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1 – 10 of over 4000Yurui Xu, Liang Gao, Benshan Liu, Junming Zhang, Yanhe Zhu, Jie Zhao and Liyi Li
Compared to quad-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the tilting dual-rotor UAV is more prone to instability during exercises and disturbances. The purpose of this paper is using…
Abstract
Purpose
Compared to quad-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the tilting dual-rotor UAV is more prone to instability during exercises and disturbances. The purpose of this paper is using an active balance tail to enhance the hovering stability and motion smoothness of tilting dual-rotor UAV.
Design/methodology/approach
A balance tail is proposed and integrated into the tilting dual-rotor UAV to enhance hovering stability and motion smoothness. By strategically moving, the balance tail generates additional force and moment, which can promote the rapid stability of the UAV. Subsequently, the control strategy of the UAV is designed, and the influence of the swing of the balance tail at different installation positions with different masses on the dual-rotor UAV is analyzed through simulation. The accompany motion law and the active control, which is based on cascade Proportion Integration Differentiation (PID) control to enhance the hovering stability and motion smoothness of the UAV, are proposed.
Findings
The results demonstrate that active control has obvious adjustment effectiveness when the UAV moves to the target position or makes an emergency stop compared with the results of balance tail no swing and accompany motion.
Practical implications
The balance tail offers a straightforward means to enhance the motion smoothness of tilting dual-rotor UAV, rendering it safer and more reliable for practical applications.
Originality/value
The novelty of this works comes from the application of an active balance tail to improve the stability and motion smoothness of dual-rotor UAV.
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Ryan M. Carrick, Taylor Brinkley, Cheyenne Harvey, Ashtin Johnson, Taylor Penney, Tanner Kate Sauls and Pamalyn J. Kearney
Due to the projected increase in the older adult population, occupational therapy providers will have an increasing role in supporting health outcomes for older adults in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Due to the projected increase in the older adult population, occupational therapy providers will have an increasing role in supporting health outcomes for older adults in the coming years. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of occupational interventions to promote home safety in older adults.
Design/methodology/approach
This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles were double screened by separate researchers, then exported and managed in EndNote. The Risk of Bias Table determined certainty of evidence for themes.
Findings
Three main preliminary themes were identified from the 17 included articles. Themes include multimodal interventions (n= 6), exercise interventions (n= 9) and home modifications (n = 2). None of the articles explicitly defined home safety, but distal outcomes related to safety included: increased strength, balance improvement and functional mobility.
Research limitations/implications
Importantly, an absent consensus for a definition of home safety limits the results of this systematic review while at the same time providing opportunity for future research.
Practical implications
Exercise combined with nutrition provided the strongest intervention evidence for physical functionality. Additionally, home modifications alone may be insufficient to result in improved home safety.
Social implications
An occupational therapy’s (OT) holistic approach benefits older adults through evidenced-based interventions improving home safety, independence in functional tasks and overall quality of life.
Originality/value
Findings provide clinicians with information on the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of OT that can be implemented within the home to promote home safety.
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Nadia Yusuf, Inass Salamah Ali and Tariq Zubair
This study investigates the impact of US dollar volatility and oil rents on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the impact of US dollar volatility and oil rents on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with an emphasis on understanding how these factors influence SME financing constraints in economies with fixed currency regimes.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a random effects panel regression analysis, this research considers US dollar volatility and oil rents as independent variables, with SME performance, measured through the financing gap, as the dependent variable. Controls such as trade balance, inflation deltas and gross domestic product (GDP) growth are included to isolate their effects on SME financing constraints.
Findings
The study reveals a significant positive relationship between dollar volatility and the financing gap, suggesting that increased volatility can exacerbate SME financing constraints. Conversely, oil rents did not show a significant direct influence on SME performance. The trade balance and inflation deltas were found to have significant effects, highlighting the multifaceted nature of economic variables affecting SMEs.
Research limitations/implications
The study acknowledges potential biases due to omitted variables and the limitations inherent in the use of secondary data.
Practical implications
Findings offer pertinent guidance for SMEs and policymakers in the GCC region seeking to develop strategies that mitigate the impact of currency volatility and support SME financing.
Originality/value
The research provides new insights into the dynamics of SME performance within fixed currency regimes, which significantly contributes to the limited literature in this area. The paper further underscores the complex connections between global economic factors and SME financial health.
