Manufacturing of E-Glass/Epoxy Composite LSU-03 Propeller Using Hand Lay-up Method

Hand lay-up method is frequently used by small companies. It is due to its flexibility and low-cost considerations. One of the qualities problems that normally arises is the product unevenness. This study was carried out to analyse this variation on manufacturing E-glass/epoxy plates specimen and propeller product. Void and fibre volume fraction of manufactured plates are measured based on ASTM-D2734. Propellers of LSU-03 aircraft were manufactured and analysed to find out the uniformity of the product in terms of its mass and size. To determine product compatibility with the design, the geometry and the thickness were measured at several points of propeller. In addition to this, a balancing process is carried out to find out the mass balance point.

R&D Investments in Markets with Network Effects

We consider process R&D investments of firms in markets with network effects and incomplete product compatibility. Our results indicate that network effects increase the firms’ individual investments in R&D. The presence of network effects weakens the positive impact of R&D cooperation on firms’ R&D investments. Further, we show that R&D competition can bring socially optimal level of investment, and this is not possible in markets without network effects. Finally, our results suggest that innovation policy oriented at promoting R&D cooperation between enterprises can be counterproductive in markets with network effects and incomplete product compatibility.

Strengthening Indonesiaʼs Islamic Financial Inclusion: An Analytic Network Process Approach

This study proposes some strategies to strengthen Islamic financial inclusion in Indonesia. The study employs the Analytic Network Process (ANP) by interviewing Indonesian Islamic finance experts, including academics, regulators, and practitioners. The ANP results show that the strategies to strengthen Islamic financial inclusion in Indonesia, ranked based on their significance level, are product compatibility (0.28), financial infrastructure (0.25), human development (0.20), and demand creation (0.18). The study provides actionable recommendations for Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Indonesia when formulating their appropriate roadmaps and strategies for Islamic financial inclusion. This study is a pioneer work that develops an institutions-based strategy for Islamic financial inclusion in Indonesia based on expert judgments.

Introducing the Penn State World Campus through Certificate Programs in Turfgrass Management and Geographic Information Systems

This paper describes two of the distance educational programs—Turfgrass Management and Geographic Information Systems—offered through the Penn State World Campus during its first year of operation in 1998. Detailed information is provided on how these programs were selected and supported, the nature of the students who enrolled and the faculty who developed and taught the courses, and the technology and infrastructure employed for delivering content and engaging students in collaborative learning. The organization of the World Campus, the evolution of these programs, and the results obtained from them during the first 18 months of operation are presented. Several contemporary issues are addressed from a faculty perspective, including: teaching effectiveness, relationship with students, satisfaction with product, compatibility with other responsibilities, ethical concerns, incentives and rewards, team efforts, support services, perceptions by colleagues, scholarly value, opportunity cost for faculty, intellectual property concerns, and compensation.