Application of poly CDME (PCDME) gel to the palatal plate

In some patients with cleft lip and palate, the palatal cleft is wide and three-dimensionally deformed at birth. This can result in difficulty in sucking, which subsequently causes poor weight and development. The resin-based palatal plate for patients is maintained in position with retentive components such as a ball clasp and Adams clasp. In this study, we report on our experience conducting research and developing a palatal plate that consists of PCDME [Poly-N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-(methacryloyloxy) ethanaminium] gel adhered to a polycarbonate frame. The gel is viscous and adheres to the mucosa, thereby maintaining the plate. Moreover, there are no retentive components, such as clasps for attachment and detachment ; therefore, it can been worn with a comfortable fitting, i.e ., tight and with sufficient pressure. If this device is put to practical use, the burden on patients with cleft palate could be reduced considerably

A reconceptualization of social value creation as social constraint alleviation

Purpose: The purpose of this paper includes two interconnected objectives. The first is to provide a reconceptualisation of social value creation as social constraint alleviation. The second is to respond to the call put forward by Giuliani and Macchi (2014) to produce synergies between bodies of literature exploring the development impact of businesses. The paper focuses on ideas from the global value chain/global production networks (GVC/GPN), business and human rights, corporate social responsibility (CSR), international business (IB) and (social) entrepreneurship literatures. Design/methodology/approach: The paper offers a reconceptualisation of social value creation by building on the synergies, complementarities and limitations of existing concepts identified through the literature review. Findings: The reconceptualisation of social value creation put forward in this paper contributes to the literature in the following way. It offers a useful and clear definition of the term “social” (Devinney, 2009), and it attends to the limitations of the constraint concept as put forward by Ted London and his collaborators (London, 2011). Furthermore, it sketches out the basic ideas of a two-system approach to allow for the differentiation between symptom treatment and root cause alleviation. Finally, it offers a refinement of Wettstein’s (2012) proposed capability-based remedial action concept. The paper furthermore proposes that there are three distinct ways in which businesses generally respond to social constraints. Originality/value: The paper illustrates how the redefined concept of social value creation can connect different bodies of literature and help make sense of existing empirical results, without engaging in definitional debates

The use of global value chain/global production network related literature in international business research:investigating the nature and degree of integration

In this chapter, the authors present a brief literature review on how the International Business (IB) literature has evolved and taken shape over the ten-year period since the mid-2000s, along with how global value chain (GVC)/global production networks(GPN) studies can contribute to contemporary IB. The GPN framework has close linkages with global commodity chain analysis, proposed by G. Gereffi which subsequently evolved into the GVC framework. The GVC/GPN frameworks can contribute to the study of multinational enterprises (MNEs) internationalisation paths in a networked economy, MNEs' strategies for governing their production networks, and an increased understanding of power and knowledge dynamics between MNEs and other GVC/GPN actors. The authors outline the methodology of the systematic bibliographic analysis. It discusses the findings regarding the nature of GVC/GPN integration into IB studies. They investigate the relationship between their disciplinary backgrounds and the level of integration

Management of Tensions in Bangladeshi Social Enterprises within Institutional Plurality: A Resource-Based View

This paper examines the nature of managerial tensions that may result in hybrid social enteprises (SEs) due to co-existence of values and influences from pluralistic institutional domains. The paper also explores how such organisations mobilise resources and capabilities in order to respond to internal tensions. The study adopts a multiple case study approach, collecting data from nine Bangladeshi SEs. The study identifies a number of competing pressures originating from multiple institutional domains, which have affected the way they accomplished their dual value and approval from multiple stakeholders. This interplay between SEs’ dual goals and institutional influences led to seven different tension types inside the studied cases. The management of these tensions, at the strategic level, involved five different responses: (i) forced adoption/coercive adoption, (ii) proactive response, (iii) adapt, (iv) influence, and (v) side-stepping. At the functional level, this involved orchestration of SEs’ resources and capabilities in a particular way

Manufacturing of coir fibre-reinforced polymer composites by hot compression technique

This present chapter describes the manufacturing technique and properties of coir fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites manufactured using a hot press machine. The effects of basic chromium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate treatment on the physical and mechanical properties were also evaluated. Chemical treatment and fibre loading generally improved the mechanical properties. Five-hour basic chromium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate-treated coir-polypropylene had the best set of properties among all manufactured composites. Chemical treatment also improved water absorption characteristics. This proves that chemical treatment reduced the hydrophilicity of the coir fibre. Overall the hot compression technique was proved to be successful in manufacturing good quality coir reinforced polypropylene composites

Supplier strategies to compensate for knowledge asymmetries in buyer-supplier relationships: implications for economic upgrading

