Co-creation and the development of SME designer fashion enterprises

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the co-creation of SME designer fashion brands during internationalisation. Design/methodology/approach - As an exploratory study, this research utilises grounded theory methodology and incorporates the use of 38 semi-structured in-depth interviews with designer fashion enterprises and their support network of sales and PR agencies. Findings - Co-creation was identified as an important element for the successful integration of the entrepreneurial designer fashion enterprise into the global fashion industry network. Within relationship marketing, the concept of co-creation emphasises consumer experience, influence and power in the development of brand value. However current understanding of co-creation inadequately explains the development of the entrepreneurial designer fashion brand, requiring examination of the concept using grounded theory. The findings of this research highlight how these small and medium enterprises react and respond to the interpretation of their brand identity through the co-creation process as they seek to introduce and grow their firms within the global fashion marketplace. Originality/value - This paper identifies the influence of industry stakeholders on the process of fashion brand co-creation. Additionally, by identifying the process by which the entrepreneurial designer fashion enterprise navigates the introduction of their collections to the industry’s network, and responds to interpretations of the firm’s brand identity, this paper recognises the influence of the firm throughout the co-creation process

Making the Cut: Receivers of the National Football League

In this paper the prospects of the National Football League, or NFL, are studied in order to determine the relationships between past college statistics, other “measurables,” and how they translate to successful careers in the league. When referring to measurables, this consists of all of the numerical data from each player that should, in theory, help teams get an idea of the players strengths or weaknesses. The data being used comes from an annual scouting combine for NFL teams that is held prior to each season. Information about the player’s college statistics and pre-draft measurables are being compared to several individual player statistics that are commonly indicative of successful careers. The goal is not only to benefit teams in identifying productive players, but also for the young men with dreams of competing at the highest level. It is often difficult to get a concrete idea of what teams are looking for, because many teams having differing opinions about which players will provide the most value. This investigation deals specifically with receivers and analyzing data collected from their past in order to make predictions on future careers. Multiple regression models are necessary due to several important independent variables (measurables) for each dependent variable (player statistics). Analyzing these relationships leads to the construction of several mathematical models which aim to predict the success of future prospective NFL receivers

Comparing pre and post-surgical self-efficacy behavior changes by introducing prehabilitation exercise.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a clinical condition affecting over 27 million Americans. There is no known cure for OA other than replacing the diseased joint with a joint prosthesis, total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Purpose: This study compared pre and post-surgical functional ability, exercise self efficacy and outcome expectations among total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients who did and did not receive a prehabilitation exercise program. Methods: 67 participants were eligible to participate in the study. Twenty-five participants indicated that they were not interested in participating in the study. As a result forty-two OA participants (31 female, 11 male) of the 42, 37 were interested and recruited into the study (n = 19 PRE, n = 18 CON). The analytic sample (n = 16 PRE, n= 15 CON) included 31 subjects (22 female, 9 male). Outcome Variables: self-efficacy to exercise survey (SEE), outcome expectations to exercise survey (OEE), 6-minute walk distance, number of sit-to-stand repetitions in 30 seconds, the timed get up and go (TUG) test. Results: The effect of time was non-significant for SEE,p = .655 and OEE,p = .146. There was no significant interaction effect on SEE,p = .590 or OEE,p = .933. There was a significant effect of time on the six minute walk,p \u3c.001, TUG,p \u3c .001; sit-to-stand, p \u3c .001, ascending stair, p \u3c .001 and on descending stair, p = .001. Presentation: The dissertation is divided into five chapters, covering the clinical conditions of OA, treatment, impact of the problem, and the benefits of exercise. Chapter One gives an overview of the problem, impact of the problem, its history and discusses the significant health problem as a result of OA. Chapter two uses a review of the current literature to examine the conceptual framework and theory used in this study along with the introduction of the prehabilitation exercise intervention. Chapter three discusses the methodology used in the study and chapter four gives the data analysis and reports the findings of the data collected during the study. Finally chapter five gives a brief introduction of the study followed by the conclusions of the study. These conclusions include interpretations of the findings, discussions of the research hypotheses, recommendations, future research, theory application and finally future studies, limitations and a brief summary of the study

Does the Prescriptive Lifestyle of Seventh-day Adventists Provide Immunity from the Secular Effects of Changes in BMI?

