bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A modified trigonometric cubic B-spline collocation technique for solving the time-fractional diffusion equation
Authors: Dhiman Neeraj , Huntul M.J. , Tamsir Mohammad
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a stable and efficient numerical technique based on modified trigonometric cubic B-spline functions for solving the time-fractional diffusion equation (TFDE). The TFDE has numerous applications to model many real objects and processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The time-fractional derivative is used in the Caputo sense. A modification is made in trigonometric cubic B-spline (TCB) functions for handling the Dirichlet boundary conditions. The modified TCB functions have been used to discretize the space derivatives. The stability of the technique is also discussed.

Findings

The obtained results are compared with those reported earlier showing that the present technique gives highly accurate results. The stability analysis shows that the method is unconditionally stable. Furthermore, this technique is efficient and requires less storage.

Originality/value

The current work is novel for solving TFDE. This technique is unconditionally stable and gives better results than existing results (Ford et al., 2011; Sayevand et al., 2016; Ghanbari and Atangana, 2020).
Application of Hagstrom-Warburton high-order truncation boundary condition on time harmonic analysis of concrete arch dam-reservoir systems
Authors: Lotfi Vahid , Lotfi Ali
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Subsequently, the response of idealized Morrow Point arch dam is studied due to stream, vertical and cross-stream ground motions for reservoir bottom/sidewalls conditions of both fully reflective and absorptive. For each combination, different orders of Hagstrom–Warburton (HW) condition are evaluated from accuracy point of view by comparing them against exact solutions. It should be emphasized that normalized length of reservoir near-field region is taken as a very low value of L/H = 0.2 during this process which makes it a very challenging test for any kind of truncation boundary condition.

Design/methodology/approach

In present study, dynamic analysis of concrete arch dam-reservoir systems is formulated by FE-(FE-TE) approach [i.e. finite element-(finite element-truncation element)]. In this technique, dam and reservoir are discretized by solid and fluid finite elements. Moreover, the HW high-order condition imposed at the reservoir truncation boundary. This task is formulated by employing a truncation element at that boundary. It is emphasized that reservoir far-field is excluded from the discretized model. The formulation is initially explained in details.

Findings

The trend in gaining accuracy with increase in order of HW condition were basically the same for all three types of excitations under both full reflective and absorptive reservoir bottom/sidewalls conditions. The only exception was for cross-stream excitation response which was showing less accurate results near the first major peak for moderate orders of HW (e.g. O3-2) in comparison to what was observed for responses due to symmetric excitations (stream and vertical). This is mainly attributed to the selection of evanescent-type parameters of HW condition which is based on the first symmetric mode of reservoir. However, it is noted that error diminishes even for cross-stream excitation as order increases. High orders of HW condition, such as O5-5 considered herein, generate highly accurate responses for all three possible excitations under both types of full reflective and absorptive reservoir bottom/sidewalls conditions. It is such that responses are hardly distinguishable from corresponding exact responses. This reveals that proposed FE-(FE-TE) analysis technique based on HW condition is quite successful, and one may fully rely on that for accurate and efficient analysis of concrete arch dam-reservoir systems.

Originality/value

Dynamic analysis of concrete arch dam-reservoir system is formulated by new method. HW high-order condition is applied for a very low and challenging reservoir length. Different orders are evaluated against exact solution with excellent agreement. Generalized matrices of truncation element are derived for FEM programmers. The method is discussed for all types of excitation and reservoir base conditions.
What's wrong with the public participation of urban regeneration project in China: a study from multiple stakeholders' perspectives
Authors: Liu Bingsheng , Lu Xin , Hu Xuan , Li Ling , Li Yan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Measuring the performance of public participation is conducive to improving participation systems. However, such measurement, particularly in urban regeneration projects, is difficult because of the complex indicators and multiple stakeholders involved. The purpose of this paper is to measure the public participation level in urban regeneration projects in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a perception difference-based method to measure the public participation level in urban regeneration projects in China. Specifically, an indicator system consisting of 12 indicators from three categories was first purposed. A perception difference-based method that integrates ANOVA test and Tukey test were then developed. The method was validated using five represented projects, and the results are interpreted based on a proposed measurement matrix.

