Search results

To ensure the motion attitude and stable contact force of massage robot working on unknown human tissue environment, this study aims to propose a robotic system for autonomous massage path planning and stable interaction control.

First, back region extraction and acupoint recognition based on deep learning is proposed, which provides a basis for determining the working area and path points of the robot. Second, to realize the standard approach and movement trajectory of the expert massage, 3D reconstruction and path planning of the massage area are performed, and normal vectors are calculated to control the normal orientation of robot-end. Finally, to cope with the soft and hard changes of human tissue state and body movement, an adaptive force tracking control strategy is presented to compensate the uncertainty of environmental position and tissue hardness online.

Improved network model can accomplish the acupoint recognition task with a large accuracy and integrate the point cloud to generate massage trajectories adapted to the shape of the human body. Experimental results show that the adaptive force tracking control can obtain a relatively smooth force, and the error is basically within ± 0.2 N during the online experiment.

This paper incorporates deep learning, 3D reconstruction and impedance control, the robot can understand the shape features of the massage area and adapt its planning massage path to carry out a stable and safe force tracking control during dynamic robot–human contact.

The research is devoted to the theoretical foundations of capital management efficiency based on the existing management problems in joint-stock companies. The author develops conclusions and recommendations for improving the efficiency of capital management. The research analyzes the capital management status of a joint-stock company using indicators that show the enterprise's capital efficiency, the seasonality of the chemical industry, low profitability, high turnover of working capital, and other peculiarities. The methodology presented in this research allows chemical enterprises to assess capital efficiency. In this research, the author created a regression model based on the financial data of enterprises, approaching the existing methodology in the world, and analyzed the specific situation that affects the growth of enterprise assets. According to the six-year financial data for “Farg'onaazot” Joint Stock Company (JSC) and “Bekabadcement” JSC, the author concludes that the ratio for the last three years shows a satisfactory level in the remaining indicators despite recording a good result, indicating that capital management is not reasonable. The practical significance of this research is that the results obtained will serve to improve the financial management of enterprises in the chemical industry.

In this chapter, we introduce the concept of techno-constructionism that identifies with the Technical Construction of Reality (TCR) suggesting the replacement of mere constructivism or Social Construction of Reality. We discuss of course the idea of a theoretical investigation of the lifeworld or Lebenswelt through the lens of technology. Today, we are witnessing technology prevailing on most important functions and systems that were previously done in a completely different way and logic. Rapid advances in computer science have made engineering a dynamically expanding industry that has infiltrated all areas of social life. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications are not merely technical, but also cultural and ethical (regarding values). A new perception of reality emerges that ostracizes all kind of societal entities and human communities and alter even lifeworld itself, transforming it into a tech-lifeworld (a Technik-Lebenswelt). Against this perspective, it is important to identify and address the ethical challenges that the unavoidable evolution of technology will bring forward.

Customers' co-design behavior is an important source of knowledge for product innovation. Firms can regulate the focus of information interaction with customers to set goals and motivate their co-design behavior. Drawing on regulatory fit theory and construal level theory, the authors build a research model to study whether the fit between the regulatory focus of firms' task invitations (promotion focus vs prevention focus) and their feedback focus (self-focused vs other-focused) can enhance co-design behavior by improving customers' experiences (perceived meaning, active discovery and perceived empowerment).

The authors conducted two online between-subjects experiments to validate the proposed research model.

The two online experiments reveal that customers' experiences are enhanced when the feedback focus is congruent with the regulatory focus of the firm's task invitations. Specifically, self-focused feedback has a stronger positive effect on customers' experiences in the prevention focus context. Other-focused feedback has a stronger positive effect on customers' experiences in the promotion focus context. Moreover, customers' experience significantly and positively affects co-design behavior (i.e. co-design effort and knowledge contribution).

This work provides theoretical and practical implications for firms to improve the effectiveness of information interaction with their customers and eventually ensure the sustainability of co-design.

Powder bed fusion-laser beam (PBF-LB) is a rapidly growing manufacturing technology for producing Al-Si alloys. This technology can be used to produce high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) prototypes. The purpose of this paper is to understand the similarities and differences in the microstructures and properties of PBF-LB and HPDC alloys.

PBF-LB AlSi10Mg and HPDC AlSi10Mn plates with different thicknesses were manufactured. Iso-thermal heat treatment was conducted on PBF-LB bending plates. A detailed meso-micro-nanostructure analysis was performed. Tensile, bending and microhardness tests were conducted on both alloys.

