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1 – 10 of 10Claudia Bruni, Enrico Cestino and Giacomo Frulla
The purpose of the research activity is to identify the best configuration of piezoelectric (PZT) elements for a typical condition of wing aeroelastic instability. The attention…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the research activity is to identify the best configuration of piezoelectric (PZT) elements for a typical condition of wing aeroelastic instability. The attention is mainly focused on the flutter behavior of the structure. However, the model can be extended with low-impact adjustments to other loading conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
The dynamic system consists of a thin-walled beam, whose longitudinal faces are perfectly bonded by two PZT layers and it is excited by the aerodynamic forces to assume a simple harmonic oscillation motion. The equations of motion are obtained using an energy approach by applying the extended Hamilton principle in conjunction with the Ritz method for modal approximation. The external forces acting on the system are modeled according to the Theodorsen derivation.
Findings
The flutter speed and the power generated from flutter oscillations can be increased by acting on the length of the PZT elements. The results show that the model with the beam substrate totally covered by the PZT in its longitudinal direction is more effective for low electrical resistance, whereas for high resistance values, the beam substrate that is partially covered provides the best results. Furthermore, both flutter postponement and energy harvesting functions can be maximized by properly choosing the beam stiffness ratio.
Practical Implications
Depending on the parameter we want to maximize, that is, the flutter speed or the energy harvested, it is possible to identify the best system configuration from the analysis presented in this paper.
Originality/value
The originality of the work appears in the sensitivity study performed on a three-dimensional piezo-aeroelastic fluttering wing, whose optimal behavior in terms of flutter postponement and power generation is analyzed using two distinct parameters, the beam stiffness ratio and the PZT length.
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Claudia Gather, Lena Schürmann and Heinz Zipprian
This paper aims to look at the multiple embeddedness of male self-employment by focusing on entrepreneurship of men supported by female breadwinners.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to look at the multiple embeddedness of male self-employment by focusing on entrepreneurship of men supported by female breadwinners.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a qualitative research design, the paper presents three case studies drawn from a research project, where 40 narrative interviews were conducted with female and male business starters.
Findings
The concept of embeddedness that was developed for female business founders can also be applied and specified for business startups of men. Creating and conducting a business or becoming self-employed is for men closely related to and interwoven with gender norms, household and partnership dynamics. Men who are not the family breadwinners benefit from the male connotations of entrepreneurship. Male self-employment, even if of precarious or low pecuniary relevance, allows them to fulfill the norms of masculinity and employment.
Research limitations/implications
Given that this is a qualitative study only based on three case studies, more research is needed to estimate the frequency of this type of male self-employment.
Originality/value
The importance of the context for the decision on starting-up and conducting a business is shown for male entrepreneurs. The study demonstrates how on the household level the male entrepreneurship norm is transformed into everyday lives and fits into gender arrangements. In emphasizing the non-economic dimensions of entrepreneurship, the paper opens the discussion about the interconnections between gender and entrepreneurship for men as well.
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Daniel Gilmour and Edward Simpson
Public realm urban regeneration projects aim to provide facilities for the common good such as improved road systems, public parks, museums and cultural institutions. Driven by…
Abstract
Public realm urban regeneration projects aim to provide facilities for the common good such as improved road systems, public parks, museums and cultural institutions. Driven by political priorities, the expected benefits for society comprise of the proposed regeneration outcomes articulated in a masterplan vision. As a philosophical concept, common good in the context of urban regeneration is explored in this study to understand the expectations for major, long-term regeneration projects and the intended project objectives. In the approach to governance, there should be a relationship between monitoring indicators adopted by the regeneration project as part of the governance framework and their alignment with the common good. These concepts are analysed through a case study of the development and reporting of benchmark indicators established at the start of a major 20-year urban redevelopment in 2010. The monitoring and enhancement concept implemented required indicators to be developed and embedded in the regeneration process to, not only monitor, but also enhance sustainability. The longitudinal case study, at the interim point 10 years since the establishment of these indicators, will evaluate the sustainability of the urban regeneration and evaluate current evidence for the common good. The indicators were developed following the principles of a theme orientated framework in line with the UK and Scottish Government approach at that time. The process of indicator development was iterative, refined and finalised through working closely with local authority, Scottish Enterprise and partnership stakeholders (civic oriented organisations) to capture evidence of progress towards the masterplan vision. Ten years on, conclusions examine whether these indicators could be used a proxy for common good. The conclusion will identify the extent to which we would need to revise indicators to address any gaps to become a more accurate measure of common good.
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Carlos E. Morales and Claudia Holtschlag
Postmaterialist values (autonomy, self‐expression, fulfilment of personal goals) have been shown to predict entrepreneurship at the country level. This paper aims to expand…
Abstract
Purpose
Postmaterialist values (autonomy, self‐expression, fulfilment of personal goals) have been shown to predict entrepreneurship at the country level. This paper aims to expand previous research by testing the relationship between postmaterialism and entrepreneurship at the individual level across 39 countries.
Design/methodology/approach
In a series of multilevel models, with individuals nested within countries, the paper tests whether individuals’ postmaterialist values predict the probability of becoming an entrepreneur after controlling for income level, age, gender and education level. To do this, Inglehart's 12‐item Postmaterialism‐index was used. Data was taken from the 1999‐2004 database of the World Value Survey on approximately forty‐five thousand subjects from 39 countries. Models with random intercepts and random slopes were calculated.
Findings
This paper presents evidence on three issues: postmaterialism decreases a person's likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur; the effect of postmaterialism on entrepreneurship varies across countries; and this effect is more negative in countries with high levels of entrepreneurship.
