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1 – 10 of 415Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to solve the problems of poor stability and high energy consumption of the dynamic window algorithm (DWA) for the mobile robots, a novel enhanced dynamic window algorithm is proposed in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
The novel algorithm takes the distance function as the weight of the target-oriented coefficient, and a new evaluation function is presented to optimize the azimuth angle.
Findings
The jitter of the mobile robot caused by the drastic change of angular velocity is reduced when the robot is closer to the target point. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm effectively optimizes the stability of the mobile robot during operation with lower angular velocity dispersion and less energy consumption, but with a slightly higher running time than DWA.
Originality/value
A novel enhanced dynamic window algorithm is proposed and verified. According to the experimental result, the proposed algorithm can reduce the energy consumption of the robot and improves the efficiency of the robot.
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Considering that low-level general trust may hinder communication, this study aims to detect the factors that can influence general trust between exhibitors and visitors during…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering that low-level general trust may hinder communication, this study aims to detect the factors that can influence general trust between exhibitors and visitors during business-to-business trade fairs.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a literature review and stakeholders’ behavior analysis, a conceptual model of general trust formation between exhibitors and visitors is proposed.
Findings
The preconditions of strangers’ general trust patterns mainly include their early experience regarding trust, institutional trust in the environment and trust propensity. Stakeholders’ treatment, trust transfer, on-site restraints, reward and punishment expansion and on-site personnel arrangement may facilitate the formation of general trust between exhibitors and visitors.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is a conceptual article that requires further investigation to verify the main factors that influence general trust and the impact of general trust on other trust components between exhibitors and visitors.
Practical implications
Organizers, exhibitors and visitors should pay attention to participants’ selection, supervision, self-discipline and personnel management before and during trade fairs. International and small-scale, especially new trade fairs in developed and developing countries, must consider additional measures to improve general trust.
Originality/value
The existing literature has not focused on general trust in the trade fair context. In this paper, research on network and relationship marketing is further deepened in terms of a specific trust type. The interactions between stakeholders before and during fair may promote general trust among participants than in other settings, which partially explains why trade fair (even other two-sided markets) can increase social capital.
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Fidelis Mutisya and Omwoyo Bosire Onyancha
The study examined users' perceived level of service at the African Union Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (AUCHPR) library in Arusha, Tanzania.
Abstract
Purpose
The study examined users' perceived level of service at the African Union Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (AUCHPR) library in Arusha, Tanzania.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a quantitative approach in line with the tenets of the LibQUAL and SERVQUAL protocols, which were used as theoretical lenses and informed the development of questionnaires which were used to collect data. The target population consisted of 94 library users.
Findings
The study found that the library's best services, in terms of their quality and as perceived by users, lie in its human resources (i.e. affect of service, assurance and responsiveness). On the other hand, the lowest perceived level of services was recorded in the aspects related to information collection and physical facilities (i.e. library as a place and tangibles).
Research limitations/implications
This study was based on the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights library in Arusha, Tanzania. The study covered both internal and external users of the library.
Practical implications
The study identified strengths and weaknesses of the African Court library as far as the perceived level of service is concerned, and the findings can therefore be used to inform decisions on the improvement of quality of the library services. In so doing, the library will be in a stronger position to offer quality services and assist the court in attaining its objectives of promoting and protecting human rights in Africa. With improved library service quality, the non-judicial staff, external users and society in general will stand to benefit from the library.
Originality/value
While drawing lessons from previous service quality studies, this study is the first quality assessment study to be done in the African Court library. It is also the first to use a combination of LibQUAL and SERVQUAL models in the context of the African Court library services.
