bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In situ study on the influence of bicarbonate, chloride and outer electrode potential on crevice corrosion occurrence and development of X70 steel
Authors: Hu Qian , Lu Saiwen , Liu Jing , Huang Feng
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the influence of bicarbonate, chloride and outer electrode potential on crevice corrosion occurrence and development of X70 steel.

Design/methodology/approach

The crevice corrosion behavior in NaHCO3 and NaCl solutions was investigated through modeling and experiments. The electrode potential and current density distribution were simulated, and the acidification of crevice solution was monitored in situ.

Findings

The bicarbonate concentration and outer electrode potential remarkably influenced the occurrence of crevice corrosion. The former changes the passivation curves, and the latter alters the initial potential. Moreover, chloride concentration exerted minimal influence. The location of acidification and pitting occurrences depended on the potential difference between the outer electrode and electrode at the active dissolution current peak.

Originality/value

This study provides a better understanding of the crevice corrosion behavior and mechanism under natural conditions.
The political predicament of the pan-democrats in Hong Kong under Chinese rule
Authors: Lau Raymond Kwun Sun
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make sense of the slow and frustrating process of democratization in Hong Kong through understanding the pan-democrats’ struggle for realizing universal suffrage. It aims to offer possible explanations for the current political impasse between Hong Kong and mainland China over the issue of universal suffrage.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper seeks to construct a triangular model of institutional constraint, clashing visions of democracy and mutual political distrust for understanding the pan-democrats’ struggle for realizing universal suffrage in Hong Kong since the 1980s, the nature of current political predicament they found themselves in and the current political impasse between the pan-democrats and Beijing.

Findings

The dilemma facing Hong Kong’s pan-democrats and Beijing’s leadership is attributed to the institutional constraints of Basic Law on Hong Kong’s system of governance, the clashing visions of Beijing-led Chinese-style democracy and Western-style liberal democracy as advocated by the pan-democrats and the mutual political distrust between the two parties. The findings suggest that this triangular model will remain relevant in understanding the political predicament of the pan-democrats under Chinese rule and the political impasse between Hong Kong and mainland China over universal suffrage for the coming decades.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new interpretation of the current political impasse between Hong Kong and mainland China over the issue of universal suffrage. It offers new insights into the nature of current political predicament the pan-democrats found themselves in amidst their fight for realizing universal suffrage since the 1980s by constructing a triangular model of institutional constraints, clashing visions of democracy and mutual political distrust.
Conservatory education of a musical savant with autism: a case study in Turkey
Authors: Erden Sule , Reyhanoglu Gonul
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Savant syndrome, a very rare condition in the world, refers to individuals who have extraordinary talents but might have disabilities that prevent them from maintaining their life. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the views of conservatory instructors about the education of Buğra Çankır (BC), a musical savant with autism.

Design/methodology/approach

As it was difficult to communicate with BC and elicit his views, interviews were conducted with his teachers, who had similar experiences in his music education process. The participants were six instructors who worked as full-time instructors in the conservatory. The participants were administered a semi-structured focus group interview form that described the difficulties, experiences, perceptions and feelings they had in their interactions with BC. Data obtained from the study were subjected to content analysis methods performed by the researchers; analysis involved identification of the codes and themes and formation of sub-themes and codes in line with these themes.

Findings

Results showed that the participants had difficulties in teaching BC because of having insufficient knowledge about his features. In addition, while planning the conservatory education processes, the participants were found to redesign the teaching content considering the features of the student.

Research limitations/implications

The present case study is important in terms of revealing the problems experienced in the education processes of these individuals. More detailed qualitative studies or action research could be utilised in studies to be conducted in the future.

Originality/value

BC’s educational experience is the first case for educational institutions and instructors in Turkey.
Employment and income effects of Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda
Authors: Oyebola Fehintola , Osabuohien Evans S. , Obasaju Barnabas Olusegun
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the development of cattle value chain can influence employment creation and income of both cattle farmers and merchants. The study focusses on cattle farmers in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States where there are the largest cattle farms and live cattle merchants in Southern Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

It employs a research approach that uses key informant interviews and structured questionnaire in garnering needed information from cattle farms, abattoirs and merchant.

Findings

The results suggest that with some minimal supports, employment creation and income generation can be improved.

