Search results
1 – 10 of 107Yangtao Xing, Fugang Zhai, Shengnan Li, Xiaonan Wang and Zhiqiang He
This study aims to investigate the causes of leakage in radial oil seals under dynamic eccentricity, elucidate the influence of operating parameters on leakage failure and develop…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the causes of leakage in radial oil seals under dynamic eccentricity, elucidate the influence of operating parameters on leakage failure and develop methods for predicting and preventing such leakage.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the principle of cam motion and considering viscoelasticity, develops a motion model of the compression and release of the shaft seal and proposes a method to determine its failure. In addition, this study quantifies the leakage gap and formulates a quantitative calculation model to accurately determine the location and shape parameters of the leakage gap.
Findings
Leakage gaps predominantly occur during the release phase of the shaft seal. Their presence can be identified by comparing the descending times of the seal and the shaft during this phase. An increase in rotation speed and eccentricity heightens the likelihood of gap formation, with both the dimensions and leakage rate of the gap increasing as these factors escalate. Eccentricity, in particular, has a more pronounced effect on gap formation.
Originality/value
This study clarifies the failure mechanisms of radial oil seals under dynamic eccentricity and introduces a criterion for identifying leakage gaps, providing valuable theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of radial oil seals.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2024-0192/.
Details
Keywords
Dimitrios Kafetzopoulos and Anastasia A. Katou
The purpose of this study is to build a theory on management investigating the relationship between organizational culture and strategic flexibility in firms, and how this…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to build a theory on management investigating the relationship between organizational culture and strategic flexibility in firms, and how this relationship is affected through industry 4.0 capabilities and the market orientation of firms.
Design/methodology/approach
As a methodological approach, this paper uses a rich combination of literature review and exploratory interviews with managers and academics. Data were collected from 379 industrial managers; confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and finally structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed to validate the data and examine the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
The results show that organizational culture drives firms to strategic flexibility, but the introduction of industry 4.0 capabilities and market orientation fully mediate this relationship, revealing their significance to strategic flexibility.
Research limitations/implications
All the respondents of the study's dataset were from Greek firms; the role of national culture should be considered. Moreover, the comprehension of I4.0 is a quite recent concept that is still being formulated, this feature may modify the results of future studies.
Practical implications
Managers should allocate resources for the concurrent adoption of digital technologies capabilities and suitable market-oriented strategies in order for them to be key drivers for enhanced strategic flexibility.
Originality/value
The current state of knowledge of both theory and practise for critical organizational factors such as organizational culture, strategic flexibility, industry 4.0 capabilities and market orientation will be extended.
Details
Keywords
Ao Zhou and Stephen B. Blumenfeld
This study examines the transformation of labour non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Mainland China since the enactment of the 2017 Overseas NGO Management Law…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the transformation of labour non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Mainland China since the enactment of the 2017 Overseas NGO Management Law, which aims to regulate foreign concerns functioning outside the direct control of the state. It focuses on the extent to which these organisations have responded to the rapidly changing political and social environment by altering their goals and strategies in support of migrant workers. It also considers the relevance of Western social movement theories (SMTs) to China's grassroots labour movement in the 2020s.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on case studies of ten labour NGOs operating in Beijing, Tianjin and Yunnan. It draws upon fifteen semi-structured interviews with the founders, leaders and activists affiliated with those organisations, as well as records and documented information of each of those organisations.
Findings
While the power and influence of labour NGOs markedly diminished, most have been able to adapt their goals and the strategies remain sustainable amidst both China's changing political and social climates and the global pandemic. It suggests that conventional SMTs can still offer valuable insights into understanding the development of labour NGOs in China, although they might not fully interpret the specific conditions and challenges faced by these organisations.
Originality/value
This study stands out as one of very few to offer empirical evidence on the inner workings of China's labour NGOs over the last six years. It also contributes to our understanding of social movements in a non-Western context.
Details
Keywords
Barış Armutcu, Rasim Zuferi and Ahmet Tan
The purpose of the current study is to help remove the obstacles to sustainable production and consumption by revealing the determinants of green consumption behaviour, which is…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the current study is to help remove the obstacles to sustainable production and consumption by revealing the determinants of green consumption behaviour, which is one of the precursors of sustainable economic growth. This study aims to expand the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model and contribute to the relevant literature by investigating the factors of social media usage, social media marketing and digital marketing interactions that have not been investigated before in relation to green product purchasing behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
This study examines the effect of the extended TPB model on consumers’ intention to buy green products in Turkey, which has a Middle Eastern culture and is a developing economy. In the study, data collected from 409 participants with the questionnaire method were analysed using SmartPLS 4.0 and IBM SPSS 26 statistical programs.
