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The events surrounding the COVID-19 crisis had a profound effect on higher education, forcing students and instructors to face a sudden transition to wholly online learning contexts. This paper aims to examine how the design of a residential course was adapted to an online context and how this adaptation may prove beneficial to future iterations of the course.

This analysis centers on a master’s-level course in which students design software to support learning. One of the major changes to the course revolves around the transition from a traditional rubric-based grading scheme to a specifications grading system. This latter approach provides a series of binary (pass/fail) requirements (specifications) that students must meet to pass. Various forms of interactions were also altered during the transition; the authors investigate these in the paper.

This study found that the move to specifications grading helped students and the instructor to focus on the important work of meeting course learning goals. The approach also aligned well with authentic scenarios in which software projects are tested against certain specifications. Finally, this study concludes that thinking about specifications grading in the future can help us to develop more resilient pedagogical design approaches that respond to various forms of disruptions and changes.

The course design insights described in this paper illustrate alternative ways of instruction that can be especially useful during times of emergency, but which may also provide an added level of authenticity and learner motivation during times of stability.

A discussion on the establishment of general standards for the purpose of shot‐blasting, which constitutes one of the most important aspects of the protection of steel against corrosion. Members of the B.A.C.E. (British Association of Corrosion Engineers) Sub‐Committee for this work are in the chair.

Since anthropometric dimensions vary during a lifetime, it is difficult to provide adequate sizing for all, especially growing, children. This paper aims to review children's sizing provision for girls aged 4‐8 years among four UK retailers (Adams, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Mothercare), an area of limited research.

Two research strategies were utilised: observational visits to retail stores (on sizing systems and environment) and face‐to‐face interviews with ten parents and five childrenswear garment technologists (on sizing of children's garments and fit issues).

UK retailers utilised various numerical size coding systems based on height, age and weight. Next, Asda George and Adams were the favourite shopping stores for children's wear. Parents were co‐shoppers with their children. While parents' key criteria for purchase were durability, fit, quality, price and washability, children's choice was based on colour, fashion and peer influence. Variation in sizing designation caused confusion. Parents have suggested varying lengths as a solution to accommodating different sizes; preferring a common system with age as key size code. Sizing inconsistency between brands and incomprehensible size codes are major factors in the creation of customer dissatisfaction with children's clothing. Providing ambient facilities for co‐shopping is vital.

The children's fashion sector is important to children, parents and retailers. Parents are co‐shoppers with their children and have key criteria for selecting to shop in a store. Marketers should be aware of core needs: sizing provision, shopping environment and the dynamics of co‐shopping. Sizing systems should be relevant to avoid dissatisfaction and confusion. More research is needed focusing on larger and other samples; target markets and psychological needs for shopping.

The area of children's shopping for clothing in the UK has a limited literature. Key issues revolve around garment sizing, garment fit, co‐shopping and consumer satisfaction. This study contributes to filling the gap in knowledge.

Discusses the considerations to be made when specifying timber for building purposes, particularly BS classification and hardwood/softwood use. Considers the main factors in detail: strength, quality, sizes, moisture content, durability and preservation, fire resistance, and species. Concludes that, contrary to popular belief, timber is ecologically benign, and its use should be encouraged.

Emerging computer technology, including an infrastructure for virtual enterprises and more capable apparel product development software, is providing an opportunity to re‐invent how apparel is produced. The development of an information‐rich and unambiguous garment product model would help realize this opportunity This product model would improve the effectiveness of product development software and enhance the industry′s ability to distribute work in virtual enterprises. Suggests what such a product mode should contain, how it can be developed and how it would be utilized throughout the product development life cycle to enable apparel virtual enterprises.

The volatile scenario of technological innovation demonstrates the need for risk control processes, in order to ensure its viability. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for risk management in the introduction of new technologies by start-ups, aiming to provide the guidelines for the improvement of this process.

