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1 – 10 of 197Bocun Tu, Jian Zuo, Rui-Dong Chang, Ronald J. Webber, Feng Xiong and Na Dong
Building information modeling (BIM) is recognized as one of the technologies to upgrade the informatization level of the architecture engineering and construction (AEC) industry…
Abstract
Purpose
Building information modeling (BIM) is recognized as one of the technologies to upgrade the informatization level of the architecture engineering and construction (AEC) industry. However, the level of BIM implementation in the construction phase lags behind other phases of the project. Assessing the level of BIM implementation in the construction phase from a system dynamics (SD) perspective can comprehensively understand the interrelationship of factors in the BIM implementation system, thereby developing effective strategies to enhance BIM implementation during the construction phase. This study aims to develop a model to investigate the level of BIM implementation in the construction phase.
Design/methodology/approach
An SD model which covered technical subsystem, organizational subsystem, economic subsystem and environmental subsystem was developed based on questionnaire survey data and literature review. Data from China were used for model validation and simulation.
Findings
The simulation results highlight that, in China, from 2021 to 2035, the ratio of BIM implementation in the construction phase will rise from 48.8% to 83.8%, BIM model quality will be improved from 27.6% to 77.2%. The values for variables “BIM platform”, “organizational structure of BIM” and “workflow of BIM” at 2035 will reach 65.6%, 72.9% and 72.8%, respectively. And the total benefits will reach 336.5 billion yuan in 2035. Furthermore, the findings reveal five factors to effectively promote the level of BIM implementation in the construction phase, including: policy support, number of BIM standards, owners demand for BIM, investment in BIM and strategic support for BIM.
Originality/value
This study provides beneficial insights to effectively enhance the implementation level of BIM in the construction phase. Meanwhile, the model developed in this study can be used to dynamically and quantitatively assess the changes in the level of BIM implementation caused by a measure.
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Youxi Zhang, Yu Liu, Rui Yu, Jian Zuo and Na Dong
Prefabricated construction (PC) can benefit construction industry due to its high efficiency, energy saving, consumption reduction and safety. However, the high capital cost is a…
Abstract
Purpose
Prefabricated construction (PC) can benefit construction industry due to its high efficiency, energy saving, consumption reduction and safety. However, the high capital cost is a critical challenge hindering its development in China. The collaboration of PC stakeholders is conducive to improving cost management efficiency and optimizing resource allocation which has been ignored in previous studies. Therefore, this study aims to explore the collaboration paths of stakeholders in the process of solving critical cost influencing factors (CIFs) of PC to reduce costs.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, 25 CIFs and five main stakeholders that affect PC capital cost were identified through literature research and expert interviews. Then, questionnaires were used to investigate the relationship between stakeholders and CIFs from the perspectives of three stakeholder attributes of proximity, attitude and power, respectively. Finally, based on the survey data, three stakeholder-CIF networks from three attributes perspective and a comprehensive network were constructed and used for subsequent social network analysis.
Findings
(1) Stakeholders mainly show willingness and potential to collaborate on organization and management factors; (2) More stakeholders pay attention to incentive policies and the setting of prefabrication rates and assembly rates, while all stakeholders have the right to facilitate information and resource sharing in the PC supply chain; (3) The comprehensive network shows a core-periphery structure. As core stakeholders, contractor, designer and manufacturer are more likely to actively manage the 14 core CIFs.
Originality/value
This paper innovatively combined stakeholder and cost management in PC, and used two-mode network based on three stakeholder perspectives to reveal the collaboration potential and motivation of stakeholders in PC cost management. The findings not only provide guidance for stakeholders to find potential partners and optimize resource allocation in solving specific cost issues, but also facilitate stakeholders' sustainable collaboration to achieve PC's cost performance.
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Zhen Li, Dian-li Qu, Xu-dong Luo and Na Chen
The aim of this study is to report the effect of different content of calcium oxide on the process of electromelting magnesia.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to report the effect of different content of calcium oxide on the process of electromelting magnesia.
Design/methodology/approach
The process of molten magnesia was analyzed by finite element simulation and proved by scanning electron microscope.