Findings
The study findings revealed that all the structural elements of TPB (attitude, subjective norms, personal behaviour controls) and social media marketing and digital marketing interactions contribute to consumers’ green product purchasing behaviour. The study findings also demonstrated that the use of social media is not effective in the purchasing of green products.
Originality/value
Understanding consumers’ perspective on purchasing green products is crucial for policymakers, businesses and marketers, as it helps formulate appropriate strategies to support sustainable economic growth. In this respect, this study has important implications for sustainable consumption and production. In addition, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first to examine consumers’ green product purchasing behaviour in the context of sustainable economy.
Details
Keywords
Job Maveke Wambua, Fredrick Madaraka Mwema, Stephen Akinlabi, Martin Birkett, Ben Xu, Wai Lok Woo, Mike Taverne, Ying-Lung Daniel Ho and Esther Akinlabi
The purpose of this paper is to present an optimisation of four-point star-shaped structures produced through additive manufacturing (AM) polylactic acid (PLA). The study also…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an optimisation of four-point star-shaped structures produced through additive manufacturing (AM) polylactic acid (PLA). The study also aims to investigate the compression failure mechanism of the structure.
Design/methodology/approach
A Taguchi L9 orthogonal array design of the experiment is adopted in which the input parameters are resolution (0.06, 0.15 and 0.30 mm), print speed (60, 70 and 80 mm/s) and bed temperature (55°C, 60°C, 65°C). The response parameters considered were printing time, material usage, compression yield strength, compression modulus and dimensional stability. Empirical observations during compression tests were used to evaluate the load–response mechanism of the structures.
Findings
The printing resolution is the most significant input parameter. Material length is not influenced by the printing speed and bed temperature. The compression stress–strain curve exhibits elastic, plateau and densification regions. All the samples exhibit negative Poisson’s ratio values within the elastic and plateau regions. At the beginning of densification, the Poisson’s ratios change to positive values. The metamaterial printed at a resolution of 0.3 mm, 80 mm/s and 60°C exhibits the best mechanical properties (yield strength and modulus of 2.02 and 58.87 MPa, respectively). The failure of the structure occurs through bending and torsion of the unit cells.
Practical implications
The optimisation study is significant for decision-making during the 3D printing and the empirical failure model shall complement the existing techniques for the mechanical analysis of the metamaterials.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, a new empirical model, based on the uniaxial load response and “static truss concept”, for failure mechanisms of the unit cell is presented.
Details
Keywords
Christine Nya-Ling Tan and Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi
This study aims to explore the intricate connections among late adolescents in Malaysia by considering their attachment patterns, attitudes towards technology acceptance…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the intricate connections among late adolescents in Malaysia by considering their attachment patterns, attitudes towards technology acceptance, malevolent psychological and emotional traits and addiction to social media. This is achieved by integrating and refining the attachment theory (AT), the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the dark triad (DT) personality traits.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 217 quantitative data were gathered from adolescents between 17 and 19 years of age. The data was analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling with established constructs, including TAM (perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude), DT traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, fear of missing out), AT (attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety) and social media addiction.
Findings
The findings indicate that the perceived ease of use and usefulness are significantly positively related to attitude. Additionally, both attitude and FOMO were found to have a significant positive relationship with social media addiction. Notably, attachment anxiety was found to have a significant positive impact on FOMO, whereas attachment avoidance did not. Furthermore, among the dark triad traits, only narcissism showed a positive relationship with FOMO.
Originality/value
This study is novel because it integrates and expands unified theoretical perspectives to uncover the multifaceted factors contributing to late adolescents’ social media addiction. Moreover, introducing new concepts such as FOMO lays the groundwork for future research. Additionally, it proposes interventions that target specific vulnerabilities associated with attachment styles, technology acceptance and personality traits.
Details
Keywords
Hassan Hessari, Fatemeh Daneshmandi, Peter Busch and Stephen Smith
In the evolving digital work landscape, where cyberloafing has become a notable challenge, this study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which organizations can…
Abstract
Purpose
In the evolving digital work landscape, where cyberloafing has become a notable challenge, this study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which organizations can effectively reduce such behaviors. Specifically, the research explores the role of employee adaptability in mitigating cyberloafing, taking into account the influences of temporal leadership, teamwork attitudes, and competitive work environments.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing the broaden-and-build theory and the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, we analyzed data from 245 employees through structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate how various factors influence cyberloafing.
Findings
The results indicate that employee adaptability significantly mitigates cyberloafing and serves as a mediating factor between temporal leadership, teamwork attitudes, and the impact of competitive work environments on cyberloafing. Temporal leadership and teamwork attitudes positively correlate with increased adaptability, thereby reducing cyberloafing. Conversely, competitive work environments, while slightly enhancing adaptability, substantially increase cyberloafing.