Originality/value

None of the reviewed empirical studies is specific to the cattle value chain in South Western Nigeria. Among other values, the study identifies employment and income opportunities in corporate and non-corporate farms in the cattle value chain in South Western Nigeria.
Consumer insight on a snack machine producing healthy and customized foods at point of consumption
Authors: Vehmas Kaisa , Lavrusheva Olga , Seisto Anu , Poutanen Kaisa , Nordlund Emilia
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a healthy snacking and on-the-go eating concept, “Healthy Snack Machine” (HSM) that produces freshly made food and enables customization of the product at site of purchase and consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied qualitative and quantitative consumer research methods and used iterative co-creation approach, meaning that the HSM concept was developed by consumer input during different phases. Specifically, the research included three qualitative methods, web platform discussion (n=109), a HSM mock-up study (n=30) and testing a prototype of the HSM user interface (n=50), as well as a quantitative study (n=215).

Findings

Generally, the consumers evaluated the HMS concept positively. The results indicated that the time of the day, personal goals and preferences affected food choice and product customization in HSM. Consumers preferred HSM products that were healthy, satiating and suitable for on-the-go eating. They also felt that HSM would save time, and that the possibility to customize the food gives them additional value. The results also pointed out the importance of privacy and security issues in the HSM concept.

Practical implications

The results indicated that consumers are in favor of a new delivery concept that can help them to consume healthy food and enable customization of the product. This encourages to proof the findings in consumer tests with a real food-producing prototype machine.

Originality/value

The work gives original insight on consumer preferences for healthy snacking and snack customization enabled by digital technologies and consecutive co-creation methodologies.
Behind the wine glass: values that guide consumption in Minas Gerais – Brazil
Authors: Castro Álvaro Leonel de Oliveira , Vilas Boas Luiz Henrique de Barros , Rezende Daniel Carvalho de , Pimenta Márcio Lopes
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to identify and describe the personal values that motivate and guide the cognitive structure of Brazilian wine consumers from the viewpoint of the means-end chain theory.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative descriptive study, 40 in-depth laddering interviews were conducted in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which were transcribed and codified from the attributes, consequences, and values that emerged in the discourse of the wine consumers. The codes were subsequently graded – in accordance with the level of abstraction – and inserted into the LadderUx® software to generate the implication matrix and the hierarchical value map. The interpretation of the cognitive structure of the wine consumers occurred descriptively.

Findings

Common aspects regarding knowledge of the product linked to the ritual of wine consumption were identified among consumers. The psychological factors basically describe the social aspects that are pertinent to the drink’s consumption and to aspects focused on the personal training that leads to consumption satisfaction. Both converge in the search for more knowledge about the world of wine. From this cognitive basis, the existence of the instrumental values of hedonism, benevolence/care, stimulation and achievement could be seen, as well as the terminal values of joy and happiness.

Originality/value

This study presents the cognitive structure of the Brazilian consumers of wine. This result allows some insights in an initial perspective for the development of strategies, based on the factors that motivate the purchase of the drink, thus attracting new consumers to this emerging market.
Predicting food choice: a meta-analysis based on the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Nardi Vinicius Antonio Machado , Jardim William Carvalho , Ladeira Wagner , Santini Fernando
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) emerged as one of the main theoretical bases for understanding consumer intentions and behaviors, with robust results covering different topics. In the context of food, the use of theory has motivated the replication and extension of the model under different circumstances. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The aims of this meta-analysis were to synthesize the literature on TPB in the food choice context and analyze the moderator effect on direct relationships under theoretical, methodological and cultural circumstances A random-effects meta-analysis of 155 studies (n=367.994) was conducted.

Findings

There was a robustness in the application of the TPB model to predict food choice; in particular, attitude was the stronger predictor of intention (r=0.386). The analysis of moderators showed that food origin, life cycle, involving technology, healthcare, ethical concerns, motivation and convenience change the original model relations.

Research limitations/implications

This meta-analysis is limited by the scope of the investigated literature and publication bias. This approach contributes to the literature in two ways. It confirms the robustness of the theoretical model for predicting behaviors in the context of food choice. Furthermore, this research is the first to provide support to sample, cultural and situational moderators.

