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Examines different approaches that can be utilised to introduce a Six Sigma Black Belt programme. Compares and contrasts the implementation strategies used in both Motorola and General Electric. Provides information based on a literature review as well as interview evidence from employees in both firms. Concludes by defining the overall approach used by each company. The benefits as well as some criticisms of the Six Sigma and Black Belt methodology are also provided, and we warn about the dangers of focusing on the metric rather than the mission.

The usual method of determining the characteristics of an airscrew by the curves of ? and x as a function of the advance/ diameter ratio neglects the deformations to which an airscrew in rotation is subject, and, desiring a more accurate method of investigation, the Service des Recherches de l'Aéronautique asked Commandant Ledoux to work out a method capable of practical application for the measurement of deformations. This report gives in detail the results of his work.

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among a set of human resources management (HRM) practices, entrepreneurial traits (ET) and corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in an emerging market such as the Egyptian one.

This research is explanatory in nature where it explains the causal relationships between the variables. Data was collected from 230 human resources (HR) managers and professional serving in top Egyptian financial institutions. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling with relevant goodness-of-fit statistics.

The results of this study indicate that HRM practices have significant impact on the development of ET of personnel currently operating in the Egyptian financial institutions. Besides, the results confirm the effect of HRM practices on ET, which in turn have significant impact on CE.

This research provides an appropriate direction for HR managers on how to best design HR programs directed toward the development of strong CE orientation. It also highlights the core ET needed to enhance CE in emerging economies. The validated hypothetical relationships of this model serve as the baseline for those managers to plan, execute and measure the consequences of those HRM programs.

Although HRM is widely considered as a critical driving force for CE, there is a remarkable scarcity of empirical research examining the role of ET. The conceptual model tested in this research typically deepens both HRM scholars and managers’ understanding of how they can best connect HRM practices to ET and CE in emerging economies. The findings of this study open the door for a new venue of research in the HRM area of study, particularly in emerging markets that search for a fast-growing rate of economic prosperity. The findings of this study lend support for HRM as an antecedent to CE rather than vice versa.

This work aims to identify the linear elastic orthotropic material paramters of Pinus pinaster Ait. wood, using full-field measurements and an inverse identification strategy based on the finite element (FE) method updating technique.

Compression tests are carried out under uniaxial and quasi-static loading conditions on wood specimens oriented on the radial-tangential (RT) plane, with different grain orientations. Full-field displacements and strains are measured using digital image correlation (DIC), which are then used as a reference in the identification procedure. A FE model is implemented assuming plane stress conditions, where wood is modelled as an orthotropic homogeneous material. Based on the numerical results, a synthetic image reconstruction scheme is implemented to synthetically deform the reference experimental image, which is then processed by DIC and further compared to the experimental results.

The results for both approaches were similar when both specimen configurations were used in a single run. However, when using the DIC-based FEMU approach with the on-axis configuration, the identified modulus of elasticity in the tangential direction and shear modulus are closer to the reference values.

This approach ensures a fair comparison between both sets of data since the full-field strain maps are obtained through the same filter and therefore have the same strain formulation, spatial resolution and data filtering. Firstly, the identification is performed using a single configuration, either the on-axis or the off-axis specimen. Secondly, the identification is carried out by merging data from both on-axis and off-axis configurations.

I WOULD SUPPOSE that the interior of Sierra Leone is as remote as any part of West Africa. Yet Freetown, its capital, has been visited or anchored off by a not inconsiderable number of British librarians. Possessing one of the finest natural harbours in the world it was an important link in the Allied convoy system during World War II, and certainly a view of the “Lion Mountains”, even though they may often have been hidden in rain or mist, was an exciting introduction to Africa.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy (CE), as well as shed light on the influence of procurement strategy in CE implementation in construction projects.

A qualitative research approach with abductive reasoning was adopted. The empirical data were collected from the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The results reveal that clients, consultants and contractors have limited awareness, knowledge and motivation to implement CE in construction projects. The absence of incentives to design projects following CE principles, lack of involvement of contractors and suppliers, non-use of materials that use CE principles and current procurement strategies are the main challenges for the implementation of CE in the UAE.

Previous research offers limited knowledge on CE and its implementation in construction projects particularly from a procurement strategy perspective. The findings of the study provide new knowledge of the benefits, challenges and role of procurement strategy for implementing CE. It is suggested that collaborative and partnering-based procurement methods are needed to facilitate the effective implementation of CE.

The purpose of this paper is to experimentally validate the crack growth control based on the topological derivative of the famous Rice's integral.