Findings

Regardless of the type of indicator, the perception of the government aligns with the perception of private sector professions, however, deviates from the perception of citizens. By taking the mean score and the significance level among stakeholders of perception as two dimensions, different patterns of issues in the current participation practice in urban regeneration are manifested.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, the proposed indicator system and perception difference-based method combined to provide a holistic view of public participation, which is verified to provide a better measurement. Practically, the authors’ methodology helps in revealing issues in current participation practice and further leading to designing coping strategies. Nonetheless, the proposed method requires further validation in participation practices in China and other countries.

Originality/value

By considering the perception mean and the significance level as two dimensions, a public participation measurement matrix is proposed. The performance in different indicators are classified into four stages accordingly, namely idling, starting, running-in and accelerating.
The effectiveness of interactive virtual reality for furniture, fixture and equipment design communication: an empirical study
Authors: Prabhakaran Abhinesh , Mahamadu Abdul-Majeed , Mahdjoubi Lamine , Manu Patrick , Che Ibrahim Che Khairil Izam , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to propose a novel approach to developing an interactive and immersive virtual environment for design communication in the furniture, fixture and equipment (FFE) sector. The study further investigates its effectiveness in enhancing the design communication and coordination between the stakeholder.

Design/methodology/approach

Quasi-experimental research was adopted involving 12 FFE professionals, designers and end-users in single-group pre-test-post-test design. The tests were performed primarily to ascertain the impact of the application of interactive virtual reality on delivering furniture design selection and coordination tasks. Further interviews were used to elicit participants' views on the functionality and usefulness of the proposed approach.

Findings

The findings indicate that an interactive immersive virtual FFE environment: enhances the productivity of the design team through a collaborative virtual workspace offering a synchronised networked design testing and review platform; reduces the time required for the stakeholders to comprehend the design options and test those; enhances the design communication and quality of the design and encourages the collaborative culture in the industry; improves the design satisfaction of the stakeholders; and finally, requires significantly less time for design decision-making when compared to traditional methods.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should incorporate space planning concepts and explore non-experimental methodologies in a real-life FFE project setup.

Practical implications

The proposed approach provides opportunities for enhanced interpretation of design intent in FFE as well as efficiency in design selection and coordination tasks when compared with conventional two-dimensional methods of communication.

Originality/value

This study proposes a step change in the way furniture design is communicated and coordinated through an immersive virtual experience. Previous studies have not addressed the issue of impact on design coordination instead focussed on marketing and sales.
Offsite construction in the Australian low-rise residential buildings application levels and procurement options
Authors: Lin Tong , Lyu Sainan , Yang Rebecca Jing , Tivendale Linda
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Prefabricated housing has become a boom industry across the world; however, the uptake of offsite construction (OSC) approaches in Australian low-rise buildings is rather low compared with high-rise buildings in other countries. This study aims to investigate and analyse the adoption of different levels of OSC approaches and the selection of different procurement options in Australian low-rise residential buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The research objectives were pursued through a mixed research method. An empirical questionnaire survey was carried out with 35 professionals in the Australian building and construction industry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 interviewees and analysed using thematic analysis method in NVivo software.

Findings

The research results found that the most suitable OSC level for Australian low-rise buildings is components-based prefabrication and identified the barriers to OSC uptake for each OSC level. The study also showed that the best option of procuring prefabricated products is from Australian manufacturers, followed by Australian suppliers/dealers and overseas manufacturers. Panelised prefabrication and components-based prefabrication are ranked as the most suitable OSC approaches for Australian manufacturers. Modular prefabrication is regarded as the most suitable for overseas manufacturer, while components-based prefabrication is the most suitable for Australian suppliers/dealers.

Originality/value

The selection of various OSC approaches and different procurement options in the low-rise residential buildings are scarcely explored topic, and thus, this study provides knowledge of interest for both researchers and practitioners.
Reimagining Prevent Duty in schools: how teachers can support students in their liberation from racialised narratives of radicalisation
Authors: Hart Neil A.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

An accessible resource on the role of teachers in perpetuating inequality through Prevent Duty, with guidance on how to change teaching practice to empower Muslim students.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses critical race theory (CRT) to interrogate power and Whiteness in the interaction of teachers and students when complying with Prevent Duty and delivering lessons on fundamental British values. This is illustrated through a constructed narrative between three characters in a London school, and offers a Freirean approach to empowering students through Prevent delivery.

