Transfer Of Technical Knowledge Research Articles

Technical and Technological Analyses of Excavated Textiles

Textiles are particularly complex and labor-intensive structures, thus their constructive elements, such as fibers and yarns, as well as the final textile products (e.g., threads, cords, fabrics, and applied decoration) reveal a range of important technical, technological, and sociocultural information. In this paper, we discuss the analysis of excavated textiles at two levels: 1) Technical analysis that offers basic information about the qualities of examined textile samples. 2) Technological analysis that provides insights into technology, social relations of production, and the level of craft specialization or production modes. Both analyses offer new evidence for environmental resources, sustainability, trade, and exchange, as well as transfer of technical knowledge, innovations, and expertise. Yet, excavated textiles, being formed of organic materials, survive poorly in archaeological contexts and thus represent environmentally limited remnants of the original pattern of textile consumption. Additionally, excavated textiles are often recovered in minute fragments, altered due to post-depositional processes and, therefore, their analysis is usually challenging. The scope of this paper is to provide an account of the current state of the technological analysis of excavated textiles looking back at its origins, and to offer a concise and clarified synopsis of the main methods and terms used to study and document the technological characteristics of excavated textiles.

Does Mentoring Directly Improve Students’ Research Skills? Examining the Role of Information Literacy and Competency Development

This work proposes a structural model highlighting the research skills of undergraduate students. Due to the stages in their research project implementation, mentoring students becomes a crucial initiative in higher education institutions. Despite substantial progress in the literature linking mentoring and skills development, there is a lack of greater emphasis on research skills, especially for undergraduate students facing research work for the first time. Consequently, the direct relation between mentoring and research skills may not be straightforward. Thus, driven by social learning theory, the proposed model highlights the mediating effects of information literacy constructs and competency development on the relationship between mentoring and research skills. An empirical study of 539 participants via Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling supports six of the seven hypothesized paths. Three major theoretical contributions arise from the findings. Firstly, mentoring improves information-seeking skills and information-sharing behaviors and facilitates students’ competency development due to the technical knowledge transfer from the faculty mentor to student mentees. Secondly, information literacy constructs and competency development promote research skills, emphasizing that students with those behaviors and capacities will achieve enhanced research skills. Finally, our findings suggest that mentoring does not directly translate to improved research skills; instead, information-seeking and sharing behaviors and competency development fully mediate such a link. Thus, mentors must shape these behaviors for mentoring to develop students’ research skills. Theoretical and practical insights are outlined from these findings for university leadership to inform the design of mentoring initiatives for undergraduate students.

The Cross-Border Gas Pipelines and Energy Security: The Case of Iran

Today, one of the dimensions of national security is energy security. Due to its huge gas resources and its superior strategic location, Iran has a high capacity to ensure its energy security through cross-border gas pipelines. Iran, as an exporter, importer and transit country for gas through cross-border pipelines, faces challenges. The main purpose of this research is to identify these challenges and provide solutions to them. Findings of this study show Iran's main challenges in the field of gas export, import and transit are security of demand, security of supply and security of supply-demand, respectively. To address the demand security challenge of, Iran needs to attract investment and transfer of technical knowledge, enhance readiness to supply in urgent conditions and reduce international disputes over gas supply. Increasing of energy efficiency, enhancing self-sufficiency in energy supply, improvement of energy storage and concluding suspended contracts are solutions of the challenge of supply security. To manage the transit security challenge, Iran should use cross-border pipelines for meeting both energy supply and energy demand.

A Model to Transfer Technology and Technical Knowledge in Auto Parts Manufacturers

Background: Regarding the high demands of auto parts manufacturers to utilize new technologies to develop and grow competitiveness and produce products in the market, there is an urgent need for successful technology transfer to the company. In this regard, a suitable model for appropriate transfer of technology and technical knowledge is required to succeed and be effective in order to facilitate the maximum adaptation between the demand and operational dimensions in this industry.
 Objective: In this study, a model was proposed to evaluate the success of technology and technical knowledge transfer in auto parts manufacturers.
 Method: To this end, the factors affecting the success of technology transfer were first collected according to previous studies, and then an exploratory factor analysis questionnaire was developed to classify and screen these factors in the form of a conceptual model.
 Results: In the study, 361 personnel and experts from auto parts manufacturers participated, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient >0.7 was set to measure the reliability of the questionnaires. Finally, exploratory factor analysis method was used to develop the model. Afterward, according to the proposed model, a confirmatory factor analysis questionnaire was prepared and filled in by the same statistical population, who were working in auto parts manufacturers. After examining the normality of the sample and the reliability of the questionnaire, structural equations were designed in the form of confirmation structures for the model. Exploratory factor analysis was also used to confirm and test the model.
 Conclusion: The findings indicated that organizational index, adaptability, and technology utilization and absorption had the greatest impacts on the success of technology transfer, respectively.

