The influence of entrepreneurs’ immigrant status and time on the perceived likelihood of exporting

We contribute in this paper to the scant literature on the factors and conditions influencing the development of different perceptions of potential international opportunities for immigrant and native entrepreneurs in the pre-internationalization phase. Specifically, we investigate what factors influence the perceived likelihood entrepreneurs have of exporting. Building on entrepreneurial intentions and opportunity-based entrepreneurial processes, we propose a cognitive account of perceived likelihood of exporting based on entrepreneurs’ perceptions of the desirability and feasibility of export opportunities. We investigate how the immigrant status (i.e., individual characteristics) and time (i.e., contextual factors) influence the relationship between the desirability and feasibility of exporting, and entrepreneurs’ perceived likelihood of exporting. We employ an experimental design on a matched-pair sample of 108 native and immigrant entrepreneurs in domestic technology-based firms. The results are a unique account of the cognitive antecedents of the perceived likelihood of exporting under different temporal conditions, comparing immigrant and native entrepreneurs. We discuss theoretical and practical implications

Effect of different underhead shot-peening and lubrication conditions on high-strength screws undergoing multiple tightenings

This study investigates the effect of shot-peening on the bearing friction coefficient of 42CrMoV grade 14.9 screws. An experimental campaign was conducted on a tribological testing rig, investigating the combined effects of shot peening treatments, lubrication conditions, and number of tightenings on the frictional coefficient. A first set of tests was performed, considering the same shot-peening conditions as in a previous study to highlight the role of different material. A second campaign was carried out, adjusting the process parameters to enhance the tribological response. Small shots and high-impact energy are suitable for tightening with lubricant, whereas, in dry conditions, larger shots and lower-impact energy lead to particularly low friction coefficients that are well aligned to those achievable when using lubricants

Optimization of job allocation in construction organizations to maximize workers' career development opportunities

© 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers. Workforce planning in the construction industry too often ignores the symbiotic relationship between employee and employer objectives by overly concentrating on corporate objectives such as maximizing productivity at the expense of construction workers' career development needs. Overall, the consequence of this approach is suboptimal performance. To address this problem, this paper presents an innovative multiobjective model that enables managers to optimize the relationship between these interdependent corporate priorities. The proposed model was implemented and solved using mixed-integer nonlinear programming on a case study involving the allocation of tasks to employees with different skill levels in a multidisciplinary engineering consulting company. While leading to a small loss of productivity, the results show a significant improvement in the career development of workers compared to conventional productivity-oriented workforce planning models, with on average 8.6% improvement in employees' closeness to their ideal skill set. Furthermore, the model produced Pareto-optimal points and a Pareto curve that enabled client-model users to select optimum job allocation based on their preferences. This research represents a paradigm shift toward a new class of socially responsible workforce planning models in which the objectives of both employees and employers are optimized

Effects of infill temperature on the tensile properties and warping of 3D-printed polylactic acid

Although extensive research has been carried out on the effects of temperature on the properties of parts by fused filament fabrication, no study considered the opportunity to use different temperatures and cooling strategies for the contour and the infill region. The purpose of this investigation is to explore such an opportunity through an experimental campaign on polylactic acid. Specifically, the variations in tensile properties and warping occurring with different infill temperatures and cooling methods are documented. The results demonstrate that diversifying process parameters used for the contour and infill of the part allow for significant improvements in mechanical properties without affecting the distortion of the manufactured samples. This result can be achieved by either increasing the nozzle temperature or switching off the cooling fan during infilling

Surface nanoscale axial photonics: Robust fabrication of high quality factor microresonators

Recently introduced Surface Nanoscale Axial Photonics (SNAP) makes it possible to fabricate high Q-factor microresonators and other photonic microdevices by dramatically small deformation of the optical fiber surface. To become a practical and robust technology, the SNAP platform requires methods enabling reproducible modification of the optical fiber radius at nanoscale. In this Letter, we demonstrate super-accurate fabrication of high Q-factor microresonators by nanoscale modification of the optical fiber radius and refractive index using the CO2 laser and the UV excimer laser beam exposures. The achieved fabrication accuracy is better than 2 angstroms in variation of the effective fiber radius

Community action projects: community-engaged quality improvement for medical students.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare Quality Improvement (QI) is an essential skill for medical students to acquire, although there is insufficient empirical research which suggests the best educational methods to do this. This study explored the experiences of medical students participating in two versions of a Community Action Project (CAP) which gave medical students the opportunity to learn QI skills in a community setting. The first version (GPCAP) was pre-pandemic where students identified and delivered QI projects on placement in general practice to improve local population health. The second version (Digi-CAP) ran remotely where students worked on QI projects identified by local voluntary sector organisations focused on local community priorities during COVID-19. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with volunteers from the two cohorts of students who had taken part in quality improvement initiatives. Transcriptions were independently coded by two researchers and analysed through thematic analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen students were interviewed. Whilst students had mixed experiences of completing their CAP, engagement and successful learning was associated with the following themes from the two versions of QI CAP projects: finding a sense of purpose and meaning in QI projects; preparedness for responsibility and service-driven learning; the importance of having supportive partnerships throughout the project duration and making a sustainable difference. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The study provides valuable insights into the design and implementation of these community-based QI projects, which enabled students to learn new and often hard to teach skills, whilst working on projects which have a sustainable impact on local community outcomes

On the impact strength of adhesive bonded pin-and-collar joints

Nowadays, the adhesive technology is gaining relevance in industrial sectors where impact operating conditions are very common. At the same time, tests on cylindrical joints represent a well-established method for determining the static strength of structural adhesives. This work aims at assessing the impact properties of structural adhesives by means of cylindrical joints. The investigation involved two adhesive formulations (an epoxy resin and an anaerobic) and has been carried out under static, quasi-static and low-velocity impact conditions. The main outcomes of the work are: (i) the pin-collar specimen is well suited to analyzing the impact properties of adhesives; (ii) both adhesives showed a dependence of the strength and stiffness properties on the strain rate; (iii) the epoxy product showed a greater impact toughness than the anaerobic. In appendix, the authors report the tuning procedure of a CZM numerical model in a commercial FE package, based on the experimental results

Società, Economia, Territorio: le riviste scientifiche on-line a confronto

La comunicazione nel campo delle scienze socio-economiche e territoriali è attraversata da diversi anni da notevoli cambiamenti e da grande fermento. Numerose sono le iniziative editoriali nate e consolidatesi negli anni più recenti, in particolare, nel campo delle riviste on-line. Tanto da assurgere in taluni casi a un ruolo da protagonista non solo nel dibattito accademico, ma anche in quello pubblico. Taglio divulgativo, contributi attuali e incentrati su temi urgenti, open access, costruzione di reti e relazioni nazionali e internazionali, l’utilizzo e la sperimentazione di nuovi formati: in prima ipotesi, appaiono questi alcuni degli elementi chiave che spiegano la nascita e lo slancio che vivono le riviste on-line. Tuttavia, raramente i protagonisti di questo mondo si sono confrontati e raccontati, ed è stata quindi svolta una riflessione organica sulle caratteristiche delle realtà editoriali, sulle possibili fragilità e sulle sfide che in questo senso si pongono per il futuro. Con questo numero speciale, ospitato da EyesReg, rivista dell'Associazione Italiana di Scienze Regionali, l’intenzione è aprire una finestra e sviluppare una riflessione trasversale e multidisciplinare sul tema, con riferimento alla realtà italiana ma anche con significative aperture al panorama e alle esperienze europee