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Epicyclic gears, also commonly referred to as planetary gears, are power transfer components that are commonly used in several industrial applications. The structural compliance of thin-rimmed annular ring gear can significantly influence the performance of an epicyclic gear set. As powertrain components are continually being optimized to their design limits, this influence becomes prominent and can no longer be ignored. Therefore to capture the influence associated with ring gear flexibility, the current study will incorporate a finite element-based ring gear formulation into the three-dimensional planetary dynamic load distribution model (Ryali, and Talbot, 2021, “A Dynamic Load Distribution Model of Planetary Gear Sets,” Mech. Mach. Theory, 158, p. 104229). The proposed contact model employs a modified simplex algorithm to iteratively solve for the elastic gear mesh contacts in conjunction with a numerical integration scheme, which enables it to inherently capture the influence of several components and system-level design variations without the need for an empirical mesh stiffness formulation or transmission error excitation of the system. The developed formulation will be used to study the dynamic response of planetary gear sets where the ring gear is a rotating member. The discussed results demonstrate the fidelity of the developed model, thus making it an excellent tool for the design and analysis of planetary gears.

This article analyzes the main neutralization techniques used in car manufacturers’ sustainability reports to disclose on the Dieselgate scandal. We conduct a conventional qualitative content analysis of 72 sustainability reports, covering the period 2013-2017, from 15 car manufacturers that were accused of unethical behaviors related to the measurement of diesel vehicle pollutant emissions. We then present a framework based on four configurations of neutralization techniques, namely, “head in the sand,” “self-proclaimed green leadership,” “wait and see,” and “start of a new era.” We describe that the manufacturers used heterogeneous neutralization techniques. Furthermore, the sustainability reports analyzed are relatively opaque and disconnected from the accusations made against the companies, which are widely reported by external sources. This article contributes to the emerging literature on the defensive impression management practices used to rationalize corporate misconduct in this area.

Expatriation for work presents various challenges before departure, during expatriation, and upon return to one’s home country. These challenges are why learning to manage cultural differences is a vital skill for expatriate managers and professionals, and hiring managers. Cultural intelligence (CQ) has been the subject of much research over the last decade. The present systematic review contributes to the literature on expatriate worker CQ by collecting and analyzing 97 empirical articles on the subject. Findings point to five core elements associated with CQ and five avenues for future research. Ultimately, the study results show that CQ positively affects many outcomes during expatriation.

Planetary gearsets are widely used in several mechanical systems and have numerous advantages over counter-shaft gears. Despite this, the complex arrangement of components in a planetary gear system makes them susceptible to noise and vibration issues. An exhaustive and rich literature is available on the topic of planetary gear dynamics, but most of these studies consider only the parametric excitation of gear mesh contacts while assuming an ideal power source. But contrary to this popular assumption, realistic power sources (IC Engine, electric motor, wind turbine, etc.) could be subjected to torque fluctuations based on the operating conditions. The current study presents a theoretical investigation on the load distribution and dynamic behavior of planetary gear sets subjected to both internal and external excitations. A three-dimensional dynamic planetary load distribution model that inherently captures the internal excitation due to the elastic gear mesh contacts is employed in this study. The influence of operating conditions on both system-level response and local gear mesh contact stress distribution are explored. Discussed results not only illustrate the potential of the dynamic model but also reinforce the need for such computationally efficient models for design and analysis purposes.

Employee-driven pro-environmental innovations improve the performance of public organizations and contribute to social well-being. Nevertheless, the factors that impede the emergence of such innova...

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the practices, challenges and ethical issues underlying the fabric and dissemination of corporate sustainability ratings.Design/methodology/approachBased on 36 semi-structured interviews with sustainability rating practitioners, the study shows the trade-offs, ethical judgments and customizable aspects involved in rating practices, which cannot rely only on formal and predefined methods.FindingsIn contrast with the official optimistic rhetoric about the rationality and rigor of sustainability rating methods, agencies face serious challenges in the measurement and comparison of performance in this area, particularly in terms of the aggregation of scattered and fuzzy indicators, commercial pressures and the availability, materiality and reliability of the information collected. Despite these concerns, sustainability ratings do appear to be useful in improving corporate responsiveness and increasing investor awareness of the complex and difficult-to-measure aspects of nonfinancial reports.Practical implicationsRating agencies should collaborate to set up common indicators that would be easier for firms to produce and should better separate their sustainability rating production activities from other services they offer to companies (e.g. consultancy).Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on the measurement and promotion of corporate sustainability by analyzing rating practices through the lens of moral fictionalism, which here refers to the human tendency to build ethical judgments on fictional but convenient and useful representations.

Developing cultural diversity skills is a major ethical challenge for organizations operating within marginalized communities. This study defines cultural intelligence profiles us a two-step approach. In the first step, managers (n = 31) are invited to complete a Cultural Intelligence Quotient Assessment Test to identify and describe different managerial profiles. In the second step, semi-structured interviews are conducted (n = 17) to better understand the characteristics of the managerial profiles developed in phase one. The findings indicate that there are three typical managerial profiles: (1) The opportunist, (2) the modern missionary, and (3) the seasoned sage. These managerial profiles highlight the emerging dynamics of the cultural intelligence model and provide a better understanding of the career trajectories of managers in the healthcare sector. The results also have important managerial implications, particularly concerning strategies for training managers working with marginalized populations.

