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1 – 10 of 51FATIGUE of aircraft structures has recently become an important subject, particularly during the last two years, and many research organizations and aircraft manufacturers are now…
Abstract
FATIGUE of aircraft structures has recently become an important subject, particularly during the last two years, and many research organizations and aircraft manufacturers are now engaged in investigations into the problems of fatigue. Three international events dealing comprehensively with most aspects of fatigue have been arranged, and the first of these, organized by a Swedish committee of the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, took place last May at the Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan in Stockholm. The second conference, specifically concerned with fatigue of aircraft structures, will be held from January 30 to February 1, 1956, at Columbia University, New York. (Information may be obtained from Professor A. M. Freudenthal, 716 Engineering, Columbia University, New York 27, N.Y.) The entire field of metal fatigue will be covered by the third conference, organized by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, to take place in London from September 10 to 14, 1956.
Although it is a well-known notion that “a family firm does not survive beyond the third generation”, owing to the ineffective tacit knowledge transfer, studies investigating the…
Abstract
Purpose
Although it is a well-known notion that “a family firm does not survive beyond the third generation”, owing to the ineffective tacit knowledge transfer, studies investigating the relationship between generational evolution and knowledge innovation is scarce. Thus, this case study revolving Sin Kwang Plastic Resources Berhad (SKP) seeks to address this gap in literature.
Design/methodology/approach
To assess the development of family business, a longitudinal case study was performed by documenting the entire evolutionary process starting from its establishment until now. The historical profiles for SKP were obtained from the previous annual reports submitted to the government's Companies Commission (SSM). Secondary materials from the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and the edge newspaper and articles on the company were also gathered. Throughout the in-depth interviews, the author can see how the next generation of this family firm innovates and implements tacit knowledge innovation in original equipment manufacturing (OEM) by adhering to the Japanese industrial standards.
Findings
Findings show that the second generation utilized the company's extensive knowledge in plastic contract manufacturing in SKP for tacit knowledge conversion, triggers the birth of STS Tecnic Berhad, a subsidiary company that manufactures plastic parts for the industrial packaging and automotive industry. To simplify the process of managing the complex business, SKP opted to “prune the family tree” by dividing the business, involving fewer managers and restricting the number of family shareholders.
Practical implications
This case study traces how Gan's family's tacit knowledge in plastic contract manufacturing have been acquired from the experience of contract manufacturing with the Japanese multinational corporations (MNCs) by further commercializing the tacit knowledge into different companies for different plants. SKP promotes tacit knowledge innovation in the learning organization, thus responding to the firm's sustainability.
Originality/value
This study demonstrates that knowledge transformation plays vital roles in product development and gaining competitive advantage. The success of this business is founded by the building of shared values, norms and technical understanding in plastic contract manufacturing among the Japanese MNCs in Malaysia.
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Vipin Valiyattoor and Anup Kumar Bhandari
A brief review of earlier studies on the productivity scenario of Indian industry shows that most of the studies analysed are confined to either parametric approach or growth…
Abstract
Purpose
A brief review of earlier studies on the productivity scenario of Indian industry shows that most of the studies analysed are confined to either parametric approach or growth accounting approach of measuring productivity. At the same time, the few studies based on the non-parametric [namely, Malmquist productivity index (MPI)] overlook the returns to scale conditions as well as the bias involved in the estimation of distance functions. Given this backdrop, this study aims to provide a robust measure of productivity, which considers the returns to scale assumptions and correct for the bias involved in the estimation of productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
This study empirically tests for the returns to scale that exists in the chemical and chemical products industry in India. The test result suggests that Ray and Desli (1997) approach of MPI is the appropriate one for the present context. Initially, the conventional Ray and Desli (1997) estimation and decomposition of MPI for the period 2001 to 2017 is being used. Subsequently, to correct for the bias in the estimation of efficiency scores used for the estimation of MPI, the bootstrapping algorithm of Simar and Wilson (2007) has been extended into the context of MPI estimation.
Findings
The results from the conventional Malmquist productivity estimates testifies to an improvement of total factor productivity (TFP) in seven out of 16 years under consideration. On the contrary, TFP growth is recorded only in the four years throughout the period after the bias correction. A greater discrepancy between the two measures has been found in the case of scale change factor component of MPI.
Practical implications
The technical change (TC) component positively influences TFP, whereas scale change factor (SCF) deteriorates the TFP condition of this industry. It will be appropriate for these firms to identify and operate under an optimal scale of operation, along with reaping the benefits of technological change. From a methodological perspective, researchers should consider the potential bias that arise in estimation of TFP and use a larger sample whenever possible.
Originality/value
This paper brings in a new perspective to the existing literature on industrial productivity. As against earlier studies, this study empirically tests the returns to scale of the sector under consideration and uses the most appropriate approach to measure productivity. The effect of sampling bias on TFP and its components is analysed.
