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1 – 10 of 206Yangyiwei Yang, Patrick Kühn, Mozhdeh Fathidoost and Bai-Xiang Xu
Confronting the unveiled sophisticated structural and physical characteristics of permanent magnets, notably the samarium–cobalt (Sm-Co) alloy, This work aims to introduce a…
Abstract
Purpose
Confronting the unveiled sophisticated structural and physical characteristics of permanent magnets, notably the samarium–cobalt (Sm-Co) alloy, This work aims to introduce a simulation scheme that can link physics-based micromagnetics on the nanostructures and magnetostatic homogenization on the mesoscale polycrystalline structures.
Design/methodology/approach
The simulation scheme is arranged in a multiscale fashion. The magnetization behaviors on the nanostructures examined with various orientations are surrogated as the micromagnetic-informed hysterons. The hysteresis behavior of the mesoscale polycrystalline structures with micromagnetic-informed hysterons is then evaluated by computational magnetostatic homogenization.
Findings
The micromagnetic-informed hysterons can emulate the magnetization reversal of the parameterized Sm-Co nanostructures as the local hysteresis behavior on the mesostructures. The simulation results of the mesoscale polycrystal demonstrate that the demagnetization process starts from the grain with the largest orientation angle (a) and then propagates to the surrounding grains.
Research limitations/implications
The presented scheme depicts the demand for integrating data-driven methods, as the parameters of the surrogate hysteron intrinsically depend on the nanostructure and its orientation. Further hysteron parameters that help the surrogate hysteron emulate the micromagnetic-simulated magnetization reversal should be examined.
Originality/value
This work provides a novel multiscale scheme for simulating the polycrystalline permanent magnets’ hysteresis while recapitulating the nanoscale mechanisms, such as the nucleation of domains, and domain wall migration and pinning. This scheme can be further extended to simulate the part-level hysteresis considering the mesoscale features.
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Lena Strindlund, Madeleine Abrandt Dahlgren and Christian Ståhl
This article explores theoretical assumptions regarding negative consequences of social capital in the empirical case of a failed cooperation project, and how these consequences…
Abstract
Purpose
This article explores theoretical assumptions regarding negative consequences of social capital in the empirical case of a failed cooperation project, and how these consequences are related to processes involving people, structures and environments.
Design/methodology/approach
The article is based on a case study of a cooperation project within municipal labor market services. The methodology followed a theorizing process, where data were collected through ethnographical methods and analyzed in relation to existing concepts from theories describing negative effects of social capital and shadow organizing.
Findings
The results highlight how the development of negative social capital in the project can be understood through three relational processes, namely the social dynamics of insulation, homogenization and escalating commitment. The authors conclude that the quality of social capital is conditional upon complex interactions within social structures. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of studying organizing practices outside explicit structures, in order to identify the development of non-canonical practices and their consequences.
Practical implications
Organizing cooperation projects that aim to bridge professional competencies or organizational boundaries have to be attentive toward informal organizing practices which if remaining unrecognized may grow and threaten the original intentions.
Originality/value
The study makes a theoretical contribution by combining a shadow organizing approach with literature on social capital. This combination proves especially useful for analyzing how organizational dynamics can influence the development of social capital into producing negative effects.
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Johannes Slacik and Dorothea Greiling
Electric utility companies (EUC) are expected to play a key role toward implementing ambitious climate change aims being under critical scrutiny by regulators and stakeholders…
Abstract
Purpose
Electric utility companies (EUC) are expected to play a key role toward implementing ambitious climate change aims being under critical scrutiny by regulators and stakeholders. However, EUC provide an under-researched field regarding sustainability reporting with the focus on economic, social and ecological concerns. This paper aims to gain insights of the sustainability reporting practice of EUC and the coverage of indicators based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)-Guidelines.
Design/methodology/approach
A twofold documentary analysis of 186 GRI-G4 sustainability reports by EUC globally is conducted to investigate the coverage rates of G4-indicators. Neo-institutionalism and strategic stakeholder theory serve as theoretical lenses. A regression analysis is used to examine ownership, stock-exchange listing, area of activity and region as potential drivers of sustainability reporting.
Findings
Results show that the coverage of indicators based on triple-bottom-line dimensions is moderate in EUC leaving room for improvement. The coverage of sector-specific indicators lacks behind the coverage of standard disclosure indicators. Results show that private and listed EUC show better coverage rates than public and not-listed EUC.
Research limitations/implications
Neo-institutionalism shows limited homogenization in the sector. Strategic stakeholder theory demonstrates insufficient stakeholder compliance of public and not-listed EUC.
