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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of residence time distribution in extruders along with the incorporation of nutraceuticals on the final quality of the products with respect to several pivotal responses.

Corn–rice flour blend fortified with isolated nutraceutical concentrates at two (low and high) levels was extruded at barrel temperature (110°C), screw speed (260 rpm) and feed moisture (17 percent). Extrudates were collected at an interval of 24 s followed by analysis for radial expansion (RE), bulk density (BD), water absorption index (WAI), sensory score (SS), textural hardness, colorimetric values (L*, a* and b*) and color difference (E).

The entire data were fitted to zero- and first-order kinetic models. There was a gradual decrease in RE, SS and L* value, whereas an increase in BD, textural hardness and a* value of extrudates fortified with the three nutraceutical concentrates was observed with the successive time interval of 24 s along with a more pronounced effect on color difference (E) observed during the last stages of extrusion time. The zero-order kinetic model was well fitted for BD and a* value, whereas the first-order kinetic model showed better results for RE, WAI, SS, textural hardness, L* value, a* value and b* value of fortified extrudates.

Nutraceuticals like β-glucans, lignans and γ oryzanol exhibit numerous health-beneficial effects. This study analyzes the kinetics of changes in various responses of extrudates fortified with these nutraceutical concentrates during extrusion.

Information and communications technology (ICT) offers enormous opportunities for individuals, businesses and society. The application of ICT is equally important to economic and non-economic activities. Researchers have increasingly focused on the adoption and use of ICT by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the economic development of a country is largely dependent on them. Following the success of ICT utilisation in SMEs in developed countries, many developing countries are looking to utilise the potential of the technology to develop SMEs. Past studies have shown that the contribution of ICT to the performance of SMEs is not clear and certain. Thus, it is crucial to determine the effectiveness of ICT in generating firm performance since this has implications for SMEs’ expenditure on the technology. This research examines the diffusion of ICT among SMEs with respect to the typical stages from innovation adoption to post-adoption, by analysing the actual usage of ICT and value creation. The mediating effects of integration and utilisation on SME performance are also studied. Grounded in the innovation diffusion literature, institutional theory and resource-based theory, this study has developed a comprehensive integrated research model focused on the research objectives. Following a positivist research paradigm, this study employs a mixed-method research approach. A preliminary conceptual framework is developed through an extensive literature review and is refined by results from an in-depth field study. During the field study, a total of 11 SME owners or decision-makers were interviewed. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using NVivo 10 to refine the model to develop the research hypotheses. The final research model is composed of 30 first-order and five higher-order constructs which involve both reflective and formative measures. Partial least squares-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is employed to test the theoretical model with a cross-sectional data set of 282 SMEs in Bangladesh. Survey data were collected using a structured questionnaire issued to SMEs selected by applying a stratified random sampling technique. The structural equation modelling utilises a two-step procedure of data analysis. Prior to estimating the structural model, the measurement model is examined for construct validity of the study variables (i.e. convergent and discriminant validity).

The estimates show cognitive evaluation as an important antecedent for expectation which is shaped primarily by the entrepreneurs’ beliefs (perception) and also influenced by the owners’ innovativeness and culture. Culture further influences expectation. The study finds that facilitating condition, environmental pressure and country readiness are important antecedents of expectation and ICT use. The results also reveal that integration and the degree of ICT utilisation significantly affect SMEs’ performance. Surprisingly, the findings do not reveal any significant impact of ICT usage on performance which apparently suggests the possibility of the ICT productivity paradox. However, the analysis finally proves the non-existence of the paradox by demonstrating the mediating role of ICT integration and degree of utilisation explain the influence of information technology (IT) usage on firm performance which is consistent with the resource-based theory. The results suggest that the use of ICT can enhance SMEs’ performance if the technology is integrated and properly utilised. SME owners or managers, interested stakeholders and policy makers may follow the study’s outcomes and focus on ICT integration and degree of utilisation with a view to attaining superior organisational performance.

This study urges concerned business enterprises and government to look at the environmental and cultural factors with a view to achieving ICT usage success in terms of enhanced firm performance. In particular, improving organisational practices and procedures by eliminating the traditional power distance inside organisations and implementing necessary rules and regulations are important actions for managing environmental and cultural uncertainties. The application of a Bengali user interface may help to ensure the productivity of ICT use by SMEs in Bangladesh. Establishing a favourable national technology infrastructure and legal environment may contribute positively to improving the overall situation. This study also suggests some changes and modifications in the country’s existing policies and strategies. The government and policy makers should undertake mass promotional programs to disseminate information about the various uses of computers and their contribution in developing better organisational performance. Organising specialised training programs for SME capacity building may succeed in attaining the motivation for SMEs to use ICT. Ensuring easy access to the technology by providing loans, grants and subsidies is important. Various stakeholders, partners and related organisations should come forward to support government policies and priorities in order to ensure the productive use of ICT among SMEs which finally will help to foster Bangladesh’s economic development.

