Simona Cătălina Ştefan, Ion Popa, Ana Alexandra Olariu, Ştefan Cătălin Popa and Cătălina-Florentina Popa
The current study has a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it aims to analyze the extent to which knowledge management (KM) affects the performance of individuals (task and contextual) on…
Abstract
Purpose
The current study has a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it aims to analyze the extent to which knowledge management (KM) affects the performance of individuals (task and contextual) on the one hand and that of organizations (product or service, perceived and financial) on the other hand. Secondly, it proposes to investigate the mediating effect of motivation and innovation in the relationship between KM and individual and organizational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed in this study, with mediation analysis performed using advanced PLS-SEM techniques. A total of 1,284 respondents from organizations in both the public and private sectors were included in the sample.
Findings
The findings emphasize that KM has a more significant direct effect on individual performance compared to organizational performance. Concurrently, in terms of indirect influence, it is found that KM, through motivation and innovation, has a positive and significant effect on both individual and organizational performances, with a higher influence on the organizational one.
Originality/value
The originality of the work can be noted in designing two different structural models to represent the proposed relationships at the individual and organizational levels. These findings could provide organizational decision makers with empirical evidence, helping them (1) internalize the significance of the KM process in organizations as well as its subsequent effects on individual and organizational performance and (2) identify factors that mediate variable relationships.
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Maria Andreea Tilibașa, Alina Nicoleta Boncilică, Ion Popa, Simona Cătălina Ștefan and Irina Tărăban
The study aims to analyze the different types of risks related to the use of technology and determine their positive or negative influence on teachers' motivation and behavioral…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to analyze the different types of risks related to the use of technology and determine their positive or negative influence on teachers' motivation and behavioral intention to use digital tools.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on survey data from 200 teachers in the Romanian preuniversity education system. The data analysis followed a four-step approach, using a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) model for hypothesized relationships among research concepts and a PLS prediction-oriented segmentation (POS) procedure.
Findings
This study showed that increased risk awareness influences both motivation and, consequently, the intention to adopt digital tools in the preuniversity education system.
Research limitations/implications
The scope of research remains constrained with regard to the examined population, considering the substantial number of teachers within the preuniversity education system. Another limit lies in the basic classification of identified risk types.
Practical implications
School managers should design a strategy to increase the level of motivation for integrating digital tools in the educational process.
Originality/value
Little scholarly attention has been devoted to investigating the risks associated with digitalization in the preuniversity education system. In addition, no prior research has been conducted to assess the influence of risk perception on people's motivation and intention to use digital tools in preuniversity education.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of synthesizing lamellarly‐shaped anticorrosion pigments having a chemically active layer whose core consists of metal…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of synthesizing lamellarly‐shaped anticorrosion pigments having a chemically active layer whose core consists of metal aluminium on which a thin spinel film is synthesised.
Design/methodology/approach
Anticorrosion pigments were synthesised by reaction of metal aluminium lamellar particles whose surface was oxidised to Al2O3 during the first stage and by subsequent reaction with ZnO and/or MgO at 800‐1,150°C producing a thin spinel layer that is chemically bonded to the metal core of the pigment particles. Core‐shell pigments including MgAl2O4/Al, Mg0.8Zn0.2Al2O4/Al, Mg0.6Zn0.4Al2O4/Al, Mg0.4Zn0.6Al2O4/Al, Mg0.2Zn0.8Al2O4/Al and ZnAl2O4/Al were synthesised. The prepared pigments were characterised by means of X‐ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The synthesised anticorrosion pigments were used to prepare epoxy coatings that were tested upon application for their anticorrosion properties and resistance against a chemical environment.
Findings
The lamellar shape of the particles, as well as good‐quality coverage with a thin spinel layer, was identified in the prepared pigments. All of the synthesised pigments exhibit good anticorrosion efficiency in epoxy coatings. Compared to lamellar kaolin and metal core of aluminium without coverage, the protective function of the synthesised pigments in coatings is demonstrably better.
Practical implications
The synthesised pigments find convenient applications in coatings protecting metal bases from corrosion.
Originality/value
Synthesis of a spinel layer on the metal core of aluminium is a novel method; so is the application of these substances in coatings designed for the protection of metals from corrosion. Of great benefit is the fact that the synthesised pigments are free of any substances harmful to the environment.
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Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an investigation on a new kind of adsorbent materials, namely, the Prussian blue analog (PBA)-loaded albite-base porous ceramic foam, which can effectively adsorb the heavy metal ion in the wastewater.
Design/methodology/approach
The natural zeolite powder has been used as the primary raw material to make a sort of porous ceramic foam by impregnating polymer foam in slurry and then sintering. Adjusting the technological parameters could control the bulk density of the ceramic product, which could float on water with the bulk density less than 1 g/cm3 and also sink in water with the bulk density higher than 1 g/cm3. After desilicating the porous ceramic foam, an Al-Fe type PBA with a strong function of ion exchange was loaded on the ceramic surface by directly yielding.
Findings
The adsorption performance for harmful metal ions was greatly improved by combining together the high adsorption capability of the PB analog and the efficient high specific surface area of the porous ceramic foam.
