An exploratory study of international opportunity identification among family firms

This research examines how family firms identify international opportunities. Family firms are characterised by long-term orientation, being risk averse, and benefiting from familiness capital, resources and capabilities related to family involvement and interactions. Built upon opportunity identification theory and in two perspectives of accidental discovery and purposeful search, we explore the role of social and business networks, and prior knowledge in a first and subsequent international opportunity identification by family firms. In addition, we attempt to understand the role of family characteristics in the process of opportunity identification. Multiple case studies were carried out with seven family businesses from emerging economies, namely, India, Turkey and Taiwan. The findings of this research illustrate that because of being risk averse and long-term oriented, family firms are more likely to identify the first international opportunity through accidental discovery and subsequent international opportunities through purposeful search. The findings of this research show that, as risk-averse firms, family firms are not proactive in initiating international opportunity identification but rather learn about opportunities through accidental discovery. After the first experience of internationalisation, family firms engage in a more purposeful search to identify avenues that will aid their longevity through internationalisation. In the identification of firms' first international opportunities, it is mainly social networks that play a crucial role, especially those that contain international industry and market-specific knowledge. There is also a positive relationship between a family entrepreneur's prior knowledge and international opportunity identification and this relationship is moderated by the prior knowledge of their network. Familiness capital of these organisations can also play a role in long-term international opportunity identification

Outcome of non-surgical re-treatment

The purpose of this review was to critically analyze the relevant literature in order to synthesize an overview on the clinical outcomes (radiographically judged periapical healing and tooth survival) following root canal re‐treatment and the factors influencing them. A further aim was to explain the findings on the basis of current knowledge and understanding. The relevant literature was captured and critiqued using the principles of a systematic review. The data were classified into a coherent structure for analyses and presentation but are not presented as a systematic review; rather, the authors have chosen a narrative style to enable integration of the clinical outcomes with relevant findings from laboratory and animal studies. Overall, the outcomes were similar to those for teeth undergoing primary treatment with common factors influencing the outcomes. The major differences between the outcomes of primary and secondary root canal (re‐)treatment reside only in the ability to predictably access and negotiate the root canal system to the (residual) apical infection. The data offer a very favorable prognosis for non‐surgical root canal re‐treatment performed to guideline standards

Diffusion equation modeling for sound energy flow analysis in multi domain structures

This study investigates reliable models and methods to be applied in sound field analysis of multidomain structures. The case structures are two monuments, namely, Suleymaniye Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. These are both multi-volume spaces with many smaller sub-volumes coupled to each other by coupling apertures in form of arches. A key concern of the study is to examine energy flow decays and understand the mechanism of multi-slope sound energy decays. The methodology involves diffusion equation model (DEM) application in a finite-element scheme for sound energy flow analysis. Energy flow decays, energy flow dips, and spatial flow vectors are examined for single versus multi-domain DEM solutions. It is concluded that specification of different domains with individual diffusion coefficients is a critical setting such that, if not assigned correctly, may mislead the results. The energy flow vector analysis has enabled us to comprehend the architectural features in relation to such energy flow decay dip occurrence. The computational efficiency of DEM is also discussed. The DEM application in this study has proved to be a powerful and practical method in room acoustics applications, specifically for multi-rate decay investigations.Publisher's Versio