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This study examines how the structure of referent networks, or the social network defined by knowing others’ reward levels, affects perceptions of distributive justice. The homogeneity of rewards in the referent network, the amount of inequality in the referent network, and an individual’s reward level are all associated with distributive justice perceptions. Several moderating relationships are also examined.

We relied on data from a controlled laboratory experiment to test a series of theoretically derived hypotheses.

The study shows that several aspects about the structure of the referent network are important for shaping perceptions of distributive justice. Specifically, the reward heterogeneity and amount of inequality in the network are found to be negatively associated with distributive justice, while reward levels are found to be positively associated with distributive justice. Furthermore, the effect of reward levels on distributive justice is moderated by both (i) the presence of a referential standard for rewards and (ii) the amount of inequality in the network.

While being among the first studies to demonstrate effects of referent networks on perceptions of fairness, it is unclear how group memberships combine with referent network effects and which factors may blur these relationships in uncontrolled environments. Subsequent scholarship on the effect of referent networks on justice perceptions should leverage multiple data sources.

Research on the effects of referents on justice perceptions has focused on particular referent individuals. We recast this issue in terms of referent networks, which highlights the empirical reality that individuals have a variety of sources or alters which could operate as referents.

The horizontal rotational single-sheet tester (RSST) suffers from weaknesses such as the reduced size of test samples, measurement disturbances due to magnetic flux leakage and nonhomogeneity of field in the measurement area. Although the vertical RSST allows to overcome the first two aforementioned drawbacks, the heterogeneity of the field in the test sample remains an issue. In addition, there is still a lack of device standardization to ensure test repeatability, as already is well established with the Epstein frame. This paper aims to investigate the influence of several parameters on the field homogeneity in the test sample.

A fully 3D finite element model of a vertical RSST is developed and used to perform a sensibility study on several geometrical parameters.

The influence of several parameters on the field homogeneity in the test sample, such as the geometrical dimensions of the yokes, the presence or not of holes drilled inside the test sample for B-coil placement as well as the size of the H-coils and B-coils, is addressed.

It is expected that this study will contribute to the optimization and standardization vertical RSSTs.

This study aims to examine the association between audit report lag (ARL), the length of time between the fiscal year end and the date the auditors’ report is signed, and client industry homogeneity, a measure of the similarity of operations of members of an industry.

Regression models are used to test the significance of industry homogeneity on the ARL, of specialists in homogenous industries on the ARL, and the completion of the audits of homogenous industry clients in the year of tightening Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing deadlines.

The evidence suggests that auditors complete audits of clients more quickly in more homogenous industries. The association between ARL and homogeneity is negative, which indicates that auditors are more efficient in audits in homogenous industries. The association between ARL and specialist audits in homogenous industries is also negative. Finally, homogenous industry audits are better able to be completed by the compressed filing dates imposed by the SEC on accelerated and large accelerated filers in 2003 and 2006.

This study extends recent research on industry homogeneity’s influence on the audit market. By reporting an association between the homogeneity of a company’s industry and the ARL, investors and regulators have additional information to better evaluate the timing and monitor trends in the timing of the audit report dates.

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a structured review of the literature on the factors affecting the strategic thinking of an organization. This study offers some theoretical insights by analysing the divergent or analogous views of authors on these factors by analysing the empirical studies carried out in the literature.

An empirical method of conducting a structured literature review has been adopted in this study. Theory context characteristic methodology framework and meta-analysis are the methodologies applied to analyse the different empirical studies conducted in the literature and determine the variation or similarities in the views of authors over the same factor based on their effect sizes. This study analyses over 45 different empirical studies in the literature conducted on the factors affecting strategic thinking.

This study explains how the factors have been similarly or differently explained by the authors in the literature. This analysis gives a better understanding of the factors affecting strategic thinking and quantitatively amalgamates the current empirical studies carried out in the literature. The effects sizes generated for each factor helps in determining the homogeneous or heterogeneous nature of the factor.

The study is limited only to analyse the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the factors affecting strategic thinking at an organisational level. This study can be further extended by analysing the type of effect these factors have on the strategic thinking of the organisation.