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Rajesh Kumar Sinha and Harshali Damle
Prior literature on the cultural determinants of cash holdings focuses on time-invariant cultural variables measured at the geographical level. These measures of culture do not…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior literature on the cultural determinants of cash holdings focuses on time-invariant cultural variables measured at the geographical level. These measures of culture do not capture the firm-level variation in corporate culture. Using a validated time-variant measure of firm-level corporate culture, specifically teamwork, we examine the effect of teamwork on a firm's cash holdings.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, we explore the effect of corporate teamwork culture on firms' cash holdings. Using sudden CEO turnover as an exogenous shock to a firm's teamwork culture, we find teamwork increases cash holdings. Also, we test and find two channels—financial constraint and agency—and two new labour-related channels—human capital quality and labour inefficiency—through which teamwork culture affects cash holdings. Our results are robust to endogeneity tests.
Findings
We find that teamwork increases the cash holdings of firms. We find that a firm with a high teamwork culture has higher cash holdings: an increase of one standard deviation in teamwork leads to a 14.6% rise in the mean cash holdings.
Originality/value
To our knowledge, our study is the first to introduce the firm-level teamwork cultural construct as a determinant of cash holdings.
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Mingze Yuan, Lin Ma, Ting Qu, Matthias Thürer and George Q. Huang
Workload contribution calculation approaches in the existing literature overestimate or underestimate indirect workload, which increases both workload fluctuation and shop floor…
Abstract
Purpose
Workload contribution calculation approaches in the existing literature overestimate or underestimate indirect workload, which increases both workload fluctuation and shop floor throughput performance. This study optimizes a Corrected Aggregate Workload (CAW) approach to control the workload contribution of workstations and Work In Progress (WIP) levels, thereby improving the shop floor throughput performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts simulation experiment by SimPy, and experimental factors are: (1) two workload contribution methods (CAW method and considering Position Corrected Aggregate Workload [PCAW] method); (2) two release methods (LUMS COR release and immediate release); (3) eleven workload norms for LUMS COR release (from 7- to 15-time units), and infinite workload norm for immediate release; and (4) two dispatching rules (First Come First Served, FCFS and Operation Due Date, ODD). Each scenario is replicated 100 times, and for each replication data are collected for 10,000 time units, being the warm-up period set to 3,000-time units.
Findings
The results of this study confirm that the PCAW calculation method outperforms the CAW method, especially during higher workload norm levels. The PCAW method is considered the better solution in practice due to its excellent performance in terms of percentage tardiness and mean tardiness time. The efficient workload contribution approach, as discussed in this study, has the potential to offset delivery performance loss that results from throughput performance loss.
Originality/value
This study proposes a novel approach that considers the workstations’ position in the routing of the job and the position of jobs CAW method. The results demonstrated that it allows shop floor throughput time to be short and feasible. It controls WIP by workload contribution of workstations, resulting in a lean shop floor. Therefore, workload contribution calculation is of particular significance for high-variety Make-To-Order (MTO) companies.
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Florent Saucède and David Vidal
Linking platform governance and value, the article explains how platforms manage openness, which gives users access and authority, to shape the user experience and orchestrate…
Abstract
Purpose
Linking platform governance and value, the article explains how platforms manage openness, which gives users access and authority, to shape the user experience and orchestrate interactive value co-creation within their ecosystem.
Design/methodology/approach
We adopted an abductive approach, drawing on an embedded multiple case study of platform-based local alternative food networks. The strong symbolic dimension embedded into that context allowed for a full exploration of value in its interactive nature.
Findings
Platform openness influences value creation directly, but also through two mechanisms: one behavioural, involving interactions between users and sides, and the other cognitive, involving users’ abstraction level. Value co-creation goes beyond the online space and occurs in complex sets of interactions between users. Digital platforms can thus generate intrinsic value co-creation that enhances their utility.
Originality/value
We have adopted a marketing channel theory reading of openness and mobilised a broader conception of value as well as cognitive science to explain how this key element of platform governance affects value creation.
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Qian Wang, Xiaobo Tang, Huigang Liang, Yajiong Xue and Xiaolin Sun
In public firms, the largest shareholder can make decisions on cash dividends in favor of its own interests at the expense of other investors. While the second largest shareholder…
Abstract
Purpose
In public firms, the largest shareholder can make decisions on cash dividends in favor of its own interests at the expense of other investors. While the second largest shareholder can actively participate in corporate governance and protect the interests of investors, its impact has not been fully understood. This research investigates how shareholding ratio and ownership type of the second largest shareholder moderate the relationship between controlling shareholder's shareholding ratio and cash dividends.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted econometrics analysis based on a panel data of China's A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2017.
Findings
The authors find that the controlling shareholder's shareholding ratio has a significant negative impact on cash dividends. However, this influence is conditional on the shareholding ratio of the second largest shareholder. The negative impact is weakened when the second largest shareholder holds a large proportion of shares or when the shareholding gap between the second largest and the controlling shareholder is small.