Findings

A disproportionately White profession is acting in what they perceive to be the best interest of their students, while failing to interrogate their own position of power and not creating opportunities to be guided by Muslim voices. As a consequence Muslim students continue to be oppressed.

Practical implications

Teachers can disrupt Prevent Duty while complying with its legal obligations by interrogating their own position of Whiteness. They can work with students to ensure Muslim voices lead discussion around Prevent and the inequality in society that is being reproduced by Prevent Duty.

Social implications

There is potential for good teaching practice to overcome the structural racism and continued inequality experienced by diverse Muslim communities.

Originality/value

The paper is an accessible application of CRT to Prevent Duty, a resource for teachers, students and activists. It can help in the recognition of the potential for even well-meaning teachers to act in ways that perpetuate inequalities. It provides a clear set of suggestions for teaching practices that can overcome this.
Innovation and internationalization in family SMEs: analyzing the role of family involvement
Authors: Alayo Mikel , Iturralde Txomin , Maseda Amaia
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide new evidence on the ability of family small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop ambidextrous innovations and their influence on the internationalization processes, showing how this relationship varies due to family involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a sample of 186 Spanish family SMEs. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that family SMEs' innovation activities are a stimulus for their internationalization process, and show the importance of family involvement in this relationship. Specifically, the findings suggest that family-specific characteristics such as the generation in charge of the business and the level of family involvement in the top management team (TMT) shape the relationship between innovation and internationalization.

Practical implications

Family SMEs need to focus on exploratory and exploitative innovations to obtain a competitive advantage in foreign markets, and thus, increase their internationalization level. Furthermore, the study contributes to a better understanding of the consequences of family involvement, increasing our knowledge of family firms' idiosyncratic behaviors in strategic activities. The study suggests that in order to improve the effect of innovation on internationalization, family owners should consider involving new generations and non-family managers within the decision-making structures.

Originality/value

To date, research on innovation-internationalization link in family SMEs has been fragmented and has not obtained conclusive results. This study provides new evidence on the relationship between these two important strategies. Furthermore, it contributes to the understanding of the influence of the family in shaping strategic decisions.
Encouraging healthier choices in supermarkets: a co-design approach
Authors: Bogomolova Svetlana , Carins Julia , Dietrich Timo , Bogomolov Timofei , Dollman James
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This research describes and evaluates the co-creation of a programme called “A Healthy Choice”. Underpinned by design thinking (DT), this study aims to improve the healthfulness of food choices in supermarkets among consumers to promote their well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The research features two studies. Study 1 included five co-design workshops with consumers and staff (n = 32) to develop a consumer-centred programme. The findings supported the design and implementation of a programme evaluated in Study 2 (an ecological trial). The programme modified a supermarket environment to increase the prominence of healthier products (shelf-talkers and no discount), ran positive food experiences (cooking and label reading workshops) and was supported by a community-wide information campaign in social and local print media.

Findings

A total of 15 new strategies were developed by consumers and staff to support health and well-being in supermarkets. Feasibility discussions and staff voting contributed to the development and storewide implementation of the programme. Evaluation showed that the programme was effective in increasing consumer knowledge of healthier food choices (measured via public survey). Sales analysis showed mixed results; sales increased for promoted products in some categories, but there was no effect in others.

Research limitations/implications

Given the real-world setting in which this programme and its evaluation were conducted, there were several innate limitations. The co-design process generated many more ideas than could be implemented, thus creating a healthy “pipe line” for the next iterations of the programme.

Practical implications

The key contribution of this work to supermarket intervention literature is the recommendation to change the paradigm of engagement between the key stakeholders who are typically involved in supermarket programs. Using the co-design and DT frameworks, the authors offer an example of stakeholders working together in close partnership to co-design and collaboratively implement a programme that promotes healthier choices.

Originality/value

This project contributes to the emerging body of empirical work using DT principles in the area of healthy food choices in supermarkets. A rigorously designed evaluation of a co-designed supermarket programme contributes to scholarly evidence on food well-being programs in supermarkets.
Examining the “dark-side” of high performance work systems in the Greek manufacturing sector
Authors: Kloutsiniotis Panagiotis V. , Katou Anastasia A. , Mihail Dimitrios M.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The present study follows the conflicting outcomes perspective of Human Resources Management (HRM) and examines the effects of employees' perceptions of high performance work systems (HPWS) on job demands (role conflict, role ambiguity and work pressure) and work engagement (vigor and dedication).

