Search results

1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2017

Qiushi Hao, Benchen Fu, Yu Shao and Liying Wang

This study aims to explore the spatial distribution characteristics and spactial reciprocity between industrial parks (IPs) and vocational education parks (VEPs): agglomeration…

Abstract

This study aims to explore the spatial distribution characteristics and spactial reciprocity between industrial parks (IPs) and vocational education parks (VEPs): agglomeration density, functional matching, spatial organization efficiency, as well as space intensive utility. To achieve this objective, IPs and VEPs in urban centers of Jiangsu Province are selected as the objects of the study. First, spatial analysis of thermodynamic diagrams is employed in this study to qualitatively analyze the evolutionary characteristics of the spatial distribution of IPs and VEPs to explore the spatial aggregation characteristics of their clustering, integration, and comprehensive crossover. Second, a horizontal comparison of the data and indexes concerned reveals that areas with high agglomeration and functional matching exhibit a sound spatial reciprocity. Third, this study crystallizes the four structural prototpye paradigms formed during the reciprocity evolution between IPs and VEPs; it compares spatial organization efficiency, with the agglomeration–core structure ranking first, followed by the circle–core structure. Finally, SPSS is used to analyze the space intensive utility in order to verify the conclusions of qualitative analysis. The findings can comprehensively explain the regularities of the spatial distribution and reciprocity between IPs and VEPs. The findngs can also elucidate the design of regional industrial development and educational programs.

Details

Open House International, vol. 42 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2017

Cheng Sun, Meng Zhen and Yu Shao

Rural residential energy consumption accounts for 46.6% of total building-related energy consumption of China. In Northeast China, energy consumption for space heating represents…

Abstract

Rural residential energy consumption accounts for 46.6% of total building-related energy consumption of China. In Northeast China, energy consumption for space heating represents a significant proportion of total rural residential energy consumption and has reached 100 million tce (tons of standard coal equivalent), or more than 60% of total household energy consumption. In terms of energy consumption per square meter of gross floor area, rural residential energy consumption for heating is more than that of cities (20kgce/m2). However, the average indoor temperature of most rural residence is below 10°C, much less than that in cities (18°C). Hence, it is an important task for Chinese energy saving and emission reduction to reduce rural residential energy consumption, while enhancing indoor thermal comfort at the same time.

Restricted by local technology and low economic level, rural residences currently have poor thermal insulation resulting in severe heat loss. This paper reports on research aimed at developing design strategies for improving thermal insulation properties of rural residences with appropriate technology. A field survey was conducted in six counties in severe cold areas of Northeast China, addressing the aspects of indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, internal and external surface temperature of building envelop enclosure, and so on.

The survey data show the following:

1. Modern (after 2000) brick-cement rural residences perform much better than the traditional adobe clay houses and Tatou houses (a regional type of rural residence in Northeast China – see figure A) in overall thermal performance and indoor thermal comfort;

2. Among the traditional residential house types, adobe clay houses have better heat stability and thermal storage capacity than Tatou houses;

3. Applying an internal or external thermal insulation layer can greatly improve rural residential thermal insulation properties, and is an economical and efficient solution in rural areas;

4. In terms of roofing materials, tiled roofs show much better thermal insulation properties than thatch roofs;

5. Adopting passive solar techniques can form a transition space (greenhouse) against frigid temperatures, resulting in interior temperatures 5.91°C higher than the outside surroundings. It is evident that local passive solar room design offers significant heat preservation effects and lower cost ($12/m2), embodies the ecological wisdom of rural residents, and is therefore important to popularize.

The above experimental results can provide guidance in energy conservation design for both self-built residences and rural residences designed by architects. In addition, the results can also provide experimental data for energy-saving studies for rural residences in China.

