Workplace Organization and Innovation

This study uses data on Canadian establishments to test whether particular organizational structures are correlated with the likelihood of adopting process and product innovations, controlling for the endogeneity of the predictors. We find that establishments with decentralized decision-making, information-sharing programs, or incentive pay plans are significantly more likely to innovate than other establishments. Larger establishments and those with a high vacancy rate are also more likely to innovate. These findings are consistent with a model in which workers hold information about production inefficiencies or consumer demands that can lead to productive innovations and that workplace organization attributes facilitate the communication and implementation of those ideas.Innovation, Decision-Making, Information-Sharing

X-ray and Near-IR Variability of the Anomalous X-ray Pulsar 1E 1048.1-5937: From Quiescence Back to Activity

(Abridged) We report on new and archival X-ray and near-infrared observations of the anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 1048.1-5937 performed between 2001-2007 with RXTE, CXO, Swift, HST, and VLT. During its ~2001-2004 active period, 1E 1048.-5937 exhibited two large, long-term X-ray pulsed-flux flares as well as short bursts, and large (>10x) torque changes. Monitoring with RXTE revealed that the source entered a phase of timing stability in 2004; at the same time, a series of four simultaneous observations with CXO and HST in 2006 showed that its X-ray flux and spectrum and near-IR flux, all variable prior to 2005, stabilized. The near-IR flux, when detected by HST (H~22.7 mag) and VLT (K_S~21.0 mag), was considerably fainter than previously measured. Recently, in 2007 March, this newfound quiescence was interrupted by a sudden flux enhancement, X-ray spectral changes and a pulse morphology change, simultaneous with a large spin-up glitch and near-IR enhancement. Our RXTE observations revealed a sudden pulsed flux increase by a factor of ~3 in the 2-10 keV band. In observations with CXO and Swift, we found that the total X-ray flux increased much more than the pulsed flux, reaching a peak value of >7 times the quiescent value (2-10 keV). With these recent data, we find a strong anti-correlation between X-ray flux and pulsed fraction, and a correlation between X-ray spectral hardness and flux. Simultaneously with the radiative and timing changes, we observed a significant X-ray pulse morphology change such that the profile went from nearly sinusoidal to having multiple peaks. We compare these remarkable events with other AXP outbursts and discuss implications in the context of the magnetar model and other models of AXP emission.Comment: 13 pages (6 figures) in emulateapj style. Accepted for publication in ApJ. New version includes referee's corrections; split Figure 1 into 2 figures; modified Figs. 4b and 6b; rearranged and renumbered of some figures and sections; added an X-ray dataset; improved analysis of pulse morphology and pulsed fraction; added paragraph to sec. 3.2.

Process knowledge for improving quality in sand casting foundries : a literature review

Abstract: Foundry operation has many interlinked and complex processes that require skill and caution to ensure good quality of castings. The complex production processes and variables in the foundry industry also imposes quality limitation for final castings. Due to this, defect reduction still remains the main objective in sand casting foundries. In this regard, process knowledge is important in foundries to increase productivity by reducing sand casting defects. Process knowledge is defined as the identification of process variables. This includes the gathering approach, conceptualisation system and analysis to determine the varying process variables that are associated with product characterisation for final products. The paper presents a literature review on process knowledge in manufacturing focusing in sand casting method. It then explores possible application of this methodology specifically to the metal casting industry with the main aim of making it more competitive

Marine Mammals in Sarawak

They are not migratory. They are residents. They are here in Sarawak and they live here. Who are they, you may wonder? Well they are dolphins, whales and porpoises! Yes, we have these charismatic marine megafaunas in our waters and they live here year-round. According to the most updated count of cetacean species, there are 21 species in Sarawak. These include the large whales such as the Bryde’s and Humpback whales, to the smaller Irrawaddy Dolphins and Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoises (referred to from now on as the finless porpoise) (Ponnampalam, 2012). This article will focus on the species more commonly occurring in the coastal waters; where water enthusiasts, such as anglers and local fishermen, as well as the public might catch a glimpse of

Madam Pasey’s Farewell at IBEC

On 28 February 2020, a farewell luncheon was organized for Madam Pasey Lisus, IBEC’s Office Secretary. It was attended by the Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Azlan Jayasilan, all IBEC Research Fellows, and postgraduate students. Madam Pasey had been working in UNIMAS since 2001, and was in IBEC from February 2015. Prior to that, she was at the Centre for Applied Learning and Multimedia (CALM)

COASTAL AND MARINE BIODIVERSITY EXPERT GROUP CONSULTATION WORKSHOP

In collaboration with WWF-Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM), the Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences (MSMS) organized an expert group consultation workshop from 3rd to 5th of March 2020 at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. The experts consisted of 28 lecturers and postgraduate students from various public and private universities as well as staff of WWF-Malaysia. Ms Cindy Peter (IBEC) and Dr Aazani Mujahid (FRST) were the invited representatives from UNIMAS as marine mammals and oceanography researchers

Cash & Compassion: The Somali Diaspora's Role in Relief, Development & Peacebuilding

This research report, commissioned by UNDP Somalia, is based on work done in six diaspora hubs (Dubai, London, Minneapolis, Nairobi, Oslo, and Toronto) as well as in Somaliland, Puntland and South/Central Somalia. It examines the involvement of Somalis in the diaspora in dynamics in their country of origin, including collective and social remittances. Volume 1 contains the full report. Volume 2 contains the research guides, terms of reference and other annexes