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1 – 10 of 462
Article
Publication date: 1 January 2021

Jianing Luo, Hong Zhang and William Sher

The purpose of this research is to measure incompatibilities between the manufacturing approaches (MA) used by the manufacturing industries, and those used for the off-site…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to measure incompatibilities between the manufacturing approaches (MA) used by the manufacturing industries, and those used for the off-site construction (OSC) of buildings. The aim is to explore which of these approaches could be integrated into OSC in a precise manner as viewed by architects as well as how this might occur.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical research and empirical cycle (EC) was adopted as a methodological framework to measure incompatibilities. A combination of quantitative and qualitative mixed methods was explored through a literature-based case study of prefabricated houses and cars, nine real-life projects built by the second author's research team and the first-named author's practical experiences of leading these projects, based on a logic framework derived from the authors’ reflections of their architectural practices.

Findings

The findings quantitatively present the incompatibilities between cars (automobile bodies) and prefabricated houses. Design-related aspects have the most potential for integration (42.3% increment). The key lessons were identified as specific design philosophies and related guidelines for architects.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to single types of products (cars) and buildings (prefabricated houses) in particular regions. The key lessons just present a preliminary evaluation of the application of the design philosophies and related guidelines in nine real-life projects to comply with word limit constraints.

Practical implications

This study could help architects and other practitioners to locate and target and alleviated incompatibilities between MA and OSC. It could also precisely identify integration shortcomings to optimize decision-making as well as technical pathways for possible and effective breakthroughs.

Social implications

This study provides fundamental research as a starting point for further discussion and development. A series of additional in-depth investigations combined with case studies are planned for the future. These could provide alternative study approaches to develop more appropriate architectural design methodologies and more streamlined processes.

Originality/value

The research contributes an alternative architectural perspective when measuring incompatibilities between MA and OSC. The results highlight the implications of precise measurement and provide guidance for architects. These facilitate the effective and successful integration of MA into OSC of buildings and promote the uptake of lean construction (LC) in OSC.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 28 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2021

Zi-yan Yu and Tian-jian Luo

Clothing patterns play a dominant role in costume design and have become an important link in the perception of costume art. Conventional clothing patterns design relies on…

Abstract

Purpose

Clothing patterns play a dominant role in costume design and have become an important link in the perception of costume art. Conventional clothing patterns design relies on experienced designers. Although the quality of clothing patterns is very high on conventional design, the input time and output amount ratio is relative low for conventional design. In order to break through the bottleneck of conventional clothing patterns design, this paper proposes a novel way based on generative adversarial network (GAN) model for automatic clothing patterns generation, which not only reduces the dependence of experienced designer, but also improve the input-output ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

In view of the fact that clothing patterns have high requirements for global artistic perception and local texture details, this paper improves the conventional GAN model from two aspects: a multi-scales discriminators strategy is introduced to deal with the local texture details; and the self-attention mechanism is introduced to improve the global artistic perception. Therefore, the improved GAN called multi-scales self-attention improved generative adversarial network (MS-SA-GAN) model, which is used for high resolution clothing patterns generation.

Findings

To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed MS-SA-GAN model, a crawler is designed to acquire standard clothing patterns dataset from Baidu pictures, and a comparative experiment is conducted on our designed clothing patterns dataset. In experiments, we have adjusted different parameters of the proposed MS-SA-GAN model, and compared the global artistic perception and local texture details of the generated clothing patterns.

Originality/value

Experimental results have shown that the clothing patterns generated by the proposed MS-SA-GAN model are superior to the conventional algorithms in some local texture detail indexes. In addition, a group of clothing design professionals is invited to evaluate the global artistic perception through a valence-arousal scale. The scale results have shown that the proposed MS-SA-GAN model achieves a better global art perception.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2022

Tian-Jian Luo

Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) has been widely used in the application of electroencephalogram (EEG) based non-invasive brain computer interface (BCI) due to its…

Abstract

Purpose

Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) has been widely used in the application of electroencephalogram (EEG) based non-invasive brain computer interface (BCI) due to its characteristics of high accuracy and information transfer rate (ITR). To recognize the SSVEP components in collected EEG trials, a lot of recognition algorithms based on template matching of training trials have been proposed and applied in recent years. In this paper, a comparative survey of SSVEP recognition algorithms based on template matching of training trails has been done.