Findings
The results show that with the increase of CaO content, the maximum temperature appreciation increases from 3,616°C To 3,729°C, showing an approximate nonlinear evolution. Low thermal conductivity and low specific heat of CaO result in higher temperature. With the increase of CaO content and temperature, the maximum flow velocity of MgO slag increases from 0.043 to 1.34 mm/s. Under different initial CaO contents, the distribution trend of CaO volume fraction is basically the same, and the CaO volume fraction is evenly distributed between 50 and 225 mm in the furnace.
Originality/value
The influence of different contents of impurity calcium oxide on the process of electromelting magnesia was analyzed and a theoretical system was established.
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Wenjun Wang, Luting Shen, Yinsong Si, Islam MD Zahidul, Azim Abdullaev and Yubing Dong
Sodium alginate (Na-Alg) is a natural polysaccharide with a rich and renewable production that is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and daily necessities industries, among…
Abstract
Purpose
Sodium alginate (Na-Alg) is a natural polysaccharide with a rich and renewable production that is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and daily necessities industries, among other fields. The purpose of this study is to obtain a green and degradable shape memory material, calcium alginate (Ca-Alg) film was prepared and the mechanical properties, the shape memory effect of the film were investigated and confirmed.
Design/methodology/approach
The Ca-Alg films were prepared by Na-Alg, calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution, and flow extension method. Dissolve sodium alginate powder, remove bubbles, pour into petri dish, dry at 60°C, add calcium chloride solution cross-linking and finally dry naturally. The effect of CaCl2 solution concentration on the mechanical properties of the films were investigated and discussed by universal tensile tester. The shape memory behavior and degradation performance of thin films were verified and studied by the fold-deploy shape memory test and soil embedding method, respectively.
Findings
The Ca-Alg films exhibited good mechanical and shape memory properties, with a 72.2% shape memory fixity ratio and a 92.3% shape memory recovery ratio, respectively. For a period of 120 days, the film treated with a 6 wt% CaCl2 solution degraded at a rate of approximately 53%.
Research limitations/implications
Shape memory polymers (SMPs) as intelligent materials are an important research direction for the development of modern high-tech materials. On the other hand, plastic pollution is a major problem today; as a result, preparing green degradable SMPs is essential.
Originality/value
This study synthesized transparent and degradable shape memory Ca-Alg films using Na-Alg and CaCl2 solution and the flow extension method.
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Dongdong Lin, Xiaoyu Yan, Binsan Chen, Na She, Yining Ding and Shichao Dong
This study aims to explore the impact of key parameters of brake pads on the dynamic characteristics of the braking system.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the impact of key parameters of brake pads on the dynamic characteristics of the braking system.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted experimental research based on a friction testing machine with a slider-disc structure. The experiment studied the impact of key parameters of brake pads (rotation speed, pressure, mass, braking radius, etc.) and the braking environment (dry friction, wetness, sand, etc.) on the stability of the braking system. At the same time, a dynamic model of the brake pad braking system was established and compared with experimental results using the mathematical tool of autocorrelation coefficient.
Findings
The key parameters of brake pads have a significant impact on the dynamic characteristics of the braking system; under different conditions of brake pad mass, tribological parameters, brake pad radius and braking environment, the chaotic characteristics of the braking friction force signal show a trend of expansion or contraction, which can be suppressed by adjusting the key parameters of brake pads.
Originality/value
This study can provide a reference for optimizing the braking strategy and reducing noise and vibration in brake pad systems.
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Hyun Ju Jeong and Deborah S. Chung
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication covered by the news media is considered as more credible and effective in shaping public perceptions toward corporations than…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication covered by the news media is considered as more credible and effective in shaping public perceptions toward corporations than CSR shared by corporations themselves. This is particularly true when CSR is about corporations with social stigma inherent in business practices. This study examines the CSR publicity of stigmatized industries from the journalism lens.
Design/methodology/approach
A content analysis was conducted with CSR stories from 2019 to 2020 by USA newspapers (n = 348).