The findings of this study identify the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the factors affecting strategic thinking in an organisation. This helps the top management to concentrate on these factors, which might develop a strategic thinking nature in the organisation, leading to the better formation of strategies, and successfully implement them in their businesses.

The study fills the unattended gaps in the literature by analysing the homogeneous and heterogeneous nature of the factors affecting the strategic thinking of an organisation.

The main purpose of polymeric mixtures manufacturing is wish to eliminate or reduce drawbacks which polymers are characterised by and also to strive for reduction of the price of expensive polymers with particular very precious properties by mixing them with cheaper polymers but without significant deterioration of their properties. In the work some investigation results have been presented for PA6 which is miscible in viscoelastic state with polymer, with ability to create physical bounds with substances of inorganic as well as organic origins. For this purpose, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has been used with law molecular weight (10 ± 2,5 thousand). The functionalactive material was prepared with sharp tuning sorption ability across physical modification polycapramide mixed from bipolar polyvinylpyrrolidone in batch – free state, which characterises high ability complex. In the paper, some results of chosen properties of PA with the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) have been presented. In chance of mixing PA6 with PVP forms solution PVP in PA6, to which proper are large intermolecular influence, in this case hydrogen bond. It is possible to foresee that under the influences of large tangent stresses and intermolecular interaction colloidal solution PVP in PA forms with sure homogeneity, after cooling of it the inversion of winding phases is not noticeable In the mixtures on the basis of such polymers the intermolecular interactions occur, and they differently influence parameters of the modified materials. Conducted investigations have proved opportunity of physical modification of PA6 during mixing, in viscoelastic state, with polyvinylpyrrolidone. The modified polymer has dielectric properties and a reduced susceptibility to water absorption. It can be used as an insulation material, in all industrial sectors, including the energy sector.

For examinations, the following mixtures were made out: PA 99%/PVP 1%, PA 98%/PVP 2%, PA 90%/PVP 10%. Making mixtures out was begun with weighing elements out on numerical Sortorius AG GO TTINGEN scales and CAS MODEL: SW-1 (PA, PVP). Next elements of mixture were mixed with themselves mechanically. The process of drying was carried out in the ZELMET drier with the thermal kc-100/200 chamber in the temperature 80 °C for 12 h. The process of mixing up was carried out in the arrangement plasticising injections moulding machine of the voluted KRAUSS MAFFEI company KM 65-1600C1 (D screw = 30 mm and the L = 27D, the nozzle about d = 4 mm and the l = 2d) at the following parameters: is the nozzle temperature 230 °C, the speed of turnovers of the screw 210 obr/min. Granulated product of mixtures were get on the rotor grinder. Samples for examinations were made on the computer-operated injection moulding machine of type of KM 65-1600C1 of the KRAUSS MAFFEI company. The conditions which complement the homogeneity of a mixture – these include mixing processes with high shear stresses with the range of temperatures for viscoelastic state for the individual polymers. Such conditions are met by multiple mixing in the injection machine cylinder with extended perpetual screw length (L/D = 25 ÷ 42). Permanent conditions of injecting samples for the research on physical properties were the following: nozzle temperature – 230°C; worm area I temperature – 190°C; worm area II temperature – 210°C; worm area III temperature – 230-245°C, mould temperature 40°C, injection pressure – 60 MPa, clamping time – 5 s, cooling time – 30 s The research on chosen physical properties of getting polymer materials was carried out: hardnesses on hardness testing machine, impact resistance by Charpy’s method, mechanical properties while tension over the endurance machine the INSTON with tension speed of 90 mm/min, softening point by Vicat’s method was determined using testing machine type HAAKE N8, the investigation of DSC method and DMTA method using testing machine type Netzsch, water absorbing power test. The research on the structure was also carried out on the optical microscope type NIKON ECLIPSE E200.

