Effectual Approach Research Articles

Enhancing electrochemical performance of graphene oxide/polyaniline composite through plasma-assisted chemical cross-linking and surface modification

The composite of graphene oxide (GO) and polyaniline (PANI) is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. A high loading of PANI can provide large specific capacitance, but it is a pervasive challenge to reconcile long-term cycling stability and high-rate discharge. Herein, we focus on a GO/PANI composite with low PANI content (∼25 wt%), developing a stable network of GO with an even distribution of PANI. Moreover, significantly enhanced electrochemical performance is achieved by utilizing plasma technology. The specific capacitance increases by 99 % to 433 F g−1 at 1.5 A g−1 after Argon (Ar) plasma treatment. Even at 15 A g−1, a capacitance retention rate of 91 % is obtained. After 15,000 cycles, the capacitance retention rate is 93 %, surpassing most previously reported GO/PANI composite electrodes. The further assembled all-solid-state supercapacitors can deliver a high energy density of 13.6 Wh kg−1 and exceptional cycling stability. According to results of characterization, it is demonstrated that Ar plasma imparts GO/PANI better surface morphology and achieves etching, reduction of GO, and cross-linking of GO and PANI, thereby activating the electrochemical activities of GO and PANI while ensuring stability. In this regard, the synergistic effects of cross-linking, reduction, and etching, and the mechanism are theoretically illustrated by dynamic differential equations. This work presents plasma processing unique charm for designing graphene-based materials via a customized strategy, exploiting an effectual approach to drive the applications of graphene-based materials in energy storage.

Comparing decision-making strategies in accounting franchises and independent brands: a causation and effectuation approach

Comparing decision-making strategies in accounting franchises and independent brands: a causation and effectuation approach

Social enterprise performance: A Systematic Review

The surge in the growth of social entrepreneurship scholarship and its evolution concerning social enterprise management and performance results in the extant literature demands a comprehensive study from a holistic viewpoint. In order to close this gap, the current study undertakes a thorough review of empirical research. The results revealed the following: (1) Performance assessment of social enterprises should blend both financial and social performance to reflect their “total wealth”. (2) Behavioural factors of social entrepreneurs have a positive impact on social enterprise performance, in which entrepreneurial orientation and social orientation are the most prevalent characteristics. (3) To manifest the performance and efficacy of social enterprises, it is crucial to apply a combination of bricolage, effectuation, and causality logic. Bricolage guarantees community commitment and social innovation; the effectuation approach is to overcome resource constraints, and causation is important for a successful organisation. (4) A country's institutions, such as government laws, value systems, and shared social knowledge, exercise their significant effect through the social entrepreneurship journey. This review is expected to deepen understanding of the effects of entrepreneur’s behaviours, processes, and external institutions on the performance of social enterprises; and set the stage for interested scholars to undertake in their future inquiries.

An effectuation approach to sustainable entrepreneurship

Purpose This paper aims to explain the occurrence of sustainable entrepreneurship in the underresearched sub-Saharan Africa context and to improve the understanding of how effectuation manifests in this context. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a qualitative research approach based on multiple case studies. Responses were sourced from owners, employees, suppliers, the community and customers of sustainable entrepreneurial firms. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews, document reviews and observations. The Gioia analytical approach was used. Findings Overall, the authors find the concept of effectuation to be well-suited to capturing the processes through which individuals with limited means seek to engage in sustainable entrepreneurship. The authors also identify three pervasive practices that are key to understanding effectuation in the developing country context: complementation of indigenous knowledge with modern science, compassion and pluriactivity. Practical implications This study underscores the importance of co-creation, diversification of revenue sources and the role of emotional awareness and interpersonal skills in entrepreneurial endeavors. Originality/value This study, therefore, contributes new knowledge about the mechanisms through which entrepreneurs faced with resource constraints use control as opposed to prediction strategies to exploit sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities. In so doing, this study contributes to entrepreneurship theory by proposing the integration of cognitive and affective dimensions in realizing sustainable entrepreneurship goals.

