Search results

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the characteristics of strategic behavior during knowledge cooperation in organization and compare the differences in strategy choice between knowledge transferor and knowledge receiver under intricate context consisting of two different objective orientations (organizational and individual) and two different information conditions (perfect and imperfect information) that represent different knowledge application contexts (conventional and available knowledge and intricate and personalized knowledge). Moreover, this paper also wishes to develop a new analysis paradigm of dynamic cooperation game to the micro-interactive mechanism research on individuals’ knowledge sharing in organization.

Through comparing and referring to previous literatures, and considering the authentic knowledge cooperation practice, this paper first suggested that the behavior characteristics of knowledge sharing between individuals in organization should be observed from the perspective of dynamic cooperation game that would accurately describe the “coopetition” essence of knowledge sharing. Further, an intricate multi-analysis context including two different objective orientations and two different information conditions was constructed. Under this multi-analysis context, the objective functions of knowledge transferor (knowledge output) and knowledge receiver (knowledge returning) were established respectively. Lastly, according to the revenue optimum principle of organizational and individual the strategic choice characteristics were analyzed through the Nash equilibrium to analyze objective functions.

“Knowledge transaction” motive is classic strategic characteristic of individuals’ knowledge cooperation, and to increase competitiveness of knowledge sharer is a crucial prerequisite for knowledge sharing under any analysis context combination (no matter organizational or individual objective, no matter perfect or imperfect information). Knowledge sharing appears more conservative and stringent under imperfect information condition, and the effort level of knowledge transferring is strategically adjusted according to the value assessment of received knowledge. The institutional constraints and incentives have little effect on the promotion of knowledge sharing under the imperfect information condition where professional knowledge is more intricate, personalized and implicit, because organization members are more sensitive to knowledge competitiveness.

This paper provides a knowledge sharing study with a new analysis paradigm from micro-interactive perspective by aiming at the “coopetition” essence of knowledge cooperation in organization. This analysis paradigm chooses the way of dynamic cooperation game to reveal the strategic characteristics of knowledge sharing among individuals (knowledge transferor and knowledge receiver) and to assess the role of institutional constraints and incentives in promoting the knowledge sharing. At the same time, the establishing of multi-context model with two different perspective dimensions (objective orientation and information condition) make research closer to the authentic circumstance of knowledge cooperation in organization.

Existing robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RMIS) system lacks of force feedback, and it cannot provide the surgeon with interaction forces between the surgical instruments and patient’s tissues. This paper aims to restore force sensation for the RMIS system and evaluate effect of force sensing in a master-slave manner.

This paper presents a four-DOF surgical instrument with modular joints and six-axis force sensing capability and proposes an incremental position mode master–slave control strategy based on separated position and orientation to reflect motion of the end of master manipulator to the end of surgical instrument. Ex-vivo experiments including tissue palpation and blunt dissection are conducted to verify the effect of force sensing for the surgical instrument. An experiment of trajectory tracking is carried out to test precision of the control strategy.

Results of trajectory tracking experiment show that this control strategy can precisely reflect the hand motion of the operator, and the results of the ex-vivo experiments including tissue palpation and blunt dissection illustrate that this surgical instrument can measure the six-axis interaction forces successfully for the RMIS.

This paper addresses the important role of force sensing and force feedback in RMIS, clarifies the feasibility to apply this instrument prototype in RMIS for force sensing and provides technical support of force feedback for further clinical application.

A low-level controller is critical to the overall performance of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles. The purpose of this paper is to propose a nonlinear low-level angular velocity controller for multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles in various operating conditions (e.g. different speed and different mode).

To tackle the above challenge, the authors have designed a nonlinear low-level controller taking the actuator dynamics into account. The authors first build the actuator subsystem by combining the actuator dynamics with the angular velocity dynamics model. Then, a recursive low-level controller is developed by designing a high-gain observer to estimate unmeasurable states. Furthermore, a detailed stability analysis is given with the Lyapunov theory.

Simulation tests and real-world flying experiments are provided to validate the proposed approach. In particular, we illustrate the performance of the proposed controller using violent random command test, attitude mode flight and high-speed flight of up to 18.7 m/s in real world. Compared with the classical method used in PX4 autopilot and the estimation-based incremental nonlinear dynamic inversion method, experimental results show that the proposed method can further reduce the control error.

Low-level control of multirotor UAVs is challenging due to the complex dynamic characteristics of UAVs and the diversity of tasks. Although some progress has been made, the performance of existing methods will deteriorate as operating conditions change due to the disregard for the electromechanical characteristics of the actuator.

To solve the low-level angular velocity control problem in various operating conditions of multirotor UAVs, this paper proposes a nonlinear low-level angular velocity controller which takes the actuator dynamics into account.

This study aims to determine whether or not fashion retail brands can maintain their essence by providing personalized care through conventional face-to-face interactions or the use of e-services.

An exploratory investigation is being conducted to attain this goal. According to the findings of this research, Chatbots have an impact on consumer loyalty. The quality of a Chatbot’s system, service and information are all critical to providing a positive consumer experience.

The study concluded that Chatbot e-services might potentially enable dynamic and fascinating interactions between firms and their consumers. To personalize a Chatbot, firms might change the tone of the language used. Customers are more likely to use a Chatbot if it resembles a real person, which increases their pleasure and confidence in the product.

