An experiment on the use of disposable plastics as a reinforcement in concrete beams

Illustrated here is the concept of reinforced concrete structures by the use of computer simulation and an inexpensive hands-on design experiment. The students in our construction management program use disposable plastic as a reinforcement to demonstrate their understanding of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete beams. The plastics used for such an experiment vary from plastic bottles to steel reinforced auto tires. This experiment will show the extent to which plastic reinforcement increases the strength of a concrete beam. The procedure of using such throw-away plastics in an experiment to explain the interaction between the reinforcement material and concrete, and a comparison of the test results for using different types of waste plastics are discussed. A computer analysis to simulate the structural response is used to compare the test results and to understand the analytical background of reinforced concrete design. This interaction of using computers to analyze structures and to relate the output results with real experimentation is found to be a very useful method for teaching a math-based analytical subject to our non-engineering students

Experimental determination of material damping using vibration analyzer

Structural damping is an important dynamic characteristic of engineering materials that helps to damp vibrations by reducing their amplitudes. In this investigation, an experimental method is illustrated to determine the damping characteristics of engineering materials using a dual channel Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analyzer. A portable Compaq III computer which houses the analyzer, is used to collect the dynamic responses of three metal rods. Time-domain information is analyzed to obtain the logarithmic decrement of their damping. The damping coefficients are then compared to determine the variation of damping from material to material. The variations of damping from one point to another of the same material, due to a fixed point excitation, and the variable damping at a fixed point due to excitation at different points, are also demonstrated

fsQCA in Management research

Quantitative management researches are overwhelmed with conventional regression analyses and/or structural equation modelling. Most of the regression analyses or SEM provide a single solution to the intended outcome. Whereas, the fsQCA embraces equifinality, meaning that, there being more than one means or set of conditions that lead to or affects the accomplishment of the same END. Drawing on the Configurational theory, it recognises that organisational phenomenon is often part of tightly coupled, holistic system, in which knowledge is lost when a reductionist analytical mode of inquiry is adopted which attempts to isolate individual components of an interdependent system within bivariate empirically testable relationships. In this webinar, the fundamentals of fsQCA will be discussed. It could be highly beneficial for promising researchers as a starting point to employ fsQCA in the management stream

Assessing Interactions between Estuary Water Quality and Terrestrial Land Cover in Hurricane Events with Multi-sensor Remote Sensing

Estuaries are environmentally, ecologically and environmentally important places as they act as a meeting place for land, freshwater and marine ecosystems. They are also called nurseries of the sea as they often provide nesting and feeding habitats for many aquatic plants and animals. These estuaries also withstand the worst of some natural disasters, especially hurricanes. The estuaries as well as the harbored ecosystems undergo significant changes in terms of water quality, vegetation cover etc. and these components are interrelated. When hurricane makes landfall it is necessary to assess the damages as quickly as possible as restoration and recovery processes are time-sensitive. However, assessment of physical damages through inspection and survey and assessment of chemical and nutrient component changes by laboratory testing are time-consuming processes. This is where remote sensing comes into play. With the help of remote sensing images and regression analysis, it is possible to reconstruct water quality maps of the estuary affected. The damage sustained by the vegetation cover of the adjacent coastal watershed can be assessed using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) The water quality maps together with NDVI maps help observe a dynamic sea-land interaction due to hurricane landfall. The observation of hurricane impacts on a coastal watershed can be further enhanced by use of tasseled cap transformation (TCT). TCT plots provide information on a host of land cover conditions with respect to soil moisture, canopy and vegetation cover. The before and after TCT plots help assess the damage sustained in a hurricane event and also see the progress of recovery. Finally, the use of synthetic images obtained by use of data fusion will help close the gap of low temporal resolution of Landsat satellite and this will create a more robust monitoring system

Prior Experience and Export Performance: The Missing Link of Global Vision

Despite the scholarly interest in the prior experience of entrepreneurs expressed by the field of International Entrepreneurship, empirical investigation linking prior experience with international performance leads to inconclusive and conflicting results. Based on the concept of human capital and resource-based theory, this study provides a supplementary explanation by integrating global vision —the cognitive capital of the entrepreneur related to an international orientation— into this relationship. The study hypothesises that there is no direct relationship between entrepreneurs’ prior experience and export performance; rather, this relationship is mediated by an entrepreneur’s global vision. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling, drawing on a sample of 332 early internationalising SMEs in Bangladesh. To overcome the cognitive inertia resulting from prior experiences, entrepreneurs must focus on their cognitive capabilities, in particular the ability to see the world through a global lens. In order to improve export performance, policymakers must also provide additional support to strengthen entrepreneurs’ global vision

Psychometric evaluation of Dynamic Managerial Capability scale in the context of early internationalizing firms from an emerging economy