Integrated optimal control of distributed in-wheel motor drive electric vehicle in consideration of the stability and economy

From the perspective of handling stability and economy, this paper brings forward an integrated optimal control scheme of distributed in-wheel motor drive electric vehicles (IWMDEV). A linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller is presented according to nominal model and ideal motions firstly. To tackle the uncertain parameters and random disturbance, a novel robust optimal (RO) control strategy is further proposed to design the top level controller by employing the combination of optimal control and high order sliding mode control. By virtue of the integral and terminal sliding mode surface, the resulting robust optimal control method can not only achieve better performance, but also converge in finite time without chattering phenomenon. As for the bottom level controller, an optimal algorithm is developed to determine the weights for each term in objective function of torque allocation dynamically and coordinate the relationship between driving safety and energy-saving performance timely. Finally, joint simulations are carried out. In comparison with LQR control strategy, the results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme could ensure the robustness and effectiveness in the presence of parametric perturbation and external disturbance. Moreover, the torque allocation algorithm, which considers both handling stability and energy consumption, proves to be an effectual approach.

Find your limits and break them! Nurturing students’ entrepreneurship competence through innovative teaching methods and self-assessment

PurposeThis study aims at measuring the results of the use of an improved and innovative teaching method, specifically designed for supporting the development of students’ entrepreneurship competence, through students’ self-assessment before and after the teaching.Design/methodology/approachThe teaching methods design was based on the effectuation approach and considering the comprehensive entrepreneurship competence model as theoretical grounding. The teaching methods experimentation took place in three countries (Estonia, Italy and Poland), collecting pre–post self-assessment surveys from 404 students of entrepreneurship courses. The results of the experimental groups were compared, in each country, with those of control groups not exposed to the same teaching.FindingsStudents participating in classes using innovative teaching methods declared an increase in entrepreneurship competencies, with statistically significant differences, contrasting the results in the control group. The positive changes in self-assessment were observed for 13 of 14 subcompetencies investigated. The increase in the level of the self-assessment of entrepreneurship subcompetencies was significantly greater among bachelor’s degree students.Originality/valueThe strengths of the study include a diverse research sample and a uniform structure of teaching design applied in three different countries, while specific comparative studies on entrepreneurship education and its effect on learners are limited. Moreover, this study used a pre–post design and involved a control group, while most of the existing research on the effect of entrepreneurship teaching are based on different methods. Finally, while most studies measure the impact of entrepreneurship education by focusing on entrepreneurial intentions, this study focused on the development of students’ entrepreneurship competences.

Progress of magnetic resonance imaging radiomics in preoperative lymph node diagnosis of esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer, also referred to as esophagus cancer, is a prevalent disease in the cardiothoracic field and is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in China. Accurately determining the status of lymph nodes is crucial for developing treatment plans, defining the scope of intraoperative lymph node dissection, and ascertaining the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer. Recent advances in diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have improved the effectiveness of MRI for assessing lymph node involvement, making it a beneficial tool for guiding personalized treatment plans for patients with esophageal cancer in a clinical setting. Radiomics is a recently developed imaging technique that transforms radiological image data from regions of interest into high-dimensional feature data that can be analyzed. The features, such as shape, texture, and waveform, are associated with the cancer phenotype and tumor microenvironment. When these features correlate with the clinical disease outcomes, they form the basis for specific and reliable clinical evidence. This study aimed to review the potential clinical applications of MRI-based radiomics in studying the lymph nodes affected by esophageal cancer. The combination of MRI and radiomics is a powerful tool for diagnosing and treating esophageal cancer, enabling a more personalized and effectual approach.

Managing the User Crowds: An Effectual Approach of Business Model Innovation and Platform Envelopment for Co-Creation on a New Multi-Sided Platform Firm

The growth of Internet firms these days starts to catch the strategic management scholar attention. However, the study about how Internet platform achieves their performance with their unique business model is very limited. This research wants to fill this gap by platform envelopment attack typology to explain the strategic fit of business model innovation typology and envelopment attack typology. Finally, we proposed the same proposition as follows: Closed Proactive BMI Typology will lead to Complementary Envelopment Attacks Typology, Open Reactive BMI Typology will lead to Functional Unrelated envelopment attacks typology, and Open Proactive BMI Typology will lead to Weak Substitute envelopment attacks typology. Furthermore, economies of scope and user base overlap play a significant role in determining platform envelopment performance.

