MNCs' corporate social irresponsibility and foreign subsidiary performance

Research Summary: Building on the cognitive view of stakeholder evaluation, we propose that multinational corporations' (MNCs') socially irresponsible acts transcend geographic boundaries and negatively affect foreign subsidiary performance. Moreover, we propose that foreign subsidiaries' product innovation and marketing campaigns create strategic noise in the information space that can mitigate the negative effect of MNCs' corporate social irresponsibility (CSI) incidents occurring elsewhere on the performance of their foreign subsidiaries. We test our arguments on 335 subsidiaries of 42 multinational grocery retailers from 18 different home countries. Our analyses, based on a sample of 2185 subsidiary-year observations over the period of 9 years (2012–2020), largely support our core argument that CSI incidents negatively influence the sales growth of foreign subsidiaries. Managerial Summary: This research underscores the importance for MNC managers to be cognizant of the potential fallout from CSI incidents. With the global spread of information, MNCs' misconduct that occurs elsewhere can quickly impact the sales growth of foreign subsidiaries. The study found that product or service innovations are more effective than marketing campaigns in managing reputational damage, emphasizing the value of genuine, capability-enhancing strategies. Furthermore, the findings highlight the interconnectedness between socially responsible practices and innovation, suggesting that MNCs and their subsidiaries should focus on maintaining strong ethical standards while simultaneously fostering an environment conducive to innovation. This approach not only addresses the adverse effects of CSI but also strengthens the MNC's overall standing with its stakeholders.</p

Tensile Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyamide 6-Polypropylene Composites

In this research study, glass fiber (GF) reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6)-polypropylene blends were prepared using injection molding machine. Test specimens of five different compositions such as, 70%PA6+30%PP, 65%PA6+30%PP+5%GF, 60%PA6+30%PP+10%GF, 55%PA6+30%PP+15%GF and 50%PA6+30%PP+20%GF were prepared successfully. The effects of glass fiber content on the tensile properties of the composites were investigated. Test results reveal that yield strength, elastic modulus, tensile strength and tensile elongation are influenced by glass fiber content. Results show that yield strength is low for 70%PA6+30%PP pure polymer blend whereas 50%PA6+30%PP+20%GF composite shows high yield strength. Test results also show that elastic modulus is low for 70%PA6+30%PP, it increases with the increase in fiber content and elastic modulus is remarkably high for 50%PA6+30%PP+20%GF composite. On the other hand, tensile strength is low for 70%PA6+30%PP blend and tensile strength of GF reinforced composite increases steadily with the increase in glass fiber content. In addition, the tensile elongation of 70%PA6+30%PP pure blend is very high, whereas the composite shows reduced tensile elongation with the increase in fiber content and particularly, 50%PA6+30%PP+20%GF composite shows notably low tensile elongation

Investigation on microstructure and hardness of nickel-alumina functionally graded material

In this research study, six-layered nickel-alumina (Ni-Al2O3) functionally graded material (FGM) was prepared using powder metallurgy (PM) method. The objectives of this study were to investigate the microstructure and hardness of the graded composite layer by layer. Using a cylindrical steel die, the six-layered nickel-alumina graded structure was fabricated considering 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% weight percentage of ceramic concentration for different layers. A hydraulic press was used for fabrication of the FGM layered structure and 30 ton compaction load was applied. Considering two-step sintering cycle, sintering was carried out at sintering temperature 1200 °C and sintering time 4 h. The sintered specimens were characterized using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and hardness testing. It was observed that uniform particle distribution within the graded layers and smooth microstructural transition occurred between adjacent layers. It was also observed that the interface lines are obvious, less wavy, straight and parallel which confirms proper layer stacking process. On the other hand, from the SEM micrographs, the existence of microcracks and voids are identified in the alumina-rich layer and mostly around alumina particles

Influence of glass fiber content on tensile properties of polyamide-polypropylene based polymer blend composites