Details

Open House International, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 December 2020

Yu-Ming Chung, Shao-Yu Lee, Yung-Kai Lin, Yung-Hao Lin, Mohamed El-Shazly, Yung-Hsiang Lin and Chi-Fu Chiang

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), a ubiquitous fruit in Southeastern Asia, was rich in vitamins and phytochemicals, which were beneficial for improving of skin conditions. The…

159

Abstract

Purpose

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), a ubiquitous fruit in Southeastern Asia, was rich in vitamins and phytochemicals, which were beneficial for improving of skin conditions. The fermentation process increased phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether phytochemicals can be increased through the fermentation process of rambutan extracts to improve skin aging.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors used the three stages of fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum TCI028 and Acetobacter aceti under red light to develop a fermented rambutan extract.

Findings

The level of polyphenols of red-light-based fermented rambutan extract (RLFRE) were significantly increased 108.9% (p < 0.01) and 97% (p <0.01) compared with fermented rambutan extract (FRE) and pure rambutan extract (RE), respectively. The human skin fibroblasts treated with 0.03 or 0.06% of RLFRE can significantly decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by 0.74- (p <0.001) and 0.84-fold (p <0.001) compared with H2O2 group, respectively. And 0.03% of RLFRE can significantly increase in elastin content by 1.13-fold (p <0.05). Also, ten compounds were identified including one new phenolic compound and nine known compounds from RLFRE. Moreover, red light could enhance the levels of compounds 4, 9 and 3 by 5, 2.5 and 2.5-fold, respectively, relative to the results of FRE. The last, RLFRE isolated compounds significantly facilitated the elastin content on fibroblast (compound 1, 7, 9, 10 compared with control: p <0.001, compound 2 compared with control: p <0.001).

Originality/value

In short, this was the first study to unveil that the red-light-based fermentation can enrich the antioxidant content in a rambutan extract and its product had the potential to be developed a functional product for health-promoting effects such as skin aging.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 51 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2018

Yanqin Zhang, Zhiquan Zhang, Xiangbin Kong, Rui Li and Hui Jiang

The purpose of this paper was to obtain the lubrication characteristics of heavy hydrostatic bearing in heavy equipment manufacturing industry through theoretical analysis and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to obtain the lubrication characteristics of heavy hydrostatic bearing in heavy equipment manufacturing industry through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the influence of oil film thickness variation on velocity field, outlet-L and outlet-R flow velocity under the hydrostatic bearing running in no-load 0 N, load 400 KN, full load 1,500 KN and rotating speeds of 10 r/min, 20 r/min, 30 r/min, 40 r/min, 50 r/min and 60 r/min, by using dynamic mesh technology and FLUENT software.

Findings

When the working table rotates clockwise, in the change process of oil film thickness, the fluid flow pattern of the lubricating oil at the edge of the sealing oil is the rule of laminar flow, and the oil cavity has a vortex. The outlet-R flow velocity becomes higher and higher by increasing the bearing load and working table speed, and the flow velocity increases with the decrease in oil film thickness; the outlet-L flow velocity increases with the decrease in oil film thickness under low rotating speed (less than 10 r/min) condition and decreases with the decrease of oil film thickness under high rotating speed (more than 60 r/min) condition.

Originality/value

The influence of the oil film thickness on the flow state distribution of the oil film was analyzed under different working conditions, and the influence rules of oil film thickness on the flow velocity of hydrostatic bearing oil pad was obtained by using dynamic mesh technology.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 71 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 21 February 2024

Frank Nana Kweku Otoo

The efficiency of each of an organization’s individual workers determines its effectiveness. The study aims to explore the relationship between human resource management (HRM…

Abstract

Purpose

The efficiency of each of an organization’s individual workers determines its effectiveness. The study aims to explore the relationship between human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational effectiveness with employee performance as a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 800 police officers in the Greater Accra and Tema regions. The data were supported by the hypothesized relationship. Construct reliability and validity was established through confirmatory factor analysis. The proposed model and hypotheses were evaluated using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that career planning and employee performance were significantly related. Self-managed teams and employee performance were shown to be nonsignificantly related. Similarly, performance management and employee performance were shown to be nonsignificantly related. Employee performance significantly influenced organizational effectiveness. The results further indicate that employee performance mediates the relationship between HRM practices and organizational effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the findings will be constrained due to the research’s police service focus and cross-sectional data.

