This article explores the roles and the expertise of Hong Kong in the internationalization of public administration education.
Abstract
Purpose
This article explores the roles and the expertise of Hong Kong in the internationalization of public administration education.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is based on the data of 5 internationalization initiatives of one Hong Kong university with its internationalization partners in Macau, Korea, Australia, Russia and Finland. The data obtained lasted for a period of 18 months, from September 2019 to March 2021.
Findings
The finding of this study revealed that (1) there are 5 “pubtropolis roles” (roles of a public administration metropolis) of Hong Kong in the internationalization of public administration education in China, Asia, Asia-Pacific, Belt-and-Road and Europe. The findings also revealed that (2) Hong Kong served as a pubtropolis with its “5C” expertise in curriculum innovation, customized training, competence framework, competence assessment and comparative policy.
Research limitations/implications
As the methodology of this article is based on the data of 5 internationalization initiatives of one Hong Kong university by one academia only, further studies can be conducted at department, faculty or university level for multiple academia.
Practical implications
There are two practical implications: (1) The more the roles of a city, the broader the view in its internationalization of public administration initiatives; (2) Hong Kong could further tap on its expertise in “5C” in public administration: curriculum innovation, customized training, competence framework, competence assessment and comparative policy to exert its “geo-management” power.
Social implications
This article argues that public services can be improved by the setting up of “Sabbatical Leave Scheme for Internationalization of Public Administration” by respective governments to sustain the impacts observed.
Originality/value
It is from the author's original work.
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This paper presents results on adding silane coupling agents to the underfill encapsulant to enhance the rheology and wetting of the underfill. These results include rheology…
Abstract
This paper presents results on adding silane coupling agents to the underfill encapsulant to enhance the rheology and wetting of the underfill. These results include rheology measurements, contact angle measurements, and in situ flows using a simulated test chip on an FR4 with solder mask substrate. Three properties of the underfill encapsulant that can affect the mechanical reliability of the die and substrate assembly are: CTE; elastic modulus; and adhesion to the die and substrate surfaces. The approach taken in this paper is to add silane coupling agents with different chemistries to the underfill encapsulant to provide interfacial coupling of the underfill material to different die and substrate materials. This paper presents results on the enhancement of the adhesion of underfill encapsulant to silicon (Si), silicon nitride (SiN) die passivation, benzocyclobutene (BCB) die passivation, and solder mask surfaces. The adhesion strength was measured by die shear testing.
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David A. Hutt, Karen Williams, Paul P. Conway, Fuad M. Khoshnaw, Xiaoyun Cui and Deepa Bhatt
To present the aims and preliminary findings of a research project to investigate the manufacture of multilayer glass substrates built up from thin glass sheets.
Abstract
Purpose
To present the aims and preliminary findings of a research project to investigate the manufacture of multilayer glass substrates built up from thin glass sheets.
Design/methodology/approach
The approaches that may be taken to create glass substrates and the challenges involved are described. Excimer laser machining was used for the formation of microvias and other features in individual glass sheets. In addition, methods for the electroless copper metallisation of the smooth glass surfaces were studied. Finally, a technique for the lamination of the glass layers using low temperature, pressure assisted bonding was investigated.
Findings
Microvias with 100 μm diameter entry holes were successfully machined in 100 μm thick glass sheets and process windows were identified to reduce debris and hole taper. Using appropriate pre‐treatment steps, electroless copper coatings could be deposited uniformly over the smooth glass surface, however, further improvements in adhesion were found to be necessary. The direct lamination of glass layers was found to be possible using pressure and temperature applied over long periods of time. Improvements to the lamination process were made to reduce the initiation of cracks which were assessed using fatigue testing.
Research limitations/implications
The feasibility of the individual steps in the fabrication of glass substrates has been demonstrated. Further work is necessary to control the processes in order to limit microcrack formation, improve copper coating adhesion and ensure uniform lamination of multiple glass layers.
Originality/value
The use of glass materials could enable the manufacture of substrates for high density electrical interconnect with integrated optical waveguides.
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Chan Oy Lar Kiki, Yui-yip Lau and Victor C.W. Chan
This study empirically investigates the influence of students' brand attitudes and perceptions of brand fit on their study intention vis-à-vis international brand alliances and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study empirically investigates the influence of students' brand attitudes and perceptions of brand fit on their study intention vis-à-vis international brand alliances and individual brands after alliance.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used in data analysis, and a questionnaire was administered to a sample of sub-degree business management students recruited from a self-financing higher education institution in Hong Kong.
