Bliss

How significant is the involvement of contemporary designers to the survival and sustainability of traditional craft forms? In a society over-run by modern design, traditional art forms are relegated to mere souvenirs and utilitarian objects. This project was initiated in an attempt to explore the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between designers and artisans. Pedagogically relevant, this exploration will encourage research; learning material culture and heritage as well as encourage the use of alternative materials and traditional techniques for contemporary design

Risk management practices among SMEs in Nigeria : contribution to business success

Empirical research on how SMEs manage risk in practice is very scant. However, given the strategic contribution of SMEs to economic development and their susceptibility to risks, a more active risk management (RM) practice is increasingly seen as critical to their success and survival. Hence, this study explored how SMEs in Nigeria perceive and practice risk management and the extent to which SME owners and managers attribute their business success to RM practices. The research adopted an exploratory, qualitative multiple-case study method, using 11 Lagos SMEs as case studies. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews with 23 owners and managers across the SMEs. These SMEs were purposively selected from five sectors, namely: Education, Manufacturing, Wholesale/Retail Trade, Human Health and Social Work, Accommodation and Food Services sectors, and have been operating successfully between seven and 29 years. The interviews were augmented by document analysis. Data collected were analysed through thematic and cross-case synthesis to identify themes and patterns that emerged across all the SMEs. Findings suggest that the SMEs are aware of the risk facing their business and recognise the importance of actively engaging in RM. The research established that the SMEs carry out RM activities without necessarily acknowledging them as such or utilising complex RM tools and techniques. Strategies commonly used by the SMEs in mitigating risks were identified as Monitoring and Supervision, Awareness Creation, Planning, Stakeholder Management, Supplier Management, Partnership and Collaboration, Insurance, Networking, Enforcement and Agreement. Most of the SMEs attributed their existence, growth and expansion, waste/loss reduction and ease of access to bank loans to their RM activities. The research also identified the motivating factors for the SMEs to enhance their current RM procedures. The research contributed to existing theory and knowledge on RM in SMEs from Nigeria's perspective, with a focus on Lagos State. Another contribution is in the suggested approaches through which the SMEs can improve awareness, understanding and attitude to risk among all their managers and employees. Further, contributions were made in the recommendations to policymakers and financial institutions on how to support SME growth and development through RM considerations

The Impact of Government Intervention on Innovation in SMEs within the UK

Since 1980s’ the United Kingdom small business population has increased significantly. Small businesses have acquired a key role in UK economic policies paralleled by development in support structures to promote them. Despite broad rhetorical claims that government policies and support have not helped in developing strong enterprise culture and promotion of the UK economic prosperity, outcomes of various researches, including this management project have proved otherwise. This paper examines the impact of government policies and intervention on innovation in SMEs within the UK and draws out some key findings and recommendations for their future in the UK. It concludes that government policies and intervention to SMEs over the years has yielded some positivity, however, more can still be done in areas such as research and development, advisory services and also, eradication of red-tapes and bureaucracies to enable the innovativeness in SMEs to come to fore

Protection Effect of Admixed Melaleuca alternifolia and Citrus paradisi Macf. Oil Extracts on High Carbon and 3310 Low Grade Alloy Steels in HCl Solution

