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1 – 10 of 262
Article
Publication date: 1 January 1991

Jose A.D. PINTO, Paulo B. COIMBRA and Carlos F.L. ANTUNES

Empirical rules and experimental evidence are not capable of dealing with both geometric complexity and nonlinearities to design a sufficient accurate, reliable and affordable…

Abstract

Empirical rules and experimental evidence are not capable of dealing with both geometric complexity and nonlinearities to design a sufficient accurate, reliable and affordable electrical device. To minimize this gap and to achieve an high performance level in the industry design of an electromagnetic device two CAD packages (electromagnetic CAD package and thermal CAD package) working in parallel processing should be used. In this paper these two packages have been used separately. The finite element technique is used to solve the heat conduction problem in complex devices of arbitrary shape with imposed boundary conditions. As an application example, the steady‐state temperature distribution will be produced for an high voltage cross‐linked polyethylene insulated power cable. The results are discussed and the importance of such a study as an aid to improve the life expectancy of high voltage power cables is pointed out. Finally, several conclusions are suggested to increase the power cable current transmission capacity.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 November 2022

Helena Valente, Daniel Martins, Marta Pinto, José Luis Fernandes and Monica J. Barratt

Recent studies have shown that people who attend electronic dance music events and use drug checking services (DCS) are a predominantly white male, highly educated middle-class…

1359

Abstract

Purpose

Recent studies have shown that people who attend electronic dance music events and use drug checking services (DCS) are a predominantly white male, highly educated middle-class population. However, there is still a lack of data beyond sociodemographic characteristics that must be addressed. This paper aims to describe the drug use patterns and protective behavior strategies (PBS) used by testers and nontesters at Boom Festival 2018 and analyze the relationship between these behaviors and the decision to use the DCS.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory research based on a cross-sectional design using baseline data collected at the Boom Festival from testers (N = 343) and nontesters (N = 115).

Findings

Nontesters presented, in general, slightly higher frequencies of use for most drugs, whereas testers tended to adopt PBS more frequently. Moreover, testers planned their drug use more often than nontesters and set more limits on the amount of drugs they used in one session. Both of these behaviors work as predictors for using the DCS.

Practical implications

Our data suggest that DCS might not be easily accessible to all people who use drugs, reaching almost exclusively highly educated people that already apply several harm reduction strategies. Actions should be taken to promote service accessibility.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to compare the demographics, drug use and PBS adoption of DCS users with nonusers who attended the same festival.

Details

Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2752-6739

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2017

Alejandro Adrian Cuadra-Peralta, Constanza Veloso-Besio, Jose Iribaren and Rodrigo Pinto

Interventions to develop leadership have attracted the interest of both the professional world and academia. The latter through review papers has highlighted the need to…

2153

Abstract

Purpose

Interventions to develop leadership have attracted the interest of both the professional world and academia. The latter through review papers has highlighted the need to incorporate organizational performance outcomes when evaluating the effectiveness of programs for leadership development, because they have been particularly scarce. Keeping this in mind, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at direct supervisors, on the basis of social skills and transformational/transactional leadership, in order to improve organizational climate (OC) perception and objective outcomes of organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used, with no quasi-control group. Intervention was applied to all direct supervisors (n=8) of a private company in the industrial sector, with national implementation. The intervention covered a period of two months, with a total of eight sessions. The frequency of the intervention was a weekly session of 90 minutes each. The impact was measured in their direct subordinates (n=34). The outcome variables were OC perception and various indicators of organizational performance.

Findings

The results showed a statistically significant increase, moderate-to-high magnitude (dMR=0.38-1.21), in most sub-dimensions of OC. The various organizational performance indicators (e.g. volume of sales, positioning of the company, etc.) also showed improvements.

Practical implications

Results suggest that the authors’ intervention program, based on social skills and leadership, aimed to develop leadership, has an effect on organizational efficacy outcomes, such as OC perception and organizational performance. The implications of this study’s findings for HR managers are that there is a direct relation between improvement in outcomes associated with organizational effectiveness and the training of direct supervisors; this is because the leadership in the levels that deal directly with workers is responsible for carrying out the main tasks of the organization.

