International Offshore Research Articles

Broad scale community-level larval fish survey of southern Lake Erie

Abstract The early-life history stages of fish are sensitive to environmental change and therefore can indicate habitat quality as well as help predict recruitment of resident and transient fishes. In 2019, as part of the Lake Erie Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative, we conducted a lake-wide assessment of the ichthyoplankton community in U.S. nearshore waters and international offshore waters. The goal of this work was to characterize the larval fish community across the lake and assess species composition, phenology, and distribution of larvae. Ichthyoplankton were sampled weekly using bongo nets at ports beginning at the Detroit River and along the southern shore of Lake Erie to Dunkirk, NY, and less frequently in the Niagara River and offshore areas. Larval fish were present from March 26 through August 29, 2019. The first taxon to emerge was Lake Whitefish in all basins, followed by Walleye, Yellow Perch, and catostomids, depending on port. Mean total density peaked in mid-June due to high catches of Gizzard Shad, Morone spp., and Freshwater Drum in the western basin. Few fish were collected in the offshore sites. Taxa richness, diversity, and larval density were higher in the western basin and lower in the central and eastern basins, generally following the productivity gradient. This was the first study to provide a comprehensive community assessment of the ichthyoplankton community of Lake Erie and can provide a baseline to assess future change, especially in community composition or phenology, of larvae which are likely to respond to climate and habitat change.

Prevailing Winds: Regulatory Frameworks and Commercial Realities for Developing Wind and Green Hydrogen Projects in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador

Government and industry in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are displaying increasing enthusiasm for onshore and offshore wind projects as well as associated development of green hydrogen resources. There are possible gaps between the commercial realities of wind-related development and both existing and proposed regulatory regimes in comparison with select international offshore regimes. The regulatory context and the makeup of the electrical grid in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have both parallels and distinctions, providing for differing trajectories when it comes to the development of onshore wind, offshore wind, and green hydrogen. More mature wind and hydrogen regulatory regimes within the European Union provide indicators of challenges that may be faced by both provinces as each try to rapidly pursue wind and green hydrogen development.

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract Sequence stratigraphy has become a powerful tool in the basin analysis of the North Sea Basin, and will continue to be important in the maximization of the remaining hydrocarbon resources of Jurassic reservoirs in the region, whilst also moving through the energy transition. This chapter provides background to the main theme of this memoir, which is the description of a revised sequence stratigraphy scheme for the Jurassic–lowermost Cretaceous of the region, recognizing 39 stratigraphic sequences (‘J sequences’). The sequences are illustrated by 85 reference wells (56 UK wells, 22 Norway wells and seven Denmark wells), showing chronostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, wireline logs and key biostratigraphic markers. The reference wells illustrate sequence development, together with their lower and upper boundaries. Comparisons of the North Sea Jurassic sequences with onshore outcrop sections, from the UK, demonstrate that many of the sequences can be recognized onshore. A comparison of the well sequences with seismic sequences is made in 17 illustrated seismic lines, demonstrating the seismic expression of many of the defined sequences. The recognition of a consistent set of stratigraphic sequences across the region allows a much better understanding of the development of the whole area during the Jurassic, which is currently hindered by the existence of multiple local and semi-regional lithostratigraphic schemes, in particular the differing notations that are utilized in the various international offshore jurisdictions that exist across the area.

The influence of international offshore jurisdictions on the pricing strategy

The article analyzes the causes of offshore jurisdictions and identifies the effects of offshore on national economies. An analysis of the implementation of export-import operations carried out by offshore companies in order to influence the pricing process. The pricing mechanism with affiliates within offshore jurisdictions was presented. It was substantiated the role of offshore banks in the implementation of the pricing mechanism. It was presented the pricing mechanisms within offshore jurisdictions. It has been made an analysis of the impact of transfer pricing within offshore jurisdictions. It was substantiated the economic mechanism of pricing. The international experience of regulation of offshore jurisdictions and the system of controlling the operations of affiliates was analyzed. It was substantiated the mechanisms of functioning of offshore zones and companies operating in offshore jurisdictions.
 The relationship between agreements concluded within offshore jurisdictions in the following areas is established and substantiated: the agreement is concluded between two independent companies in case of underpricing; the agreement is concluded between the companies connected with the capital relations (affiliated companies) at understatement of the price; agreements between two independent companies in case of overpricing; agreements between affiliated companies in case of overpricing. It was justified the use of the transfer pricing mechanism within offshore jurisdictions. Transfer prices allow you to withdraw capital from the country, as well as hide the profits of companies from taxation. The following ways of minimizing taxation are systematized: registration of a company that concentrates profits in a jurisdiction with lower taxation; concentration of profits in companies that are unprofitable according to management accounting; the use of front companies as sales companies in which profits are concentrated; non-payment of taxes as a result of illegal liquidation of the enterprise - the taxpayer, where the profit is concentrated. The basis of tax minimization is the use in the transaction of a price that deviates from the market.