Design/methodology/approach

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used on a sample of 524 front-line employees across three Greek manufacturing companies.

Findings

The findings show that HPWS is negatively associated with all three job demands. Hence, the “critical perspective” is not supported. In turn, role conflict and role ambiguity reduce employees' work engagement, although the third job demand included in the study (work pressure) showed a positive relationship on dedication. Last but not least, this study calculates HPWS as both a system and as subsets of HRM practices, and provides useful insights regarding the differences between the two different measurement methods.

Practical implications

The present study brings further empirical evidence in the HRM field by examining whether HPWS is good or bad for employee well-being. Moreover, the findings underscore the detrimental impact that job demands may have on employees' work engagement, and highlights the fact that HPWS might not necessarily be a “win-win” scenario for employees and employers.

Originality/value

This study follows the most recent developments in the HRM literature and examines the dark (negative) approach of HPWS in the Greek manufacturing sector. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications are drawn for improving our understanding of how HPWS influences job demands and ultimately employees' work engagement.
Evidence, empathy and emotions: decision-making styles of human resource professionals and their effectiveness in resolving complaints of sexual harassment
Authors: Adikaram Arosha S. , Kailasapathy Pavithra
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The decision-making styles of human resource professionals (HRPs) in resolving complaints of sexual harassment are extremely important as they form the backbone of effectiveness in the resolution of a complaint. The purpose of this paper is to explore these decision-making styles and gauge their effectiveness in resolving such complaints.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 HRPs of 30 companies in Sri Lanka.

Findings

We found eight decision-making styles used by HRPs in resolving complaints of sexual harassment: (1) analytical, (2) behavioural, (3) directive, (4) conceptual, (5) avoidant, (6) dependent, (7) intuitive and judgemental, and (8) manipulative and persuasive. HRPs were found to generally adopt combinations of these styles, with one or two styles being dominant while one or two were used as back-up styles. In resolving complaints of sexual harassment, certain combinations of these styles were found to be more effective than others because they led to procedural, distributive and interactional justice.

Practical implications

The implications of these findings for self-reflection and in training for the HRPs are also discussed.

Originality/value

The findings of this study assist us in understanding how and why HRPs make different decisions when resolving seemingly similar complaints and the effectiveness of such decisions.
Do employee responses to organizational support depend on their personality? The joint moderating role of conscientiousness and emotional stability
Authors: Sears Greg J. , Han Yu
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study explored whether two Big Five traits – conscientiousness and emotional stability – jointly moderate the positive effects of perceived organizational support (POS) on employee commitment and job performance. Drawing on organizational support theory and a self-regulation perspective, we proposed that employees high on both traits will more effectively leverage POS to enhance both their commitment and their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 141 employees in a multinational transportation security firm. Employees completed measures assessing their POS, personality and affective commitment. Supervisors provided ratings of employees' job performance.

Findings

Results indicated that POS exerts a stronger influence on both employee commitment and performance when workers are high on conscientiousness and emotional stability. Moreover, POS was only found to be significantly associated with job performance when employees were high on both traits.

Research limitations/implications

These results suggest that personality traits play an integral role in influencing workers' perceptions of, and responses to, POS. Specifically, employees who demonstrate a stronger task focus and self-regulation capabilities appear to respond more favorably to POS.

Practical implications

These findings reinforce the value of implementing HR practices that convey support for employees but also highlight the importance of attracting and retaining employees who are conscientious and emotional stable in order to fully realize the benefits of these practices.

Originality/value

Recent evidence indicates that the relationship between POS and employee performance is tenuous. Our results are consistent with a contingency perspective on POS and signal that this may be partly owing to the `influence of individual differences, such as personality traits, in moderating the effects of POS.
Perceived quality of internships and employability perceptions: the mediating role of career-entry worries
Authors: Ebner Katharina , Soucek Roman , Selenko Eva
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study illuminates the assumption that internships facilitate labor market entry and answers the question of why internships have a positive effect on students' self-perceived employability. It is assumed that internships enable more positive employability perceptions by reducing career-entry worries – the worries of not finding a suitable job or not being able to obtain a satisfactory career.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave study among graduate students currently in an internship investigated these relationships. Data on career-entry worries, perceived employability and an evaluation of the internship were collected from 80 students (mean age: 24.6 years, 68% female) from various fields of study aiming at both bachelor's and master's degrees.

