Dennis W. Field

Success factors in dealing with significant change in an organization

Purpose – As organizations attempt to deal with change that is transforming, research has identified factors that need to be present in order to optimize the change transformation. The purpose of this research paper is to focus on those critical success factors.Design/methodology/approach – After presenting a summary of the identified success factors, a combined quantitative and qualitative research methodology focusing on a single case study examines these critical factors in more depth.Findings – Presented are identified factors of previous research, and two additional critical factors are revealed: flexible curriculum – the need for a comprehensive action plan having a prescribed curriculum; and perception of personal gain – the need to present a clear understanding addressing the aspirations and individual personal goals of those who are both involved and affected by the significant change.Research limitations/implications – Beyond the limitations inherent in conducting both qualitative and quantitati...

Advances in deformation processed gold composites

Conventional metallic composites are comprised of a metal matrix with a ceramic second phase. In recent years, composites have been developed in which both the matrix and the reinforcing phase are ductile metals. In 1998 a 90 vol%Au – 10 vol% Ag metal-metal composite wire was produced and found to possess both high tensile strength (550 MPa) and low electrical resistivity (2.56 m ohm-cm). In that composite, the silver reinforcing phase consisted of sub-micron diameter filaments parallel to the wire axis. This article describes the microstructures, mechanical properties, and electrical resistivity of three gold matrix composites in which the reinforcing phases are 7 vol% Ag, 14 vol% Ag, and 7 vol%Pt. These composites were drawn to diameters as small as 60 microns. Results from wedge bonding trials with these composite wires are also reported.