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11 – 20 of 207Kiranmai Uppuluri and Dorota Szwagierczak
The purpose of this work was to characterize NiMn2O4 spinel-based thermistor powder, to use it in screen printing technology to fabricate temperature sensors, to study their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this work was to characterize NiMn2O4 spinel-based thermistor powder, to use it in screen printing technology to fabricate temperature sensors, to study their performance for different sintering temperatures of thermistor layer, with and without insulative cover, as well as to investigate stability of the fabricated thermistors and their applicability in water quality monitoring.
Design/methodology/approach
After the characterization of starting NiMn2O4 spinel-based thermistor powder, it was converted to thick film paste which was screen printed on alumina substrate. Thermistor layers were sintered at four different sintering temperatures: 980°C, 1050°C, 1150°C and 1290°C. An interdigitated pattern of Ag-Pd conductive layer was used to reduce the resistance. Temperature-resistance characteristics were investigated in air and water, with and without insulative cover atop the thermistor layer. Stability of the fabricated thermistors after aging at 120°C for 300 h was also examined.
Findings
Thick film NiMn2O4 spinel thermistors, prepared by screen printing and sintering in the temperature range 980°C–1290°C, exhibited good negative temperature coefficient (NTC) characteristics in the temperature range −30°C to 145°C, including high temperature coefficient of resistance, good stability and applicability in water.
Originality/value
This study explores the range of sintering temperature that can be applied for NiMn2O4 thermistor thick films without compromising on the temperature sensing performance in air and water, as well as stability of the thermistors after aging at elevated temperatures.
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Jan Kulawik, Dorota Szwagierczak and Beata Synkiewicz
– This paper aims to fabricate and characterize ZnO-based multilayer varistors.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to fabricate and characterize ZnO-based multilayer varistors.
Design/methodology/approach
Tape casting technique was utilized for preparation of multilayer varistors based on ZnO doped with Pr, Bi, Sb, Co, Cr, Mn and Si oxides. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were used to study the microstructure, elemental and phase compositions, respectively, of the varistors. Dielectric properties were investigated by impedance spectroscopy. Current–voltage (I–U) dependences were measured to characterize nonlinear behavior of the fabricated varistors.
Findings
XRD, SEM and EDS studies revealed dense microstructure of ceramic layers with ZnO grains sized 1-4 μm surrounded by nanometric Bi-rich films, submicrometer Zn7Sb2O12 spinel grains and needle-shaped Pr3SbO7 crystallites. Praseodymium oxide was found to be very effective as an additive restricting the ZnO grain growth. I–U characteristics of the fabricated multilayer varistors were nonlinear, with the nonlinearity coefficients of 23-27 and 19-51 for the lower and higher Pr2O3 content, respectively. The breakdown voltages were 60-150 V, decreasing with increasing sintering temperature.
Originality/value
Low-temperature cofired ceramics technology enables attaining a significant progress in miniaturization of electronic passive components. Literature concerning application of this technology for multilayer varistors fabrication is limited. In the present work, the results of XRD, SEM and EDS studies along with the I–U and complex impedance dependences are analyzed to elucidate the origin of the observed varistor effect. The influence of sintering temperature and Pr2O3-doping level was investigated.
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K. Aleksic‐Maslac and M. Magzan
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in building social capital and human capacity, in terms of knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in building social capital and human capacity, in terms of knowledge sharing, targeted training and developing education initiatives in higher education institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The critical organizational form in the information age is networking. This new organizational principle is manifested through the processes of internationalization and global academic cooperation, which have become inevitable strategies for every higher education institution in order to be competitive in a global education market. The focus of this paper is on such positive practices implemented at Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM). Since its foundation in 2002, a systematic use of new technologies in education has been encouraged, which in turn has provided the basis for major advances in development. Today ZSEM has around 1,400 students and about 150 courses with an integrated e‐learning system, while currently 7 per cent of students take part in various types of international exchange.