Practical implications
Theoretical: individuals with materialist values are more likely to be entrepreneurs than postmaterialist individuals. This finding provides support to the hypothesis that entrepreneurs are basically economically driven people. Practical: The efficacy of public policies to promote entrepreneurial activity could be overshadowed by more deeply‐rooted cultural orientations, postmaterialism in this case.
Originality/value
The relationship between postmaterialism and entrepreneurship has been studied previously using countries as the unit of analysis; this paper's main contribution is that it expands this line of research to the individual level of analysis.
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Ana Valeria Calvo, Ana Dolores Franco and Marta Frasquet
This study aims to explore the role that artificial intelligence (AI) systems could play in configuring and enhancing the omnichannel customer experience (OCE).This paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the role that artificial intelligence (AI) systems could play in configuring and enhancing the omnichannel customer experience (OCE).This paper aims to pave the way to better understand the intersection between these two novel topics through perspectives and associated interpretations from managers', consultants' and consumers' beliefs, experiences and thoughts.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts an explorative inductive design. Data from 41 in-depth interviews with high-level retail managers (12), AI consultants (3) and omnichannel consumers (26) was analyzed using grounded theory methodology.
Findings
The study's results revealed that, when AI systems are implemented in the omnichannel experience, some dimensions of the OCE change in relevance. The findings show that some OCE dimensions are easier to relate with experiential elements of the omnichannel experience, such as personalization, consistency and flexibility. In contrast, integration and connectivity are perceived as internal retailer capabilities that enable the omnichannel strategy. Consumers' data also show differences in the omnichannel customer journeys for the product categories of clothes, electronics and furniture.
Originality/value
This study presents insights on the impact of AI on OCE from top-retail managers', consultants' and consumers' perspectives. This choice allowed researchers to explore and uncover interesting intersecting points and examine issues related to omnichannel experience and AI systems implementation, providing guidance for future research.
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Claudia Araujo, Marina Siqueira and Liliana Amaral
Health-care professionals are caring for patients in unprecedented circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing with scarce resources, higher demand and uncertain outcomes…
Abstract
Purpose
Health-care professionals are caring for patients in unprecedented circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing with scarce resources, higher demand and uncertain outcomes. In this context, the purpose of this study is to explore the views of health-care professionals regarding their work conditions and perceived impacts of the pandemic on their health, as well as the role of resilience and improvisation in face of the new challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory and qualitative study carried out semi-structured interviews with eleven health-care professionals from three Brazilian states that have been working in intensive care settings during the pandemic.
Findings
The pandemic has posed a great personal and professional burden on the professionals, impacting their physical and mental health. It also has required them greater resilience and improvisation capabilities to adequately perform work-related activities.
Practical implications
In addition to individual-level attitudes, the results suggest that aspects in the government, society, personal relationships and providers domains influence the effects of the pandemic on the health-care professionals and how they cope with the ongoing crisis. Such a multifactorial approach should therefore be considered by health managers.
Originality/value
With no similar effort identified, this study emphasizes the relevance of discussing the pandemic burden on frontline professionals and intends to be useful for health practitioners, managers, academics and policymakers.
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Silvia Gherardi and Manuela Perrotta
The purpose of this paper is to add a new term to the vocabulary of practice-based studies: “formativeness”, which denotes the kind of knowledge that is generated in the process…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to add a new term to the vocabulary of practice-based studies: “formativeness”, which denotes the kind of knowledge that is generated in the process of realizing the object of the practice and that is discovered while the form of the object is being shaped. This term focuses the analysis on how the elements of a practice are held together, rather than on what elements are involved in a practice.
Design/methodology/approach
Inspired by grounded theory, an empirical research study on craftswomen and their practical creativity (between the hand and the head) was designed. Storytelling was used in order to elicit the verbalization of the craftswomen's ways of knowing/doing, and the episodic interview was the technique employed to access and present the data.
Findings
Formativeness can be described and interpreted as the effect of the following dimensions: the emergence of the object, the golden rule of realization, forming by hybridization, experimentation, playfulness, attachment to matter, and proper realization.
Originality/value
The study's contribution may be evaluated in relation to how a vocabulary for describing and interpreting knowing-in-practice is constructed. Formativeness makes it possible to name the process by which ways of doing are discovered while activities are being performed. It contributes to a critique of representational knowledge, while offering an alternative line of inquiry.
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This research study aims to capture the movement of research focus and to highlight notable authors, journals and documents on teachers' satisfaction from 1956 to 2022.
Abstract
Purpose
This research study aims to capture the movement of research focus and to highlight notable authors, journals and documents on teachers' satisfaction from 1956 to 2022.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper analyzed the bibliographic metadata associated with 720 Clarivate Web of Science indexed articles on this topic, using descriptive, co-occurrence and thematic analyses.
Findings
The study first identified the growth trajectory of literature on this topic over time and found a steady increasement since 2016. The findings also revealed four sub-topics that scholars often investigate when studying teachers' satisfaction, which are: leadership, engagement, self-efficacy and retention, as well as the scholars' research focus on those sub-topics across different periods. In recent years, scholars have been paying more attention to exploring the influence of various leadership styles and teachers' professional identities on job satisfaction.
Originality/value
This paper is the first bibliometric review on this topic. The results of this study showed that there was little collaboration between authors across countries and territories. Therefore, there is a considerable demand for comparative studies on this topic, which can expose untapped insights from various cultures and societies. Finally, by featuring the most influential authors, documents and journals on teachers' satisfaction, this work might serve as an introduction for scholars who are new to this topic.
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