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1 – 10 of over 24000Nathalia Christiani Tjandra, Thomas N. Garavan, Lukman Aroean and Yayi Suryo Prabandari
The authors explore the metaphors people from Indonesia use to describe their propriety beliefs about the ethical legitimacy of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors explore the metaphors people from Indonesia use to describe their propriety beliefs about the ethical legitimacy of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS). This paper aims to understand why there is a consensus of propriety beliefs about the ethical legitimacy of TAPS in the face of increased government regulations and international criticism of such marketing practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 71 study participants using both focus groups and in-depth photo-elicitation interviews.
Findings
The participants use three sets of metaphors to describe propriety beliefs. First, participants used metaphors that described the centrality of TAPS and smoking in Indonesian society. Second, they used metaphors that described TAPS regulations and regulators and third, they used metaphors that described the activities of tobacco firms. Participants’ photographs revealed strong collective validity of TAPS within Indonesia and strong propriety beliefs consensus.
Research limitations/implications
This study is one of the first to integrate legitimacy-as-perception theory and the ecological systems framework to gain a multilevel insight into the TAPS activities are perceived as legitimate and, therefore, not unethical.
Practical implications
The findings have important implications for tobacco control regulators who wish to curtail TAPS in a country where all levels of the ecological system reinforce their collective validity. Policy and regulative initiatives must, therefore, be used in a systemic way to change this collective validity.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to use a legitimacy perspective to understand the ethical legitimacy of TAPS in marketing literature. It is also the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to use the three legitimacy-as-perception constructs: propriety beliefs, collective validity and consensus of propriety beliefs. The authors show that despite increased government regulations and international disapproval, TAPS continues to be considered ethically legitimate in Indonesia.
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This paper aims to present the development of technology‐assisted problem solving (TAPS) packages at University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). The project is the further work of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the development of technology‐assisted problem solving (TAPS) packages at University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). The project is the further work of the development of interactive multimedia based packages targeted for students having problems in understanding the subject of engineering mechanics dynamics.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study TAPS packages are compared with other selected engineering computer packages.
Findings
The differences found were indicative of better presentation and clarity, step‐by‐step approach to solve engineering problems, user‐friendly environment, unbiased assessment of performance and flexibility to incorporate 3‐D geometric models in the TAPS packages.
Originality/value
This paper provides a brief account of the differences between the TAPS packages approach used in this research with that of commercial simulation packages accompanying the engineering mechanics dynamics textbook and will be of interest to those in the field of engineering.
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The paper's purpose is to promote the use of modern technologies such as multimedia packages to engineering students. The aim is to help them to learning in their learning…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper's purpose is to promote the use of modern technologies such as multimedia packages to engineering students. The aim is to help them to learning in their learning, visualization, problem solving and understanding engineering concepts such as in mechanics dynamics.
Design/methodology/approach
TAPS packages are developed to help students solve selected engineering problems in a step‐by‐step approach. A comparison is made with existing commercial engineering packages to see if TAPS packages could further enhance the learning process.
Findings
The differences found were indicative of better presentation and clarity, step‐by‐step approach to solve engineering problems, user‐friendly environment, unbiased assessment of performance and flexibility to incorporate 3‐D geometric models in the TAPS packages.
Research limitations/implications
The TAPS packages were compared with two commercial engineering packages and were based on a small number of users. A larger sample size of students would be required to see if TAPS packages are productive enough to be used locally in Malaysian universities and higher learning institutions.
Originality/value
The main originality of the paper can be seen from the development of the TAPS packages and the comparative study with existing commercial engineering packages. The differences found are explained in details in this paper.
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This paper aims to describe an interactive action planning software tool (TAPS) for manufacturing objective deployment, and to report the results of its application in five…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe an interactive action planning software tool (TAPS) for manufacturing objective deployment, and to report the results of its application in five companies.
Design/methodology/approach
A process approach based on action research was adopted in this research. Under this approach, a series of four to five workshops were conducted in each company. Each workshop took half a day and involved a multi‐disciplinary team of four to six managers. Besides direct observation in the workshops, a structured questionnaire was also used to elicit managers' feedback at the end of each workshop.
Findings
The TAPS approach (integration of Burbidge's connectance concept and the analytic hierarchy process) helps managers to visualise and represent their perceptions of the relationships between variables and objectives through a sequential, analytical process. Results from the case studies indicate that TAPS provides the following benefits to managers: it improves collective understanding, reduces the complexity of strategy deployment into manageable steps, facilitates discussion, and manages organizational knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
The research is so far limited to application in five case studies. Future research will involve further cases and improvements to the usability of the software tool.
