Why are some firms more internationally committed thand others? The role of knowledge, firm development stage, and optimism

In this study we use a unique data set to examine factors related to international commitment of owner-managed firms. We draw on different streams of research�such as the knowledge-based view, the stage theory of internationalization and the new venture theory of internationalization to study firms involvement in foreign markets. Our results suggest that knowledge-based resources embedded in the management team and the firms attitude towards innovation increase international commitment. Further, consistent with the stage theory of internationalization, we find that firms demonstrate a pattern of steadily increasing foreign commitment. However, this latter finding was obtained only after taking into account the firms optimism in terms of future growth. Optimism among start-ups therefore may obscure the relationship between firm development stage on the one hand and international commitment on the other.

Temperature dependent persistent luminescence : evaluating the optimum working temperature

Development of persistent luminescent materials has drawn continuous attention in recent years in view of their potential applications in the fields of security night-vision signage, in vivo bio-imaging and optical data storage. Currently, the normative evaluation of a new persistent luminescent material is focused on the light emission spectrum, the afterglow decay curve and the total duration time of the persistent luminescence. In this paper, we investigate the temperature dependent persistent luminescence in some well-known persistent phosphors and relate this to their thermoluminescence properties. The concept of the optimum working temperature is proposed as a new means for evaluating persistent phosphors. It is shown that there is a clear relation between the efficient temperature range of the afterglow output and the thermoluminescence glow curve. The experimental work is supported by simulations of thermoluminescence and afterglow characteristics. The concept of the optimum working temperature for persistent phosphors can be used as an evaluative criterion for applications in various working environments

Enhancing performance during inclined loaded walking with a powered ankle-foot exoskeleton

A simple ankle-foot exoskeleton that assists plantarflexion during push-off can reduce the metabolic power during walking. This suggests that walking performance during a maximal incremental exercise could be improved with an exoskeleton if the exoskeleton is still efficient during maximal exercise intensities. Therefore, we quantified the walking performance during a maximal incremental exercise test with a powered and unpowered exoskeleton: uphill walking with progressively higher weights. Nine female subjects performed two incremental exercise tests with an exoskeleton: 1 day with (powered condition) and another day without (unpowered condition) plantarflexion assistance. Subjects walked on an inclined treadmill (15 %) at 5 km h(-1) and 5 % of body weight was added every 3 min until exhaustion. At volitional termination no significant differences were found between the powered and unpowered condition for blood lactate concentration (respectively, 7.93 +/- A 2.49; 8.14 +/- A 2.24 mmol L-1), heart rate (respectively, 190.00 +/- A 6.50; 191.78 +/- A 6.50 bpm), Borg score (respectively, 18.57 +/- A 0.79; 18.93 +/- A 0.73) and peak (respectively, 40.55 +/- A 2.78; 40.55 +/- A 3.05 ml min(-1) kg(-1)). Thus, subjects were able to reach the same (near) maximal effort in both conditions. However, subjects continued the exercise test longer in the powered condition and carried 7.07 +/- A 3.34 kg more weight because of the assistance of the exoskeleton. Our results show that plantarflexion assistance during push-off can increase walking performance during a maximal exercise test as subjects were able to carry more weight. This emphasizes the importance of acting on the ankle joint in assistive devices and the potential of simple ankle-foot exoskeletons for reducing metabolic power and increasing weight carrying capability, even during maximal intensities

LaAlO3:Mn4+ as near-infrared emitting persistent luminescence phosphor for medical imaging : a charge compensation study

Mn4+-activated phosphors are emerging as a novel class of deep red/near-infrared emitting persistent luminescence materials for medical imaging as a promising alternative to Cr3+-doped nanomaterials. Currently, it remains a challenge to improve the afterglow and photoluminescence properties of these phosphors through a traditional high-temperature solid-state reaction method in air. Herein we propose a charge compensation strategy for enhancing the photoluminescence and afterglow performance of Mn4+-activated LaAlO3 phosphors. LaAlO3:Mn4+ (LAO:Mn4+) was synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction in air. The charge compensation strategies for LaAlO3:Mn4+ phosphors were systematically discussed. Interestingly, Cl-/Na+/Ca2+/Sr2+/Ba2+/Ge4+ co-dopants were all found to be beneficial for enhancing LaAlO3:Mn4+ luminescence and afterglow intensity. This strategy shows great promise and opens up new avenues for the exploration of more promising near-infrared emitting long persistent phosphors for medical imaging

New Ventures' Export Orientation: Outcome and Source of Knowledge Spillovers

In this paper we draw on knowledge spillover literature to suggest that a country’s proportion of exportoriented new ventures, compared to its total number of new ventures, represents an outcome of knowledge spillovers (export spillovers) that stem from foreign direct investment (FDI) and international trade, as well as a source of knowledge spillovers (entrepreneurship spillovers) that positively influence the country’s total level of entrepreneurial activity. We distinguish between higher-income and lower-income countries, because the latter are less integrated into the world economy. To test the hypotheses, we use macro-level data from 34 countries during the period 2002–2005. After controlling for relevant factors such as size of the domestic market and industry structure, we find that the relationship between FDI and international trade on the one hand and a country’s proportion of export-oriented new ventures on the other differs for higherand lower-income countries. In addition, a country’s proportion of export-oriented new ventures affects the subsequent emergence of new businesses. These findings have important implications for research and practice. This is an update of paper H200619.

Informational injustice with respect to change and negative workplace emotions : the mitigating roles of structural and relational organizational features

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the hitherto unexplored relationship between employees’ perceptions of informational injustice with respect to change and their negative workplace emotions, as well as how this relationship might be mitigated by structural and relational features of the organizational context. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on quantitative data collected through the 2011 Workplace Employment Relations Survey. The hypotheses are tested with ordered probit analysis using random effects. Findings – The findings show that informational injustice enhances the development of negative workplace emotions, yet this effect is attenuated at higher levels of job influence, reward interdependence, trust, and organizational commitment. Research limitations/implications – The findings contribute by identifying several contingencies that attenuate the harmful effect of informational injustice with respect to change on negative workplace emotions. The limitations of the study include the lack of data on change-specific outcomes and the reliance on the same respondents to assess the focal variables. Practical implications – The study suggests that organizations facing the challenge of sharing complete information about internal changes can counter the employee stress that comes with limited information provision by creating appropriate internal environments. Originality/value – The study adds to research on organizational change by providing a better understanding of an unexplored driver of negative workplace emotions (i.e. informational injustice with respect to change) and explicating when such informational injustice is more or less likely to enhance these emotions

Knowledge spillovers and entrepreneurs' export orientation

In this paper we draw upon the economics literature, and the literature on knowledge spillovers in particular, to examine to what extent a country's level of foreign direct investment (both inward and outward) and international trade (export and import) influence the export orientation of its entrepreneurs. We also examine the relationship between entrepreneurs export orientation and a country's overall level of entrepreneurial activity. We test our hypotheses using macro-level data on 34 countries over a four year time period (2002-2005). We find that a country's outward foreign direct investment as well as its export and import positively influence entrepreneurs export orientation. We also find that the extent to which a country's entrepreneurs engage in export-oriented activities affects the subsequent emergence of new businesses within the country's borders. We discuss our findings, and point to the study's implications, limitations and future research possibilities.