This study aims to investigate the information-seeking behaviours of home buyers – primarily owner-occupants – using digital real estate platforms, a key element in the industry’s…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the information-seeking behaviours of home buyers – primarily owner-occupants – using digital real estate platforms, a key element in the industry’s shift towards digital services. It focuses on first-time buyers and repurchasers to examine how these platforms assist in the home-buying process and influence buyer behaviour in Taiwan.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data on user experiences and preferences.
Findings
The research identifies brand perception, search functionality and search results as critical factors influencing platform usage. Furthermore, it reveals an increasing demand for innovative artificial intelligence-driven search features to enhance user experience and platform convenience, reflecting evolving user expectations.
Originality/value
By addressing the specific context of Taiwan’s real estate market, this study provides novel insights into the interplay between digital platform features and user behaviour. The findings offer practical recommendations for improving platform design to better align with user needs.
Details
Keywords
Yingying Li, Lanlan Liu, Jun Wang, Song Xu, Hui Su, Yi Xie and Tangqing Wu
The purpose of this paper is to study the corrosion behavior of Q235 steel in saturated acidic red and yellow soils.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the corrosion behavior of Q235 steel in saturated acidic red and yellow soils.
Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion behavior of Q235 steel in saturated red and yellow soils was compared by weight-loss, SEM/EDS, 3D ultra-depth microscopy and electrochemical measurements.
Findings
Rp of the steel gradually increases and icorr gradually decreases in both the red and yellow soils with time. The Rp of the steel in the red soil is lower, but its icorr is higher than that in the yellow soil. The uniform corrosion rate, diameter and density of the corrosion pit on the steel surface in the red soil are greater than those in the yellow soil. Lower pH, higher contents of corrosive anions and high-valence Fe oxides in the red soil are responsible for its higher corrosion rates and local corrosion susceptibility.
Originality/value
This paper investigates the difference in corrosion behavior of carbon steel in saturated acidic red and yellow soils, which can help to understand the mechanism of soil corrosion.
Details
Keywords
Pingping Hou, Zheng Qian, Meng Xin Hu, Ji Qi Liu, Jun Zhang, Wei Zhao, Xiao Li, Yong Wang, HongYan Huang and Qian Ping Ran
The purpose of this study is to explore the interfacial adhesion between superhydrophobic coatings FC-X (X = 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) and the concrete substrate, along with the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the interfacial adhesion between superhydrophobic coatings FC-X (X = 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) and the concrete substrate, along with the impact of FC-X on the water repellency characteristics of the concrete substrate.
Design/methodology/approach
One synthetic step was adopted to prepare novel F-SiO2 NP hybrid fluororesin coating. The impact of varying mass fractions of F-SiO2 NPs on the superhydrophobicity of FC-X was analyzed and subsequently confirmed through water contact angle (WCA) measurements. Superhydrophobic coatings were simply applied to the concrete substrate using a one-step spraying method. The interfacial adhesion between FC-X and the concrete substrate was analyzed using tape pasting tests and abrasion resistance measurements. The influence of FC-X on the water repellency of the concrete substrate was investigated through measurements of water absorption, impermeability and electric flux.
Findings
FC-4% exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity, with a WCA of 157.5° and a sliding angle of 2.3°. Compared to control sample, FC-X exhibits better properties, including chemical durability, wear resistance, adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, water resistance and impermeability.
Practical implications
This study offers a thorough investigation into the practical implications of enhancing the durability and water repellency of concrete substrates by using superhydrophobic coatings, particularly FC-4%, which demonstrates exceptional superhydrophobicity alongside remarkable chemical durability, wear resistance, adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, water resistance and impermeability.
Originality/value
Through the examination of the interfacial adhesion between FC-X and the concrete substrate, along with an assessment of FC-X’s impact on the water repellency of the concrete, this paper provides valuable insights into the practical application of superhydrophobic coatings in enhancing the durability and performance of concrete materials.
Details
Keywords
Shu-Hsien Liao, Da-Chian Hu and Cai-Jun Chen
This study proposed an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB), that is, considering that behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs (beliefs) will influence…
Abstract
Purpose
This study proposed an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB), that is, considering that behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs (beliefs) will influence perceived service quality (PSQ) on food delivery services. PSQ (behavioural intention) will influence electronic word-of-mouth (EWOM) (behaviour). In addition, exogenous variables including information from online ratings and consumer groups will affect the strength of the relationship between received service quality and EWOM on food delivery service.