Findings
Results of this study showed that the overall volume of CSR from stigmatized industries has decreased, with fewer responses to the recent pandemic. Further, the media brought promotional CSR activities and the business motives behind the activities into focus. Opposing patterns were found for CSR of non-stigmatized industries presented with philanthropic activities based on corporations' social motives to help communities. Similarly, economic and legal responsibilities reflected in the CSR pyramid were more prominently reported for stigmatized industries, and ethical and discretionary responsibilities appeared more frequently for non-stigmatized industries.
Practical implications
Integrating business and media literature, this study enriches scholarly discussions on media processes and effects for CSR communication. This study also provides practical implications for stigmatized industries by highlighting more authentic and careful approaches for CSR communication to earn positive publicity.
Social implications
This study provides social implications by highlighting the importance of CSR communications through the lens of news media when corporations are socially stigmatized.
Originality/value
Stigmatized industries are known to be active in CSR communication to nullify social stigma surrounding themselves. The authors' findings provide empirical evidence suggesting that not all publicity benefits CSR communication for stigmatized corporations.
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Yusheng Zhou, Lei Zhu, Chuanhui Wu, Houcai Wang, Qun Wang and Qinjian Yuan
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of social media affordances, specifically social engagement and social endorsement, on knowledge contribution in online Q&A…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of social media affordances, specifically social engagement and social endorsement, on knowledge contribution in online Q&A communities. Building on self-determination theory, this research seeks to tackle the issue of under-provision of knowledge in these communities.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a sample collected from a popular social Q&A community in China and uses linear panel data models along with multiple robustness checks to test the research model.
Findings
The findings reveal that both social engagement and social endorsement have a positive effect on users' knowledge contribution to the online Q&A community. However, the impact of social engagement is mitigated by social endorsement.
Originality/value
This paper makes a valuable contribution to the field by filling the research gap on the role of social engagement behaviors and their interaction with social endorsement in online Q&A communities. The results provide insights into how social media affordances can be leveraged to enhance knowledge contribution in these communities.
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Yongtao Zhao, Weili Li, Xiaoyang Xuan, Jianbang Gao, Jue Wang, Liang Dong, Dawei Zang, Mingjian Wang and Xiankang Zhong
This study aims to evaluate the protection performance of zinc as sacrificial anode for ABS A steel in the presence of H2S under different temperatures, pH and salinities.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the protection performance of zinc as sacrificial anode for ABS A steel in the presence of H2S under different temperatures, pH and salinities.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, weight loss measurements and electrochemical measurements are used to evaluate the corrosion degree of zinc and ABS A steel.
Findings
Under the conditions involved in this work, it is shown that zinc is a nice sacrificial anode with the reason of its stable potential and excellent anode current efficiency according to the relevant standard. And it is also found that the hydrogen evolution does not occur on ABS A steel specimens. The potential difference between cathode and anode is suitable; thus, it can be concluded that each steel is well protected.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other study has analyzed the protection mechanism and effect of zinc as sacrificial anode in H2S-containing environments under high temperature at present.
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Zhixing Xu and Dong Ju
This study investigates the benefits of ethical leadership behaviors for leaders themselves and the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions of this effect.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the benefits of ethical leadership behaviors for leaders themselves and the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions of this effect.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a multi-time and multi-source survey design, data was collected from both leaders and subordinates across three waves.
Findings
Ethical leadership behavior was found to be positively associated with the leader’s moral pride, resulting in the leader’s higher in-role performance and perceived manager effectiveness. The effect of ethical leadership behavior was moderated by core self-evaluation (CSE), such that low-CSE leaders benefit more from these behaviors.
Practical implications
Organizations should encourage ethical leadership behaviors and educate leaders to develop moral pride from conducting these behaviors. Leaders with low CSEs can enhance their in-role performance and overall effectiveness by taking pride in their ethical leadership behaviors.
Originality/value
The field of study on ethical leadership has predominantly focused on the positive outcomes for recipients, yet it is imperative to examine the self-benefits for leaders as well. This study drew upon affective events theory to posit that ethical leadership behaviors generate moral pride in leaders, leading to improved work-related attitudes and performance outcomes.
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