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1 – 10 of 26Shekwoyemi Gbako, Dimitrios Paraskevadakis, Jun Ren, Jin Wang and Zoran Radmilovic
Inland shipping has been extensively recognised as a sustainable, efficient and good alternative to rail and road modes of transportation. In recent years, various authorities and…
Abstract
Purpose
Inland shipping has been extensively recognised as a sustainable, efficient and good alternative to rail and road modes of transportation. In recent years, various authorities and academic researchers have advocated shifting from road to other sustainable modes like inland waterway transport (IWT) or rail transport. Academic work on modernisation and technological innovations to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of waterborne transportation is becoming apparent as a growing body of literature caused by the need to achieve a sustainable transport system. Thus, it became apparent to explore the research trends on IWT.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic and structured literature review study was employed in this paper to identify the challenges and concepts in modernising inland waterways for freight transportation. The review analysed 94 articles published in 54 journals from six well-known databases between 2010 and 2022.
Findings
The key findings of this review are that despite various challenges confronting the sector, there have been successful cases of technological advancement in the industry. The main interest among scholars is improving technical and economic performance, digitalisation, and safety and environmental issues. The review revealed that most of the literature is fragmented despite growing interest from practitioners and academic scholars. Academic research to address the strategic objectives, including strengthening competitiveness (shipbuilding, hydrodynamics, incorporating artificial intelligence into the decision-making process, adopting blockchain technology to ensure transparency and security in the transactions, new technologies for fleets adaptation to climate change, more effective handling, maintenance and rehabilitation technologies), matching growth and changing trade patterns (intermodal solutions and new logistics approaches) are major causes of concerns.
Originality/value
By employing the approach of reviewing previously available literature on IWT review papers, this review complements the existing body of literature in the field of IWT by providing in a single paper a consolidation of recent state-of-the-art research on technological developments and challenges for inland waterways freight transport in the intermodal supply chain that can act as a single resource to keep researchers up to date with the most recent advancements in research in the domain of inland waterway freight transport. Additionally, this review identified gaps in the literature that may inspire new research themes in the field of IWT.
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Henny Indrawati, Caska Caska, Neni Hermita, Sumarno Sumarno and Almasdi Syahza
An important global issue is the harm that businesses are posing to the environment. However, the impact of small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) operations on the environment…
Abstract
Purpose
An important global issue is the harm that businesses are posing to the environment. However, the impact of small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) operations on the environment often goes unnoticed, and their willingness to adopt green innovations is limited. Therefore, this study aims to examine the factors influencing the adoption of green innovation among SMEs in Indonesia.
Design/methodology/approach
The research used a survey to investigate SMEs operating in the pineapple-based food sector, which is a leading commodity in Riau Province, Sumatera, Indonesia. Specifically, the research focused on the districts of Kampar, Siak and Dumai, with data collecting taking place from April to August 2022. SMEs were selected purposively based on a minimum operational tenure of 10 years. A total of 225 respondents met the selection criteria and participated in this study. The research data were collected through a questionnaire. To analyse the data, the study used structured equation modelling with partial least squares.
Findings
There are three categories of factors influencing SMEs to adopt green innovations: technological, environmental and organizational. Of these factors, organizational factors emerge as the primary determinant of green innovation adoption among SMEs in the country.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of the findings in this study is limited due to the specific focus on food sector SMEs in Riau Province. To obtain more generalized results, it is recommended that future research be conducted on SMEs across different sectors in other cities and countries.
Originality/value
This study provides a deeper understanding of the specific dimensions of organizational factors that play a crucial role in driving green innovation adoption, especially within the context of SMEs in the food sector in Indonesia.
