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1 – 10 of 26Giovanni Antonio Di Meo, Sergio Chiesa, Marco Fioriti and Nicole Viola
The purpose of this paper is to perform a technical and economical analysis on the conversion of a regional turboprop platform for Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to perform a technical and economical analysis on the conversion of a regional turboprop platform for Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) missions by supposing installation of supplementary diesel turbo‐charged engines.
Design/methodology/approach
The problem has been approached by considering all issues related to conversion to AEW&C platform. Class II methods have been used for weight and drag estimations. Flight performances have been evaluated by using standard equations of flight mechanics. Costs have been evaluated by using a model developed by the authors.
Findings
As far as performances are concerned, it is possible to increase aircraft service ceiling of about 4,400 ft by installing auxiliary diesel engines in separate wing‐nacelles. The low specific fuel consumption (SFC) of diesel engines balances the reduction of mission endurance caused by the aerodynamic drag increment (i.e. additional drag of AEW radar antenna and new nacelles). The proposed solution is shown to have the best Effectiveness‐Cost performance in comparison with other AEW&C aircraft‐systems.
Practical implications
To convert regional turboprops to AEW&C platform by employing turbocharged diesel engines could be an interesting future perspective for aerospace companies interested in creating a new AEW&C market segment.
Originality/value
The proposed solution gives the possibility to reduce operating costs in the AEW&C mission field. The issue is actual due to typical high operating costs of AEW&C missions.
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Es ist mir eine besondere Freude, Sie nach 1965, wo wir die Probleme der Expansion im Fremdenverkehr diskutierten, zum zweitenmal in Ungarns Kapitale Budapest zum 39…
Abstract
Es ist mir eine besondere Freude, Sie nach 1965, wo wir die Probleme der Expansion im Fremdenverkehr diskutierten, zum zweitenmal in Ungarns Kapitale Budapest zum 39. AIEST‐Kongress zu begrssen und willkommen zu heissen.
Giovanni Sogari, Cristina Mora and Davide Menozzi
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to explore the concept of consumers’ perception of sustainable wine and second, to investigate different clusters based on three…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to explore the concept of consumers’ perception of sustainable wine and second, to investigate different clusters based on three factors identified (belief about environmental protection, beliefs about sustainable wine certification and attitude towards sustainable-labelled wine) and willingness to pay (WTP). Then, socio-demographic characteristics have been considered to assess whether group’s composition differ considerably.
Design/methodology/approach
After preliminary literature review and qualitative analysis through focus groups, data were collected with a web-based questionnaire from 495 Italian wine drinkers. Factor analysis and cluster analysis were carried out using SPSS (21.0) statistical software packages.
Findings
The cluster analysis based on the three factors identified confirms the presence of different segments of consumers. Four groups were identified and named: Well-disposed; Not interested; Skeptical; Adverse. Cluster analysis confirms that consumers with positive attitude towards sustainable wine and higher beliefs of environmental protection (Cluster 1 and 3) have higher WTP for sustainable wine.
Research limitations/implications
One important limitation in the authors study occurred, considering that consumer’s answers in a hypothetical environment might not actually reflect the purchase behaviour of consumers in a real situation.
Practical implications
These findings suggest that companies, which are implementing sustainability programmes, should understand what type of consumers value positively the presence of a sustainable claim on the label of a bottle.
Originality/value
The work adds to the literature on wine marketing by evaluating how belief about environmental protection and sustainable wine certification, and attitude towards sustainable wine segment consumers in different groups. Eliciting WTP via hypothetical situation give us a better understanding of these clusters.
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Luis Miguel Rodrigo, Gianni Romaní and Emilio Ricci
The purpose of this paper is to characterize the immigrant entrepreneurs of the Region of Antofagasta and identify their contribution to local development.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to characterize the immigrant entrepreneurs of the Region of Antofagasta and identify their contribution to local development.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were carried out with a sample of 314 immigrant entrepreneurs in the city of Antofagasta. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and mean difference.
