K.A. Marques, C.E Celli, J.H. Passoni, D. Teixeira, E. Bachiega, E.S. Vidal, W.M. Carvalho, M.L. Aguiar and J.R. Coury
The monitoring of respirable particulate matter (PM10) and of total carbon percentage (mass basis) in the atmosphere of São Carlos (SP) was performed in the period between…
Abstract
The monitoring of respirable particulate matter (PM10) and of total carbon percentage (mass basis) in the atmosphere of São Carlos (SP) was performed in the period between September 1997 and January 2000. São Carlos, located in the central region of the state of São Paulo, has a population of close to 180,000 inhabitants and about 500 industrial establishments of medium to small size, mainly dealing with metallurgy, textiles, food and ceramics. The equipment used for air monitoring was a high volume sampler (GVS‐GRASEBY/GMW) equipped with a one‐stage inertial separator for a 10μm particle cut diameter. The PM10 concentration was determined by gravimetry and the total carbon concentration by the Ströheim method. The results show a well defined seasonal dependence of both the PM10 and of the total carbon concentration. Higher concentrations of PM10 and carbon were observed in autumn and winter, which also coincided with low relative humidity and precipitation. The measured trends were compared with the PM10 data from the city of São Paulo in the same period and showed similar seasonal dependence. However, in relative terms, the PM10 concentration in São Carlos showed stronger seasonal dependence than in São Paulo.
Details
Keywords
Elaine Schornobay-Lui, Eduardo Carlos Alexandrina, Mônica Lopes Aguiar, Werner Siegfried Hanisch, Edinalda Moreira Corrêa and Nivaldo Aparecido Corrêa
There has been a growing concern about air quality because in recent years, industrial and vehicle emissions have resulted in unsatisfactory human health conditions. There is an…
Abstract
Purpose
There has been a growing concern about air quality because in recent years, industrial and vehicle emissions have resulted in unsatisfactory human health conditions. There is an urgent need for the measurements and estimations of particulate pollutants levels, especially in urban areas. As a contribution to this issue, the purpose of this paper is to use data from measured concentrations of particulate matter and meteorological conditions for the predictions of PM10.
Design/methodology/approach
The procedure included daily data collection of current PM10 concentrations for the city of São Carlos-SP, Brazil. These data series enabled to use an estimator based on artificial neural networks. Data sets were collected using the high-volume sampler equipment (VFA-MP10) in the period ranging from 1997 to 2006 and from 2014 to 2015. The predictive models were created using statistics from meteorological data. The models were developed using two neural network architectures, namely, perceptron multilayer (MLP) and non-linear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) inputs network.
Findings
It was observed that, over time, there was a decrease in the PM10 concentration rates. This is due to the implementation of more strict environmental laws and the development of less polluting technologies. The model NARX that used as input layer the climatic variables and the PM10 of the previous day presented the highest average absolute error. However, the NARX model presented the fastest convergence compared with the MLP network.
Originality/value
The presentation of a given PM10 concentration of the previous day improved the performance of the predictive models. This paper brings contributions with the NARX model applications.
Details
Keywords
Fotis Kitsios, Ioannis Sitaridis and Maria Kamariotou
The purpose of this chapter is to conduct a structured literature review to examine the relationship between entrepreneurship and emotional intelligence in academic settings as…
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to conduct a structured literature review to examine the relationship between entrepreneurship and emotional intelligence in academic settings as well as the current entrepreneurship pedagogy for flexible, innovative and creative graduates. One hundred and twenty-eight peer-reviewed papers were analysed based on Webster’s and Watson’s (2002) methodology. Papers classified into three topics and a content analysis was implemented to discuss about the publication year, journals, authors, frequency of keywords and research method adopted. The contribution of this chapter is twofold. It is a bibliometric study which provides a macropicture of a research field, its evolution and connections among studies, in order to be a starting point for future researchers who are already studying entrepreneurial education or entrepreneurship-related scientific areas. Also, this chapter helps academics to improve educational programmes and curriculum to increase students’ entrepreneurial intention taking into account the factors that affect it.
Details
Keywords
Diego Passoni and Rafael Bianchini Glavam
The purpose of this paper is to compare the levels of entrepreneurial intention (EI) among academics from different fields of university knowledge and to evaluate the effect of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare the levels of entrepreneurial intention (EI) among academics from different fields of university knowledge and to evaluate the effect of entrepreneurial education (EE) on students taking management, engineering and accounting courses.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey has been conducted with 491 academics from different fields of knowledge at the Brazilian undergraduate level to compare their EI levels and to validate the effect of EE in the EI in management, engineering and accounting courses.
