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1 – 10 of over 1000This paper explains how the location of motorsports events is an integral part of the marketing of the sport of motor racing and of all its attendant commercial interests. Case…
Abstract
This paper explains how the location of motorsports events is an integral part of the marketing of the sport of motor racing and of all its attendant commercial interests. Case studies of the major motorsports events staged in public street circuits in Australia are used to illustrate how the locations have particular symbolic significance that adds legitimacy to the sport of motor racing, and the messages and impacts associated with these events. The paper examines the wider significance of allowing special public spaces in cities to be used for motorsports events, and contends that the marketing of sporting events should not be considered independently of the major challenges facing the world.
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Mark Lowe, Elizabeth Hood and Mike Ozog
This technical paper aims to provide an overview of thin‐film force sensors, present discussions of various ways these force sensors are used in automated systems, and offer…
Abstract
Purpose
This technical paper aims to provide an overview of thin‐film force sensors, present discussions of various ways these force sensors are used in automated systems, and offer possibilities for future adaptations. Areas of interest are medicine, industry, and consumer products.
Design/methodology/approach
Current uses of thin‐film force sensors are presented based on existing prototypes and research. Current research serves as a springboard to identifying ideas for future research and development.
Findings
Regarding thin‐film force sensors, finds that, thanks to features of current force‐sensing technology, consumers can expect continued introduction of high‐quality and very realistic “feeling” systems.
Originality/value
Presents novel uses of force sensors and explores ideas for future research.
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Mark Lowe, Alison King, Elizabeth Lovett and Thomas Papakostas
The continued evolution of computer technology requires us now more than ever to investigate and understand man‐machine interfaces. Physical interface peripherals such as…
Abstract
The continued evolution of computer technology requires us now more than ever to investigate and understand man‐machine interfaces. Physical interface peripherals such as touch‐screens and force feedback systems demand a comprehension of the tactile forces involved. To accomplish this, flexible, easy‐to‐install, minimally intrusive sensors are essential. Thanks to the development of such sensors, many doors have been opened for innovative haptic applications in a variety of fields including medicine, manufacturing, and entertainment.
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Newham Council initiated a pilot project introducing advanced assistive technologies (telecare and telehealth) in 2004. Additional funding in 2006 provided the means to extend a…
Abstract
Newham Council initiated a pilot project introducing advanced assistive technologies (telecare and telehealth) in 2004. Additional funding in 2006 provided the means to extend a service to over 4000 residents. In 2007, Newham successfully bid to become a Department of Health Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) site. This new project will be integrated with the existing service to target people at risk of hospital admission due to a defined group of long‐term conditions, and people with complex social care needs, with sophisticated technologies, interventions and support in their own homes. This paper describes the project methodology and the particular challenges that are faced. These include the development of a robust evaluation, which will provide statistical evidence of the effects of the technologies across the health and social care spectrum, as well as addressing and overcoming issues associated with information flow, change management and partnership working.
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Andrew Goddard and Tausi Ally Mkasiwa
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the budgeting practices in the Tanzanian Central Government. New budgeting reforms were introduced following exhortations from the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the budgeting practices in the Tanzanian Central Government. New budgeting reforms were introduced following exhortations from the bodies such as the UN, the World Bank and the IMF and reflect the new public management (NPM).
Design/methodology/approach
A grounded theory methodology was used. This methodology is inductive, allowing phenomena to emerge from the participants rather than from prior theory. This ensures both relevance and depth of understanding.
Findings
The principal research findings from the data concern the central phenomenon of “struggling for conformance”. Tanzanian Central Government adopted innovations in order to ensure donor funding by demonstrating its ability to implement imposed budgetary changes. Organizational actors were committed to these reforms through necessity and struggled to implement them, rather than more overtly resisting them.
Research limitations/implications
The research is subject to the usual limitations of case study, inductive research.
Practical implications
This research has several implications for policy-makers of NPM and budgetary reforms. These include the recognition that the establishment of the rules and regulations alone is not adequate for the successful implementation of budgetary and NPM reforms and should involve a comprehensive view of the nature of the internal and external environment.
Originality/value
There are few empirical papers of NPM accounting practices being implemented in the public sector of developing countries and none at all based in Tanzania. The paper identifies the existence of struggling to conform to reforms rather than resistance identified in prior research.
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The Third International Conference on CD‐ROM sponsored by Microsoft Corporation was held in Seattle March 1–3, 1988.
