Search results
1 – 10 of over 5000When I began as column editor for “Reference Serials” I experienced an immediate need for a cumulative index to titles reviewed in this column over the years. An expeditious…
Abstract
When I began as column editor for “Reference Serials” I experienced an immediate need for a cumulative index to titles reviewed in this column over the years. An expeditious solution to the question of whether a particular title had been reviewed previously in RSR was a search of Book Review Index on DIALOG. In the process of this searching, I discovered that BRI's indexing of RSR was more complete than RSR's self indexing and, of course, BRI's indexing online is cumulative while RSR has no cumulative indexes. Both index options had an additional problem: each included references to all the titles mentioned in the various columns of RSR regardless of whether the reference was actually to an extensive review or simply to an unannotated listing of the title.
Angelica Zazzera, Lucia Ferrara and Valeria Domenica Tozzi
Transitional care (TC) models emerged to ensure healthcare coordination and continuity, as at-risk patients transfer between different settings or different levels of care within…
Abstract
Purpose
Transitional care (TC) models emerged to ensure healthcare coordination and continuity, as at-risk patients transfer between different settings or different levels of care within the same setting. TC models have been developed in many countries as well as within different healthcare service delivery models and organizations. This paper aims to focus on a TC model developed in Italy called Operating Centre for Transition (OCT), in order to (1) explore its distinctive features by establishing a framework of analysis, (2) apply the framework to study two OCTs and (3) provide recommendations on how to use the framework to evaluate and develop new OCTs in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopted a grounded theory method to develop and validate the framework of analysis. The authors employed several qualitative methods following four iterative and recursive steps: (1) desk analysis of relevant documents, (2) in-depth interviews to key informants, (3) three meetings of an expert working group and (4) application of the framework to two case studies.
Findings
The framework of analysis identifies three core dimensions that are always present in any OCT: the service model, the functions and the organizational features. Moreover, for every dimension several variables that capture and understand OCTs’ nature, role and development level are identified.
Originality/value
The results of the study highlight the key elements of the OCT model in Italy and show that the proposed framework can be useful both to analyse existing OCTs and to support health managers and policy makers to create new OCTs or develop those already active.
Details
Keywords
Milan Jezic von Gesseneck, Renato Toffanin and Josip Jezic von Gesseneck
The purpose of this paper is to describe through innovation system foresight and systemic innovation approach to address key systemic issues of European Union (EU) Overseas…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe through innovation system foresight and systemic innovation approach to address key systemic issues of European Union (EU) Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) concerning the sustainable development and economic resilience: the authors highlight the need for a systemic approach to innovation policy for the sustainable islands’ growth.
Design/methodology/approach
This research focuses on a multiple case study of selected OCTs, members of the Association of the OCTs. Specifically, this paper illustrates the foresight approach implemented in six OCTs in the context of the Territorial Strategies for Innovation project funded by the 10th European Development Fund.
Findings
The focus is on innovation system foresight and systemic innovation: the authors argue that key innovation elements of the individual OCTs can be used as crucial components of an emerging innovation system while this specific type of foresight can assist the governments of respective OCTs in the selection and design of specific instruments in relation to the formulation of their innovation strategies and policies.
Originality/value
This paper is based on work undertaken by the Territorial Strategies for Innovation project team during a three-year period dedicated to supporting the governments of OCTs both in defining and in implementing their innovation strategies. Its main contribution is to develop the concept of innovation system foresight and systemic innovation for the OCTs. The work presented here is considered to be of value by highlighting specific innovation elements for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in OCTs.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to describe and summarise a PhD thesis that investigates the extent to which collaboration occurs through the use of online technologies in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe and summarise a PhD thesis that investigates the extent to which collaboration occurs through the use of online technologies in the project management environment (PME).