Originality/value

The findings offer insights into the food choice context and identify some gaps and opportunities for future research.
Home (not so) sweet home
Authors: Rialp-Criado Alex , Zolfaghari Ejlal Manesh Seyed Meysam , Moen Øystein
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to elaborate on the crucial effects that a seemingly detrimental policy change in Spain has had on the international entrepreneurial activities of domestic renewable energy (RE) firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected from nine RE companies in Spain and then triangulated with secondary data and interviews from informants in other local institutions.

Findings

Domestic RE firms, due to an institutional scape driver action, reacted to an increasingly uncertain and generally more adverse renewable energy policy framework in this country by preferring to internationalise towards foreign markets that had lower political uncertainty than the domestic one.

Research limitations/implications

This paper complements previous research primarily on firm-specific factors that enhance internationalising firms’ survival and growth through a focus on the impact of a changing institutional-political environment at the home country-level.

Practical implications

Practitioners in the RE sector should analyse the risk of focusing only on the home market, as it can be too dependent on uncontrolled variations in domestic energy policy.

Social implications

The findings indicate that a more stable and supportive, long-term perspective in the domestic RE policy is essential for the sustained growth and development of this emerging industry.

Originality/value

To analyse the strategy by which a number of purposefully selected companies were able to use international expansion as a survival-seeking strategy against a drastic policy-level change in the domestic RE market.
Electrochemical and analytical study of electroplating additive in copper plating solution for microvia filling
Authors: Tao Zhihua , Liu Guanting , Li Yuanxun , Su Hua
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The adsorption and acceleration behavior of 3-mercaptopropyl sulfonate (MPS) were investigated by electrochemical tests for microvia filling by copper electroplating.

Design/methodology/approach

The synergistic effects of one suppressor of propylene oxide ethylene oxide propylene oxide named PEP and MPS as the accelerator during copper electroplating were also investigated by electrochemical methods such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy cyclic voltammetric stripping (CVS) and Galvanostatic measurements (GMs).

Findings

The research results suggest that the adsorption of MPS onto the Cu-RDE metal surface was a spontaneous process and the adsorbing of MPS on cathode was proposed to physical-chemistry adsorption in the plating formula. There was no potential difference (i.e. ?? = 0) of GMs until MPS was injected into the plating solution suggest that copper deposition is not diffusion-controlled in the presence of PEP–Cl–JGB.

Originality/value

A new composition of plating bath was found to be effective to perform bottom-up copper filling of microvias in the fabrication of PCB in electronic industries. The adsorption of MPS into the Cu-RDE metal surface was a spontaneous process and the adsorbing of MPS on cathode was studied by EIS and the results proposed to physical-chemistry adsorption in the plating formula. An optimal plating solution composed of CuSO4, H2SO4, chloride ions, PEP, MPS and JGB was obtained, and the microvia could be fully filled using the plating formula.
How to develop a research agenda in two days
Authors: Kemp Linzi , Kumra Savita
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the aims, objectives and structure of a two-day Think Tank, “Gender in Organisations in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region”, held at the American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates on 18–19 March 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper will explain the design decisions made to achieve the objectives of the event, which will be of interest to equality, diversity and inclusion readers who may wish to hold such events themselves. It will then explain each of the Think Tank sessions and provide an overview of the keynote speakers’ presentations and the ensuing plenary discussions.

Findings

The Think Tank was an extremely useful vehicle for facilitating discussion on the development of a research agenda to advance knowledge in respect of gender in organisations in the MENA region. The design of the Think Tank enabled collaborative discussion amongst academics drawn from across the globe, who shared their knowledge and experience to develop a coordinated research agenda, to guide action and attention on key issues identified by the group.

Originality/value

The Think Tank is believed to be the first of its type in the MENA region. The authors believe this collaborative and time-efficient approach advances research agendas in respect of key issues of interest to equality, diversity and inclusion scholars. The Think Tank format is a valuable addition to the processes currently utilised to achieve such outcomes, e.g. conferences and symposia.
An autoethnographic account of a pragmatic inclusionary strategy and tactics as a form of feminist activism
Authors: O’Connor Pat
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the enactment of a pragmatic inclusionary strategy and related tactics as a form of feminist activism in one university.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses analytic autoethnography.

Findings

It shows how it is possible for a feminist activist to create limited change in what is typically seen as an intractable indicator of gender equality, i.e. gender parity at full professorial level.

Research limitations/implications

Analytic autoethnography as a method has considerable methodological limitations although it also offers insights into insider strategies and tactics.