Originality/value
This study contributes to sustainability reporting research by focusing on the under-researched electricity sector. It provides practical reporting insights for EUC, the GRI and regulators.
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Stjepan Frljić, Bojan Trkulja and Ana Drandić
The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for calculating eddy current losses in the core of a single-phase power voltage transformer, which, unlike a standard power…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for calculating eddy current losses in the core of a single-phase power voltage transformer, which, unlike a standard power transformer, has an open-type core (I-type core). In those apparatus, reduction of core losses is achieved by using a multipart open-type core that is created by merging a larger number of leaner cores.
Design/methodology/approach
3D FEM approach for calculation of eddy current losses in open-type cores based on a weak AλA formulation is presented. Method in which redundant degrees of freedom are eliminated is shown. This enables faster convergence of the simulation. The results are benchmarked using simulations with standard AVA formulation.
Findings
Results using weak AλA formulation with elimination of redundant degrees of freedom are in agreement with both simulation using only weak AλA formulation and with simulation based on AVA formulation.
Research limitations/implications
The presented methodology is valid in linear cases, whereas the nonlinear case will be part of future work.
Practical implications
Presented procedure can be used for the optimization when designing the open-type core of apparatus like power voltage transformers.
Originality/value
The presented method is specifically adapted for calculating eddy currents in the open-type core. The method is based on a weak formulation for the magnetic vector potential A and the current vector potential λ, incorporating numerical homogenization and a straightforward elimination of redundant degrees of freedom, resulting in faster convergence of the simulation.
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David Marschall, Sigfrid-Laurin Sindinger, Herbert Rippl, Maria Bartosova and Martin Schagerl
Laser sintering of polyamide lattice-based lightweight fairing components for subsequent racetrack testing requires a high quality and a reliable design. Hence, the purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Laser sintering of polyamide lattice-based lightweight fairing components for subsequent racetrack testing requires a high quality and a reliable design. Hence, the purpose of this study was to develop a design methodology for such additively manufactured prototypes, considering efficient generation and structural simulation of boundary conformal non-periodic lattices, optimization of production parameters as well as experimental validation.
Design/methodology/approach
Multi-curved, sandwich structure-based demonstrators were designed, simulated and experimentally tested with boundary conformal lattice cells. The demonstrator’s non-periodic lattice cells were simplified by forward homogenization processes. To represent the stiffness of the top and bottom face sheet, constant isotropic and mapped transversely isotropic simulation approaches were compared. The dimensional accuracy of lattice cells and demonstrators were measured with a gauge caliper and a three-dimensional scanning system. The optimized process parameters for lattice structures were transferred onto a large volume laser sintering system. The stiffness of each finite element analysis was verified by an experimental test setup including a digital image correlation system.
Findings
The stiffness prediction of the mapped was superior to the constant approach and underestimated the test results with −6.5%. Using a full scale fairing the applicability of the development process was successfully demonstrated.
Originality/value
The design approach elaborated in this research covers aspects from efficient geometry generation over structural simulation to experimental testing of produced parts. This methodology is not only relevant in the context of motor sports but is transferrable for all additively manufactured large scale components featuring a complex lattice sub-structure and is, therefore, relevant across industries.
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Agnieszka Chmielewska, Bartlomiej Adam Wysocki, Elżbieta Gadalińska, Eric MacDonald, Bogusława Adamczyk-Cieślak, David Dean and Wojciech Świeszkowski
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of remelting each layer on the homogeneity of nickel-titanium (NiTi) parts fabricated from elemental nickel and titanium…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of remelting each layer on the homogeneity of nickel-titanium (NiTi) parts fabricated from elemental nickel and titanium powders using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). In addition, the influence of manufacturing parameters and different melting strategies, including multiple cycles of remelting, on printability and macro defects, such as pore and crack formation, have been investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
An LPBF process was used to manufacture NiTi alloy from elementally blended powders and was evaluated with the use of a remelting scanning strategy to improve the homogeneity of fabricated specimens. Furthermore, both single melt and up to two remeltings were used.
Findings
The results indicate that remelting can be beneficial for density improvement as well as chemical and phase composition homogenization. Backscattered electron mode in scanning electron microscope showed a reduction in the presence of unmixed Ni and Ti elemental powders in response to increasing the number of remelts. The microhardness values of NiTi parts for the different numbers of melts studied were similar and ranged from 487 to 495 HV. Nevertheless, it was observed that measurement error decreases as the number of remelts increases, suggesting an increase in chemical and phase composition homogeneity. However, X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of multiple phases regardless of the number of melt runs.
