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The aim of this research is to provide insight into how organizations can co-create value with family members engaged in service journeys of customers experiencing vulnerabilities, thereby paying attention to their organizational practices (i.e. recursive or routinized patterns of organizational actions and behaviors).

To investigate, this research relies upon a multiple case study in a group of nursing homes in Flanders that had the ambition to engage family members in service journeys of their loved ones while measuring their value perceptions as a performance indicator (here, satisfaction with nursing home services).

The case evidence shows that nursing homes co-create value with family members through caring practices that focus on their role as secondary customers (i.e. welcoming, connecting and embedding) and empowering practices that focus on their role as partial employees (i.e. teaming up, informing and listening practices). However, the way in which the different caring and empowering practices are enacted by the nursing home and its staff affects their value co-creation potential.

By focusing on the practices with which organizations can co-create value with family members engaged in service journeys of their loved ones, this research bridges the service literature with its attention for value co-creation practices and the literature on customers experiencing vulnerabilities with its focus on extended customer entities.

The purpose of the research has been the primary consideration and evaluation of a cost effective, reliable, robust and simple process of radio frequency identification (RFID)-based stock control, asset management and monitoring of concrete safety bollards used in the road environment. Likewise, the consideration of the use of the same system and technology to other items in and around the general road infrastructure.

The research approach undertaken has been an evaluation of the use of currently available RFID technology, with a key emphasis on low cost, ease of use, reliability and convenience. Practical field exercises completed in considering the relevant RFID tags and readers and associated software and apps and necessary software integration and development have been undertaken. At the same time, evaluating the specific limits created in the specific environment is being applied. Of particular interest has been the use of a moving scan in a vehicle drive-through or pass-bye, type reading system. This has been determined to be viable and completely practical, drastically reducing the key issue of time-taken. Practical application of the system from idea to real life application has been undertaken. The integration of the use of the RFID tag and reader system with necessary and related software to database upload and storage has been established. The creation of an online facility to allow the appropriate use of the data and to include the convenient output of an asset report has been undertaken.

The findings have provided the necessary insight confirming the use of RFID technology as a simple yet reliable, cost effective and adaptable stock control, asset management and geo-locating system in the road environment. The use of such systems in this particular environment is in its infancy, and is perhaps novel and original in the specific aspect of using the system to stock control, manage and monitor road safety concrete bollards and other roadside objects in the road environment.

To establish if in fact, stock control geo-locating can be reliably undertaken with the use of RFID tags and readers in the specific road and road construction environment, particularly with the use of moving RFID reading of passive tags. To establish the minimum requirements of a field usable RFID tag and reader, specifically applicable to the concrete safety bollards, however to other roadside furniture. To identify the minimum requirements of a function, simple app to minimise general requirements of the overall stock control and monitoring of the RFID-tagged objects. To establish the possibility of reading the tag data, global positioning system (GPS) location and video imaging footage as a single operation function. To determine the basic parameters or limits of the GPS geo-locating, on the proposed products selected and overall system. To determine the current best practice in respect of reasonable accuracy and detail in relation to price considerations to a fully function stock control and monitoring system. To identify the minimum requirements of an online database to receive, house and provide ongoing access to and report on the data. To identify the key differences and benefits between traditional stock control and monitoring systems, against that of proposed RFID tag, read and geo-locating system.

The hygroscopic properties of 3D-printed filaments and moisture absorption itself during the process result in dimensional inaccuracy, particularly for nozzle movement along the x-axis and for micro-scale features. In view of that, this study aims to analyze in depth the dimensional errors and deviations of the fused filament fabrication (FFF)/fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D-printed micropillars (MPs) from the reference values. A detailed analysis into the variability in printed dimensions below 1 mm in width without any deformations in the printed shape of the designed features, for challenging filaments like polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been done. The study also explores whether the printed shape retains the designed structure.

A reference model for MPs of width 800 µm and height 2,000 µm is selected to generate a g-code model after pre-processing of slicing and meshing parameters for 3D printing of micro-scale structure with defined boundaries. Three SETs, SET-A, SET-B and SET-C, for nozzle diameter of 0.2 mm, 0.25 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively, have been prepared. The SETs containing the MPs were fabricated with the spacing (S) of 2,000 µm, 3,200 µm and 4,000 µm along the print head x-axis. The MPs were measured by taking three consecutive measurements (top, bottom and middle) for the width and one for the height.

The prominent highlight of this study is the successful FFF/FDM 3D printing of thin features (<1mm) without any deformation. The mathematical analysis of the variance of the optical microscopy measurements concluded that printed dimensions for micropillar widths did not vary significantly, retaining more than 65% of the recording within the first standard deviation (SD) (±1 s). The minimum value of SD is obtained from the samples of SET-B, that is, 31.96 µm and 35.865 µm, for height and width, respectively. The %RE for SET-B samples is 5.09% for S = 2,000µm, 3.86% for S = 3,200µm and 1.09% for S = 4,000µm. The error percentage is so small that it could be easily compensated by redesigning.