ANALYSIS OF YACHT PERFORMANCE UNDER THE IOR RULE: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GEOMETRY AND SPEED POTENTIAL

The International Offshore rule (IOR) provided a handicapping system for racing yacht between 1972 and 1994. During this period great advances in both the materials used in construction and designs specifically to the rule, were made. The popular press discussed, at great length, how loopholes in the rules were exploited to gain a favourable rating. This led to the perception that the exploitation of geometric measurements was leading to boats with poor performance characteristics. This paper aims to address this, firstly through an analysis of the geometric parameters and their evolution through the early part of the IOR era. The paper concludes by undertaking a velocity prediction analysis of a series of boats, a technique that was in its infancy at the time these yachts were designed. The analyses show that the geometric parameters did evolve with time, but not necessarily in line with the understanding behind good performance. Penalties in the rule dictated the direction of design. However, the performance analysis did show that judging yachts based on rated characteristics could lead to misinterpretation, but in general, the performance data aligned reasonably well with assumed performance in specific sailing conditions. The velocity prediction analysis also concluded that the performance of yachts between 1972 and 1981 did increase regardless of the geometric form being dictated by the rules.

Factors Driving Openness in China Trade: Corruption, Exchange Rate Volatility, and Macro Determinants

Trade openness plays a critical role in the growth of China and its partners. Using a system generalized method of moments (system GMM) estimator and quantile regression, a new viewpoint is presented on trade openness in China for institutional and economic factors over 15 years with 192 economies. The empirical findings provide two contrasting views. Intriguingly, China is seeking to broaden this strategy to countries with less control over corruption and low political stability. By categorizing countries as advanced, emerging, and developing, the study provides the evidence that exchange rate volatility has a negative effect on trade openness, while investment, labor force, and broad money share a positive impact. This study suggests that Chinese policymakers should further boost financial reform to promote trade development. Other countries desirous of greater trade openness with China should have more efficient management of macroscopic economic factors. Finally, the study also examines the two main groups of international offshore financial center from econometric convergence test and club clustering for trade openness in China from the worldwide perspective.

Analysis of Yacht Performance Under the IOR Rule: The Relationship Between Geometry and Speed Potential

The International Offshore rule (IOR) provided a handicapping system for racing yacht between 1972 and 1994. During this period great advances in both the materials used in construction and designs specifically to the rule, were made. The popular press discussed, at great length, how loopholes in the rules were exploited to gain a favourable rating. This led to the perception that the exploitation of geometric measurements was leading to boats with poor performance characteristics. This paper aims to address this, firstly through an analysis of the geometric parameters and their evolution through the early part of the IOR era. The paper concludes by undertaking a velocity prediction analysis of a series of boats, a technique that was in its infancy at the time these yachts were designed. The analyses show that the geometric parameters did evolve with time, but not necessarily in line with the understanding behind good performance. Penalties in the rule dictated the direction of design. However, the performance analysis did show that judging yachts based on rated characteristics could lead to misinterpretation, but in general, the performance data aligned reasonably well with assumed performance in specific sailing conditions. The velocity prediction analysis also concluded that the performance of yachts between 1972 and 1981 did increase regardless of the geometric form being dictated by the rules.

Experimental reconstruction of extreme sea waves by time reversal principle

We report an experimental study of the reconstruction of real-ocean rogue waves in a laboratory environment using the time reversal (TR) methodology (Chabchoub & Fink, Phys. Rev. Lett. , vol. 112, 2014, 124101). Three different rogue wave measurements are used to validate the TR approach. The generation and accurate control of target free-surface profiles in a unidirectional wave flume using standard techniques, such as the New Wave theory (Tromans, Anaturk & Hagemeier, Proceedings of the First International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference , 1991, pp. 64–71), are fairly challenging, especially for very steep and, thus, highly nonlinear extreme waves. The TR method, making use of the time reversibility of wave propagation and symmetry of the governing hydrodynamic equations of motion, leads to a simple two-step experimental procedure, the accuracy of which is investigated in this paper. The use of the TR procedure requires the appropriate Froude scaling in designing the model-scale experiments. The present study represents the first validation of the TR method to realistic irregular seas containing rogue waves. Three extreme wave profiles are tested to assess the applicability of the TR scheme to different wave configurations taking into account variable characteristics. This includes the famed New Year wave. The accuracy of the TR method is demonstrated with varying wave steepness values and propagation distances of the reverse reconstruction. It is demonstrated that the unidirectional TR reconstruction is robust, even in the presence of unavoidable wave breaking, known to be an irreversible process within the framework of any wave hydrodynamic evolution equation, and independently of complex environmental conditions or focusing mechanism at play in the sea.

