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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 4 March 2024

Yonghua Huang, Tuanjie Li, Yuming Ning and Yan Zhang

This paper aims to solve the problem of the inability to apply learning methods for robot motion skills based on dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) in tasks with explicit…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to solve the problem of the inability to apply learning methods for robot motion skills based on dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) in tasks with explicit environmental constraints, while ensuring the reliability of the robot system.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a novel DMP that takes into account environmental constraints to enhance the generality of the robot motion skill learning method. First, based on the real-time state of the robot and environmental constraints, the task space is divided into different regions and different control strategies are used in each region. Second, to ensure the effectiveness of the generalized skills (trajectories), the control barrier function is extended to DMP to enforce constraint conditions. Finally, a skill modeling and learning algorithm flow is proposed that takes into account environmental constraints within DMPs.

Findings

By designing numerical simulation and prototype demonstration experiments to study skill learning and generalization under constrained environments. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is capable of generating motion skills that satisfy environmental constraints. It ensures that robots remain in a safe position throughout the execution of generation skills, thereby avoiding any adverse impact on the surrounding environment.

Originality/value

This paper explores further applications of generalized motion skill learning methods on robots, enhancing the efficiency of robot operations in constrained environments, particularly in non-point-constrained environments. The improved methods are applicable to different types of robots.

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

Abstract

Details

Understanding Intercultural Interaction: An Analysis of Key Concepts, 2nd Edition
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-438-8

Article
Publication date: 19 May 2023

Myung Ja Kim, Colin Michael Hall, Ohbyung Kwon, Kyunghwa Hwang and Jinok Susanna Kim

There is limited research on the behavior of different categories of space tourists as identified by different types of space tourism. To address this deficiency, the purpose of…

Abstract

Purpose

There is limited research on the behavior of different categories of space tourists as identified by different types of space tourism. To address this deficiency, the purpose of this study is to examine what factors make consumers participate in orbital and/or suborbital space tourism, along with three dimensions of motivation, constraint and artificial intelligence. To achieve this study’s goals, a comprehensive research model was developed that included three dimensions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, intrapersonal and interpersonal constraint and awareness of and trust in artificial intelligence, in comparing orbital and suborbital space tourism groups.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was carried out with respondents who wanted to participate in orbital (n = 332) and suborbital (n = 332) space tourism in the future. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, multi-group analysis and deep learning were used to understand potential space tourist behavior.

Findings

Extrinsic motivation has the greatest positive impact on behavioral intention, followed by awareness of and trust in artificial intelligence, while intrapersonal constraint strongly negatively affects behavioral intention. Surprisingly, interpersonal constraint is insignificant by partial least squares-structural equation modeling but is still one of sufficient causal configurations by fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. Interestingly, the two types of space tourism have very distinct characteristics.

Originality/value

This study created a comprehensive integrated research model with three dimensions of motivation, constraint and artificial intelligence, along with potential orbital and suborbital space tourist groups, to identify future consumer behavior. Importantly, this study used multi-analysis methods using four different approaches to better shed light on potential orbital and suborbital space tourists.

目的

对不同类型太空旅游所识别的不同类别太空游客行为的研究有限。 为了解决这一缺陷, 这项工作研究了哪些因素使消费者参与轨道和/或亚轨道太空旅游, 以及动机、约束和人工智能三个维度。 为了实现研究目标, 在比较轨道和亚轨道太空旅游群体时, 开发了一个综合研究模型, 包括内在和外在动机、内在和人际约束以及对人工智能的认识和信任三个维度。

设计/方法/方法

对希望在未来参与轨道 (n = 332) 和亚轨道 (n = 332) 太空旅游的受访者进行了问卷调查。 利用偏最小二乘法 (PLS)-结构方程模型 (SEM)、模糊集定性比较分析 (fsQCA)、多组分析和深度学习来了解潜在的太空游客行为。

发现

外在动机对行为意图的积极影响最大, 其次是对人工智能的认识和信任, 而内在约束对行为意图有强烈的负面影响。 令人惊讶的是, 人际约束对于 PLS-SEM 来说是微不足道的, 但对于 fsQCA 来说仍然是充分的因果配置之一。 有趣的是, 这两类太空旅游具有非常鲜明的特点。