Originality/value
This work presents a PBA-loaded albite-base porous ceramic foam that can effectively adsorb the harmful substance in water, and the adsorption efficiency for some typical harmful ions, i.e., Cd2+, Cs+ and As(V), was examined under different conditions of the experimental period, the pH value and the ion concentration in the tested solution.
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Looks in depth at Romania’s Labour Code and lists out in more detail all the relevant points, to show how employees and employers may work better together without conflict, Using…
Abstract
Looks in depth at Romania’s Labour Code and lists out in more detail all the relevant points, to show how employees and employers may work better together without conflict, Using guidelines from the European Union. Uses countries as a flagstaff for what could be done to improve matters for temporary employees.
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Cédric Clévy, Ion Lungu, Kanty Rabenorosoa and Philippe Lutz
– This paper aims to deal with the measurement of positioning accuracies of microscale components assembled to fabricate micro-optical benches (MOB).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to deal with the measurement of positioning accuracies of microscale components assembled to fabricate micro-optical benches (MOB).
Design/methodology/approach
The concept of MOB is presented to explain how to fabricate optical MEMS based on out-of-plane micro-assembly of microcomponents. This micro-assembly platform includes a laser sensor that enables to measure the position of the microcomponent after its assembly. The measurement set-up and procedure is displayed and applied on several micro-assembly sets.
Findings
The measurement system provides results with maximum deviation smaller than ±0.005°. Based on this measurement system and micro-assembly procedure displayed in the article, it is shown that it is possible to obtain a positioning accuracy up to 0.009°.
Originality/value
These results clearly show that micro-assembly is a possible way to fabricate complex, heterogeneous and 3D optical MEMS with very good optical performances.
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Gheorghe Dan Isbăşoiu, Dana Volosevici and Adriana Grigorescu
The European growth model set out by the European Commission is founded on a dual transition, to green and digital. Although the transition to the new growth model requires an…
Abstract
The European growth model set out by the European Commission is founded on a dual transition, to green and digital. Although the transition to the new growth model requires an in-depth analysis of the transformations that will affect industry in its main branches and the energy system in particular, the social and employment aspects must not be ignored, in order to ensure that the twin transitions are fair and inclusive and have a substantive contribution to strengthening the Union’s social resilience and the prosperity of all citizens. Taking as a starting point the fact that the green transition will have direct impacts on the labor market, affecting, as emphasized by the European institutions, primarily workers who already have a vulnerable status, this chapter aims to analyze the topic of employment gender gap, highlighting those aspects that could be aggravated during the green transition. The analysis was carried out on relevant statistical data for the Romanian labor market, which were projected on EU27 data.
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Beatrice Gabriela Ioan, Roxana Elena Rusu and Bianca Hanganu
Roma form the largest ethnic group in Europe. Currently, between 10 and 12 million Roma live in Europe, 6 million of which live in the European Union.In this chapter, the authors…
Abstract
Roma form the largest ethnic group in Europe. Currently, between 10 and 12 million Roma live in Europe, 6 million of which live in the European Union.
In this chapter, the authors analyze the socioeconomic and health problems faced by the Roma population, their causes and the barriers to Roma access to adequate medical care.
Roma population is generally younger than the general population, but with a lower life expectancy, due to poor living conditions and the increased prevalence of chronic and acute diseases. There are numerous barriers to accessing medical services by the Roma patients, such as language, low education, lack of information, discrimination in medical institutions, lack of medical insurance or identity documents and the relationship with medical staff.
Health mediators represent the link between communities and medical staff, with the role of reducing the negative consequences of the language barrier, sociocultural differences and tensions between ethnic groups.
The authors also present the results of a study conducted in Romania that aimed to analyze the role of health mediators as intercultural facilitators who contribute to increasing the quality of medical care provided to Roma patients and their ability to respond culturally appropriate to the health needs of the Roma patients.
The authors conclude that the medical staff has an ethical obligation to provide culturally sensitive medical care, since the ethnic origin, the level of education, the language proficiency and the cultural values of the patients are essential for a functional doctor–patient relationship. The activity of the health mediators is an important element in the health policies aimed at increasing the cultural competence of the medical staff and improving the medical care provided to the Roma population.
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The purpose of this paper is to synthesize MeO‐type pigments, focusing on the oxides containing zinc and magnesium.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to synthesize MeO‐type pigments, focusing on the oxides containing zinc and magnesium.
Design/methodology/approach
Oxides ZnO and MgO were synthesized, their morphology was evaluated, and their impact on the physical properties of the paint film were assessed. A pigment of ZnO/core‐shell type also was synthesized. The physical‐chemical property of the synthesized pigments and the anticorrosion efficiencies of the paint films pigmented by them were determined. The binder used in the researched coatings was epoxy‐ester resin.
Findings
The shape of the particles was identified in the synthesized pigments. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed the degree of precipitation and lattice parameters. All of the synthesized pigments had good anticorrosion efficiency in an epoxyester coating.
Practical implications
The synthesized pigments can be used conveniently in coatings protecting metal substrates against corrosion.
Originality/value
Of benefit is the fact that the synthesized pigments do not contain any environmentally harmful substances.