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For many years it has been the College of Aeronautics' philosophy that the best way to teach aircraft design is to actually do it. To this end the Aircraft Design MSc students…
Abstract
For many years it has been the College of Aeronautics' philosophy that the best way to teach aircraft design is to actually do it. To this end the Aircraft Design MSc students perform an annual group design project based on types of aircraft that are of current interest.
T.E.H. Lemon and R.A.F. Beasant
THE question could well be asked as to why load controlled high strain fatigue tests should be performed, particularly when so much of the current research employs strain control…
Abstract
THE question could well be asked as to why load controlled high strain fatigue tests should be performed, particularly when so much of the current research employs strain control? The answer is simple: a load controlled high strain fatigue environment was discovered, and a test programme subsequently initiated to provide data that could be applied to future designs. Besides, what more realistic way of testing is there? Fundamentally, most structures, or elements thereof, sense load only during a working life; strain is merely a resulting effect.
IN 1950 Zapffe and Worden used the metal‐lurgical microscope for the examination of fatigue fracture surfaces, a technique which they called fractography. They suggested, as a…
Abstract
IN 1950 Zapffe and Worden used the metal‐lurgical microscope for the examination of fatigue fracture surfaces, a technique which they called fractography. They suggested, as a result of their observations, that fatigue fractures showed two characteristics:
Md. Musfiqur Rahman and Md. Shuvo Howlader
The main purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of research and development (R&D) expenditure on firm performance and firm value in an emerging economy.
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of research and development (R&D) expenditure on firm performance and firm value in an emerging economy.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, firm performance is examined by firm financial performance (return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE)) and market performance (Tobin's Q (TBQ)). This study conducted a multivariate analysis on the sampled data using pooled ordinary least square (OLS) regression method. In addition, both the level and lagged models have been used to test hypothesis in order to get the results.
Findings
All the empirical results from different models found significant and positive association of R&D expenditure with firm performance and firm value. The study also validates that all results are robust and free from outliers and multicollinearity issues.
Research limitations/implications
Most of the studies regarding the R&D expenditure and its impact were conducted on developed countries addressing only firm performance. Whereby, this study examined the impact of R&D expenditure on both firm's financial performance and market performance as well as firm value in the context of an emerging economy.
Practical implications
The outcomes of the study will enable the entrepreneurs, managers, investors and policymakers with more confidence to invest in R&D expenditure that will also ensure the organizational sustainability in the long run.
Originality/value
Most of the prior studies regarding the R&D expenditure and its impact were conducted on developed countries addressing only firm performance. Herein, both firm's financial performance and market performance along with firm value have been analyzed in the context of an emerging economy. This paper is unique empirical research study due to different institutional and regulatory setting as well as corporate characteristics. This study strongly advocates the organizational learning theory, agency theory and resource-based view theory of firms' allocation of funds for future growth and innovation.
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This paper examines the relationship between the originality of a pharmaceutical innovation and its patent quality. Greater patent quality has been shown in the extant literature…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the relationship between the originality of a pharmaceutical innovation and its patent quality. Greater patent quality has been shown in the extant literature to enhance market value, which better enables firms to recoup research and development (R&D) expenditures incurred during the innovation process. Understanding how originality improves patent quality can assist policymakers, when determining the optimal length of pharmaceutical patent protection and/or market exclusivity.
Design/methodology/approach
The relationship between originality and patent quality is empirically investigated using a tobit, as well as a zero-inflated negative binomial, estimation approach to account for prevalence of patents receiving zero forward citations. Moderating effects of joint innovation, innovation by a university researcher and innovation by an established innovator on originality are also considered.
Findings
There is a robust and positive relationship between patent originality and quality in the pharmaceutical sector. This relationship is positively moderated by joint patent ownership with a university. As such, innovators that target originality in new drug development (especially those collaborating with universities) should, according to extant literature, see greater increases in their market value.
Originality/value
Policymakers can use information on the originality of a new drug to discern the optimal length of market exclusivity needed to enable the innovator to recoup expenditures related to R&D. Better predictions of the timing for which firms can recoup R&D expenditures will equip policymakers with knowledge about the appropriate timing to introduce competition into the market, which is critical to reducing the price of pharmaceuticals to consumers.
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DURING the spring of 1968, Pilot magazine initiated the design of a homebuilt aircraft. The intention was to follow through the design in a series of articles highlighting the…
Abstract
DURING the spring of 1968, Pilot magazine initiated the design of a homebuilt aircraft. The intention was to follow through the design in a series of articles highlighting the problems, difficulties and, hopefully, successes of the project. The initial design was undertaken by the staff of the magazine defining the basic specification of the aircraft as a two‐place, all‐metal tourer/sports plane of modern style, capable of 5 hours' endurance, and arriving at the aircraft shown in Fig. 1. It is a sensibly small aircraft of 24ft. wing span and 20 ft. overall length with a constant 4 ft. wing chord to give a gross wing area of 96 sq. ft. The cockpit area, covered with a one‐piece sliding canopy, is a generous 48 in. wide with ample leg room forward and luggage space aft.
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