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1 – 10 of 295
Article
Publication date: 1 June 2005

Peng Li, Calvin Lee and Brian Corner

To explore three‐dimensional scanning technology in capturing the shape of inflated parachutes for accurate estimation of surface area and volume.

2786

Abstract

Purpose

To explore three‐dimensional scanning technology in capturing the shape of inflated parachutes for accurate estimation of surface area and volume.

Design/methodology/approach

The volume and surface area of an inflated round parachute are important parameters for the design and analysis of its performance. However, it is difficult to acquire the three‐dimensional (3D) surface shape of a parachute due to its flexible fabric and dynamic movement. This paper presents how we collect 3D data with a laser scanner and calculate volume and surface area of parachutes from their scans. The necessary data clean and approximation steps with non‐uniform B‐spline function are introduced and implemented. Numerical integration methods are employed to estimate surface area and volume. The approximation of the parachute based on an ellipsoid is compared with the numerical integration approach in their volumes and surface areas.

Findings

It is found that 3D scanning technology, with help of mathematic program developed, provides a feasible mean to estimate the surface area and volume of inflated parachutes. The numerical integration method derived in this paper is reliable and robust for the computation.

Originality/value

It is the first time that the 3D shape of an inflated parachute has been scanned with a laser scanner. The mathematical methods developed for processing of scan data are useful for others who use 3D scanning technology. The computational approach and results of surface area and volume of inflated parachutes are valuable to parachute performance modeling and design community.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 22 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 September 2011

Sharon Turnbull

Leadership theories that inform business education have largely been rooted in Western conceptions of leadership. The purpose of this paper is to report on research that seeks to…

1478

Abstract

Purpose

Leadership theories that inform business education have largely been rooted in Western conceptions of leadership. The purpose of this paper is to report on research that seeks to uncover and reflect on how leadership wisdoms originating beyond the Western world can support the radical transformation of global business education toward a more responsible and sustainable template. It argues that indigenous and Eastern ideologies will be needed if we are to change educational mindsets and challenge the obsolete model of Western business school education.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 45 in‐depth interviews with leaders from indigenous and non‐Western cultures were conducted in order to gain deep insights into how their leadership identities, values and behaviours have been shaped by their societies and the oral wisdoms in their cultures. The author also draws on interviews and observations of 26 executives participating in a class of the International Masters Programme in Practicing Management. The findings from each study were combined to propose how these might challenge and inform a future business school curricula that challenge its orthodoxy of “shareholder value above all else”.

Findings

The research identified a number of embedded leadership wisdoms currently overlooked in the current model of business education. Based within a deep‐rooted ethic of responsibility, conviction, stewardship and sustainability and reflecting a cosmopolitan mindset, the critical knowledge and values embedded in indigenous communities, transmitted orally across many generations, provides a challenge to Western business schools to embed the knowledge found within those societies and communities toward a more sustainable response to the crisis of our planet. Responsibility, humanity, benevolence, trusteeship, contribution, honesty and conviction are some of the core “wisdoms” uncovered in the research that can inform and frame a radical rethink of the norms of business school curricula.

Originality/value

The current model of business education preserves the status quo of twenty‐first century capitalism. As globalisation advances, leaders appear to be powerless to act against a dominant ideology that reveres shareholder value above all else. The research builds on De Woot's critique of the shareholder value paradigm to suggest that a new form of business education based on leadership wisdoms in indigenous and oral cultures, and ancient texts has much to contribute to radical mindset change in business education.

Details

Journal of Global Responsibility, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2041-2568

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 June 2020

Diotima Chattoraj

Singapore has had a dramatic spike in coronavirus infections in early 2020, with thousands of new cases linked to clusters in migrant workers (MWs) dormitories. To control the…

Abstract

Singapore has had a dramatic spike in coronavirus infections in early 2020, with thousands of new cases linked to clusters in migrant workers (MWs) dormitories. To control the spread, the Government attempted to isolate the dormitories, test workers and move symptomatic patients into quarantine facilities. But those measures have left thousands of them trapped in their dormitories, living in cramped conditions that make social distancing near impossible. This paper investigates how COVID-19 has impacted the lives of these workers in varied ways and highlights the migrant workers' belief if Singapore’s effort has been enough for them during the COVID-19 pandemic? The focus is mainly on the low-skilled workers from India and Bangladesh, who are prone to be affected in various ways by COVID-19. My collected data show that migrant workers are grateful to the Singapore state for the support extended during COVID-19. I used the concept of subcultures to explain the condition of the workers in the state of Singapore. Because they expect so little social protection from the state, they are genuinely grateful for its support during the pandemic.