Practical implications

The identification of such a strategy and tactics may be useful to activists, decision-makers and policy makers with an interest in tackling any source of inequality.

Social implications

The identification of such a strategy and tactics may be useful to activists, decision-makers and policy makers with an interest in tackling any source of inequality.

Originality/value

Five tactics, reflecting a pragmatic inclusionary strategy are identified, i.e. provocative misbehaviour; individualised managing management; perverse alignments; resisting silencing and gaining legitimacy; activating latent social movement ties to change national policy.
Designing and managing co-innovation: the case of Loccioni and Pfizer
Authors: Ombrosi Noemi , Casprini Elena , Piccaluga Andrea
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Knowing the factors influencing the success of collaborative innovation is particularly relevant for both academics and practitioners. Nonetheless, many studies have regarded the megatrends influencing innovation imperatives, the development of co-innovation strategies, the selection of partners and the involvement of user communities, but not so much the understanding of how the co-innovation process is concretely designed and managed. Adding to extant research, the purpose of this paper is to explore how companies collaborate in co-innovation processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal, single case study has been conducted on the co-innovation process between Loccioni, an Italian medium-sized, high tech family firm, and Pfizer, one of the largest companies operating in the pharmaceutical sector.

Findings

From the case study analysis, three main results have emerged. First, the role of medium-sized companies in leading the co-innovation process as both the initiator and orchestrator. Second, the interplay between the local and the global dimension of co-innovation and the importance of (un)formal roles in innovation. Third, the “double funnel” of co-innovation, linking both the technological and the relational dimensions. Specifically, the case highlights the relevance of the relational – beyond the technological – aspects of co-innovation, providing a relational model that links the geographical dimensions (local/distant) and the role of specific individuals.

Originality/value

The paper presents an example of how a medium-sized firm has implemented its co-innovation process, shedding new light on possible barriers and success factors that other smaller or similar companies may follow when dealing with large multinationals.
A visual interactive reading system based on eye tracking technology to improve digital reading performance
Authors: Chen Chih-Ming , Wang Jung-Ying , Lin Yu-Chieh
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Developing attention-aware systems and interfaces based on eye tracking technology could revolutionize mainstream human–computer interaction to make the interaction between human beings and computers more intuitive, effective and immersive than can be achieved traditionally using a computer mouse. This paper aims to propose an eye-controlled interactive reading system (ECIRS) that uses human eyes instead of the traditional mouse to control digital text to support screen-based digital reading.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quasi-experimental design to examine the effects of an experimental group and a control group of learners who, respectively, used the ECIRS and a mouse-controlled interactive reading system (MCIRS) to conduct their reading of two types of English-language text online – pure text and Q&A-type articles on reading comprehension, cognitive load, technology acceptance, and reading behavioural characteristics. Additionally, the effects of learners with field-independent (FI) and field-dependence (FD) cognitive styles who, respectively, used the ECIRS and MCIRS to conduct their reading of two types of English-language text online – pure text and Q&A-type articles on reading comprehension are also examined.

Findings

Analytical results reveal that the reading comprehension of learners in the experimental group significantly exceeded those in the control group for the Q&A article, but the difference was insignificant for the pure text article. Moreover, the ECIRS improved the reading comprehension of field-independent learners more than it did that of field-dependent learners. Moreover, neither the cognitive loads of the two groups nor their acceptance of the technology differed significantly, whereas the reading time of the experimental group significantly exceeded that of the control group. Interestingly, for all articles, the control group of learners read mostly from top to bottom without repetition, whereas most of the learners in the experimental group read most paragraphs more than once. Clearly, the proposed ECIRS supports deeper digital reading than does the MCIRS.

Originality/value

This study proposes an emerging ECIRS that can automatically provide supplementary information to a reader and control a reading text based on a reader’s eye movement to replace the widely used mouse-controlled reading system on a computer screen to effectively support digital reading for English language learning. The implications of this study are that the highly interactive reading patterns of digital text with ECIRS support increase motivation and willingness to learn while giving learners a more intuitive and natural reading experience as well as reading an article online with ECIRS support guides learners’ attention in deeper digital reading than does the MCIRS because of simultaneously integrating perceptual and cognitive processes of selection, awareness and control based on human eye movement.
Change, no change or big change? The discontinuous development of trade unions in Nepal
Authors: Tulachan Bojindra Prasad
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the systematic development of trade unions in Nepal. To that end, it considers historical political paradigm shifts and institutional dynamics from the beginning of trade unions to today.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the background of biological growth theories and tests them with the use of qualitative and quantitative data, official records and historical literature.