The purpose of this paper is to suggest an innovation-based perspective on company performance and develops a conceptual framework.

This is a research paper, which builds on prior theoretical and empirical management research.

The innovation-based view is grounded in interfirm differences in innovation, and it underscores the opportunities to achieve sustainable superior firm performance by innovating internally besides the increasing trend toward open innovation. The innovation-based perspective goes beyond many firms’ focus on product innovation by examining its interdependencies with other essential first-order innovations such as service, process, business model, and management innovations. The innovation-based perspective further addresses the dynamic and intertemporal transformation of innovation activities based on second-order innovations, which provide a more realistic view of organizations’ innovation over time. This transformation affects organizational boundaries and how a firm sustains superior performance.

The innovation-based view revises extant approaches to competition and firm boundaries. The new arguments help to reconcile inconsistent earlier findings, and they deepen the understanding of interfirm differences in innovation and performance.

The Howard Shuttering Contractors case throws considerable light on the importance which the tribunals attach to warnings before dismissing an employee. In this case the tribunal took great pains to interpret the intention of the parties to the different site agreements, and it came to the conclusion that the agreed procedure was not followed. One other matter, which must be particularly noted by employers, is that where a final warning is required, this final warning must be “a warning”, and not the actual dismissal. So that where, for example, three warnings are to be given, the third must be a “warning”. It is after the employee has misconducted himself thereafter that the employer may dismiss.

This study assessed the marital quality of older men and women in first marriages and remarriages, examining gender differences within first marriages and remarriages, and marriage order differences for men and women separately.

The study employed nationally representative survey data for 1,243 married adults, aged 62–91, from Wave II of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), conducted in 2010–2011. Marital quality was assessed with six positive relationship dimensions and two negative ones.

Descriptive data revealed mean ratings above scale midpoints on all positive dimensions of marital quality, and mean ratings generally below the midpoints on the negative dimensions for men and women in both first marriages and remarriages. Multivariate analyses indicated an overall stronger influence of gender than marriage order on marital quality for this sample of older adults. In both first marriages and remarriages, men reported more favorable perceptions of marriage across several positive dimensions (e.g., emotional satisfaction, physical pleasure), though they also reported more spousal criticism than did women. Within gender groups, marriage order was not associated with any of the dimensions of marital quality that were assessed.

This study demonstrates that marriage order does not have a significant influence on the marital quality of older adults today, but that long-standing gender differences in marital quality hold across marriage order. These findings are critical given the increasingly diverse marital histories of individuals entering old age in the early 21st century, and the importance of a positive, supportive marriage for older adults’ well-being.

This study aims to develop a new internationalisation model to describe the exporting and non-exporting behaviours of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and then applying it to a sample of UK SMEs. The conceptual model consists of four forces leading to a successful business.

The sample is a stratified one taken from KOMPASS directory and focussing on the Greater Manchester area. In total, 250 firms were chosen to be the population of this survey. In total, 110 surveys were received by email i.e. 24 non-exporters and 86 exporters that were fully completed.

The four forces of the model include the non-exporting activity, the activity before and after the first export order, differences and similarities between non-exporters and exporters and the regular exporting activity. This model’s findings demonstrate important empirical determinants related to four forces, which, in turn, shape the successful exporting activity.

The empirical evidence from the study suggests that the major differences between non-exporters and exporters, which include the differences in management perceptions towards exporting, and the differences and similarities of firm and management characteristics, explain only to some degree what constitutes successful exporting behaviour. The model is considered useful for smaller businesses located in the UK. The study highlights the importance of firms before and after the first export order, which provides insights for managers of firms about going through with the first export order rather than withdrawing from this effort. The study reveals the motivations for exporting, the timing, the modes through which firms export, firms’ management characteristics and attitudinal differences between exporters and non-exporters, which are essential for practitioners.

The purpose of this study is threefold: (1) to propose partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) as a way to estimate models containing composites of composites and to compare the performance of the PLS-PM approaches in this context, (2) to provide and evaluate two testing procedures to assess the overall fit of such models and (3) to introduce user-friendly step-by-step guidelines.

A simulation is conducted to examine the PLS-PM approaches and the performance of the two proposed testing procedures.

The simulation results show that the two-stage approach, its combination with the repeated indicators approach and the extended repeated indicators approach perform similarly. However, only the former is Fisher consistent. Moreover, the simulation shows that guidelines neglecting model fit assessment miss an important opportunity to detect misspecified models. Finally, the results show that both testing procedures based on the two-stage approach allow for assessment of the model fit.