Findings

The results showed that positively evaluated internships contributed to graduates' self-perceived employability by means of reduced career-entry worries over an eight-week period.

Originality/value

By considering graduates' career-entry worries – the perceived uncertainty about finding an “appropriate” career in the future – the authors introduce a new concept to the career literature and show that these worries are significant in terms of self-assessed employability.
Entrepreneurship as a career choice: impact of environments on high school students' intentions
Authors: Aggarwal Ansita , Shrivastava Umesh
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the different environments in which high school students go through in their formative years and whether these environments affect their intention to study entrepreneurship as a career choice. Bronfenbrenner's social-ecological theory has been used as a backdrop to capture these environments. Four variables chosen are family support, school environment, self-efficacy and global awareness.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 1770 high school students were chosen through simple random sampling within Gujarat state. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to predict the overall effect of all the environments on Entrepreneurship Education Intention (EEI) of these students.

Findings

Findings reveal that self-efficacy has the most substantial influence on intentions. Family support and global awareness have a combined significant effect on self-efficacy, which further translates to a significant impact on high school students' intentions. School environment has an effect on global awareness, which in turn has a negative effect on students' willingness to study entrepreneurship in India.

Research limitations/implications

The study has implications in curriculum design and theory development. The study also provides schools with a framework to understand how to orient their students toward entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This paper uses a novel theory that has not been applied in studies related to entrepreneurship education and proposes a model for the same. This novelty also reflects in our findings which have subsequent implications for theory and practice.
Pandemic meaning making: messing toward motet
Authors: Schaefer Mary Beth , Abrams Sandra Schamroth , Kurpis Molly , Abrams Charlotte , Abrams Madeline
Published: February 2021

Purpose

In this child–parent research study, three adolescents theorize their meaning-making experiences while engaged in exclusive online learning during a three-month stay-at-home mandate. The purpose of this study is to highlight youth-created understandings about their literacy practices during COVID-19 in order to expand possibilities for youth-generated theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This child–parent research builds upon a critical dialectical pluralist (CDP) methodology, which is a participatory research method that looks to privilege the child as a co-researcher at every stage of the inquiry. In this research study, the adolescents work together to explore what it means to create and learn alone and then with others via virtual platforms. Research team discussions initially were scaffolded by the parent–researchers, and the adolescents developed their analyses individually and together, and their words and insights situate the findings and conclusions.

Findings

The musical form of a motet provides a metaphor that three adolescents used to theorize their meaning-making experiences during the stay-at-home order. The adolescents determined that time, frustration, and space were overarching themes that captured the essence of working alone, and then together, in messy, orchestrated online ensembles.

Originality/value

In this youth-centric research paper, three adolescents create understandings of their meaning-making experiences during the stay-at-home order and work together to determine personal and pedagogical implications.
Anti-racist, anti-gay: a white Evangelical English teacher’s negotiations of her faith and critical inquiry
Authors: Olshefski Christopher Alan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how the religious beliefs and experiences of a white Evangelical English teacher, Amy, shaped her enactment of critical inquiry pedagogy in her English classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

This study drew on three in-depth interviews focused on a white Evangelical English teacher’s negotiation of her faith and understanding of critical inquiry issues in her teaching.

Findings

The teacher embraced anti-racist pedagogy by aligning definitions of structural racism with her understanding of the inherent sinfulness of humankind. She did so at the risk of her standing within her Evangelical community that largely rejected anti-racism. On the other hand, the teacher struggled with embracing LGBTQ+ advocacy, believing that affirmation of LGBTQ+ identities ran counter to her beliefs in “the gospel.” Her theological beliefs created complications for her when students brought the issue up in her class.

