A comparison of theory and practice in market intelligence gathering for Australian micro-businesses and SMEs

Recent government sponsored research has demonstrated that there is a gap between the theory and practice of market intelligence gathering within the Australian micro, small and medium businesses (SMEs). Typically, there is a significant amount of information in literature about 'what needs to be done', however, there is little insight in terms of how market intelligence gathering should occur. This paper provides a novel insight and a comparison between the theory and practices of market intelligence gathering of micro-business and SMEs in Australia and demonstrates an anomoly in so far as typically the literature does not match what actually occurs in practice. A model for market intelligence gathering for micro-businesses and SMEs is also discussed

A comparison of theory and practice in market intelligence gathering for Australian micro-businesses and SMEs

Recent government sponsored research has demonstrated that there is a gap between the theory and practice of market intelligence gathering within the Australian micro, small and medium businesses (SMEs). Typically, there is a significant amount of information in literature about 'what needs to be done', however, there is little insight in terms of how market intelligence gathering should occur. This paper provides a novel insight and a comparison between the theory and practices of market intelligence gathering of micro-business and SMEs in Australia and demonstrates an anomoly in so far as typically the literature does not match what actually occurs in practice. A model for market intelligence gathering for micro-businesses and SMEs is also discussed

A numerical analysis of machining induced residual stresses of Grade 5 Titanium Alloy

In general most manufacturing techniques alter the surface integrity of the final component. Surface integrity refers to the surface properties and their influence on the functional performance of manufactured components1. Machining induced residual stress is a surface integrity descriptor that may have a significant influence on the mechanical behavior of metallic parts subjected to dynamic loads2. Most manufacturing processes introduce some form of residual stress to the material. Cutting or more specifically machining involves large plastic deformation and elevated temperatures that may induce significant residual stresses in the surface and near surface region. When turning steel these stresses are largely tensile in nature and extend to a depth of approximately 200 μm1

Mehrsprachigkeit in der gewerblich‐industriellen Berufsbildung: Fallstudie aus der Ostschweiz und dem Fürstentum Liechtenstein

This is the final version. Available from the University of Exeter via the URL in this record. Durch die Globalisierung begegnen sich am Arbeits‐ platz immer häufiger Menschen mit vielfältigen Sprachkompetenzen und Sprachbiografien. Um zu gewährleisten, dass unsere zukünftigen Fachkräfte in solchen mehrsprachigen Arbeitssituationen effizient arbeiten können, ist es erforderlich, dass Lernende in der beruflichen Grundbildung auf diese Anforderungen gezielt vorbereitet werden. Da aber über die Rolle der Mehrsprachigkeit in gewerblich‐industriellen Be‐ rufen und den entsprechenden Berufsausbildungen sehr wenig bekannt ist, haben wir dieses Thema im Rahmen eines internationalen Kooperationsprojek‐ tes aufgegriffen. Der vorliegende Bericht gewährt einen Einblick in die Rolle der Mehrsprachigkeit in elf Berufen der ge‐ werblich‐industriellen Berufsbildung*. Die darin vor‐ gestellte Fallstudie zeigt auf, dass einerseits die sprachlichen Bedürfnisse in der beruflichen Grund‐ bildung sehr komplex sind und dass andererseits der Mehrsprachigkeitsbildung in der gewerblich‐indust‐ riellen Berufsbildung durchaus mehr Gewicht beige‐ messen werden könnte. Aufgrund unserer Erkennt‐ nisse plädieren wir für eine umfassendere Mehrspra‐ chigkeitsbildung in der gewerblich‐industriellen Be‐ rufsbildung und bieten dazu praxisnahe Empfehlun‐ gen an.Movetia - Austausch und MobilitätUniversity of Exeterbzb

Multilingualism in technical vocational education and training (VET): A case study from eastern Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein

This is the final version. Available from the University of Exeter via the URL in this record. As a result of globalisation, people with varied language skills and language biographies are increasingly brought together in the workplace. To ensure that our future skilled workforce can operate effectively in such multilingual situations, it is important that vocational education and training (VET) programmes prepare all apprentices for the demands of such workplaces. However, as very little is known about the role of multilingualism in technical occupations and respective VET programmes, we have chosen to address this topic as part of an international collaboration project funded by Movetia. This report provides an insight into the role of multilingualism in VET programmes related to eleven occupations*. The case study presented in this report suggests, on the one hand, that language needs in VET programmes are very complex and, on the other hand, that greater emphasis should be placed on multilingual education in VET programmes in the technical sector. Based on our findings, we argue for a more comprehensive multilingual education within technical VET and offer practical recommendationsMovetia - Austausch und MobilitätUniversity of Exeterbzb

Data Recovery Excavations of the Carriage House, Greenhouse, and Greenhouse/Carriage House Well at Gore Place, Waltham, Massachusetts