Design/methodology/approach
Six PMEs and their use of online collaborative toolsets (OCTs) were investigated, using a collaboration scale developed specifically to measure the level of collaboration existing within each PME. The comparative case study approach was chosen as it provided the capacity to develop in‐depth analysis of multiple cases, whilst catering for the use of multiple sources and methods of data to be used for analysis. This approach enabled the author to gain an understanding of how each case used the OCT, whilst also identifying patterns of use across the cases. The analysis also included testing for the extent to which collaboration was occurring in the PME.
Findings
The conclusions drawn from this research are: OCTs can contain a variety of features, several of which are common amongst all features; although OCTs are capable of facilitating a high level of collaboration, project managers do not use OCTs for this purpose; OCTs are used predominantly for cooperation and coordinating activities within the PME; and collaboration exists in degrees, at times being identified with cooperative functions, and at other times coordinating functions. The findings demonstrate a consistent pattern of collaboration across all cases.
Practical implications
The collaboration scale is a tool that can be used to measure the extent of collaboration within many contexts and is not restricted to the PME.
Originality/value
There has been scant academic treatment or quantifiable analysis that reviews OCTs to assess their use in the PME and as such this thesis contributes specific knowledge and intelligence to organisations using OCTs. The collaboration scale has been specifically designed for this thesis.
Details
Keywords
Lucas Ramos De Pretto, Marcello Magri Amaral, Anderson Zanardi de Freitas and Marcus Paulo Raele
The quality of components under fused filament fabrication (FFF) is related to the correct filament spacing and bonding of successively deposited layers and is evaluated mainly by…
Abstract
Purpose
The quality of components under fused filament fabrication (FFF) is related to the correct filament spacing and bonding of successively deposited layers and is evaluated mainly by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). However, it is a destructive technique and real-time evaluation is not possible. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), on the other hand, is an optical method that acquires cross-sectional images non-invasively and in real-time. Therefore, this paper aims to propose and validate the use of OCT as a non-destructive quality evaluation tool for FFF using Polylactic Acid (PLA) filaments.
Design/methodology/approach
PLA three-dimensional (3D) printed samples were made in a variety of nozzle temperatures and mesh spacing. These samples were fractured in liquid nitrogen and inspected using SEM (as a gold standard) to evaluate dimensions and morphology, then the samples were evaluated by OCT in the same area, allowing the results confrontation.
Findings
Our results indicate a good correlation between OCT and SEM for the dimensional assessment of layers. When the filament was extruded in lower temperatures, the OCT images presented sharply defined interfaces between layers, in contrary to higher nozzle temperatures, denoting better fusion between them. However, higher extruding temperatures are incurred in greater deviations from nominal dimensions of the mesh. Finally, we demonstrate the advantage of a full 3D tomographic reconstruction to inspect within a FFF sample, which enabled the inspection of “hidden” information, not visible on a single cross-sectional cut.
Originality/value
This paper proposes OCT as a novel and nondestructive evaluation tool for FFF.
Details
Keywords
This article examines the effects and implications of the 2019 social movement in Hong Kong and those of the enactment of the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong for one…
Abstract
Purpose
This article examines the effects and implications of the 2019 social movement in Hong Kong and those of the enactment of the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong for one country two systems (OCTS). It further explores how these factors potentially promote or threaten the intrinsic value of OCTS a normative consensus. It also discusses the factors underpinning the rationale of OCTS as a normative consensus and whether this consensus is inviolable and sustainable.
Design/methodology/approach
This article uses the concept of selective adaptation, especially the element of complementarity to explainthe legal behaviour of the Peopleʼs Republic of China (PRC) in relation to Hong Kong and to examine the effects and implications of the 2019 social movement in Hong Kong and those of the enactment of the NSL for Hong Kong for OCTS. It further explores how these factors potentially promote or threaten the intrinsic value of OCTS a normative consensus. It also discusses the factors underpinning the rationale of OCTS as a normative consensus and whether this consensus is inviolable and sustainable.
