of the current economy, a vital organisational asset and a key to creating a sustainable competitive advantage. The consequent interest in knowledge management (KM) has spurred an exponential increase in publications covering a broad spectrum of diverse and overlapping research areas. The purpose of this paper is to provide a literature review and categorised analysis of the rapidly growing number of KM publications, and offer a comprehensive reference for new-comers embarking on research in the field with a particular focus on the area of knowledge measurement.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 350 articles published in peer-reviewed journals over the last decade are carefully reviewed, analysed and categorised according to their specific subject matter in the KM context.
Findings
KM research tends to fall in one of five categories: Ontology of Knowledge and KM, Knowledge Management Systems, Role of Information Technology, Managerial and Social issues, and Knowledge Measurement. Despite the accumulation of extensive publication efforts in some areas, a series of disagreements and a theory-practice gap are revealed as challenging issues that need to be addressed.
Research limitations/implications
The scope of this study does not cover KM research in its entirety due to the vast nature of the research field.
Originality/value
This paper presents a new birds-eye view of the KM landscape through a novel taxonomy of KM research providing researchers with new insights for future applied research, and offers a comprehensive critical review of major knowledge measurement frameworks.
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A two‐dimensional mathematical model of flame spread andsolid burning is presented. For the gas phase, it consists ofvariable density, fully elliptic Navier‐Stokes momentum…
Abstract
A two‐dimensional mathematical model of flame spread and solid burning is presented. For the gas phase, it consists of variable density, fully elliptic Navier‐Stokes momentum, energy and chemical species mass equations. Combustion processes are treated according to a one‐step, finite‐rate, reaction. The solid phase model describes a porous cellulosic fuel for a range of thicknesses from the thermally thin to the thermally thick limit. Conductive and convective heat transfer takes place as the solid degrades, by two first order Arrhenius reactions, to volatiles and chars. Variations of solid phase densities account for fuel burn‐out. Effects of gas phase and surface radiation are also included. A steady formulation of gas phase equations with respect to the unsteady solid phase mathematical model is proposed, gas phase characteristic times being much shorter than those of the solid phase. The non‐constant density Navier‐Stokes equations are formulated in terms of vorticity and stream function, avoiding the pressure‐velocity coupling and, at the same time, the adoption of a sample‐fixed coordinate system allows unsteady flame spread processes to be simulated. The solution is computed numerically by means of an iterative, operator‐splitting method based on implicit finite‐difference approximations. Numerical simulations of the dynamics of flame spread over cellulosic solids are presented and extinction limits as a consequence of reduced rates of fuel generation are determined.