More precisely, the emphasis of the inquiry was on Chatbot, a relatively new digital tool that offers user-friendly, personalized and one-of-a-kind support to customers. Using information supplied by consumers, the authors examine a five-dimensional model that gauges how customers feel about Chatbots in terms of their ability to communicate with users, offer amusement, be trendy, personalize interactions and solve problems.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a simple fiber sensor for simultaneous measurement of liquid refractive-index (RI) and temperature.

The sensor structure is formed by a long period fiber grating cascaded with a section of thin-core fiber. The long period fiber grating is fabricated on single mode fiber, followed by a section of 20-mm length thin-core fiber which is a modal interferometer.

Cladding mode interference between long period fiber grating and thin-core fiber modal interferometer is weak in the experimental investigation. Both of these two cladding mode type fiber devices are sensitive to surrounding RI and temperature. So the RI and temperature can be measured simultaneously by monitoring the spectral characteristics of the compound sensor. The sensitivity is calibrated and sensor matrix is provided in the experiment.

This proposed fiber sensor is simple, tough, cost-effective and suitable for discriminate the liquid RI and temperature with high sensitivity.

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate and examine the effects of ultimate ownership, institutionality and their interactions on capital structure in a unified framework, based on evidence from China.

Using six years of panel data of Chinese non-financial listed firms between 2004 and 2009, this paper estimates with correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.

This paper finds that debt financing facilitates the ultimate owner's expropriation behavior. The separation of control rights and cash flow rights is positively related to capital structure, while cash flow rights negatively affect it. Compared with private ultimate owners, state ultimate owners have less incentive to reap the benefits of expropriation, implying that the separation of control rights and cash flow rights has a smaller effect on the capital structure of state-owned firms. The improvement of institutionality can restrain ultimate owners' expropriation behavior, and regional institutional development is negatively related to capital structure. The separation of control rights and cash flow rights has a smaller positive effect on capital structure in regions with better-developed institutionality.

This paper incorporates ultimate ownership and institutionality into a unified analytical framework of capital structure. It not only enriches related studies on capital structure, but also helps us understand the institutional roots of irrational capital structure behaviors in China. This paper also provides further evidence on ultimate owners' expropriation of minority shareholders through debt financing.

The purpose of this paper was to realize a non-destructive examination for printed circuit boards (PCBs) and to obtain an accurate and high-efficient image.

This paper provides an approach to realize a non-destructive examination for PCBs and to obtain an accurate and high-efficient image.

The result showed that cone-beam computed tomography (CT) image PCB detection based on an interactive cutting method had accuracy and high efficiency and can meet the non-destructive requirement of detection.

The result showed that cone-beam CT image PCB detection based on an interactive cutting method had accuracy and high efficiency and can meet the non-destructive requirement of detection.

Presents a mixed‐integer programme to simultaneously select part routeings and form machine cells in the presence of alternate process plans so that the total cost of operating and intercell material handling is minimized. Demand for parts, machine capacities, number of cells to be formed, and number of machines in a cell are included in the model. Includes an example to illustrate the solution technique of the problem of practical instance.

This paper aims to avoid the precise modeling and controlling problems of rigid structures of hand recovery device, by proposing a hand rehabilitator based on flexible pneumatic actuator with its safety and adaptability.

The hand rehabilitator is designed based on a flexible pneumatic bending joint. The recovery training program for an injured finger is developed via forearm sEMG (surface electromyogram) sampling, analysis, classification and motion consciousness identification. Four typical movement models of the index finger and middle finger were defined and the corresponding sEMG signals were sampled. After simulation and comparative analysis, autoregressive (AR) model back propagation (BP) network was selected for sEMG analysis and hand recovery planning because of its best recognition performance. A verification test was designed and the results showed that the soft hand rehabilitator and recovery conception are feasible.

AR model BP network can identify the index finger and middle finger movement intention via an sEMG analysis. The developed flexible pneumatic hand rehabilitator is safe and suitable for finger recovering therapy.

Because of the limitation of experimental samples, the prototype rehabilitator of this work may lack generalizability for other situations. Therefore, for further study and application, systematic structure revising, experiments, data and training are necessary to improve the performance.

The paper includes implications for the development and application of a new style, safe and dexterous hand rehabilitator.

The paper tries a new approach to design a safe, flexible and easily controlled hand rehabilitator.

This paper aims to explore academics’ perspectives on the quality of appraisal evidence at a Chinese university.

An online survey with both closed items and open-ended questions was distributed among all academics at the university (n = 1,538). A total of 512 responded to the questionnaire. The closed items were initially analysed using EXCEL and SPSS; the open-ended questions were thematically analysed.

The academics believed that the quality of student survey and peer observation of teaching were affected by subjectivity and the lack of understanding of appraisal. Academics also suggested that appraisals should be contextualised and the approach standardised. The study suggests the need for training that informs and engages relevant stakeholders to ensure the rigour of appraisal.

The study raises the issue of quality assurance regarding appraisal data from the perspective of academics. It is based on the collaborative effort of academics in Australia, China and New Zealand, with the support of the management staff at the case study university. The study informs both appraisers and academics of quality assurance issues in appraisal. It also contributes to the literature, in that it initiates dialogues between communities of practices through collective questioning on the quality and mechanisms of appraisal in tertiary education.