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1 – 10 of 41Pradeep Kumar Nair, Faizan Ali and Lim Chee Leong
This study aims to explain the factors affecting students’ acceptance and usage of a lecture capture system (LCS) – ReWIND – in a Malaysian university based on the extended…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explain the factors affecting students’ acceptance and usage of a lecture capture system (LCS) – ReWIND – in a Malaysian university based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model. Technological advances have become an important feature of universities’ plans to improve the flexibility and accessibility in a learning and teaching environment. For private universities, which are market-driven, it is vital to assess if these technologies influence the perceptions and behaviour of their target beneficiaries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is designed using a causal research design to examine the cause–effect relationship between the study variables. The study sample consists of 398 students selected via purposive sampling. Data are collected using a five-point Likert scale covering UTAUT2’s factors and variables featuring ReWIND’s acceptance and usage. Partial least squares-based structural equation modelling is used to analyse the data.
Findings
The findings show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, price–value, hedonic motivation and habit have significant influence on students’ acceptance and usage of ReWIND.
Research limitations/implications
This research examines the factors affecting students’ acceptance and usage of ReWIND in a Malaysian university. The main limitation of this study is that it focuses only on the factors highlighted in the UTAUT2 model.
Practical implications
The results provide a useful framework to the universities for the successful implementation of student-friendly technologies such as ReWIND to enhance their learning experience.
Originality/value
Responding to the need of studies validating the UTAUT2 model in the adoption and use of different technologies, this study contributes to the literature by extending the UTAUT2 into the context of LCS at a private university in a developing country.
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Chee Kai Chua, Kah Fai Leong, Chu Sing Lim and Trong Thien Vu
The purpose of this paper is to detail the development of a multimedia courseware that enhances the learning of rapid prototyping (RP) among professionals, senior year and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to detail the development of a multimedia courseware that enhances the learning of rapid prototyping (RP) among professionals, senior year and graduate students.
Design/methodology/approach
The design and development of the multimedia courseware is based on a “visit a science museum” concept where each topic can be accessed depending on the interests or the needs of users. Factors that influence learning curve such as structure of information, application of visual and auditory components and human‐computer interface are addressed and discussed.
Findings
Instructions using multimedia significantly enhances the education process of RP technology. Methods to produce a good multimedia courseware have been introduced.
Originality/value
This paper describes the latest version of the multimedia courseware which is an accompaniment to the third edition of the book entitled Rapid Prototyping: Principles & Applications published in 2009.
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Fangfang Hou, Boying Li, Zhengzhi Guan, Alain Yee Loong Chong and Chee Wei Phang
Despite the burgeoning popularity of virtual gifting in live streaming, research lacks an in-depth understanding of the drivers behind this behavior. Using para-social…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the burgeoning popularity of virtual gifting in live streaming, research lacks an in-depth understanding of the drivers behind this behavior. Using para-social relationship (PSR), this study aims to capture viewers’ lively social feelings toward the streamer as the key factor leading to the purchase behavior of virtual gifts. It also aims to establish a theoretical link between PSR and viewers’ holistic experience in live streaming as captured by cognitive absorption and aims to investigates the role of technological features (i.e. viewer–streamer and viewer–viewer interactivity, streamer-level and viewer-level deep profiling and design aesthetics) in shaping viewers’ experience.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on 433 survey responses, this study employs a combination of structural equation modeling and neural networks to offer valuable insights into the relationships between the technological environment, viewer experience and viewer behavior.
Findings
Our results highlight the salience of PSR in promoting the purchase of virtual gifts through cognitive absorption and the importance of the technological environment in eliciting the viewer experience. This study sheds light on the development of PSR in a technological environment and its relationship with cognitive absorption.
Originality/value
By applying PSR to conceptualize viewers’ perceived connection with the streamer, this study extends the research on purchase behavior in the non-shopping context by providing an enlightened understanding of virtual gift purchase behavior in live streaming. Moreover, by theoretically linking PSR with cognitive absorption, virtual gift purchase and technological features of live streaming, it enriches the theory of PSR and bridges the gap between the design practice of supporting the IT infrastructure of live streaming and research.
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This paper examines the relationship between traditional timber frame structure and the diasporic identity of the Southern Fujianese Chinese community in West Malaysia. It…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the relationship between traditional timber frame structure and the diasporic identity of the Southern Fujianese Chinese community in West Malaysia. It analyses the cultural semiotics of Southern Fujianese traditional Chinese temple timber frame structure architectural language. This study addresses the under-examined domain of Chinese cultural identity representation through the architecture of traditional Chinese temples in Malaysia. It seeks to understand its underlying structure and process involved in revealing its disposition within the cultural phenomena from the perspective of Chinese cultural semiotics.
Design/methodology/approach
Selected Southern Fujianese traditional Chinese temples in West Malaysia built between the 18th to the 19th century that retain the traditional timber frame structure were investigated through field survey and focused publication review. Historical interpretive analysis and typological analysis supplement the cultural semiotics analysis to assess the timber frame structure attributes concerning architectural language expressions.