The PBF-LB skin was highly textured and softer than its core, opposite to what is observed in the HPDC alloy. Increasing sample thickness increased the bulk strength for the PBF-LB alloy, contrasting with the decrease for the HPDC alloy. In addition, the tolerance to fracture initiation during bending deformation is greater for the HPDC material, probably due to its stronger skin region.

This knowledge is crucial to understand how geometry of parts may affect the properties of PBF-LB components. In particular, understanding the role of geometry is important when using PBF-LB as a HPDC prototype.

This is the first comprehensive meso-micro-nanostructure comparison of both PBF-LB and HPDC alloys from the millimetre to nanometre scale reported to date that also considers variations in the skin versus core microstructure and mechanical properties.

The pandemic brought by COVID-19 in March 2020 shook the entire world, compelling everyone to remain indoors. Most B-Schools were unprepared for such a situation and did not have the resources to carry out the teaching and learning activities. B-schools then adopted online and hybrid modes of learning to impart education to their students. The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting the quality of education along with lessons learnt and lessons to be left behind, using qualitative method.

The factors affecting the quality of education were drawn from the literature, and 18 faculty members were interviewed. The study uses a descriptive method, where interviews were conducted, and each interview was recorded, with an explicit permission of respective faculty member and coded and categorized to identify themes.

The significant contribution of this study is that it highlights? Through the learnings and experiences of the pandemic? What will work in the future for business schools. The use of online teaching-learning sessions and softwares, namely, Turnitin and Grammarly will not fade away. Faculty will use various engagement tools such as quizzes and simulations to improve the learning and quality of education in the post-pandemic era. Various interactive and online tools emerged during the pandemic which allowed faculty to use diagrams and infographics in their teaching, and this helped the faculty to cater to students with different learning styles.

This study will provide B-Schools, faculties and leaders an input for improving the quality of online education. The present study provides an empirical contribution to the factors affecting online education and its quality, by highlighting the perspective of faculty members with the help of qualitative study. These factors make a clear and strong indication that education in the future will be partly online, wherein a lot of e-learning resources will be used by faculty to impart quality education.

This paper provides a thorough examination of the advancements and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on construction management (CM) over the past five years, particularly focusing on its role in mitigating prevalent challenges such as inefficiency and ensuring quality. By methodically reviewing and synthesizing the body of research conducted in this period, it underscores key contributions and breakthroughs in the application of AI within construction management (AICM). Additionally, the study aims to shed light on emerging trends and forecast future directions for technological innovation in the construction management sector.

Guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework, this research conducts a bibliometric analysis of 176 relevant publications from the past five years. The analysis focuses on the adoption of AICM across three critical areas: construction equipment management, improvement of construction safety and construction cost optimization. Additionally, the study systematically identifies and examines 14 emerging themes within this domain, ensuring a comprehensive exploration aligned with PRISMA guidelines.

This manuscript summarizes recent research from the past five years in three key areas: construction equipment management, construction safety management and construction cost management within the realm of AICM. It identifies key gaps and outlines future research directions, including enhancing AI-driven equipment integration, developing sophisticated AI-based safety systems and optimizing cost management with advanced data analytics. These findings and directions are essential for steering the field toward greater digital innovation and sustainability.

This research provides a detailed analysis of the literature within the AICM domain, thoughtfully compiling significant findings and highlighting the importance of addressing user needs. The insights and recommendations shared aim to be beneficial for both academic researchers and industry professionals, contributing to the ongoing development of AICM as it moves toward a future characterized by digital innovation and sustainability.

The purpose of this study is to examine the evolving landscape of e-learning, which has become a transformative educational approach accelerated by technological advancements and the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to explore the adoption and impact of e-learning across diverse educational settings, focusing on its effectiveness, quality and potential challenges. Furthermore, this research delves into the often-overlooked role of psychological resources and capabilities, particularly Psychological Capital (PsyCap), in enhancing academic performance among university students engaged in e-learning. By investigating the influence of psychological resources and their intersection with e-learning, this study seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors that shape successful e-learning experiences and academic achievement.

In this research methodology, data was collected from an e-learning institution, with a focus on students in various computer science semesters to ensure comprehensive representation. To minimize standard method bias, a random sampling technique was employed, and data collection was conducted with the support of locally hired research associates. Participant confidentiality and anonymity were carefully preserved, and ethical approval was obtained. The study began with demographic data collection and an assessment of PsyCap dimensions. Most measurements were self-reported, except for GPA, retrieved from the institute directly. The study initially involved 468 students, but only 213 provided complete responses, resulting in a 46% response rate. Demographic data included age, marital status and gender. The sample featured diverse generational representation, with 58% from Generation Z, 13% Millennials, 22% Generation X and 6% Baby Boomers. This comprehensive data will help analyse generational influences on e-learning outcomes.