The status of aerial photogrammetry in South Africa: a transition to digital imagery system

The digital image camera technology has revolutionized the aerial imagery capture throughout the world. It has provided high spatial and spectral resolution together with superior efficiency and reliability compared to the traditional analogue aerial imagery method. In so doing, this has provided great accuracy in various photogrammetric applications. The South African survey and mapping organisation currently known as Chief Directorate: National Geospatial Information (CD: NGI) has been capturing aerial photography dating back as early as the 1930s. However, from 2008 CD: NGI embraced a transition to digital aerial imagery capture at 50cm Ground Sample Distance (GSD) (from 2008 to 2016) and 25cm GSD (as from 2017 till date). This has resulted to 1370 digital aerial imagery already captured (this number will continue to change as there are jobs that are still being flown which are yet to be recorded). The continuous enhancement of digital camera technology opens for more possibilities of national aerial imagery capture at even greater spatial resolution such as 10cm GSD in the foreseeable future.However, the continuous digital imagery capture has not been without challenges such as the current global Covid-19 pandemic which has resulted in budget reprioritization, the organisation’s technical knowledge transfer from one generation to another together with the determination of the CD: NGI requirement for digital imagery specifications. The organisation values stakeholders’ engagement to ensure relevance, completeness and consistency on the data produced. This is possible through collaboration and partnership between State institutions, the private sector, research, and tertiary institutions through sharing of resources.

The link between technical knowledge transfer in alliances and resource efficiency: ambidexterity in development of R&D and appropriation capabilities

The link between technical knowledge transfer in alliances and resource efficiency: ambidexterity in development of R&D and appropriation capabilities

Investigating the status of transgenic crops in Iran in terms of cultivation, consumption, laws and rights in comparison with the world

Recently, there has been a development in transgenic technologies in many countries to meet nutritional needs of increasing worlds҆ population. However, there are some concerns about possible risks in the field of growing genetically modified (GM) food, such as threats of biodiversity and food allergies making their use a challenge. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the economic effects and political scopes of GM foods in production sector and policies made by different countries in the world and Iran. Moreover, essential (practical and legal) solutions and guidelines were provided for production and consumption of GM foods, which are useful for governmental entities, Iranian politicians, and consumers' rights. The latest situation of transgenic crops in the countries with which Iran has the highest exchange of agricultural products (including Turkey, Pakistan, and the European Union (EU)) was also studied. Although, Iran has been one of leading Asian countries not only in the field of transfer of technical knowledge of genetic engineering, but also in development of the specialized knowledge of biosafety, and despite production of several transgenic plant lines by Iranian researchers, unfortunately no GM crop has obtained release and cultivation license except for GM rice that its growing process was banned after change of government. According to findings of this study, in Iran, growing and production process of GM crops does not follow the global trend owing to scientific and legal infrastructures.

Foreign investment in emerging legal medicinal cannabis markets: the Jamaica case study

IntroductionThe establishment of a legal market for medicinal cannabis under the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2015 has positioned Jamaica at the forefront of cannabis law reform in the developing world. Many local cannabis businesses have attracted investment from overseas, including from Canada, US and Europe.AimTo explore the opportunities and risks of foreign investment in an emerging domestic legal cannabis market in a developing country.MethodsThematic analysis of semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 22 key informants (KIs) from the Jamaican government, local cannabis industry, academia and civil society, and field observations of legal and illegal cannabis cultivators.ResultsKIs from the Jamaican public agencies and domestic cannabis entrepreneurs saw foreign investment as an essential source of capital to finance the start-up costs of legal cannabis businesses. Local cannabis entrepreneurs prioritised investors with the greatest financial resources, brand reputation and export networks. They also considered how allied an investor was with their business vision (e.g., organic cultivation, medical vs. recreational). The key benefits of partnering with a foreign investor included transfer of technical knowledge and financial capital, which enhanced production, quality assurance and seed-to-sale tracking. Some KIs expressed concern over investors’ focus on increasing production efficiency and scale at the expense of funding research and development (R&D) and clinical trials. KIs from the local industry, government agencies and civil society highlighted the risks of ‘predatory’ shareholder agreements and domestic political interference. Concerns were raised about the impact of foreign investment on the diversity of the domestic cannabis sector in Jamaica, including the commitment to transition traditional illegal small-scale cannabis cultivators to the legal sector.ConclusionWhile foreign investment has facilitated the commercialisation of the cannabis sector in Jamaica, regulatory measures are also needed to protect the domestic industry and support the transition of small-scale illegal cultivators to the legal regime. Foreign investments may alter the economic, social and political determinants of health in transitioning from illegal to legal cannabis market economy.

