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Article
Publication date: 6 August 2024

Yingjie Yu, Shuai Chen, Xinpeng Yang, Changzhen Xu, Sen Zhang and Wendong Xiao

This paper proposes a self-supervised monocular depth estimation algorithm under multiple constraints, which can generate the corresponding depth map end-to-end based on RGB…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper proposes a self-supervised monocular depth estimation algorithm under multiple constraints, which can generate the corresponding depth map end-to-end based on RGB images. On this basis, based on the traditional visual simultaneous localisation and mapping (VSLAM) framework, a dynamic object detection framework based on deep learning is introduced, and dynamic objects in the scene are culled during mapping.

Design/methodology/approach

Typical SLAM algorithms or data sets assume a static environment and do not consider the potential consequences of accidentally adding dynamic objects to a 3D map. This shortcoming limits the applicability of VSLAM in many practical cases, such as long-term mapping. In light of the aforementioned considerations, this paper presents a self-supervised monocular depth estimation algorithm based on deep learning. Furthermore, this paper introduces the YOLOv5 dynamic detection framework into the traditional ORBSLAM2 algorithm for the purpose of removing dynamic objects.

Findings

Compared with Dyna-SLAM, the algorithm proposed in this paper reduces the error by about 13%, and compared with ORB-SLAM2 by about 54.9%. In addition, the algorithm in this paper can process a single frame of image at a speed of 15–20 FPS on GeForce RTX 2080s, far exceeding Dyna-SLAM in real-time performance.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a VSLAM algorithm that can be applied to dynamic environments. The algorithm consists of a self-supervised monocular depth estimation part under multiple constraints and the introduction of a dynamic object detection framework based on YOLOv5.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 June 2024

Dung Phuong Hoang

We respond to the existing gaps regarding the drivers and outcomes of customer experience quality in the context of bank marketing by examining the interrelationships between…

Abstract

Purpose

We respond to the existing gaps regarding the drivers and outcomes of customer experience quality in the context of bank marketing by examining the interrelationships between distinct dimensions of VTM service quality, customer experience quality and customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

This research follows the Stimulus-Organism-Response theory to examine the antecedents and behavioural outcomes of customer experience quality during their journeys with video teller machine (VTM) services in the banking industry (also known as LiveBank or SmartBank). First, we conducted in-depth interviews with 34 bank customers to develop distinct measurement scales for customer experience quality and VTM service quality. A structural equation model linking six dimensions of VTM service quality, including tangibles, interaction quality, empathy, reliability, user’s friendliness and efficiency with the affective-sensory and intellectual values of customer experience quality and customer loyalty to VTM service is tested using data obtained from 405 individual customers.

Findings

The findings reveal that tangibles, interaction quality, reliability, user-friendliness and efficiency contribute to customer experience quality, which, in turn, drives customers’ intention to use VTM again. This research provides crucial theoretical background and practical implications to accelerate the penetration of VTM among bank customers and hence, foster financial inclusion among societies.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first research that empirically employs the value-based approach to measure customer experience quality in the banking service industry and examine its linkages to service quality and customer loyalty. Moreover, given the emergence of VTM, this is also among the pioneering studies which validate measurement scales for VTM service quality. This could be either reused or revisited for further research about VTM. Overall, our study contributes to the literature about customer retention in the banking service industry from not only the customers’ backwards-looking evaluations of service performance (i.e. service quality) but also their forward-looking evaluations (i.e. their own experience).

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2024

Yan Shi, Baiqing Sun, Ou Li and Chunhong Li

Online learning is increasingly popular, and educational platforms provide a wealth of courses. Improving course sales is the key to promoting sustainable development of online…

Abstract

Purpose

Online learning is increasingly popular, and educational platforms provide a wealth of courses. Improving course sales is the key to promoting sustainable development of online course platforms. However, limited research has explored the marketing of online courses. We study how to drive online course sales by leveraging teacher information.

Design/methodology/approach

We performed an empirical study. We collected data through a crawler and image recognition from Tencent classroom.

Findings

Our results show that providing teacher information and profile images helps promote online course sales. However, detailed course descriptions weaken the positive impact of teachers' profile images on online course sales. Furthermore, our study shows an inverted U-shaped relationship between the intensity of smiling in teacher profile photos and online course sales, and teacher descriptions negatively moderate this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

Our study contributes to the research on online course sales and extends the context of the research on smiling as well as the studies of visual and textual information.

Practical implications

The results have practical implications for online course sellers and platforms.

Originality/value

Existing scholarly efforts have explored online courses mainly from an education perspective. More research is needed to advance the understanding of online course sales. Our study advances research in the marketing of online courses.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2024

Sophia Boutilier

With the launch of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), the Canadian government named solidarity as a shared value and a driving motivation behind the FIAP. This…

Abstract

Purpose

With the launch of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), the Canadian government named solidarity as a shared value and a driving motivation behind the FIAP. This paper explores how development workers understand and apply solidarity to their work, uncovering the opportunities and constraints they face.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 development workers from Canada’s federal development agency between 2019 and 2020. Transcribed data were coded by the author to identify how workers made sense of solidarity within the development industry.

