Design and practicability evaluation: a novel platform for fabric steam ironing

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaitong Liang ◽  
Xue Mei Ding ◽  
Xiong Ying Wu ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Tesfaye Mulu Asmamaw
Keyword(s):  
Level Set ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Design Of Experiment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
New Products ◽  
Steam Flow ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Test Platform ◽  
Fabric Materials

Purpose – Smooth appearance of fabrics after ironing with steam, soleplate, ironing speed and their interactions cannot be studied using household ironing machines such as hang steamer and flatiron. The purpose of this paper is to present the design and verification of a simple, low-cost test platform based on the fabric materials hang-ironing factors includes temperature, humidity, ironing speed (time). Design/methodology/approach – This platform achieves adjustable and stable steam flow rate, enabling any ironing speed and any temperature of soleplate below 200°C. Moreover, the whole ironing process is automatically after experiment level set ahead for better observation to the ironing process. Findings – Regression results of the apparatus are stable, statistical significant which is verified by the statistics under design of experiment. Originality/value – It is useful in other aspects such as nozzle test and improvement, new products evaluation and smooth appearance level experiment and test for new ironing product and its research. It is also useful in other aspects such as nozzle test and improvement, new products evaluation and smooth appearance level experiment and test for new ironing product and its research.

A market testing method based on crowd funding

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Charles Sheldon ◽  
Martin Kupp
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
New Products ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Commercial Potential ◽  
Testing Method ◽  
Commercial Viability ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Intuitive Method

Purpose This paper provides a tool for managers to overcome a common paradox in situations of innovation. The paradox occurs when the commercial viability of ideas for new products and services is unknown, making managers loath to invest scarce resources in developing them for fear that they will lose them if the idea is a non-starter. The result is that ideas sit on the shelf, idle and untested. This paper provides a low-cost, intuitive method for determining if a new idea has sufficient commercial potential to warrant investing in its development, thereby resolving the paradox. Design/methodology/approach The method is based on six marketing mechanisms derived from crowd funding: choosing a target prospect and positioning, creating a prototype, setting a price based on value, locating prospects; getting an address, communicating with prospects; delivering an effective pitch, and measuring results through advance commitments. The method is illustrated using two entrepreneurial cases. Findings Managers who use the method can validate ideas in the marketplace quickly and at low cost, obtaining the information they need to justify an investment in the research, planning and analysis required for commercialization. Originality/value The paper identifies a common but little discussed obstacle to innovation, the development paradox, and proposes a novel method of overcoming it. Market testing is not new, but most known methods do not solve the development paradox because they require a significant outlay of resources to undertake.

scholarly journals HeadBanger: controlling switchable software with head gesture

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Oppenheim
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Contact Method ◽  
User Group ◽  
Control Software ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Target User ◽  
Test Platform ◽  
Virtual Target ◽  
Head Gestures ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a novel non-contact method of using head movement to control software without the need for wearable devices. Design/methodology/approach – A webcam and software are used to track head position. When the head is moved through a virtual target, a keystroke is simulated. The system was assessed by participants with impaired mobility using Sensory Software’s Grid 2 software as a test platform. Findings – The target user group could effectively use this system to interact with switchable software. Practical implications – Physical head switches could be replaced with virtual devices, reducing fatigue and dissatisfaction. Originality/value – Using a webcam to control software using head gestures where the participant does not have to wear any specialised technology or a marker. This system is shown to be of benefit to motor impaired participants for operating switchable software.

Web-based tools for collaborative research

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 8-19
Author(s):  
Stacy Brody
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Tools ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to profile various types of Web-based tools to facilitate research collaboration within and across institutions. Design/methodology/approach Various Web-based tools were tested by the author. Additionally, tutorial videos and guides were reviewed. Findings There are various free and low-cost tools available to assist in the collaborative research process, and librarians are well-positioned to facilitate their usage. Practical implications Librarians and researchers will learn about various types of tools available at free or at low cost to fulfill needs of the collaborative research process. Social implications As the tools highlighted are either free or of low cost, they are also valuable to start-ups and can be recommended for entrepreneurs. Originality/value As the realm of Web-based collaborative tools continues to evolve, the options must be continually revisited and reviewed for currency.