Findings
This study has demonstrated that EE has a positive effect on EI among undergraduate management and engineering students.
Research limitations/implications
This study has been restricted to some fields of knowledge within the undergraduate courses at university level. It has generated specific conclusions and recommendations that cannot be generalised. It suggests new lines of research from its results.
Practical implications
This study may encourage investment in EE programmes in certain fields of knowledge within institutions and communities that need to foster entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development.
Originality/value
This study provides empirical evidence of the impact of EE on EI among academics from different fields of knowledge in higher education institutions in Brazil, as well as compares and lists the undergraduate courses where students have more entrepreneurial intention.
Details
Keywords
Razib Chandra Chanda, Ali Vafaei-Zadeh, Haniruzila Hanifah and Ramayah Thurasamy
The urgency to address climate change and its devastating consequences has never been more pressing. As societies become increasingly aware of the detrimental impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
The urgency to address climate change and its devastating consequences has never been more pressing. As societies become increasingly aware of the detrimental impact of traditional housing on the planet, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly housing solutions that prioritize energy efficiency, resource conservation and reduced carbon emissions. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the factors that influence customers’ priority toward eco-friendly house purchasing intention.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected 386 data using a quantitative research strategy and purposive sampling method. This study uses a hybrid analysis technique using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approaches to identify the influencing factors.
Findings
The PLS-SEM analysis found that attitude toward the eco-friendly house, subjective norms, performance expectancy, environmental knowledge and environmental sensitivity have a positive influence on eco-friendly house purchasing intention. However, perceived behavioral control and willingness to pay were found to have insignificant effect on customers’ intention to purchase eco-friendly houses. The fsQCA results further revealed complex causal relationships between the influencing factors.
Practical implications
This research will not only contribute to academic knowledge but also provide practical guidance to real estate developers, policymakers and individuals looking to make environmentally responsible choices. By understanding the factors that influence consumers’ intentions to purchase eco-friendly houses, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Originality/value
This study has used a hybrid analysis technique, combining PLS-SEM and fsQCA, to enhance the predictive accuracy of eco-friendly house purchase intentions among individuals residing in densely populated and highly polluted developing countries, such as Bangladesh.
Details
Keywords
Omar Doukari, Mohamad Kassem, Enrico Scoditti, Rahim Aguejdad and David Greenwood
Buildings are among the biggest contributors to environmental impacts. To achieve energy-saving and decarbonisation objectives while also improving living conditions, it is…
Abstract
Purpose
Buildings are among the biggest contributors to environmental impacts. To achieve energy-saving and decarbonisation objectives while also improving living conditions, it is imperative to undertake large-scale renovations of existing buildings, which constitute the greater part of building stock and have relatively low energy efficiency. However, building renovation projects poses significant challenges owing to the absence of optimised tools and methods for planning and executing renovation works, coupled with the need for a high degree of interaction with occupants.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes the development of an automated process, based on building information modelling (BIM) and the principal component analysis method, for overcoming building renovation challenges. The process involves the assessment and simulation of renovation scenarios in terms of duration, cost, effort needed and disruptive potential. The proposed process was tested in three case studies; multi-residence apartment buildings comprising different construction components and systems, located in Greece, France and Denmark, on which six different renovation strategies were evaluated using sensitivity analysis.
Findings
The developed tool was successfully able to model and simulate the six renovation scenarios across the three demonstration sites. The ability to simulate various renovation scenarios for a given project can help to strategise renovation interventions based on selected key performance indicators as well as their correlation at two different levels: the building level and the renovated surface area level.
Originality/value
The objectives of this paper are twofold: firstly, to present an automated process, using BIM, for evaluating and comparing renovation scenarios in terms of duration, cost, workers needed and disruptive potential; next, to show the subsequent testing of the process and the analysis of its applicability and behaviour when applied on three live demonstration sites located in three different European countries (France, Greece and Denmark), involving six renovation scenarios.