Single edge notch tensile specimens with two configurations were tested. Displacement fields near notch were experimentally obtained using the digital image correlation method. These displacements were used to verify the minimization of the associated shape functional, which is defined in terms of the Rice's integral, when a set of controls (holes) positioned according to the topological derivative information, is inserted. Based on the Griffth's energy criterion, this minimization represents an improvement in the fracture toughness of cracked bodies.

The experimental tests confirmed that a decrease around 27% in the value of the associated shape functional can be obtained following this approach. Therefore, the results allow us to conclude that the predictive methodology for crack growth control based on the topological derivative is feasible.

This is the first work concerning experimental validation of crack growth control based on the topological derivative method.

Domestic abuse or intimate partner violence is a term that describes a pattern of abusive behaviours, often experienced concurrently and linked to gender-based violence. This study aims to explore through the literature the potential to design effective digital services that work for victims, survivors and those who provide domestic abuse support services.

This study is based on a systems or service design thinking methodology which was adopted during a Scottish Government-funded Technology Enabled Care (TEC) pathfinder project on domestic abuse. This methodology is the basis for the Scottish Approach to Service Design which is based on the Design Council Double Diamond. During the first phase, known as the discovery phase, desk-based research is conducted by the service design team to inform their approach to the later phases (the second half of the first diamond is define whilst design and deliver form the second diamond). Time is spent during discovery to unpack the complexity whilst the approach takes a pragmatic worldview.

Technology has yet to be shown to provide an effective solution to any aspect of the victim or survivors’ experience or support services albeit these are often over-stretched and under-funded even without the Covid-19 pandemic. Digital abuse is increasing with perpetrators adapting new technologies. Digital developments should be grounded on ethical design principles.

This study is the result of the desk-based research during a TEC project considering the potential role of technology in tackling domestic abuse. Limitations include only including evidence from the literature; interviews were conducted but are not reported here. Another limitation is the pragmatic rather than academic nature of the approach; it was to be a foundation for service re-design. So hopefully useful for new practitioners to immerse themselves in the topic area but with no claims to be reproducible as would be the case in a formal review.

All the evidence shows the authors need to keep trying different approaches, different forms of engagement and ways to empower survivors. Could technology support health-care practitioners to consistently use sensitive routine enquiry? Perhaps enable independent domestic violence advisors to attend more multidisciplinary team meetings in local community settings? Meanwhile, digital abuse is increasing with perpetrators adapting new technologies. Technology has not yet provided a digital solution which is practical and meets the needs of the broad intersectional population affected by domestic abuse nor those who provide support. If the future is to be based on digital developments it must be grounded on ethical design principles.

This desk-based review collates the current national and international policy and research literature whilst focusing on digital developments which support those affected by domestic abuse.

HERALDED by a leading article in The Times which appeared on the morning of its publication, the Report on the Public Libraries System of Great Britain by Mr. Lionel R. McColvin is now available. It will, without doubt, be the most carefully read current work in its own field, and its suggestions will be subjected to the closest scrutiny. Our correspondent in “Letters on Our Affairs” makes the first step in our pages in this direction, although, as he indicates, his views are merely preliminary. Last month we suggested that if such a report were issued by the Library Association, it should be made quite clear that it is the pronouncement of an individual and not an official document in the strict sense. Already, of course, as The Times leader seems to suggest, the distinction between Mr. McColvin's work and the views of the Library Association have been confused in the public mind. That was inevitable. But we understand that the Association at a later time will issue its own considered statement of what it thinks to be necessary and practicable in the re‐construction of the library service—if, indeed, it is reconstructed—to meet after‐war needs. On the whole, the book is quite readable and betrays very little of the hurry in which it must have been written: its facts seem to be sound and marshalled with considerable skill; its general outlook is generous. With much of it there will not only be agreement; there will be enthusiastic agreement. In so far as it is a proposed system for post‐war organization, it follows the lines already suggested by the Regional Systems created for Civil Defence, involving larger library areas administered from what Mr. McColvin believes to be the central town or other focus of each area. The counties as such disappear, the smaller towns and villages merge into the central town, and so we get in one way or another a cohesive, self‐sufficient and mutually supporting set of libraries in each area. It is around the choice of area and all its implications that discussion will rage and upon which it will be most difficult to obtain general consent. These units, however, while essential to Mr. McColvin's scheme, cannot be regarded other than as proposals to be discussed. Librarians will be quick to see that many of them will become branch librarians if the scheme matures, but in every one of the many schemes we have seen for post‐war re‐construction, larger units than the present ones are invariably implied, and this of necessity means the disappearance as chief officers of many now holding office. This is only one item in a whole series of discussable proposals. We hope that every one or our readers will study the Report and will bring to the common discussions that must be forthcoming a complete and, we hope, impartial understanding of what is involved.