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Vivek Kumar Tiwary, Arunkumar P. and Vinayak R. Malik
Three-dimensional (3D) printing, one of the important technological pillars of Industry 4.0, is changing the landscape of future manufacturing. However, the limited build volume…
Abstract
Purpose
Three-dimensional (3D) printing, one of the important technological pillars of Industry 4.0, is changing the landscape of future manufacturing. However, the limited build volume of a commercially available 3D printer is one inherent constraint, which holds its acceptability by the manufacturing business leaders. This paper aims to address the issue by presenting a novel classification of the possible ways by which 3D-printed parts can be joined or welded to achieve a bigger-sized component.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-step literature review is performed. The first section deals with the past and present research studies related to adhesive bonding, mechanical interlocking, fastening and big area additive manufacturing of 3D printed thermoplastics. In the second section, the literature searches were focused on retrieving details related to the welding of 3D printed parts, specifically related to friction stir welding, friction (spin) welding, microwave and ultrasonic welding.
Findings
The key findings of this review study comprise the present up-to-date research developments, pros, cons, critical challenges and the future research directions related to each of the joining/welding techniques. After reading this study, a better understanding of how and which joining/welding technique to be applied to obtain a bigger volume 3D printed component will be acquired.
Practical implications
The study provides a realistic approach for the joining of 3D printed parts made by the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique.
Originality/value
This is the first literature review related to joining or welding of FDM-3D printed parts helping the 3D printing fraternity and researchers, thus increasing the acceptability of low-cost FDM printers by the manufacturing business leaders.
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Khahan Na-nan, Kanokporn Chaiprasit and Peerapong Pukkeeree
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the direct and indirect influences of workplace environment factors on the motivation to transfer the acquired training (MT) and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the direct and indirect influences of workplace environment factors on the motivation to transfer the acquired training (MT) and the transfer of training. The workplace environment factors under study encompass the organizational support, supervisor support, peer support, technological support and the opportunity to use the acquired training.
Design/methodology/approach
In the study, the empirical data were garnered from a sample of 220 business school students, using a 52-question questionnaire. A research framework was first proposed and the structural equation modeling subsequently utilized to test the research framework and determine the direct influence of the workplace environment factors on the transfer of training and also their indirect influence on TT through the MT variable.
Findings
The structural equation modeling model is congruent with the empirical data, with the χ2 statistic of 24.414, the degree of freedom of 21, the p-value of 0.273, the goodness of fit index of 0.977 and the root mean square error of approximation of 0.027. The findings revealed that the workplace environment factors directly influenced the training transfer behavior of the participants and indirectly through the MT of the individuals. Most importantly, the proposed model could achieve the coefficient of prediction (R2) as high as 82 percent.
Originality/value
Workplace environment is important to motivation to transfer and transfer of training. To enhance the training transfer effectiveness, businesses should take into account the contributions associated with each environment factor in the design and implementation of training programs.
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Olaolu Joseph Oluwafemi and Paul Kojo Ametepe
Despite the enormous investment in employee training, training effectiveness is often hampered by insufficient transfer of learning (TOL) among trainees, making the return on…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the enormous investment in employee training, training effectiveness is often hampered by insufficient transfer of learning (TOL) among trainees, making the return on training investment suboptimal. The challenge of effective TOL among employees is enormous, including personal and organizational factors, and research exploring this is inconclusive. This study aims to investigate organizational climate and TOL and the mediating role of emotional intelligence.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying identical elements and social cognitive theories, the study used multistage sampling techniques through purposive, convenience and simple random sampling collected using validated measures of the study constructs formed into a survey questionnaire. Multiple Regression and Process Macro were used to analyze the data.
Findings
Results revealed significant relationships between formalization, performance feedback, employee participation, innovation and flexibility with TOL. Organizational climate dimensions jointly and independently predicted TOL. However, only formalization was inversely related to TOL. Emotional intelligence partially mediates the relationship between organizational climate dimensions and TOL. The study recommends the need for managers to encourage autonomy, creativity and flexibility and provide honest and valid feedback to foster the TOL.
Originality/value
By addressing the limitations of other studies, this study advances knowledge by underlining the significance of including and further exploring the mediating role of trainees’ emotional intelligence on the relationship between organizational climate (formalization, performance feedback, employee participation, innovation and flexibility) and TOL.