Maritime financial instability and supply chain management effects

The paper investigates the offshore crisis 2015–2017 and its impact on central international offshore oil and gas related maritime cluster, the Blue Maritime Cluster, located at the North-Western coast of Norway.This complete maritime cluster, heavily involved in offshore petroleum operations, it experienced an almost devastating blow, as it lost almost one-third of its employees as its value added contracted by 39 percent.When the crises is basically seen as a result of falling of oil prices and lower activity and squeezed profit margins, this paper investigates the crisis in the light of financial instability and reactions down the maritime supply chain. By collecting data from the Blue Maritime Cluster and the Norwegian central company register one is able both to trace the fall in the activity due to the crisis and measures of financial strength. The study approaches the data by using a structural time series analysis in order to map cycles as deviations from polynomial trends.The findings ascertain that financial instability was dominant within the Blue Maritime Cluster during its boom before the crisis. Debt ratios and thereby gearing (leverage) were high. Thus, the companies could not meet their obligations when the crisis hit.The paper also finds that narrow focused supply chain management made the cluster fall deep into the abyss. Companies with a more diversified portfolio were able to meet the hard years better than others.

Position of Women in Domestic and International Offshore Company Back End Offices Women are not new to the Industry. We have been Involved in the Industry Just as Long as Men Have - Although not in as Great Numbers.”

If a company's operations extend outside its domestic borders, they are said to be offshore. Foreign banks, businesses, investments, and deposits may all be referred to by this word. Companies may legally relocate overseas to evade taxes or take advantage of more lax oversight. Offshoring refers to the practice of outsourcing business activities to a foreign nation. Offshoring refers to the practice of manufacturing items outside of one's own country. Although both offshore and outsourcing may lower costs, they go about it in quite different ways.
 Traditional IT firms could only operate inside their own geographic area. They would have to physically set up shop in other cities or perhaps other countries if they wanted to hire more programmers. Offshoring services, however, have made the globe seem lot smaller and more approachable. These days, it's more easier and cheaper for startups to construct and scale their development teams since they can engage specialized personnel remotely and establish global software development hubs. This means that entrepreneurs may source software engineers from anywhere in the world.

OFFSHORE TERRITORIES: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

The aim of the article is to analyse and clarify the areas of development of offshore zones in the functioning of the world economic system. The subject of the study is offshore zones and offshore international centres as the locus of laundering of funds obtained by illegal means and their impact on the economy in total. Methodology. The study is based on the use of general scientific and special scientific methods in studying a coherent picture of development and possible trends in the further functioning of offshore zones in the global economic system. General scientific methods such as deduction, induction, analogy, analysis, synthesis enabled to reveal the implication of the world’s offshore zones as a system for laundering illegally obtained funds. The comparative method enabled to distinguish the specific features of offshore zones and offshore international centres and to identify common and distinctive features. The prognostic method allowed forming an original outlook on the advantages and disadvantages of offshore activities. Logical-semantic and dogmatic methods enabled to define the concepts of “offshore jurisdiction”, “offshore zone”, “offshore financial centre” and their specific features. The results of the study enabled to consider offshore zones, offshore financial centres and international financial centres, in terms of their specific features, as certain territories and areas of certain states, where under the exclusive conditions of doing business outside the territory of registration, non-resident entities are granted benefits and privileges in doing business, taxation, registration, and financial reporting, as well as an exclusive privilege of confidentiality. Practical implications. In the study, first, the concepts of “offshore zone”, “offshore financial centre”, “international offshore centre” are defined; second, the scientific approaches to their classification are analysed and compared in the specialized literature, the Fifth Directive is considered as the main legal regulation of money laundering and the BEPS Project; third, the author’s outlook on the positive and negative features of offshore activities and their impact on the world economy are substantiated. Relevance/originality. The author’s approach to the definition of the main features of offshore zones and offshore financial centres through the analysis of their qualitative characteristics is offered to determine the key areas of their development trends.