Design/methodology/approach
This study aimed to investigate the mediation (PSQ) and moderation (Online ratings and consumer groups) effects on the extended TPB for Taiwanese consumers (n = 823).
Findings
This study first found a positive relationship between different beliefs and PSQ (behavioural intention). In addition, there is a positive relationship between PSQ and EWOM. Online rating has a moderating effect between PSQ and EWOM. Consumer group has a moderating relationship between PSQ and EWOM.
Originality/value
This study first found that the three stages of beliefs-intention-behaviour for consumers on food delivery service are reciprocal with two paths, starting with offline-to-online in terms of generating the positive relationship between individual belies and PSQ. Next, it can generate positive power to return online with a behaviour of EWOM. In addition, online ratings can enhance and strengthen the positive effect between PSQ and EWOM.
Details
Keywords
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.
Details
Keywords
Wei Jun Wang, Rafiu King Raji, Jian Lin Han and Yuan Chen
With the current developments within the sphere of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, many conventional articles are all being fitted with smart functionalities, ranging from…
Abstract
Purpose
With the current developments within the sphere of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, many conventional articles are all being fitted with smart functionalities, ranging from chairs, beds, shoes and caps to underwear. Bags which are utility as well as fashion items have not been left out of this smart craze, albeit to a less popular degree. The purpose of this study is to fill the research gap on the subject of smart bags research and applications and to contribute to the general discourse on IoT.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts literature search and database review, concept mapping as well as synthesis methodologies. Relevant literature form databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar and Bing Scholar were interrogated. Manual sifting was done to eliminate papers that do not fit the set inclusion criteria. Literature on smart bags was organized into structured frameworks using concept mapping methodology. Applying a synthesis methodology enabled an exploration of the different technological trends in smart bag research and their areas of application.
Findings
The study identified about 15 different smart bag applications and functionalities. Discussed in this study is a classification of bags based on a number of points such as way of carrying, size, utility and fabrication materials. Also discussed are the description of what constitute a smart bag, relevant technologies for smart bag design and engineering and subsequently the current trends in smart bag applications. This study also discovered that the air travel industry tend to have some difficulties with this smart bag technologies, specifically with their built-in batteries.
Practical implications
The results of this study will provide researchers and other stakeholders with key information about existing problems and opportunities in smart bag research and applications. This will go a long way to help in guiding future research as well as policymaking in smart bag design and application.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review on the subject of smart bags even though smart bag research and commercial product design continue to gain momentum in recent years.
Details
Keywords
Abstract
Purpose
Current multi-source image fusion methods frequently overlook the issue of detailed features when employing deep learning technology, resulting in inadequate target feature information. In real-world mission scenarios, such as military information acquisition or medical image enhancement, the prominence of target feature information is of paramount importance. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a novel infrared-visible light fusion model.
Design/methodology/approach
Leveraging the foundational architecture of the traditional DenseFuse model, this paper optimizes the backbone network structure and incorporates a Unique Feature Encoder (UFE) to meticulously extract the distinctive features inherent in the two images. Furthermore, it integrates the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and the Squeeze and Excitation Network (SE) to enhance and replace the original spatial and channel attention mechanisms.
Findings
Compared to other methods such as IFCNN, NestFuse, DenseFuse, etc., the values of entropy, standard deviation, and mutual information index of the method presented in this paper can reach 6.9985, 82.6652, and 13.6022, respectively, which are significantly improved compared with other methods.
Originality/value
This paper presents a UFEFusion framework that synergizes with the CBAM attention mechanism to markedly augment the extraction of detailed features relative to other methods. Moreover, the framework adeptly extracts and amplifies unique features from disparate images, thereby elevating the overall feature representation capability.
Details
Keywords
This study investigates the moderating effects of consumers’ occupations on their purchase intentions (PIs) for food takeout services using a modified unified theory of acceptance…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the moderating effects of consumers’ occupations on their purchase intentions (PIs) for food takeout services using a modified unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model. It evaluates how different occupations influence the relationships between social influence (SI), expectation confirmation (EC), facilitating conditions (FC) and PI.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected data from individuals in various occupations, including technical/associate professionals, executives/professionals, administrative/service workers and manual/operative workers. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, while hierarchical analysis assessed how occupation moderated the relationships between latent variables (SI, EC and FC) and PI.
