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Abstract. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed as excellent materials for the construction of new, precisely tailored ultrafiltration membranes and as promising fibres for the construction of new, stronger composite materials. In this paper classical molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the potential use of CNTs in these applications. Functional groups have been covalently attached to the walls of CNTs to provide more extensive interactions between these new fibres and a polymer matrix. We examine the effects of these attachments on the mechanical properties of the tubules. The diffusive molecular flow of methane, ethane and ethylene through single tubules at room temperature are also studied. The simulations predict normal-mode molecular diffusion for methane. However, diffusion that is intermediate between normal-mode and single-file diffusion is predicted for ethane and ethylene. These diffusion results are found to be similar to results predicted for molecular diffusion in zeolites.

Interactions between proximal probe tips composed of carbon nanotubules (CNTs) and diamond and graphene surfaces are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations reveal the mechanisms of buckling, bending, slipping, and elastic recovery of the CNT tips on these surfaces and suggest that they will not wear out when crashed as conventional tips often do unless the surface is highly reactive. The simulations also show how the deformation mechanism changes as a function of tubule length and the effect of these changes on the buckling force is discussed quantitatively. [S0031-9007(98)07108-7]

The influence of leadership style on employee commitment for the organisation has not been adequately addressed in the Parastatal companies in South Africa. A need therefore exists for greater understanding of the relationship between the leadership style and work-related attitudes (such as employee commitment) in order to develop a leadership style that will encourage organisational commitment. This study examined the relationship between leadership style, and employee commitment. Managers and their subordinates participated in the study. 348 questionnaires were distributed, 58 to managers and 290 to their subordinates. Final data for analysis included responses from 197 participants (34 managers, and 163 subordinates). 163 respondents rated their managers leadership behaviour on Bass and Avolios (1997) multi-factor leadership questionnaire (MLQ) and Meyer and Allens (1997) organisational commitment questionnaire (OCQ). A series of statistical procedures were followed to analyse the data. Hypotheses were tested on two levels. First, correlations among managers and subordinates with regard to the MLQ, and then the MLQ versus the OCQ. Results revealed a weak positive yet significant relationship between transformational leadership and affective commitment, normative commitment and continuance commitment. Transactional leadership had a weak but significant positive correlation with normative commitment, and Laissez-faire results indicated a weak negative yet significant correlation to affective commitment and normative commitment. Overall findings from this study suggest that leadership styles do play important roles in determining levels of affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment. This study contributes to the bank of findings relating to the development of leadership and organisational commitment, not only in South Africa, but within the Parastatal organisations in particular.

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to investigate the effect of TQM principles on organisational performance in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Indian Auto Component Sector. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on survey data collected from quality heads of 120 Auto component SMEs in India and uses correlation and regression analysis to test the relationships between quality management principles and organizational performance. Findings The study provides evidence that application of TQM principles such as ‘Process Approach’, ‘Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationship’ and ‘Factual Approach to Decision-Making’ has a positive influence on the performance of Indian Auto component SMEs. Practical implications This study presents a number of managerial implications, specifically for quality managers in Indian Auto component SMEs. The focus of these organizations should be on strengthening the supply chain and operations. The quality managers need to align processes and resources based on factual approach to decision making for achieving higher organizational performance. Management of the organizations should also analyse why the soft aspects of TQM namely, Involvement of People, Customer Focus and Leadership are not contributing to the organizational performance in Indian Auto component SMEs. Originality/value This paper identifies the key quality management principles that can influence organizational performance in SMEs in the Indian Auto component sector whereas most existing studies have focussed only on Tier-1 organization in this sector. Unlike previous studies on this subject, the present study highlights the significant impact of predominantly hard factors of TQM such as ‘Process Approach’ and ‘Factual Approach to Decision-Making’ with only one soft factor of TQM namely, ‘Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationship’ being significant.