Details

Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1819-5091

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1979

BELVER C. GRIFFITH, PATRICIA N. SERVI, ANITA L. ANKER and M. CARL DROTT

Scientific writings age; individual documents, issues or volumes of scientific journals are, eventually, less valued and less used with the passage of time. Long periods of time…

Abstract

Scientific writings age; individual documents, issues or volumes of scientific journals are, eventually, less valued and less used with the passage of time. Long periods of time, say more than several decades, render portions of the literature obsolete, and ‘aging’ is evident. However, controversy has developed recently about quantitative models, particularly Brookes, which proposes a systematic exponential aging process for the corpus of library periodical holdings. In disagreement with these models, Sandison presents use patterns showing no aging; and Line points to methodological difficulties in demonstrating aging. Both the models, and the questions raised regarding their validity are of considerable interest and importance to our understanding of the nature of scientific information and the management of collections. We show, here, that citation data conform well to the Brookes model, but the chief findings regard the nature of the aging process and its apparent range within scientific literatures. A scientific journal which is used as an archive ages slowly; one which supports a research front ages quickly. Aging depends not merely on the material itself, but its user, and a single journal may be aged very differently by different user communities. Lastly, aging rates vary among journals, and it is relatively easy to identify journals which age at about the rate at which the literature grows and journals which appear to exhaust most of their utility within a few years.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2007

Woonbong Na, Youngseok Son and Roger Marshall

In most markets it is possible to identify a brand leader and a number of brand followers. The purpose of this paper is to address the following question: “Why should any consumer…

2205

Abstract

Purpose

In most markets it is possible to identify a brand leader and a number of brand followers. The purpose of this paper is to address the following question: “Why should any consumer purchase a ‘second‐best’ option?”

Design/methodology/approach

Consideration of the way in which these two groups of consumers (brand leaders and followers) trade off product attributes (utilitarian benefits, hedonistic benefits and price fairness) during the choice process is made in the study by path analysis of the appropriate structural equation models and then a consideration of the level and the differences between the means of the three variables.

Findings

The paper finds that utilitarian attributes are of paramount importance to satisfaction with the brand. This is not in accordance with conventional wisdom, which leads us to believe that price is most important to buyers of second‐tier brands and hedonic considerations most important to buyers of leading brands.

Research limitations/implications

The model fit attained is only good enough for exploratory work (GFI =0.88/0.90) so replication with a larger sample would be appropriate. In addition, the research is carried out in South Korea – although we know of no reason why this should affect the results it would be of interest to generalize the results to a western economy. Nevertheless, the method of first fitting the model then trading off the attribute levels is unusual and quite interesting.

Practical implications

Marketers of leading brands should not concern themselves about price but merely stress the benefits, whereas marketers of follower brands should make much of the price differential.

Originality/value

The importance of utilitarian benefits have hitherto not often been stressed when marketing premium brands – this research suggests that this is wrong.

Details

Journal of Product & Brand Management, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1061-0421

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2004

Yihua Cao and Hong Xu

By means of establishing parachute’s flying physical model, four methods (i.e. tiny segment analysis method, inflating distance method, moment method and simulating canopy shape…

1039

Abstract

By means of establishing parachute’s flying physical model, four methods (i.e. tiny segment analysis method, inflating distance method, moment method and simulating canopy shape method) are adopted to analyze and calculate the variations of canopy shape and the parameters of parachute inflation. The results are simply analyzed, and the figures of all the results are compared.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 76 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2024

Daisy Lee, Calvin Wan, Tiffany Cheng Han Leung, Sharyn Rundle-Thiele and Gabriel Li

This paper aims to illustrate the application and effectiveness of a marketing programme co-designed by supply- and demand-side stakeholders to reduce consumer food waste in…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate the application and effectiveness of a marketing programme co-designed by supply- and demand-side stakeholders to reduce consumer food waste in restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

This stakeholder-based marketing pilot study adopted the co-create, build and engage framework for programme design and implementation. Major stakeholders, interacting at the point-of-sale, participated in a series of focus groups, interviews and co-design. The research process informed the marketing mix, which aimed to provide value for all parties. The four-week pilot programme was delivered in a non-buffet-style commercial restaurant chain for 10 months. The amount of consumer food leftovers was measured and compared with pre-programme baseline data to evaluate programme effectiveness.

Findings

The results show that the marketing mix co-designed by restaurant stakeholders and consumers effectively reduced food waste by almost half in the pilot period. The profitability of the pilot restaurant increased as food costs decreased.

Research limitations/implications

This research demonstrates how working with stakeholders from both the supply and demand sides can identify motivations and barriers. Insights gained in the research phase can inform the delivery of a marketing mix that reduces consumer food waste. This study demonstrates the marketing research, design, implementation and evaluation process for a marketing programme that reduced consumer food waste.

Practical implications

To effectively reduce consumer food waste, practitioners should not only focus on changing consumers’ behaviour. Co-designing solutions with food service stakeholders to address business and operation challenges is crucial to the attainment of a positive impact at the point-of-sale.

