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Article
Publication date: 30 September 2014

Kun Cai, Zhen Luo and Qing H. Qin

The purpose of this paper is to develop a heuristic method for topology optimization of a continuum with bi-modulus material which is frequently occurred in practical engineering…

313

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a heuristic method for topology optimization of a continuum with bi-modulus material which is frequently occurred in practical engineering.

Design/methodology/approach

The essentials of this model are as follows: First, the original bi-modulus is replaced with two isotropic materials to simplify structural analysis. Second, the stress filed is adopted to calculate the effective strain energy densities (SED) of elements. Third, a floating reference interval of SED is defined and updated by active constraint. Fourth, the elastic modulus of an element is updated according to its principal stresses. Final, the design variables are updated by comparing the local effective SEDs and the current reference interval of SED.

Findings

Numerical examples show that the ratio between the tension modulus and the compression modulus of the bi-modulus material in a structure has a significant effect on the final topology design, which is different from that in the same structure with isotropic material. In the optimal structure, it can be found that the material points with the higher modulus are reserved as much as possible. When the ratio is far more than unity, the material can be considered as tension-only material. If the ratio is far less than unity, the material can be considered as compression-only material. As a result, the topology optimization of continuum structures with tension-only or compression-only materials can also be solved by the proposed method.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is twofold: the bi-modulus material layout optimization in a continuum can be solved by the method proposed in this paper, and the layout difference between the structure with bi-modulus material and the same structure but with isotropic material shows that traditional topology optimization result could not be suitable for a real bi-modulus layout design project.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 31 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

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Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

Chenicheri Sid Nair, Jinrui Li and Li Kun Cai

– This paper aims to explore academics’ perspectives on the quality of appraisal evidence at a Chinese university.

821

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore academics’ perspectives on the quality of appraisal evidence at a Chinese university.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey with both closed items and open-ended questions was distributed among all academics at the university (n = 1,538). A total of 512 responded to the questionnaire. The closed items were initially analysed using EXCEL and SPSS; the open-ended questions were thematically analysed.

Findings

The academics believed that the quality of student survey and peer observation of teaching were affected by subjectivity and the lack of understanding of appraisal. Academics also suggested that appraisals should be contextualised and the approach standardised. The study suggests the need for training that informs and engages relevant stakeholders to ensure the rigour of appraisal.

Originality/value

The study raises the issue of quality assurance regarding appraisal data from the perspective of academics. It is based on the collaborative effort of academics in Australia, China and New Zealand, with the support of the management staff at the case study university. The study informs both appraisers and academics of quality assurance issues in appraisal. It also contributes to the literature, in that it initiates dialogues between communities of practices through collective questioning on the quality and mechanisms of appraisal in tertiary education.

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Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

John F. Dalrymple

215

Abstract

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

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Article
Publication date: 22 February 2024

Zhaoyang Sun, Haiyang Zhou, Tianchen Yang, Kun Wang and Yubo Hou

The shape of a product plays a crucial role in shaping consumer behavior. Despite the voluminous research on factors influencing consumers’ shape preferences, there remains a…

555

Abstract

Purpose

The shape of a product plays a crucial role in shaping consumer behavior. Despite the voluminous research on factors influencing consumers’ shape preferences, there remains a limited understanding of how the busy mindset, a mentality increasingly emphasized by marketing campaigns, works. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the relationship between a busy mindset and the preference for angular-shaped versus circular-shaped products and brand logos.

Design/methodology/approach

This research consists of seven experimental studies using various shape stimuli, distinct manipulations of busy mindset, different assessments of shape preference and samples drawn from multiple countries.

Findings

The findings reveal that a busy mindset leads to a preference for angular shapes over circular ones by amplifying the need for uniqueness. In addition, these effects are attenuated when products are scarce.

Originality/value

This research represents one of the pioneering efforts to study the role of a busy mindset on consumers’ aesthetic preferences. Beyond yielding insights for practitioners into visual marketing, this research contributes to the theories on the busy mindset and shape preference.