Findings

The second juncture of trade unions was vacuum marked by the absence of a legal labor framework. The first stage of trade unionism was prevented from an official take-off as such in terms of unionization and union activities. The major reason for this phenomenon was the complete ban on trade unions placed by the monarchial regime. However, the alliance of trade unions with mother political parties helped them to bounce back in the early 1990s. Thus, the overall biological growth pattern of trade unions in Nepal appears as “discontinuous.”

Originality/value

The paper argues that the discontinuous development of trade unions appeared without undergoing a complete growth course of ferment, take-off and maturity as in the S-curve pattern. Second, the discontinuity of the trade unions led eventually to its formal existence as an institutionalized IR actor. Third, the trend of trade unionism since the 1980s and 1990s is one of gradual decline in developed, recently developed and developing countries, whereas it is on a sharp incline in Nepal.
Perceived credibility of online hotel reviews and its impact on hotel booking intentions
Authors: Chakraborty Uttam
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the vitality of source, receiver and message factors on credibility assessment of online hotel reviews. Further, the current study determines the effects of perceived credibility of online reviews (PCOR) on hotel booking intentions (HBI).

Design/methodology/approach

The current study performs reliability analysis to determine the internal consistency of the measurement scales and to ensure the uni-dimensionality of the measurement scales the present study performs exploratory factor analysis. Further, the present study performs structural equation modeling to identify the relationships between the variables.

Findings

Two-sided online reviews have a more significant positive impact on PCOR as compared to the effects of receiver, review quality, review consistency and negative-sided online reviews.

Originality/value

This is one of the first study that analyses the impact of source, receiver and message on PCOR. Moreover, the present study offered theoretical justification behind the factors that affect the authenticity of online hotel reviews and its effects on HBI.
Renewable and non-renewable energy consumption, economic growth and carbon emission in BRICS
Authors: Banday Umer Jeelanie , Aneja Ranjan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find the causal relationship among energy consumption (renewable energy and non-renewable energy), gross domestic product (GDP) growth and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa for the period of 1990-2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses bootstrap Dumitrescu and Hurlin panel causality test, which accepts heterogeneity and dependency in cross-sectional units across emerging countries.

Findings

The results find unidirectional causality from GDP to CO2 for India, China, Brazil, South Africa and no causality for Russia. The causality results from renewable energy consumption to GDP show that there is evidence of feedback hypothesis for China and Brazil, growth hypothesis for Russia, conservation hypothesis for South Africa and neutrality hypothesis for India. However, the results accept growth hypothesis for India, China, Russia, Brazil and neutrality hypothesis for South Africa. In the case of renewable energy and non-renewable energy consumption to CO2 emission, the results find convergence in India, Russia and South Africa and divergence in China and Brazil.

Originality/value

It is the first study that investigates the part of balanced economic growth, instead of simply financial development in those economies. Numerous studies have used diverse factors such as economic development, renewable energy, non-renewable energy and CO2 emission; however, the examination has used total GDP growth rate, energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Supply chain disruptions: the influence of industry and geography on firm reaction speed
Authors: Lawson Benn , Potter Antony , Pil Frits K. , Holweg Matthias
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Responding in a timely manner to product recalls emanating from the supply chain presents tremendous challenges for most firms. The source might be a supplier from the same industry located next door, or one from a completely different sector of the economy situated thousands of miles away. Yet the speed of the firm’s response is crucial to mitigating the consequences of the recall both for the firm, and consumer health and well-being. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of geographic distance, industry relatedness and clustering on firm response time to a supplier-initiated product recall.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test the theoretical framework via an examination of food recall announcements registered with the US Food and Drug Administration over a ten-year period. The authors develop a data set comprising 407 pairs of supplier and affected downstream manufacturing firms, and utilize cross-classified hierarchical linear modeling to understand the drivers of organizational responsiveness.

Findings

The results suggest that firm response time is lengthened by geographic distance but reduced when the supplier and affected firm operate in related industry sectors. The authors further find that as more firms in a given industry are affected by the same recall, response time deteriorates.

