Search results

1 – 10 of 333
Article
Publication date: 1 December 1980

Ann J. Walton

Solvents by their very nature are volatile substances and therefore eminently suitable for analysis by GC. The separation of low‐molecular‐weight hydrocarbons on a highly‐polar…

Abstract

Solvents by their very nature are volatile substances and therefore eminently suitable for analysis by GC. The separation of low‐molecular‐weight hydrocarbons on a highly‐polar stationary phase, which consisted of mixed bis‐lactams, was reported by Ravey (157). The packing was claimed to be stable up to 80°C, thus permitting some degree of temperature programming to be used, so that the molecular‐weight range of the samples examined in one analysis could be increased. The specific retention volumes and retention indices at 45°C for a total of 49 normal, branched or halogenated hydrocarbons were measured by Zielinski and Martine (211) for a series of seven stationary phases of similar chain length. These consisted of n‐heptadecance, l‐ hexadecylchloride, l‐hevadeceen,l‐hexadecylbromide, l‐hexadecyliodide, di‐n‐octyl ether and di‐n‐octyl thioether and the procedures described were used in the choice and classification of the stationary phases for GC. Separation of the alkenenaphthene fraction of white spirit was carried out by Leont'eva et al. (120) on a column coated with squalane and operated at 100°C. The carrier gas was helium and fifty three separate peaks were identified and quantified using a flameionisation detector (FID). A squalane capillary column was used by Kumar et al. (115) to identify the hydrocarbon components of a petroleum naphtha fraction (boiling range 40 to 150°C). The analysis was performed under isothermal conditions.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 9 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1981

Ann J. Walton

The liquid extract obtained from the natural cashew nutshell is rich in phenolic substances which are derived from anacardic acid C6H3(OH) (CO2H) (C15H31‐n), where n may have…

Abstract

The liquid extract obtained from the natural cashew nutshell is rich in phenolic substances which are derived from anacardic acid C6H3(OH) (CO2H) (C15H31‐n), where n may have values of 0, 2, 4 or 6 and represents various degrees of unsaturation in the aliphatic C15 side‐chain. Industrial decarboxylation of this material affords cardanol C6H4(OH) (C15H31‐n) plus other substituted phenols and polymeric residues. Tyman et al. (197, 198) have studied the analysis of all these products using GC, molecular distillation, TLC and mass spectrometry. After hydrogenation and the formation of the corresponding methyl esters, the products were analysed by GC using glass columns (5ft × 3/16in) packed with acid washed and silanized Diatomite as support material and which was coated with non‐polar stationary phases such as SE30, SE25 or APL, or semi‐polar phases such as 0V17, Dexil 300 or PEGA. Alternatively, the samples were subjected to an acetylation procedure prior to GC examination on columns containing Dexil 300, SE30 or SE52. The GC equipment consisted of a Pye‐Unicam model 104 instrument operated with nitrogen carrier gas (flow rate 45cm3 min−1) and equipped with FID.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1974

Frances Neel Cheney

Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Term. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are…

Abstract

Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Term. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are available through normal trade sources. Mrs. Cheney, being a member of the editorial board of Pierian Press, will not review Pierian Press reference books in this column. Descriptions of Pierian Press reference books will be included elsewhere in this publication.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1976

Larry E. Pate and Kendrith M. Rowland

In a recent issue of the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Blake strongly criticised an article on organisational change by Blumberg and Wiener for the authors' failure…

Abstract

In a recent issue of the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Blake strongly criticised an article on organisational change by Blumberg and Wiener for the authors' failure thoroughly to review the literature and for missing important material relevant to their study. In response, Blumberg simply stated that they were not aware of the material, because it had appeared in a relatively obscure journal. Indeed, a later writer (Zurcher) criticised one of Blake's papers on the same grounds, and then suggested that an event such as this might easily happen to any of us. Despite their apparent conflict, each of these individuals did agree, of course, that a thorough review of the literature on any given topic is necessary to good research and reporting. Our purpose here is not to pour salt on wounds, but rather to illustrate our raison d'être for presenting the material below.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 14 no. 0
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1979