Details

Journal of Product & Brand Management, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1061-0421

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Article
Publication date: 12 December 2023

M.A. Xianglin, Haochen Cai, Qiming Yang, Gang Wang and Kun Mao

This paper establishes a quality model for automation assembly of range hood impeller based on generalized grey relational degree, it improves the debugging efficiency of the…

97

Abstract

Purpose

This paper establishes a quality model for automation assembly of range hood impeller based on generalized grey relational degree, it improves the debugging efficiency of the newly developed assembly workstation.

Design/methodology/approach

First, spot check the trial production impellers and obtain three indexes that reflect the assembly quality of the impellers. Then, analyze the parameters that affect the assembly quality of the impeller using grey relational analysis (GRA), establish a model for the assembly quality of the range hood impeller based on the generalized grey relational degree and identify the main parameters. After that, analyze the transmission structure of automation assembly workstation, identify the reasons that affect parameters and propose improvement plans. Finally, a trial production is conducted on the automation assembly workstation after adopting the improved plan to verify the quality model of impeller automation assembly.

Findings

The research shows that compared to manual assembly, the automation assembly quality of the impeller using GRA model has been improved, shortening the debugging cycle of the newly developed assembly workstation.

Practical implications

The newly developed automation equipment will have some problems in the trial production stage, which often rely on the experience of engineers for debugging. In this paper, the automation assembly quality model of range hood impeller based on GRA is established, which can not only ensure the quality of finished impeller but also shorten the debugging cycle of the equipment. In addition, GRA can be widely used in the commissioning of other automation equipment.

Originality/value

This study has developed a set of impeller automation assembly workstation. The debugging method in the trial production stage is beneficial to shorten the trial production time and improve the economic benefits.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

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Article
Publication date: 10 August 2020

Xiao-xia Wang, Hai-ying Pan and Kun-kun Xue

This study aims to examine the relationship between an ownership structure with multiple large shareholders and corporate social responsibility (CSR) with regard to Chinese-listed…

722

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between an ownership structure with multiple large shareholders and corporate social responsibility (CSR) with regard to Chinese-listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple regression analysis was used on 4,940 samples of 884 listed companies in China for the period 2009–2017, to empirically test the influence of an ownership structure on enterprises’ fulfillment of social responsibility. Moreover, the propensity score matching–difference in differences and Heckman two-stage approaches were used for the robustness of the regression results.

Findings

The results show that ownership structures with multiple large shareholders can promote social responsibility. The check-and-balance ability of non-controlling large shareholders, corporate information transparency and corporate system environment moderate the relationship between multiple large shareholders and CSR engagement.

Originality/value

This paper complements prior studies on the ownership structure of multiple large shareholders. The findings enrich the literature on corporate governance and CSR. The results also reveal information about the situational factors, helping identify the mechanism through which the ownership structure of multiple large shareholders affects CSR.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

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Article
Publication date: 6 April 2021

Kun Liu, Wei Chen, Jihong Ye, Jian Jiang, Wenwen Chen and Mingyue Zhao

Most previous thermal-mechanical modeling of cold-formed steel (CFS) walls did not consider the failure of screwed connections under fire conditions because of the limited data of…

105

Abstract

Purpose

Most previous thermal-mechanical modeling of cold-formed steel (CFS) walls did not consider the failure of screwed connections under fire conditions because of the limited data of such connections at elevated temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 285 steady-state tests are conducted on CFS screwed connections with single-layer gypsum plasterboard (GPB) and Bolivian magnesium board (BMB) sheathing at ambient and elevated temperatures. The failure of these connections is described as the breaking of the loaded sheathing edge.

Findings

For the BMB sheathing screwed connections, hydrochloric acid gas is generated and released above 300°C, and the shear strength becomes much less than that of the GPB sheathing screwed connection above 370°C. Hence, BMB may not be suitable for use as the face-layer sheathing of CFS walls but is still recommended to replace GPB as the base-layer sheathing. The major influencing parameters on the shear strength of screwed connections are identified as the type of sheathing material and the loaded sheathing edge distance.