Findings
The results indicate that students' prior attitudes towards the brands of foreign and local institutions and their perceptions of brand fit positively affect their study intention, providing evidence that post-attitudes towards individual brands fully mediate the relationship between attitudes towards international brand alliances and study intention towards individual institutions.
Originality/value
International brand alliances between higher education institutions are becoming increasingly important. In Hong Kong, despite the emerging trend of collaboration between foreign and local universities, an evaluation of the effect of international brand alliances on study intention has been seriously overlooked.
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Chien-Yi Huang, Li-Cheng Shen, Ting-Hsuan Wu and Christopher Greene
This paper aims to discuss the key factors affecting the quality characteristics, such as the number of solder balls, the spread distance of residual underfill and the completion…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss the key factors affecting the quality characteristics, such as the number of solder balls, the spread distance of residual underfill and the completion time of the underfilling.
Design/methodology/approach
The Taguchi method is applied to configure the orthogonal table and schedule and execute the experiment. In addition, principal components analysis is used to obtain the points. Then, based on gray relational analysis and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution, the closeness between each quality characteristic and the ideal solution is adopted as the basis for evaluating the quality characteristics.
Findings
The optimal parameter combination is proposed, which includes 4 dispensing (11 mg/dispensing), a “half flow” interval state, 80°C preheating module PCB board and an L-shaped dispensing path and verification testing is performed.
Originality/value
For vehicles and handheld electronic products, solder joints that connect electronic components to printed circuit boards may be cracked due to collision, vibration or falling. Consequently, solder balls are closely surrounded and protected by the underfill to improve joint strength and resist external force factors, such as collision and vibration. This paper addresses the defects caused during the second reflow process of a vehicle electronic communication module after the underfilling process.
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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the tests the author faced in her sociolegal fieldwork on Hawaiian cockfighting, and to draw broader lessons from these tests for other…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the tests the author faced in her sociolegal fieldwork on Hawaiian cockfighting, and to draw broader lessons from these tests for other ethnographers of illegal organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The author draws on six weeks of in-depth ethnographic fieldwork and interviewing.
Findings
Relational work in ethnographic fieldwork requires skills academia does not always impart – including humility, a sense of humor and patience with yourself and other people. Each test we face is a part of the ongoing process of building these relationships.
Originality/value
As ethnographers, it is sometimes considered “taboo” to tell our stories – to explain our internal and external struggles in the field. This taboo makes a certain amount of sense. After all, we are trying to understand society, not reflect on our own development as people. Yet the taboo is also a pity. For one, it is unrealistic to think that we are “mere observers” whose presence in the field does not affect it. “Scrubbing” ourselves from the field necessarily scrubs out some of our data. It also omits parts of the story that other researchers might find interesting or instructive.
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Yumeng Yue, Nate Zettna, Shuoxin Cheng and Helena Nguyen
In many contemporary service organizations, service teams or service units are the main engines used to deliver key services to customers, client or patients. However, it remains…
Abstract
Purpose
In many contemporary service organizations, service teams or service units are the main engines used to deliver key services to customers, client or patients. However, it remains unclear how teamwork mechanisms (i.e. the ways team members work together) influence customer service outcomes, and whether these relationships vary across different service contexts. To advance knowledge on the nature of teamwork in service teams and to set an agenda for further work in this area, there is a need to integrate and synthesize findings across the diverse literature on service teamwork. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a meta-analytic approach, the authors analyzed a substantial pool of relevant effect sizes (a total of 372 effect sizes from 82 studies, with 14,291 service teams/units) to examine the effects of affective, behavioral, cognitive, motivational as well as perceptual teamwork mechanisms on customer service outcomes. The authors also investigated two key service context variables (service climate and service type) as boundary conditions on these effects.
Findings
The authors found that cognitive teamwork mechanisms were more strongly positively associated with customer evaluative outcomes than other mechanisms, whereas motivational and perceptual teamwork mechanisms had stronger associations with financial outcomes. Further, four of the five teamwork mechanisms demonstrated stronger correlations under a high service climate. The strength of the correlations between the teamwork mechanisms and customer service outcomes also exhibited different patterns when considered for different service types.