A diplomacy woven with textiles: Medici-Ottoman relations during the late Renaissance

This article focuses on the relations of the Medici dukes with the Ottoman Empire in the second half of the sixteenth century, exploring the complex backdrop to the diplomatic negotiations that took place over the 1570s and 1590s. Due to periods of stagnation and crisis in the Florentine woollen industry, textile manufacturers and cloth merchants urged the Grand Duchy to resume diplomatic contacts with the Sublime Porte so that they could penetrate the Ottoman market and increase the volume of their exports. A significant challenge faced by Florence was rivalry from other states conducting trade in the Ottoman lands, especially the Venetians. Seeing the attempts of the Florentines to infiltrate the Ottoman market by producing counterfeit Venetian woollens, Venice became a strong opponent of Florentine diplomacy at the Porte. Tracing the experiences of the Florentine textile industry, specifically the woollen cloth industry, this article argues that the Arte della Lana played an important role in shaping the Medici diplomacy with the Sublime Porte in the second half of the sixteenth century. Moreover, the rivalry between Venice and Florence over dominating the Ottoman textile market stimulated transfer of technical knowledge, new production techniques and new types of cloth in order to gain a place in this market.

Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s for doubling the farmers income through transfer of technologies

To increase the crop productivity, there are so many factors like soil quality, seeds, climate, water and inputs. Due to continuous growing of crop, the productivity of the soil keeps on decreasing resulting in less productivity overall. Which increases the cost of cultivation resulting in less net return to the farmers. The changing climate conditions had also affected the crop productivity in present scenario. Keeping all this in the view ICAR gave Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s the responsibility to provide the new technologies with different activities like training, FLDs, CFLDs, OFT and different awareness programmes (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna-PMFBY, Rabi and Kharif crop Abhiyan etc.). The scientists from KVKs are going in the farmer’s fields to diagnose the problems and giving them solutionsin simplified manners. KVKs also played a significant roles in preparing and distributing the soil health cards (SHC). The pulses production also became sufficient at the national level with the support of the KVKs. On the basis of all what is mentioned above, we can conclude that KVKs are playing a significant role towards the transfer of technical knowledge.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on organizational information absorption based on the perspective of multimedia knowledge management

How to use and knowledge management capabilities in today’s highly competitive environment to help organizations respond quickly to market changes and customer needs is a major challenge in the organization of information technology, and one of the most important research issues in the field of information systems. Modern enterprises have shown great enthusiasm in using complex information technology to gain competitive advantage. The successful application of enterprise information technology requires enterprises to deeply understand the absorption process of information technology within the organization. The introduction of information technology in the organization often means the transfer of technical knowledge, management knowledge and institutional knowledge contained in the software system. Multimedia knowledge management has become a key factor affecting the in-depth application of enterprise information systems. Therefore, this paper starts from the level of multimedia knowledge management, and explores the impact of organizational knowledge and information technology-related knowledge base and absorptive capacity on enterprise system information absorption. At the same time, it also discusses the impact of multimedia information resources on organizational information absorption, focusing on the mediating role of multimedia information management capabilities and the regulatory role of MULTIMEDIA KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENTs information support, confirming that information resources will improve organizational information absorption. When organizations need to improve the absorption of their organizational information, resorting to information is often an effective way to enrich the research on organizational information absorption from the perspective of multimedia knowledge management and information resources.

The Locksmith, the Surgeon, and the Mechanical Hand: Communicating Technical Knowledge in Early Modern Europe.

This article uses a locksmith's design for a mechanical hand in the surgeon Ambroise Paré's widely influential Oeuvres (1575) to examine the transmission of technical knowledge in early modern Europe. The article interprets Paré's chapter on artificial limbs through the lens of material culture, and then uses its findings to explore the movement of craft knowledge through print. A comparison between Paré's woodcut image of the prosthesis and an extant sixteenth-century mechanical hand from Kassel, Germany grounds Paré's woodcut in ongoing practices of making prosthetic technology. Analyzing the transmission of Paré's Oeuvres in light of the creative environment of artificial limb design and construction transforms our understanding of the potential utility of the printed image for different viewers. The dissemination of this woodcut design reveals a form of technical knowledge transfer that was endlessly adaptable to the experiences of artisans from different craft groups.