Keith Newton, Norman Leckie and Barrie O. Pettman

The body of literature in the field now commonly known as the “quality of working life” (QWL) has grown steadily over a period in which the industrialised nations have…

Abstract

The body of literature in the field now commonly known as the “quality of working life” (QWL) has grown steadily over a period in which the industrialised nations have increasingly come to question the role and status of human beings in the modern technological environment. In recent years concern with the nature of work, its impact upon people, and their attitudes towards it, seem to have sharpened. Investigation of, and experimentation with, the qualitative aspects of working life—its ability to confer self‐fulfilment directly, for example, as opposed to being a means of acquiring goods—has gained momentum under the influence of a unique set of economic, social, political and technological factors. The outpouring of books, reports and articles from a wide variety of sources has, not surprisingly, grown apace.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1972

First January 1973 will not only mark the beginning of a New Year but a year which history will mark as a truly momentous one, for this is the year that Britain, after centuries…

Abstract

First January 1973 will not only mark the beginning of a New Year but a year which history will mark as a truly momentous one, for this is the year that Britain, after centuries of absence, re‐enters the framework of Europe as one of the Member‐States of the enlarged European Community. This in itself must make for change on both sides; Britain is so different in outlook from the others, something they too realize and see as an acquisition of strength. There have been other and more limited forms of Continental union, mainly of sovereignty and royal descent. Large regions of France were for centuries under the English Crown and long after they were finally lost, the fleur de lis stayed on the royal coat of arms, until the Treaty of Amiens 1802, when Britain retired behind her sea curtain. The other Continental union was, of course, with Hanover; from here the Germanized descendants of the Stuarts on the female line returned to the throne of their ancestors. This union lasted until 1832 when rules of descent prevented a woman from reigning in Hanover. It is interesting to speculate how different history might have been if only the British Crown and the profits of Tudor and Stuart rule had been maintained in one part of central Europe. However, Britain disentangled herself and built up overwhelming sea power against a largely hostile Europe, of which it was never conceived she could ever be a part, but the wheel of chance turns half‐circle and now, this New Year, she enters into and is bound to a European Community by the Treaty of Rome with ties far stronger, the product of new politico‐economic structures evolved from necessity; in a union which cannot fail to change the whole course of history, especially for this country.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 74 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Article
Publication date: 27 December 2022

Bright Awuku, Eric Asa, Edmund Baffoe-Twum and Adikie Essegbey

Challenges associated with ensuring the accuracy and reliability of cost estimation of highway construction bid items are of significant interest to state highway transportation…

Abstract

Purpose

Challenges associated with ensuring the accuracy and reliability of cost estimation of highway construction bid items are of significant interest to state highway transportation agencies. Even with the existing research undertaken on the subject, the problem of inaccurate estimation of highway bid items still exists. This paper aims to assess the accuracy of the cost estimation methods employed in the selected studies to provide insights into how well they perform empirically. Additionally, this research seeks to identify, synthesize and assess the impact of the factors affecting highway unit prices because they affect the total cost of highway construction costs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper systematically searched, selected and reviewed 105 papers from Scopus, Google Scholar, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Transportation Research Board (TRB) and Science Direct (SD) on conceptual cost estimation of highway bid items. This study used content and nonparametric statistical analyses to determine research trends, identify, categorize the factors influencing highway unit prices and assess the combined performance of conceptual cost prediction models.

Findings

Findings from the trend analysis showed that between 1983 and 2019 North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East contributed the most to improving highway cost estimation research. Aggregating the quantitative results and weighting the findings using each study's sample size revealed that the average error between the actual and the estimated project costs of Monte-Carlo simulation models (5.49%) performed better compared to the Bayesian model (5.95%), support vector machines (6.03%), case-based reasoning (11.69%), artificial neural networks (12.62%) and regression models (13.96%). This paper identified 41 factors and was grouped into three categories, namely: (1) factors relating to project characteristics; (2) organizational factors and (3) estimate factors based on the common classification used in the selected papers. The mean ranking analysis showed that most of the selected papers used project-specific factors more when estimating highway construction bid items than the other factors.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by analyzing and comparing the performance of highway cost estimation models, identifying and categorizing a comprehensive list of cost drivers to stimulate future studies in improving highway construction cost estimates.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1993