Research limitations/implications
As with all meta-analysis, the quality of the primary studies influences the quality of the insights obtained from summarized effects. As most studies are cross-sectional design, the relationships examined in this paper cannot be interpreted causally. The authors cannot rule out the possibility of reverse causality, for example, reciprocal effects of customer service outcomes on teamwork dynamics due to the reciprocal feedback loop between customers and service providers.
Practical implications
The results hold important practical implications for enhancing customer evaluation and financial performance. First, the overall findings point to the need for employers to emphasize on certain types of teamwork training in order to encourage employee collaboration within service teams. For instance, service organizations could plan team building activities for service teams to promote trust, strengthen interpersonal bonds and improve problem-solving.
Originality/value
The results of this study provide an integration of previous research on service teamwork and fill two important gaps in the knowledge: (1) which aspect of teamwork is more important in determining customer service outcomes? And (2) does the effect of teamwork on customer service outcomes differ across different service contexts?
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Caoimhe Nic a Bháird, Penny Xanthopoulou, Georgia Black, Susan Michie, Nora Pashayan and Rosalind Raine
Previous research has identified a need for greater clarity regarding the functions of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings in UK community mental health services. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research has identified a need for greater clarity regarding the functions of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings in UK community mental health services. The purpose of this paper is to identify the functions of these meetings by systematically reviewing both primary research and academic discussion papers.
Design/methodology/approach
Papers relating to adult community mental health teams (CMHTs) in the UK and published between September 1999 and February 2014 were reviewed and appraised using NICE quality checklists. The search was broad in scope to include both general CMHTs and specialist CMHTs such as early intervention psychosis services and forensic mental health teams. A thematic synthesis of the findings was performed to develop an overarching thematic framework of the reported functions of MDT meetings.
Findings
None of the 4,046 studies identified directly investigated the functions of MDT meetings. However, 49 mentioned functions in passing. These functions were categorised into four thematic domains: discussing the care of individual patients, teamwork, team management and learning and development. Several papers reported a lack of clarity about the purpose of MDT meetings and the roles of different team members which hindered effective collaboration.
Practical implications
Without clearly agreed objectives for MDT meetings, monitoring their effectiveness is problematic. Unwarranted variation in their functioning may undermine the quality of care.
Originality/value
This is the first systematic review to investigate the functions of CMHT MDT meetings in the UK. The findings highlight a need for empirical research to establish how MDT meetings are being used so that their effectiveness can be understood, monitored and evaluated.
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Iana Shaheen, Arash Azadegan and Donna Davis
To effectively meet their social objectives, humanitarian organizations need to be more innovative and find novel ways to stay competitive. Yet there has been limited focus on…
Abstract
Purpose
To effectively meet their social objectives, humanitarian organizations need to be more innovative and find novel ways to stay competitive. Yet there has been limited focus on innovation by humanitarian organizations. Part of the issue is the lack of new practices and novel approaches that can be used as benchmarks. This study focuses on food banks, a critical hub for the delivery of food in humanitarian supply chains and where the use of innovation seems to be more reported on.
Design/methodology/approach
Focusing on resource scarcity, a commonly referenced constraint by humanitarian organizations, the authors study how food and fund scarcity (versus abundance) influence the innovation efforts of twelve food banks in the United States. This study observes variations in behavior before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Findings
The authors find that food banks operating in high resource scarcity (food-scarce and fund-scarce) settings focus on process innovations. Food banks operating in low resource scarcity (food-abundant and fund-abundant) settings focus on product innovations. Food banks operating in food-abundant and fund-scarce settings focus on marketing innovations. Food banks operating in food-scarce and fund-abundant settings show the most extensive focus on innovation by relying on imitative innovations. The innovation focus for most food banks switches to process innovation during the COVID pandemic.
Originality/value
The study breaks down resource scarcity specific to food banks by differentiating food and funds, a novel approach to studying scarcity. Findings are novel as they suggest that operating context has a highly differentiating effect on what food banks focus on in terms of innovation. Operating context can lead to focus on process, product, imitative of market-related innovations. Finally, the study is novel because it explores how change in the environmental context due to disruptions can drastically modify the innovation focus of food banks.