Findings
It is still possible and feasible for China and the West to work out a normative consensus to sustain and/or restore the core values of Hong Kong – the rule of law, freedom of expression, and political participation – while accommodating the PRC's political concerns about national sovereignty and security. This intrinsic value of OCTS in terms of seeking complementarity and coexistence between the Western liberal norms of governance and Chinese socialist ideology, should be acknowledged and that the OCTS policy should remain in full force to serve as a normative consensus between China and the West, and the feasibility of this proposed normative consensus rests on the PRC's self-interest.
Originality/value
This is one of the very few original research that applies the paradigm of selective adaptation to explain and understand the legal behaviour and phenomenon in relation to PRC's policy towards Hong Kong.
Details
Keywords
Many multinational companies have entered the market of organic cosmetics and toiletries (OCT) in the global marketplace. This study attempts to analyze the impact of economic and…
Abstract
Purpose
Many multinational companies have entered the market of organic cosmetics and toiletries (OCT) in the global marketplace. This study attempts to analyze the impact of economic and relational variables on customer and brand values in reference to OCT products in Mexico through empirical investigation in selected department stores that attract high profile customers. The study proposes a framework for future research in measuring the customer value in specific reference to the non‐conventional products.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on the primary data using the information of 369 respondents, who were involved in shopping at chosen retail self‐service stores in Mexico City, administering a semi‐structured questionnaire. The study was conducted in 11 retail self‐service stores in Mexico City including four departmental stores spread over three locations in Mexico. The data has been fit to the model developed for the study using linear equations. One of the prominent features emerged during the study is that customer perception is largely governed by marketing communications.
Findings
The study reveals that strategic product positioning and effective retailing augment the customer perceptions and help building the long‐run customer values towards the non‐conventional products owning unfamiliar brands. Results of empirical data have also shown that advertising and promotional strategies of the OCT brands helped customers review their preferences against the synthetic cosmetics and toiletries which appreciated the brand value for the OCT products of the companies in Mexican market.
Research limitations/implications
Like many other empirical studies this research might also have some limitations in reference to sampling, data collection and generalization of the findings. Samples drawn for the study may not be enough to generalize the study results. Open ended questions were answered by the Mexican respondents in Spanish and sometimes transcription of the audio might have overlooked some issues. However, to ensure that the data cover a wider spatial and temporal dimensions in the study region, data should be cleansed and filtered with many variability factors affecting the consumer behavior and retailer performance.
Originality/value
Marketing of organic cosmetics encouraged by the growing environmental consciousness among the customers, is a recent phenomenon in the business. However, there is paucity of literature on this subject particularly in reference to Latin America. Hence, this paper attempts to contribute to the existing studies.
Details
Keywords
Metin Sabuncu and Hakan Özdemir
This study aims to identify leather type and authenticity through optical coherence tomography.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify leather type and authenticity through optical coherence tomography.
Design/methodology/approach
Optical coherence tomography images taken from genuine and faux leather samples were used to create an image dataset, and automated machine learning algorithms were also used to distinguish leather types.
Findings
The optical coherence tomography scan results in a different image based on leather type. This information was used to determine the leather type correctly by optical coherence tomography and automatic machine learning algorithms. Please note that this system also recognized whether the leather was genuine or synthetic. Hence, this demonstrates that optical coherence tomography and automatic machine learning can be used to distinguish leather type and determine whether it is genuine.
Originality/value
For the first time to the best of the authors' knowledge, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and automated machine learning algorithms were applied to identify leather authenticity in a noncontact and non-invasive manner. Since this model runs online, it can readily be employed in automated quality monitoring systems in the leather industry. With recent technological progress, optical coherence tomography combined with automated machine learning algorithms will be used more frequently in automatic authentication and identification systems.
Details
Keywords
DURING some comments on the brain drain last month it was remarked that work study technologists stood on the periphery. Suddenly they have been moved right to the centre as the…
Abstract
DURING some comments on the brain drain last month it was remarked that work study technologists stood on the periphery. Suddenly they have been moved right to the centre as the result of a communication from Dr. Robert N. Lehrer. He is among the six American work study experts best known to the profession in this country, ranking with Barnes and Mundel as having contributed much to a right appreciation of the subject's value and its techniques.