Objective: To examine the effect of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) membership on ‘immunity’ to the secular effects of changes in BMI. Design: Three independent, cross-sectional, screening surveys conducted by Sydney Adventist Hospital in 1976, 1986 and 1988 and a survey conducted among residents of Melbourne in 2006. Subjects: Two hundred and fifty-two SDA and 464 non-SDA in 1976; 166 SDA and 291 non-SDA in 1986; 120 SDA and 300-non SDA in 1988; and 251 SDA and 294 non-SDA in 2006. Measurements: Height and weight measured by hospital staff in 1976, 1986 and 1988; self-reported by respondents in 2006. Results: The mean BMI of non-SDA men increased between 1986 and 2006 (P Conclusion: The ‘prudent’ dietary and lifestyle prescriptions of SDA men appear to have ‘immunised’ them to the secular effects of changes that occurred among non-SDA men’s BMI. The dietary and lifestyle trends of SDA women did not reflect the increase in their BMI observed in 2006

Trends in BMI, diet and lifestyle between 1976 and 2005 in North Sydney

Although the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australia has increased during the past 30 years, little is known about the dietary and behavioural antecedents of body mass index (BMI). We examined changes in mean BMI, diet, and other lifestyle behaviours between 1976 and 2005 and described the cross-sectional associations between these factors and BMI. A series of biennial biomedical surveys by Sydney Adventist Hospital from 1976 to 2005 allowed examination of BMI trends, while the selection of three surveys enabled detailed examination of likely dietary and lifestyle associations. Subjects included in this study were: 384 men and 338 women in 1976; 160 men and 146 women in 1978; 166 men and 141 women in 1980; 164 men and 142 women in 1982; 177 men and 13 women in 1984; 239 men and 227 women in 1986; 210 men and 225 women in 1988; 165 men and 148 women in 1990; 138 men and 167 women in 1992 and 270 men and 62 women in 2005. Height and weight were measured by hospital staff. Mean BMI increased in the early 1990s. Salt, coffee, cola, alcohol and meat consumption, dieting to lose weight and eating between meals were positively associated with BMI while physical activity, food variety, large breakfasts and consumption of spreads were negatively associated. Food consumption and daily activities have important associations with BMI, though their specific associations differ by sex. \u27Affluent\u27 lifestyle patterns appear to contribute to higher BMI, while a more \u27prudent\u27 lifestyle seems to protect from such increases.<br /

Trends in BMI, diet and lifestyle between 1976 and 2005 in North Sydney

Although the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australia has increased during the past 30 years, little is known about the dietary and behavioural antecedents of body mass index (BMI). We examined changes in mean BMI, diet, and other lifestyle behaviours between 1976 and 2005 and described the cross-sectional associations between these factors and BMI. A series of biennial biomedical surveys by Sydney Adventist Hospital from 1976 to 2005 allowed examination of BMI trends, while the selection of three surveys enabled detailed examination of likely dietary and lifestyle associations. Subjects included in this study were: 384 men and 338 women in 1976; 160 men and 146 women in 1978; 166 men and 141 women in 1980; 164 men and 142 women in 1982; 177 men and 13 women in 1984; 239 men and 227 women in 1986; 210 men and 225 women in 1988; 165 men and 148 women in 1990; 138 men and 167 women in 1992 and 270 men and 62 women in 2005. Height and weight were measured by hospital staff. Mean BMI increased in the early 1990s. Salt, coffee, cola, alcohol and meat consumption, dieting to lose weight and eating between meals were positively associated with BMI while physical activity, food variety, large breakfasts and consumption of spreads were negatively associated. Food consumption and daily activities have important associations with BMI, though their specific associations differ by sex. “Affluent” lifestyle patterns appear to contribute to higher BMI, while a more “prudent” lifestyle seems to protect from such increases

Fashioning clothing with and for mature women: a small-scale sustainable design business model

Purpose: An ageing population in the developed world has become a significant topic in the contemporary research agenda. The aim of this paper is to report on the development of a new small-scale business model based on facilitating in-depth understanding and responding to mature female consumers' needs and expectations towards fashionable clothing. Design/methodology: Two complementary approaches are used: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) allows the researchers to employ the life-course perspective and to develop in-depth understanding of individuals' present experiences in relation to their past. Action Research offers the possibility to develop participatory, co-design processes based on collective creativity and mutual knowledge exchange between the stakeholders. Findings: The research finds a strong interest in fashionable clothing by women, irrespective of their age. The action based co-design process involving collaborative encounters with mature consumers creates a dynamic capability for alternative fashion design methodologies. This approach can contribute to a small-scale fashion business model for the mature women's fashion market. Practical implications: The women in the study stress the need for a more inclusive design process and expressed a willingness to buy from a brand/retailer who would offer them such a collaborative opportunity. There are practical implications for how a more flexible sizing approach to the design of fashion for older women could be implemented. Originality/value: This research makes a contribution to practice-based design solutions for mature women and a new inclusive business model based on emotional durability. The innovative methodological approach contributes to the field of ethical and sustainable fashion design