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Mengsha Bai, Junning Li, Long Zhao and Yuan Wang
The purpose of this study is to reveal the significant contribution of MXene on enhancing tribological properties and to obtain the influence mechanism of various factors on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to reveal the significant contribution of MXene on enhancing tribological properties and to obtain the influence mechanism of various factors on friction characteristics of rolling bearing under extreme conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Under extreme working conditions, the friction characteristics of rolling bearings directly determine the safety and reliability of the transmission system. In this study, MXene is added to the origin lubricating grease (OLG) of rolling bearing to enhance their friction characteristics. Then, the effects of inner ring speed, radial load, grease filling volume and other factors on the friction coefficient of rolling bearing are analyzed using the Taguchi method.
Findings
The results indicate that the ranking of various factors affecting the friction coefficient is: radial load, inner ring speed, MXene additive content in grease and grease filling volume. Especially, the radial load and inner ring speed exhibit extremely significant effects, while the MXene additive content in grease (P < 0.05) has a significant influence on the friction coefficient of rolling bearing. The optimal condition for rolling bearing lubricated with MXene additives lubricating grease (MALG) achieves the lowest friction coefficient of 0.0049 under 1,000 rpm, 9 kN and 35% grease filling volume.
Originality/value
This study could offer reference solution for utilizing MXene nano-lubrication to fufill the demands of precision, heavy-load, or long-lifespan bearings. Furthermore, the lubrication approach has the potential to be expanded into aerospace, defense, and various industrial fields, thereby significantly promoting its practial engineering applications.
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Chathushka Rupasinghe, K.A.T.O. Ranadewa, J.K.D.D.T. Jayanetti and B.A.K.S. Perera
The purpose of the paper is to propose a novel Green-BIM team (GBT) through a framework that would be essential in mitigating barriers to Green-BIM integration.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to propose a novel Green-BIM team (GBT) through a framework that would be essential in mitigating barriers to Green-BIM integration.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretive stance is adopted for this study. Through a qualitative survey, 25 experts with proficiency in green building construction and building information modelling (BIM) implementation were interviewed. Code-based content analysis was carried out using NVivo12.
Findings
The findings of this study signified the need for a GBT and proposed architect, client, Green consultant, designer (mechanical, electrical and plumbing [MEP], structural), BIM coordinator, engineer (MEP, structural), project manager, quantity surveyor and facilities manager to be involved in the team representing design phase, construction phase and operational phase.
Research limitations/implications
The experts were limited to the Sri Lankan context; however, the findings can also benefit countries with socio-economic and cultural backgrounds similar to Sri Lanka.
Practical implications
Findings will be beneficial for policymakers and industry professionals to promote a BIM-enabled green building environment. The proposed GBT model extends existing theoretical frameworks, emphasising the need for a multi-disciplinary team throughout the entire lifecycle of a green building.
Social implications
The proposed GBT model aligns with broader societal goals related to sustainable development. This approach provides a sustainable pathway to achieve economic goals for all stakeholders in the construction sector.
Originality/value
There is a dearth of literature on a GBT to improve the construction of green buildings in Sri Lanka. Thus, the developed model is unique as it presents a novel GBT for the Sri Lankan construction sector. Further, it elaborates roles and responsibilities of team members with comprehensive details on how to mitigate the barriers to Green-BIM integration.
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Wenyi Cao, Lu Chen, Rong Tang, Xinyuan Zhao, Anna S. Mattila, Jun Liu and Yan Qin
Based on affective events theory, this research attempted to investigate how negative gossip about organizational change drives employees to experience negative emotions and…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on affective events theory, this research attempted to investigate how negative gossip about organizational change drives employees to experience negative emotions and direct their aggression toward customers.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted a scenario-based experiment (Study 1) and a multiwave field survey (Study 2) to test our hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that (1) negative emotions mediate the relationship between change-related negative gossip and displaced aggression toward customers; (2) perceived organizational constraints strengthen the relationship between change-related negative gossip and negative emotions; (3) future work self-salience weakens the relationship between change-related negative gossip and negative emotions; and (4) change-related negative gossip has a strengthened (weakened) indirect effect on displaced aggression via negative emotions when employees have high perceived organizational constraints (future work self-salience).