Originality/value
This research extends the existing literature by highlighting the nuanced moderating effect of the second largest shareholder on the relationship between the controlling shareholder and cash dividends, thus making a unique contribution to the understanding of corporate governances in the emerging financial market in China.
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Karynne L. Turner, Alberto Monti and Maria Carmela Annosi
Recent reports show that knowledge-based sectors contribute significantly to the global economy and underscore the importance of innovation. Innovation in both products and…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent reports show that knowledge-based sectors contribute significantly to the global economy and underscore the importance of innovation. Innovation in both products and processes is vital to maintaining competitiveness. Self-managing teams, emphasizing autonomy and limiting the role of management, have been viewed as a solution to encourage innovation. However, management's efforts to coordinate and align employees with the organization's interests can inadvertently stifle innovation. Achieving the appropriate balance between granting employees autonomy and retaining managerial involvement is paramount, creating a paradox known as the control-autonomy dilemma. This article highlights the importance of perceived managerial support to strike the appropriate balance.
Design/methodology/approach
Practitioner paper
Findings
To address the control-autonomy dilemma, organizational practices that balance management control and employee autonomy are crucial. These include input practices that emphasize skill development and/or output practices that set clear goals. With self-rule, maintaining perceived managerial support becomes harder. Without it, employees may hesitate to engage in innovative behaviors. While not needing constant supervision, employees do need to have the perception that their managers provide essential resources and motivation for their work.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to highlight how the level of perceived managerial support (PMS) will differ due to the nature of the organizational practices and the type of innovation.
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Badingatus Solikhah, Ching-Lung Chen, Pei-Yu Weng and Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Faryan
This study aims to examine the association between related-party transactions (RPT) and tax avoidance. The study further investigates whether government ownership improves…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the association between related-party transactions (RPT) and tax avoidance. The study further investigates whether government ownership improves scrutiny of tax aggressiveness activities among Taiwanese group companies.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used 16,061 firm-year observations derived from the Taiwan Economic Journal Database (TEJ) from 2005 to 2021. The authors applied GLS fixed-effect regression. Additional tests, such as a difference-in-difference examination, propensity score matching (PSM) analysis and other tests were performed to obtain more robust results.
Findings
The results show different consequences between eliminated and non-eliminated RPT toward tax avoidance. RPT enhances tax benefits aligned with the efficient contracting hypothesis. Under varying degrees of government control, this paper empirically reveals that government ownership has a role in mitigating tax avoidance. This implies that government control improves corporate governance by balancing opportunistic and efficiency-based tax avoidance.
Practical implications
This paper provides substantial practical implications since using the strategy of reducing taxes through RPT will result in greater tax savings at the business group level. Therefore, RPT is beneficial for enhancing business efficiency. Furthermore, government control increases corporate governance quality, which could lead to balancing tax aggressiveness activity.
Originality/value
Using a unique setting for RPT reporting in Taiwan, this paper divides RPT into eliminated and non-eliminated RPT. The findings offer significant insight for policymakers, investors and managers regarding the utilization of RPT to enhance efficiency in business groups. Additionally, this paper highlights the role of government control in preserving a harmonious balance in tax planning practices.
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Maria João Cunha, Carla Cruz and Célia Belim
This research aims to explore perceptions of subjective well-being (SWB) in public relations (PR) practitioners, focusing on dimensions of job satisfaction, networking…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to explore perceptions of subjective well-being (SWB) in public relations (PR) practitioners, focusing on dimensions of job satisfaction, networking, relationships and work–life balance, while addressing the under-researched area of gender and age – related to stages of life – disparities in SWB within the PR industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, this study utilised a survey, followed by semi-structured interviews to investigate SWB among PR professionals in Portugal, considering gender and stages of life differences.
Findings
Using a gendered and stages of life lens, this study found nuanced perceptions of SWB among Portuguese PR professionals. Older women showed higher emotional well-being but lower work evaluations than men, while young professionals exhibited less gender disparities in SWB. Men reported greater job satisfaction, emphasising passion, while women faced challenges like work overload and valued recognition. Gender differences were seen in networking, with men favouring teamwork and women valuing friendships for career advancement. Work–life balance issues, especially among older women, related to mental health.
Originality/value
This study contributes to filling the research gap regarding SWB in the PR industry, particularly in Portugal, offering insights into gender and stages of life dynamics that influence SWB perceptions, thereby informing strategies for enhancing well-being and productivity in PR workplaces.
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