Findings
Findings reveal that the architectural language signifiers of the structural disposition of the timber framework and its corresponding formal articulation establish a clear statement of the Southern Fujian Chinese cultural identity.
Originality/value
The evaluation of the cultural identity signifiers helps to understand the underlying structure and process of the Chinese cultural semiotics in architecture. Results of this research substantiate the significance of timber frame structure in preserving the architectural heritage of the Southern Fujianese traditional Chinese temples. They provide important references for conservation and cultural studies of such building typology.
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Ker Chin Ang, Kah Fai Leong, Chee Kai Chua and Margam Chandrasekaran
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanical properties and porosity relationships in fused deposition modelling (FDM) fabricated porous structures.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanical properties and porosity relationships in fused deposition modelling (FDM) fabricated porous structures.
Design/methodology/approach
Porous structures of numerous build architectures aimed at tissue engineering (TE) application were fabricated using the FDM. The employment of FDM to fabricate these non‐random constructs offers many advantages over conventional scaffold fabrication techniques as patient specific scaffolds with well‐defined architectures and controllable pore sizes can be fabricated accurately and rapidly. There exist several FDM parameters that one needs to specify during the scaffold fabrication process. These parameters, which can be interdependent and exhibit varying effects on scaffold properties, were identified and examined using the design of experiment (DOE) approach. Essentially, the effects of five FDM process parameters, namely air gap, raster width, build orientation, build layer and build profile, on the porosity and mechanical properties of acrylonitrile‐butadienene‐styrene (ABS) scaffold structures with three‐dimensional interconnectivity were investigated in two designed experiments. Statistical analyses of the data were performed and the respective factors that have significant influence on the porosity and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were identified. The relationship between scaffold's mechanical properties and porosity was thereafter established empirically.
Findings
Models of TE scaffolds of numerous build architectures were successfully fabricated using different parameter settings on the FDM. The DOE approach determined air gap and raster width as the most significant parameters in affecting the porosity and mechanical properties of the ABS scaffold structures. The relationship between scaffolds' mechanical properties and porosity was determined to be logarithmic, with the best mechanical properties observed in scaffolds of low porosity.
Originality/value
The paper highlights how the application FDM to tissue scaffold application can overcome most of the limitations encountered in the conventional techniques.
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Florencia Edith Wiria, Novella Sudarmadji, Kah Fai Leong, Chee Kai Chua, E. Wei Chng and Chian Chai Chan
In recent years, selective laser sintering (SLS) has been used in the biomedical field, including building small‐scaled biomedical devices such as tissue engineering scaffolds and…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, selective laser sintering (SLS) has been used in the biomedical field, including building small‐scaled biomedical devices such as tissue engineering scaffolds and drug delivery devices. A compact adaptation system for the SLS is needed to obtain a more effective and efficient way of sintering small‐scale prototypes so as to reduce powder wastage. Limitations of available smaller‐scale adaptation devices include the need of additional electrical supplies for the device. The purpose of this paper is to report the development of such a system to be mounted at the SLS part bed without any additional energy supply.
Design/methodology/approach
The compact adaptation device works on the concept of transferring the motion of the SLS part bed onto the part bed of the compact adaptation device. The device is an integrated attachment that is fixed onto the building platform of the SLS. The gear system of the device lifts the powder supply bed at both sides of the device simultaneously when the part bed at the center of the device is lowered. To further increase powder saving, an improved powder delivery system named alternative supply mechanism (ASM) is mounted on top of the roller to be coupled together with the compact adaptation device.
Findings
Powder saving up to 6.5 times compared to using full build version of the Sinterstation 2500 has been achieved by using the compact adaptation device. Furthermore, powder wastage has been reduced by 84 percent when using the ASM compared to the compact adaptation device alone.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates the development and viability of adaptation devices for SLS to significantly reduce powder consumption by using solely mechanical means to build small parts without using external power supply.
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Florencia Edith Wiria, Kah Fai Leong and Chee Kai Chua
Tissue engineering (TE) involves biological, medical and engineering expertise and a current engineering challenge is to provide good TE scaffolds. These highly porous 3D…
Abstract
Purpose
Tissue engineering (TE) involves biological, medical and engineering expertise and a current engineering challenge is to provide good TE scaffolds. These highly porous 3D scaffolds primarily serve as temporal holding devices for cells that facilitate structural and functional tissue unit formation of the newly transplanted cells. One method used successfully to produce scaffolds is that of rapid prototyping. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one such versatile method that is able to process many types of polymeric materials and good stability of its products. The purpose of this paper is to present modeling of the heat transfer process, to understand the sintering phenomena that are experienced by powder particles in the SLS powder bed during the sintering process. With the understanding of sintering process obtained through the theoretical modeling, experimental process of biomaterials in SLS could be directed towards the appropriate sintering window, so as not to cause unintentional degradation to the biomaterials.