Originality/value

Product recalls in the agri-food industry are significant events initiated to protect consumer health and ensure the safety of the farm-to-fork food chain. The findings highlight how both geographic- and industry-related factors determine the speed of firm responsiveness to these events.
Consumer experience of interactive technology in fashion stores
Authors: Siregar Yuri , Kent Anthony
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Despite the growth of digital fashion shopping, many consumers regularly visit physical fashion stores. To enable digital interactions in a physical store, many fashion brands have installed interactive technology. However, studies of consumer engagement with interactive technology in fashion stores remain scarce. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience with interactive technology in fashion stores.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative user experience design (UXD) approach was employed to address the research question. A combination of methods: protocol analysis, observation and interview, was used to collect the data. A prominent UXD framework was utilised to analyse the data.

Findings

There are four themes representing findings: split domain, digital domain merchandise, interactive information and interaction moments. For these, two core concepts were extracted: control over experience via framing and challenges for experience.

Originality/value

This research paper infused a new approach that is UXD into the field of fashion marketing. This shows the possibility to amalgamate those contrasting fields. Moreover, this research paper provides insights particularly about the interactions with a technology in fashion stores.
Predictive compressive strength models for green concrete
Authors: Murad Yasmin , Imam Rana , Abu Hajar Husam , Habeh Dua’a , Hammad Abdullah , Shawash Zaid
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop new predictive models using gene expression programming in order to estimate the compressive strength of green concrete, as accurate models that can predict the compressive strength of green concrete are still lacking.

Design/methodology/approach

To estimate the compressive strength of plain concrete, fly ash concrete, silica fume concrete and concrete with silica fume and fly ash, four predictive GEP models are developed. The GEP models are developed using a large and reliable database that is collected from the literature. The GEP models are validated using the collected experimental database.

Findings

The R2 is used to statistically evaluate the performance of the GEP models wherein the R2 values for the GEP models including all data are 85, 95, 80 and 95.3 percent for the models that predict the compressive strength of plain concrete, fly ash concrete, silica fume concrete and concrete with silica fume and fly ash, respectively.

Originality/value

The GEP models have high R2 values and low RMSE and MAE, which indicates that they are capable of predicting the compressive strength of green concrete with a reasonable accuracy.
Lubricant and tribological properties of zinc compound in palm oil
Authors: Md Alias Muhammad Aizat , Abdollah Mohd Fadzli Bin , Amiruddin Hilmi
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the composition of lubricant and the enhancement of tribological properties using palm oil as a parent base oil mixed with an organo-zinc compound as an additive.

Design/methodology/approach

The oil samples were prepared by mixing organo-zinc compound additive, zinc dioctyldithiophosphate (ZnDoDP) and zinc diamyldithiocarbamate (ZDDC), at 0 to 3.0 Wt.% concentrations with commercialised palm oil which were then homogenised using an ultrasonic homogeniser. The oil samples were then tested for their oil properties through elemental analysis, their viscosity index, flashpoint and acid number. Next, the friction test was performed using a four-ball tribometer, and the worn surfaces of the balls were observed using a digital microscope.

Findings

The results showed that commercialised palm oil with 2.0 Wt.% of ZnDoDP had excellent characteristics regarding its lubricant properties, such as its viscosity index, coefficient of friction and wear compared to commercialised palm oil with the addition of 2.0 Wt.% of ZDDC.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to compare the effect of the concentration of ZnDoDP and ZDDC on the lubricant and triological properties of vegetable oil (palm).
Influence of wedge shape on the performance of air foil thrust bearings
Authors: Hu Hongyang , Feng Ming
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different wedge shapes on the performance of air foil thrust bearing (AFTB).

Design/methodology/approach

During the study, a bump foil stiffness model considering slip deformation and a two-dimensional sheet top foil model is established, and the Reynolds equation and film thickness equation is solved using the finite difference method and finite element method. The static performance such as load carrying capacity, friction torque and power loss of AFTB under different taper parameters is obtained. The influence of different pitch ratio, film thickness ratio and wedge shapes on the bearing characteristics is studied.

Findings

There is an optimal height and a pitch ratio for the taper of AFTB with certain tile number. Compared to the plane and concave wedge shape, the upper convex shape can enhance the convergence effect of the wedge region, increase the effective film pressure distribution area of the bearing and reduce the local concentrated load of the top foil, which is more conductive to the increase of load capacity.