Findings
The effective use of ICT, such as synchronous and asynchronous methods of distance learning, enables higher education institutions to reach out students, teachers and researchers in foreign countries without physically moving them. Besides improving communication and exchange of information followed by opportunities for cross‐cultural learning, effective ICT implementation enables expansion of social and economic networks and strengthens institutional and academic ties by thus building social capital. Availability and use of new technologies in education process is closely linked with globalization of education markets and student and professor mobility.Research limitations/implications – The current work has involved one institution utilizing a wide range of courses. Implications are that the approach could be positively transferred and used with other institutions and across countries.
Originality/value
This work is one of the few that has examined ICT as a tool from the perspective of its application for building social capital in higher education. The work presented investigates in‐depth this provision in a specific institution.
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Darija Aleksić, Kaja Rangus and Alenka Slavec Gomezel
The purpose of this research is to better understand the human aspects of open innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by exploring how intrinsic and extrinsic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to better understand the human aspects of open innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by exploring how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation influence enjoyment in helping others, knowledge sharing and knowledge hiding and consequently firms' open innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
We collected data with a survey among CEOs in 140 SMEs and performed confirmatory factor analysis applying structural equation modeling in IBM SPSS AMOS (v. 26).
Findings
Results reveal that intrinsic motivation is positively associated with helping behavior and knowledge sharing and negatively associated with knowledge hiding. We also confirm the positive relationship between extrinsic motivation and knowledge sharing. Moreover, we find that knowledge sharing increases and knowledge hiding decreases the firm-level open innovation. Especially in high-tech industry, knowledge sharing is a vital determinant of open innovation.
Originality/value
Responding to the calls for a deeper understanding of the individual-level factors that determine organization-level open innovation, in this research we focus on the human aspect of open innovation in SMEs. Open innovation is a widely recognized and implemented concept among large corporations and facilitates better understanding of new technological and market developments both within and outside of organizations. However, understanding of the microfoundations of open innovation in smaller firms is still limited, but this steam of research is growing rapidly.
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Milica Mirazić and Daša Duhaček
As a form of gender-based violence, sexual harassment represents one of the most serious obstacles to gender equality in higher education institutions. A systematic and…
Abstract
As a form of gender-based violence, sexual harassment represents one of the most serious obstacles to gender equality in higher education institutions. A systematic and institutional response is required in order for the problem to be regulated. This chapter provides a short overview of the existing institutional mechanisms adopted – with the support system built within the TARGET project – at the University of Belgrade and its member institutions, as a possible and good practice model of institutional interventions dealing with this issue. With three member faculties already having previously introduced their own rulebooks, the first University of Belgrade Rulebook on the Prevention of and Protection from Sexual Harassment was adopted university-wide in 2021. This document represents an important step forward and a substantial support to all the member institutions in the process of regulating the prevention of and protection from sexual harassment and thus contributes substantially to gender equality at all levels of the institution.
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Marc Sollosy, Rebecca M. Guidice and K. Praveen Parboteeah
The purpose of this paper is to link firms’ strategic archetypes as formulated by Miles and Snow (1978) to the more recent literature on organizational ambidexterity. Examining…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to link firms’ strategic archetypes as formulated by Miles and Snow (1978) to the more recent literature on organizational ambidexterity. Examining these obvious linkages, the paper also addresses how these firms address their entrepreneurial, engineering and administrative problem domains in relationship with the firm’s strategic archetype.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 503 firms across the US. Measures previously validated were used to collect information related to the strategic archetype as well as the three problem domains. Multiple discriminant and regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Most of the hypotheses relating the entrepreneurial (exploration and exploitation), engineering (radical and incremental innovation) and administrative problem (adaptation and alignment) to the four strategic archetypes (defender, prospector, analyzer and reactor) were supported. Additionally, the authors found that the firms that had the closest alignment along the three problem domains outperformed the other firms.
Originality/value
Although the Miles and Snow typology has received considerable research attention, the obvious links with more contemporary research on organizational ambidexterity has been neglected. Through this integration, with more recent key strategic management concepts, this paper shows the utility and current relevance of the Miles and Snow archetypes.