Transfer of Technical Knowledge from Dust Control in Khuzestan Province for Elimination of Hamoon Jazmoorian Wetland Challenges

Transfer of Technical Knowledge from Dust Control in Khuzestan Province for Elimination of Hamoon Jazmoorian Wetland Challenges

Catalan Imitations of the Ligurian Taches Noires Ware in Barcelona (18th–19th Century): An Example of Technical Knowledge Transfer

The ware called Taches Noires was developed in Albisola (Liguria, NW Italy) during the 18th century. In just a few years, it spread all over the Mediterranean (Italy, France, Spain, Tunisia, and Greece) and also in the New World (Canada, the Caribbean Islands, and Mexico). The success of the Taches Noires ware was so massive that it was soon copied by Spanish and French workshops. A collection of Catalan imitations and Ligurian imports found in Barcelona were analysed and compared to previously existing data from Barcelona productions, as well as reference samples from Albisola. The study proved the presence of both local imitations and original Albisola imports. The analysis showed a homogeneous product of high technical quality for the Albisola pottery. On the contrary, the local imitations presented a greater diversification in the choice and manipulation of the raw materials, probably related to the existence of different workshops engaged in the manufacturing of these products. Nevertheless, for one of the local groups, ceramists adopted a glaze recipe similar to the one used in Albisola, clearly indicating a direct transfer of knowledge, and possibly of potters, from Albisola to Barcelona.

General

General William J. Urbrock, Christopher T. Begg, Eric J. Wagner, CR, Bernhard Lang, and David A. Bosworth 1. Joel S. Baden and Candida R. Moss, "Reevaluating Biblical Infertility," BARev 43 (5, 2017) 20, 66. While the Bible generally portrays fertility and childbearing as something good and blessed, the command to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:28) was never meant to be universal. Women like Dinah, Miriam, and Deborah, who are not said to have offspring, are simply barren—and blameless. Indeed, for Jews and Christians in antiquity, the common vision of the world to come was one in which sex and procreation no longer functioned.—W.J.U. 2. Françoise Briqüel Catonnet and Robert Hawley, "Pierre Bordreuil (*August 28, 1937–†November 13, 2017)," UF 44 (2013) vii-x. The authors provide a brief necrology of Bordreuil, a leading contemporary Semitic epigraphist and philologian, that reviews his life, career and scholarly contributions and pays tribute to the generosity with which he made his knowledge available to colleagues, students and the wider public prior to his unexpected death in November 2013.—C.T.B. 3. Telmo José Amaral de Figueiredo, "Por que falar de sacrifíco? [Why speak of sacrifice?]," EBíb 33 (2016) 13-27. This article is intended to introduce the above issue of EBíb that is devoted to the theme of "sacrifice" in the Bible with special attention to the question of what kind of sacrifices are pleasing to God and which are not. Pursuant to this aim, the article explores anthropological/philosophical conceptions of sacrifice, that of R. Girard in particular, which it presents in some detail. It further briefly reviews the various kinds of sacrifices mentioned in the OT, and concludes with considerations on the sacrifice of Jesus as the "true and unique victim." [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 4. Irmtraud Fischer, "The Views of the Old Testament on Female Sexuality," Ein pralles Leben, 205-14 [see #716]. Sexuality is a central sphere of human life, which is regulated by law, ethics and custom in every society. These rules are, however, only in very few cases—and indeed not at all in historical cultures—set by the individual as a matter of self-determination, but rather by whoever holds power at the time. Ancient women only rarely, and if then only in small numbers, were members of the class of power-holders. The patriarchal society that finds its expression in the OT is no exception in this regard. The relevant OT texts are, however, not to be read as reflections of lived reality, since the legal texts or narratives concerning female sexuality often have, not a descriptive, but rather a prescriptive character. F.'s article begins with considerations concerning the sexual conceptions found in the OT's creation texts and then seeks to situate OT statements about motherhood, female sexual pleasure, and the restrictions placed on female sexuality within the social structures of ancient Israel. In this connection, F. also addresses the specific vulnerability of women's sexuality and the problem of sexualized violence in biblical metaphorical discourse. She ends by advocating [End Page 1] the development of a "gender-fair" sexual ethic for contemporary church praxis. [Translated from published abstract—C.T.B.] 5. M. J. Geller, "Debunking Ancient Jewish Science," JAOS 137 (2017) 393-400. A recently published collection of articles, entitled Ancient Jewish Science and the History of Knowledge in Second Temple Literature (ed. J. Ben-Dov and S. Sanders, 2014), focuses upon a relatively small group of ancient Jewish texts dealing mainly with astronomical calculations and omens as well as physiognomic omens, and attempts to use these as a basis for reconstructing ancient Jewish science in the Persian and Hellenistic periods. G.'s review essay raises questions regarding the collection's aims and methods and proposes an alternative suggestion for the transfer of technical knowledge from Babylonia to ancient Palestine. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 6. Jaco Gericke, "The Meaning of Moses' Life: An Analytic and Comparative-Philosophical Perspective," OTE 30 (2017) 315-36. Against the backdrop...