Originality/value

The wedge shape parameters bring a fundamental difference in the static performance of AFTB. The results are expected to be helpful to bearing designers, researchers and academicians concerned.
Flow characteristics of a hydraulic cone-throttle valve during cavitation
Authors: Zhang Jian
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to resolve the cavitation problem encountered in cone throttle valves concerning fluid flow performance and pitting from cavitation luminescence, the author studied the flow field within a cone throttle valve set with various valve openings, inlet pressures and outlet back pressures.

Design/methodology/approach

The flow and cavitation distribution in the valve under different pressure conditions were obtained in simulations. To confirm these results experimentally, a hydraulic cavitation platform was constructed. The valve was made of polymethyl methacrylate material with high transparency to observe the cavitation directly, as well as cavitation luminescence. The flow characteristics of this valve were measured under various working conditions.

Findings

With increasing cavitation strength, a reduction in cavitation on the throttle capacity was more evident. Increasing the back pressure and reducing the working pressure of the valve appropriately improves the flow capacity of the valve, which subsequently improves the performance of the valve. The cavitation luminescence is also linearly related to cavitation intensity. That is, the stronger the flow capacity of the valve, the less likely the luminescence is produced. Moreover, a stronger luminescence intensity worsens the flow performance of the valve.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the limitation of experimental means and lack of research on bubble shape, the subsequent research will complement this aspect.

Practical implications

With a view to providing theoretical and experimental support, cavitation luminescence is also studied to gain a deeper understanding of the cavitation mechanism in hydraulic valves.

Originality/value

The innovation of this paper is to study the cavitation luminescence in the hydraulic system.
The effect of sea-water on the tribological properties of polyurethanes
Authors: Guo Yanbao , Tan Hai , Wang Deguo , Zhang Siwei
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Ocean exploration is of importance and in great demand throughout the world. This results in a huge challenge in tribology in the marine environment. Moreover, polymeric materials with large molecules or macromolecules play an important role in marine equipment.

Design/methodology/approach

The tribological performance of sea-water-eroded polyether polyurethane (PU) was systematically studied by using a multi-specimen test machine for different durations from 0 to 60 days. Surface characterization technologies, such as scanning electric microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy, were used to analyze the PU samples.

Findings

It can be found that the COF measured against 316 steel increases with the testing load because of the change of contact areas for the original PU samples. The effect of hydrodynamic lubrication and heat resulted in the decline of the COF with the increase in testing speed. The COF of PU sample immersed for 20 days was the lowest compared with other samples. With the immersion time increased to 60 days, the COF increased first and then decreased. The reduced COF of PU resulted in improved anti-wear performance of the PU sample.

Originality/value

These results enhanced the comprehension of the tribological performances of PU immersed in sea-water.
Enrolling citizens as informed consumers in quasi-markets
Authors: Ranerup Agneta , Henriksen Helle Zinner
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Many countries today, especially in Europe, provide publicly funded public services in quasi-markets. As these markets commercialize, agencies of various types are providing technologies that support citizens’ choice of services. Citizens’ use of technologies for service provision is studied as e-government under labels of channel management, e-service uptake or adoption. In contrast, by using actor–network theory (ANT), the purpose of this paper is to focus on the marketing devices that are used to enroll citizens to choose technologies in a context with large penetration of quasi-market arrangements.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a Swedish case study, this paper uses qualitative data from 11 occurrences of technologies to support citizens’ choice (“market devices”) in education, healthcare and public pension in an analysis of the means taken (“marketing devices”) to increase their use. The study formulates a tentative typology of these devices.

Findings

The marketing devices are intended to attract citizens’ attention to the possibility of choice (e.g. catalogs, postcards and commercials), invite interaction (e.g. various social media platforms), improve the technological support in line with user needs (e.g. user participation in development), increase visibility of technological support (e.g. search optimization) or directly connect citizens to technological support (e.g. via links).

