An analysis of factors that influence the decision to export: perspective of Brazilian companies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara Mataveli ◽  
Juan Carlos Ayala ◽  
Alfonso J. Gil
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exporting Firms ◽  
Development Factor ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
And Performance

PurposeThe objective of this work is to examine the factors that influence the decision of Brazilian companies to export.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was used to collect data from a statistically significant sample of 318 Brazilian exporting firms. Three types of study were carried out; an exploratory study that simplified the information through a principal component analysis, a descriptive study of the factors that influence the decision to export by Brazilian companies and a study of variance that allowed comparison of groups of firms.FindingsAfter an analysis of the literature, 11 factors were proposed that influence the decision to export. Two unique factors resulted from the principal components analysis: “resource optimisation” and “performance and development”. The “performance and development” factor was more valued than the “resource optimisation” factor. From the analysis of variance, significant differences were only found in the variable “firm size”.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature by presenting further knowledge of export factors in developing countries, the management of companies and instruments for decision making in the area of internationalisation.

Multiaxis wire and arc additive manufacturing for overhangs based on conical substrates

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fusheng Dai ◽  
Shuaifeng Zhang ◽  
Runsheng Li ◽  
Haiou Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Deposition Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Melt Pool ◽  
Planning Approach ◽  
Intelligent Approach ◽  
Supporting Structures

Purpose This paper aims to present a series of approaches for three-related issues in multiaxis in wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) as follows: how to achieve a stable and robust deposition process and maintain uniform growth of the part; how to maintain consistent formation of a melt pool on the surface of the workpiece; and how to fabricate an overhanging structure without supports. Design/methodology/approach The principal component analysis-based path planning approach is proposed to compute the best scanning directions of slicing contours for the generation of filling paths, including zigzag paths and parallel skeleton paths. These printing paths have been experimented with in WAAM. To maintain consistent formation of a melt pool at overhanging regions, the authors introduce definitions for the overhanging point, overhanging distance and overhanging vector, with which the authors can compute and optimize the multiaxis motion. A novel fabricating strategy of depositing the overhanging segments as a support for the deposition of filling paths is presented. Findings The second principal component of a planar contour is a reasonable scanning direction to generate zigzag filling paths and parallel skeleton filling paths. The overhanging regions of a printing layer can be supported by pre-deposition of overhanging segments. Large overhangs can be successfully fabricated by the multiaxis WAAM process without supporting structures. Originality/value An intelligent approach of generating zigzag printing paths and parallel skeleton printing paths. Optimizations of depositing zigzag paths and parallel skeleton paths. Applications of overhanging point overhanging distance and overhanging vector for multiaxis motion planning. A novel fabricating strategy of depositing the overhanging segments as a support for the deposition of filling paths.

Branding efforts and SME performance – an empirical investigation of variations across firm sizes and business sectors

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Odoom ◽  
Priscilla Mensah ◽  
George Asamoah
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Building ◽  
Brand Marketing ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Stage Analysis

Purpose This paper aims to draw on the organizational ecology theory to examine variations in branding efforts and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across enterprises sizes and business operating sectors. Design/methodology/approach A four-stage analysis involving principal component analysis, Pearson correlation, ANOVA and logistic regressions was used on a sample of 430 SMEs within an emerging market. Findings Principal component analysis identified four brand marketing efforts relevant to the SMEs. These efforts were used in fluctuating extents among small-sized versus medium-sized enterprises, as well as manufacturing versus services SMEs. Additionally, proportionate levels of performance corollaries were found to be accruable across the enterprise sizes and operating sectors. Originality/value The paper first identifies four brand-building efforts germane to SMEs within an emerging market and examines their precise contributions to firm performance within enterprise sizes and business operating sectors. It further reinforces the relevance of brand marketing programs to the growth of SMEs by establishing the likelihood and extent to which brand-building efforts impact on SME performance across enterprise sizes, as well as operating sectors. The study also presents issues of potential research and managerial interest from an emerging market, offering insightful implications to researchers and SME managers.