Details
Keywords
Felipe F. Guimarães and Kyria Rebeca Finardi
This chapter discusses a paradigm shift in the internationalization of higher education (IHE) in relation to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, redirecting the focus from a…
Abstract
This chapter discusses a paradigm shift in the internationalization of higher education (IHE) in relation to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, redirecting the focus from a “competition” to a “cooperation” orientation in this process. The disruptions caused by the pandemic in physical academic mobility, often equated with IHE, enabled the switch to virtual mobility, including more academics and cooperation in the process of IHE. In order to illustrate and ground the discussion proposed here, this chapter describes a study carried out in a Brazilian public institution, using a mixed methods approach, combining bibliographic and document research techniques with the analysis of notes from staff meetings and class observations. The analysis of notes taken during classes and meetings held through virtual exchanges (VE) and/or a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project, carried out during the pandemic in the university analyzed, contrasted with the bibliographic/document analyses suggests a paradigm shift from academic mobility (for a few students only), with a “competition” orientation with partners mainly from the Global North, to a more inclusive and cooperative process, with different languages and more universities around the world. The authors conclude that virtual and alternative approaches such as VE/COIL can foster the development of more inclusive Internationalization at Home (IaH) processes, with a “cooperation” orientation.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to develop a hybrid finite difference‐finite element method and apply it to solve the three‐dimensional energy equation in non‐isothermal fluid flow past over a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a hybrid finite difference‐finite element method and apply it to solve the three‐dimensional energy equation in non‐isothermal fluid flow past over a tube.
Design/methodology/approach
To implement the hybrid scheme, the tube length is partitioned into uniform segments by choosing grid points along its length, and a plane perpendicular to the tube axis is drawn at each of the points. Subsequently, the Taylor‐Galerkin finite element technique is employed to discretize the energy equation in the planes; while the derivatives along the tube are discretized using the finite difference method.
Findings
To demonstrate the validity of the proposed numerical scheme, three‐dimensional test cases have been solved using the method. The variation of L2‐norm of the error with mesh refinement shows that the numerical solution converges to the exact solution with mesh refinement. Moreover, comparison of the computational time duration shows that the proposed method is approximately three times faster than the 3D finite element method. In the non‐isothermal fluid flow around a tube for Re=250 and Pr=0.7, the results show that the Nusselt number decreases with the increase in the tube length and, for the tube length greater than six times the tube diameter, the average Nusselt number converges to the value for the two‐dimensional case.
Originality/value
A hybrid finite difference‐finite element method has been developed and applied to solve the 3D transient energy equation for different test cases. The proposed method is faster, and computationally more efficient, compared with the 3D finite element method.
Details
Keywords
Razib Chandra Chanda, Ali Vafaei-Zadeh, Haniruzila Hanifah and T. Ramayah
This research aims to explore the factors influencing the adoption intention of eco-friendly smart home appliances among residents in densely populated urban areas of a developing…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to explore the factors influencing the adoption intention of eco-friendly smart home appliances among residents in densely populated urban areas of a developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was employed to gather data from 348 respondents through purposive sampling. A comparative analysis strategy was then utilized to investigate the adoption of eco-friendly smart home appliances, combining both linear (PLS-SEM) and non-linear (fsQCA) approaches.
Findings
The results obtained from PLS-SEM highlight that performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, price value, and environmental knowledge significantly influence the adoption intention of eco-friendly smart home appliances. However, the findings suggest that effort expectancy, social influence, and habit are not significantly associated with customers' intention to adopt eco-friendly smart home appliances. On the other hand, the fsQCA results identified eight configurations of antecedents, offering valuable insights into interpreting the complex combined causal relationships among these factors that can generate (each combination) the adoption intention of eco-friendly smart home appliances among densely populated city dwellers.
Research limitations/implications
This study offers crucial marketing insights for various stakeholders, including homeowners, technology developers and manufacturers, smart home service providers, real estate developers, and government entities. The findings provide guidance on how these stakeholders can effectively encourage customers to adopt eco-friendly smart home appliances, aligning with future environmental sustainability demands. The research implications underscore the significance of exploring the antecedents that influence customers' adoption intention of eco-friendly technologies, contributing to the attainment of future sustainability goals.
Originality/value
The environmental sustainability of smart homes, particularly in densely populated city settings in developing countries, has received limited attention in previous studies. Therefore, this study aims to address the pressing issue of global warming and make a meaningful contribution to future sustainability goals related to smart housing technologies. Therefore, this study employs a comprehensive approach, combining both PLS-SEM (linear) and fsQCA (non-linear) techniques to provide a more thorough examination of the factors influencing the adoption of environmentally sustainable smart home appliances.