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1 – 9 of 9Yao‐Wen Hsu, Yi‐Chan Chung, Chung‐Ching Chiu, Ching‐Piao Chen and Chih‐Hung Tsai
Unnatural working postures usually cause musculoskeletal problems for workers in work field, especially in traditional industry. Many analysis and survey methodologies have been…
Abstract
Unnatural working postures usually cause musculoskeletal problems for workers in work field, especially in traditional industry. Many analysis and survey methodologies have been developed to identify unnatural postures and disorder risks in workplaces. The Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) are the representative methods and applied widely. This study applied the both tools to investigate the work field of a manufacturing factory of the water heater’s case. We divided the manufacturing process into nine workshops, took the pictures of working motions by DV camera and analyzed the postures on OWAS. From the OWAS results, we could identify the risks level of musculoskeletal symptoms as four Action Categories (AC). And from the comparison of OWAS and NMQ results, we could provide the suggestions to improve the working methods and environment. From the results of OWAS, we found that the operators) head/neck and back were above AC3 in some workshops. If the situation continued in long period, the operators might have the risk to get musculoskeletal symptoms. From the investigation of NMQ, we also found that the percentage of aches on neck, shoulders and lower back were higher than other parts of body. The correlation between aches and jobs was more than 75 per cent. So we provided some suggestions to improve: work rotation and adjustment of work surface/height to fit in with Ergonomics. Then the risks of musculoskeletal symptoms would be reduced.
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Chi‐Yuang Yu, Yau‐Wen Hsu, Yi‐Chan Chung and Chih‐Hung Tsai
The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of self‐reported musculoskeletal symptoms among the three Taiwan’s traditional industries as lathe, electronics and food by…
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of self‐reported musculoskeletal symptoms among the three Taiwan’s traditional industries as lathe, electronics and food by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Moreover, the study was also to make a comparision among the aforesaid industries for revealing their differences. The result of the questionnaire indicated that the symptoms appeared on the three industries were all originated from four parts as neck, shoulders, elbows, and wrists/hands. More than 68 per cent of the interviewers’s thought that their symptoms might be related to their work. However, the rate of harmful influence resulted from life or job was over 50 per cent. As to the respect of the interviewers’ attitude in treating their symptoms, more than 80 per cent of them neglected or just treated the symptoms by massaging or cold/hot compressing and resting. From the questionnaire, the proportion of symptoms discussed in each item inicated that the distribution, in perceiving symptom, of interviewers were not quite identical; however the Chi‐square test discovered majority did not reach 0.05 levels, hence the difference among industries were not significant.
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Research has exposed a gap in satisfaction and expectation between management, employees, suppliers, customers and society. To bridge the gap, total quality management experts…
Abstract
Research has exposed a gap in satisfaction and expectation between management, employees, suppliers, customers and society. To bridge the gap, total quality management experts suggested various techniques. The author suggested closing the gap between needs and expectations of employees and those of their leaders. To survive in a dynamic environment, leaders must learn to meet the needs and expectations of their employees who can, in turn, meet customers’ needs. This research aims to provide organizations with a technique known as “motivation audit.” It is an approach to uncover and learn to understand the underlying significant needs and expectations of employees. In order to direct the whole organization toward continuous product and process improvement, the leaders must be aware of the underlying factors that motivate their employees. Otherwise, tangible benefits may take a considerable time to surface in spite of the commitment of management to train essential management and staff.
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Ebru Yazgan, Necmettin Firat Ozkan and Berna Haktanirlar Ulutas
Aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) is the most critical profession in the aircraft maintenance system. The tasks of a licensed AMT require expertise and involve repetitive…
Abstract
Purpose
Aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) is the most critical profession in the aircraft maintenance system. The tasks of a licensed AMT require expertise and involve repetitive physical tasks such as tightening or loosening aircraft parts, carrying or removing parts during long working hours under time pressure and day/night shifts. This study aims to attract attention to the difficult working conditions of AMTs and identify the body parts that are at risk of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire is developed by the authors to gather demographic information, use of hand tools, equipment, use of fall protection, manual material handling (lifting, pushing, pulling), load weight, environmental factors, and MSD discomfort level perceptions. The questionnaire is applied to 150 AMTs during six months period, and the obtained data are analyzed by sequential ordinal logistic regression (OLR) models.
Findings
The ORL results confirm that the use of equipment (lift platform, scissors lift), safety belt attached to the platform, manual material handling, environmental factors (humidity, vibration and illumination) and resting periods have a significant effect on MSD risks. On the contrary, age, experience level, use of small hand tools, temperature and noise are not identified as statistically significant.
Originality/value
The study is original for it considers the working conditions and perceived discomfort levels of AMTs. A questionnaire is introduced to assess the consequences of the use of tools, equipment, fall protection equipment, environmental conditions and work organization on various body parts (neck, shoulder, elbow, back, lower back, wrist-hand, hip, knee, and ankle-feet), and strain level is identified. The study contributes to the theoretical aircraft maintenance literature and managers in practice.
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Vigneshkumar Chellappa, Vasundhara Srivastava and Urmi Ravindra Salve
Construction workers’ health and safety (CWHS) research in India has not gained much attention among researchers. This study aims to review articles related to CWHS research in…
Abstract
Purpose
Construction workers’ health and safety (CWHS) research in India has not gained much attention among researchers. This study aims to review articles related to CWHS research in India using a science mapping approach.