Discovering shilling groups in a real e-commerce platform

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youquan Wang ◽  
Zhiang Wu ◽  
Zhan Bu ◽  
Jie Cao ◽  
Dun Yang
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Behavior Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Shopping ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Attack Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shilling Attack ◽  
Behavioral Features

Purpose – With the popularity of e-commerce, shilling attack is becoming more rampant in online shopping websites. Shilling attackers publish mendacious ratings as well as reviews for promoting or suppressing target products. The purpose of this paper is to investigate group shilling, a new typed shilling attack, behavior in a real e-commerce platform (e.g. Amazon.cn). Design/methodology/approach – Several behavioral features are proposed for modeling the shilling group, and thus an unsupervised ranking method based on principal component analysis (PCA) is presented for identifying shilling groups from real users on Amazon.cn. Findings – As indicated by the behavior analysis, the proposed method has successfully identified a number of shilling groups on Amazon. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the proposed features and accuracy of the proposed unsupervised method are carefully validated. Originality/value – This paper presents a set of solutions for discovering shilling groups when the ground truth labels are hard to be obtained in real environment, including candidate groups generation, behavioral features definition and unsupervised detection.

The Baldrige Award’s falling fortunes

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1972-1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Cook ◽  
Weiyong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Substitution Effect ◽  
Iso 9000 ◽  
Performance Excellence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Fashion ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore two explanations for the Baldrige Award’s decline. The management fashion literature suggests that it is a waning management fad, and the marketing choice literature suggests the likely presence of an ISO 9000 substitution effect. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study utilizes data collected on Baldridge Award applications, publications, ISO 9000 certifications and economic indicators. These data are contrasted to explore patterns and trends, and correlation analyses conducted to reveal the plausibility of the fad and substitution effect explanations for the Baldrige Award’s decline. Findings Data analysis confirms the Baldrige Award’s prolonged decline and strongly suggests it is in the final stage of a management fashion life cycle with support provided for the presence of an ISO 9000 substitution effect. Research limitations/implications Many organizations have shifted their attention away from the Baldrige as a means to quality and performance excellence, and there is evidence that the ISO 9000 standards are a viable substitute. Practical implications The Baldrige Program has served its purpose with the Baldrige Award being the pinnacle of recognition for performance excellence achievement. However, the Award is in decline and the Baldrige Program is on a path to financial exigency. The Baldrige must be reframed to recover its role as the preeminent approach to performance excellence. Originality/value The paper satisfies the need to examine potential causes for the diminishing role of the Baldrige Award and challenges both academicians and practitioners to reexamine the Baldrige Program.

scholarly journals Comparison of personas between two academic libraries

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holt Zaugg ◽  
Donna Harp Ziegenfuss
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Single Person ◽  
Common Interests

Purpose A persona describes a group of library patrons as a single person to better identify and describe user patterns and needs. Identifying personas in academic libraries can assist in library planning by focusing on patrons. Initially, personas were thought to be unique to each library; additional insights led the researchers to rethink this assertion. The purpose of this paper is to determine if personas, developed in one library, are unique or more universal than previously thought. Design/methodology/approach In this study, 903 surveys were completed across two institutions asking library patrons to identify use patterns within each library. Mean score responses were analyzed using an ANOVA, principal component analysis and RapidMiner technology. All analyses were used to identify personas with common interests and places personas in groups or neighborhoods. Findings The findings provide evidence for the universality of academic library personas. However, differences occur in how the personas are grouped and use different library services and resources. Originality/value Personas allow librarians to view patrons in a more personal way as they connect personas to specific library spaces. While the personas appear to be universal, their interactions with each other depend on specific library amenities.

An implicit-explicit examination of differences in CSR practices between the USA and Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-187
Author(s):  
William LaGore ◽  
Lois Mahoney ◽  
Linda Thorne
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Societal Expectations ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to validate the Matten and Moon (2008) implicit-explicit corporate social responsibility (CSR) model by examining whether the respective differences in CSR practices between Europe and the USA reflect their respective societal expectations. Design/methodology/approach The principal component analysis is used to develop an innovative societal expectations index (SEI). This study tests the relationship between SEI and CSR through panel data and t-tests. Findings The empirical findings show a significant association between the SEI and all forms of CSR, which provides empirical support for Matten’s and Moon’s implicit-explicit framework. Originality/value This study is the first to develop an SEI to validate the Matten and Moon (2008) model that predicts implicit countries would adopt and conform to broader societal expectations for CSR, and therefore be more likely to embrace CSR activities than their counterparts in explicit countries.