Innovation in infrastructure projects: an Australian perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soroush Maghsoudi ◽  
Colin Duffield ◽  
David Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Products ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Project ◽  
Effective Implementation

Purpose Unlike manufacturing and research and developments, major infrastructure projects rarely emphasize or drive their objectives on the basis of innovation. This is in part because of a risk-averse culture, yet conceivably great benefits and opportunities are being lost because of this behavior. Design/methodology/approach The case for focusing on innovation in infrastructure projects is that the reasons driving innovation are not fully understood, and this impedes the effective implementation of lessons learned for the numerous innovative projects into practice more generally. The purpose of this study was to discover how innovation is produced and captured in major infrastructure projects in Australia and to understand how innovation may be replicated for future projects through refinement of design, project management, finance and procurement. Findings Engineering and project managers may find this paper helpful to better understand how innovation might happen in infrastructure projects and what different forms it can take. Originality/value The findings of this study demonstrate that people and culture drive consistent successful infrastructure outcomes more than simply the development of new products or processes.

House financing: contracts used by Islamic banks for finished properties in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aishath Muneeza ◽  
Muhammad Fahmi Fauzi ◽  
Muhammad Faisal Bin Mat Nor ◽  
Mohamed Abideen ◽  
Muhammed Maher Ajroudi
Keyword(s):  
Research Finding ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Banking Industry ◽  
New Products ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Modus Operandi ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find out the existing practices of the Islamic banks in providing financing to the customers who have a requirement to purchase a finished property and to examine the existing products used by the Islamic banks in this regard by providing an insight into the modus operandi of these products. In doing this, attempt is made to find out the most famous product offered by the Islamic banks in this regard and to find out whether in reality, Malaysian Islamic banking industry has moved away from Bai Bithaman Ajil (BBA) or not. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative research, largely library-based, and it will consist of secondary sources such as books, journals, articles and other sources related to the Islamic house financing in Malaysia for finished properties. Recent information of the practises of the banks in this regard is obtained from the official websites of the banks. Findings It is found from this study that majority of Islamic Banks in Malaysia prefer to use the Commodity Murabahah facility for finished property. This finding contradicts with the observations made by some scholars who state that in Malaysia, BBA was initially used, and nowadays, the use of Musharakah Mutanaqisah is more common. The reason why Commodity Murbahah has gained popularity is because of the fact that via the Bursa Suq Al Sila platform, it is easy, swift, reliable, profitable, cheaper, convenient and has zero risk to do this type of transaction at the comfort of the office. It is recommended in this paper to use Musharakah Mutanaqisah, as this contract is an innovative contract that is classified as an equity contract under shariah where risk is shared between the parties. There is need to conduct further research to implement Musharakah Mutanaqisah in Malaysia, specifically to reduce the risk that Islamic Banks will bear by practicing this contract. Originality/value The findings of this paper might create confusion among readers, as some may perceive that the finding of the paper is not new as BBA has been dominating Islamic house financing industry from the inception of Islamic banking in the country, and BBA and Murabahah are similar in nature, and as such, commodity Murabahah is also a Murabahah transaction. The reality that needs to be understood is that the way BBA was or is practised in Malaysia in relation to Islamic house financing is that in the name of BBA, the transaction actually followed the Bai’ ‘inah contract, which is a controversial contract among the shariah scholars. Likewise, commodity Murabahah is also a different contract than Murabahah, as it actually refers to tawarruq. As such, this research finding is important to the Islamic banking industry to understand that Malaysia has moved away from the Bai’ ‘inah contract practised in the name of BBA in Islamic house financing, and there are new products introduced by the Islamic banks in Malaysia to replace this practice which were criticised by Shariah scholars.

Mobilizing the technology storm: app-based stress relief – using free or low-cost apps to beat work and personal stress

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 8-11
Author(s):  
Thomas Finley
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Stress Relief ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Take Back ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Personal Stress ◽  
Mental Space

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to review apps that will enable librarians to take back control of their own mental space and hopefully provide some means to relaxation. Sometimes it is hard to find a soothing space amidst the chaos of the outside world. Our library users turn to the author to provide these spaces in their own lives, but paradoxically, today’s librarian may find little relaxation within their own library’s walls. Design/methodology/approach – The author tests and reviews apps designed to help librarians relax. Findings – The author reviews various different apps designed to help librarians relax. Originality/value – The apps reviewed here will enable librarians to take back control of their own mental space and hopefully, provide some means to relaxation.