Findings
The results show a new type of entrepreneur that cannot be fully described by the theories developed for South–North immigrant entrepreneurs. The concept of the South–South entrepreneur is therefore proposed, in order to categorise these entrepreneurs and explain their behaviour, with the conclusion that this group makes a significant contribution to the local economy, both in terms of job and wealth creation and by broadening the availability of goods and services.
Practical implications
Given that immigrant entrepreneurs are a valuable socio-economic asset to the city in terms of job and wealth creation and service diversification, public administrations should endeavour to support these individuals and attract them to the city.
Social implications
Knowledge of the contribution of this group will lead to a greater acceptance of immigrants who have recently been rejected by certain sectors of the population.
Originality/value
This study reveals the existence of a group of immigrant entrepreneurs whose characteristics and contribution to local development were previously not known.
Propósito
El objetivo de este artículo es caracterizar a los inmigrantes emprendedores/as de la región de Antofagasta e identificar de su aporte al desarrollo local.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Es un estudio descriptivo, con un enfoque cuantitativo. Se realizaron entrevistas cara a cara con cuestionario estructurado a una muestra de 314 inmigrantes emprendedores de la ciudad de Antofagasta. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando estadística descriptiva y diferencia de medias.
Resultados
Los resultados muestran un nuevo tipo de emprendedor que no pueden ser explicados a cabalidad por las teorías desarrolladas para inmigrantes emprendedores Sur-Norte. Por ello, se propone el concepto de emprendedores Sur-Sur, para categorizarles y explicar su comportamiento, concluyendo que realizan un aporte significativo a la economía local, tanto en generación de empleo y riqueza como en el incremento en la oferta.
Implicaciones prácticas
Puesto que los inmigrantes emprendedores son un valioso activo socioeconómico para la ciudad en términos de generación de empleo, riqueza y diversidad en la oferta de servicios, las administraciones públicas deberían de tratar de apoyarlos, cuidarlos y atraer a la ciudad.
Implicaciones sociales
El conocimiento del aporte de este colectivo contribuirá a una mejor aceptación de los inmigrantes, que en los últimos años han sido rechazados por algunos sectores de la población.
Originalidad/valor
Este estudio devela la realidad de un grupo de inmigrantes emprendedores del cual no se tenía conocimiento sobre sus características y su aporte al desarrollo local.
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Marianna Succurro, Giuseppe Arcuri and Giuseppina Damiana Costanzo
Starting from a series of financial ratios analysis, this paper aims to build up two indices which take into account both the firm’s debt level and its sustainability to…
Abstract
Purpose
Starting from a series of financial ratios analysis, this paper aims to build up two indices which take into account both the firm’s debt level and its sustainability to investigate if and to what extent the proposed indices are able to correctly predict firms’ financial bankruptcy probabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
The research implements a statistical approach (tandem analysis) based on both an original use of principal component analysis (PCA) and logit model.
Findings
The econometric results are compared with those of the popular Altman Z-score for different lengths of the reference period and with more recent classifiers. The empirical evidence would suggest a good performance of the proposed indices which, therefore, could be used as early warning signals of bankruptcy.
Practical implications
The potential application of the model is in the spirit of predicting bankruptcy and aiding companies’ evaluation with respect to going-concern considerations, among others, as the early detection of financial distress facilitates the use of rehabilitation measures.
Originality/value
The construction of the indebtedness indices is based on an original use of Robust PCA for skewed data.
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Giuseppe Di Vita, Raffaele Zanchini, Giovanni Gulisano, Teresina Mancuso, Gaetano Chinnici and Mario D'Amico
Urban metropolitan consumers react to the different qualitative categorizations of the product thus creating homogeneous market segments. The aim of this paper is to identify…
Abstract
Purpose
Urban metropolitan consumers react to the different qualitative categorizations of the product thus creating homogeneous market segments. The aim of this paper is to identify specific market segments which allow for the definition of homogeneous olive oil consumer targets.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was based on the stated preferences of consumers and emphasizes the role that different quality scales of olive oil have in the eye of the consumer. The data, collected through a questionnaire, were analysed by means of inferential and multivariate statistics techniques, that is, the study specifically entailed a factorial and cluster analysis.