Excavations and ground penetrating radar at Gore Place in Waltham, Massachusetts, examined the original 1793 carriage house site, the 1806 greenhouse, and the greenhouse/carriage house well, all associated with Christopher and Rebecca Gore. The carriage house was moved in 1968, and its cellar was filled at that time. Mechanical removal of the fill in a portion of the carriage house cellar revealed that the lower portion of at least the rear (north) foundation wall is well preserved along with the cellar floor. Documentary evidence indicated that the carriage house cellar had been used for manure (compost) preparation, while the first floor was used to house horses and to store gardening tools and firewood. Four excavation units set into the cellar floor revealed no evidence of its former use for manure production (such as organic staining) indicating that it had been thoroughly cleaned. The artifacts present in the floor units represent a considerable time period from that of the Gores through to the early 20th century. The majority of objects date to the Gore period, and the wide variety may reflect the incorporation of refuse into manure production. Investigations north of the structure showed that some of the soil in the parking lot constituting the western portion of Gore’s vegetable garden was removed and replaced with a uniform mixture of sand and gravel, probably at the time the carriage house was moved. While the gravel is at least 2 m deep close to the carriage house foundation, its depth lessens with distance northward, since shovel testing in 2004 showed intact dark brown loamy soil beginning at a depth of 35 to 50 cm below driveway gravel and sand bedding at 20 and 40 m north of the carriage house foundation. Early 19th-century maps indicated that the greenhouse was roughly 60 feet (18 m) long and 15 to 21 feet (up to 6.5 m) wide with a small extension on the west end. Fifty-two square meters were excavated at the west end, uncovering the trapezoidal brick fl oor of the extension and an associated stone drain, ground surfaces contemporary with the greenhouse, post holes for a fence that separated the greenhouse area from the carriage house, layers relating to the greenhouse’s destruction (early 1840s), and later landscaping features including a stone wall and two drains. Documentary, archaeological, and geophysical data suggest that the greenhouse was a formal space intended to grow and display exotic plants and that it was built in the relatively new lean-to style, with a tall back wall and short front wall. The artifact assemblage included architectural elements, tools and small finds related to the greenhouse operation (including the remains of at least 149 planting pots), and bone stockpiled for soil enrichment. The greenhouse was constructed by the Gores during a period of intense interest in agricultural experimentation by members of the Massachusetts commercial and political elite. Scholars have argued that these men used the positive associations of agriculture to offset some of the contemporary negative connotations of commerce. This report examines the greenhouse both as a space for the display of exotic plants in the context of this scientifi c agricultural movement and posits that Rebecca Gore may have played a signifi cant role in managing it

The context of chemical communication driving a mutualism

Recent work suggests that Drosophila and Saccharomyces yeasts may establish a mutualistic association, and that this is driven by chemical communication. While individual volatiles have been implicated in the attraction of D. melanogaster, the semiochemicals affecting the behavior of the sibling species D. simulans are less well characterised. Here, we comprehensively scrutinize a broad range of volatiles produced by attractive and repulsive yeasts to experimentally evaluate the chemical nature of communication between these species. When grown in liquid or on agar-solidified grape juice, attraction to S. cerevisiae was primarily driven by 3-methylbutyl acetate (isoamyl acetate) and repulsion by acetic acid, a known attractant to D. melanogaster (also known as vinegar fly). Using T-maze choice tests and synthetic compounds we show that these responses were strongly influenced by compound concentration. Moreover, the behavioral response is further impacted by the chemical context of the environment. Thus, chemical communication between yeasts and flies is complex, and is not simply driven by the presence of single volatiles, but modulated by compound interactions. The ecological context of chemical communication needs to be taken into consideration when testing for ecologically realistic responses

Quantifying variation in the ability of yeasts to attract Drosophila melanogaster

Yeasts that invade and colonise fruit significantly enhance the volatile chemical diversity of this ecosystem. These modified bouquets are thought to be more attractive to Drosophila flies than the fruit alone, but the variance of attraction in natural yeast populations is uncharacterised. Here we investigate how a range of yeast isolates affect the attraction of female D. melanogaster to fruit in a simple two choice assay comparing yeast to sterile fruit. Of the 43 yeast isolates examined, 33 were attractive and seven repellent to the flies. The results of isolate-versus-isolate comparisons provided the same relative rankings. Attractiveness varied significantly by yeast, with the strongly fermenting Saccharomyces species generally being more attractive than the mostly respiring non-Saccharomyces species (P = 0.0035). Overall the habitat (fruit or other) from which the isolates were directly sampled did not explain attraction (P = 0.2352). However, yeasts isolated from fruit associated niches were more attractive than those from non-fruit associated niches (P = 0.0188) regardless of taxonomic positioning. These data suggest that while attractiveness is primarily correlated with phylogenetic status, the ability to attract Drosophila is a labile trait among yeasts that is potentially associated with those inhabiting fruit ecosystems. Preliminary analysis of the volatiles emitted by four yeast isolates in grape juice show the presence/absence of ethanol and acetic acid were not likely explanations for the observed variation in attraction. These data demonstrate variation among yeasts for their ability to attract Drosophila in a pattern that is consistent with the hypothesis that certain yeasts are manipulating fruit odours to mediate interactions with their Drosophila dispersal agent. © 2013 Palanca et al