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This study aims to understand the epistemic foundation of the classification applied in the first Chinese library catalogue, the Seven Epitomes (Qilue).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand the epistemic foundation of the classification applied in the first Chinese library catalogue, the Seven Epitomes (Qilue).
Design/methodology/approach
Originating from a theoretical stance that situates knowledge organization in its social context, the study applies a multifaceted framework pertaining to five categories of textual data: the Seven Epitomes; biographical information about the classificationist Liu Xin; and the relevant intellectual, political, and technological history.
Findings
The study discovers seven principles contributing to the epistemic foundation of the catalogue's classification: the Han imperial library collection imposed as the literary warrant; government functions considered for structuring texts; classicist morality determining the main classificatory structure; knowledge perceived and organized as a unity; objects, rather than subjects, of concern affecting categories at the main class level; correlative thinking connecting all text categories to a supreme knowledge embodied by the Six Classics; and classicist moral values resulting in both vertical and horizontal hierarchies among categories as well as texts.
Research limitations/implications
A major limitation of the study is its focus on the main classes, with limited attention to subclasses. Future research can extend the analysis to examine subclasses of the same scheme. Findings from these studies may lead to a comparison between the epistemic approach in the target classification and the analytic one common in today's bibliographic classification.
Originality/value
The study is the first to examine in depth the epistemic foundation of traditional Chinese bibliographic classification, anchoring the classification in its appropriate social and historical context.
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Xin Wang, Ivan Ka Wai Lai and Kun Wang
This study aims to examine the influence of benefits and risks for young women travellers on their intention to visit other night tourism destinations. It also compares any path…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the influence of benefits and risks for young women travellers on their intention to visit other night tourism destinations. It also compares any path differences between evening and midnight travels.
Design/methodology/approach
A face-to-face survey was conducted in Macau. Multi-group analysis was used to explore the differences between evening and midnight travels.
Findings
Emotional and epistemic benefits positively affect behavioural intentions; security risk negatively affects behavioural intentions, but the risk of sexual harassment does not affect behavioural intentions. Evening travellers pay more attention to emotional benefits than midnight travellers.
Originality/value
This study contributes to tourism research related to women by helping to understand the perceptions of the benefits and risks of young women travellers’ night tourism, especially the gender risks. This study corrects the understanding that young women travellers do not feel that the risk of sexual harassment affects their decision to undertake night travels. It also contributes to night tourism research by distinguishing the proportion of benefits and risks in evening and midnight travels.
目的
本研究旨在考察年轻女性旅游者在夜间旅游中的利益和风险感知对其访问其他夜间旅游目的地意向的影响, 比较女性游客上半夜出游和下半夜出游之间的感知差异。
设计/方法/途径
线下问卷调查在澳门进行, 使用多组分析方法探讨女性上半夜出游与下半夜出游的感知差异。
研究结果
情感和认知的益处对行为意向产生积极影响。虽然安全风险对行为意向会产生负面影响, 但性骚扰风险并不影响行为意向。上半夜旅游者比下半夜旅游者更关注旅行对情感的益处。
原创性/价值
本研究让读者了解到年轻女性旅游者对夜间旅游的利益和风险感知因素的看法, 尤其是对性别风险感知的看法, 对女性相关的旅游研究做出了贡献。这项研究改变了以往的认知, 即年轻女性旅游者不觉得性骚扰的风险会影响她们进行夜间旅行的决定。它还通过区分上半夜出游和下半夜出游的利益和风险比较, 为夜间旅游研究做出了贡献。
Propósito
Este estudio pretende examinar la influencia de los beneficios y riesgos que tiene, para las jóvenes viajeras, su intención de visitar otros destinos de turismo nocturno. Asimismo, se compara las diferencias de trayectoria entre los viajes nocturnos y los de medianoche.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Se realizó una encuesta personal en Macao. Se utilizó un análisis multigrupo para explorar las diferencias entre los viajes nocturnos y los de medianoche.