Findings

The majority of workers were unsure of how to define or operationalize solidarity, demonstrating confusion. Commonality was routinely mentioned as a facet of solidarity, but workers understood this term in diverse ways, with some considering commonality as a precondition that inhibited a sense of solidarity with development partners in the global South due to differences in living conditions. About a quarter identified power and privilege as necessary considerations in the process of building solidarity, showing potential for bonds across the inequalities that define development. About 40% of workers identified the institutional structure of the organization as an obstacle to solidarity.

Originality/value

This paper presents original data from Canadian development workers, providing the first study of their understanding of solidarity as a development ethic. It shows the gaps between rhetoric and practice while recommending ways for development organizations to meaningfully engage with solidarity in their work.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 December 2023

Raksmey Sann, Pakkapol Luecha and Rawisara Rueangchaithanakun

This study investigates how virtual reality (VR) travel attributes (e.g. sense and quality of information) influence spectators' flow experience, how emotion and past experience…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates how virtual reality (VR) travel attributes (e.g. sense and quality of information) influence spectators' flow experience, how emotion and past experience affect enjoyment and examines the impact of flow experience and enjoyment on satisfaction and booking or visiting intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The VR tour stimuli were fabricated using scenic views from the National Aquarium in the USA. Participants were equipped with Matterport VR and audio headsets and started their virtual travel. Once the participants completed their VR tours, they were asked to complete the questionnaire. Using the stimulus-organism-response theory, 303 valid responses were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results showed that the sense and quality of information in VR travel positively and significantly impacted the flow experience. Moreover, emotions and past experiences positively and significantly influenced the enjoyment of VR travel. Similarly, flow experience and enjoyment positively and significantly affect satisfaction. However, satisfaction with VR-related tourism experiences negatively affects users' bookings and visiting intentions.

Practical implications

This study concludes that, from Thai tourists' perspectives, virtual travel should be used as a solution only during the pandemic because, in the long term it can cause a loss to the business chain in the tourism industry.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no prior research has examined the influence of past experiences and emotions on satisfaction with VR travel.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 August 2024

Muhammad Ajmal, Azmat Islam and Zeenat Islam

This article aims to tackle the organization's problems with a new paradigm of organizational consciousness by developing a framework.

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to tackle the organization's problems with a new paradigm of organizational consciousness by developing a framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The Phenomenological and Framework Synthesis approach is used to develop the conceptual framework for organizational consciousness.

Findings

The research article highlights organizational consciousness's implications for long-term sustainable success. It emphasizes the positive impact of conscious organizations on stakeholder well-being and the resolution of environmental and social problems.

Originality/value

The organizational consciousness framework encompasses the collective awareness, values, and purpose that guide an organization's actions and decisions. The framework emphasizes aligning organizational values, needs, and goals with all stakeholders' social, environmental, and well-being. It highlights the interconnectedness of stakeholders and encourages a system-thinking perspective. Furthermore, it acknowledges the role of individual and group consciousness in driving organizational transformation. It discusses the pathway to organizational success through conscious practices, emphasizing value creation beyond monetary gain. It explores the role of conscious leadership, innovative and continuous learning, and adaptation in fostering conscious organizations.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2024

Behzad Abbasnejad, Sahar Soltani, Amirhossein Karamoozian and Ning Gu

This systematic literature review aims to investigate the application and integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in transportation infrastructure construction projects…

Abstract

Purpose

This systematic literature review aims to investigate the application and integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in transportation infrastructure construction projects focusing on sustainability pillars.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a systematic literature review approach, combining qualitative review and quantitative analysis of 142 academic articles published between 2011 and March 2023.

Findings

The findings reveal the dominance of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a central tool for sustainability assessment, while other technologies such as blockchain and autonomous robotics have received limited attention. The adoption of I4.0 technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, Augmented Reality (AR), and Big Data, has been prevalent for data-driven analyses, while Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) and 3D printing are mainly being integrated either with BIM or in synergy with Artificial Intelligence (AI). We pinpoint critical challenges including high adoption costs, technical barriers, lack of interoperability, and the absence of standardized sustainability benchmarks.

