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1 – 10 of over 2000Tiancong Hao, Weiping Wang, Geng Wang, Qiuyue Yang and Kang Ma
This paper examines students’ educational choices in vocational education and training (VET) to understand the low reputation of vocational education in China. By analysing the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines students’ educational choices in vocational education and training (VET) to understand the low reputation of vocational education in China. By analysing the individualisation of these choices within structural and individual relationships, the study explores how the decline of state endorsement and the shift towards rational, individualistic actions influence students' decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple types of data were collected in this study, including administrative records, interviews and autobiographical stories, which were analysed using individualisation theory.
Findings
The research indicated three historical periods of the educational choice of Chinese VET students. Stage one (1978–1991) saw vocational education treated as “the first choice” for graduates. Stage two (1992–2000) was marked by the polarisation of educational choice during the social transition from a socialist planned economy to a market economy. During this period, more students started to choose academic high schools over vocational schools, even though the latter still had certain advantages for attracting the better-performing students. The third stage (2001-now) is a time in which vocational education is viewed as “the last choice” under the socialist market economy system. During this period, junior high school graduates prefer to enrol in academic high schools rather than in vocational schools. Aligned with the overall individualisation trend in Chinese society, vocational education decisions situated between societal structures and individuals are also experiencing a shift towards more micro-level individualized behaviours.
Research limitations/implications
The paper provides a historical analysis of education and training provision in China and the complexity of students’ educational choices, revealing the influencing factors across different stages.
Originality/value
This paper draws a comprehensive analysis of the developmental trajectory of vocational education in China across different historical periods, notably under the socialist planned economy and the socialist market economy systems.
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Xiaojun Wang, Zhenxian Luo and Xinyu Geng
This paper is to present an experiment to verify that the motion errors of robust topology optimization results of compliant mechanisms are insensitive to load dispersion.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is to present an experiment to verify that the motion errors of robust topology optimization results of compliant mechanisms are insensitive to load dispersion.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the test pieces of deterministic optimization and robust optimization results are manufactured by the combination of three-dimensional (3D) printing and casting techniques. To measure the displacement of the test piece of compliant mechanism, a displacement measurement method based on the image recognition technique is proposed in this paper.
Findings
According to the experimental data analysis, the robust topology optimization results of compliant mechanisms are less sensitive to uncertainties, comparing with the deterministic optimization results.
Originality/value
An experiment is presented to verify the effectiveness of robust topology optimization for compliant mechanisms. The test pieces of deterministic optimization and robust optimization results are manufactured by the combination of 3D printing and casting techniques. By comparing the experimental data, it is found that the motion errors of robust topology optimization results of compliant mechanisms are insensitive to load dispersion.
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Due to the non-linear nature of the hysteresis behavior, the accurate identification of the parameters of the Bouc–Wen hysteresis model is still a challenging problem. The purpose…
Abstract
Purpose
Due to the non-linear nature of the hysteresis behavior, the accurate identification of the parameters of the Bouc–Wen hysteresis model is still a challenging problem. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of a heuristic improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) to accurately identify the model parameters, which has never been applied to the field of piezoelectric hysteresis identification.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the analysis of the Bouc–Wen model structure and WOA optimization process, an approach that can fully exploit the potential of WOA is proposed. In this work, the position updating formula is improved by introducing non-linear weights, and the convergence factor formula is modified. And thus, the iteration speed, accuracy and stability of the classical WOA can be improved.
Findings
The experimental results show that the model output is in good agreement with the response of the real piezoelectric platform. Compared with the standard WOA and particle swarm optimization algorithms, the search performance of the proposed IWOA is better than those two competitors in terms of convergence speed and identification accuracy.
Originality/value
An IWOA is proposed according to the properties of the Bouc–Wen model and piezoelectric hysteresis. It has been approved that the algorithm has a good prospect in the identification of piezoelectric hysteresis systems. Furthermore, this method is easy to implement and is a good candidate algorithm to identify Bouc–Wen model parameters.
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The aim of this paper is to examine the provision of education and training programmes for young people in Scotland for work and lifelong learning within the context of the skills…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to examine the provision of education and training programmes for young people in Scotland for work and lifelong learning within the context of the skills ecosystem approach adopted by the Scottish Government.
Design/methodology/approach
The research drew upon findings from a large EU-funded multi-country project which ran from 2016 to 2019 that comprised experiences and perspectives with young people who were affected by these programmes as well as the managers and practitioners tasked with delivering them. The work was conducted in Aberdeenshire and Glasgow and included in-depth interviews with young people and programme managers and practitioners.
Findings
The research showed that there is a gap between the rhetoric of the intentions of the policies and how those involved at ground level experience the programmes enacted under policies which draw on a skill ecosystem approach. Whilst there was public funding for training, it was not clear from the enactment of the relevant policies where employers' responsibilities lie. Locating the findings in the skills ecosystem model highlights the weak engagement of employers in their pivotal role in the education and training system and the resulting increased precarity of the young people's futures.