Practical implications

This study illustrates the way an English teacher incorporated anti-racism into both her teaching and religious identity, demonstrating that for some, the main concepts promoted in teacher education programs are held against a theological standard. It suggests that more work must be made by English teacher educators to provide space for religious pre-service teachers to find religious justification for engaging in LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Originality/value

One of the goals of English education is to encourage students to read texts and the world critically. However, the critical inquiry may be seen by Evangelical teachers and students as value-laden, too political and hostile to religious faith. This study examines the tensions that arise for an English teacher who is a white Evangelical. It contributes to possible strategies for the field to address these tensions.
A fuzzy-logic model for benchmarking concrete roof maintenance
Authors: Peiris Sanduni , De Silva Nayanthara
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Concrete structures undergo early and fast deterioration, which causes defects such as cracks, water leaks and delamination, resulting from a lack of or inefficient maintenance practices. To improve this behaviour, this paper aims to develop a maintenance strategy benchmarking model for concrete structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy logic toolbox on MATLAB R2018a was used to develop the proposed model and it was applied to two cases. A comprehensive literature search was done to review common concrete defects, their impact on the performance and functionality of the structure, effectiveness of maintenance strategies and previous maintenance benchmarking models. The literature findings were further validated through expert interviews which have been incorporated in the model.

Findings

Case study results show that preventive maintenance (PM), predictive maintenance (PdM) and corrective maintenance (CM) strategies are required more or less in similar combinations for maintenance of concrete roof structures. The best combination for case 1 is 36.42% PM, 35.40% PdM and 28.18% CM, and for case 2 is 35.93% PM, 35.08% PdM and 28.99% CM. According to suitability, they can be ranked as PM > PdM > CM.

Originality/value

This model will contribute as a comprehensive decision-making tool for building/facility managers. The findings further carry a strong message to those who practice only CM in their buildings.
The digital divide: a literature review and some directions for future research in light of COVID-19
Authors: Aissaoui Najeh
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has exposed the digital divide (DD) like never before and has made it a hot topic of actuality. In this paper, a state of the art of research studies that dealt with the three levels of the digital divide and highlight its shortcomings in light of COVID-19 are presented.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative literature review was conducted, summarizing the rich literature on the digital divide by presenting its key concepts and findings. This study then provides suggestions for future research in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

It can be concluded that the digital divide is insufficiently exposed and examined by researchers. In fact, in recent years, very few research studies have focused on the first-level divide. Moreover, much of the literature has analyzed the second digital divide (in terms of e-skills) in the strict sense and at the national level. This review also shows that the existing studies on the third level-digital divide deal only with the individual results of using the Internet. Finally, future research on the three-level digital divide should study more digital inequality related to emerging technologies is proposed.

Research limitations/implications

This paper draws up a state of art, which has important theoretical and practical implications in the effectiveness of full transformation to digitalization.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to digital inequality research by summarizing key concepts and findings from the literature of the three levels of the digital divide. It highlights the unexplored research topics on some dimensions of DD which were behind the digital transformation failure in many countries and provides insights on future research directions in light of COVID-19.
Institutional repositories in South India: an exploratory study
Authors: C. Shajitha , K.C. Abdul Majeed
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the institutional repositories (IRs) in South India in terms of policy and procedures, technology, content and contributors, promotion and assessment and personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

A voluntary survey was conducted to assess IRs in South India. The questionnaire was designed according to the study framework, which comprises 64 indicators across five areas: policy and procedures, technology, content and contributors, promotion and assessment and personnel. Furthermore, all of the 23 IRs identified were monitored over one year period (from February 2018 to January 2019) to analyse the content growth.

Findings

The Research Archive of Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad was found to provide more services to users than other South Indian IRs and it was the sole IR to embed a metadata field for author identification. Almost all the IRs were actively engaged in promotion and assessment activities. IR performance in the technology area was substandard in comparison with performance in the policy and procedures and promotion and assessment areas. For all South Indian IRs, content growth was low.

Originality/value

Very few in-depth studies have evaluated South Indian IRs across all five of the areas listed above and in recent years, no such comprehensive study has been conducted in India at all.
Social media use by adolescent students of Sri Lanka: impact on learning and behavior
Authors: Wickramanayake Lalith
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of social media on adolescents’ social behavior, personal conduct, interactions, education, communication, attitudes, skills and abilities. In addition, the study seeks to determine the barriers to social media use by adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

A convenience sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 300 adolescents from three educational zones in Sri Lanka. A questionnaire survey method was applied to collect raw data and descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis.

Findings

Among the given different social media, YouTube was the most preferred social media for adolescents. Although the majority of adolescents used mobile phones to access social media, they were not high social media users. The impact of social media on adolescents’ education and communication was significantly positive although their intellectual involvement with social media communities was rather low. The use of social media had not decreased the time devoted to studies or seriously complicated adolescents’ social life or encouraged them toward violence and conflict. There was no indication that social media had led to them experiencing mental confusion, health problems, disorderly conduct, social imbalance or suicide.