Originality/value
The study contributes new insights into the dynamics of cyberloafing, emphasizing the critical roles of adaptability, teamwork attitudes, and temporal leadership in reducing such behaviors. It underscores the need for organizations to foster a supportive culture that minimizes competitive pressures and promotes teamwork and leadership strategies conducive to high productivity and minimal cyberloafing. This research offers practical implications for designing workplace strategies aimed at boosting productivity and curbing undesirable online behaviors during work hours.
Details
Keywords
Shien Chue and Stephen Billett
Work-study programmes aim to support young adults transitioning from tertiary education to work and contribute to enhancing their employability. The purpose of this study is to…
Abstract
Purpose
Work-study programmes aim to support young adults transitioning from tertiary education to work and contribute to enhancing their employability. The purpose of this study is to provide a detailed analysis of the learning experiences of trainees in work-study programmes within the broad field of engineering.
Design/methodology/approach
The data gathering procedures used interviews with participants of a specific work-study programme and conducting thematic analyses to identify and understand the motivations of these adults for enrolling in work-study programmes and their associated workplace learning experiences. Fifty-two alumni of electrical and logistics engineering programmes completed 12 months of a separate work-study programme and consented to participate in an hour-long interview. They elaborated upon their work-learn experiences to explicate their work-learn needs and challenges in those interviews.
Findings
Findings include workplaces facilitated skills development through providing combinations of work tasks comprising both routine and novel work assignments; challenging circumstances at the workplace provided trainees with opportunities to develop adaptive capacities; and engaging in non-routine work processes fosters integration into the engineering workplace community.
Originality/value
The findings contribute to the existing literature by exemplifying how routine engineering activities are practical affordances through which engineering trainees construct knowledge and dispositions for engaging in challenging, non-routine engineering work. Such experiences are crucial in preparing trainees for advanced roles in logistics or electronic sectors.
Details
Keywords
Brendah Akankunda, Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga, Muyiwa Samuel Adaramola and Twaha Kigongo Kaawaase
The purpose of this study is to investigate the connections between the regulatory governance, human capital, stakeholder orientation, management control systems (MCSs) and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the connections between the regulatory governance, human capital, stakeholder orientation, management control systems (MCSs) and sustainable performance (SP) of power companies. The authors especially looked at how much regulatory governance, human capital, stakeholder orientation and MCSs affect the SP across power companies in Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross-sectional and correlational study. Data were collected from 105 power companies using a questionnaire and analysed using SPSS.
Findings
Stakeholder orientation, MCSs, human capital and regulatory governance significantly predict variances in the SP of power providers in Uganda. Stakeholder orientation is the most important predictor of SP of power companies.
Research limitations/implications
The absence of validation from important stakeholders and the major reliance on company-provided data in existing research on SP raises the possibility of self-desirability bias. To evaluate and verify the information supplied by firms with external stakeholders, further studies might consider using an explanatory mixed methods technique, in which quantitative data are initially gathered from the managers of power companies and analysed and then validated by interviews with important stakeholders.
Originality/value
Using stakeholder, legitimacy and resource-based theories has provided a better explanation for SP which is a multi-dimensional notion. Moreover, the study adds to the body of perception-based research that offers direct management incentives for SP. The perspectives of managers have been gathered through the use of self-administered questionnaires to gather impressions of managers of businesses, which has helped to tap into all aspects of SP. The study’s results offer, probably for the first time to the best of the authors’ knowledge, evidence of the contextual elements that affect SP in African nations like Uganda particularly in the power sector.
Details
Keywords
Augustino Mwogosi and Stephen Kibusi
This study aims to evaluate healthcare practitioners’ perceptions of electronic health record (EHR) systems and their effectiveness in supporting clinical decision-making in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate healthcare practitioners’ perceptions of electronic health record (EHR) systems and their effectiveness in supporting clinical decision-making in Tanzanian Primary Healthcare (PHC) facilities.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from structured questionnaires and qualitative insights from open-ended responses. The study was conducted in the Dodoma region of Tanzania, focusing on a diverse representation of PHC facilities, including district hospitals, health centres and dispensaries. Data were analysed using multiple linear regression for quantitative data, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses.
Findings
The results revealed that while EHR systems are widely used in Tanzanian PHC facilities, their impact on clinical decision-making remains limited. Only a moderate portion of practitioners perceived EHR systems as effective in decision support, and frequent system use was negatively correlated with user satisfaction. Challenges such as inadequate training and support, system crashes, slow performance and poor usability and integration into clinical workflows were significant barriers to effectively utilising EHR systems.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the limited literature on EHR system implementation in low-resource settings, specifically Tanzania, by focusing on decision-support features within EHR systems. The findings offer valuable insights for healthcare policymakers, system designers and practitioners to optimise EHR implementation and improve healthcare outcomes in resource-constrained environments.
Details