Research limitations/implications
The paper sheds light on the shape of education and training provision in Scotland, the range of participants engaged in the provision and the commitment of providers in comparison to policy language and intentions.
Originality/value
Through the skill ecosystem approach, this paper draws together policy narratives and the experiences of young people.
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Geng Wang, Yangchun Xiong, Yang Cheng and Hugo K.S. Lam
This study aims to explore the spillover effects of supply chain corruption practices (SCCPs) on stock returns along the supply chain and within the industry. Specifically, it…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the spillover effects of supply chain corruption practices (SCCPs) on stock returns along the supply chain and within the industry. Specifically, it investigates how SCCPs affect the stock returns of corrupt firms' bystander supply chain partners and industry peers, both of which are not involved in the SCCPs.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ the event study methodology to quantify SCCPs' spillover effects in terms of abnormal stock returns. The analysis is based on 117 SCCPs occurring in China between 2014 and 2021.
Findings
The event study results show that SCCPs have negative effects on the stock returns of corrupt firms' bystander supply chain partners. Such negative effects are more pronounced for bystander buyers than bystander suppliers. However, SCCPs do not have a significant impact on the stock returns of corrupt firms' industry peers. Additional analysis further suggests that SCCPs are more likely to affect the stock returns of domestic rather than overseas bystander supply chain partners.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to thoroughly examine the spillover effects of SCCPs along the supply chain and within the industry, advancing the understanding of the financial consequences of SCCPs and providing important implications for future research and practices related to supply chain corruption.
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Søren Munch Lindhard, Astrid Heidemann Lassen, Yang Cheng, Matteo Musso, Geng Wang and Shaoping Bai
Exoskeletons are moving into industries with the potential to reduce muscle strains and prevent occupational injuries. Although exoskeletons have been designed and tested in…
Abstract
Purpose
Exoskeletons are moving into industries with the potential to reduce muscle strains and prevent occupational injuries. Although exoskeletons have been designed and tested in laboratory settings, rare empirical studies of their application in construction have been reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study is on in a real-life setting testing the applicability of adopting exoskeletons in the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A feasibility study of exoskeletons in construction is conducted by testing a passive exoskeleton, designed for shoulder support. Five bricklayers tested in a two-month period the exoskeleton, each wearing it for a three-day period while carrying out normal work activities. Test data in terms of interviews were collected and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Findings
The application of exoskeletons in construction revealed several limitations, where the two primary ones are the exoskeleton is not designed while considering the tasks of a bricklayer causing several challenges and the exoskeleton only supports a single upward motion while limiting other movements and even counteracted when a downward movement was necessary.
Originality/value
The identified challenges could easily have been revealed by coupling the design and testing of exoskeletons to actual application. Thus, the design approach needs to be reversed. Instead of designing an exoskeleton to support a specific body part or motion and then identifying where it is applicable, it should target specific industries and focus on the actual work and movements and the necessary support. As part of the change, the design metrics should be reevaluated to reflect the work to support.
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Fathima Sherin Ottakkam Thodukayil, Rahana Salahudeen Raseena, Udhayakumar Palaniswamy and Sigamani Panneer
In line with global initiatives, the state of Kerala in southern India is actively working towards formalizing its informal solid waste management (SWM) sector. Despite this…
Abstract
In line with global initiatives, the state of Kerala in southern India is actively working towards formalizing its informal solid waste management (SWM) sector. Despite this, there is a dearth of studies on formalization processes, particularly focusing on the conditions of workers within this sector. This study addresses the gap by examining the challenges faced by women workers operating within the formalized framework of Kerala’s SWM sector. It aimed to investigate challenges faced by grassroots women workers in Kerala’s SWM sector during its transition from informal to formal, identifying gaps in the process through their experiences. Using a qualitative methodology, the research gathered data from 10 women workers in the SWM sector in Kozhikode, Kerala, who were part of the Haritha Karma Sena (green task force). Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews revealed two major challenges faced by these women. Firstly, there was a negative societal perception towards them, and secondly, there was a lack of appropriate state response to their needs and requirements. These challenges were attributed to gaps and pitfalls in the formalization process, leading to a lowered socio-economic status for the women, increased vulnerability to health hazards, and societal stigma. The findings underscore the need for significant improvements in the formalization process of Kerala’s waste management sector. The study advocates for targeted policy interventions to enhance the working conditions of SWM workers, emphasizing the importance of expediting and streamlining the formalization process. This, in turn, would contribute to the overall effectiveness of the SWM system in the state.