Originality/value
For the first time, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, elementally blended NiTi powders were fabricated via LPBF using remelting scanning strategies.
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Lisa Marie Borghoff, Carola Strassner and Christian Herzig
Organic food processing must include organic principles to be authentic. This qualitative study aims to understand the processors' understanding of organic food processing quality.
Abstract
Purpose
Organic food processing must include organic principles to be authentic. This qualitative study aims to understand the processors' understanding of organic food processing quality.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on semi-structured expert interviews with eight employees of six purely or partly organic dairies from Germany and Switzerland. Interview themes are (1) quality of organic milk processing in general, (2) assessment of specific processing techniques, (3) product quality of organic milk and (4) flow of information between producer and consumer. The interviews have been audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.
Findings
(1) Experts prefer minimal processing; some prefer artisanal processing, whilst others stress the advantages of mechanisation. (2) High temperature short time (HTST) pasteurisation and mechanical processing techniques are accepted; ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk processing is partly rejected. (3) Traditional taste and valuable ingredients should be present in the final product. Natural variances are judged positively. (4) Consumers' low level of food technology literacy is challenging for communication.
Research limitations/implications
The results cannot be generalised due to the qualitative study design. Further studies, e.g. qualitative case analyses and studies with a quantitative design, are necessary to deepen the results.
Practical implications
The paper shows which processing technologies experts consider suitable or unsuitable for organic milk. The paper also identifies opportunities to bridge the perceived gap between processors' and consumers' demands.
Originality/value
The study shows the challenges of processors in expressing the processors' understanding of process quality.
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David Alexander, Hélène de Brébisson, Cristina Circa, Eva Eberhartinger, Roberta Fasiello, Markus Grottke and Joanna Krasodomska
Accounting practices vary not only across firms, but also across countries, reflecting the respective legal and cultural background. Attempts at harmonization therefore continue…
Abstract
Purpose
Accounting practices vary not only across firms, but also across countries, reflecting the respective legal and cultural background. Attempts at harmonization therefore continue to be rebuffed. The purpose of this paper is to argue that different wordings in national laws, and different interpretations of similar wordings in national laws, can be explained by taking recourse to the philosophy of language, referring particularly to Searle and Wittgenstein.
Design/methodology/approach
The example of the substance over form principle, investigated in seven countries, is particularly suitable for this analysis. It is known in all accounting jurisdictions, but still has very different roots in different European countries, with European and international influences conflicting, which is reflected in the different wording of the principle from one country to the next, and the different socially constructed realities associated with those wordings.
Findings
This paper shows that, beyond accounting practices, the legal and cultural background of a country affects the wording of national law itself. The broad conclusion is that different socially constructed realities might tend to resist any attempt at harmonized socially constructed words.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the debate surrounding the possible homogenization of accounting regulations, illustrating the theory of the social construction of both “reality” and “language” on the specific application of one common principle to various Member State environments.
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Jonathan David Schöps, Christian Reinhardt and Andrea Hemetsberger
Digital markets are increasingly constructed by an interplay between (non)human market actors, i.e. through algorithms, but, simultaneously, fragmented through platformization…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital markets are increasingly constructed by an interplay between (non)human market actors, i.e. through algorithms, but, simultaneously, fragmented through platformization. This study aims to explore how interactional dynamics between (non)human market actors co-codify markets through expressive and networked content across social media platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies digital methods as cross-platform analysis to analyze two data sets retrieved from YouTube and Instagram using the keywords “sustainable fashion” and #sustainablefashion, respectively.
Findings
The study shows how interactional dynamics between (non)human market actors, co-codify markets across two social media platforms, i.e. YouTube and Instagram. The authors introduce the notion of sticky market webs of connection, illustrating how these dynamics foster cross-platform market codification through relations of exteriority.
Research limitations/implications
Research implications highlight the necessity to account for all involved entities, including digital infrastructure in digital markets and the methodological potential of cross-platform analyses.
Practical implications
Practical implications highlight considerations managers should take into account when designing market communication for digital markets composed of (non)human market actors.
Social implications
Social implications highlight the possible effects of (non)human market co-codification on markets and consumer culture, and corresponding countermeasures.
Originality/value
This study contributes to an increased understanding of digital market dynamics by illuminating interdependent market co-codification dynamics between (non)human market actors, and how these dynamics (de)territorialize digital market assemblages through relations of exteriority across platforms.
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