How Countries Should Share Tax Information

There are increasing policy concerns that aggressive international tax avoidance and offshore tax evasion significantly reduce government revenues. In particular, for some low income countries the amount of capital flight (where elites move and hide monies offshore in tax havens) exceeds foreign aid. Governments struggle to enforce their tax laws to constrain these actions, but are inhibited by a lack of information concerning international capital flows. The main international policy response to these developments has been to promote global financial transparency through heightened cross-border exchanges of tax information. The paper discusses elements of optimal cross-border tax information exchange laws and policies by focusing on three key challenges: information quality, taxpayer privacy, and enforcement. Relatedly, the paper discusses how the exchange of automatic ‘big tax data’ combined with data analytics can help address the challenges.

Accurate prediction of complex free surface flow around a high speed craft using a single-phase level set method

This paper focuses on the analysis of a challenging free surface flow problem involving a surface vessel moving at high speeds, or planing. The investigation is performed using a general purpose high Reynolds free surface solver developed at CNR-INSEAN. The methodology is based on a second order finite volume discretization of the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations (Di Mascio et al. in A second order Godunov—type scheme for naval hydrodynamics, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, Dordrecht, pp 253–261, 2001; Proceedings of 16th international offshore and polar engineering conference, San Francisco, CA, USA, 2006; J Mar Sci Technol 14:19–29, 2009); air/water interface dynamics is accurately modeled by a non standard level set approach (Di Mascio et al. in Comput Fluids 36(5):868–886, 2007a), known as the single-phase level set method. In this algorithm the governing equations are solved only in the water phase, whereas the numerical domain in the air phase is used for a suitable extension of the fluid dynamic variables. The level set function is used to track the free surface evolution; dynamic boundary conditions are enforced directly on the interface. This approach allows to accurately predict the evolution of the free surface even in the presence of violent breaking waves phenomena, maintaining the interface sharp, without any need to smear out the fluid properties across the two phases. This paper is aimed at the prediction of the complex free-surface flow field generated by a deep-V planing boat at medium and high Froude numbers (from 0.6 up to 1.2). In the present work, the planing hull is treated as a two-degree-of-freedom rigid object. Flow field is characterized by the presence of thin water sheets, several energetic breaking waves and plungings. The computational results include convergence of the trim angle, sinkage and resistance under grid refinement; high-quality experimental data are used for the purposes of validation, allowing to compare the hydrodynamic forces and the attitudes assumed at different velocities. A very good agreement between numerical and experimental results demonstrates the reliability of the single-phase level set approach for the predictions of high Froude numbers flows.

The Development of the Offshore Reinsurance Market in Singapore and Its Experiences for India

<p><em>In March 2017, China Insurance Regulatory Commission issued</em><em> </em><em>Notice on </em><em>M</em><em>atters </em><em>R</em><em>elat</em><em>ed</em><em> to </em><em>the</em><em> </em><em>P</em><em>rovision of </em><em>G</em><em>uarantee </em><em>M</em><em>easures for </em><em>Offshore</em><em> </em><em>R</em><em>einsurers, and announced the formal establishment of a deposit system for Offshore reinsurers.</em><em></em></p><p><em>This measure </em><em>improve</em><em>s</em><em> China</em><em>’</em><em>s reinsurance regulatory system</em><em>. It can not only </em><em>prevent the cross-border transfer of foreign financial risks through reinsurance exchanges </em><em>but also</em><em> promote the smooth and healthy development of Chin</em><em>ese</em><em> reinsurance market.</em><em> </em><em>The establishment of Offshore reinsurance margin system provides institutional guarantee for the construction of international Offshore reinsurance in China</em><em>. </em><em>India</em><em>, a</em><em>s a major shipping country in the world, has superior geographical location and mature shipping business.</em><em> </em><em>The establishment of international reinsurance center plays an important role in promoting the</em><em> development of</em><em> India</em><em>’s</em><em> insurance market and shipping market.</em><em> </em><em>Offshore reinsurance business account</em><em>s</em><em> for </em><em>greater proportion</em><em> </em><em>in</em><em> business structure</em><em> of</em><em> the international reinsurance center</em><em>.</em><em> The establishment and development of Offshore reinsurance center in India need to compete with many mature Offshore reinsurance companies in the world. Singapore is </em><em>not only </em><em>Asia</em><em>’</em><em>s largest international financial center </em><em>but also</em><em> one of Asia</em><em>’</em><em>s largest international reinsurance centers</em><em>. </em><em>Its Offshore reinsurance market is more mature</em><em>. </em><em>In the past 10 years</em><em>, it</em><em> </em><em>has </em><em>maintain</em><em>ed</em><em> a steady growth trend</em><em>, </em><em>which</em><em> can</em><em> provide a reference for the development of Offshore reinsurance business in India. This paper begins with the development conditions and market data of Singapore Offshore reinsurance market, </em><em>analyzes the </em><em>development </em><em>of </em><em>Singapore</em><em>’s </em><em>Offshore reinsurance market</em><em> and the development of the domestic insurance industry in India</em><em>,</em><em> </em><em>combi</em><em>nes</em><em> with the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of Mumbai, Kandla Port and other places,</em><em> and </em><em>puts forward suggestions for the development of Offshore reinsurance business in India.</em><em></em></p>