独创性/价值

这项工作创建了一个全面的综合研究模型, 具有动机、约束和人工智能三个维度, 以及潜在的轨道和亚轨道太空旅游群体, 以确定未来的消费者行为。 重要的是, 这项研究采用了多种分析方法, 使用四种不同的方法来更好地揭示潜在的轨道和亚轨道太空游客。

Propósito

existe una investigación limitada sobre el comportamiento de las diferentes categorías de turistas espaciales identificados por diferentes tipos de turismo espacial. Para abordar esta deficiencia, este trabajo examina qué factores hacen que los consumidores participen en el turismo espacial orbital y/o suborbital, junto con tres dimensiones de motivación, restricción e inteligencia artificial. Para lograr los objetivos del estudio, se desarrolló un modelo de investigación integral que incluía tres dimensiones de motivación intrínseca y extrínseca, restricción intrapersonal e interpersonal, y conocimiento y confianza en la inteligencia artificial, al comparar grupos de turismo espacial orbital y suborbital.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

se realizó un cuestionario con los encuestados que querían participar en el turismo espacial orbital (n = 332) y suborbital (n = 332) en el futuro. Se utilizaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS), análisis comparativo cualitativo de conjuntos borrosos (fsQCA), análisis multigrupo y aprendizaje profundo para comprender el comportamiento potencial del turista espacial.

Hallazgos

la motivación extrínseca tiene el mayor impacto positivo en la intención de comportamiento, seguida de la conciencia y la confianza en la inteligencia artificial, mientras que la restricción intrapersonal afecta negativamente la intención de comportamiento. Sorprendentemente, la restricción interpersonal es insignificante por PLS-SEM, pero sigue siendo una de las configuraciones causales suficientes por fsQCA. Curiosamente, los dos tipos de turismo espacial tienen características muy distintas.

Originalidad/valor

este trabajo creó un modelo de investigación integral integral con tres dimensiones de motivación, restricción e inteligencia artificial, junto con posibles grupos de turistas espaciales orbitales y suborbitales para identificar el comportamiento futuro del consumidor. Es importante destacar que este estudio empleó métodos de análisis múltiple utilizando cuatro enfoques diferentes para arrojar mejor luz sobre los posibles turistas espaciales orbitales y suborbitales.

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2023

Maria Amélia Machado Carvalho

The study aims to understand the relationship between facilitating, demoting, motivating factors and visit intention; and to clarify the role of death anxiety before visiting a…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to understand the relationship between facilitating, demoting, motivating factors and visit intention; and to clarify the role of death anxiety before visiting a dark exhibition.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling was adopted to analyze data from 426 potential visitors to the Capuchin Crypt in Rome (Italy).

Findings

Results demonstrate that dark fascination, prestige, reflection on death and mortality and interpersonal facilitators are the main drivers of visit intention, and structural constraints are the main demoting factors. Contrary to expectations, intrapersonal constraints have a positive influence on motivators and indirectly on visit intention, and death anxiety has mixed results.

Research limitations/implications

Data collection from only one dark exhibition requires that the generalization of the results must be done with care.

Practical implications

Conclusions enabled a better understanding of pre-trip tourist behavior, providing valuable suggestions for the communication strategy of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and site managers.

Originality/value

The study adopts a consolidated and empirical approach to studying facilitators, motivators, constraints and visit intention, as well as the effect of death anxiety. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to develop a comprehensive investigation of these four constructs, whether at the darker or the lighter end of the dark tourism spectrum. Consequently, it offers a better understanding of lighter dark attractions, which allows DMOs and others to improve the communication of their tourism products.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2024

Kedir Assefa Tessema

This study aimed to investigate the sensemaking strategies employed by early-career employees working within organizationally constrained environments.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the sensemaking strategies employed by early-career employees working within organizationally constrained environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded in the sensemaking-as-accomplishment framework, a longitudinal multi-case study was conducted, involving three early-career employees. These participants were interviewed multiple times concerning tasks they themselves identified as anomalous and ambiguous.

Findings

The study's findings illuminate how early-career employees utilize sensemaking strategies to accomplish anomalous-ambiguous tasks. These strategies are interwoven with deliberate efforts to mitigate organizational constraints that exist in the organization or arise during the execution of complex tasks.

