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1 – 10 of 242Fabian Müller, Paul Baumanns and Kay Hameyer
The calculation of electromagnetic fields can involve many degrees of freedom (DOFs) to achieve accurate results. The DOFs are directly related to the computational effort of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The calculation of electromagnetic fields can involve many degrees of freedom (DOFs) to achieve accurate results. The DOFs are directly related to the computational effort of the simulation. The effort is decreased by using the proper generalized decomposition (PGD) and proper orthogonalized decomposition (POD). The purpose of this study is to combine the advantages of both methods. Therefore, a hybrid enrichment strategy is proposed and applied to different electromagnetic formulations.
Design/methodology/approach
The POD is an a-priori method, which exploits the solution space by decomposing reference solutions of the field problem. The disadvantage of this method is given by the unknown number of solutions necessary to reconstruct an accurate field representation. The PGD is an a-priori approach, which does not rely on reference solutions, but require much more computational effort than the POD. A hybrid enrichment strategy is proposed, based on building a small POD model and using it as a starting point of the PGD enrichment process.
Findings
The hybrid enrichment process is able to accurately approximate the reference system with a smaller computational effort compared to POD and PGD models. The hybrid enrichment process can be combined with the magneto-dynamic T-Ω formulation and the magnetic vector potential formulation to solve eddy current or non-linear problems.
Originality/value
The PGD enrichment process is improved by exploiting a POD. A linear eddy current problem and a non-linear electrical machine simulation are analyzed in terms of accuracy and computational effort. Further the PGD-AV formulation is derived and compared to the PGD-T-Ω reduced order model.
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Fabian Müller, Paul Baumanns, Martin Marco Nell and Kay Hameyer
The accurate simulation of electrical machines involves a large number of degrees of freedom. Particularly, if additional parameters such as remanence variations or different…
Abstract
Purpose
The accurate simulation of electrical machines involves a large number of degrees of freedom. Particularly, if additional parameters such as remanence variations or different operating points have to be analyzed, the computational effort increases fast, known as the “curse of dimensionality.” The purpose of this study is to cope with this effort with the parametric proper generalized decomposition (PGD) as a model order reduction (MOR) technique. It is combined with the discrete empirical interpolation method (DEIM) and adapted to study characteristic electrical machine parameters.
Design/methodology/approach
The PGD is an a priori MOR technique. The technique is adapted to incorporate several additional parameters, such as the current excitation or permanent magnet remanence, to overcome the increasing computational effort of parametric studies. Further, it is combined with the DEIM to approximate the nonlinearity of the flux guiding material.
Findings
The parametric version of the PGD in combination with the DEIM is a suitable numerical approach to reduce computational effort of parametric studies, while considering nonlinear materials. The computational reduction is related to the influence of the different parameter variations on the field and on the number of parameters.
Originality/value
The extension of the PGD by several parameters associated with parametric studies of electrical machines enables to cope with the “curse of dimensionality.” The parametric PGD and the standard PGD–DEIM have been individually used to study different problems. The combination of both techniques, the parametric PGD and the DEIM, for nonlinear parametric studies of electrical machines represents the scientific contribution of this research.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide an ethnographic account of a folk music venue from the perspective of a participant observer.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an ethnographic account of a folk music venue from the perspective of a participant observer.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on a classic thick description, describing the central participants in a performance and the operation of spacing and timing processes, thus significantly creating private ownership of a public space.
Findings
There are collective proceses of spacing and timing that are informal but normative framing what superficially appears to constitute random or unstructured activities. The musical knowledge and performance competence drive these processes rather than externally visible considerations of authenticity.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is a single-venue descriptive research.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the relatively few small-scale ethnographies of urban music venues.
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Daniella Fjellstrom and Paul Frick
This study aims to develop the concept of competitive productivity focussing on the interplay between national competitive productivity (NCP) and firm competitive productivity…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop the concept of competitive productivity focussing on the interplay between national competitive productivity (NCP) and firm competitive productivity (FCP) based on the following research question: how does the competitive productivity framework explain the influence that government has on public–private procurement programmes?
Design/methodology/approach
A case study is conducted on the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. Data were collected using an exploratory, mixed methods design, starting with national level secondary data on five bid windows between 2011 and 2014, followed by eight in-depth qualitative interviews with industry experts.
Findings
The findings indicate that non-financial factors, such as trust (through consistent and transparent government policy) as well as a pragmatic attitude on the part of government, increased competition and ultimately resulted in a productive procurement process.