Originality/value

The overall objective of this research was to analyze the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at direct supervisors, on the basis of social skills and transformational/transactional leadership, in order to improve OC perception and objective outcomes of organizational performance.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2005

Helder Pinto and Rui José

Ideally, a pervasive location‐based system should allow mobile users to go anywhere and benefit from personalized and pro‐active services tailored for their current activity…

Abstract

Ideally, a pervasive location‐based system should allow mobile users to go anywhere and benefit from personalized and pro‐active services tailored for their current activity. However, existing location‐based systems are still far from this vision, as they are either aimed at very specific activities or too generic to provide real value to specific user activities. The objective of this work is to identify and characterize the most fundamental challenges involved in the design of pervasive location‐based systems. The approach is based on the idea that such challenges will correspond to the key design tradeoffs for location‐based systems. Building on what is believed to be the high‐level requirements for a truly pervasive locationbased system, this paper proposes a design space with four design dimensions: functional scope, added‐value, pro‐activity, and adaptability. After analyzing a representative set of location‐based systems under that design space, the combinations between functional scope and any of the other dimensions are identified as the main contradictions in the design of such systems. The paper finally discusses the research challenges associated to the identified tradeoffs.

Details

International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-7371

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 December 2020

José Mourato, Luís Pinto Ferreira, José Carlos Sá, Francisco J.G. Silva, Teresa Dieguez and Benny Tjahjono

This study aims to improve the reception and positioning of materials in the warehouse, as well as the internal logistics of a bus manufacturing company by acting upon the…

990

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to improve the reception and positioning of materials in the warehouse, as well as the internal logistics of a bus manufacturing company by acting upon the processes of supply line management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the action research methodology which, through a practical approach, intends to generate transferrable knowledge to other organizations whose situations are similar to that of this study. The practical actions and the knowledge acquired co-create the changes needed for the improvement processes.

Findings

Through these improvements, it is possible to standardize supply and eliminate the retention of picking carts on the line, simplify the management of materials provided in supermarket boxes, improve the control of materials and facilitate the process of picking and materials storage. A kanban card-based supply system was also expanded to the bus assembly line, allowing more control over valuable materials.

Originality/value

This study has demonstrated how the implementation of lean techniques on a bus assembly line can lead to increased consistency of supply to the line and improved working conditions, both in the production and warehouse areas. Furthermore, it has set a new standard of the internal logistics processes and the inclusion of process recording in the working instructions.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 70 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 October 2007

Nuria García Rodríguez, M. José Sanzo Pérez and Juan A. Trespalacios Gutiérrez

This study aims to examine the marketing/R&D relationship under different relative dependence situations. Specifically, its basic objective is to analyse if the effect that the…

1179

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the marketing/R&D relationship under different relative dependence situations. Specifically, its basic objective is to analyse if the effect that the climate between these departments exerts on new product development performance is moderated by the dependence perceived by these areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The interfunctional climate was measured through six key variables of relationship marketing: cooperation, communication, trust, commitment, social satisfaction and conflict. To do this, the R&D directors of 178 Spanish innovative firms were surveyed. A sample of 345 products (177 successes and 168 failures) was been obtained.

Findings

The results derived from a multisample analysis allow the conclusion that in those situations of high dependence the creation of a satisfactory climate is specially important for the development of affective bonds, such as trust and commitment among the functional areas.

Originality/value

The novelty of the research lies in the use of the relationship marketing approach to investigate industrial intra‐functional relationships and their influence on a new product performance. Furthermore, the inclusion of dependence as a possible moderator of that influence represents an added value of the study.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 22 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2023

B.F. Giannetti, Feni Agostinho, C.M.V.B. Almeida, Marcos José Alves Pinto Jr, Maritza Chirinos Marroquín and Medardo Delgado Paredes

The study of sustainability within universities is recognized as essential for debates and research; in the long term, the “sustainable university” concepts can contribute to…

Abstract

Purpose

The study of sustainability within universities is recognized as essential for debates and research; in the long term, the “sustainable university” concepts can contribute to sustainability from a larger perspective. This study aims to propose a conceptual model for evaluating the students’ sustainability considering their interactions with the university and the environment. The proposed model is titled Sunshine model. It is applied to students of the La Salle University, Peru.