Research limitations/implications

Notable limitation pertains to the time gap between task completion and the interviews. Conducting real-time interviews concurrently with task execution or immediately afterward was not feasible due to constraints in participant availability. This research has implications for organizational learning initiatives, particularly those encompassing employee-driven self-learning components. Insights derived from studies like this can inform the development of effective self-learning schemes within organizations.

Originality/value

Previous sensemaking research focused on what takes place in high-reliability organizations. This study explored sensemaking strategies in workplaces that are organizationally constrained.

Details

Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5648

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2024

Sa Xiao, Xuyang Chen, Yuankai Lu, Jinhua Ye and Haibin Wu

Imitation learning is a powerful tool for planning the trajectory of robotic end-effectors in Cartesian space. Present methods can adapt the trajectory to the obstacle; however…

Abstract

Purpose

Imitation learning is a powerful tool for planning the trajectory of robotic end-effectors in Cartesian space. Present methods can adapt the trajectory to the obstacle; however, the solutions may not always satisfy users, whereas it is hard for a nonexpert user to teach the robot to avoid obstacles in time as he/she wishes through demonstrations. This paper aims to address the above problem by proposing an approach that combines human supervision with the kernelized movement primitives (KMP) model.

Design/methodology/approach

This approach first extracts the reference database used to train KMP from demonstrations by using Gaussian mixture model and Gaussian mixture regression. Subsequently, KMP is used to modulate the trajectory of robotic end-effectors in real time based on feedback from its interaction with humans to avoid obstacles, which benefits from a novel reference database update strategy. The user can test different obstacle avoidance trajectories in the current task until a satisfactory solution is found.

Findings

Experiments performed with the KUKA cobot for obstacle avoidance show that this approach can adapt the trajectories of the robotic end-effector to the user’s wishes in real time, including trajectories that the robot has already passed and has not yet passed. Simulation comparisons also show that it exhibits better performance than KMP with the original reference database update strategy.

Originality/value

An interactive learning approach based on KMP is proposed and verified, which not only enables users to plan the trajectory of robotic end-effectors for obstacle avoidance more conveniently and efficiently but also provides an effective idea for accomplishing interactive learning tasks under constraints.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 51 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 August 2023

Lan Anh Nguyen

Although student evaluation of teaching (SET) is widely used, there has been a significant disparity between its potential benefits with the actual impact on improving educational…

Abstract

Purpose

Although student evaluation of teaching (SET) is widely used, there has been a significant disparity between its potential benefits with the actual impact on improving educational quality. This study aims to inquire into the factors contributing to this discrepancy and the underlying mechanisms hindering the effective utilisation of SET.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative case study used problem-based methodology to investigate the theories of action of administrators involved in SET. The study uses SET documents and individual interviews with 18 administrators from six Vietnamese higher education institutions.

Findings

While the administrators monitored SET data and addressed SET problems, few used it for quality improvement. The participants’ SET approaches were influenced by various constraints, especially the intricate interaction between neoliberal agendas with professional and cultural values.

Research limitations/implications

Despite a lack of statistical generalisability, this study contributes to analytical generalisation by vividly portraying the complexity of the SET practice in a higher education context.

Practical implications

This study suggests a more inclusive approach to quality improvement that prioritises multi-stakeholder engagement.

Social implications

The constraint analysis offers invaluable insights into the challenges and dynamics of SET practice, which can be used to enhance SET effectiveness and overall educational quality.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the need to examine the theories of action of administrators involved in SET, emphasising the significance of a comprehensive understanding of the stakeholders’ underlying reasoning process for successful evaluation implementation.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 32 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2023

Muhammad Nouman, Karim Ullah, Shafiullah Jan and Farman Ullah Khan

Islamic banking has undergone significant adaption since its inception. This study aims to investigate why and how Islamic banks adapt their services, using participatory…

Abstract

Purpose

Islamic banking has undergone significant adaption since its inception. This study aims to investigate why and how Islamic banks adapt their services, using participatory financing as evidence.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study is designed, using working capital financing and commodity operations financing in Pakistan as analytical units. The data for each analytical unit is analyzed using a qualitative content analysis, while the findings are synthesized using a cross-case synthesis method.