In recent years there has been discussion in the management and organisational literature on generational differences and how they may impact on the design of workforce…
Abstract
In recent years there has been discussion in the management and organisational literature on generational differences and how they may impact on the design of workforce strategies. However, much of the discussion appears to be based on observation rather than large empirical work. Indeed, I would argue that wider support for the requirement to manage the workforce around X and Y issues is absent. For example, employers of choice are looking to win talent by tailoring employment policy to capture the dynamism of the modern era rather than discrete generational values. Significantly, the bulk of generational data cited by popular writers is subjective, non‐representative, makes use of single‐point‐of‐time data and uses retrospective comparisons. Importantly, scholarly literature does not draw arbitrary and abrupt lines between generations. In seeking to determine a preferred workforce strategy organisations would be better served by acknowledging the technical, economic, political and social dynamism of modern life rather than the flawed conclusions of popular generational literature.
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Bob Doherty and Sophi Tranchell
The purpose of this paper is to further develop the recent discourse surrounding the mainstreaming of fairtrade (FT) products, particularly the concepts of “radical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to further develop the recent discourse surrounding the mainstreaming of fairtrade (FT) products, particularly the concepts of “radical mainstreaming”, “clean‐wash” and “the Alternative High Street”. The research investigates the pros and cons of mainstreaming FT in the concentrated UK retail sector via the exemplar of The Day Chocolate Company.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on a longitudinal case study of one of the original “trail blazers” for FT in the mainstream, the 100 per cent FT social enterprise, The Day Chocolate Company (Day). The authors possess special insight to this pioneering FT model due to their unique experience of working at Day and the lead author's research, which includes findings from a series of in depth semi‐structured interviews with key informants.
Findings
With particular reference to the concepts Clean‐wash/ “Fair Trade Lite” the paper critically analyses the advantages and disadvantages of mainstreaming FT. The paper demonstrates how radical mainstreaming by 100 per cent FT companies can actually strengthen the transformative message of FT and not undermine the original ethical interest. Their ability to communicate a more complex deep message to a wider audience via unique FT brands allows radical mainstreaming companies to raise the bar and avoid the dangers of Clean‐wash. Finally the paper illustrates the significance of the Alternative High Street for radical mainstreaming companies.
Research limitations/implications
The radical mainstreaming innovation in the paper demonstrates the value of intangibles such as relationships and networks. This means companies such as Day, could be better positioned than their private sector rivals to take advantage of the new dominant logic of marketing as it uses more operant resources to co‐create value between producers, retailers and consumers. Further research will investigate in more depth the nature of those operant resources.
Originality/value
This paper will be of interest to all key stakeholders within the FT movement including marketing professionals and other “values‐driven organisations” such as social enterprises. This research shows that sales in the UK mainstream retail market are not enough in maintaining the original ethical interests of FT; you need business models such as Day, that share power and value added between Southern and Northern partners. Further development of such radical mainstreaming business models is key to strengthening both sales and the original transformative message of FT.
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Douglas J. Ernest and Lewis B. Herman
In recent years, guides to hiking trails and wilderness areas have enjoyed an increase in popularity. Here, Douglas J. Ernest and Lewis B. Herman evaluate more than 100 such books.
Zhi‐jie Dong, Feng Ye, Di Li and Jie‐xian Huang
The purpose of this paper is to study the application of feature‐based image matching algorithm for PCB matching without using special fiducial marks.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the application of feature‐based image matching algorithm for PCB matching without using special fiducial marks.
Design/methodology/approach
Speed‐up robust feature (SURF) is applied to extract the interest points in PCB images. An advanced threshold is set to reject the interest points with low responses to speed up feature computation. In order to improve the performance for rotation, the descriptors are based on multi‐orientations. The many‐to‐many tentative correspondences are determined with a maximum distance. Hough transform is used to reject the mismatches and the affine parameters are computed with a square‐least solution.
Findings
Results show that the method proposed in this paper can match the PCB images without using special fiducial marks effectively. The image matching algorithm shows a better performance for image rotation than the standard SURF and it succeeds in matching the image including repetitive patterns which will deteriorate the distinctiveness of feature descriptors.
Research limitations/implications
Additional orientations produce more descriptors so that it takes extra time for feature description and matching.
Originality/value
The paper proposes a SURF‐based image matching algorithm to match the PCB images without special fiducial marks. This can reduce the complexity of PCB production. The image matching algorithm is robust to image rotation and repetitive patterns and can be used in other applications of image matching.
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