Practical implications

The study’s findings will serve as valuable pointers for the police administration in the adoption, design and implementation of well-articulated and proactive HRM practices to improve the abilities, skills, knowledge and motivation of officer’s to inordinately enhance the effectiveness of the service.

Originality/value

By evidencing empirically that employee performance mediates the relationship between HRM practice and organizational effectiveness, the study extends the literature.

Details

IIM Ranchi Journal of Management Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-0138

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 October 2019

Chunxia Yu, Zhiqin Zou, Yifan Shao and Fengli Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel integrated supplier selection approach incorporating decision maker’s risk attitude using the artificial neural network (ANN)…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel integrated supplier selection approach incorporating decision maker’s risk attitude using the artificial neural network (ANN), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed approach, the ANN model is used to classify decision maker’s risk attitude; the fuzzy AHP method is used to determine the relative weights of evaluation criteria; and the fuzzy TOPSIS method is used to evaluate ratings of suppliers. Finally, experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed integrated approach.

Findings

Experiments results show that the proposed integrated approach is effective and efficient to help decision makers to select suitable suppliers according to their risk attitudes.

Originality/value

The aim of this paper is to develop a novel integrated supplier selection approach incorporating decision maker’s risk attitude using the ANN, AHP and TOPSIS methods. The decision maker’s risk attitude toward procurement transaction is originally considered in supplier selection process.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 49 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 November 2017

Changjin Xu and Peiluan Li

The purpose of this paper is to study the existence and exponential stability of anti-periodic solutions of a class of shunting inhibitory cellular neural networks (SICNNs) with…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the existence and exponential stability of anti-periodic solutions of a class of shunting inhibitory cellular neural networks (SICNNs) with time-varying delays and continuously distributed delays.

Design/methodology/approach

The inequality technique and Lyapunov functional method are applied.

Findings

Sufficient conditions are obtained to ensure that all solutions of the networks converge exponentially to the anti-periodic solution, which are new and complement previously known results.

Originality/value

There are few papers that deal with the anti-periodic solutions of delayed SICNNs with the form negative feedback – aij(t)αij(xij(t)).

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 10 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 June 2019

Jing Liu, Linfeng Wang, Zhifeng Shi, Wennian Yu and Huifang Xiao

The purpose of this study is to investigate the contact models for contact and vibration features of cylindrical roller bearings (CRBs). CRBs are important parts of rotating…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the contact models for contact and vibration features of cylindrical roller bearings (CRBs). CRBs are important parts of rotating machinery. The contact deformation between the roller and the raceway is an essential research topic for the CRBs. The contact deformation between the roller and the raceway can greatly affect vibration characteristics and fatigue life of the CRBs. In this investigation, six different methods are adopted to calculate the contact deformation, contact area width and contact stress between the roller and raceways of a CRB.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the contact deformations and the contact stiffnesses between the roller and the raceway of a CRB obtained by various well-known empirical methods (Lundberg’s, Palmgren’s, Houpert’s, Cheng’s and Hertzian methods) are directly compared with those by the finite element (FE) method. A two degree-of-freedom (2 DOF) dynamic model of the CRB is applied to investigate the effects of the contact stiffness obtained by different line contact deformation calculation methods on the vibration characteristics, such as the root mean square (RMS), the peak to peak (PTP), the crest factor and the kurtosis of the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the inner raceway.

Findings

The computational results show that different calculation methods for the contact deformations between rollers and raceways have significant effects on the vibrations of the CRB. It is found that that the differences of computational results obtained by Palmgren’s and Lundberg’s models with respect to the FE method are smaller than those by the other three methods, i.e. Houpert’s, Cheng’s and Hertzain models. The amplitude and peak frequency of the frequency response functions from Palmgren’s method are much more similar to those from the finite element method. The above results indicate that Palmgren’s method is a better calculation method for predicting the contact deformations and dynamics of the CRBs.

