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1 – 10 of 10Cátia Sousa, Gabriela Gonçalves, Joana Santos and José Leitão
The globalization of work has contributed to a great increment in cross-cultural interactions, contributing to a new impetus in the expatriates’ topic. The costs associated with…
Abstract
Purpose
The globalization of work has contributed to a great increment in cross-cultural interactions, contributing to a new impetus in the expatriates’ topic. The costs associated with the failed international missions are high, and the identification of effective adjustment strategies is of extreme importance, both for organizations and for individuals. The purpose of this paper is to identify the kind of practices that are developed by organizations and their impact on the adjustment of expatriates.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the proposed objective, a systematic review of literature (from the late 1980s to the present day) will be carried out.
Findings
Based on five articles on the topic, the results show that there are few studies that assess the impact of the types of adjustment to organizational practices, with the cross-cultural training and language training being the most common. These practices have shown a positive effect on performance and adjustment of expatriates.
Originality/value
The authors feel the lack of studies that have adequate indicators to measure the integration and effectiveness of the adjustment of expatriates.
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Gabriela Gonçalves, Marta Reis, Cátia Sousa, Joana Santos, Alejandro Orgambídez-Ramos and Peter Scott
Negotiating effectively in multicultural contexts or others is not only a very important skill for all organizational elements but also crucial to inter-organizational relations…
Abstract
Purpose
Negotiating effectively in multicultural contexts or others is not only a very important skill for all organizational elements but also crucial to inter-organizational relations (Adler, 2008). If defined as a process that occurs when one party feels adversely affected by another (De Dreu, 1997). Conflict management styles can be analyzed as a function of personality variables. In this respect, cultural intelligence and self-monitoring appear to be relevant variables, as they are characterized by the demonstration of flexibility and interest in elements that are present in conflict management styles. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which variables such as cultural intelligence and self-monitoring can positively influence the ability to solve interpersonal conflicts more effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
This study, with a sample of 399 individuals, aimed to test a model that explores how cultural intelligence and self-monitoring are related as predictor variables in the styles of conflict resolution.
Findings
It was observed that cultural intelligence presents itself as a reasonable predictor of conflict management styles, whereas self-monitoring appeared as a dispositional and controversial measure in relation to those styles. Self-monitoring exhibited itself as an important predictor of conflict management, but on the other hand, it had an influence on the choice of the dominating style in conflict situations.
Practical implications
Understanding the predictors of conflict management style and, in particular, realizing the extent to which cultural intelligence promotes a more effective conflict management style can help in the development of selection processes and skill training programs. The development of these multicultural skills will contribute to individual, social and organizational well-being.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature of individual differences and conflict management, demonstrating that some individual differences that predict the styles of conflict management can lead to a certain ambiguity in understanding the behaviour that an individual may adopt in situations of conflict.
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Fábio A.O. Fernandes, Dmitri Tchepel, Ricardo J. Alves de Sousa and Mariusz Ptak
Currently, there are some finite element head models developed by research groups all around the world. Nevertheless, the majority are not geometrically accurate. One of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Currently, there are some finite element head models developed by research groups all around the world. Nevertheless, the majority are not geometrically accurate. One of the problems is the brain geometry, which usually resembles a sphere. This may raise problems when reconstructing any event that involves brain kinematics, such as accidents, affecting the correct evaluation of resulting injuries. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop a new finite element head model more accurate than the existing ones.
Design/methodology/approach
In this work, a new and geometrically detailed finite element brain model is proposed. Special attention was given to sulci and gyri modelling, making this model more geometrically accurate than currently available ones. In addition, these brain features are important to predict specific injuries such as brain contusions, which usually involve the crowns of gyri.
Findings
The model was validated against experimental data from impact tests on cadavers, comparing the intracranial pressure at frontal, parietal, occipital and posterior fossa regions.
Originality/value
As this model is validated, it can be now used in accident reconstruction and injury evaluation and even as a design tool for protective head gear.
