Implementation, Validation, and Application of PM4Sand Model in PLAXIS

This paper presents the implementation, validation, and application of the PM4Sand model (version 3) formulated by Boulanger and Ziotopoulou (2015) in the PLAXIS finite element code. The model can be used for modelling geotechnical earthquake engineering applications, especially in the case liquefaction is likely to occur. The PM4Sand model represents an improvement of the elasto-plastic, stress ratio controlled, bounding surface plasticity model for sands formulated by Dafalias and Manzari (2004). The two-dimensional version has been implemented in PLAXIS and compared to the original implementation by Boulanger and Ziotopoulou (2015). The original implementation has been used in explicit finite difference simulations which can be sensitive to the size of the returned stress increment, based on the chosen time step size and loading rate. Therefore, the user needs to evaluate the sensitivity of the solution with respect to the chosen time step sizes. On the contrary, in the finite element method used here, the default time step together with the sub-stepping used at the constitutive model level provide a robust solution independent of the size of the returned stress increment.Geo-engineerin

Marketing Intelligence in SMEs: Implications for the Industry and Policy makers

Purpose - This paper seeks to demonstrate empirically the relationship between firm characteristics and information use within a small and medium sized enterprises (SME) context, proposing that firm characteristics are a catalyst of information use. With marketing information it is intended all data usable within for a marketing purpose. Design/methodology/approach - First, firm characteristics and their impact on information use amongst SMEs were identified in the literature. After that, a quantitative study was performed analysing the data through multivariate data analysis techniques, specifically principal component analysis (PCA), canonical correlation analysis and regression. The results of the analysis are discussed and the paper ends with the conclusions, implications for practitioners and policy makers, limitations of the study and indications for future research. Findings - The results of this study show the importance of the association between firm characteristics and information use amongst SMEs, demonstrating that strategic approach, firm size and resources allocation are catalysts of information use. Originality/value - Different firm characteristics have an impact on information use. Understanding better what firm characteristics are potential catalysts of information use may empower practitioners’ with better marketing intelligence and policy makers with a measure to assess potential risk when subsidising small businesses