Originality/value

This study helps to reduce the literature gap of pertinent literature because there is little research information available on social media use in Sri Lanka. Almost all studies based in Sri Lanka in relation to social media have been poorly designed or published in predatory journals. The findings of the present study should be a timely and important resource for policymakers in education, teachers in both government and private schools and many stakeholders not only in Sri Lanka but also in other similar nations.
Busy female directors: an exploratory analysis of the impact of quotas and interest groups
Authors: Sarabi Yasaman , Smith Matthew
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an exploratory analysis of male and female directors, comparing the case of UK FTSE 350 boards of directors for 2010–2018, with Norwegian boards from 2002 to 2018, to examine patterns of busy female directors. This paper considers the differences between the effects of interest groups’ actions and those of quotas on the emergence of busy female directors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a longitudinal approach, providing an examination of both non-busy directors and busy directors sitting on the boards of UK and Norwegian firms, with a focus on female directors. Drawing on methods from social network analysis, several trends and patterns are mapped for the two corporate systems. The paper tests whether the proportion of busy male directors is significantly different from the proportion of busy female directors in the two institutional settings.

Findings

The results show there has been an increase in the proportion of busy female directors, whereas the level of busy male directors is slightly decreasing in the UK from 2010 to 2018. In Norway, following the introduction of gender quotas on corporate boards, there has been an increase in overboarded directors, especially female directors, along with the rise of so-called “golden skirt” directors. However, when compared to the UK case, the proportion of busy male and female directors is higher, suggesting that the emergence of the golden skirts in Norway is not a result of quotas alone.

Originality/value

The topic of busy directors has received increased attention in recent years, yet the gender of these directors is often neglected. This paper provides an overview of the characteristics of busy female directors for large UK and Norwegian firms, presenting avenues for future research.
Forecasting air quality in China using novel self-adaptive seasonal grey forecasting models
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyue , Dang Yaoguo , Ding Song
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Aiming to address the forecasting dilemma of seasonal air quality, the authors design the novel self-adaptive seasonal adjustment factor to extract the seasonal fluctuation information about the air quality index. Based on the novel self-adaptive seasonal adjustment factor, the novel seasonal grey forecasting models are established to predict the air quality in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs a novel self-adaptive seasonal adjustment factor for quantifying the seasonal difference information of air quality. The novel self-adaptive seasonal adjustment factor reflects the periodic fluctuations of air quality. Therefore, it is employed to optimize the data generation of three conventional grey models, consisting of theGM(1,1) model, the discrete grey model and the fractional-order grey model. Then three novel self-adaptive seasonal grey forecasting models, including the self-adaptive seasonalGM(1,1) model (SAGM(1,1)), the self-adaptive seasonal discrete grey model (SADGM(1,1)) and the self-adaptive seasonal fractional-order grey model (SAFGM(1,1)), are put forward for prognosticating the air quality of all provinces in China .

Findings

The experiment results confirm that the novel self-adaptive seasonal adjustment factors promote the precision of the conventional grey models remarkably. Simultaneously, compared with three non-seasonal grey forecasting models and theSARIMAmodel, the performance of self-adaptive seasonal grey forecasting models is outstanding, which indicates that they capture the seasonal changes of air quality more efficiently.

Research limitations/implications

Since air quality is affected by various factors, subsequent research may consider including meteorological conditions, pollutant emissions and other factors to perfect the self-adaptive seasonal grey models.

Practical implications

Given the problematic air pollution situation in China, timely and accurate air quality forecasting technology is exceptionally crucial for mitigating their adverse effects on the environment and human health. The paper proposes three self-adaptive seasonal grey forecasting models to forecast the air quality index of all provinces in China, which improves the adaptability of conventional grey models and provides more efficient prediction tools for air quality.

Originality/value

The self-adaptive seasonal adjustment factors are constructed to characterize the seasonal fluctuations of air quality index. Three novel self-adaptive seasonal grey forecasting models are established for prognosticating the air quality of all provinces in China. The robustness of the proposed grey models is reinforced by integrating the seasonal irregularity. The proposed methods acquire better forecasting precisions compared with the non-seasonal grey models and theSARIMAmodel.
Textual analysis of university mission statements in East Asian world-class universities
Authors: Manning Keenan Daniel
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The management of higher education institutions (HEIs) is undergoing a period of rapid development around the world and particularly in Asia. Competing forces of neoliberal decentralisation, increased government oversight, internationalisation and regionalism are creating difficulties for managers and stakeholders alike. This paper aims to look at the ways in which universities have institutionalised their strategies for coping with these forces, in the form of their mission statements (MSs), particularly within an East Asian context.