Design/methodology/approach
A total number of 64 journal articles published between 2004 and 2019 were extracted from the Scopus database using keywords including “construction safety,” “occupational health,” “ergonomics in construction,” etc. VOSviewer software was used to examine the influential keywords, documents, sources and authors in the field of CWHS.
Findings
The study found that most of the current work focuses on safety management, safety climate, safety performance, musculoskeletal disorders and behavior-based safety. The result indicates no theoretical basis for the theories and learning methods for the existing studies.
Practical implications
The findings open up a research gap that researchers explore to enhance workers’ health and safety within the Indian construction environment.
Originality/value
The paper is the first article to provide a better understanding of current research in the field of CWHS in India by analyzing its growth through the science mapping approach.
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Robert N. Lussier and Matthew C. Sonfield
In the literature of family business, certain management activities, styles and characteristics have been most frequently examined. Yet no prior research focusing on the…
Abstract
In the literature of family business, certain management activities, styles and characteristics have been most frequently examined. Yet no prior research focusing on the relationship between these family businesses variables has been found. This is a survey‐research correlation study of 149 family businesses. Of the twelve variables studied, twenty of the sixty‐six correlations were found to be significant. Major findings are the consistent use of professional management activities, styles and characteristics in family businesses, and that using non‐family members within top management does not significantly increase the professionalism of management of such businesses.
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Discusses the 27 papers in ISEF 1999 Proceedings on the subject of electromagnetisms. States the groups of papers cover such subjects within the discipline as: induction machines;…
Abstract
Discusses the 27 papers in ISEF 1999 Proceedings on the subject of electromagnetisms. States the groups of papers cover such subjects within the discipline as: induction machines; reluctance motors; PM motors; transformers and reactors; and special problems and applications. Debates all of these in great detail and itemizes each with greater in‐depth discussion of the various technical applications and areas. Concludes that the recommendations made should be adhered to.
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Nor Farizal Mohammed, Norziana Lokman, Norazida Mohamed and Norsuhaily Abu Bakar
From 2000 to 2021, the Malaysian corruption perception index demonstrated a declining tendency, identifying Malaysia as a highly corrupt nation. Corruption in the nation has…
Abstract
Purpose
From 2000 to 2021, the Malaysian corruption perception index demonstrated a declining tendency, identifying Malaysia as a highly corrupt nation. Corruption in the nation has become a social cancer that has impacted the workplace and political climate. Using Dewey’s (1937) theory of education and social change, this paper argues that anti-corruption education is a tool for reforming the corruption culture of a nation. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to explore and understand the current anti-corruption education in Malaysian educational institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The results of this study were derived from a qualitative content analysis of 20 Google News articles, an interview with the sole implementation agency, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and a literature assessment of MACC publications. Due to a dearth of preceding study and journal publications on the topic, this type of qualitative content analysis of news has been applied in prior studies.
Findings
The results indicate that anti-corruption education has been implemented in the primary, secondary and higher education institutions in Malaysia. Nonetheless, the concept and implementation are inadequate, superficial and insufficient. The analysis advises more inclusive techniques for delivering anti-corruption education for social transformation.
Originality/value
Prior research has focussed on laws and regulations to prosecute the corrupt, but has underrated the ability of education to alter the corruption culture. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first journal paper, written on anti-corruption education in Malaysia. This study sets the way for further anti-corruption education studies in the future. This line of research will provide insights for the nation’s policymaking, which aims to create a nation free of corruption and capable of sustaining itself.
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Ammar Abdi, Youcef Ouazir, Georges Barakat and Yacine Amara
This paper aims to develop a new quasi-three dimensional (3D) analytical model devoted to the study of nonlinear transient magneto-thermal coupled problems in permanent magnet…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a new quasi-three dimensional (3D) analytical model devoted to the study of nonlinear transient magneto-thermal coupled problems in permanent magnet (PM) transverse flux induction heating device (TFIHD).
Design/methodology/approach
The presented work is based on analytical development of strongly coupled problem, including electromagnetic and thermal boundary problems. The electromagnetic problem is first solved by using the separation variables method to evaluate the induced currents in the nonmagnetic plate and the resulting power density loss distribution. The plate temperature profile is then obtained thanks to strong involvement of this magnetic model in a new analytical thermal model combining the separation of variables method and the Green’s functions transient regime analysis method. The coupled model is then used in a simulation procedure of the magneto-thermal process allowing taking into account the workpiece electrothermal nonlinear properties. The developed coupled model is validated by computing the performances of the studied PM TFIHD and comparing them to those obtained by finite element simulations.
Finding
An efficient transient quasi-3D magneto-thermal analytical model is developed allowing rapid analysis of PM induction heating for core heating of parallelepiped parts. The developed model also allows fast and accurate simulations of nonlinear and transient three dimensional (3D) magneto-thermal phenomena for planar induction heaters.
Research limitations implications
The developed quasi-3D magneto-thermal analytical model is limited to design induction heating devices of planar structure with PM inductors.
Originality/value
A new transient quasi-3D magneto-thermal analytical model accounts for non-linearity and edge effect and helps to fast study and fast design of linear permanent magnet induction heating device.
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