This paper explores a special form of international outsourcing relationship in which suppliers make recurrent discrete transactions with the same buyers over a long period of time without the existence of any original legally binding written agreement. The study examines three research questions: (1) Can suppliers in such relationships access any of their buyers' tacit knowledge? (2) What implications does their access or the lack thereof have for their economic upgrading? (3) What strategies do suppliers adopt to compensate for existing knowledge asymmetries? The case analysis of three small Bangladeshi garment manufacturers reveals the following key findings. The studied firms only have access to their buyers' explicit/codified knowledge. Notwithstanding this, they have successfully developed relevant knowledge that has allowed them to engage in process upgrading

Rana Plaza collapse aftermath: are CSR compliance and auditing pressures effective?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the intended and unintended consequences of compliance and auditing pressures in the Bangladeshi garment industry. To explore this issue the authors draw on three medium-sized suppliers. The institutional changes that followed the Rana Plaza accident in April 2013 make Bangladesh in general and the garment industry in particular an interesting and suitable research setting for standards compliance. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a multiple case study approach. Face-to-face interviews have been conducted with the owners of three Bangladeshi garment manufacturing firms and several workers. Additionally, organisational documents and local newspaper articles had been collected wherever possible. Findings – The results indicate that the pressure for compliance has led the case companies to prioritise the implementation of measurable standards over the socially grounded needs and priorities of workers. As a consequence certain initiatives instead of adding new social value in fact destroyed previously existing social value. Furthermore, the pressure for compliance created the necessity to find ways to cover the sizable cost of compliance. This prompted firms to pursue process upgrading through technological advancements and increased work pressures on the labour force. These initiatives led to an increased power imbalance and the exclusion of unskilled workers from the job market. Research limitations/implications – The paper contributes to the understanding of the human rights implications of compliance and auditing pressures and initiatives. Furthermore, in order to further enrich existing knowledge in the critical accounting literature, the study draws on insights from the global value chains (GVC) and international business (IB) literatures. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the understanding of the human rights implications of compliance and auditing pressures and initiatives. Furthermore, in order to further enrich existing knowledge in the critical accounting literature, the study draws on insights from the GVC and IB literatures

A reconceptualisation of social value creation as social constraint alleviation

Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper includes two interconnected objectives. The first is to provide a reconceptualisation of social value creation as social constraint alleviation. The second is to respond to the call put forward by Giuliani and Macchi (2014) to produce synergies between bodies of literature exploring the development impact of businesses. The paper focuses on ideas from the global value chain/global production networks (GVC/GPN), business and human rights, corporate social responsibility (CSR), international business (IB) and (social) entrepreneurship literatures. Design/methodology/approach – The paper offers a reconceptualisation of social value creation by building on the synergies, complementarities and limitations of existing concepts identified through the literature review. Findings – The reconceptualisation of social value creation put forward in this paper contributes to the literature in the following way. It offers a useful and clear definition of the term “social” (Devinney, 2009), and it attends to the limitations of the constraint concept as put forward by Ted London and his collaborators (London, 2011). Furthermore, it sketches out the basic ideas of a two-system approach to allow for the differentiation between symptom treatment and root cause alleviation. Finally, it offers a refinement of Wettstein’s (2012) proposed capability-based remedial action concept. The paper furthermore proposes that there are three distinct ways in which businesses generally respond to social constraints. Originality/value – The paper illustrates how the redefined concept of social value creation can connect different bodies of literature and help make sense of existing empirical results, without engaging in definitional debates

COVID-19 Vaccination Intent and Willingness to Pay in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This article reports the intent to receive a SARS-COV-2 vaccine, its predictors and willingness to pay in Bangladesh. We carried out an online cross-sectional survey of 697 adults from the general population of Bangladesh in January 2021. A structured questionnaire was used to assess vaccination intent. The questionnaire included sociodemographic variables and health belief model constructs which may predict vaccination intent. Among the participants, 26% demonstrated a definite intent, 43% probable intent, 24% probable negative, and 7% a definite negative intention. Multivariable logistic regression analyses suggest an association between definite intent and previous COVID-19 infection (OR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.71-4.78), perceiving COVID-19 as serious (OR: 1.93; 1.04-3.59), the belief that vaccination would make them feel less worried about catching COVID-19 (OR: 4.42; 2.25-8.68), and concerns about vaccine affordability (OR: 1.51; 1.01-2.25). Individuals afraid of the side effects (OR: 0.34; 0.21-0.53) and those who would take the vaccine if the vaccine were taken by many others (OR: 0.44; 0.29-0.67) are less likely to have a definite intent. A definite negative intent is associated with the concern that the vaccine may not be halal (OR: 2.03; 1.04-3.96). Furthermore, 68.4% are willing to pay for the vaccine. The median amount that they are willing to pay is USD 7.08. The study findings reveal that the definite intent to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among the general population varies depending on their COVID-19-related health beliefs and no significant association was found with sociodemographic variables