Findings

Findings suggest that participatory financing has undergone extensive adaptation in the Islamic banking industry of Pakistan, in the wake of resolving constraints to participatory financing and increasing its viability. Consequently, participatory finance has emerged as an attractive and viable option in Pakistan. These findings suggest that unlike in the past, where Islamic banks used to buffer themselves from the environment and ignore the market demands, they have learned to respond effectively to the market demands and the challenges posed by the environment.

Research limitations/implications

Findings suggest that the adaptation strategy is more effective than the migration strategy, because it enables the financial service systems to reduce the underlying risks by avoiding emergent threats and eradicating the inherent weaknesses.

Originality/value

The extant literature provides a generalized view on the adaptation process that Islamic banks undergo to comply with their environment. However, it is limited in terms of conceptualizing the adaptations and innovations in their products and the underlying structural variations. The present study fills this gap.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 February 2024

Van Thien Ngo

This study aims to examine the perceptions of students about learning science and physics using the engineering design process (EDP).

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the perceptions of students about learning science and physics using the engineering design process (EDP).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a mixed-methods research design: The quantitative session features a pre–post-test control group study. In the qualitative aspect, the study conducted semistructured interviews for data collection. In the experimental group, the flipped classroom (FC) model and an instructional design are combined to design, develop and implement a physics course using the steps of the EDP, while the conventional method was applied to the control group. The respondents are students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Cao Thang Technical College in Vietnam for the academic year 2022–2023. The control and experimental groups are composed of 80 students each. An independent sample Mann–Whitney U test is applied to the quantitative data, while thematic analysis is employed for the qualitative data.

Findings

The results demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of perceptions about learning science and physics using the EDP, which, when combined with a FC, enhances physics learning for engineering students.

Research limitations/implications

This study implemented the EDP in teaching physics to first-year engineering students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering using the combined FC and instructional design models. The results revealed that a difference exists in the perception of the students in terms of integrating the EDP into learning physics between the experimental and control groups. The experimental group, which underwent the EDP, obtained better results than did the control group, which used the conventional method. The results demonstrated that the EDP encouraged the students to explore and learn new content knowledge by selecting the appropriate solution to the problem. The EDP also helped them integrate new knowledge and engineering skills into mechanical engineering. This research also introduced a new perspective on physics teaching and learning using the EDP for engineering college students.

Practical implications

The research findings are important for teaching and learning physics using EDP in the context of engineering education. Thus, educators can integrate the teaching and learning of physics into the EDP to motivate and engage student learning.

Originality/value

Using the EDP combined with a FC designed under stages of the analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate (ADDIE) model has enhanced the learning of physics for engineering college students.

Details

Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2397-7604

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2024

Ziming Zhou, Fengnian Zhao and David Hung

Higher energy conversion efficiency of internal combustion engine can be achieved with optimal control of unsteady in-cylinder flow fields inside a direct-injection (DI) engine…

Abstract

Purpose

Higher energy conversion efficiency of internal combustion engine can be achieved with optimal control of unsteady in-cylinder flow fields inside a direct-injection (DI) engine. However, it remains a daunting task to predict the nonlinear and transient in-cylinder flow motion because they are highly complex which change both in space and time. Recently, machine learning methods have demonstrated great promises to infer relatively simple temporal flow field development. This paper aims to feature a physics-guided machine learning approach to realize high accuracy and generalization prediction for complex swirl-induced flow field motions.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve high-fidelity time-series prediction of unsteady engine flow fields, this work features an automated machine learning framework with the following objectives: (1) The spatiotemporal physical constraint of the flow field structure is transferred to machine learning structure. (2) The ML inputs and targets are efficiently designed that ensure high model convergence with limited sets of experiments. (3) The prediction results are optimized by ensemble learning mechanism within the automated machine learning framework.

Findings

The proposed data-driven framework is proven effective in different time periods and different extent of unsteadiness of the flow dynamics, and the predicted flow fields are highly similar to the target field under various complex flow patterns. Among the described framework designs, the utilization of spatial flow field structure is the featured improvement to the time-series flow field prediction process.

Originality/value

The proposed flow field prediction framework could be generalized to different crank angle periods, cycles and swirl ratio conditions, which could greatly promote real-time flow control and reduce experiments on in-cylinder flow field measurement and diagnostics.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 2000