The study’s findings underscore the significance of self-efficacy, hope, resilience and optimism in e-learning success. Higher self-efficacy positively impacts student engagement, aligning with previous research. PsyCap, which includes these traits, proves relevant in educational settings. Resilience is notably beneficial, aiding students in overcoming challenges and bolstering their self-belief. Hope enhances problem-solving and adaptability, while optimism fosters a proactive attitude and perseverance, both vital for academic excellence. These insights have broad implications for e-learning practices, emphasizing the need to nurture psychological resources. Incorporating PsyCap-based interventions can enhance the educational experience, promoting student success.

This study has certain limitations that should be considered. It focused exclusively on computer science students, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research should encompass a wider range of academic disciplines for broader applicability. The study was conducted within a specific cultural and regional context, emphasizing a collectivist culture in an Asian setting. To enhance the applicability of the results, it is crucial to explore different regions and cultural contexts. While the study controlled for generational cohort effects on academic performance, further investigation is warranted to understand how different generational cohorts perceive e-learning. Additionally, the study suggests examining how psychological resources influence students' perceptions of e-learning as a stressor or motivator. Furthermore, a comprehensive study comparing the impact of PsyCap on academic performance in both e-learning and traditional education, involving diverse samples and various cultural settings, is needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding.

This research contributes by thoroughly examining the impact of e-learning in diverse educational settings, focusing on its effectiveness, quality and potential challenges. A novel aspect is the exploration of the often-overlooked role of PsyCap in enhancing academic performance among university students engaged in e-learning. This sheds light on the intersection of psychological resources and e-learning. Additionally, the study’s rigorous research methodology underscores its commitment to ethical and responsible research conduct. The research also presents valuable demographic data on generational cohorts and gender, offering insights into how these factors influence e-learning outcomes. These original contributions collectively enhance our understanding of the multifaceted dynamics of e-learning and the pivotal role of psychological resources in academic success.

Adopting an affective events perspective, our study investigates the relationship between perceived organizational politics (POP) and employee voice by exploring the mediating role of affect and the moderating role of supervisor political support.

The hypothesized model was tested with three-wave data collected from 393 full-time employees.

Results indicate that POP indirectly impacts employee voice through influencing positive and negative affect, and that supervisor political support moderates these indirect effects by moderating the relationship between POP and affective states.

Survey data can hardly test the causal relationship. Effect of employees' POP could be further examined in the lens subjective positive experiences. Organizational politics might have positive meanings.

Our findings show that POP brings employees negative feelings and reduces their voice behaviors while supervisor political support can mitigate this inhibiting effect. Therefore, managers should learn how to use political behavior more reasonably in highly political work environment.

By highlighting the possibility that employees can be beneficiaries having a vested interest in political environment and investigating the unexplored affective explanatory mechanisms underlying the POP–voice relationship, this study provides new directions for future research on POP and employee voice.

This study aims to determine whether inter-organisational communication, based on four communicational dimensions (willingness, behaviour, commitment and quality), influences the performance of strategic alliances.

To achieve this objective, from a relational perspective, a qualitative approach was adopted, resorting to five small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)/cases in Portugal. Interviews with the key informants of these SMEs and documentary analysis were used to collect data.

Based on the cases analysed, the results show that communication is fundamental, valued and implemented in the SMEs studied. However, this is informal communication, reflecting the cooperation established and not based on contracts. In these SMEs, communication is the basis for understanding the alliance’s objectives and their fulfilment, which creates satisfaction in the partners and the alliance’s success. Communication also allows an alliance to be maintained and develop continuously, creating bonds between the partners.

Without that communication, alliance performance will not be possible. The study is relevant as it indicates management practices in strategic alliances based on inter-organisational communication, aiming for good performance. Therefore, it contributes to advancing knowledge about strategic alliances through the innovative link with inter-organisational communication and its applicability.

This study is new and innovative because it contributes to the literature in the area of strategic management, as it presents phenomena to do with inter-organisational communication and its relation with strategic alliances in SMEs, as well as advancing knowledge about the relational perspective. In addition, the application and development of inter-organisational communication, in all its communicational dimensions, are the basis for maintaining alliances over time and their performance.