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1 – 10 of over 1000Sovereignty retains considerable currency today insofar as it fuses ordinary understandings of the state, the nation, and democracy. Against widespread expectations, however, the…
Abstract
Sovereignty retains considerable currency today insofar as it fuses ordinary understandings of the state, the nation, and democracy. Against widespread expectations, however, the European Union has increasingly harnessed sovereignty as a source of vitality. We are thus witnessing a mainstreaming of populist politics, as the rhetoric of sovereignty no longer disqualifies new EU institutions and policies. This can be better understood if we consider sovereignty, from a constructivist perspective, as an evolving set of practices. First, sovereignty evolves within political and administrative circles, as European officials act to modify longstanding practices of state sovereignty. Second, sovereignty evolves in an increasingly politicized context, as political leaders dramatize EU crises in order to mobilize coalitions around new practices of popular sovereignty. This dual dynamic of state sovereignty and popular sovereignty is demonstrated in the case of the Eurozone and then extrapolated to the current trajectory of the EU polity against the benchmark of US federalism after the Civil War. An open question is whether sovereignty practices in the European Union will continue to evolve without compromising the Union's cosmopolitan and liberal objectives.
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Sylvia Odusanya, J. Jorge Ochoa, Nicholas Chileshe and Seungjun Ahn
The purpose of this paper is to provide a holistic view of the link between the identification of complexity contributing factors, the application of project management approaches…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a holistic view of the link between the identification of complexity contributing factors, the application of project management approaches and their impacts on the performance of Information Technology (IT)-enabled change projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach of an embedded single-case design comprising three IT-enabled change projects delivered in Australia was used to explore the impact of complexity contributing factors and project management approaches on project performance measures. Semi-structured interviews were used as the main data collection method. Thematic analysis was used as the data analysis approach.
Findings
The results from the thematic analysis highlight that complexity contributing factors are related to two categories of complexity defined in this paper: technical uncertainties and uncertainty in goals and deliverables, both have an impact on the performance of IT-enabled change projects. It also highlights key project management approaches such as the use of an adaptive management approach and good communication as key to managing complexity. It also identifies a misalignment between stakeholder perception of success and the project management success measure for complex IT-enabled projects.
Research limitations/implications
The research is based on data collected from Australian participants involved in three case studies. Additional data collection and reviews from practitioners in the field of project management could further refine and improve this research.
Practical implications
The research facilitates the identification of specific complexity contributing factors at the early stage of a project to ensure that the appropriate project management approaches and success measures are used.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to rethinking the pathways towards improving project performance in the IT sector by expanding the identification of project complexity to understanding how complexity and the management approaches impact project performance.
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Artur Szewieczek, Christian Willberg, Daniel Schmidt and Michael Sinapius
A design of sensor networks for structural health monitoring (SHM) with guided waves poses a hard challenge. Therefore different approaches are possible. A known one is the usage…
Abstract
Purpose
A design of sensor networks for structural health monitoring (SHM) with guided waves poses a hard challenge. Therefore different approaches are possible. A known one is the usage of probability of detection (POD) criteria. Here, areas of potential impact sensitivity are calculated for every sensor which leads to a POD. The number of sensors is increased until a demanded POD is reached. However, these calculations are usually based on finite element methods and underlie different assumptions and approximations which can cause different inaccuracies. These limitations are avoided by using an experimental data basis for virtual sensors in this paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
An air-coupled ultrasound scanning technique is used for guided wave investigations. Recorded displacements of a structure surface are used as stimulation of virtual sensors which can be designed by software and positioned within available data field. For the calculation of sensor signals an isogeometric finite element model is used. The virtually bonded layer of the virtual piezoceramic sensor interpolates with non-uniform rational B-Splines (NURBS) the measured nodal data for each time step. This interpolation corresponds to a displacement boundary condition and is used to calculate the electrical potential at the free surface of the sensor.
