Search results

1 – 10 of over 112000
Article
Publication date: 24 September 2021

Guanzheng Wang, Yinbo Xu, Zhihong Liu, Xin Xu, Xiangke Wang and Jiarun Yan

This paper aims to realize a fully distributed multi-UAV collision detection and avoidance based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). To deal with the problem of low sample…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to realize a fully distributed multi-UAV collision detection and avoidance based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). To deal with the problem of low sample efficiency in DRL and speed up the training. To improve the applicability and reliability of the DRL-based approach in multi-UAV control problems.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a fully distributed collision detection and avoidance approach for multi-UAV based on DRL is proposed. A method that integrates human experience into policy training via a human experience-based adviser is proposed. The authors propose a hybrid control method which combines the learning-based policy with traditional model-based control. Extensive experiments including simulations, real flights and comparative experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the approach.

Findings

A fully distributed multi-UAV collision detection and avoidance method based on DRL is realized. The reward curve shows that the training process when integrating human experience is significantly accelerated and the mean episode reward is higher than the pure DRL method. The experimental results show that the DRL method with human experience integration has a significant improvement than the pure DRL method for multi-UAV collision detection and avoidance. Moreover, the safer flight brought by the hybrid control method has also been validated.

Originality/value

The fully distributed architecture is suitable for large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms and real applications. The DRL method with human experience integration has significantly accelerated the training compared to the pure DRL method. The proposed hybrid control strategy makes up for the shortcomings of two-dimensional light detection and ranging and other puzzles in applications.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 49 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 June 2023

Sut Ieng Lei, Lawrence Hoc Nang Fong and Shun Ye

While the importance of human touch for maintaining a tech–touch balance has been stressed, little knowledge exists regarding how such human elements should be incorporated in…

Abstract

Purpose

While the importance of human touch for maintaining a tech–touch balance has been stressed, little knowledge exists regarding how such human elements should be incorporated in service settings dominated by technologies. This study aims to examine the outcomes of human touch levels across different travel stages in a hotel stay context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey on 900 participants. Latent class analysis was first conducted to categorize the sample into groups based on human touch levels. Hypotheses were then tested using regression-based moderation analysis with the PROCESS macro for SPSS.

Findings

Human touch level negatively predicts perceived risk, which is negatively associated with satisfaction. These effects are particularly significant at check-in and check-out stages. Informational privacy significantly moderates the effect of human touch level on perceived risk. Such interaction effects were spotted at the booking and check-out stages.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to theory by revealing the role of human touch elements in technology-driven service scenarios and provides practical guidelines for hotels on sharpening service experience by integrating human touch and technology elements.

Originality/value

Through integrating the service encounter framework and concept of customer touchpoints, this study takes a different approach that integrates both “tech” and “touch” by investigating the effects of customer-owned touchpoints in each core stage of a hotel stay journey.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 36 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 July 2023

Chris Roberts and Thomas Maier

The purpose of this paper is to explore the distinction between human-delivered service and technology-based, automated customer assistance.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the distinction between human-delivered service and technology-based, automated customer assistance.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper. There is no methodology.

Findings

The concept of service is primarily delivered when a human helps another. When technology is infused into the process and becomes the major component of delivering the aid that is requested, the process is automated customer assistance. Thus, “self-service” is not service. It is automated customer assistance.

Research limitations/implications

The definition of service is refined to describe the process of a human helping another person. When technology is used to provide the needed aid, it is no longer a service. Instead, it is automated customer assistance. The implication is that researchers should closely examine how users assess and perceive the two separate approaches to providing the needed aid.

Practical implications

The definition of service is refined to describe the process of a human helping another person. When technology is used to provide the needed aid, it is no longer a service. Instead, it is automated customer assistance. Researchers should closely examine how users assess and perceive the two separate approaches. Industry professionals should be mindful of the distinction between the delivery of service, which requires staff, and the provisioning of technology to provide assistance, which requires little to no staff. Intentionality should drive when customers are better helped by a human or by technology.

Originality/value

The value provided helps both providers create and users express when human-based service is needed versus assistance provided by technology.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2012

John Cameron and Karin Astrid Siegmann

In this paper the aim is to show how the translation of a logical positivist epistemology into neoclassical economics has had profound methodological consequences which

835

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper the aim is to show how the translation of a logical positivist epistemology into neoclassical economics has had profound methodological consequences which over‐determine an inability to predict cusps and their associated crises.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of epistemological and methodological literature, it is argued that the financial crises of the past 20 years ought to initiate a questioning of the epistemological foundations of the discipline.

Findings

As an alternative, it is suggested that an economics methodology informed by critical realism would increase the probability of a timely prediction of crises.

Originality/value

The paper de‐emphasises falsification as a key criterion for assessing the quality of knowledge, provides more space for non‐quantified reflections on relationships, a thicker model of human agency, a well‐specified model of collective human economic behaviour as well as an endogenous possibility of dramatic change within the economic domain.

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2002

Jo Ann Oravec

Students’ professional training often focuses on narrow technical considerations that exclude accessibility concerns and universal design perspectives. This can make them…

1646

Abstract

Students’ professional training often focuses on narrow technical considerations that exclude accessibility concerns and universal design perspectives. This can make them ill‐equipped to understand the importance of accessibility approaches let alone become advocates for them. This article explores how students who design Web sites and work with computer end users in support capacities can be introduced to accessibility approaches and empowered to promote them in organizational contexts. The issues involved can also be used as springboards for examination of larger matters concerning universal design perspectives and humanistic approaches to management.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2000

David J. Nelson and Evan W. Flower

Conoco's Trailblazer™ Program, a “corporate university,” integrates personal development with individual and company business goals.