Design/methodology/approach

The model combines academic performance, happiness and the ecological footprint to quantify university students’ sustainability. A structured questionnaire survey was elaborated and applied to get the raw data that feeds the three methods. The students’ average grades evaluate academic performance. Happiness is quantified by the happiness index method, and the ecological footprint is measured by the demand for food, paper, electricity, transport and built-up areas. Results are evaluated under both approaches, overall group performance and clusters.

Findings

The proposed model avoids misleading interpretations of a single indicator or discussions on sustainability that lack a conceptual model, bringing robustness in assessing students’ sustainability in universities. To have a low ecological footprint, the student needs to need up to 1 planet for their lifestyle, be considered happy with at least 0.8 (of 1) for happiness index, and have good academic performance with at least a grade of 7 (of 10) in their course. Regarding the case study, La Salle students show a high academic grade degree of 7, a high level for happiness index of 0.8 and low performance for ecological footprint by demanding 1.8 Earth planets, resulting in an “environmentally distracted” overall classification for students with 2019 data. From a cluster approach, 81% of evaluated students (n = 603) have low performance for ecological footprint, whereas 31% have low performance for indicators of recreational activities of happiness. Changing lifestyles and making more recreational activities available play crucial roles in achieving higher sustainability for the La Salle students.

Research limitations/implications

The happiness assessment questionnaire can be subject to criticism, as it was created as a specific method for this type of audience based on existing questionnaires in the literature. Although it can be seen as an important approach for diagnoses, the proposed model does not consider the cause–effect aspect. The decision-maker must consider the sociocultural aspects before implementing plan actions.

Practical implications

University managers can better understand why university students have high or low sustainability performance and provide more effective actions toward higher levels of students’ sustainability.

Originality/value

The proposed model, Sunshine model, overcomes the single-criteria existing tools that access the sustainability of universities. Rather than focusing on university infrastructure, the proposed model focuses on the students and their relationship with the university.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 24 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 June 2007

Nuria García Rodríguez, M José Sanzo Pérez and Juan A. Trespalacios Gutiérrez

The purpose of the present study is to analyze the role the existing trust between marketing and R&D plays on a new product development performance. As trust determining factors…

1961

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to analyze the role the existing trust between marketing and R&D plays on a new product development performance. As trust determining factors four key variables of relationship marketing have been considered: satisfaction, cooperation, communication and conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

The R&D directors of 178 Spanish innovative firms were surveyed. A sample of 345 products (177 successes and 168 failures) were obtained. To estimate the model proposed a structural equation analysis was used.

Findings

The success of an innovation is especially favored by the existence of affective bonds among the participants. In this respect, the existing trust between marketing and R&D, directly, and the satisfaction of the areas with the relationship, indirectly through the former, are essential determinants of a new product performance.

Originality/value

The novelty of the research lies in the use of relationship marketing approach to investigate intra‐functional relationships and their influence on a new product performance.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 41 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2021

Biagio F. Giannetti, Luis Velazquez, Krystal M. Perkins, Marisela Trillas-Ortiz, Carlos Anaya-Eredias, Feni Agostinho, Cecilia M.V.B. Almeida, Marcos Jose Alves Pinto and Nora Munguia

Students play an unequivocal role in sustainable universities as they are theorized to embody the mission of a sustainable university through a sustainable lifestyle and spread…

Abstract

Purpose

Students play an unequivocal role in sustainable universities as they are theorized to embody the mission of a sustainable university through a sustainable lifestyle and spread sustainability practices during their professional careers. Despite this, it is not well known how or why students come to embody a sustainable lifestyle. This study aims to better understand the relationship between happiness, academic achievement and sustainability behaviors among the student population in a Mexican higher education institution.