Resultados
Los beneficios emocionales y epistémicos afectan positivamente las intenciones de comportamiento, el riesgo de seguridad afecta negativamente las intenciones de comportamiento, pero el riesgo de acoso sexual no influye en las intenciones de comportamiento. Los viajeros nocturnos prestan más atención a los beneficios emocionales que en los viajes a medianoche.
Originalidad/valor
Este estudio contribuye a la investigación sobre el turismo relacionado con las mujeres al ayudarnos a comprender las percepciones de los beneficios y riesgos del turismo nocturno de las jóvenes viajeras, especialmente los riesgos de género. Este estudio corrige nuestra idea de que las jóvenes viajeras no creen que el riesgo de acoso sexual afecte a su decisión de emprender viajes nocturnos. También contribuye a la investigación del turismo nocturno al distinguir la proporción de beneficios y riesgos en los viajes nocturnos y de medianoche.
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Xin Wang, Ivan Ka Wai Lai and Baoyi Song
Mainland Chinese students are the largest group of international students globally. The role of international students in destination marketing can be seen as “Word-of-Mouth…
Abstract
Purpose
Mainland Chinese students are the largest group of international students globally. The role of international students in destination marketing can be seen as “Word-of-Mouth Champions”. This study attempts to examine the effect of place attachment and affinity for Mainland Chinese students on generating word-of-mouth intention towards their place of study.
Design/methodology/approach
Six well-trained research assistants collected paper-based questionnaires in six institutions in Macao. They chose every tenth student who passed by to fill in the questionnaire at six locations in each institution. This study employed partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to estimate the strength of causal relationship among place identity, place dependence, affinity and intention to word-of-mouth.
Findings
The results of the survey from 327 students in Macao indicate that place dependence, place identity and affinity drive Mainland Chinese students to provide word-of-mouth regarding Macao. Place dependence has a positive influence on place identity, and place identity has a positive influence on affinity with residents. However, place dependence has no significant direct effect on affinity.
Practical implications
Evidence from this study indicates the importance of students' word-of-mouth as they as sojourners, in particular, the students' place attachment and affinity for residents is critical to positive their Word-of-mouth on destinations. This research offers insights about the potential group which need require attention.
Originality/value
This study fills a research gap by exploring the relationship between place attachment and social distance in influencing Mainland Chinese students' behaviour, a relationship that has rarely been investigated in tourism research. Practical recommendations are provided to the governments, universities and education enterprises according to the results of the study. From both theoretical and practical perspectives, the findings from this study suggest promoting international students to turn into real “Word-of-Mouth Champions”.
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Rongrong Shi, Qiaoyi Yin, Yang Yuan, Fujun Lai and Xin (Robert) Luo
Based on signaling theory, this paper aims to explore the impact of supply chain transparency (SCT) on firms' bank loan (BL) and supply chain financing (SCF) in the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on signaling theory, this paper aims to explore the impact of supply chain transparency (SCT) on firms' bank loan (BL) and supply chain financing (SCF) in the context of voluntary disclosure of supplier and customer lists.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on panel data collected from Chinese-listed firms between 2012 and 2021, fixed-effect models and a series of robustness checks are used to test the predictions.
Findings
First, improving SCT by disclosing major suppliers and customers promotes BL but inhibits SCF. Specifically, customer transparency (CT) is more influential in SCF than supplier transparency (ST). Second, supplier concentration (SC) weakens SCT’s positive impact on BL while reducing its negative impact on SCF. Third, customer concentration (CC) strengthens the positive impact of SCT on BL but intensifies its negative impact on SCF. Last, these findings are basically more pronounced in highly competitive industries.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the SCT literature by investigating the under-explored practice of supply chain list disclosure and revealing its dual impact on firms' access to financing offerings (i.e. BL and SCF) based on signaling theory. Additionally, it expands the understanding of the boundary conditions affecting the relationship between SCT and firm financing, focusing on supply chain concentration. Moreover, it advances signaling theory by exploring how financing providers interpret the SCT signal and enriches the understanding of BL and SCF antecedents from a supply chain perspective.
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