Originality/value
For practitioners, the paper provides them with an interactive software tool (TAPS) for effective strategic action planning. For academics, this paper provides an approach for researching strategy deployment, and a potential classroom teaching tool for operations management.
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S. Manjit Sidhu and N. Selvanathan
To expose engineering students to using modern technologies, such as multimedia packages, to learn, visualize and solve engineering problems, such as in mechanics dynamics.
Abstract
Purpose
To expose engineering students to using modern technologies, such as multimedia packages, to learn, visualize and solve engineering problems, such as in mechanics dynamics.
Design/methodology/approach
A multimedia problem‐solving prototype package is developed to help students solve an engineering problem in a step‐by‐step approach. A learning architecture model for developing an interactive technology‐assisted problem solving (TAPS) package for visualizing engineering concepts has been discussed.
Findings
The learning model was found to be easy to follow and use and the engineering package can be designed in an easy and visually appealing format. The TAPS package implemented and described in this paper could support and provide students with a better understanding of the basic concepts in an engineering mechanics dynamics course in particular.
Research limitations/implications
The evaluation of the TAPS package materials comprised mainly quantitative methods which provided validation of the package approach for the acquisition of procedural skills and related basic concepts. More work is necessary to employ qualitative approaches for more detailed analysis of usability of particular materials of the TAPS package.
Originality/value
The main originality of the paper can be seen from the development of the package that guides the student intelligently to solve the selected engineering problem. In addition, important user tools are also included which the user may need to use if necessary.
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Minori Inoue and Takefumi Ogawa
Security technology on mobile devices is increasingly more important as smartphones are becoming more versatile and, thus, store more sensitive information. Among the three…
Abstract
Purpose
Security technology on mobile devices is increasingly more important as smartphones are becoming more versatile and, thus, store more sensitive information. Among the three indispensable factors of owner authentication technologies on mobile devices, security, usability and system efficiency, usability is considered the key factor. This paper aims to challenge the limits of usability on mobile device authentication technology with respect to input size.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper introduces one tap authentication as a novel authentication method on mobile devices. A user just has to tap the screen of a smartphone once, and he or she will be authenticated.
Findings
One tap authentication is proven possible in this paper. The average equal error rate among 10 owners against 25 unauthorized users is as low as 3.8.
Research limitations/implications
This paper focuses on verifying the possibility on one tap authentication. However, the application to various environments, such as when standing or walking or on a train, is not explored.
Originality/value
This research explores tap authentication with a single tap for the first time in the field. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the minimum number of taps required in tap authentication has been 4.
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The purpose of this study is to generate an understanding of becoming an assistant practitioner (AP) through a work-based learning programme so that work-based learning programmes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to generate an understanding of becoming an assistant practitioner (AP) through a work-based learning programme so that work-based learning programmes are designed and delivered to enable practitioners to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to undertake new roles from within.
Design/methodology/approach
The study, based on the lived experience of developing from a health-care assistant to an AP, was based on the philosophical assumption of understanding an experience at a particular time. Constructivism (Denzin and Lincoln, 2008) provided the conceptual framework and phenomenology of the theoretical perspective. Experiential learning, action, reflection and professional knowledge framed the literature review to inform understanding at the commencement of the study. Eight participants were selected, through purposive sampling, from one acute NHS Trust in South East England. Their matron and mentor were interviewed for contextualisation. Interviews occurred at 3 stages, 4 months after commencing the foundation degree (FD), 16 months after commencing the FD and 6 months after completing the FD. Each transcript was considered before moving to the next transcript, this allowed super-ordinate themes to be considered within groups before ascertaining similarities and differences across groups. The emergent and super-ordinate themes were synthesised to inform three over-arching super-ordinate themes.
Findings
The following over-arching super-ordinate themes emerged from the analysis of the participants’ transcripts from the three phases of the study: recognising the transition; the transition was not linear but was complex and influenced by the individuals’ behaviour, their ability to reflect and take action and to demonstrate professional knowledge. Supporting the journey; the workplace culture needed to support experiential learning and provide time and space to facilitate reflection. Being an AP; a change in professional knowledge and behaviour resulted in enhanced confidence and self-belief and the ability to be an AP.
Originality/value
This study, based on the lived experience of developing from a health-care assistant to the AP, where participants remained in their place of work rather than undertake placements which is a requirement of regulated programmes, demonstrated that individuals need to recognise the consequences of the behaviours, engage in experiential learning, take action and demonstrate a change in professional knowledge.