Design/methodology/approach

In a questionnaire study, engineering and psychology university students at a large public university in northwestern Mexico answered questions regarding their environmental sustainability behaviors, happiness and academic performance. A stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain the sample population that best represents the entire population. After chi-square tests, it was confirmed that the three variables were independent of one another. Therefore, a series of correspondence analyses were conducted to examine clusters or patterns that could indicate relationships among the three variables.

Findings

The main finding from this work was that the happiest and most academically astute participants were only slightly environmentally sustainable or not sustainable at all. The lack of environmental sustainability in students from one of the most top-rank sustainable universities in Mexico does not align with previous sustainability reports. External factors to the university, such as cultural values and extreme weather conditions, may have influenced students’ sustainability behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

As with any other questionnaire study, the provided data is subject to interpretation, judgment and bias. In addition, the environmental and happiness index used in this study are not free of criticizing, and some author had disputed its efficacy. Finally, this study’s findings did not determine any causality or directionality between any of the latent variables. However, causality and directionally between environmental sustainability-happiness and happiness-academic performance have to be found in both directions.

Practical implications

Despite the unsustainability of students in this study, this study has several contributions. First, it provides an evaluation of a sustainable university from the perspectives and behaviors of students. The views of students as they relate to the complexities and visions of a sustainable university have remained relatively underexamined. Second, these analyses point to specific sustainability-oriented challenges and inadvertent barriers (e.g. extreme weather patterns) toward the embodiment of a sustainable lifestyle. These challenges and barriers suggest that sustainable universities need to address the dynamic changes inherent in sustainable development. Finally, this study indicates that the link between happiness, academic performance and sustainability may be more complicated and driven by cultural and structural barriers. The issue of barriers, as they relate to sustainability behaviors, is highly relevant and presents important opportunities and questions for future research.

Originality/value

This study provides an evaluation of a sustainable university from the perspectives and behaviors of students. Students’ views as they relate to the complexities and visions of a sustainable university have remained relatively underexamined. Second, these analyses point to specific sustainability-oriented challenges and barriers as they relate to the embodiment of a sustainable lifestyle. These challenges and barriers suggest that sustainable universities need to address the dynamic changes inherent in sustainable development. Finally, this study indicates that the link between happiness, academic performance and sustainability may be more complicated and driven by cultural and structural barriers.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 22 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 August 2021

Paula Cristina Lopes, Isabel Rocha Pinto, José Mendes Marques and Magdalena Bobowik

This study aims to examine how prisoners’ early release affects other citizens’ perceived insecurity and their attitudes towards those released prisoners, and how citizens’…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine how prisoners’ early release affects other citizens’ perceived insecurity and their attitudes towards those released prisoners, and how citizens’ political orientation influences these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 383 Portuguese participants were presented with a recommendation from the United Nations for the release of prisoners because of COVID-19 and then asked to fill in a questionnaire measuring their political orientation, support for the early release of prisoners, perceived insecurity regarding such measure and their attitudes towards the released prisoners.

Findings

Results showed that support for the release of prisoners during COVID-19 is associated with perceived insecurity and both, in turn, predicts inclusive attitudes regarding these prisoners, while only perceived insecurity is associated with an agreement with an intensification of social control measures. Right-wing participants were found to express the negative side. The more participants felt insecure, the more they believed released prisoners should not have the same rights as common citizens and the more they should be left out of the community.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this study concerns the sample: the authors collected answers from Portuguese participants exclusively, most of which held a university degree.

Practical implications

At least two major implications can be drawn from this study’s results. These implications deal with prisoners’ entrance in what can be considered a cycle of exclusion and the promotion of their social reintegration once they are released from prison.

Social implications

The findings point out the necessity to firstly put an effort in deconstructing the insecurity perception that results from the prospective of having prisoners back into society – that is to understand why it happens and how it can be reduced – promoting efficacy in the inclusion of these prisoners and preventing the emergence of controlling or protective approaches directed to these individuals in their return to society by enhancing people’s awareness that the social reintegration of ex-prisoners will benefit the whole community.

Originality/value

The authors present a different perspective of the impact that managing COVID-19 in prisons has on society.

Details

International Journal of Prisoner Health, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1744-9200

Keywords

1 – 10 of 262