Abstract

Conoco's Trailblazer™ Program, a “corporate university,” integrates personal development with individual and company business goals.

Details

Handbook of Business Strategy, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1077-5730

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1976

V. LEO BARTLETT

The Pupil Control Ideology (PCI) concept has been used extensively to describe the school organization. Teachers hate been described as either “custodial” or “humanistic” in their…

Abstract

The Pupil Control Ideology (PCI) concept has been used extensively to describe the school organization. Teachers hate been described as either “custodial” or “humanistic” in their belief orientation to control of pupils. But clarification of the nature of pupil control and the teacher attitudes which lie at the base of control, has not been investigated adequately. The first section of the present investigation indicates the attitudes of teachers which are associated with high levels of custodialism. These attitudes include emphasis on, content to be taught, teacher direction, rigid classroom procedures and social disengagement from pupils. The second part of the study shows that while operational measures of control may be similar, attitudes underlying control may differ. In schools serving higher socio‐economic communities, teachers exhibit an “emotional disengagement—non‐teacher direction” form of ideology. The conclusion is drawn that unless future investigations both identify attitudes and explain the interactions of attitudes of teachers in each school system, Pupil Control Ideology may be an inadequate descriptor of the school as a social system.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Article
Publication date: 16 April 2024

Yang Liu, Xiang Huang, Shuanggao Li and Wenmin Chu

Component positioning is an important part of aircraft assembly, aiming at the problem that it is difficult to accurately fall into the corresponding ball socket for the ball head…

Abstract

Purpose

Component positioning is an important part of aircraft assembly, aiming at the problem that it is difficult to accurately fall into the corresponding ball socket for the ball head connected with aircraft component. This study aims to propose a ball head adaptive positioning method based on impedance control.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a target impedance model for ball head positioning is constructed, and a reference positioning trajectory is generated online based on the contact force between the ball head and the ball socket. Second, the target impedance parameters were optimized based on the artificial fish swarm algorithm. Third, to improve the robustness of the impedance controller in unknown environments, a controller is designed based on model reference adaptive control (MRAC) theory and an adaptive impedance control model is built in the Simulink environment. Finally, a series of ball head positioning experiments are carried out.

Findings

During the positioning of the ball head, the contact force between the ball head and the ball socket is maintained at a low level. After the positioning, the horizontal contact force between the ball head and the socket is less than 2 N. When the position of the contact environment has the same change during ball head positioning, the contact force between the ball head and the ball socket under standard impedance control will increase to 44 N, while the contact force of the ball head and the ball socket under adaptive impedance control will only increase to 19 N.

Originality/value

In this paper, impedance control is used to decouple the force-position relationship of the ball head during positioning, which makes the entire process of ball head positioning complete under low stress conditions. At the same time, by constructing an adaptive impedance controller based on MRAC, the robustness of the positioning system under changes in the contact environment position is greatly improved.

Details

Robotic Intelligence and Automation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-6969

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2003

Georgios I. Zekos

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some…

88270

Abstract

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.

Details

Managerial Law, vol. 45 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0558

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 November 2015

Qi Sun and Haijun Kang

The globalization of the market economy and the technology revolution present multiple demands for education to meet the needs of the knowledge society. In this global context…

1257

Abstract

Purpose

The globalization of the market economy and the technology revolution present multiple demands for education to meet the needs of the knowledge society. In this global context, work-based learning (WBL) has become increasingly valuable and critical for individuals and governments to enhance employability and to produce competitive workforces. Yet, the interdependence nature of globalization urges us to learn from each other the various theoretical and methodological approaches to WBL. Applying an appreciative inquiry, the purpose of this paper is to propose the transformation of current WBL practices by integrating or “meshing” Confucian Learning Model (CLM) into Western approaches for sustainable human development in this multi-cultural economic-driven global context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is grounded in literature review and critical examination of profound pedagogical theories and practices from both Western and Eastern perspectives. Western education philosophies, learning theories, and models are critically examined and contrasted with CLM an important Eastern perspective in order to identify the major limitations of current WBL development. Appreciative inquiry and comparative view are applied as methods to highlight the significance of integrating or meshing CLM into the Western approaches to transform current WBL practices in this global context.

Findings

WBL has greatly benefited current workforce development worldwide, which is well documented in the literature. However, through futuristic and holistic human development perspectives, current WBL development is seen as moving toward pragmatism and utilitarianism due to overemphasizing the use of education for economic competition and for satisfying employers’ immediate work/job needs. Through an “appreciative eye” and comparative lens, this paper helps identify an urgent need to integrate or mesh CLM, an important Eastern perspective, into Western perspectives for enhanced theoretical foundations and more holistic and systemic practical approaches to transform current WBL practices for global sustainable human development.

Originality/value

This paper employs a unique method of “appreciative eye” and comparative lens through which scholars and practitioners may identify what is missing but needed in current WBL development in the global context. It is through this unique approach that this paper increases the reader’s awareness of the limitations of current WBL practices, guides them to envision how to fully prepare and release the potential of the twenty-first century workforce, and calls for integrating or “meshing” CLM into the various Western approaches for a more holistic perspective for the possible transformation of current WBL practices worldwide.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 5 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 112000