Findings
Experimental data based on air-coupled ultrasound scanning technique can be used for elimination of disadvantages in numerical simulations by developing sensor networks for SHM. In combination with a transfer matrix method (TM) a three-dimensional displacement of specimen surface for complex composites can be calculated. To obtain the sensor signal a surface-bonded sensor is modeled by an isogeometric finite element approach. A good accordance is found between calculated virtual sensor signal and its experimental verification.
Research limitations/implications
Some deviations between calculated signal and its experimental verification are mainly justified by different spectral transfer functions between wave field scanning technique and signal recording of applied sensors. Furthermore, sensor influence on wave propagation is neglected in the presented method.
Originality/value
In this paper, the principle of virtual sensors is applied on anisotropic multilayered lamina by using isogeometric finite elements for piezoelectric sensors. This enables any sensor dimension, layout and position on complex composites. Furthermore a bonding layer between specimen and sensor is considered. The method allows a detailed analysis of sensor behavior on a specimen surface and the design and optimization of entire sensor networks for SHM.
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The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that systematically captures the ambiguity of different understandings about science, the university and its relation to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that systematically captures the ambiguity of different understandings about science, the university and its relation to society, while conceptualising sustainability. Following Corley and Gioia (2004, p. 174) on identity ambiguity and change, it seems pivotal to better understanding the ambiguity of sustainability in relation to academic cultures and university models to manage the transition more effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
The nature of this paper’s objectives as well as the wide thematic scope leads to the need of exploring a broad knowledge base. This was best addressed by an exploratory literature review with data collection from primary and secondary sources. The data was interpreted through a hermeneutic analysis and resulted in the inductive development of first categories and goals (further referred to as category development). In addition, a multi-method approach further adjusted the categories and raised their empirical validity and social robustness.
Findings
Implementing sustainability involves dealing with a double bound ambiguity due to organisational and individual identity reasons. Five fields of ambiguity were developed to systemise the conceptualisation of a sustainable university along contradictory understandings of science, the university and sustainability. These fields offer a framework to qualitatively assess the degree of sustainability in higher education institutions. Arguments for and against sustainability in universities have been categorised around five criteria and associated to the fields of ambiguity. The finding indicates that meaning in organisational change management for sustainability can be considered both, a potential driver and barrier for a sustainability transition in universities.
Research limitations/implications
This paper exclusively focussed on the internal perspective and left aside any external factors that influence the sustainability transition, such as political measures to stimulate sustainability in higher education. In addition, the operational dimension of a sustainable university has been neglected, which is by all means a necessary and important aspect. The interrelation of the identified goals has not been discussed.
Originality/value
This paper focusses on the conceptualisation and understanding of sustainability within the institution, an often-forgotten but fundamental aspect of implementation. The fields of ambiguity are designed to be applied for assessing the “degree of maturity” of a sustainable university. The fields reveal the different understandings about the role, the mission and the governance of universities, stemming from competing preferences about goals and their assumed relations by various stakeholders of a higher education institutions. The five fields are not an attempt to resolve the hidden contradictions and tensions in a sustainability transition, but to state them clearly to anticipate resistances and conflicts that hinder the development of a shared understanding.
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Michael Zvolensky, Jafar Bakhshaie, Daniel J. Paulus, Monica Garza, Jeanette Valdivieso, Olaguibel Sampogna, Daniel Bogiaizian, Zuzuky Robles and Norman B. Schmidt
The purpose of this paper is to examine the explanatory role of negative affect in the relation between subjective social status and anxiety/depressive disorders, suicidality…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the explanatory role of negative affect in the relation between subjective social status and anxiety/depressive disorders, suicidality symptoms, and disruption in life domains (i.e. disability; work/school, social life, and family life/home responsibilities) among Latinos seeking health services at a primary healthcare facility.
Design/methodology/approach
An experiment was designed using participants including 205 adult Latinos (Mage=39.2; SD=11.4) with annual incomes of less than $30,000. The sample was mostly female (85.9 percent) with a majority (98.5 percent) indicating Spanish as their first language.
Findings
Results indicated that subjective social status was indirectly related to the mental health variables through negative affect. Notably, these observed effects were evident above and beyond the variance accounted for by gender, age, marital status, educational status, employment status, and number of years in the USA.