Design/methodology/approach

Several major international university ranking tables were used to compile a list of “world class” institutions in East Asia. Those with available MSs in English were examined for reference to factors existing within the literature, as well as those which were not previously identified.

Findings

East Asian universities placed a high degree of emphasis on aspects related to university management, as well as social, cultural and historical foci. Far less emphasis was placed on aspects such as engagement of stakeholders and inclusion.

Originality/value

The paper draws on previous research from other regions and attempts to provide some insights into the particularities of higher education in East Asia from a management perspective.
Magnetohydrodynamic bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms in porous media saturated with Cu–water nanofluid
Authors: Biswas Nirmalendu , Manna Nirmal K. , Mandal Dipak Kumar , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) bioconvection caused by the swimming of oxytactic microorganisms in a linearly heated square cavity filled with porous media and Cu–water nanofluid. The effects of different multiphysical aspects are demonstrated using local distributions as well as global quantities for fluid flow, temperature, oxygen concentration and microorganisms population.

Design/methodology/approach

The coupled transport equations are converted into the nondimensional partial differential equations, which are solved numerically using a finite volume-based computing code. The flow of Cu–water nanofluid through the pores of porous media is formulated following the Brinkman–Forchheimer–Darcy model. The swimming of oxytactic microorganisms is handled following a continuum model.

Findings

The analysis of transport phenomena of bioconvection is performed in a linearly heated porous enclosure containing Cu–water nanofluid and oxytactic microorganisms under the influence of magnetic fields. The application of such a system could have potential impacts in diverse fields of engineering and science. The results show that the flow and temperature distribution along with the isoconcentrations of oxygen and microorganisms is markedly affected by the involved governing parameters.

Research limitations/implications

Similar study of bioconvection could be extended further considering thermal radiation, chemical attraction, gravity and light.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this investigation could be used in diverse fields of multiphysical applications, such as in food industries, chemical processing equipment, fuel cell technology and enhanced oil recovery.

Originality/value

The insight of the linear heating profile reveals a special attribute of simultaneous heating and cooling zones along the heated side. With such an interesting feature, the MHD bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms in nanofluid-filled porous substance is not reported so far.
Numerical simulation of natural convection within wavy square enclosure filled with nanofluid under magnetic field using EFGM with parallel algorithm
Authors: Nishad Surabhi , Jain Sapna , Bhargava Rama
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the flow and heat transfer inside a wavy enclosure filled with Cu-water nanofluid under magnetic field effect by parallel implemented meshfree approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The simulation has been carried out for a two-dimensional model with steady, laminar and incompressible flow of the nanofluid filled inside wavy enclosure in which one of the walls is sinusoidal such that the amplitude (A = 0.15) and number of undulations (n = 2) are fixed. A uniform magnetic field B0 has been applied at an inclination angle γ. The governing equations for the transport phenomena have been solved numerically by implementing element-free Galerkin method (EFGM) with the sequential as well as parallel approach. The effect of various parameters, namely, nanoparticle volume fraction (φ), Rayleigh number (Ra), Hartmann number (Ha) and magnetic field inclination angle (γ) has been studied on the natural convection flow of nanofluid.

Findings

The results are obtained in terms of average Nusselt number calculated at the cold wavy wall, streamlines and isotherms. It has been observed that the increasing value of Rayleigh number results in increased heat transfer rate while the Hartmann number retards the fluid motion. On the other hand, the magnetic field inclination angle gives rise to the heat transfer rate up to its critical value. Above this value, the heat transfer rate starts to decrease.

Originality/value

The implementation of the magnetic field and its inclination has provided very interesting results on heat and fluid flow which can be used in the drug delivery where nanofluids are used in many physiological problems. Another important novelty of the paper is that meshfree method (EFGM) has been used here because the domain is irregular. The results have been found to be very satisfactory. In addition, parallelization of the scheme (which has not been implemented earlier in such problems) improves the computational efficiency.