Late Gothic Asymmetrical Diamond Vaults in Spain

There are seven known cases in Spain of a particular type of late Gothic vault that also exists in at least 28 Central European buildings. They are tierceron vaults with diamond-shaped liernes and partially missing diagonal ribs. The design of this type of vault is not simple; thus, its dissemination seems to require a conscious copy of the model. Because the methods of designing the rib network were different in Spain and Central Europe and were only exchanged among masons, a volumetric and constructive analysis of these vaults that identifies their design techniques could support or question the existence of a technical knowledge transfer. After reviewing the existing examples in built heritage and written sources, this work analyzes the seven Spanish cases and studies the geometrical construction of their particular form, supported by accurate data on the vaults collected via topographic techniques.

Debunking Ancient Jewish Science


 
 
 A recently published collection of articles focuses upon a relatively small group of texts dealing mainly with astronomical calculations and omens as well as physiognomic omens, attempting to use these as a basis for reconstructing ancient Jewish science in the Persian and Hellenistic periods. The present review raises questions regarding the aims and methods employed, offering an alternative suggestion for the transfer of technical knowledge from Babylonia to ancient Palestine.
 
 

A SURVEY OF THE EFFECT OF STANDARDIZATION ON SUCCESS OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Standardization is a systematic and complex process based on formulation, execution and promotion of standards. There are various effective factors on standardization and in this study based on the conceptual model, five factors of research and innovation, knowledge, documents, patent and inter-organizational coordination are considered as standardization factors. Standardization provides a ground for transfer of technical knowledge between the beneficiaries of a technological contract, this ground presents high quality technology for all beneficiaries and is measured and evaluated, and can increase learning and absorption capacity. In order to evaluate the effect of standardization on both aspects, 15 key factors on technology transfer among 32 identified factors in review of literature are selected by the opinion of experts and the effect of standardization on these factors and the effect of standardized factors on standardization and technology transfer were evaluated.

Sustainability assessment of a short-term international medical mission.

Few studies have analyzed the tangible impact of global, philanthropic medical missions. We used qualitative methods to analyze the work of one such mission, Operation Walk Boston, which has made yearly trips to a Dominican Republic hospital since 2008. We interviewed twenty-one American and Dominican participants of the Operation Walk Boston team to investigate how the program led to changes at the host Dominican hospital and how the experience caused both mission protocols and U.S. practices to change. Transcripts were analyzed with the use of content analysis. Participants noted that Operation Walk Boston's technical knowledge transfer and managerial examples led to sustainable changes at the Dominican hospital. Additionally, participants observed an evolution in nursing culture, as the program inspired greater independence in decision-making. Participants also identified barriers such as language and organizational hierarchy that may limit bidirectional knowledge transfer. U.S. participants noted that their practices at home changed as a result of better appreciation for different providers' roles and for managing cost in a resource-constrained environment. Operation Walk Boston catalyzed sustainable changes in the Dominican hospital. Cultural norms and organizational structure are important determinants of program sustainability.

Learning the “Craft” of Auditing: A Dynamic View of Auditors' On‐the‐Job Learning

AbstractWe investigate how auditors learn the technical aspects of their professional role while performing client engagements, and how that learning process has been shaped by changes in societal, economic, and regulatory forces. Prior studies explicitly recognize that auditors need social skills and demeanor consistent with professional norms as well as requisite knowledge, but those studies generally focus on the processes through which new auditors are molded toward consistency with social norms. In contrast, we focus on forces affecting the transfer of technical knowledge from supervisor (guide) to subordinate (learner) in the everyday work setting. Our evidence derives from semi‐structured interviews with 30 relatively new and more experienced audit partners at one Big 4 firm, thus spanning multiple “generations” of experience. Results confirm that auditors primarily acquire technical knowledge on the job, through the interactions among individual engagement team members. However, partners express concern about changes in the practice environment that may limit effectiveness of on‐the‐job learning, including characteristics of personnel, the approach to formal training at induction, supervisors' reluctance to provide candid feedback, regulatory and economic pressures, and the increased distraction, and reduced interpersonal contact associated with the use of information technology. At the end of the day, our findings raise implications for practice regarding the difficulty of developing effective learning conditions for auditors in the face of these challenges.