Originality/value

This work adopts six different methods to calculate the contact deformation, contact area width and contact stress between the roller and raceways of a CRB. Moreover, a vibration model of a CRB is used to investigate the effect of contact stiffness obtained by the above methods on the vibrations of the CRB. The works can give some guidance for the accurate analytical method for calculating the contact deformations between rollers and raceways and the vibrations of the CRB.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 36 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 February 2024

Carlos Botelho

The human resource and talent management fields have been increasingly focusing on the process and criteria to identify employees’ potential for career advancement due to their…

Abstract

Purpose

The human resource and talent management fields have been increasingly focusing on the process and criteria to identify employees’ potential for career advancement due to their impact on the competitive advantage of organizations. This paper expands the extant theoretical and empirical evidence regarding these complex decisions, namely through the combined analysis of multidimensional sources of employees' capital.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 384 individuals assessed by their line managers. The research model and hypotheses were tested using structured equation modeling.

Findings

The results show a positive and significant influence of four employees’ capital sources, namely: human capital (what you know), social capital (whom you know), psychological capital (who you are) and reputational capital (how others perceive us) with regard to judgments of potential for career advancement. The model explains 52% of the total variance in those judgments.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected using a questionnaire at a single point in time and thus, not allowing cause-effect inferences.

Practical implications

The results provide guidance to organizational leaders to improve the decision-making process regarding judgments of potential for career advancement.

Originality/value

To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine managers’ judgments regarding the potential for career advancement using four sources of employees' capital: human, social, psychological and reputational capital. Furthermore, it considers that reputation plays a mediation role.

研究目的

:在人力資源和人才管理的領域裡,越來越多的焦點被放在找出員工職業發展所需潛能的過程和標準上,這是因為機構和組織的競爭優勢會受其影響。本文擬擴展關於這類複雜的判斷和決定的現存理論和經驗證據; 研究人員使用的方法為對員工資本的多維來源進行綜合分析。

研究設計/方法/理念

:本研究為橫斷面研究。數據來自384 名受其直線經理評估的個別員工; 研究人員使用了結構方程模型,去測試其研究模型和各個假設。

研究結果

:研究結果顯示,就員工職業發展所需潛能的判斷而言,存在著會帶來正面和重大影響的四個員工資本來源,這包括人力資本 (你所瞭解的事物) 、社會資本 (你所認識的人物) 、心理資本 (你是誰) 和聲譽資本 (我們予人的印象) 。有關的模型可說明判斷百分之五十二的總方差。

研究的局限/啟示

:由於數據的收集是於單一時間點和透過問卷調查而完成的,故未能收因果推斷的效果。

實務方面的啟示

:研究結果給予組織領袖實際的指引,使他們在關於職業發展所需潛能的判斷上,能夠改善其決策的過程。

研究的原創性/價值

:就我們所知,本研究為首個研究、以四個員工資本來源,即人力資本、社會資本、心理資本和聲譽資本,去探討經理如何就職業發展所需的潛能作出判斷; 而且,本研究認為聲譽是扮演著調節角色的。

Details

European Journal of Management and Business Economics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2444-8451

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 October 2021

Melissa A. Baker and Kawon Kim

Customer incivility is commonplace across service industries. Yet, there is little that is known about how uncivil customers affect employees. The purpose of this study is to…

1058

Abstract

Purpose

Customer incivility is commonplace across service industries. Yet, there is little that is known about how uncivil customers affect employees. The purpose of this study is to examine how uncivil customer interactions affect employees’ cynicism, depersonalization and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 uses the qualitative critical incident technique to content analyze employee perceptions of customer incivility and how it affects their job performance. Study 2 uses a 2 (incivility frequency: high vs low) × 2 (co-worker support: high vs low) × 2 (service rule commitment: high vs low) quasi-experimental between-subjects design.

Findings

Results find that there is a significant interaction effect of customer incivility frequency, co-worker emotional support and service rule commitment on employee cynicism and depersonalization, which leads to decreased job performance and more harmful experiences to other customers.

Practical implications

The findings provide practical implications on the importance of managing customer incivility, providing co-worker support and how this affects employee attitudes and service they deliver to other customers.

Originality/value

The results build upon the incivility, co-worker support and service rule commitment literature, conservation of resources theory, as well as identifying key variables core to hospitality and tourism research: cynicism and depersonalization that provide important implications for actions of tourism and hospitality firms.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 33 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000