Design/methodology/approach
SLS uses a laser as a heat source to sinter parts. A theoretical study based on heat transfer phenomena during SLS process was carried out. The study identified the significant biomaterial and laser beam properties that were critical to the sintering result. The material properties were thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, surface reflectivity and absorption coefficient.
Findings
The influential laser beam properties were laser power and scan speed, which were machine parameters that can be controlled by users. The identification of the important parameters has ensured that favorable sintering conditions can be achieved.
Research limitations/implications
The selection of biopolymer influences the manner in which energy is absorbed by the powder bed during the SLS process. In this paper, the modeling and investigative work was validated by poly(vinyl alcohol) which is a biomaterial that has been used for many biomedical and pharmaceutical purposes.
Practical implications
The paper can be the foundation for extension to other types of biomaterials including biopolymers, bioceramics and biocomposites.
Originality/value
The formulation of the theory for heat transfer phenomena during the SLS process is of significant value to any studies in using SLS for biomedical applications.
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Ooi Chee Keong, M.M.H. Megat Ahmad, N. Ismail S. Sulaiman and M. Yusuf Ismail
In this article a proposal of a non‐traditional methodology in achieving optimal flexibility with minimal inventory risk will be applied. The non‐traditional methodology will be…
Abstract
In this article a proposal of a non‐traditional methodology in achieving optimal flexibility with minimal inventory risk will be applied. The non‐traditional methodology will be able to achieve different levels of the production schedule changes with maximum flexibility and minimal inventory risk. The basic principle, implementation methodology as well as its effectiveness and benefits will be discussed. In order to overcome the risk of achieving flexible manufacturing or enhancing supply chain management, this article will address issues on methods to accommodate production sequence changes which include total production quantity change in a short lead time. The study uses the Family Ordering System methodology which has proven capable in solving manufacturing flexibility issues by reducing the total manufacturing lead time. Family Ordering System provides the flexibility of model changes and reduces production line stoppage as a result of part shortage by carrying extra inventory of unique parts.
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Wai‐Yee Yeong, Chee‐Kai Chua, Kah‐Fai Leong, Margam Chandrasekaran and Mun‐Wai Lee
This paper presents a new indirect scaffold fabrication method for soft tissue based on rapid prototyping (RP) technique and preliminary characterization for collagen scaffolds.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents a new indirect scaffold fabrication method for soft tissue based on rapid prototyping (RP) technique and preliminary characterization for collagen scaffolds.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper introduces the processing steps for indirect scaffold fabrication based on the inkjet printing technology. The scaffold morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The designs of the scaffolds are presented and discussed.
Findings
Theoretical studies on the inkjet printing process are presented. Previous research showed that the availability of biomaterial that can be processed on a commercial RP system is very limited. This is due mainly to the unfavorable machine processing parameters such as high working temperature and restrictions on the form of raw material input. The process described in this paper overcomes these problems while retaining the strength of RP techniques. Technical challenges of the process are presented as well.
Research limitations/implications
Harnessing the ability of RP techniques to control the internal morphology of the scaffold, it is possible to couple the design of the scaffold with controlled cell‐culture condition to modulate the behavior of the cells. However, this is just initial work, further development will be needed.
Practical implications
This method enables the designer to manipulate the scaffold at three different length scales, namely the macroscopic scale, intermediate scale and the cellular scale.
Originality/value
The work presented in this paper focuses on important processing steps for indirect scaffold fabrication using thermal‐sensitive natural biomaterial. A mathematical model is proposed to estimate the height of a printed line.
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This study examines the stakeholder perception of the sustainability risks, challenges and benefits arising from managing these risks in the Singapore construction industry.
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the stakeholder perception of the sustainability risks, challenges and benefits arising from managing these risks in the Singapore construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire consisting of 89 risk factors, challenges and benefits, was administered, with 216 responses received from various stakeholders. Regression analyses were used to estimate the relationships between sustainability and business risk factors, challenges and benefits associated with business sustainability practices.
Findings
Stakeholders recognise the importance of the emerging sustainability risk factors, and indeed rank these almost on a par with conventional business risk factors. The inherent business risks determine the nature of sustainability risk factors for construction firms, which in turn can affect their business risks and the performance and value creation of firms. However, most stakeholders, while acknowledging that business sustainability practices can provide benefits as well as posing challenges, do not believe that they can derive net benefits from such practices.
Research limitations/implications
Through this perception study, there is an urgent need to turn the existing awareness of the importance of business sustainability (BS) practices into more consistent and solid actions among construction firms in Singapore.
Practical implications
This study’s results imply construction firms to incorporate BS practices more systematically into their business strategies and operations, and to include sustainability risk factors alongside conventional business risks in their risk registers and risk management frameworks.
Originality/value
This study consolidates various variables and constructs of BS matters in the literature and practice into a meaningful framework for the management of BS in the construction industry.
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