Understanding the consumption of traditional-local foods through the experience perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 1261-1280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Savelli ◽  
Laura Bravi ◽  
Federica Murmura ◽  
Tonino Pencarelli
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Local Foods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Young Consumers ◽  
Consumer Perspective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand whether an experiential perspective can be usefully adopted in the context of traditional-local foods (TLFs) by assuming a consumer perspective that analyses attitudes and behaviours of young people towards truffles. In particular, it examines which values drive the consumption of truffles and whether they are perceived as an experiential-based food or simply a nutritional-based one. Design/methodology/approach The research was carried out through a survey conducted on a sample of 720 Italian university students from January to May 2016. The data were processed using analysis of variance, principal component analysis and a two-step cluster analysis. Findings The results show that the search for pleasure and gratification can be very important for young consumers and that gratification plays a critical role in the consumption of fresh truffles along with convenience. This confirms that TLFs, like truffles, can be highly appreciated by young consumers for their emotional content, which allows them to have a personal experience when buying and consuming them. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by enriching the overall understanding of young people’s food behaviour and by deepening the adoption of the experiential perspective within the TLF business. Moreover, it has practical and useful implications for promoting the consumption of TLFs among the young and for managing TLFs as well as the rural areas from where they originate.

scholarly journals Employees’ preferences for services and facilities offered in serviced offices

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 3-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rianne Appel-Meulenbroek ◽  
Mike van de Kar ◽  
Pauline van den Berg ◽  
Theo Arentze
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
User Characteristics ◽  
End User ◽  
Market Segments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Importance

PurposeServiced offices are popular, offering many services and facilities to attract tenants. As research showed that most business centres occupy similar buildings, services are important to differentiate. All kinds of people use them (from freelancers to employees of large corporates) and their characteristics are likely to influence how they value different services. This study aims to identify which services/facilities are perceived as most important and whether end-user characteristics explain differences between users regarding these preferences. Serviced office owners and operators can use the insights obtained from this study to differentiate their product offer from competitors and aim for specific tenant market segments.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a questionnaire among 137 end-users in 13 serviced offices in The Netherlands. With principal component analysis, 31 services and facilities could be reduced to six independent factors and four additional services. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine effects of user characteristics (employee demographics, job characteristics and reasons for using serviced offices) on perceived importance of each service/facility (factor).FindingsResults showed that organisational characteristics had little effect on perceived importance of services and facilities. Especially the time spent at the office and the reasons for using it showed effects on importance of different services and facilities. Amenities like a gym and childcare were not deemed important by most of the respondents.Originality/valueSo far, research on office users focused largely on single-tenant offices and large corporates. Serviced offices have only been studied from the supply side until now.

Creating a growth mindset

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Ian Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Cultural Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fixed Mindset ◽  
And Performance

Purpose This paper aims to show that everything a business does is fundamentally reliant on its culture. Culture determines how successful a strategy is and whether that strategy can be executed. If the culture in a business is out of alignment, it is imperative to change it. This paper examines how HR professionals can take ownership of this cultural space and help to create a growth mindset throughout the organisation. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on experience gained through working with several large organisations to transform their people culture and performance by embracing a growth mindset and to help their HR leadership become the early champions of change, thus ensuring the process was successfully delivered. The paper includes case studies of two organisations where successful cultural shaping delivered improved results. Findings Companies with a growth mindset will outperform those with a fixed mindset. Changing mindsets is not overly complex, but it requires flawless implementation with the HR leaders at the forefront. Originality/value As Lou Gerstner, who turned around the computing giant IBM, said “I finally realised that culture is not part of the game, it is the game”. By understanding how individual mindsets impact culture, HR professionals can own and drive their organisation’s culture-shaping efforts.

A principal component analysis of the determinants of spatial disparity between rural and urban localities of Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivy Drafor
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Spatial Inequality ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Spatial Disparity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rural And Urban

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the spatial disparity between rural and urban areas in Ghana using the Ghana Living Standards Survey’s (GLSS) rounds 5 and 6 data to advance the assertion that an endowed rural sector is necessary to promote agricultural development in Ghana. This analysis helps us to know the factors that contribute to the depravity of the rural sectors to inform policy towards development targeting. Design/methodology/approach A multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to data from the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 to determine the characteristics of the rural-urban divide in Ghana. Findings The findings reveal that the rural poor also spend 60.3 per cent of their income on food, while the urban dwellers spend 49 per cent, which is an indication of food production capacity. They have low access to information technology facilities, have larger household sizes and lower levels of education. Rural areas depend a lot on firewood for cooking and use solar/dry cell energies and kerosene for lighting which have implications for conserving the environment. Practical implications Developing the rural areas to strengthen agricultural growth and productivity is a necessary condition for eliminating spatial disparities and promoting overall economic development in Ghana. Addressing rural deprivation is important for conserving the environment due to its increased use of fuelwood for cooking. Absence of alternatives to the use of fuelwood weakens the efforts to reduce deforestation. Originality/value The application of PCA to show the factors that contribute to spatial inequality in Ghana using the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 data is unique. The study provides insights into redefining the framework for national poverty reduction efforts.

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