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Arménio Rego, Miguel Pina e Cunha, Dálcio Reis Júnior, Cátia Anastácio and Moriel Savagnago
The purpose of this paper is to study if the employees’ optimism-pessimism ratio predicts their creativity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study if the employees’ optimism-pessimism ratio predicts their creativity.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 134 employees reported their optimism and pessimism, and the respective supervisors described the employees’ creativity.
Findings
The relationship between the optimism-pessimism ratio and creativity is curvilinear (inverted U-shaped); beyond a certain level of the optimism-pessimism ratio, the positive relationship between the ratio and creativity weakens, suggesting that the possible positive effects of (high) optimism may be weakened by a very low level of pessimism.
Research limitations/implications
Being cross-sectional, the study examines neither the causal links between the optimism-pessimism ratio and creativity nor other plausible causal links. The study was carried out at a single moment and did not capture the dynamics that occur over the course of time involving changes in optimism/pessimism and creativity. Future studies may adopt longitudinal or quasi-experimental designs.
Practical implications
Managers and organizations must consider that, even though positivity promotes creativity, some level of negativity may help positivity to produce creativity.
Originality/value
This study suggests that scholars who want to study the antecedents of creativity (and innovation) must be cautious in focusing only on the positive or the negative sides of individuals’ characteristics, and rather they must explore the interplay between both poles. Individuals may experience both positive and negative states/traits (Smith et al., 2016), and this both/and approach may impel them to think divergently, to challenge the status quo and to propose “out the box” and useful ideas.
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Nuno Fernandes Crespo, Cátia Fernandes Crespo and Maria Calado
The purpose of this study is threefold: 1) to examine the relevance of specific strategic orientations for family businesses in the context of an intense crisis such as the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is threefold: 1) to examine the relevance of specific strategic orientations for family businesses in the context of an intense crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) to investigate the role of a family adaptability in surviving the crisis; and 3) to assess how proactive strategic responses connected with marketing or retrenchment responses connected with reducing costs relate to the expected survival of the crisis.
Design/methodology/approach
The method adopted is a quantitative research approach. The theoretical framework uses a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for the data collected from an online survey of a sample of 544 family businesses in the accommodation industry.
Findings
This paper makes three main findings. First, family businesses that invest in operational marketing actions as a strategic response to the crisis have a high expectation of surviving the crisis. Second, family businesses that reduce their operational and labor costs as a strategic response have a low expectation of surviving the crisis. Third, the family business’s adaptability is also fundamental to their expectation of survival.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to identify the possible reactions of family businesses to the COVID-19 crisis. the authors show that there are proactive or retrenchment strategic responses, and the authors relate those responses to the expectancy of surviving the crisis. This is also the first study to examine the relevance of family adaptability as a measure of the resilience of family businesses and, therefore, as a determinant of the expectation of surviving the crisis.
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Josué Costa-Baptista, Edith Roland Fotsing, Jacky Mardjono, Daniel Therriault and Annie Ross
The purpose of this paper is the design and experimental investigation of compact hybrid sound-absorbing materials presenting low-frequency and broadband sound absorption.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is the design and experimental investigation of compact hybrid sound-absorbing materials presenting low-frequency and broadband sound absorption.
Design/methodology/approach
The hybrid materials combine microchannels and helical tubes. Microchannels provide broadband sound absorption in the middle frequency range. Helical tubes provide low-frequency absorption. Optimal configurations of microchannels are used and analytical equations are developed to guide the design of the helical tubes. Nine hybrid materials with 30 mm thickness are produced via additive manufacturing. They are combinations of one-, two- and four-layer microchannels and helical tubes with 110, 151 and 250 mm length. The sound absorption coefficient of the hybrid materials is measured using an impedance tube.
Findings
The type of microchannels (i.e. one, two or four layers), the number of rotations and the number of tubes are key parameters affecting the acoustic performance. For instance, in the 500 Hz octave band (α500), sound absorption of a 30 mm thick hybrid material can reach 0.52 which is 5.7 times higher than the α500 of a typical periodic porous material with the same thickness. Moreover, the broadband sound absorption for mid-frequencies is reasonably high with and α1000 > 0.7. The ratio of first absorption peak wavelength to structure thickness λ/T can reach 17, which is characteristic of deep-subwavelength behaviour.