The Performance of Youth SMEs Companies in Malaysia during Post-Covid19: A Conceptual paper

In 2019, the contagious COVID-19 virus wreaked havoc on our planet. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, this virus is to blame for the global and Malaysian economies' sharp declines (OECD). Many SMEs were affected, and some of them had to shut down their operations. The previous models for sustaining the businesses seems irrelevant during the pandemic phase as well as post-pandemic period. Because of that issues, researchers conducting this study. With an effectuation approach and dynamic capacities, the goal of this research is to investigate the performance of Young SMEs during the Post-Pandemic. For this study, it is important to take into account social capital, technological capabilities, and knowledge development. After reviewing the specialized literature and confirming the relationship between the pertinent variables, the authors suggested a new model based in Malaysia in order to accomplish this goal. This study will look at Youth SME companies that were established prior to the pandemic and will analyze them quantitatively. The findings of this paper will assist youth SMEs in dealing with uncertainty in the future, such as Covid-19, and will serve as a reference for academicians in the future, as there are few studies that focus on youth entrepreneurs in Malaysia.

Understanding the Phoenix Phenomenon: Can a Project Be Both a Failure and a Success?

While the concept of project success remains largely open nowadays, we introduce here the Phoenix phenomenon, namely a project being both a success and a failure. Our analysis of an automotive vanguard project exhibits key characteristics of a Phoenix phenomenon: the very innovative and ambitious nature of the project; a project management approach that hybridizes causal innovative project development and effectual approaches; the strategic and operational capacity of the company to recover and valorize after the initial failure; and the learnings from and the achievements of the project in renewed scenarios. We conclude that project evaluation must now combine retrospective and prospective assessments methods to evaluate both achieved outcomes and potentialities of a project.

EWPCO-enabled Shepard convolutional neural network for classification of brain tumour using MRI image

ABSTRACT Numerous imaging techniques, like X-rays, Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, and ultrasound are utilized to predict brain tumours, but these imaging techniques experience difficulties in generating accurate results. To overcome such limitations, an effectual approach for the classification of brain cancer utilizing the proposed Exponentially Weighted Pelican Chimp Optimization-based Shepard Convolutional Neural Network (EWPCO-ShCNN) is introduced. At first, preprocessing is carried out employing a median filter, and Region of Interest (RoI) extraction and segmentation are performed utilizing a Pyramid Scene Parsing Network (PSP-Net), which is trained by Pelican Chimp Optimization (PCO) algorithm. After that, data augmentation and feature extraction are performed for more processing. Thereafter, the categorization is executed by ShCNN, which is instructed by the proposed Exponential Weighted Pelican Chimp Optimization (EWPCO) algorithm. Furthermore, the proposed EWPCO-ShCNN has attained better sensitivity of 95.90%, accuracy of 94.90% and specificity of 95.60% respectively.

Women microbusiness owners’ entrepreneurial marketing decision-making during a crisis

ABSTRACT Understanding effective marketing decision-making is key to driving business performance. However, knowledge of marketing decision-making by microbusiness owners is limited. Moreover, little is known about how microbusiness owners make marketing decisions under crisis conditions. This article explores entrepreneurial marketing decision-making by women microbusiness owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, through qualitative interviews with providers of children’s activities, who migrated their services online during lockdown. Findings shed light on their marketing decision-making by highlighting transitions between causation and effectuation approaches and identifying key resources leveraged in effectuation decision-making. We also observe how distinct principles of effectuation may be combined to make effective marketing decisions. In addition, we discern interactions within networks and membership of communities of practice as collective influences on women microbusiness owners’ entrepreneurial marketing decision-making.