In recent years, the rapid development of polymer composites is replacing the use of metals and alloys in high performance engineering applications, particularly in automotive and aerospace industries. In this research study, influence of glass fiber (GF) content on tensile properties of polyamide-polypropylene (PA-PP) based blend composites was investigated. Considering, 0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% GF content, PA6-PP-GF composites of five compositions were prepared through injection molding method. In the experiments, tensile tests were performed under strain rate of 5 mm/min for all types of composite specimens. Test results show that tensile properties of composites of five different compositions are influenced by glass fiber content. In general, tensile strength of composite increases gradually with increase in fiber content. On the other hand, tensile modulus increases significantly with increase in fiber content. Experimental data also revealed that yield strength, strength at fracture and strain at break of the composites are influenced by the content of glass fiber. Test data also show that tensile strain at maximum load almost corresponds to the tensile strain at break for all composite specimens

Effects of complexity of handwashing instructions on handwashing procedure replication in low-income urban slums in Bangladesh: a randomized non-inferiority field trial

Abstract Handwashing instructions vary in complexity, with some recommending multiple steps. To assess whether complex handwashing instructions changed handwashing procedure replication, we conducted a randomized non-inferiority trial in a low-income area, Dhaka. We randomly assigned mothers and children aged 5–10 years to one of three handwashing instruction sets: simple (N = 85 mothers/134 children), moderate (N = 75 mothers/148 children), or complex (84 mothers/147 children). Simple instructions had three steps: wet, lather, and rinse hands, and moderate included the simple instructions plus steps to scrub palms, backs of hands, and dry hands in the air. Complex instructions included moderate instructions plus steps to scrub between fingers, under nails, and lather for 20 s. After baseline, cue cards were used to promote handwashing instructions, and adherence after 2 weeks of interventions was evaluated. Compliance with handwashing procedure replication to all instructions in simple, moderate, and complex increased after the intervention among mothers and children. Compliance to all instructions in the simple group was higher in the simple group (100%) compared to all instructions in moderate (47%) and complex instruction groups (38%). Simple handwashing steps are easier to remember for long time periods compared to complex steps.</jats:p

Nuclear transparency and effective kaon-nucleon cross section from the A(e, e'K+) reaction

We have determined the transparency of the nuclear medium to kaons from $A(e,e^{'} K^{+})$ measurements on $^{12}$C, $^{63}$Cu, and $^{197}$Au targets. The measurements were performed at the Jefferson Laboratory and span a range in four-momentum-transfer squared Q$^2$=1.1 -- 3.0 GeV$^2$. The nuclear transparency was defined as the ratio of measured kaon electroproduction cross sections with respect to deuterium, ($\sigma^{A}/\sigma^{D}$). We further extracted the atomic number ($A$) dependence of the transparency as parametrized by $T= (A/2)^{\alpha-1}$ and, within a simple model assumption, the in-medium effective kaon-nucleon cross sections. The effective cross sections extracted from the electroproduction data are found to be smaller than the free cross sections determined from kaon-nucleon scattering experiments, and the parameter $\alpha$ was found to be significantly larger than those obtained from kaon-nucleus scattering. We have included similar comparisons between pion- and proton-nucleon effective cross sections as determined from electron scattering experiments, and pion-nucleus and proton-nucleus scattering data.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Measurement of Total and Differential Cross Sections of Neutrino and Antineutrino Coherent π±\pi^\pm Production on Carbon

Neutrino induced coherent charged pion production on nuclei, $\overline{\nu}_\mu A\to\mu^\pm\pi^\mp A$, is a rare inelastic interaction in which the four-momentum squared transfered to the nucleus is nearly zero, leaving it intact. We identify such events in the scintillator of MINERvA by reconstructing |t| from the final state pion and muon momenta and by removing events with evidence of energetic nuclear recoil or production of other final state particles. We measure the total neutrino and antineutrino cross sections as a function of neutrino energy between 2 and 20 GeV and measure flux integrated differential cross sections as a function of $Q^2$, $E_\pi$ and $\theta_\pi$. The $Q^2$ dependence and equality of the neutrino and anti-neutrino cross-sections at finite $Q^2$ provide a confirmation of Adler's PCAC hypothesis