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Ba-Phu Nguyen, Ananta Man Singh Pradhan, Tan Hung Nguyen, Nhat-Phi Doan, Van-Quang Nguyen and Thanh-Canh Huynh
The consolidation behavior of prefabricated vertical drain (PVD)-installed soft deposits mainly depends on the PVD performance. The purpose of this study is to propose a numerical…
Abstract
Purpose
The consolidation behavior of prefabricated vertical drain (PVD)-installed soft deposits mainly depends on the PVD performance. The purpose of this study is to propose a numerical solution for the consolidation of PVD-installed soft soil using the large-strain theory, in which the reduction of discharge capacity of PVD according to depth and time is simultaneously considered.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed solution also takes into account the general constitute relationship of soft soil. Subsequently, the proposed solution is applied to analyze and compare with the monitoring data of two cases, one is the experimental test and another is the test embankment in Saga airport.
Findings
The results show that the reduction of PVD discharge capacity according to depth and time increased the duration required to achieve a certain degree of consolidation. The consolidation rate is more sensitive to the reduction of PVD discharge capacity according to time than that according to the depth. The effects of the reduction of PVD discharge capacity according to depth are more evident when PVD discharge capacity decreases. The predicted results using the proposed numerical solution were validated well with the monitoring data for both cases in verification.
Research limitations/implications
In this study, the variation of PVD discharge capacity is only considered in one-dimensional consolidation. However, it is challenging to implement a general expression for discharge capacity variation according to time in the two-dimensional numerical solution (two-dimensional plane strain model). This is the motivation for further study.
Practical implications
A geotechnical engineer could use the proposed numerical solution to predict the consolidation behavior of the drainage-improved soft deposit considering the PVD discharge capacity variation.
Originality/value
The large-strain consolidation of PVD-installed soft deposits could be predicted well by using the proposed numerical solution considering the PVD discharge capacity variations according to depth and time.
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Xiaoyang Zhao, Runwen Liu and Shuxin Zhong
Existing research suggests a positive relationship between firms’ research and development investments (RDIs) and their patenting performance (PP) according to assumptions of…
Abstract
Purpose
Existing research suggests a positive relationship between firms’ research and development investments (RDIs) and their patenting performance (PP) according to assumptions of linear productivity and homogeneous behavior. This study unravels the RDI–PP relationship by taking a strategic view to reveal its underlying mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
We study the effects of firms’ RDI on PP in the context of China’s listed firms in 16 patent-intensive industries, including the pharmaceutical, computer communication, electronic equipment and electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing industries. To test our hypotheses, we use panel data from 2010 to 2017. We apply generalized estimating equations to estimate our models.
Findings
The study finds an inverted U-shaped relationship between RDI and PP that arises from the transition of innovation portfolios and the strategic balancing of patenting costs and benefits. The study further examines two contingencies: (1) top management team (TMT) education level and (2) TMT compensation. It shows the turning point of the inverted U-shape shifts to the right when TMT education level is high; the curve flattens when TMT education level and TMT compensation are high.
Originality/value
We contribute to literature on innovation and appropriability strategy in three ways: First, we reveal the underlying mechanisms of the inverted U-shaped relationship between RDI and PP. Second, because previous research on appropriability strategies pays little attention to how innovation portfolios influence patenting decisions at the firm level, we provide evidence and insights on how the tension between exploitative and explorative innovations affects appropriability strategies. Third, we connect appropriability strategy literature with two streams of literature: corporate governance and upper-echelon theory.
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Gomathi V., Kalaiselvi S. and Thamarai Selvi D
This work aims to develop a novel fuzzy associator rule-based fuzzified deep convolutional neural network (FDCNN) architecture for the classification of smartphone sensor-based…
Abstract
Purpose
This work aims to develop a novel fuzzy associator rule-based fuzzified deep convolutional neural network (FDCNN) architecture for the classification of smartphone sensor-based human activity recognition. This work mainly focuses on fusing the λmax method for weight initialization, as a data normalization technique, to achieve high accuracy of classification.
Design/methodology/approach
The major contributions of this work are modeled as FDCNN architecture, which is initially fused with a fuzzy logic based data aggregator. This work significantly focuses on normalizing the University of California, Irvine data set’s statistical parameters before feeding that to convolutional neural network layers. This FDCNN model with λmax method is instrumental in ensuring the faster convergence with improved performance accuracy in sensor based human activity recognition. Impact analysis is carried out to validate the appropriateness of the results with hyper-parameter tuning on the proposed FDCNN model with λmax method.
Findings
The effectiveness of the proposed FDCNN model with λmax method was outperformed than state-of-the-art models and attained with overall accuracy of 97.89% with overall F1 score as 0.9795.
Practical implications
The proposed fuzzy associate rule layer (FAL) layer is responsible for feature association based on fuzzy rules and regulates the uncertainty in the sensor data because of signal inferences and noises. Also, the normalized data is subjectively grouped based on the FAL kernel structure weights assigned with the λmax method.
Social implications
Contributed a novel FDCNN architecture that can support those who are keen in advancing human activity recognition (HAR) recognition.
Originality/value
A novel FDCNN architecture is implemented with appropriate FAL kernel structures.
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