Search

This study explores the downsizing propensity of family and non-family firms by considering their territorial embeddedness during both periods of economic stability and financial crisis. By drawing on a panel dataset of Spanish manufacturing firms for the period 2002–2015, we show that, all things being equal, family firms have a lower propensity to downsizing than non-family firms. When considering the effect of territorial embeddedness, we found that territorially embedded family firms have an even lower propensity to downsizing than their non-family counterparts. Furthermore, the concern of territorially embedded family firms for their employees’ welfare was particularly pronounced during the years of the global financial crisis. This result is explained by the existence of socially proximate relationships with the firms’ immediate surroundings, based on similarity and a sense of belonging, which push deeply rooted family firms to treat their employees as salient stakeholders during hard times. Overall, our study stresses the importance of local roots in moderating the relationship between family firms and downsizing.

The analysis of complex networks has recently received considerable attention. The work by Albert and Barabási presented a research challenge to network analysis, that is, growth of the network. The present paper offers a network analysis of the spatial commuting network in Germany. First, we study the spatial evolution of the commuting network over time. Secondly, we compare two spatial interaction model (SIM) specifications, in order to replicate the actual network structure. Our findings suggest that the commuting network appeared to become more dense and clustered, while the SIMs seem to require more sophisticated specifications, in order to replicate such a connectivity structure. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007.

Baruzzi A. (Chair), Albani F., Calbucci F., D’Alessandro R., Michelucci R. (IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna, Italy), Brandes A. (Department of Medical Oncology, Bellaria-Maggiore Hospitals, Bologna, Italy), Eusebi V. (Department of Hematology and Oncological Sciences ‘‘L. & A. Seragnoli’’, Section of Anatomic Pathology at Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy), Ceruti S., Fainardi E., Tamarozzi R. (Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy), Emiliani E. (Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo, Department of Medical Oncology, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy), Cavallo M. (Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy).

The residual lattice strain, the crystallite size, the components of Gaussian and Cauchy functions of the X-ray line profile, determined by the Fourier analysis, are correlated for a better understanding of microstructural characteristics of a coarse and fine Y−Ba−Cu−O powder after explosive consolidation. The results are discussed taking into account the lattice defects generation, in particular, the twin formation in different crystallographic directions after shock loading.

The residual lattice strain, the crystallite size, the components of Gaussian and Gauchy functions of the line profile, determined by Fourier analysis, are correlated for a better understanding of recovery and recrystallization phenomena of Cu annealed after fast and conventional deformations. The density and distribution of the dislocations in the deformed starting material strongly influence the mechanisms of intermediate and high-temperature recovery as well as those of primary recrystallization.

The structure and substructure changes in Al and dispersion-hardened Al alloy are studied after rapid deformation by explosion and slow conventional deformation (cross-rolling and compression) using X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Shock wave deformation generates a small dislocation density which does not produce any significant change in the microstructure as well as in the texture of Al and Al alloy containing a different concentration of Al2O3 particles (4 and 7%). After slow conventional deformation, in particular after cross-rolling, significant variations are observed due to the nonuniformly distributed high dislocation densities.

Results obtained on a eutectic alloy of Ag-Cu after melting and solidification in μ-g are reported. In microgravity the specimens show a regular eutectic structure both lamellar and rod-like shaped and a dendritic one with random orientations and volume fraction higher than l-g. On earth, instead, they exhibit an irregular eutectic structure, almost completely lamellar and a dendritic one with preferential orientations. These differences are consistent with a considerable reduction of convection in the specimens treated in μ-g.

Results of melting and solidification experiments in μ-g of sintered aluminum powder alloys (with 4 pct and 7 pct of A12O3) are presented. Thin oxide films have been used as tight containers which remain adherent during melting and solidification. Convective motion in melted metals in μ-g are indicated from observations of the oxide particle distribution after melting and solidification. Effects of Marangoni convection are always observed in relatively large cylindrical samples, 5 mm diameters, melted and solidified in μ-g. Thin disc-shaped samples do not present evidence of convective motions in μ-g. Even in the absence of convective motion in the thin samples, some particle aggregation occurs, depending on the interactions with the solidification front and conditioned by diffusion controlled critical radii for capture in the solid.

Comparative observations were carried out on the plastic deformation characteristics of cold-rolled and recrystallized S.A.P. sheets, particular attention being given to the apparent and true activation volumes and energies. The higher flow stresses of the cold-rolled specimens are interpreted on the basis of a dislocation sink and emission model, by assuming that the sink rate is conditioned by the dislocation tangles pinned against the grain boundaries. Recrystallized sheet strength and dislocation emission processes are discussed in terms of conservative climb and backstresses due to dislocations pinned by the oxide particles.