Research limitations/implications
The present findings suggest that there is merit in focusing further scientific attention on the interplay between subjective social status and negative affect to better understand and possibly intervene to reduce anxiety/depressive vulnerability and disability among Latinos in primary care settings.
Originality/value
The current study sheds light on the relationship between social status and negative affect in the Latino population. Elucidating mental health in a minority population such as the Latino population provides insight into the mental health needs among minorities that have yet to be addressed.
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DANIEL V. LEZOTTE, NAMBURY S. RAJU, MICHAEL J. BURKE and JACQUES NORMAND
This study compared per selectee utility estimates for the job of medical claims examiner based on applications of the Brogden‐Cronbach‐Gleser (BCG) and Raju‐Burke‐Normand (RBN…
Abstract
This study compared per selectee utility estimates for the job of medical claims examiner based on applications of the Brogden‐Cronbach‐Gleser (BCG) and Raju‐Burke‐Normand (RBN) utility analysis models. The RBN model's per selectee utility estimate, based on a transformed observed performance rating standard deviation (σR), was closest to the per selectee utility estimate computed with an empirically‐derived σY value. The implications of these results for estimating human resource program utility are discussed.
Dániel Bíró, Franz Diwoky and Erich Schmidt
The aim of the paper is to investigate the impacts of simplifications of a reduced-order simulation model of squirrel cage induction machines (SCIMs) by numerical experiments.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the paper is to investigate the impacts of simplifications of a reduced-order simulation model of squirrel cage induction machines (SCIMs) by numerical experiments.
Design/methodology/approach
Design of setups to isolate the main influences on the results of the reduced-order model of SCIMs. Results of time-stepping finite element calculations are used as benchmark.
Findings
Whereas neglecting eddy current effects and the assumption of a sinusoidal rotor current distribution leads to acceptable deviations in regular inverter operation, the sampling and interpolation of the machine parameters in a two-axis coordinate system considerably deteriorate the model accuracy. Using a polar coordinate system for this purpose is expected to significantly improve the model quality.
Originality/value
Preparing the ground for a successful, both fast and accurate simulation model of SCIMs as parts of electrified drivetrains.
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Toula Perrea, Karen Brunsø, Themistoklis Altintzoglou, Gunnþórunn Einarsdóttir and Joop Luten
The evening meal is an important, regular event in the lives of many people and its daily practices lead consumers to develop habits that determine their food choices. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The evening meal is an important, regular event in the lives of many people and its daily practices lead consumers to develop habits that determine their food choices. The objective of the present work is to further investigate how consumers make choices by determining the stages as well as the content of the family's daily food (i.e. seafood and meat‐related) decision‐making process.
Design/methodology/approach
Twenty‐four families in Denmark, Norway and Iceland were asked to fill in a one‐to‐two‐week semi‐structured diary regarding any thoughts they had about the decision‐making sequence regarding their evening meals. Data were analysed by means of content analysis so as to gain insight into the main themes and distinctive patterns with respect to the four stages of the decision‐making sequence by identifying a number of codes and sub‐codes of high and lower abstraction level.
Findings
The main results were similar across the three countries. Planning was the most important phase of the evening meal decision‐making sequence, where Nordic respondents considered practical issues, and engaged in a more rational type of thinking, allowing cognitive aspects to prevail at this particular stage. The presence of rational thoughts was repeated in the successive stages of purchasing, whereas affective thoughts were elicited mainly during the later stages of preparation and consumption. Furthermore, the comparison of seafood and meat as choices that complied with respondents' demands and expectations revealed that the two food types were perceived as substitutes for each other; however, meat was considered a choice that respondents felt more confident with in terms of pre‐ and post‐purchasing experience.
Originality/value
This paper offers substantial insights into the factors that influence the decision making process, as well as the importance that consumers assign to those factors across most stages of the decision making process. This valuable, in‐depth information can only be collected by using qualitative methods such as the present diaries. Gaining insights into the factors that influence various stages of the evening meal decision‐making process enables researchers to identify the importance that consumers assign to cognitive and affective factors across the food provisioning stages for a variety of food products (including seafood).
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