Originality/value
The study expands research on organizational change and displaced aggression and provides practical implications for managing organizational change.
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Xi Luo, Jun-Hwa Cheah, Xin-Jean Lim, T. Ramayah and Yogesh K. Dwivedi
The increasing popularity of live-streaming commerce has provided a new opportunity for e-retailers to boost sales. This study integrated signaling theory and social exchange…
Abstract
Purpose
The increasing popularity of live-streaming commerce has provided a new opportunity for e-retailers to boost sales. This study integrated signaling theory and social exchange theory to investigate how streamer- and product-centered signals influence customers’ likelihood of making an impulsive purchase in the live-streaming commerce context.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was designed and distributed to the target respondents in China using purposive sampling. A total of 735 valid responses were analyzed with partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
Both streamer-centered signals, i.e. streamer credibility and streamer interaction quality, were discovered to significantly influence product-centered signal, i.e. product information quality. Additionally, streamer interaction quality was found to have a significant impact on streamer credibility. Furthermore, it was observed that customer engagement played a significant mediating role in the relationship between product information quality and impulsive buying tendency. Moreover, the paths between product information quality and customer engagement, as well as the connection between engagement and impulsive buying tendency, were found to be moderated by guanxi orientation.
Originality/value
Despite the prevalence of impulsive purchases in live-streaming commerce, few studies have empirically investigated the impact of streamer and product signals on influencing customers’ impulsive purchase decisions. Consequently, to the best of our knowledge, this study distinguishes itself by offering empirical insights into how streamers use reciprocating relationship mechanisms to communicate signals that facilitate impulsive purchase decisions.
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Heyong Wang, Long Gu and Ming Hong
This paper aims to provide a reference for the development of digital transformation from the perspective of manufacturing process links.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a reference for the development of digital transformation from the perspective of manufacturing process links.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper applies canonical correlation analysis based on digital technology patents in the key links of manufacturing industries (product design, procurement, product manufacturing, warehousing and transportation, and wholesale and retail) and the related indicators of economic benefits of regions in China.
Findings
(1) The degree of digitalization of manufacturing process links is significantly correlated with economic benefits. (2) The improvement of the degree of digitalization in the “product design” link, the “warehousing and transportation” link, the “product manufacturing” link and the “wholesale and retail” link has significant impacts on the economic benefits of manufacturing industry. (3) The digital degree of the “procurement” link has no obvious influence on the economic benefits of manufacturing industry.
Practical implications
The research results can provide reference for the formulation and implementation of micro policies. The strategy of improving the level of digital transformation of key links of manufacturing industry is put forward to better promote both the digital transformation of manufacturing industry and economic development.
Originality/value
This paper innovatively studies the relationship between digitalization of manufacturing process links and economic benefits. The findings can provide theoretical and empirical support for the digital transformation of China's manufacturing industry and high-quality development of economy.
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Wang Li, Xiuhua Gao, Xincheng Chen, Hongyan Wang, Changyou Zhu, Tong Li, Jun Wang, Hongyan Wu, Linxiu Du and Cairu Gao
This study aims to investigate the effect of different microstructures and its grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) on the corrosion behavior of weathering bridge steel.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of different microstructures and its grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) on the corrosion behavior of weathering bridge steel.
Design/methodology/approach
The rust layer characteristics and corrosion resistance of specimens with different microstructures in the simulated industrial environment were studied by Electron Probe X-ray Micro-Analyzer, wavelength-dispersive spectrometer and electrochemical techniques. Electron backscatter diffraction technique was used to characterize the GBCD in steels with different microstructures.