Originality/value
The concept and experimental validation of a compact hybrid material combining a periodic porous structure such as microchannels and long helical tubes are original. The ability to increase low-frequency sound absorption at constant depth is an asset for applications where volume and weight are constraints.
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João Francisco Pinto Anaruma, Jorge Henrique Caldeira de Oliveira, Francisco Anaruma Filho, Wesley Ricardo de Souza Freitas and Adriano Alves Teixeira
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and map the main areas of the Circular Economy literature of the first two decades of 21st century, offering a broad vision about the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and map the main areas of the Circular Economy literature of the first two decades of 21st century, offering a broad vision about the growth of the theme during these years.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was divided into two stages: the first was a systematic review of literature and the second consisted on generation and analysis of bibliographic maps.
Findings
The publication indicates the prominence of China and European Union countries in the production of articles about Circular Economy. Furthermore, the topic is restricted to academic area, and that research on Circular Economy is still very focused on theory studies, even with exponential growth in the number of published articles about the theme since 2015. Finally, it also provides a collection of information as the principal authors, the most cited publications, citations, co-citations and countries that have most published beyond which are the most discussed topics.
Research limitations/implications
A possible limitation of the research is that it was performed only in the Scopus database. It may be suggested as future searches that other databases are included as well, and another suggestion is to reduce the time period between research samples due to the exponential increase in the number of publications and topics discussed lately.
Practical implications
The results of this paper can guide future researches about the development of Circular Economy during the next decades or years and serve as a facilitator for researchers and for managers that want to know more about the topic.
Originality/value
A mapping of the principal players and main discussions about Circular Economy made in the first two decades of the 21st century and an analysis about the growth and changes about the theme.
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The purpose of this paper is to establish new computer-aided-design (CAD) framework to design custom product that is fabricated additive manufacturing (AM), which can produce…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to establish new computer-aided-design (CAD) framework to design custom product that is fabricated additive manufacturing (AM), which can produce complex three-dimensional (3D) object without additional tool or fixture. Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) objects with complex shapes without additional tools and refixturing. However, it is difficult for user to use traditional computer-aided design tools to design custom products.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors presented a design system to help user design custom 3D printable products based on some reference freeform shapes. The user can define and edit styling curves on the reference model using the interactive geometric operations for styling curve. Incorporating with the reference models, these curves can be converted into 3D printable models through the fabrication interface.
Findings
The authors tested their system with four design applications including a hollow patterned bicycle helmet, a T-rex with skin frame structure, a face mask with Voronoi patterns and an AM-specific night dress with hollow patterns.
Originality/value
The executable prototype of the presented design framework used in the customization process is publicly available.
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This study aims to summarize the trend and overall aspect of Circular Economy (CE) in supply chain management research as a contribution of the previous research towards the CE…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to summarize the trend and overall aspect of Circular Economy (CE) in supply chain management research as a contribution of the previous research towards the CE concept narrowed in perspective, without presenting a specific application. Further, it is explored to identify the research hotspot, knowledge base, topic, landmark and pivot point in this research.
Design/methodology/approach
The scientometric mapping of CE in supply chain research papers is analyzed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software to cover the broader field spectrum and overcome a manual review. The Research papers are extracted from the Web of Science core collection comprising keywords “Circular Economy*” and “Supply Chain*”. A number of 1,092 papers are selected from the reputed journals over 20 years (2001–2021) for review.
Findings
The co-operation visualization network analysis initially identifies the descriptive analysis of overall publications, leading authors, countries, institutions and journal sources. The co-occurrences of keywords present the research hotspot. Moreover, the co-citation cluster analysis identifies knowledge base, research topic, landmark and pivot point. Industry 4.0 integrated supply chain, their driver, barrier, challenges and risks need further investigation.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are based on networks visualization analysis principles, which indicate connection, quality and impact of academic works that might be open to accusations. The methodology chosen for the research and findings interpretations are based on researchers' perceptive limitations and subjective judgment.
Originality/value
This review paper covers a diverse view to attain sustainable development goals due to considerable attention from researchers, practitioners and policymakers. Also is expected to set the future direction of the CE in the supply chain research.
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