Social implications
By understanding what moderating factors influence competitiveness in African procurement programmes, using competitive productivity (CP) as a framework, the research contributes to development of government policy and procurement programmes. Incidentally, there is little doubt that improving infrastructure and in turn a greater percentage of access to electricity leads to increased competitiveness of the nation, firms and individuals, thus enabling companies to grow and operate with more stability.
Originality/value
Originality is demonstrated through the interplay of NCP and FCP, where the constructs of culture, benchmarking and performance were found to have the strongest influence of the six constructs of the CP model.
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Andrew R. Timming, Chris Baumann and Paul Gollan
The paper aims to examine the effect of employees' perceived physical attractiveness on the extent to which their voices are “listened to” by management.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to examine the effect of employees' perceived physical attractiveness on the extent to which their voices are “listened to” by management.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an experimental research design, the paper estimates main effects of employee attractiveness and possible moderating effects of employee race and gender as well as the gender of their “managers.”
Findings
The results suggest that, with few exceptions, more physically attractive employees are significantly more likely to have their suggestions acted upon by managers than less attractive employees, pointing to a powerful form of workplace discrimination. This finding holds across races, with more attractive white, black, and Asian employees exerting a more impactful voice than their less attractive counterparts, although the moderation appears to be stronger for whites than ethnic minorities.
Research limitations/implications
The results have important implications for the extant literatures on employee voice, diversity and discrimination.
Originality/value
This is among the first studies to demonstrate that less attractive employees suffer from an “employee voice deficit” vis-à-vis their more attractive counterparts.
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Andrew Timming, Chris Baumann and Paul Gollan
This study aims to examine how variations in the perceived gender (a)typicality of front-line staff impact on consumer spending. Gender typicality is defined here as traditionally…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how variations in the perceived gender (a)typicality of front-line staff impact on consumer spending. Gender typicality is defined here as traditionally masculine-looking men and feminine-looking women, whereas gender atypicality, in contrast, refers to feminine-looking men and masculine-looking women.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an experimental design, the authors use simulated consumption scenarios across two separate studies, one in the USA and the other in South Korea. In each study, the authors investigate main and interaction effects in relation to front-line employees’ race (white vis-à-vis Asian) and baseline gender (originally male vis-à-vis originally female).
Findings
Across the two studies, consumers spent more money with gender-typical female front-line staff or, alternatively stated, less money with more masculine-looking female front-line staff. The effect of the male service staff was more complicated. In both countries, the authors found a significant consumer preference for gender-atypical (i.e. more feminine-looking), Asian male employees, compared to more masculine-looking Asian men.
Research limitations/implications
The experimental design strengthens claims of not only good internal validity but also weakens the generalizability of the findings. Field research is needed to explore these effects in various workplaces and sectors. The authors also acknowledge the limitations of operationalizing the gender (a)typicality of front-line staff by manipulating facial structures. Future research should manipulate gender (a)typicality using sociological and performative indicators.
Practical implications
The authors contribute to ongoing debates surrounding the legality and ethics of regulating employee appearance in the workplace. Employers must consider whether this type of “lookism” is legally and morally defensible.
Originality/value
This is, to the knowledge, the first-ever study to examine the effect of front-line employee gender non-conformity on consumer behavior and decision-making. The authors show how variations in perceived gender (a)typicality can, variously, promote or retard consumer spending. The study is original in that it shifts the debate from traditional studies of between-gender differences to a focus on within-gender differences. The key value of the research is that it shines a much-needed light on the changing role of gender in the workplace.
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This study aims to examine the effect of restaurant employees’ challenge-hindrance appraisals toward smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and algorithms (STARA…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of restaurant employees’ challenge-hindrance appraisals toward smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and algorithms (STARA) awareness on individual competitive productivity (ICP) and explore the mediating roles of employees’ work engagement and organizational commitment on the relationship between challenge-hindrance appraisals and ICP.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through an online survey. One hundred and ninety employees who worked at full-time and non-management positions in the USA quick-service restaurants participated. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for the data analysis.
Findings
The study identified that restaurant employees’ challenge appraisals toward STARA awareness positively influenced ICP. This relationship is positively mediated by employees’ work engagement.
Practical implications
This study makes practical contributions to human resource practices in restaurants. Employees’ challenge appraisals toward STARA awareness transmit the job insecurity stressor to a higher level of ICP. Restaurant managers should provide employees with adequate resources and support for non-management employees’ professional competency growth. Quick-service restaurants can enjoy a competitive advantage in the market by enhancing employees’ CP.
