Search results

Interest in employee mindfulness has increased dramatically in recent years, fueled by several important conceptual articles, numerous studies documenting the benefits of mindfulness for employee outcomes, and the adoption of mindfulness-based practices in many Fortune 500 organizations. Despite this growing interest, the vast majority of research on employee mindfulness has taken an intrapersonal focus, failing to appreciate the ways in which mindfulness may enhance work-related relational processes and outcomes. The authors explore possible associations between mindfulness and relationally oriented workplace phenomena, drawing from interdisciplinary scholarship examining mindfulness in romantic relationships, child–parent relationships, patient–healthcare provider relationships, and student–teacher relationships. A framework is proposed that links mindfulness to three distinct relationally oriented processes, which are expected to have downstream effects on work-related relational outcomes. The authors then take the proposed framework and discuss possible extensions to a variety of unique workplace relationships and discuss critical next steps in advancing the relational science of mindfulness.

This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the parameters of the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process on the mechanical properties and on the mass of parts printed in Polylactic Acid (PLA). In addition, the authors developed predictive models for the analysed responses.

A full Factorial type of experimental planning method was used to define the conditions for manufacturing parts according to the variation of the construction parameters, extrusion temperature and print speed. Samples were printed for tensile, flexion and compression tests. Their mass was measured. Multiple regression methods, based on power equations, were used to build the forecasting models.

It was found that the extrusion temperature was the parameter of greatest influence in the variation of the analysed responses, mainly because it generates behaviour patterns and indirectly demonstrates thermal/rheological characteristics of the material used. Print speed affects responses, however, with variations dependent on part geometry and printer hardware/software. It was possible to establish prediction models with low error rates in relation to the experimental values.

The study demonstrates a good relation between the use of a structured experimental planning method as the basis for the development of predictive models based on mathematical equations, the same structure of which can be used to describe different responses.

The purpose of this study is to investigate international trade determinants, paying special attention to variables related to climate change and non-tariff measures (NTMs), as they shape more and more world trade flows, with particular incidence on globalised goods, such as wine.

Based on panel data of Port wine exports to 60 countries, between 2006 and 2018, a gravity model has been estimated through Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood. Explanatory variables include NTMs, mean temperature, temperature anomaly, gross domestic product (GDP), exchange rate, ad valorem equivalent tariffs and home bias.

The findings show that exports are inversely related to both mean temperature and temperature anomaly in importing countries. Regarding NTMs, it is found that only part of them are trade deterrent. Additionally, purchasing power in importing countries is one of the main determinants of Port wine exports.

The results show that, besides traditional economic variables, policymakers and wineries should include in their exports' decisions the impact of variables related to climate change and NTMs.

The novelty of this paper is to incorporate the impact of climatic variability of importing countries as a determinant of international trade of wine. Most former studies inspired of the gravity model consider explanatory variables such as GDP and exchange rate, and more recent ones started to consider NTMs too, however, this study may be the first paper to include the impact of climate change (quantified by mean temperature and temperature anomaly in importing countries) on exports.

The purpose of this paper is to study the role of entrepreneurship in economic development based on the four dimensions of the quadruple helix model (Government, University, Enterprise and Society) in relation to the three stages of economy defined by the GEM (innovation-, efficiency- and factor-driven economies). In this context, the authors considered a set of variables that allowed them to measure and verify the stimulus that the four helixes represent in economic development.

This study was supported on secondary data from the GEM platform for 58 countries, for 2015. SPSS software was used to analyze data, which allowed the use of the ANOVA and Kruskall-Wallis tests, as well as the generalized linear regression.

The results show that in the factor-driven economies, there is a greater influence by the industry, while in the efficiency-driven economies, there is homogeneity among the four dimensions, highlighting only the variables “R&D transfer” and “Entrepreneurial Intention”. Because of the constant need for innovation to become more competitive, in the innovation-driven economies, business and government are the most important dimensions.

Both in the scientific community with future empirical studies that can confirm the relevance of this model to better understanding which dimensions of quadruple helix improve economic development, and in the governmental community, to serve for policies and strategies that stimulate entrepreneurship to foster the transition from one stage of economic development to another.

Proposal and test of a quadruple helix model, using the variables available in the GEM database, to the three stages of economic development of the economies that were involved in the GEM.

Higher education institutions, particularly in the case of public universities, face the challenge of creating more value in an environment of increasing requirements and limitations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relation of internal marketing (IM) with employees’ attitudinal outcomes, which aim to stimulate and retain motivated and customer-conscious contact employees.

Survey data of 94 customer-contact employees in a public higher education institution were analysed using partial least squares path modelling to explore and predict key target constructs.

The results demonstrate the relationship between customer-contact employees’ service empathy (SE), institutional IM initiatives and employees’ attitudinal outcomes in the public sector, specifically higher education institutions.

The current study relies on self-reported data and a small sample of customer-contact employees working only on enrolment-related areas. Further studies should be designed for theory confirmation and generalizability of the results.

Top managers in public higher education institutions must encourage organizational identification through IM initiatives, such as well-established internal communication procedures. Academic management should continuously train and retain customer-contact employees that have developed SE and a sense of belonging to the organization. SE must be incorporated in the job descriptions and training of customer-contact employees.

The study contributes to the limited literature on the use of IM and SE in the public sector, specifically higher education institutions.

Las instituciones de educación superior, en particular en el caso de las universidades públicas, se enfrentan al reto de crear más valor en un entorno de necesidades y limitaciones en aumento. El propósito de este estudio es explorar la relación entre el marketing interno y las resultantes actitudes laborales de los empleados. El objetivo del marketing interno es estimular y retener empleados de contacto que estén motivados y sean conscientes de la importancia de los clientes.