Questions worth asking for futures worth making: an effectual approach

It is not unusual in the psychology and economics of entrepreneurship to focus on decision models based on predictive reasoning that explain outcomes such as venture creation (at the micro level), firm performance (meso level), or job creation (macro level). However, in this article, derived from the literature on entrepreneurial expertise, I argue for an embrace of uncertainty, where outcomes are not only unknown, but unknowable, hence undermining predictive criteria for actions and decisions. By focusing on principles and processes that do not entail predictive reasoning, effectuation offers both practical guidance for acting in the face of multiple uncertainties and novel research questions not yet examined through the lens of the entrepreneurial method. Specifically, I offer five possible new ventures for future research built on the five principles of effectuation. These pertain to new futures worth making, without prescribing or predicting what those would, could, or should be.

Efficacious Utilization of Food Waste for Bioenergy Generation through the Anaerobic Digestion Method

Energy fuels retrieved from biomass utilization are considered to be an economically and environmentally friendly source. In this day and age, bioenergy provides an alternative option to replace traditional fossil-based energy to accomplish energy demand with fewer greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. A huge amount of food waste is produced every year due to mass ethnographic activities. Their potential has been underused and this has led to waste ending up in the garbage. Bioenergy production by anaerobic digestion of cheap substrate provides an effectual approach to cope with this issue. The hydrolysis stage during anaerobic digestion is enhanced by various pretreatment methods, where the disintegration of the waste substrate leads to the enhancement of soluble organics and eases the production of bioenergy. The present review focuses on state-of-the-art knowledge about food waste, its utilization, and its valorization by the action of pretreatment, thereby enhancing anaerobic digestion. Additionally, this review further focuses on the major challenges during the pretreatment method and future recommendations.

Trilayered Gires-Tournois Resonator with Ultrasensitive Slow-Light Condition for Colorimetric Detection of Bioparticles.

Over the past few decades, advances in various nanophotonic structures to enhance light-matter interactions have opened numerous opportunities for biosensing applications. Beyond the successful development of label-free nanophotonic biosensors that utilize plasmon resonances in metals and Mie resonances in dielectrics, simpler structures are required to achieve improved sensor performance and multifunctionality, while enabling cost-effective fabrication. Here, we present a simple and effectual approach to colorimetric biosensing utilizing a trilayered Gires-Tournois (GT) resonator, which provides a sensitive slow-light effect in response to low refractive index (RI) substances and thus enables to distinguish low RI bioparticles from the background with spatially distinct color differences. For low RI sensitivity, by impedance matching based on the transmission line model, trilayer configuration enables the derivation of optimal designs to achieve the unity absorption condition in a low RI medium, which is difficult to obtain with the conventional GT configuration. Compared to conventional bilayered GT resonators, the trilayered GT resonator shows significant sensing performance with linear sensitivity in various situations with low RI substances. For extended applications, several proposed designs of trilayered GT resonators are presented in various material combinations by impedance matching using equivalent transmission line models. Further, comparing the color change of different substrates with low RI NPs using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, the proposed GT structure shows surpassing colorimetric detection.

Preparation, thermal storage properties and application of sodium acetate trihydrate/expanded graphite composite phase change materials.

The development of energy storage technology is beneficial for the efficient use of energy and sustainable development. As an effectual approach for storing and transporting thermal energy, latent heat storage using phase change materials (PCMs) has attracted tremendous attention. However, low thermal conductivity, poor stability, and leakages are considerable challenges to the widespread application of solid-liquid PCMs. Composite phase change materials (CPCMs) were prepared by combining expanded graphite (EG) and sodium acetate trihydrate (CH3COONa·3H2O, SAT). EG as a supporting material plays a crucial part in both enhancing the thermal conductivity and preventing the melted PCMs from leakage. The chemical structure, micromorphology, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, phase change behavior and heat storage performance of SAT/EG CPCMs have been extensively investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal conductivity analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and cycling stability measurement. The results of SEM indicate that EG with a loose and porous layered structure has a good molding effect and can adsorb SAT well. XRD and FTIR results show that only a simple physical combination between EG and SAT exists, and no new substances have been produced. Compared with pure SAT, thermal conductivity and supercooling tests show that the supercooling degree of the CPCMs was decreased and the thermal conductivity was increased by 205.1%. In addition, the addition of 2 wt% of disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate (Na2HPO4·12H2O, DHPD) as a nucleating agent and 0.5 wt% of gelatin as a thickening agent to SAT could reduce the supercooling degree and inhibit the phase separation well. Based on SAT/EG-8% CPCMs, an oven with phase change energy storage was designed and the heat storage/release performance of the oven was investigated under different operating conditions.