Protection performance of admixed Melaleuca alternifolia and Citrus paradisi Macf. oil extracts (MACP) on high carbon steel (HCS) and 3310 low-grade alloy steel (AS33) were studied in 0.5 M HCl solution. Potentiodynamic polarization technique, weight loss analysis, open circuit potential measurement, optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and ATR–FTIR spectroscopy were employed to assess their effectiveness. Results from weight loss analysis and potentiodynamic polarization showed MACP performed very poorly at low concentrations (0.5% and 1% MACP concentration for HCS, and 0.5–2% MACP concentration for AS33). However, at higher concentrations, effective protection of the alloys was obtained with peak performance values of 92.45% and 86.32% for HCS, and 73.25% and 78.01% for AS33 from weight loss and polarization techniques. The protection performance of MACP increased with an increase in its concentration with cathodic-type inhibition effect on HCS and mixed-type on AS33. MACP induced passivation characteristics on the anodic portion of the polarization plot compared to the extended cathodic slope. X-ray diffractometry revealed the presence of Fe2O3 as the dominant phase compound on HCS and AS33 after corrosion in HCl. FeS2, Fe(ZnS2), SiO2, and ZnCO3 were the dominant compounds on HCS and AS33 after corrosion in the presence of MACP indicating the formation of complex pseudo-corrosion-resistant precipitates on both alloys. ATR–FTIR spectroscopy identified the active groups (alkyl halides, aromatics, primary, secondary amines, aliphatic amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids, nitro compounds, etc.) and bonds responsible for corrosion inhibition of the alloys. Optical images of the corroded HCS indicate severe general corrosion compared to localized corrosion on the AS33 surface. These images significantly differed from MACP inhibited HCS and AS33 surfaces where corrosion oxidation was suppressed

The Impact of Government Intervention on Innovation in SMEs within the UK

Since 1980s’ the United Kingdom small business population has increased significantly. Small businesses have acquired a key role in UK economic policies paralleled by development in support structures to promote them. Despite broad rhetorical claims that government policies and support have not helped in developing strong enterprise culture and promotion of the UK economic prosperity, outcomes of various researches, including this management project have proved otherwise. This paper examines the impact of government policies and intervention on innovation in SMEs within the UK and draws out some key findings and recommendations for their future in the UK. It concludes that government policies and intervention to SMEs over the years has yielded some positivity, however, more can still be done in areas such as research and development, advisory services and also, eradication of red-tapes and bureaucracies to enable the innovativeness in SMEs to come to fore

Comprehensive simulation and experimental characterization of various configurations of a ground-level integrated diverse energy storage (GLIDES) system

Increasing the penetration of renewable electricity while ensuring grid stability requires low-cost, high roundtrip efficiency energy storage solutions. GLIDES (Ground-Level Integrated Diverse Energy Storage) is a novel mechanical electricity storage concept which hybridizes the existing compressed-air (CAES) and pumped-storage (PSH) approaches to energy storage. Energy is stored by pumping a liquid into pressure vessels which are pre-pressurized with a gas, until the gas pressure reaches the maximum system operating pressure. Energy is then extracted by allowing the high-pressure gas to expand, pushing the high-head liquid through a hydraulic turbine coupled to an electrical generator dispatching electricity. In addition to electrical energy input via the hydraulic pump, the system can also be hybridized to receive heat as an input. Low/medium temperature heat can be utilized to further boost the gas pressure, increasing roundtrip efficiency (RTE) and energy density (ED). GLIDES is scaleable, relatively low cost and de-couples the energy capacity from the power capacity. Analyses predict GLIDES roundtrip efficiencies in the 65-85% range. End-to-end analytical, transient, physics-based system models of various configurations of GLIDES have been developed and theoretical performance analyses completed. A first-generation 1.5 kWh prototype has been designed and built, and experimental characterizations and model calibration/validation completed. A second-generation, 1 kWh prototype which is mobile/portable and integrates spray cooling/warming to manage the heat of compression and cold of expansion as well as waste-heat integration has also been designed, built, and characterized. In addition to the above, the use of volatile fluids as an alternative working fluid to air is explored as a means of improving system RTE and ED. Some consideration is given to the choice and design of the energy recovery hydraulic machine. Finally, cost-analysis of the scale-up prospects of GLIDES is conducted.Ph.D

Bliss

How significant is the involvement of contemporary designers to the survival and sustainability of traditional craft forms? In a society over-run by modern design, traditional art forms are relegated to mere souvenirs and utilitarian objects. This project was initiated in an attempt to explore the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between designers and artisans. Pedagogically relevant, this exploration will encourage research; learning material culture and heritage as well as encourage the use of alternative materials and traditional techniques for contemporary design.</p