Originality/value

Based on the previous and present test results, a unified expression for the residual shear strength of screwed connections with GPB and BMB is proposed at ambient and elevated temperatures with acceptable accuracy. It can be used as the basic input parameter of the numerical simulation of the CFS structures under fire conditions.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

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Article
Publication date: 3 February 2021

Jin-Feng Uen, Rama Krishna Kishore Vandavasi, Kun Lee, Prasanthi Yepuru and Vipin Saini

This study aims to test the cross-level effects of team job crafting on individual innovative work behaviour (IWB) and the mediating role of team psychological capital (PsyCap).

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to test the cross-level effects of team job crafting on individual innovative work behaviour (IWB) and the mediating role of team psychological capital (PsyCap).

Design/methodology/approach

This longitudinal study tested a multilevel design in a sample of 163 employees, clustered into 45 teams. Job crafting and PsyCap were aggregated to the team level to examine the effects of team job crafting Time 1 on individual IWB Time 2. In addition, mediation analysis was tested to determine whether team-level job crafting Time 1 can affect individual IWB Time 2 through team PsyCap Time 2.

Findings

Results found that team job crafting was positively related to individual IWB, and the relationship was mediated by team PsyCap.

Practical implications

This study includes implications for adopting job crafting behaviour at the team level to improve individual IWB.

Originality/value

This cross-level study is the first to verify the effects of team job crafting on individual IWB and team PsyCap as a mediator. This study extends the literature on job crafting by using a multilevel design in the analysis.

Details

Team Performance Management: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7592

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 30 April 2024

Dongju Chen, Yupeng Zhao, Kun Sun, Ri Pan and Jinwei Fan

To enhance the performance of hydrostatic bearings, graphene serves as a lubricant additive. Using the high thermal conductivity of graphene, the purpose of this study is to focus…

84

Abstract

Purpose

To enhance the performance of hydrostatic bearings, graphene serves as a lubricant additive. Using the high thermal conductivity of graphene, the purpose of this study is to focus on the impact of graphene nano-lubricating oil hydrostatic bearing temperature rise at various speeds and eccentricities.

Design/methodology/approach

The thermal conductivity of graphene nano-lubricating oil was calculated by molecular dynamics method and based on the viscosity–temperature effect, the coupled heat transfer finite element model of hydrostatic bearing was established; temperature rise of pure lubricating oil and graphene nano-lubricating oil hydrostatic bearing were analysed at different speed and eccentricity based on computational fluid dynamics method.

Findings

With the increase of speed and eccentricity, the temperature rise of 0.2% graphene nano-lubricating oil bearings is lower than that of pure lubricating oil bearings; in addition with the increase of graphene mass fraction, the temperature rise of graphene nano-lubricating oil bearings is always higher than that of pure lubricating oil bearings, and the higher the speed, the more obvious the phenomenon.

Originality/value

The effects of graphene as a lubricant additive on the thermal conductivity of nano-lubricating oil and the variation of the temperature rise of graphene nano-lubricating oil bearings compared to pure lubricating oil bearings were analysed by combining micro and macro methods.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-12-2023-0388

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 76 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 16 August 2013

Abdollah Noorizadeh, Mahdi Mahdiloo and Reza Farzipoor Saen

The purpose of this paper is to propose a data envelopment analysis (DEA) method for customers' evaluation.

1977

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a data envelopment analysis (DEA) method for customers' evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces a variable return to scale (VRS) cross‐efficiency (one of the DEA models) to evaluate customers. This new model can consider ratio values and give a complete ranking of customers.

Findings

It is found that the proposed model can evaluate customers in a multi criteria context; does not demand weights from the decision maker; and can consider both the ratio and absolute numbers. An aggressive form of the VRS model is formulated to evaluate the peer‐appraisal value of customers instead of self‐appraisal.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no reference that uses cross‐efficiency model with the ratio values for customers' evaluation.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 28 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

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