Purpose: The research aims to perform a psychometric evaluation of dynamic managerial capability (DMC) scale in the context of early internationalizing firms from an emerging economy. Drawing on DMC theory, this study validates the measurement scales to operationalize DMC of entrepreneurs as managerial human capital, managerial social capital, and managerial cognition. Design/methodology: Sample firms were drawn from the apparel industry in Bangladesh, an emerging economy. Data was collected from entrepreneurs in two waves through a questionnaire-based survey. One hundred and eighty-five firms responded during the first wave and 223 firms responded during the second wave. The first wave of data was used to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to uncover the underlying dimensions of DMC and the data from the second wave was used to test the validity of the DMC scale through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings: EFA suggested a 3-dimension scale which was supported by CFA. The findings of the study demonstrate that DMC is a valid and reliable scale to capture the individual-level capability of entrepreneurs. Originality/value: DMC is rooted in three underlying attributes as managerial human capital, managerial social capital, and managerial cognition. It is advisable to the practitioner and researcher to operationalize DMC as a second-order construct in future studies

The antecedents and the outcomes of foreign market knowledge accumulation – the dynamic managerial capability perspective

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish the antecedents and the outcomes of foreign market knowledge (FMK) accumulation in the context of emerging economies. The antecedent is dynamic managerial capability (DMC) with managerial human capital, social capital and cognition as its dimensions. The outcomes are financial and non-financial performances. This study bridges the gap by linking individual-level capability and FMK accumulation to achieve performance. Design/methodology/approach: This study has utilized a survey-based approach to collect data. The sample consists of 365 export manufacturing firms operating in the apparel industry of Bangladesh. Structural equation modeling analysis has been used to test the hypothesized model. Findings: The direct effects of managerial social capital and managerial cognition on FMK accumulation are positively significant. The results also show that FMK accumulation fully mediates the relationship between: managerial social capital and financial and non-financial performances and managerial cognition and financial and non-financial performances. Practical implications: Export manufacturing entrepreneurs in the low-tech industry should focus more on the network development and leverage on their cognitive mentality as a global mindset to succeed in international markets. These two factors are critical to accumulate foreign knowledge. Originality/value: This study provides empirical evidence on dynamic managerial capability and FMK accumulation of export manufacturing firms in low-tech emerging economies context. Out of the three building blocks of DMC, this study has found that managerial social capital and managerial cognition of entrepreneurs are crucial as antecedents to FMK accumulation and firm performance

Impacts of dynamic managerial capability and international opportunity identification on firm performance

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the antecedents and outcomes of international opportunity identification (IOI) in export-manufacturing firms. The fundamental question addressed in this research is: How does dynamic managerial capability (DMC) of entrepreneurs contribute to IOI and success of the firms? Design/methodology/approach: The research model was tested through structural equation modeling among the readymade garment manufacturing firms in the least developed country, Bangladesh. A survey was conducted with a random sampling approach and responses were collected from 390 firms. Findings: The salient findings are: DMC has direct and indirect impacts through IOI on financial and non-financial performance; IOI mediates the relationship between managerial social capital and non-financial performance and between managerial cognition and non-financial performance; IOI has a negative relationship with the financial performance of the firms; and scope of accelerated internationalization positively moderates the relationship between IOI and financial performance of firms. Originality/value: This paper notably shows that DMC of export-manufacturing entrepreneurs leads to the identification of the right kind of opportunities, which, in turn, generate better performance. It is advantageous for this type of firm to operate a business in multiple countries

Measurement scale of international opportunity identification in early internationalization firms

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop the international opportunity identification (IOI) scale through psychometric evaluation in an emerging economy context. Design/methodology/approach: Samples consist of international firms operating in the apparel industry in Bangladesh. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on the first wave of responses to unfold the underlying dimensions of IOI. The second wave of data was used to confirm the validity of IOI scale through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings: EFA suggests a unidimensional scale, which is supported by CFA. The relationship between IOI and financial performance is significant and confirms nomological validity. Results also confirm the validity and reliability of the IOI scale. Originality/value: This study indicates that IOI is a reliable and valid scale to measure the strategic action of the international firms operating in emerging economies, and has a positive relationship with financial performance

The proposed e-waste management model from the conviction of individual laptop disposal practices- an empirical study in Malaysia

There is no formal system in place for household e-waste management although e-waste from the industries were controlled and regulated according to Natural Resources and Environment Ministry in Malaysia. In fact, e-wastes are collected by buyers, non-governmental organizations or collectors; but many are improperly dismantled which can cause environmental and health hazards. Malaysia was estimated to generate 53 million pieces of e-waste in the year 2020 and therefore a proper system is required to control hazardous substances such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, zinc, lead, silver and copper found in e-wastes which should not be released into the environment. The aim of the present study is to find out the individual conviction on laptop disposal practices. Data were obtained from 123 respondents through structured questionnaire and open-ended questions from individuals owning laptop. The findings highlight that individual awareness on laptop disposal practice and laptop usage are positively influencing on the conviction of laptop disposal practices. Knowledge on computer literacy moderates the relationship between social consequences and the conviction of laptop disposal practices. It is recommended in the present study an extensive e-waste management model that resolves some of the major challenges aroused due to e-waste crisis. In particular, the proposed model acts as a guide for upstream and downstream reduction of e-waste generation through green design and cleaner engenderment to succeed for e-waste environmentally sound management system