Findings
Results revealed a significant difference in the corrosion susceptibility among the four microstructures, with corrosion rates decreasing in the following order: ferrite + pearlite > ferrite + bainite > bainite > martensite. The variation in corrosion resistance is primarily influenced by the microstructure type and the proportion of special grain boundaries, rather than the alloying elements. The proportion of Σ3 boundaries within the coincidence site lattice boundaries is positively correlated with improved corrosion resistance. A higher Σ3 boundary fraction resulted in a lower effective grain boundary energy, elevated self-corrosion potential, increased polarization resistance and reduced areas of localized galvanic corrosion; this led to enhanced inhibition of the electrochemical corrosion reaction, consequently reducing the corrosion rate.
Originality/value
This study elucidates and quantifies the intrinsic relationship between microstructure, GBCD and corrosion rate. This understanding is crucial for enhancing the corrosion resistance of weathering bridge steels in industrial atmospheric corrosion environments.
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Dohyoung Kim, Sojin Jang and Eungdo Kim
This study investigates the effects of diversity and specialty on the performance of public research and development (R&D) teams and addresses a gap in research that has largely…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the effects of diversity and specialty on the performance of public research and development (R&D) teams and addresses a gap in research that has largely focused on diversity without adequately considering specialty. It explores the influence of educational background and level, as aspects of diversity, and specialty on team performance and innovation, particularly among leaders and members.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing panel data from the National Science and Technology Information Service and a modified rank-normalized impact factor index for innovation performance, this study differentiates between educational background and level. It examines their influence on the performance of public R&D teams by focusing on the dynamics between diversity and specialty in leader and member groups.
Findings
The study finds that diversity in educational level boosts performance in member groups, whereas “leaders” performance is more closely linked to their educational background and specialty. The results underscore the importance of managing educational diversity and specialty within leader and member groups and highlight the need to avoid a unilateral emphasis on singular necessity.
Originality/value
This study’s novelty lies in its examination of the influence of educational diversity and specialty on innovation performance within the framework of inter-organizational public R&D teams, considering the interaction between these factors among leaders and members. It offers new insights for establishing inter-organizational teams and contributes a unique perspective to the literature on innovation management.
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Ehsan Goudarzi, Hamid Esmaeeli, Kia Parsa and Shervin Asadzadeh
The target of this research is to develop a mathematical model which combines the Resource-Constrained Multi-Project Scheduling Problem (RCMPSP) and the Multi-Skilled…
Abstract
Purpose
The target of this research is to develop a mathematical model which combines the Resource-Constrained Multi-Project Scheduling Problem (RCMPSP) and the Multi-Skilled Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (MSRCPSP). Due to the importance of resource management, the proposed formulation comprises resource leveling considerations as well. The model aims to simultaneously optimize: (1) the total time to accomplish all projects and (2) the total deviation of resource consumptions from the uniform utilization levels.
Design/methodology/approach
The K-Means (KM) and Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering methods have been separately applied to discover the clusters of activities which have the most similar resource demands. The discovered clusters are given to the scheduling process as priori knowledge. Consequently, the execution times of the activities with the most common resource requests will not overlap. The intricacy of the problem led us to incorporate the KM and FCM techniques into a meta-heuristic called the Bi-objective Symbiosis Organisms Search (BSOS) algorithm so that the real-life samples of this problem could be solved. Therefore, two clustering-based algorithms, namely, the BSOS-KM and BSOS-FCM have been developed.
Findings
Comparisons between the BSOS-KM, BSOS-FCM and the BSOS method without any clustering approach show that the clustering techniques could enhance the optimization process. Another hybrid clustering-based methodology called the NSGA-II-SPE has been added to the comparisons to evaluate the developed resource leveling framework.
Practical implications
The practical importance of the model and the clustering-based algorithms have been demonstrated in planning several construction projects, where multiple water supply systems are concurrently constructed.
Originality/value
Reviewing the literature revealed that there was a need for a hybrid formulation that embraces the characteristics of the RCMPSP and MSRCPSP with resource leveling considerations. Moreover, the application of clustering algorithms as resource leveling techniques was not studied sufficiently in the literature.
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