Originality/value
This study enriches the literature on the CP model, cognitive appraisal theory and person-environment fit theory. The study investigated employees’ challenge and hindrance appraisals toward emerging STARA awareness and emphasized their distinct characteristics to drive ICP in the quick-service restaurant sector.
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Meehee Cho, Mark A. Bonn and Hyo Sun Jung
This study identified essential drivers of competitive productivity (CP) within the restaurant context at the meso-micro levels. Following evidence from previous research, this…
Abstract
Purpose
This study identified essential drivers of competitive productivity (CP) within the restaurant context at the meso-micro levels. Following evidence from previous research, this paper aims to discover if the relationships between the proposed drivers and restaurant competitive productivity (RCP) would differ based upon years in operations as a restaurant business (startup vs established).
Design/methodology/approach
Data analysis was conducted using responses obtained from US restaurant managers. Structural equation modeling assessed the hypothesized relationships. Additionally, multi-group analyses were conducted to test the proposed moderating roles of restaurant firm age within the proposed model.
Findings
Results documented that competitive personality, development and motivation were positively associated with employee competitive productivity (ECP) at the micro-level. Also, ECP, employee training, resource rareness, brand image and organizational culture were significantly and positively related to RCP at the meso-level. Additionally, the positive relationships between ECP and organizational culture, and RCP were greater in the established restaurant group compared with the startup group. However, the relationship between brand image and RCP was greater in the restaurant startup group than in the established group.
Practical implications
This study offered empirical evidence regarding a combination of meso and micro level drivers and their roles in improving RCP. Findings can be adopted to develop effective operational strategies to improve RCP.
Originality/value
Although RCP is critical and is proposed to be created by a comprehensive set of drivers considering organizational (meso-) and individual (micro-) situations, no literature has yet to adopt this comprehensive approach to assess RCP. This study focused on firm age and offered new knowledge about the need for developing specific strategies to improve RCP.
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Jaekyung Ha, Stine Grodal and Ezra W. Zuckerman Sivan
Our prior work has identified a trade-off that new entrants face in obtaining favorable market reception, whereby initial entrants suffer from a deficit of legitimacy whereas…
Abstract
Our prior work has identified a trade-off that new entrants face in obtaining favorable market reception, whereby initial entrants suffer from a deficit of legitimacy whereas later entrants suffer from a deficit of authenticity. This research has also proposed that a single mechanism is responsible for this trade-off: the tendency for customers and other stakeholders to assess the entrant's claim to originality based on the visible work that it has done to legitimate the new product or organizational form. This chapter extends and deepens our understanding of such “legitimation work” by showing how it can illuminate cases that seem in the first instance to defy this trade-off. In particular, we focus on two “off-diagonal” cases: (a) when, as in the case of “patent trolls” and fraudulent innovators, early entrants are viewed as inauthentic despite having a credible claim to originality; (b) when late entrants, as in the case of Dell Computers, mechanical watches and baseball ballparks, are viewed as authentic despite obviously not being the originators. We clarify how each off-diagonal case represents an ‘exception that proves the rule’ whereby audiences attribute authenticity on the basis of legitimation work rather than on the order of entry per se. The last case also leads to an opportunity to clarify why “cultural appropriation” can sometimes project authenticity and sometimes inauthenticity, why audiences bother to make inferences about a producer's authenticity on the basis of visible legitimation work, and why legitimacy is a universal goal of early movers whereas authenticity varies in its importance.
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M. Rezaul Islam and Walter Leal Filho
Drawing findings from the river erosion-prone district Bhola in Bangladesh, this study presents the nature and causes of human displacement and the types of resilience livelihood…
Abstract
Drawing findings from the river erosion-prone district Bhola in Bangladesh, this study presents the nature and causes of human displacement and the types of resilience livelihood options for reducing risks caused by river erosion. The study used a quantitative research approach, in which a survey was employed. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 371 heads of households from three unions of three Upazilas (sub-divisions) in the Bhola District. Results showed that 95% of the households were displaced by river erosion, 54% of them were displaced two to four times in the last five years, 30% of the households were displaced to embankments, and 22% were displaced to their relatives’ houses. Nearly 70% of the households reported river erosion as a main cause and 42% referred other disasters. Regarding livelihood options, 47% of the households desired to engage in fishing labour, 44% in day labour, and 33% in independent fishing. During river erosion, 93% of the household members had to engage in income-generating activities, and one-half of them had to change their livelihood options. Finding new livelihood options and resilience strategies to reduce displacement would be an important guideline for disaster managers, policy-makers, and development practitioners.
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