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Tomislav Hernaus, Aleša Saša Sitar and Ana Aleksić Mirić
Technological development creates technological imperative for organisations. The most recent is dedicated to digital technologies with a strong influence on the way of managing…
Abstract
Technological development creates technological imperative for organisations. The most recent is dedicated to digital technologies with a strong influence on the way of managing and organising. To gain a better understanding of the latest business practice, the authors use a multilevel perspective and apply the historical analysis method. Specifically, this chapter explores organisational design (OD) of the future through the evolutionary perspective (spanning across the four industrial revolutions) and brings into focus how technological imperatives modified organisational structure, coordination mechanisms and people/job practices. By reflecting on the historical changes in OD practices that happened throughout different phases of industrialisation, the authors analyse how building blocks of digital OD shape managerial and employee behaviours, thus unleashing the performance potential of digital technologies.
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Vesna Stojanović-Aleksić, Jelena Erić Nielsen and Aleksandra Bošković
Being mindful of the importance of organizational structure and organizational culture for knowledge management in companies, the purpose of this study is to investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Being mindful of the importance of organizational structure and organizational culture for knowledge management in companies, the purpose of this study is to investigate the organizational prerequisites for creating and sharing knowledge. The goals are to determine whether and to what extent the attributes of organic structure contribute to the creation and sharing of knowledge and to show that an organizational culture which supports knowledge stimulates the processes of knowledge creation and sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for the empirical study was obtained through a survey of 150 respondents, employed in 30 companies from several industries, in the Republic of Serbia. The questionnaire was adapted to the needs of the study and was developed based on the theoretical knowledge and findings of several previous studies on processes of knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. A regression method was used to test all hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that both the organic structure and the organizational culture that support knowledge have positive effects on knowledge creation, while knowledge sharing is positively influenced only by the knowledge supporting culture of an organization.
Originality/value
This study contributes to organization studies and knowledge management theory because of the holistic approach taken with regards to the issue involved and the fact that it takes into account a large number of the significant characteristics of organizational structure and culture that are relevant to knowledge management processes. The findings could prove useful to managers when structuring an organization and shaping its culture to enhance knowledge management.
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Nebojsa B. Raicevic, Slavoljub R. Aleksic, Željko Hederic, Marinko Barukcic and Ilona Iatcheva
The purpose of this paper is to present a new calculation method for increasing the shielded volume in which the external electromagnetic field is maximally reduced. In a space…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new calculation method for increasing the shielded volume in which the external electromagnetic field is maximally reduced. In a space shielded in the way mentioned in this paper, it is possible to introduce measurement instruments and increase the accuracy of results obtained with them, as well as reduce the risk of unwanted electrostatic field influence on living organisms.
Design/methodology/approach
A new numerical procedure for the optimization of the coaxial ring conductor system for electrostatic shielding is developed in the paper. The optimization of the functional that consists of electrostatic energy density and a system of equations derived from the equipotential character of the conductor system is used. The system of nonlinear equations is obtained and then numerically solved by minimizing this functional. The first presented optimization procedure is based on the analytical optimization method using the Lagrange coefficients and gradient of the objective function.
Findings
It is possible to design a large number of protective ring formations. Applying the differential evolution optimization method, an optimal arrangement can be obtained for any specific number of rings. The differential evolution optimization method, which belongs to the class of evolutionary algorithms, is used for solving this very complex optimization problem. In combination with the above-mentioned method, excellent results in the elimination of the external electric field have been obtained. Although a larger number of rings provides more efficient protection, this number is limited from the economic point of view. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve a compromise between the number of rings, the size of volume shielded and the quality of protection.
Research limitations/implications
There are few papers that address this problem, although the elimination of the influence of the external electromagnetic field has gained more importance lately. The presented method can be applied to increase the reliability of measured data, protection of the environment, in space research, etc. The main limiting factor for using a larger number of rings that provide better protection is the economical one.
Originality/value
The proposed method is suitable for the generalization of procedures, for the protection of the space where the external electric field needs to be reduced or eliminated.
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