Article 82 of UNCLOS: The day of reckoning approaches

Article 82 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) obligates coastal states to make payments to the international community in respect of the exploitation of non-living resources of the extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. Payments are to begin at the rate of 1 per cent in the sixth year of production, increasing by 1 per cent per year to a maximum of 7 per cent in the twelfth year. The payments are to be made through the International Seabed Authority to parties identified by the Authority “on the basis of equitable sharing criteria, taking into account the interests and needs of developing States, particularly the least developed and land-locked among them.” To date, Article 82 has not been triggered. Recent petroleum discoveries beyond 200 nautical miles off Canada's east coast, however, have the potential for commercial development and may well be the first in the world to trigger Article 82. If so, Canada's approach to the implementation of Article 82 could be precedent-setting, with significant implications for the international offshore industry and for potential recipients of required payments. The implementation of Article 82 presents many issues. The most significant is: Who will bear the cost of satisfying the coastal state's obligation: the coastal state or industry? Several other issues with practical implications for industry arise from specific elements of Article 82. The goal of this article is to identify and generate discussion of the issues within industry, with a view to contributing to their resolution by government.

THE RE-EXAMINATION OF IOR YACHT PERFORMANCE – OBTAINING DATA FOR VELOCITY PREDICTION AND SENSITIVITY TO DATA ACCURACY AND QUALITY

The International Offshore Rule (IOR) provided a handicap system for racing yachts in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. It was accepted worldwide and many of the famous yacht designers of today made their name in the high profile events that took place under this rule. There is a large body of commentary and opinion regarding yachts of this era, in which the rule allowed the designer to explore the design space in search of designs that rated lower than their size. Yachts, particularly in the early IOR era, were designed through experience, knowledge of the rule and inherent talent. Computing power was low and the subject of velocity prediction was in its infancy. This paper examines a method of undertaking a velocity prediction of yachts of this era using data provided by the designers, namely lines plans and rating certificates. A performance sensitivity analysis is conducted examining aspects such as measured versus sailing trim, lack of geometric data, influence of waves and sail configurations. The results show that subtle changes in input data, associated with the yacht, can be measured in terms of performance. This will allow for the future comparison of fleets of boats and provide some data to confirm or contradict the sailing community narrative regarding IOR yacht performance.

Exploración y explotación de hidrocarburos aguas afuera (offshore). Estrategia logística para Barranquilla, una ciudad en transformación

The hydrocarbons industry in Colombia has been heavily affected by volatile international prices and the absence of new exploration/exploitation fields. As a result, given the scarcity of the resource and its importance as a source of income for the territory, offshore exploration and exploitation are seen as an alternative. To that end, changes must be made at the normative and technical level, and some cities like Barranquilla (Colombia) are already betting on a local transformation. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the technical, regulatory and academic gaps in Colombia, based on the state of the art on international offshore experience, and to propose a logistics strategy based on benefits and the recognition of the critical aspects of the type of exploitation and the transformation of the city to receive it. It is concluded that, despite the gaps, Caribbean cities — and particularly Barranquilla — are paving the way to become an offshore logistics development platform.