Green Chemistry for Stainless Steel Corrosion Resistance: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Citric Acid versus Nitric Acid Passivation

Corrosion is a significant problem in many industries, and when using stainless steel, passivation is undertaken to improve corrosion resistance. Traditionally, nitric acid is used within the passivation step, however, this has some detrimental environmental and human health impacts during its production and use. Reducing this impact is critical, and because of its toxicity, associated occupational risk and special disposal requirements, end-users of passivated stainless steels are exploring alternative passivation methods. However, it is also critical to understand the impact of any alternatives. Sustainable processing and manufacture embodies many elements, including; waste reduction, resource efficiency measures, energy reduction and the application of ‘green’ or renewable chemicals. In order to ensure the most effective system is utilised the impact, or potential impact of the system must be measured and options compared. The comparative environmental credentials of bio-based chemicals can be assessed using tools such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).This paper is the first paper to evaluate the environmental impact of passivation using nitric and citric acid. It uses attributional Life Cycle Assessment (ALCA) to assess the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of using citric acid - produced biologically via fermentation, to replace nitric acid, whilst keeping the same level of corrosion resistance. The work is anticipatory in nature as the process is not yet undertaken on a commercial basis. The results therefore feed into future manufacturing and design. Citric and nitric acids were compared using three different solutions: 4% and 10% citric acid solutions, and a 10% nitric acid solution (the conventional case). The results show that a scenario using a 4% citric acid solution is environmentally preferable to nitric acid across all impact categories assessed. However, a 10% citric acid solution used on low chromium and nickel steel was only environmentally preferable for 50% of the environmental impact categories assessed due to increased electrical energy demand for that scenario.<br/

The mechanics of abrasion relating to household cleaning

Abrasion of polymer surface films or coatings in an everyday occurrence, whether in the home, work or industry. As a result a wide variety of polymer films can be found on surfaces. Despite the numerous applications, three body thin film abrasion appears a niche area of study and as a result under-researched. This investigation focuses on identifying, characterising and quantifying the abrasive wear of a baked dehydrated castor oil deposit formed on stainless steel. The primary aim of this project is to understand how the fundamental properties of the liquid abrasive cleaning system contribute to the material removal. Investigations have primarily been carried out using a reciprocating linear tribometer for the cleaning and a profilometer to measure the wear. The wear of the baked oil film was found to largely follow the established Archard wear equation of sliding distance and load, despite the fact it was derived to describe two body and not three body wear. However the wear rate was not inversely proportional to hardness and there were significant effects when parameters not in the Archard equation are considered. IN particular changing the speed, viscosity, particle size and distribution all had an impact on the wear

Green Chemistry for Stainless Steel Corrosion Resistance: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Citric Acid versus Nitric Acid Passivation

Corrosion is a significant problem in many industries, and when using stainless steel, passivation is undertaken to improve corrosion resistance. Traditionally, nitric acid is used within the passivation step, however, this has some detrimental environmental and human health impacts during its production and use. Reducing this impact is critical, and because of its toxicity, associated occupational risk and special disposal requirements, end-users of passivated stainless steels are exploring alternative passivation methods. However, it is also critical to understand the impact of any alternatives. Sustainable processing and manufacture embodies many elements, including; waste reduction, resource efficiency measures, energy reduction and the application of ‘green’ or renewable chemicals. In order to ensure the most effective system is utilised the impact, or potential impact of the system must be measured and options compared. The comparative environmental credentials of bio-based chemicals can be assessed using tools such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).This paper is the first paper to evaluate the environmental impact of passivation using nitric and citric acid. It uses attributional Life Cycle Assessment (ALCA) to assess the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of using citric acid - produced biologically via fermentation, to replace nitric acid, whilst keeping the same level of corrosion resistance. The work is anticipatory in nature as the process is not yet undertaken on a commercial basis. The results therefore feed into future manufacturing and design. Citric and nitric acids were compared using three different solutions: 4% and 10% citric acid solutions, and a 10% nitric acid solution (the conventional case). The results show that a scenario using a 4% citric acid solution is environmentally preferable to nitric acid across all impact categories assessed. However, a 10% citric acid solution used on low chromium and nickel steel was only environmentally preferable for 50% of the environmental impact categories assessed due to increased electrical energy demand for that scenario.<br/