Analysts who estimate and assess models containing composites of composites should use the authors’ guidelines, since the majority of existing guidelines neglect model fit assessment and thus omit a crucial step of structural equation modeling.

This study contributes to the understanding of the discussed approaches. Moreover, it highlights the importance of overall model fit assessment and provides insights about testing the fit of models containing composites of composites. Based on these findings, step-by-step guidelines are introduced to estimate and assess models containing composites of composites.

Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in their efforts to develop and market new products. Looks at the issues from different strategic levels such as corporate, international, military and economic. Presents 31 case studies, including the success of Japan in microchips to the failure of Xerox to sell its invention of the Alto personal computer 3 years before Apple: from the success in DNA and Superconductor research to the success of Sunbeam in inventing and marketing food processors: and from the daring invention and production of atomic energy for survival to the successes of sewing machine inventor Howe in co‐operating on patents to compete in markets. Includes 306 questions and answers in order to qualify concepts introduced.

To develop a new computational tool for predicting failure probability of structural/mechanical systems subject to random loads, material properties, and geometry.

High dimensional model representation (HDMR) is a general set of quantitative model assessment and analysis tools for capturing the high‐dimensional relationships between sets of input and output model variables. It is a very efficient formulation of the system response, if higher order variable correlations are weak and if the response function is dominantly of additive nature, allowing the physical model to be captured by the first few lower order terms. But, if multiplicative nature of the response function is dominant then all right hand side components of HDMR must be used to be able to obtain the best result. However, if HDMR requires all components, which means 2^N number of components, to get a desired accuracy, making the method very expensive in practice, then factorized HDMR (FHDMR) can be used. The component functions of FHDMR are determined by using the component functions of HDMR. This paper presents the formulation of FHDMR approximation of a multivariate limit state/performance function, which is dominantly of multiplicative nature. Given that conventional methods for reliability analysis are very computationally demanding, when applied in conjunction with complex finite element models. This study aims to assess how accurately and efficiently HDMR/FHDMR based approximation techniques can capture complex model output uncertainty. As a part of this effort, the efficacy of HDMR, which is recently applied to reliability analysis, is also demonstrated. Response surface is constructed using moving least squares interpolation formula by including constant, first‐order and second‐order terms of HDMR and FHDMR. Once the response surface form is defined, the failure probability can be obtained by statistical simulation.

Results of five numerical examples involving structural/solid‐mechanics/geo‐technical engineering problems indicate that the failure probability obtained using FHDMR approximation for the limit state/performance function of dominantly multiplicative in nature, provides significant accuracy when compared with the conventional Monte Carlo method, while requiring fewer original model simulations.

This is the first time where application of FHDMR concepts is explored in the field of reliability and system safety. Present computational approach is valuable to the practical modeling and design community, where user often suffers from the curse of dimensionality.

This paper aims to discuss the estimation of PLS models with second-order formative constructs as existing research has mainly focused on second-order constructs with a reflective measurement.

Using a model grounded on Roger’s innovation diffusion theory applied to online travel shopping, an empirical application is used to assess and compare the different approaches used to estimate a formative second-order construct. The proposed model examines the innovations characteristics that have an impact on intentions to purchase travel online, using data from a convenience sample of 1,732 responses.

The findings show that all approaches produce similar results regarding the path coefficients, the predictive relevance of the model and the explained variance. The main differences between the approaches are related to the weights of the first-order constructs on the second-order construct and the significance of those weights. Several recommendations are made for researchers on which approach to use.

Since most research has focused on second-order constructs with a reflective measurement and there is limited research with formative second-order constructs, this paper provides a comparison of the different approaches typically used to estimate a formative second-order construct and present useful guidelines for researchers to decide the method to analyse a model with second-order constructs and how to assess formative second-order constructs.

由于现有文章大多数研究反应性结构的二阶模型, 所以本论文讨论以二阶形成性结构的PLS模型。

本论文以罗杰斯的创新扩散模型以基础, 应用其在在线旅游购物行为的研究。通过模型建立和背景研究, 多种预估形成性二阶结构的方法得以比较。建立的模型, 通过1,732份样本采样, 分析了各种对于在线购买旅游产品意图的创新特性。

本论文发现, 各种方法产生相似的分析结果, 比如径路系数、模型预测相关、以及被解释变量等。三种方法的主要区别在于, 第一阶段结构与第二阶段结构的比重值, 还有这些比重值的显著程度。本论文结果对于未来理论采用哪种方法做出启示。

由于大多数研究都集中在以反应性二阶结构分析, 很少的文章研究形成性二阶结构。因此, 本论文全面地比较了三种衡量形成性二阶结构的方法, 并且提供有效建议, 采用哪种方式以分析二阶结构, 以及如何衡量形成性二阶结构。

旅游业、在线旅游购物行为、偏最小二乘回归，二阶形成性结构

研究论文