Developing the right brand image

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 35-36
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Base ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
The Right ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Developing a feeling of authenticity about products amongst the target customer base is an essential goal for marketers even in terms of low cost items. Consumers derive information from a broad range of marketing communications and consistency is a key element for success. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Study on mechanical properties of non-dispersible concrete in seawater environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 809-818
Author(s):  
Huijun Wu
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Products ◽  
Main Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Concrete Mixtures ◽  
Seawater Environment ◽  
Hardened Properties ◽  
Underwater Concrete ◽  
Working Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to research the hardened properties of non-dispersible concrete in seawater environment, especially in seawater environment. Design/methodology/approach The main approach is according to the experiment. Findings The findings of this paper are: first, because of the washing effect of water, the strength of underwater non-dispersible concrete is lower than that of terrestrial concrete. Second, the strength of non-dispersible underwater concrete with silica fume increases remarkably at different ages. Third, underwater non-dispersible concrete does not produce new products when it is formed and cured in seawater. Originality/value In this paper, underwater non-dispersible concrete is formed and maintained on land, freshwater and seawater by underwater pouring method. The working performance, mechanical properties and durability of underwater non-dispersible concrete mixtures after hardening are tested.

scholarly journals The role of marketing in today's enterprises

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Wirtz ◽  
Sven Tuzovic ◽  
Volker G. Kuppelwieser
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Structural Models ◽  
The West ◽  
Marketing Department ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of marketing in today's enterprises and examines the antecedents of the marketing department's influence and its relationship with market orientation and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from the West (i.e. the USA and Europe) and the East (i.e. Asia). Partial least squares (PLS) was used to estimate structural models. Findings – The findings support the idea that a strong and influential marketing department contributes positively to firm performance. This finding holds for Western and Asian, and for small/medium and large firms alike. Second, the marketing department's influence in a firm depends more on its responsibilities and resources, and less on internal contingency factors (i.e. a firm's competitive strategy or institutional attributes). Third, a marketing department's influence in the West affects firm performance both directly and indirectly (via market orientation). In contrast, this relationship is fully mediated among Eastern firms. Fourth, low-cost strategies enhance the influence of a firm's marketing department in the East, but not in the West. Research limitations/implications – The paper assumes explicitly that a marketing department's influence is an antecedent of its market orientation. While the paper finds support for this link, the paper did not test for dual causality between the constructs. Originality/value – Countering the frequent claim in anecdotal and journalistic work that the role of the marketing department diminishes, the findings show that across different geographic regions and firm sizes, strong marketing departments improve firm performance (especially in the marketing-savvy West), and that they should continue to play an important role in firms.

Successful rebounds: how firms overcome their middle age crisis

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Candace Ten Brink ◽  
Betsy D. Gelb ◽  
Robert Keller
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Products ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Organizational Changes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology Firms ◽  
Industry Performance ◽  
Performance Decline ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to examine technology-based firms that successfully turned around a decline in performance, to report what they did and what characterized the firms themselves, relating those actions and characteristics to effective rebounds. Design/methodology/approach The authors use published data, including financial data, to examine 59 successful rebounds, and then apply regression analyses to relate firm actions and characteristics to performance. Findings Strategic moves by these firms included layoffs, new products and new inter-company relationships. However, none of those actions predicted rebound success, either individually or in combination. Successful rebounds were associated only with smaller size and a deeper decline – from exceeding the industry performance median to falling far below it. Research limitations/implications Technology firms may or may not represent all middle-aged companies in terms of authors’ implications, that a one-size-fits-all turnaround formula is unavailable. Practical implications Wise managers will therefore consider various scenarios to prepare for decline and test several if possible. Further, the finding that dramatic drops in performance are associated with successful rebounds should warn managers who think that a competitor’s major problems mean they will disappear; they may be likelier to rebound than a competitor experiencing only a mild performance decline. Originality/value Managers who think they have THE answer to decline can profit from the news that one cannot count on layoffs, on new products or on new relationships to turn around performance decline. And, the small-is-beautiful (for rebounds) result suggests rethinking the assumption that bigger is better and making organizational changes in large organizations to allow them to imitate the flexibility advantages that a smaller firm achieves.

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