In the paper, for the physical modification of PA 6, the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) – amorphous polymer which is capable of ionisation and creation of complexes with the transition of the charge with many electrophilic compounds and also proton donors have been used. PVP does not change into the viscoelastic state but it is easily soluble in organic and inorganic solvents and the best in water. Its characteristic is high sorption capacity. As a result of ionisation changes PVP preserve the conformation changes. In case of mixing of polar PA6 polymers with PVP, a PVP solution is being created in PA, to whom big intermolecular interactions are proper for, in it hydrogen bonds. Reducing of polarity occurs of both polymers as a result of hydrogen bonds in created macromolecules. Macromolecule so they are interfering easily in fused condition creating the mixture about reliable homogeneity. An effect is applying to mixing with PA6 in case of dissolving PVP in the PA6 stop under the influence of big adjacent tensions in screw extruder what is calling changes of the supermolecular structure and properties of the material after chilling of stop in the form during injecting. The resultant homogeneous mixture is marked by one reflex narrowed in comparison with output PA6 of melting visible on DSC thermogram with moving to the page of higher tmmax temperatures. PA6/PVP mixtures are also providing effects of examinations about the homogeneity with DMTA method which shows results that the mixture is marked by one reflex of mechanical losses on the plot from (T_g) from the maximum at bigger than PA6 T_g (about 10 ÷ 15°C), and it is possible at the same time to reason that the mixture has not very thick frictional network as a result of the exchange of intermolecular bonds what is displayed itself in the increase in T_g intensity. The results of investigations show that PA with PVP additions create more stable material with visible homogeneity (due to strong intermolecular interactions) which is characterised by satisfactory mechanical properties which insignificantly differ from PA6 properties, but which shows higher deformability and sorptive power.

The results of investigations show that PA with PVP additions create more stable material with visible homogeneity (due to strong intermolecular interactions) which is characterised by satisfactory mechanical properties which insignificantly differ from PA6 properties, but which shows higher deformability and sorptive power. The modified polymer has dielectric properties and a reduced susceptibility to water absorption. It can be used as an insulation material, in all industrial sectors, including the energy sector.

Among the gold standards in human resource development (HRD) research are studies that test theoretically developed hypotheses and use experimental designs. A somewhat typical experimental design would involve collecting pretest and posttest data on individuals assigned to a control or experimental group. Data from such a design that considered if training made a difference in knowledge, skills or attitudes, for example, could help advance practice. Using simulated datasets, situated in the example of a scenario-planning intervention, this paper aims to show that choosing a data analysis path that does not consider the associated assumptions can misrepresent findings and resulting conclusions. A review of HRD articles in a select set of journals indicated that some researchers reporting on pretest-posttest designs with two groups were not reporting associated statistical assumptions and reported results from repeated-measures analysis of variance that are considered of minimal utility.

Using heuristic datasets, situated in the example of a scenario-planning intervention, this paper will show that choosing a data analysis path that does not consider the associated assumptions can misrepresent findings and resulting conclusions. Journals in the HRD field that conducted pretest-posttest control group designs were coded.

The authors' illustrations provide evidence for the importance of testing assumptions and the need for researchers to consider alternate analyses when assumptions fail, particularly the homogeneity of regression slopes assumption.

This paper provides guidance to researchers faced with analyzing data from a pretest-posttest control group experimental design, so that they may select the most parsimonious solution that honors the ecological validity of the data.

Reports a study of 214 Chinese Canadian consumers across eight product categories. This study shows that intracultural differences in consumer behavior are inadequately explained by the psychological construct of ethnic identification, and that additional explanatory power is achieved when incorporating the ethnic homogeneity of social ties. The results of the study support the proposition that the ethnic homogeneity of strong social ties exerts significant influence over an individual’s consumption of ethnic products, and is a much more robust predictor variable than ethnic identification. Also calls for a more theory‐based measure for the construct ethnic identification.

Magnetic resonance is becoming a routine analysis for many applications. Present day devices include active shielding systems instead of passive ferromagnetic shields. This calls for sophisticated design techniques able to provide satisfactory performance in terms of central field homogeneity, reduced stray field and minimal superconductor’s volume. In the paper some of the possible techniques to deal with such a problem are presented and discussed.