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This paper proposes the use of the connectance concept for managing manufacturing knowledge. The concept utilises inductive rules to specify relationships between variables. A…
Abstract
This paper proposes the use of the connectance concept for managing manufacturing knowledge. The concept utilises inductive rules to specify relationships between variables. A software tool called Tool for Action Plan Selection (TAPS) has been developed based on the connectance concept. TAPS enables managers to sketch and visualise their knowledge of how variables interact in a connectance network. This network is a useful means for discussion and understanding a particular problem. The information on the network can be stored in a database, to be managed and shared within a firm. TAPS allows managers to analyse possible actions and suitable tools and techniques aimed at solving specific manufacturing problems. Results from case studies have indicated that TAPS is feasible and seems to be applicable even beyond the manufacturing domain.
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Verónica Torrijos, Manuel Soto and Domingo Calvo Dopico
The University of A Coruña (UDC) elaborated the SOSTAUGA project, aiming to reach a higher sustainable level of its water management. SOSTAUGA defined four priority points of…
Abstract
Purpose
The University of A Coruña (UDC) elaborated the SOSTAUGA project, aiming to reach a higher sustainable level of its water management. SOSTAUGA defined four priority points of action: the restoration of the natural courses on the campus; the adoption of an ecological sanitation model; the sustainable management of urban runoff; and the reduction of water consumption in university facilities and activities. This paper aims to present the methodology, the actions and the results related to the reduction of water consumption and the potential for the use of endogenous resources.
Design/methodology/approach
The agents involved were the senior management of the centres, the committees of the Green Campus, the scholarship students and the Office for the Environment. Several actions have been experienced: audit of water consumption in sanitary services; flow reduction in washbasin taps by means of valve adjustment (and repair of the valves when necessary); replacement of tap aerators with other more eco-efficient ones; replacement of faucets; introduction of dual-flush (DF) in cisterns; and information to users (eco-label).
Findings
Water audit reached 68% of the total number of washbasins and tanks in the UDC. Efficient aerator installation covered 16% of taps and valve adjustment covered the further 33.5% and provided flow reduction of 42%. Another 20% of valve units required repair. The current situation in toilets combines tankless flush valves and cisterns with single flush mechanisms. The introduction of DF mechanisms was assessed and proposed. The cost of these actions was very low, as evidenced by the investment return period while showing a high potential for user awareness.
Originality/value
Both from the environmental (water saving) and from the economic and social points of view, this study shows that similar projects aimed at the efficient and rational use of water are applicable to the universities and other public and private schools, with potentially positive results on sustainability and people awareness.
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Joseph A. Paradiso and Che King Leo
To describe the development of and experience with a system that tracks the position of knocks and taps atop a large sheet of glass for use as an inexpensive retrofit that can…
Abstract
Purpose
To describe the development of and experience with a system that tracks the position of knocks and taps atop a large sheet of glass for use as an inexpensive retrofit that can make large windows into interactive interfaces.
Design/methodology/approach
The structural‐acoustic wavefront coming from the impact is simultaneously recorded by four contact piezoelectric pickups mounted near the sheet's corners. A digital signal processor extracts relevant characteristics from these signals, such as amplitudes, frequency components, and differential timings, which are used to estimate the location of the hit and derive other parameters, including a degree of confidence in the position accuracy, the strike intensity and the nature of each hit (e.g. knuckle knock, metal tap, or fist bang – our system responds to any kind of impact). A set of heuristically‐guided rules are employed to compare the waveforms recorded by different sensors and determine the differential timing.
Findings
Across sensitive areas ranging up to 2×2 m, we have obtained position resolutions of σ=2.5 cm for 1/4 in. tempered glass and σ=3‐4 cm for 1 cm thick shatterproof glass. Our system delivers 65 ms latency, hence is essentially real time. The system has been installed in several public settings, and has proven to be very robust.
Research limitations/implications
Suggestions are given for doing everything in software and not using the DSP. Analytical compensation of the dispersion would probably yield better precision but require more computation time.
Practical implications
As this system requires only simple hardware, it needs no special adaptation of the glass pane, and allows all tracking transducers to be mounted on the inner surface, hence it is quite easy and inexpensive to deploy as a retrofit to existing windows. This opens many applications, such as an interactive storefront, with content controlled by knocks on the display window, an interactive museum display case, or a vending machine where one can select by tapping directly above the desired item.
Originality/value
As large displays become less costly and more common, systems like these can make them interactive. This paper details our approach.
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