Findings
Different occupations have a certain moderating effect on the relationships between SI/EC/FC and PI. For the technical and associate professionals and manual and operative occupations, the moderating effect of FC on PI is stronger than that of EC and SI. For executives and professionals and administrative and service occupations, the moderating effect of EC on PI is stronger than that of SI and FC.
Originality/value
This study provides new insights into how occupational differences influence consumer behavior in the context of online food ordering services. The results expand the application of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model and the understanding of the influence of occupation on consumer’ behavior.
Details
Keywords
Shaodan Sun, Jun Deng and Xugong Qin
This paper aims to amplify the retrieval and utilization of historical newspapers through the application of semantic organization, all from the vantage point of a fine-grained…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to amplify the retrieval and utilization of historical newspapers through the application of semantic organization, all from the vantage point of a fine-grained knowledge element perspective. This endeavor seeks to unlock the latent value embedded within newspaper contents while simultaneously furnishing invaluable guidance within methodological paradigms for research in the humanities domain.
Design/methodology/approach
According to the semantic organization process and knowledge element concept, this study proposes a holistic framework, including four pivotal stages: knowledge element description, extraction, association and application. Initially, a semantic description model dedicated to knowledge elements is devised. Subsequently, harnessing the advanced deep learning techniques, the study delves into the realm of entity recognition and relationship extraction. These techniques are instrumental in identifying entities within the historical newspaper contents and capturing the interdependencies that exist among them. Finally, an online platform based on Flask is developed to enable the recognition of entities and relationships within historical newspapers.
Findings
This article utilized the Shengjing Times·Changchun Compilation as the datasets for describing, extracting, associating and applying newspapers contents. Regarding knowledge element extraction, the BERT + BS consistently outperforms Bi-LSTM, CRF++ and even BERT in terms of Recall and F1 scores, making it a favorable choice for entity recognition in this context. Particularly noteworthy is the Bi-LSTM-Pro model, which stands out with the highest scores across all metrics, notably achieving an exceptional F1 score in knowledge element relationship recognition.
Originality/value
Historical newspapers transcend their status as mere artifacts, evolving into invaluable reservoirs safeguarding the societal and historical memory. Through semantic organization from a fine-grained knowledge element perspective, it can facilitate semantic retrieval, semantic association, information visualization and knowledge discovery services for historical newspapers. In practice, it can empower researchers to unearth profound insights within the historical and cultural context, broadening the landscape of digital humanities research and practical applications.
Details
Keywords
Shirish Gandhare, Pramod Kumar, Tarachand Madankar, Dharmendra Singh and Jaiprakash Bhamu
This research develops a comprehensive framework to enhance the functionality of medical equipment in hospitals, focusing on disease diagnosis contexts. By leveraging failure mode…
Abstract
Purpose
This research develops a comprehensive framework to enhance the functionality of medical equipment in hospitals, focusing on disease diagnosis contexts. By leveraging failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and Industry 4.0 tools, it aims to optimize healthcare services and patient treatment outcomes, particularly during crises like pandemics.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates Industry 4.0 and automation principles to develop and validate the framework. Utilizing a four-year failure database analyzed with R Programming, it implements preventive maintenance strategies such as the Preventive Maintenance Management System (PMMS) with FMEA. FMEA is implemented to systematically identify, assess and prioritize failure modes, enabling targeted mitigation strategies and improving equipment reliability. The framework is validated through empirical analysis and case studies, assessing operational efficiency, equipment importance and societal impact, with recommendations for future research on advanced maintenance methodologies.
Findings
The framework significantly reduces equipment failure rates (FR) and mean time to repair (MTTR), enhancing maintenance efficiency. Downtime decreases, especially for critical medical equipment like life-saving and diagnostic devices, resulting in a remarkable 95% increase in maintenance efficiency. The framework prioritizes and optimizes interventions for vital equipment, ultimately improving patient care and healthcare services.
Practical implications
The research presents a practical framework for enhancing medical equipment maintenance in Indian hospitals, particularly during disease diagnosis. Leveraging automation technologies, it reduces equipment failure risks, ensuring operational continuity even during pandemics. Improvements in diagnostic accuracy directly benefit patient care, with recommendations aimed at further advancing maintenance methodologies and enhancing healthcare delivery.
Originality/value
The research develops and validates the framework, employing FMEA to identify critical failures and integrating automation (Industry 4.0) to prioritize maintenance tasks. Post-implementation outcomes validate significant improvement, addressing existing gaps in medical equipment maintenance practices. This contributes to optimizing healthcare services and patient outcomes, particularly during critical disease diagnosis scenarios.