The biodiversity disclosure practices of sub‐national governments remain understudied and poorly understood. The present study investigates the biodiversity disclosure practices of the 101 public organizations in Quebec, Canada. The study's purpose is to better understand the internal dynamics that may explain the various shortcomings observed in official documents. To meet this objective, Goffman's dramaturgical frontstage/backstage analogy is used. In particular, the current study employs a content analysis of the sampled organizations' action plans and annual reports (N = 505) as well as interviews (N = 35). The results highlight both significant gaps in Quebec's public organizations' biodiversity disclosure practices and a tendency for these organizations to make symbolic rather than substantial commitments. Also, problematic behaviors that can affect transparency were identified among the organizations—specifically, bricolage of actions and the manipulation of figures to influence stakeholder perceptions.

Since the early 2000s, short sea shipping (SSS) is often associated with significant social and environmental benefits. To encourage a modal shift, several nations around the world have developed p...

In this article, we propose a framework for a better understanding of the factors that can influence the implementation of sustainability management tools—that is, sustainable development policy and sustainability reporting—in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises. Using secondary data, we studied 431 micro‐ to mid‐sized Canadian enterprises and found that stakeholder consultation plays a central role in company implementation of sustainable management tools. This consultation reduces the perception of internal constraints, particularly regarding relevant knowledge‐gaps. This study also demonstrates the importance of the indirect impacts that external stakeholders exert on small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises and the growing need for management education and training about how to increase the adoption of sustainability management tools.

In this study, a rough surface thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) model tailored for the simulation of high-speed and high-temperature contacts of relatively smooth surfaces is introduce...

The Canadian banking system is among the best in the world. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is challenged and banks are expected to rescue society. Businesses are revising, repurposing, and r...

The objective of this paper is to investigate the rigorousness and reliability of sustainability rating agencies' evaluation of corporate sustainability risks. Using grounded theory, this study conducts a qualitative analysis of 32 semi‐structured interviews with practitioners involved in this activity and shows the trade‐offs and rational myths underlying this evaluation process. The image of rationality and rigorousness projected by sustainability risk measurements is mostly intended to address the increasing institutional pressures for reliable and comparable information, particularly from institutional investors and socially responsible investment decision makers. Nevertheless, risk analysts face serious challenges due to the lack of reliable information, the unpredictability of sustainability risks, the methodological issues related to the measurement process, and the complexity and context‐dependency of risk assessment. These challenges call into question the official and optimistic rhetoric of rating agencies. This study contributes to the literature on sustainability risks and rational myths in organizations. Managerial implications and avenues for future research are also discussed.

Introduction: In kidney transplantation, total laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (TLLDN) in the presence of multiple renal arteries (MRA) is technically challenging and has traditionally been associated with higher complication rates. We report our experience of using MRA grafts procured by TLLDN. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing TLLDN at our center (2004–2014) was identified from a prospectively maintained database and divided into single renal arteries (SRA) or MRA groups. Recipient perioperative parameters, postoperative complications, and long-term graft survival were analyzed. Results: Of 465 patients, 106 had MRA and 359 had an SRA. There were six vascular complications in the SRA group and two in the MRA group (1.7% vs. 1.8%). There were eight ureteric complications requiring intervention in the SRA group compared to three in the MRA group (4% vs. 3%; P = 0.45). Acute rejection was observed in 12% of the SRA group compared to 9% in the MRA group (P = 0.23). One-, 5- and 10-year graft survivals were 98.2%, 91.3%, and 89.8% in the MRA group versus 98.0%, 90.4%, and 77.5% in the SRA group (log-rank P = 0.13). Conclusion: The use of MRA grafts procured by TLLDN has comparable complication rates to SRA grafts and should not preclude selection for renal transplantation.

Objectives Pancreas transplant is a major intraabdominal operation, and in most cases the graft is placed in the rightiliac fossa. At our center, preemptive appendicectomy is performed at the time of pancreas transplant to prevent any future risk in a complex transplant patient. The aim of this study was to review all histology reports from the removed appendices. Materials and methods The histology reports from all incidental appendicectomies performed at pancreas transplant were reviewed. Results Between January 2001 and June 2016, 107 pancreas transplants were performed (86 simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplants, 11 pancreas after kidney transplants, and 10 pancreas transplants alone), and 65 appendix histology reports were available from this patient group. All were preemptive appendicectomies as none of the patients had symptoms to suggest acute appendicitis. Of the 65 appendix histologies, 43 (66.2%) were reported as normal. Twenty specimens (30.8%) showed fibrosis consistent with previous inflammation of the appendix, and 12 specimens (18.5%) showed fecal material in the lumen (1 due to an obstructing fecalith and another 2 showing luminal distension with feces). Three specimens (4.6%) showed lymphoid hyperplasia. There were 5 (7.7 %) unexpected findings upon histology. In review of histology reports, 1 patient had a 1.1-mm carcinoid tumor in an otherwise normal appendix, 1 had an Enterobius species worm infestation, 1 had focal endometriosis, 1 had crypt abscesses suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease, 1 had a metaplastic polyp, and 1 had melanosis coli of unknown clinical significance. There were no cases of overt acute appendicitis. No patients experienced a complication as a direct result of their appendicectomy. Conclusions A policy ofroutine appendicectomy atthe time of pancreas transplant appears to be justified and safe.

This paper explores the neutralization techniques used by Strateco, a junior uranium mining company, throughout the development of the Matoush project in Quebec, Canada. Based on a content ...