Cell-Based Therapy Approaches in Treatment of Non-obstructive Azoospermia.

The rate of infertility has globally increased in recent years for a variety of reasons. One of the main causes of infertility in men is azoospermia that is defined by the absence of sperm in the ejaculate and classified into two categories: obstructive azoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia. In non-obstructive azoospermia, genital ducts are not obstructed, but the testicles do not produce sperm at all, due to various reasons. Non-obstructive azoospermia in most cases has no therapeutic options other than assisted reproductive techniques, which in most cases require sperm donors. Here we discuss cell-based therapy approaches to restore fertility in men with non-obstructive azoospermia including cell-based therapies of non-obstructive azoospermia using regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies of non-obstructive azoospermia by paracrine and anti-inflammatory pathway, technical and ethical challenges for using different cell sources and alternative options will be described, and then the more effectual approaches will be mentioned as future trends.

An effectual approach to executing dynamic capabilities under unexpected uncertainty

This study investigates how business-to-business (B2B) firms navigate contexts of unexpected uncertainty. Building on the theories of effectuation and dynamic capabilities, the study develops a model that highlights how effectual decision-making logic is manifested in the activities B2B firms employ to sense and seize new opportunities and threats and transform existing business operations. The qualitative data were collected in two phases (before and after the COVID-19 outbreak) and consisted of 24 interviews with 13 B2B firms. The findings demonstrate a strong reliance on managers' effectual decision-making in situations of unexpected uncertainty and provide a set of key activities that help managers to respond to such situations in a rapid and agile manner.

Management Control Systems and International Entrepreneurship in Small, Young Firms from Resource-Based Theory, Contingence, and Effectuation Approach Perspectives

This study analyses how entrepreneurs adapt or change international control management and organisation structures in response to their resources and capabilities and the context of the situation, from the resource-based theory (RBT) and contingency and effectuation framework approaches, taking the dynamism from knowledge-intensive services (KIS) into consideration. A multiple case study has been performed, based on semi-structured interviews with nine founders (entrepreneurs) of less-than 5-year-old international businesses who are actively involved in the management. All the interviews have been recorded, coded, and analysed through factsheets. The findings suggest that there is a relation between entrepreneurship and the characteristics of the entrepreneur; the character of owners or founders is key to embarking on this kind of business challenge. Furthermore, the age and nature of the manager—entrepreneur or non-entrepreneur—influence the business direction. This research analyses the role of the founder, owner, and/or management depending on the resources, capabilities, and uncertain contexts of the small, young firms. The age of the organisation’s and the degree of professionalism of the management’s impact on the management style and the use of control mechanisms are scarcely analysed yet, which could improve the relationships in MCS to achieve local and global control needs.

Understanding self perceptions of wellbeing and resilience of preservice teachers

Research has shown that university students face higher distress than the general population; further, those in helping professions are at a higher risk. A survey was distributed to preservice teachers in one Bachelor of Education program to understand their perceptions of wellbeing and resilience. Results indicated that students' satisfaction declined as they neared the end of their program, and many indicated they had experienced issues with workload/work-life balance. By eliciting students' responses on their wellbeing and developing a more fulsome picture, the findings may be used to consider innovative and effectual approaches to best support teacher candidates' wellbeing. Furthermore, helping preservice teachers develop an understanding of how to support their own wellbeing may further impact the promotion of students’ wellbeing and potentially mitigate issues with beginning teacher attrition rates.