The study comes up with conceptual categories related to risk management in start-ups, mainly based on the NPVR approach. The methodology included two comparative case studies: MercadoPago and GuiaBolso, which had their data collected through interviews with key managers and documents provided by the organizations. Data analysis was based on the Miles et al. (2014) model, whereby data were condensed; data were visualized, and conclusions developed and checked.

Among the main results, there is the proposition of a deductive-inductive matrix for the management of uncertainties and risks in start-ups, which brings elements that provide the calculation of the NPV adjusted for the risk of developing a new product (NPVR), process or service, as well as the contribution of the level of risk management maturity of the companies, setting up the Risk Management Matrix (RMM).

The authors propose a matrix for the management of uncertainties and risks in start-ups.

The authors present comparative case studies of MercadoPago and GuiaBolso which help the entrepreneurs to develop their start-ups.

As the main contribution, this paper proposes the start-up RMM, a model for the management of uncertainties and risks in start-ups, which brings elements that provide the calculation of the NPV adjusted for the risk of developing a new product (NPVR), process or service, as well as the contribution of the level of risk management maturity of the companies.

This study investigates the consistency of Jordan's certified public accountant examination, and its agreement with professional viewpoints regarding the relative importance of examination topics. The study examines the grades of 15 consecutive examinations and surveyed 156 auditors and 31 examination committee (EC) members. The results indicate that the rankings of examination topics derived from the examination grades are different from the ranks of these topics in auditors and EC members' responses. The 15‐examination period was divided into four sub periods to test the consistency of the examinations. The rankings of the examination sub periods were also different. These results suggest that the Jordanian Board of Audit Profession (BAP) should maintain the consistency of the examinations. To achieve this target, the BAP should prepare and use a content specification outline to enable candidates to prepare better and to direct the efforts of the examination committees.

Most developing countries simply dump ferrochrome slag as waste which occupies huge areas of useful land. The purpose of this study is to underscore the significance of reusing ferrochrome slag as a sustainable and eco-friendly road aggregate material, with the added benefits of preventing possible environmental pollution and promoting sustainable mining of non-renewable construction materials.

Physical-mechanical characteristics were investigated using various South African National Standards test procedures. Chemical and mineralogical characteristics were evaluated using the X-ray fluorescence and the X-ray diffraction techniques, respectively. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test was used to evaluate the slag’s environmental suitability. Using two cement types, cement proportions of 1%, 2% and 3% of the slag aggregate weight mixed with optimum moisture content of the non-treated compacted slag were used to make lightly cemented ferrochrome slag aggregate (LCFSA) composites, subsequently tested for compressive strength.

Ferrochrome slag aggregates have excellent physical-mechanical characteristics that conform to international specifications for use in road base construction. The slag can be classified as non-hazardous solid waste. However, in acidic environments, some toxic elements may leach from the slag and pollute the environment. Optimum cement contents of 2.3% (CEM II) and 2.6% (CEM VB) can be mixed with the slag to produce LCFSA for road bases.

No research was found in literature on the use of LCFSA in road bases. This research, therefore, presents new data on mix design and strength properties of LCFSA as well as some physical-chemical characteristics of coarse ferrochrome slag aggregate.

THERE is a growing awareness in Britain of the importance of efficient management which percolates through every layer of a business to ensure that it is functioning adequately in every department. The Harvard School of Business and similar organizations in the United States have made clear the great advantages to be reaped from taking management seriously in a competitive world. We may have been somewhat tardy in learning the lesson but today interest in it is widespread.

Reports on a comparative study of the types and degrees of horizontal and vertical integration within the seed potato industries of The Netherlands and Northern Ireland. Using an integration analysis grid, presents descriptive models of the integrative functions in both industries. Given the superior marketing performance of the Dutch industry, and the way in which this is facilitated by its highly integrated organizational structure, makes a case for the utilization of both horizontal and vertical integration in improving marketing performance in seed potato industries.