Design/methodology/approach

To survey and compare the recently proposed recognition algorithms for SSVEP, this paper regarded the conventional canonical correlated analysis (CCA) as the baseline, and selected individual template CCA (ITCCA), multi-set CCA (MsetCCA), task related component analysis (TRCA), latent common source extraction (LCSE) and a sum of squared correlation (SSCOR) for comparison.

Findings

For the horizontal comparative of the six surveyed recognition algorithms, this paper adopted the “Tsinghua JFPM-SSVEP” data set and compared the average recognition performance on such data set. The comparative contents including: recognition accuracy, ITR, correlated coefficient and R-square values under different time duration of the SSVEP stimulus presentation. Based on the optimal time duration of stimulus presentation, the author has also compared the efficiency of the six compared algorithms. To measure the influence of different parameters, the number of training trials, the number of electrodes and the usage of filter bank preprocessing were compared in the ablation study.

Originality/value

Based on the comparative results, this paper analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the six compared SSVEP recognition algorithms by considering application scenes, real-time and computational complexity. Finally, the author gives the algorithms selection range for the recognition of real-world online SSVEP-BCI.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2016

Xiao-feng Zhang, Xiao-juan Zhang, Lei Li, Gui-quan Li and You-min Xi

This study aims to focus on the authority formation process of Chinese enterprise leaders, with the purpose of finding out how an ordinary newly established firm leader develops…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the authority formation process of Chinese enterprise leaders, with the purpose of finding out how an ordinary newly established firm leader develops into a real top leader and achieves the status of legitimacy in a well-known enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on constructivist grounded theory, this paper investigates the formation mechanism of entrepreneurial authority in China by using the rich data of Liu Chuan-zhi’s leader activities.

Findings

In the “evolution” path of authority formation, leaders continually consolidate and improve their authority through two classes of exceptional management activities: “emergency rescue” and “promotion activities”. The successful realization of exceptional management activities benefits from a leader’s management experience accumulation and relationship maintenance with the government. In the “design” path of authority formation, leaders consolidate and improve their authority by exercising their position of power. Leaders’ legitimacy is reflected by making strategic decision and demonstrating discretion of position power. Additionally, passing on an inspiring leader’s thoughts and ideas to an organization’s members is accomplished through the construction of organization culture, institutionalization and convention.

Research limitations/implications

First, the findings are based on only Liu Chuan-zhi’s case. The authors still need more cases to compare and develop the findings and seek theoretical saturation in a broader sense. Second, the qualitative analysis is based on secondary data and future research could consider the introduction of interviews, video and other types of research data.

Originality/value

Under the parallel paths which are “evolution” and “design”, the dynamic leader authority formation model in China is founded.

Details

Nankai Business Review International, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8749

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 October 2020

Izzy Yi Jian, Edwin H.W. Chan and Terry Ye Peng Yao

POSPD, as supplementation of public open spaces (POS), has become a common policy to moderate the intensification of urbanization. However, some access restrictions, both physical…

Abstract

Purpose

POSPD, as supplementation of public open spaces (POS), has become a common policy to moderate the intensification of urbanization. However, some access restrictions, both physical and information-wise, were deliberately designed by private developers to reserve the POSPD for their own gains, which further hampers POSPD’s publicness and leads to their failure to bear social responsibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the current situation of the availability of public open space in private developments (POSPD) from the perspective of information justice, this research aims at proposing a policy framework for an “accessible and interactive platform” which advocates promoting informational justice by integrating public participation into the establishment of an interaction loop to promote the revitalization of POSPD. The methodology includes the review of previous solutions and platforms, the establishment of a POSPD database and geographic information system (GIS) analysis.