Se analizaron datos de 94 empleados de contacto de una institución pública de educación superior utilizando modelos de regresión de cuadrados mínimos parciales para explorar y predecir constructos claves.

Los resultados demuestran la relación entre los siguientes constructos: niveles de empatía de los empleados de contacto, iniciativas institucionales de marketing interno, y las resultantes actitudes de los empleados del sector público, en particular organizaciones en el sector de la educación superior.

El presente estudio se basa en los datos auto informados de una pequeña muestra de empleados de contacto que trabajan sólo en áreas relacionadas con matrícula. Nuevos estudios deberían ser diseñados para la confirmación de la teoría y la generalización de los resultados.

Los altos directivos de las instituciones públicas de educación superior deben fomentar la identificación con la organización a través de iniciativas de marketing interno, tales como procedimientos establecidos de comunicación interna. Los directivos académicos deben continuamente adiestrar y retener a los empleados de contacto que han desarrollado la capacidad de proveer servicios de manera empática y que tienen sentido de pertenencia a la organización. Proveer servicio de manera empática debe ser incorporado en las descripciones de empleo y formación de los empleados de contacto.

El estudio contribuye a la literatura limitada sobre el uso de marketing interno y empatía en los servicios en el sector público, específicamente en las instituciones de educación superior.

The purpose of this paper is to offer an introduction to the technological advances of the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors along the past decades. The authors review some of those technological advances and examine potential disruptive growth directions for CMOS image sensors and proposed ways to achieve them.

Those advances include breakthroughs on image quality such as resolution, capture speed, light sensitivity and color detection and advances on the computational imaging.

The current trend is to push the innovation efforts even further, as the market requires even higher resolution, higher speed, lower power consumption and, mainly, lower cost sensors. Although CMOS image sensors are currently used in several different applications from consumer to defense to medical diagnosis, product differentiation is becoming both a requirement and a difficult goal for any image sensor manufacturer. The unique properties of CMOS process allow the integration of several signal processing techniques and are driving the impressive advancement of the computational imaging.

The authors offer a very comprehensive review of methods, techniques, designs and fabrication of CMOS image sensors that have impacted or will impact the images sensor applications and markets.

This paper presents an algorithm for automatic generation of graded initial quadrilateral meshes targeted for the finite element analysis of metal‐forming processes. Meshing the domain geometry deals with a universe of shapes, and the procedure therefore takes into account the initial geometry of the billet. A grid‐based approach is utilised for generating an initial coarse mesh with well‐shaped (internal) elements, and in cases where non‐rectangular shapes are to be discretized, linking with the boundary is performed on the basis of constrained Delaunay triangulation. By analysing the contact situation between dies and mesh, an attempt is made to identify regions where plastic deformation is likely to be concentrated during the early stages of processing, and accordingly refinement of the mesh is performed locally by elemental subdivision. Simulation examples for closed‐die forging, forward rod and backward can extrusion substantiate the feasibility of this approach in terms of lowering the overall calculation error and limiting the interference between mesh and die.

The purpose of this paper is to develop microalgae vegetable‐based gelled desserts (similar to “dairy desserts”) prepared with pea protein isolate, Spirulina maxima and Diacronema vlkianum biomass, rich in essential fatty acids (omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid's (PUFA)). The effect of microalgae concentration and gelling temperature on the colour, texture and fatty acid profile of the gels was investigated.

Pea protein isolate (4 per cent), κ‐carrageenan (0.15 per cent) and starch (2.5 per cent) were used to produce a gelled dessert that was further enriched with microalgal biomass (0.1‐1.0 per cent). The gels were prepared using different temperatures, ranging from 75 to 90 ^○C. Colour, total pigments (carotenoids), texture and fatty acid profile of the gels were evaluated.

The addition of Diacronema and Spirulina microalgal biomass to vegetable gelled deserts, results in a novel alternative food product, with PUFA's (e.g. EPA, DHA and GLA), with favourable texture characteristics, particularly for Diacronema, due to the structural reinforcement, representing a new food market niche.

Nowadays there is an increasing consumer demand for more natural food products, presenting health benefits. Microalgae are able to enhance the nutritional content of conventional food and hence to positively affect humans health due to their original chemical composition, namely as a source of long chain omega‐3 PUFA.

As far as the authors are aware the use of these microalgae in gelled desserts, in association with vegetable proteins, is an innovative food application.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between individual- and country-level values and preferences for job/organizational attributes.

Survey data were collected from 475 full-time employees (average of nine years work experience, and three years in a managerial position) enrolled in part-time MBA programs in seven countries.

Preference for a harmonious workplace is positively related to horizontal collectivism, whereas preference for remuneration/advancement is positively related to vertical individualism. The authors also find a positive relationship between preference for meaningful work and horizontal individualism, and between preference for employer prestige and social adjustment (SA) needs.

Although the sample comprised experienced, full-time professionals, using graduate business students may limit generalizability. Overall, the results provide initial support for the utility of incorporating the multi-dimensional individualism and collectivism measure, as well as SA needs, when assessing the relationships between values and employee preferences.

For practitioners, the primary conclusion is that making assumptions about preferences based on nationality is risky. Findings may also prove useful for enhancing person-organization fit and the ability to attract and retain qualified workers.

This study extends research on workers’ preferences by incorporating a new set of values and sampling experienced workers in a range of cultural contexts.