Originality/value

The paper contributes to e-government research through a typology of means taken to increase citizens’ technology use based on selected concepts from ANT, and to a discussion of technologies and humans.
A post-disaster gendered value chain analysis on seaweed farming after Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines
Authors: Cuaton Ginbert Permejo
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Although half a decade have already passed following the devastation of super typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, limited studies on the status of the seaweed aquaculture industry have been reportedly published, specifically on the gendered differences of the key players in the production activities. The purpose of this empirical research is to present the different characteristics of producers; technology used in farming; gendered differences in labor; sources of propagules; and yield, productivity and income of seaweed farmers in five rural-poor coastal communities in Eastern Samar, the Philippines.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered through a combination of fieldworks and desk research and were analyzed using a value chain and gender needs assessment analyses. A four-part, self-made guide questionnaire was used as an instrument. The data were presented and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the modified monoline method is the technology used by the seaweed farmers. Propagules are usually supplied for free by the BFAR or bought from neighboring villages. A monthly income of PhP 19,500.00 (US$393.00) can be generated from seaweed farming. Division of labors in most of the seaweed production processes is equally distributed between men and women with help from their boys-and-girls children. Increasing further the number of lines per seaweed grower to at least 25 will enable them to go beyond the poverty threshold, based on 2015 figures of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Research limitations/implications

This study provides additional empirical data to substantiate and prove that women’s active involvement in seaweed production provides them an important opportunity to earn some income for themselves and their families and contribute to livelihood and enterprise development in their communities.

Practical implications

This study is helpful in constructing an Industry Development Plan to serve as the Seaweed Industry Road Map for progress, thereby, helping men and women seaweed growers especially in rural-poor coastal areas.

Social implications

Aside from being conducted in a post-disaster context, the data and recommendations presented in this paper contribute to the body of knowledge that government and non-government institutions, private individuals and groups and the academia could use in understanding the economic, commercial and community development contributions, gaps and constraints in producing seaweed in rural-poor coastal communities.

Originality/value

This paper serves as an in-depth empirical study reflective of the post-disaster, current gendered labor practices, culture, knowledge and attitude of the seaweed producers in the Philippines. More importantly, this study was conducted by a local researcher, thereby reflecting empirical findings and recommendations that are strategic, gender and culture-sensitive and timely and relevant.
User-centred design of an active computer gaming system for strength and balance exercises for older adults
Authors: Howes Sarah C. , Charles Darryl , Pedlow Katy , Wilson Iseult , Holmes Dominic , McDonough Suzanne
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Active computer gaming (ACG) is a way for older people to participate in strength and balance exercise. Involving older adults in the development of a bespoke ACG system may optimise its usability and acceptability. The purpose of this paper is to employ user-centred design to develop an ACG system to deliver strength and balance exercises, and to explore its safety, usability and acceptability in older adults.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes user involvement from an early stage, and its influence on the development of the system to deliver strength and balance exercise suitable for display on a flat screen or using an Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset. It describes user testing of this ACG system in older adults.

Findings

Service users were involved at two points in the development process. Their feedback was used to modify the ACG system prior to user testing of a prototype of the ACG system byn=9 older adults. Results indicated the safety, usability and acceptability of the system, with a strong preference for the screen display.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size for user testing was small; however, it is considered to have provided sufficient information to inform the further development of the system.

Practical implications

Findings from user testing were used to modify the ACG system. This paper identified that future research could explore the influence of repeated use on the usability and acceptability of ACG in older adults.

Originality/value

There is limited information on the usability and acceptability VR headsets in this population.
Blockchain technology in commercial real estate transactions
Authors: Wouda Hugo Pieter , Opdenakker Raymond
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The transaction process of an office building is known to be time consuming and inefficient, in part due to the lack of market transparency. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the development of a blockchain application that can improve the transaction process of office buildings in the Netherlands.

Design/methodology/approach

Conducting design science research, the current transaction process of an office building and status quo of blockchain technology in real estate is investigated. Subsequently, multiple parties are interviewed to define major pain points within the process. The interview findings are used to design a blockchain solution which overcomes the aforementioned pain points. After designing, the interviewees are asked again to pragmatically validate the proposed model.

Findings

One of the major pain points identified concerning the transaction process of an office building is that it is difficult to define the characteristics of a property, due to lack of data structure and quality. The proposed application improves the way specific assets are understood by structuring physical and contractual information in one place and guarantees the quality of the data by using the blockchain mechanisms.

Practical implications

A blockchain application is proposed, which can improve the transaction process of an office building.

Originality/value

Recent studies indicate that blockchain technology could lead to improvements in efficiency, transparency and therefore trust within the transaction process. Therefore, the proposed application is of value for the future of real estate data management and the transaction process.