Findings

The POSPD in Hong Kong are unevenly distributed physically while the information about them is injustice and inadequate. Understanding the existing informational injustice associated with POSPD and revitalizing the stock spaces is timely and vital. Using the user-generated data from volunteers as the information flow, the proposed responsive POSPD platform will provide continuous positive feedback for policy improvement to help realize the collaborative management and sustainable development of the POS.

Originality/value

Making use of information and communication technology (ICT) to extend the “public” to the “internet-based”, the proposed framework regards the exploitation of ICT to enhance information justice as a novel way to revitalize POSPD. It involves collaborative operation among citizen participation and official POS management.

Article
Publication date: 29 August 2019

Wei Du, Lei Luo, Songtao Wang, Jian Liu and Bengt Ake Sunden

The purpose of this study is to enhance the thermal performance in the labyrinth channel by different ribs shape. The labyrinth channel is a relatively new cooling structure to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enhance the thermal performance in the labyrinth channel by different ribs shape. The labyrinth channel is a relatively new cooling structure to decrease the temperature near the trailing region of gas turbine.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the geometric similarity, a simplified geometric model is used. The k − ω turbulence model is used to close the Navier–Stokes equations. Five rib shapes (one rectangular rib, two arched ribs and two trapezoid ribs) and five Reynolds numbers (10,000 to 50,000) are considered. The Nusselt number, flow structure and friction factor are analyzed.

Findings

Nusselt number is tightly related to the rib shape in the labyrinth channel. The different shapes of the ribs result in different horseshoe vortex and wake region. In general, the arched rib brings the highest Nusselt number and friction factor. The Nusselt number is increased by 15.8 per cent compared to that of trapezoidal ribs. High Nusselt number is accompanied by the high friction factor in a labyrinth channels. The friction factor is increased by 64.6 per cent compared to rectangular ribs. However, the rib shape has a minor effect on the overall thermal performance.

Practical implications

This study is useful to protect the trailing region of advanced gas turbine.

Originality/value

This paper presents the flow structure and heat transfer characteristics in a labyrinth channel with different rib shapes.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2021

Jian Du, Keying Lu and Chao Zhou

Prior studies have argued that multinational firms with dynamic capabilities can reconfigure and upgrade their internal and external resources and adapt to an ever-changing…

Abstract

Purpose

Prior studies have argued that multinational firms with dynamic capabilities can reconfigure and upgrade their internal and external resources and adapt to an ever-changing competitive global environment. The impact of home country networks exerting on multinational corporations’ (MNCs) dynamic capabilities has been rarely discussed in extant research. This paper aims to explore how two types of home country networks’ relational embeddedness (from domestic firms and foreign firms) affect Chinese MNCs’ dynamic capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Several hypotheses were tested by analyzing the survey data from 204 multinational companies in china.

Findings

The results reveal the impact mechanism of the home country network on dynamic capabilities. Embeddedness in domestic networks positively affects embeddedness in the foreign network; embeddedness in foreign firms exerts positive effects on the three dimensions of MNC’s dynamic capabilities. Additionally, the effect of domestic firms’ relational embeddedness on resource reconfiguring capability is mediated by foreign firms’ embeddedness. Consequently, this study provides a theoretical introduction for MNCs from emerging economies.

Practical implications

This study has several managerial implications for emerging MNCs’ international operations. For MNCs from emerging economies, close cooperation with domestic firms helps firms to develop a close relationship with foreign firms; meanwhile, developing a close relationship with foreign firms can obtain spillover about technology and management experience better, improving dynamic capability. Specifically, domestic embeddedness, through foreign embeddedness, can extend the impact to focal firms in developing resource reconfiguring capability.

