Beyond cold feet: Experiences of ending engagements and canceling weddings

The engagement period is a critical window to understand stay–leave decisions because it marks a stage when individuals are moving toward lifelong commitment, but do not have the obligations of legal marriage that make dissolution more difficult. According to Inertia Theory, felt momentum can propel couples through relationship transitions without sufficient consideration of their dedication, which could constrain partners in poor quality relationships. Drawing from this perspective, we examined how individuals reduce relationship momentum and end a marital engagement. We conducted interviews with individuals who made the decision to end their engagements and cancel their weddings ( N = 30). Experiences were analyzed using grounded theory techniques. The core concept we identified, visualizing, consisted of imagining a relational future (or alternative present) that became heightened during the engagement period. Rituals of wedding planning (e.g., trying on a dress and selecting a venue) appear to serve as a catalyst for this process. This cognitive shift prompted individuals to slow relational momentum (e.g., through trial separations and the returning of rings) and reconsider “red flags” and constraints to leaving the relationship. Once participants decided to leave, they described the process of breaking off the engagement and uncoupling from their partners. Family members and friends who assisted in managing the emotional fallout and logistics of ending the engagement (e.g., canceling with vendors and informing guests) were reported as particularly helpful supports. Visualizing married life beyond the wedding may be leveraged to help individuals navigate premarital doubts.

Static characteristics of hydrostatic thrust bearing considering the inertia effect on the region of supply hole

In the previous studies on the hydrostatic thrust bearing, the differences between the theoretical results and experimental results are obvious when the inertia parameter S and the ratio of supply hole radius to bearing radius r0/ R become large enough. To explain the differences, in this study, the inertia effect on the region of supply hole is considered in discussing the static characteristics of hydrostatic thrust bearing, and then new expressions of pressure, load capacity, and flow rate are given. For the continuous parallel bearing, the results of this study agree well with experiments, thus there is no need for the extra modified inertia theory. For the step bearing with a large inertia parameter (e.g., S = 2), the results of this study agree with experiments on the recess region, and are closer to the experimental results than those of old method on the region of bearing land. So when the inertia parameter S and the ratio of supply hole radius to bearing radius r0/ R are large enough, the inertia effect on the region of supply hole cannot be ignored in discussing the static characteristics of hydrostatic thrust bearing.

Inhibitory processes and cognitive flexibility: evidence for the theory of attentional inertia

The aim of this study was to discriminate the differential contribution of different inhibitory processes -perceptual, cognitive and behavioral inhibition- to switching cost effect associated with alternation cognitive tasks. A correlational design was used. Several experimental paradigms (e.g., Stop signal, visual search, Stemberg´s experimental and Simon paradigm) were adapted and included in a computerized program called TAC (Introzzi & Canet Juric, 2014) to the assessment of the different cognitive processes. The final sample consisted of 45 adults (18-50 years). Perceptual and behavioral inhibition shows moderate and low correlations with attentional cost, cognitive inhibition shows no relation with flexibility and only perceptual inhibition predicts switching costs effects, suggesting that different inhibitory processes contribute differentially to switch cost. This could be interpreted as evidence to Attentional Inertia Theory main argument which postulates that inhibition plays an essential role in the ability to flexibly switch between tasks and/or representations.

RFID adoption and the role of organisational size

PurposeThere is no doubt about the economic importance of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in industrialised countries. The amount of research on organisational size as a factor of radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption, however, is as yet, minimal. This paper aims to fill that gap by first determining firm‐size specific characteristics of RFID and then using organisational inertia theory to derive the hypothesis that the size and structure of SMEs can be advantageous for the adoption of RFID.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on organisational inertia theory and survey data.FindingsA survey conducted among German enterprises already deploying RFID is used to test our hypothesis. It confirms that smaller enterprise size can make RFID adoption and exploitation of the productivity potential easier. Accordingly, it recommends that SMEs avoid adopting a wait‐and‐see position or restricting themselves to easy‐to‐conduct RFID automation applications.Originality/valueThe study provides a starting point for future research and facilitates knowledge accumulation and creation concerning the role of organisational size for RFID adoption.

Creative Destruction and the Aftermath of the Tsunami

The tsunami of 26 December 2004 killed over 35,000 people in Sri Lanka, made 400,000 jobless and damaged the economy by 6·5%. The physical damage was around US$1·5billion, with reconstruction costing $2 billion. Although entrepreneurs are opportunity seekers, take risks and thrive in uncertainty, the alignment of competency and institutional support was not fully realized for recovery. This problem is studied by revisiting inertia theory (to understand entrepreneurial inertia), network theory (for the interaction of environment and entrepreneur), and theory on disaster management (to understand stage-related issues). The objective of the paper is to provide insights into the current recovery process and future preparedness for small business management following natural disasters. The paper is based on a survey of 89 Sri Lankan small businesses affected by the tsunami which are now in the process of recovery. The procedures and techniques adopted by the Postgraduate Institute of Management in Sri Lanka, based on active participation combined with observation and systems design, proved highly effective in aiding entrepreneurs on their path to recovery.