James Carlopio

Argues that organizational rules have developed over time to servethe needs of both workers and managers. Unfortunately, it is being foundthat rules are double‐edged; they…

Abstract

Argues that organizational rules have developed over time to serve the needs of both workers and managers. Unfortunately, it is being found that rules are double‐edged; they restrict both the rule maker and the potential rule breaker. It is clear that many existing workplace rules do not serve the needs of anyone involved. Discusses several reasons why rules are difficult to change and suggests ways in which to facilitate changes in workplace rules. Concludes that, in order for rules governing existing workplace practices to change, all the relevant stakeholders must expect to gain from their revision.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 13 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2000

Paula Phillips Carson, Patricia A. Lanier and Kerry David Carson

Through the application of Hirst’s “forms of knowledge” theory, it is shown that the Shakers’ nineteenth century management principles had many similarities to Deming’s tenets…

1041

Abstract

Through the application of Hirst’s “forms of knowledge” theory, it is shown that the Shakers’ nineteenth century management principles had many similarities to Deming’s tenets. For example, Shakers were committed to perfection in work, taking their time in pursuit of quality. Training was accomplished through sharing community expertise, apprenticing, and rotating jobs. Also, equality and cooperation were encouraged among the “brothers” and “sisters.” This example of management history research provides a baseline from which management concepts can be understood and potential mistakes avoided.

Details

The TQM Magazine, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-478X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2020

Iqbal Irfany, Peter John McMahon, Jenny-Ann Toribio, Kim-Yen Phan-Thien, Muhamad Amin Rifai, Sigit Yusdiyanto, Grant Vinning, David I. Guest, Merrilyn Walton and Nunung Nuryartono

The aim of this study was to evaluate determinants of four diversification practises by cocoa smallholders in West Sulawesi, Indonesia: (1) growing other crops, (2) keeping…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate determinants of four diversification practises by cocoa smallholders in West Sulawesi, Indonesia: (1) growing other crops, (2) keeping livestock, (3) off-farm work for wages (4) off-farm self-employment, and the impact of diversification on welfare of community members.

Design/methodology/approach

Household interviews (n = 116) conducted in two subdistricts (Anreapi and Mapilli) of Polewali-Mandar District, West Sulawesi, provided quantitative data on household characteristics, crop and livestock production, income sources, expenditure and credit access. Two villages per subdistrict were included in the study, each producing cocoa as the main crop but differing in their proximity to a market town. Logistic regression was applied to identify determinants of diversification by households. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models evaluated the impact of diversification practices and other explanatory variables on two proxies of welfare (or household wealth): per capita value of durable assets (household assets other than land or livestock) and per capita expenditure for each household.

Findings

Mean per capita cocoa production in the sample was low (51 kg dry beans/annum). The mean dependency ratio (proportion of household occupants age <18 and >64) was 35%, with an average of five occupants per household. Household heads were predominantly male (95%), averaging 46 yo and 7 years of formal education. Most households (72%) depended on loans, but only 24% accessed formal loans. Significant determinants of diversification practices were access to formal credit for self-employment and subdistrict for livestock, with Mapilli subdistrict households more likely to keep livestock. Household predictors in the MLR accounted for 28% variation of the dependent, per capita value of durable goods. Off-farm self-employment and raising livestock significantly improved welfare, but growing other crops or off-farm work for wages had little effect. Other household variables demonstrated to have significant positive effects on welfare were education of the household head, proximity to a market town and land area per household.

Research limitations/implications

The study was restricted to a relatively small sample size (n = 116). Studies including panel data or larger numbers of households could enable the identification of further determinants of diversification.

Practical implications

The study demonstrates that diversification has the potential to improve rural livelihoods, but that obstacles, especially formal credit access, may deter poorer households from diversifying their income sources.

Social implications

Programs and policies that facilitate access to formal finance by smallholders could encourage diversification into small business and improve livelihoods in cocoa-dependent communities.

Originality/value

In the light of the decline in cocoa farm productivity in West Sulawesi, the study demonstrates the potential benefits, as well as limitations, of income diversification by smallholders.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 47 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

1 – 10 of 333