The study does not cover other 3D printing techniques of additive manufacturing like stereolithography, digital light processing and material jetting.

The presented study can be potentially implemented for the rapid prototyping of microfluidics mixer, bioseparator and lab-on-chip devices, both for membrane-free bioseparation based on microfiltration, plasma extraction from whole blood, size-selection trapping of unwanted blood cells, and also for membrane-based plasma extraction that requires supporting microstructures. Our developed process may prove to be far more economical than the other existing techniques for such applications.

For the first time, this work presents a comprehensive analysis of the fabrication of micropillars using FDM/FFF 3D printing and PMMA in filament form. The primary focus of the study is to minimize the dimensional inaccuracies in the 3D printed devices containing thin features, especially in the area of biomedical engineering, by delivering benefits from the choice of the parameters. Thus, on the basis of errors and deviations, a thorough comparison of the three SETs of the fabricated micropillars has been done.

The United Nations has demonstrated a commitment to preserving the ecosystem through its 2030 sustainable development goals agenda. One crucial objective of these goals is to promote a healthy ecosystem and discourage practices that harm it. Building materials production significantly contributes to the emissions of greenhouse gases. This poses a threat to the ecosystem and prompts a growing demand for sustainable building materials (SBMs). The purpose of this study is to investigate SBMs to determine their utilization in construction operations and the potential impact their application could have on construction productivity.

A systematic review of the existing literature in the field of SBMs was conducted for the study. The search strings used were “sustainable” AND (“building” OR “construction”) AND “materials” AND “productivity”. A total of 146 articles were obtained from the Scopus database and reviewed.

Bio-based, cementitious and phase change materials were the main categories of SBMs. Materials in these categories have the potential to substantially contribute to sustainability in the construction sector. However, challenges such as availability, cost, expertise, awareness, social acceptance and resistance to innovation must be addressed to promote the increased utilization of SBMs and enhance construction productivity.

Many studies have explored SBMs, but there is a dearth of studies that address productivity in the context of SBMs, which leaves a gap in understanding. This study addresses this gap by drawing on existing studies to determine the potential implications that using SBMs could have on construction productivity.

The objective of this study is to examine developments in the discursive practice of non-financial reporting in the public healthcare sector. In doing so, the authors investigate how the main reform foci of productivity and quality are represented, with a specific focus on the patient.

Drawing on critical discourse analysis (CDA), the authors conduct a longitudinal study (2007–2018) of healthcare reporting foci across the five administrative regions responsible for public hospitals in Denmark. The study analyses sixty annual reports and draws on contemporary reform documents over this period. CDA enables a micro-textual analysis, combined with macro-insights and discussions on social practice.

The findings show complex webs of presentation strategies, but in particular two changes occur during the period. First, the patient is centred throughout but the framing changes from productivity and waiting lists to quality and dialogue. Second, in the first years, the regions present themselves as actively highlighting financial and quality concerns, which changes to a passive and indirect form of presentation steered by indicators and patient legislation enforced by central government. This enhances passivity and distance in healthcare regional non-financial reporting where the regions seek to conform to such demands. Simultaneously, however, the authors find a tendency to highlight very different local initiatives, which shows an attempt to go beyond a pure automatic mode of reporting found in earlier studies.

Responding to the literature on both healthcare and financial reporting, this study identifies novel links between micro-level texts and macro-level social practices, enabling insights into the potentially intertwined impacts of public-sector reporting. The authors offer insights into the complexity of the construction of non-financial reporting in the public sector, which has a wider impact and different intentions than private-sector reporting.

In recent years, using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, the authors have achieved precisely detecting the structural evolution of passive film as well as its interface zone at atomic scale. The purpose of this paper aims to make a brief review to show the authors’ new understanding and perspective on the issue of critical factors determining stability of passive film of Fe-Cr alloy.

The introduction of single crystal enabled the authors to obtain a distinct metal/passive film interface and better characterize the structure of the interface region. The authors use aberration-corrected TEM to conduct cross-sectional observation and directly capture the details across the entire film at a high spatial and energy resolution.

Apart from the passive film itself, the interface zone, including metal/film (Me/F) interface and the adjacent metal side, is also the site which is attacked. Accordingly, the nature of the interface zone, such as microstructure, composition and atomic configuration, is one of the critical factors determining the stability of passive film.