OFFSHORE OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE: IN PURSUIT OF A UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL CIVIL LIABILITY REGIME

A significant amount of marine oil pollution is vessel-source with another being non-vessel-source originating from offshore oil platform operations. The world has witnessed a number of oil spill disasters since the 1950s including the Deepwater Horizon incident in the United States, the Montara Wellhead Platform in Australia and the continuing oil spill incidents in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Technological advances mean that offshore operators now venture further out from coastlines to explore for, and exploit hydrocarbon reserves, thus increasing the crude oil output, and also the possibility of oil pollution incidents from offshore platforms. The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution 1969 and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution Damage 1971 were developed under the leadership of the International Maritime Organization in response to the increasing incidents of vessel-source oil pollution of the marine environment. Since the entry into force of these Conventions the membership has increased and the incidents of vessel-source oil pollution reduced. Efforts made by the Comité Maritime International (CMI), as early as in 1977, to develop a uniform civil liability convention for claims arising from offshore operations did not come to fruition, and very little progress has been made in finding a solution. Currently, there is no uniform international civil liability regime in place for oil pollution compensation claims arising for damages caused by offshore operations. This article explores the reasons behind the lack of a coherent legal framework to process civil liability claims arising from offshore oil spill incidents, especially when a comprehensive international regulation exists to govern vessel-source and other related forms of marine oil pollution. It argues that the lack of leadership to find a solution is proving to be highly damaging and that there is a strong case and an urgent need to establish a uniform international offshore oil spill liability regime. The article looks at existing regimes, both regional and national, as a way forward to develop an international regime for oil pollution compensation for damages arising from offshore activities.

The Effect of Internal Pressure on the Tensile Strain Capacity of X52 Pipelines With Circumferential Flaws

Wide plate testing has been traditionally applied to evaluate the tensile strain capacity (TSC) of pipelines with girth weld flaws. These wide plate tests cannot incorporate the effect of internal pressure, however, numerical analysis in recent studies showed that the TSC is affected by the level of internal pressure inside the pipeline (Wang et al. 2007, "Strain Based Design of High Strength Pipelines," 17th International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference (ISOPE), Lisbon, Portugal, Vol. 4, pp. 3186–3193). Moreover, most of the past studies focused on the effect of circumferential flaws on the TSC for pipelines of steel grade X65 or higher. The current Oil and Gas Pipeline System Code CSA Z662-11 provides equations to predict the TSC as a function of geometry and material properties of the pipelines. These equations were based on extensive studies on pipes having grades X65 or higher without considering the effect of internal pressure. This paper investigates the TSC for pipelines obtained using an experimental technique considering the effect of internal pressure and flaw size. Eight full-scale tests of X52 NPS 12 in. pipes with 6.91 mm wall thickness were conducted in order to investigate the effect of circumferential flaws close to a girth weld on the TSC for vintage pipelines subjected to eccentric tensile forces and internal pressure. The tensile strains along the pipe length and on the outer circumference of the pipe were measured using biaxial strain gauges and a digital image correlation (DIC) system. Postfailure macrofractography analysis was used to confirm the original size of the machined flaw and to identify areas of plastic deformation and brittle/ductile fracture surfaces. From the experimental and numerical results, the effect of internal pressure and flaw size on the TSC and the crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) at failure were investigated and presented.

Innovation and alliances in international management programmes; redefining and extending the model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe an innovative international management programme that has been developed across four countries for Master-level students. It first analyses the advantages and disadvantages of two of the most common forms of internationalisation in higher education; the student exchange and full-scale offshore campus model. It then shows how one programme at Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM) has been designed to capture the best parts of both models in the creation of a hybrid, transcontinental programme. This has resulted in the creation of high quality international education for a large number of students whilst further developing a stronger alliance network between faculties and the business community. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses the advantages and disadvantages of two forms of internationalisation. From there, it draws upon a case study of a hybrid programme based on discussions with faculty and students from four internationally accredited business schools in Vancouver, New York, Grenoble and Beijing. It is supplemented with research on the development of international higher education. Findings – International exchange programmes and offshore international campuses can enrich the learning experience for students. However, there are limitations to both models. A hybrid model, though more complex to develop may have a much deeper impact on student learning and faculty development while also offering graduates a greater number of international employment opportunities. The paper outlines some best practices and preliminary learning outcomes. Research limitations/implications – The transcontinental project is relatively new being in its third year. Initial results are very positive, but the full implications will be understood in the coming years. Practical implications – The paper outlines a framework for joint academic programmes overseas. It demonstrates that by assessing the pros and cons of different forms of international development, a third way can be designed to ensure a richer experience for students, faculty and the business community. Originality/value – The programmes are designed to include a greater number of stakeholders and involve teaching, research and corporate participation. This contrasts with many international ventures in higher education institutions that may deal with only one aspect. The paper gives a clear framework for the creation of such programmes. It will be of value to academics, administrators and directors wishing to innovate in their international development for the benefit of their students and faculty.