Originality/value

This research shows how marketing changes behaviour in individuals and business entities, contributing to positive environmental impact through waste reduction in the commercial food service sector.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2023

Joseph Lok-Man Lee, Vanessa Liu and Calvin Cheng

Unlike traditional products and services, customer motivation to purchase green products/services may be due to non-marketing factors, such as their personal values about health…

Abstract

Purpose

Unlike traditional products and services, customer motivation to purchase green products/services may be due to non-marketing factors, such as their personal values about health. In this study, the authors aim to propose and validate an integrative model using both advertising attitude factors and health beliefs to explain purchase intention and word of mouth in the context of green marketing. The authors focus specifically on collectivist consumers as values and social norms that tend to be more salient in driving their decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested empirically using a survey study with 308 Chinese consumers in Hong Kong. The data were analyzed using confirmatory composite analysis (CCA) and partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

All health beliefs were significant predictors of green advertising attitude. Green satisfaction fully mediates the relationship between green advertising attitude and positive word of mouth for products and services with green advertising for collectivist Chinese consumers. Meanwhile, green satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between green advertising attitude and purchase intention. In addition, green brand equity partially mediates the green advertising attitude–purchase intention/positive word of mouth link.

Practical implications

The significant impacts of health belief factors on green advertising attitude present important implications to advertising managers in terms of the use of information appeal in promoting green products/services. Green brand equity should also be developed in order to optimize green advertising effectiveness, especially in the context of collectivist customers.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first few studies investigating the mediating role of green satisfaction and green brand equity for collectivist consumer behaviors based on the health belief model (HBM).

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 35 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 October 2022

Sangchul Park, Hyun-Woo Lee and Calvin Nite

Fitness service organizations often promote the personal training service by attributing competent features, qualifications, or/and service provision of fitness service providers…

Abstract

Purpose

Fitness service organizations often promote the personal training service by attributing competent features, qualifications, or/and service provision of fitness service providers to efforts or talents. This study aims to investigate whether and when the promotional attribution of fitness service providers' competent features, qualifications, or/and service provision contributes to customers' compliance with service instructions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed the experimental stimuli of performance attribution promotion (i.e. effort attribution and talent attribution) and validated them via a pretest (N = 400). Utilizing the validated stimuli, the authors conducted an experiment (N = 400) employing a single-factor (performance attribution promotion: effort vs talent) between-subject design. The authors performed partial least squares structural modeling (PLS-SEM) to test our hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed the interaction effect of performance attribution promotion and customers' implicit mindset on customer participation expectation. Specifically, when customers were high in implicit mindset (i.e. incremental-minded), attributing competent features, qualifications, or/and service provision of fitness service providers to effort (vs talent) increased customer participation expectation. Yet, when customers were low in implicit mindset (i.e. entity-minded), such an effect did not occur. Further, the authors identified customers' intention to comply with service instructions as a downstream consequence of the aforementioned interaction effect.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is twofold. It enriches the performance attribution literature by finding its new consequences and boundary condition. Moreover, the findings aid fitness service practitioners in developing strategies for eliciting customers' compliance with service instruction through performance attribution promotion.

Details

Journal of Service Theory and Practice, vol. 33 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-6225

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 March 2020

Calvin W.H. Cheong, Miin Huui Lee and Marc Arul Weissmann

This study investigates the effects of credit access and tax structures on the performance of Manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the effects of credit access and tax structures on the performance of Manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the dynamic panel system generalized method of moments, controlling for firm-specific as well as macroeconomic effects

Findings

The paper finds that (1) debt funding is not conducive to SME performance; (2) access to non-bank credit sources and tax incentives support SME performance by lowering opportunity costs of riskier projects; (3) existing tax structures in Malaysia inhibit SME growth and encourage manipulation of accounts; and (4) investors in Malaysia prefer SMEs that are more conservative in their accounting and taxation practices.

Research limitations/implications

Access to Malaysian SME data is restricted. Although robust methods are used, there is a chance that different conclusions may arise with a much larger sample.

Practical implications

The findings provide clear direction in the discussion and enactment of new policies that support SME growth especially in support of non-bank credit sources instead of revising tax policies. The paper also contributes by providing guidance to future SME studies that are inhibited by limited access to data.

Originality/value

SME-related studies on credit access and tax structures have often relied on traditional metrics (e.g. total amount of bank loans; tax expenses) to measure its impact on entrepreneurial/SME performance. Although relevant to the past, financial policies have evolved to embrace Industrial Revolution 4.0. This paper is a shift from the traditional by investigating the impact of new and innovative sources of funding such as incubators and crowdfunding. Also, since one cannot exist without the other, examining the joint impact of credit access and tax structures provides a more holistic view on policy-making, something prior studies have not addressed.

Details

International Journal of Managerial Finance, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1743-9132

Keywords

1 – 10 of 295