Findings
This paper explores olive oil market segments broken down by the different quality levels of existing products, thus trying to identify main consumer preferences. Our outcomes suggest the existence of three main quality classes of olive oil consumer: basic, popular and premium.
Research limitations/implications
Even though we gathered data and information from a broad sample, the study does not fully reflect the average Italian population since we based our study on a convenience sample of northern Italian consumers. A more extended sample is needed to test our hypothesis in other regional areas.
Practical implications
The outcomes derived from this study provide useful insights both for marketers and olive oil producers by allowing more efficient strategic decisions in terms of product segmentation.
Originality/value
This study, aimed at matching olive oil market segments and consumer preferences, shows the existence of three well-defined quality classes of olive oil consumer: basic, popular and premium. In addition, this study ascertains for the first time how the attitude towards local products is positively influenced by family origin as a result of an inter-generational attitude.
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Thimmappa Venkatarangaiah Venkatesha and Sudhakar Ranganatha
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the electroless Ni‐P coatings in two aggressive media 3.5 wt.% NaCl and Synthetic industrial waste water. Also…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the electroless Ni‐P coatings in two aggressive media 3.5 wt.% NaCl and Synthetic industrial waste water. Also to study the effect of Phosphorous content in the electroless Ni‐P deposits on its surface nature, morphology and corrosion resistance.
Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion behavior of electroless Ni‐P coatings generated on mild steel coupons from an acidic and an alkaline baths and their anti‐corrosion performance of was compared systematically in 3.5 wt.% of NaCl solution and also in synthetic industrial waste water. Microstructure and surface composition of coatings were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The Ni‐P coated mild steel specimens were subjected to corrosion and the rate of corrosion was studied by chemical and electrochemical methods. The linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to obtain corrosion data.
Findings
The electroless Ni‐P coatings with higher P content possess homogeneous, uniform and amorphous surface nature and exhibited higher corrosion resistance in the aggressive corrosive media chosen.
Originality/value
This paper provides corrosion behavior of electroless Ni‐P coatings in 3.5 wt.% NaCl and synthetic industrial waste water, and establishes the importance of phosphorous content on nature and properties of the coatings.
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This paper presents an overview of copyright, its history, and implications for electronic and multimedia. The international treaties on copyright are listed and the status of…
Abstract
This paper presents an overview of copyright, its history, and implications for electronic and multimedia. The international treaties on copyright are listed and the status of copyright protection in select countries is covered, including copyright law enactment, term, scope, sanctions, percentage of piracy and revenue loss in software piracy. Copyright issues for e‐information, the Internet and library and information centres are discussed. Digital copyright protection technologies – ECMS, watermarks, fingerprints and digital signatures, etc. – are described. It is concluded that copyright law has not disappeared with the evolution of technology and the development of a globalised IPR regime is recommended.
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Golo Henseke and Francis Green
Utilizing work task data drawn from the OECD’s Survey of Adult Skills of 2011–2012 and 2014–2015, we derive a new skills-based indicator of graduate jobs, termed ISCO(HE)2008, for…
Abstract
Utilizing work task data drawn from the OECD’s Survey of Adult Skills of 2011–2012 and 2014–2015, we derive a new skills-based indicator of graduate jobs, termed ISCO(HE)2008, for 31 countries. The indicator generates a plausible distribution of graduate occupations and explains graduates’ wages and job satisfaction better than hitherto existing indicators. Unlike with the traditional classifier, several jobs in major group 3 “Technicians and Associate Professionals” require higher education in many countries. Altogether, almost a third of labor is deployed in graduate jobs in the 31 countries, but with large cross-national differences. Industry and establishment-size composition can account for some of the variation. In addition, two indicators of the relative quality of the higher education system also contribute to the variation in the prevalence of graduate jobs across countries.
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