Originality/value

This study provides an alternate view of how home country networks influence the dynamic capabilities of Chinese MNCs and outlines its impact mechanism. Therefore, the study contributes both to the international business literature and social network literature.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 October 2022

Yumei Luo and Jian Mou

This paper aims that mobile health (mHealth) applications have emerged as a key tool to support public health. However, there are only a few studies examining the influences of…

1411

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims that mobile health (mHealth) applications have emerged as a key tool to support public health. However, there are only a few studies examining the influences of health-related ascribes on continuance intention to use mHealth apps and how these influences are contingent on gender in the mHealth app using context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study takes the protection motivation theory as a theoretical framework to examine the ordered relationship between threat and coping appraisals and their impacts on continuance intention to use mHealth apps. In addition, this study further extends the literature on gender differences into the mHealth app's context to investigate the moderating role of gender. The suggested hypotheses are confirmed by a structural equation modeling approach and multigroup investigation employing survey data of 345 users of Spring Rain Doctor in China, a typical mHealth app.

Findings

The findings suggest that the impact of perceived disease threat on user's continuance intention is mediated entirely by coping appraisals. Furthermore, the three coping appraisals' impacts are contingent upon gender. Specifically, response efficacy is more crucial for male users in forecasting continuance intention, whereas self-efficacy and response cost have a more salient influence on continuance intention for female users.

Originality/value

This study examines the ordered influences of threat and coping appraisal, moderated by gender, on continuance intention on use mHealth apps. These findings could contribute to relevant theoretical and practical implications.

Details

Journal of Electronic Business & Digital Economics, vol. 1 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-4214

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 November 2019

Jian Zhang and Tingting Luo

The purpose of this paper is to study the variation of cavitation scale with pressure and flow in poppet throttle valve, to obtain the cavitation scale under pressure and flow…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the variation of cavitation scale with pressure and flow in poppet throttle valve, to obtain the cavitation scale under pressure and flow conditions and to provide experimental support for the research of suppressing throttle valve cavitation and cavitation theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A hydraulic cavitation platform was set up, a valve was manufactured with highly transparent PMMA material and a high-speed camera was used to observe the change in cavitation scale.

Findings

Through experiments, it is found that the pressure difference between inlet and outlet of throttle valve affects the cavitation scale, and the more the pressure difference is, the easier the cavitation will be formed. Under the condition of small pressure difference, the cavitation is not obvious and reducing the pressure difference can effectively suppress the cavitation; the flow rate also affects the cavitation scale, the smaller the flow rate, the more difficult the cavitation will be formed and the lower the flow rate, the more the cavitation will be suppressed.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the magnification factor of the high-speed camera lens, the morphology of smaller bubbles cannot be observed in this study, and the experimental conditions need to be improved in the follow-up study.

Originality/value

This study can provide experimental support for the study of throttle valve cavitation suppression methods and cavitation theory.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 72 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 February 2018

Kangkang Yu, Ben Nanfeng Luo, Xue Feng and Jianing Liu

Supply chain flexibility is crucial for firms to respond to uncertain circumstances caused by environmental factors, such as the diversity of customer demands, problems of product…

2861

Abstract

Purpose

Supply chain flexibility is crucial for firms to respond to uncertain circumstances caused by environmental factors, such as the diversity of customer demands, problems of product safety, and adjustments of industrial policies. To investigate the approach to enhance supply chain flexibility, the purpose of this paper is to propose that both internal and external information integration contribute to reactive and proactive supply chain flexibilities, which elicit high operational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 84 food companies that have been listed three years in China and content analysis based on their annual reports, evidence was collected to test the hypotheses through hierarchical regressions.

Findings

The results reveal that external information integration results in both reactive and proactive flexibilities, which further improve operational performance. Internal information integration positively affects both reactive and proactive flexibilities, but its mediating role was not determined in the study.

Originality/value

The research provides insights into how supply chain flexibility mediates the effect of supply chain information integration on operational performance in the context of the Chinese food industry.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

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