Deciphering the critical factors determining the stability of passive film is of great significance and has been a fundamental issue in corrosion science. Great attention has been paid to the nature of the passive film itself. In contrast, the possible role of the interface between the passive film and the metal is rarely taken into account. Based on the advanced analytical tool with high spatial resolution, the authors have specified the significant role of interface structures on the macro-scale stability of passive film.

This study aims to understand independence in internal auditing by investigating how internal auditor independence is constructed when analysed in its corporate governance context.

A critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the corporate governance reports of Swedish large stock market listed non-financial companies, for three consecutive years, is undertaken, using a theoretical lens of organisational embeddedness and operational coupling to understand independence as a situated practice.

The study develops four archetypes of internal auditor independence – autarchic, instrumental, symbiotic and subservient – and discusses each archetype's implications for independence, related to tripartite relations with management and the audit committee, regarding who has the mandate to direct work and how the work is done. It finds that internal auditors always have a capacity to be independent. Although they are not independent in relation to agents in the subservient archetype, they are independent of those down the organisational chain of command, suggesting independence is both situational and relational.

The analysis contributes a novel approach to the literature and develops a conception of independence using the dimensions of embeddedness and coupling. The archetypes offer an analytical framework for future studies on independence.

Internal auditors may understand their practice differently through the archetypes that result from this study.

Internal auditors' power relations within corporate governance further an understanding of the pressures on internal auditors and their role.

This study contributes new knowledge on the situatedness of independence by showing how internal auditors are embedded and coupled helps build their independence.

This study provides new insights into the relationship between the heterogeneity of institutional investors (IIs) and corporate tax avoidance (CTA). It also investigates whether family ownership moderates this relationship.

Based on a sample of 200 French-listed firms from 2008 to 2017, we use the generalized method of moment (GMM) estimator proposed by Arellano and Bover (1995) and developed by Blundell and Bond (1998) to address endogeneity and omitted variable concerns.

The results show that passive IIs are associated with an increase in the level of tax avoidance. However, active ones significantly decrease the levels of tax avoidance practices. Moreover, we show that institutional activism is not sufficient to control managerial actions, particularly in the context of controlled family businesses. The results suggest that families may expropriate the rights of minority shareholders through a controlling coalition with passive IIs.

This study has several practical implications. First, the results are useful for policymakers who should constrain passive IIs to provide only one service (asset management). Second, this study may sensitize family owners to the need to cooperate with active IIs that are effective in monitoring the firm. In particular, families should be willing to sacrifice some of their socioemotional wealth to promote a balanced ownership structure, which is important for responsible and effective corporate governance.

This paper extends previous research by investigating the heterogeneity of IIs in terms of horizon, ownership and control. In addition, this paper sheds a new light on how family firms behave regarding tax avoidance practices in the presence of active and passive IIs.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the corrosion resistance of superalloys subjected to ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). The passive film growth on the superalloys’ surface is analyzed to illustrate the corrosion mechanism.

Electrochemical tests were used to investigated the corrosion resistance of GH4738 superalloys with different UIT densities. The microstructure was compared before and after the corrosion tests. The passive film characterization was described by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) tests.

The compressive residual stress and corrosion resistance of the specimens significantly increased after UIT. The order of corrosion resistance is related to the UIT densities, i.e. 1.96 s/mm² > 1.71 s/mm² > 0.98 s/mm² > as-cast. The predominant constituents of the passive films are TiO₂, Cr₂O₃, MoO₃ and NiO. The passive film on the specimen with 1.96 s/mm² UIT density has the highest volume fraction of Cr₂O₃ and MoO₃, which is the main reason for its superior corrosion resistance.

This study provides quantitative corrosion data for GH4738 superalloys treated by ultrasonic impact. The corrosion mechanism is explained by the passive film’s characterization.

Exoskeletons are moving into industries with the potential to reduce muscle strains and prevent occupational injuries. Although exoskeletons have been designed and tested in laboratory settings, rare empirical studies of their application in construction have been reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study is on in a real-life setting testing the applicability of adopting exoskeletons in the construction industry.

A feasibility study of exoskeletons in construction is conducted by testing a passive exoskeleton, designed for shoulder support. Five bricklayers tested in a two-month period the exoskeleton, each wearing it for a three-day period while carrying out normal work activities. Test data in terms of interviews were collected and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

The application of exoskeletons in construction revealed several limitations, where the two primary ones are the exoskeleton is not designed while considering the tasks of a bricklayer causing several challenges and the exoskeleton only supports a single upward motion while limiting other movements and even counteracted when a downward movement was necessary.

The identified challenges could easily have been revealed by coupling the design and testing of exoskeletons to actual application. Thus, the design approach needs to be reversed. Instead of designing an exoskeleton to support a specific body part or motion and then identifying where it is applicable, it should target specific industries and focus on the actual work and movements and the necessary support. As part of the change, the design metrics should be reevaluated to reflect the work to support.