Originality/value

This research distinguishes itself by not only mapping the current integration of I4.0 technologies but also by advocating for standardization and a synergistic human-technology collaborative approach. It offers tailored strategic pathways for diverse types of transportation infrastructure and different project phases, aiming to significantly enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. The study sets a new agenda for leveraging cutting-edge technologies to meet ambitious future sustainability and efficiency goals, making a compelling case for rethinking how these technologies are applied in the construction sector.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 December 2023

M.S. Narassima, V. Aashrith, C. Aldo Ronald, S.P. Anbuudayasankar and M. Thenarasu

The textile industry contributes 2 and 3% to the global and Indian Gross Domestic Product (GDP), respectively. India supplies a quarter of global cotton yarn. Yet, most yarn…

Abstract

Purpose

The textile industry contributes 2 and 3% to the global and Indian Gross Domestic Product (GDP), respectively. India supplies a quarter of global cotton yarn. Yet, most yarn manufacturing companies use outdated methods and lack organisational skills and strategies. Improvement in processes in India could significantly help the industry worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

The variables that influence the performance of the system were identified. Their interrelationships and impact were identified from the employees in the chosen case study, a yarn manufacturing industry. A System Dynamics (SD) approach was employed to study the benefits of implementing 5S lean strategies. The impact of each variable on various performance measures such as throughput, Work In Progress, processing time, waiting time, idle time, over-processing and scraps was analysed.

Findings

Improvement in outcomes reflected an enhanced adoption of leanness in the industry. The decision-makers can utilise this study to optimise the necessary parameters in the system and attain the desired productivity levels. Better resource management and reduced processing time helped increase the despatch rate by 9.735% and decrease the WIP by 23.01%. Time management helped to reduce the inventory, idle time and waiting time. Over-processing, defects and scraps were minimised, indicating a shift towards lean.

Research limitations/implications

This study pioneers the use of SD simulation models for optimising yarn manufacturing using lean strategies. Improvement in performance measures by integrating these strategies opens avenues for future research using multiple approaches to address a problem.

Practical implications

Implementing 5S lean principles and simulations enhances productivity, reduces waste and optimises resource management for the yarn manufacturing industry. Decision-makers can employ simulation to witness the outcomes of their changes without investing cost and time and without associated implementation risks.

Originality/value

The use of a simulation model to witness the benefits of incorporating lean strategies in yarn production has not been explored. This approach could help the managers and policymakers understand their existing system's shortcomings and critical areas that require improvement.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2024

Hazwani Shafei, Rahimi A. Rahman, Yong Siang Lee and Che Khairil Izam Che Ibrahim

Amid rapid technological progress, the construction industry is embracing Construction 4.0, redefining work practices through emerging technologies. However, the implications of…

Abstract

Purpose

Amid rapid technological progress, the construction industry is embracing Construction 4.0, redefining work practices through emerging technologies. However, the implications of Construction 4.0 technologies to enhancing well-being are still poorly understood. Particularly, the challenge lies in selecting technologies that critically contribute to well-being enhancement. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the implications of Construction 4.0 technologies to enhancing well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of Construction 4.0 technologies was identified from a national strategic plan on Construction 4.0, using Malaysia as a case study. Fourteen construction industry experts were selected to evaluate the implications of Construction 4.0 technologies on well-being using fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The expert judgment was measured using linguistic variables that were transformed into fuzzy values. Then, the collected data was analyzed using the following analyses: fuzzy TOPSIS, Pareto, normalization, sensitivity, ranking performance and correlation.

Findings

Six Construction 4.0 technologies are critical to enhancing well-being: cloud & real-time collaboration, big data & predictive analytics, Internet of Things, building information modeling, autonomous construction and augmented reality & virtualization. In addition, artificial intelligence and advanced building materials are recommended to be implemented simultaneously as a very strong correlation exists between them.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in a comprehensive understanding of the implications of Construction 4.0 technologies to enhancing well-being. The findings can assist researchers, industry practitioners and policymakers in making well-informed decisions to select Construction 4.0 technologies when targeting the enhancement of the overall well-being of the local construction industry.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 August 2024

Mario Testa, Maddalena Della Volpe, Antonio D’Amato and Adriana Apuzzo

In the era of artificial intelligence, natural language processing (NLP) models are revolutionizing numerous sectors. This research aims to explore the perceived value of them…

Abstract

Purpose

In the era of artificial intelligence, natural language processing (NLP) models are revolutionizing numerous sectors. This research aims to explore the perceived value of them among university students. In particular, it aims to investigate how gender may influence students’ intention to use these models in educational contexts, highlighting potentially significant differences that could inform the implementation and adoption of educational technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the relationship between perceived value and students' intention to adopt NLP models, considering gender as a moderator. The research involves 562 students from the University of Salerno, in Italy, and uses confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the reliability and validity of the measurement scales. A regression model with robust errors is used to explore the moderating role of gender on the relationship between perceived value and intentions of use of NLP models.

Findings

The results reveal a significant positive association between perceived value and intention to use NLP models, confirming that students with higher perceived value are more likely to adopt these technologies. Furthermore, gender moderates this relationship, indicating that females are less prone to use NLP models than male counterparts.

Originality/value

Research takes on a significant role in the academic field, underlining the importance of adapting teaching practices to the increasingly widespread digitalization. The inclusion of NLP models in university programs emerges as a possible improvement of the learning experience, ensuring cutting-edge education in tune with the needs of the digital society.

Details

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6166

Keywords

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