Nolwenn Lapierre, Jean Meunier, Alain St-Arnaud and Jacqueline Rousseau
To face the challenges raised by the high incidence of falls among older adults, the intelligent video-monitoring system (IVS), a fall detection system that respects privacy, was…
Abstract
Purpose
To face the challenges raised by the high incidence of falls among older adults, the intelligent video-monitoring system (IVS), a fall detection system that respects privacy, was developed. Most fall detection systems are tested only in laboratories. The purpose of this paper is to test the IVS in a simulation context (apartment-laboratory), then at home.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is a proof of concept including two phases: a simulation study to test the IVS in an apartment-laboratory (29 scenarios of activities including falls); and a 28-day pre-test at home with two young occupants. The IVS’s sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), accuracy (A) and error rate (E) in the apartment-laboratory were calculated, and functioning at home was documented in a logbook.
Findings
For phase 1, results are: Se =91.67 per cent, Sp =99.02 per cent, A=98.25 per cent, E=1.75. For phase 2, the IVS triggered four false alarms and some technical dysfunctions appeared (e.g. computer screen never turning off) that are easily overcome.
Practical implications
Results show the IVS’s efficacy at automatically detecting falls at home. Potential issues related to future installation in older adults’ homes were identified. This proof of concept led to recommendations about the installation and calibration of a camera-based fall detection system.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the potentialities of a camera-based fall detection system in real-world contexts and supports the use of the IVS to help older adults age in place.
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P. Ladevèze, L. Arnaud, P. Rouch and C. Blanzé
A new approach called the “variational theory of complex rays” (VTCR) is developed for calculating the vibrations of weakly damped elastic structures in the medium‐frequency…
Abstract
A new approach called the “variational theory of complex rays” (VTCR) is developed for calculating the vibrations of weakly damped elastic structures in the medium‐frequency range. Here, the emphasis is put on the most fundamental aspects. The effective quantities (elastic energy, vibration intensity, etc.) are evaluated after solving a small system of equations which does not derive from a finite element discretization of the structure. Numerical examples related to plates show the appeal and the possibilities of the VTCR.
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Siddharth Girish Nair, Quang Dieu Nguyen, Qiaoxi Zhu, Mahmoud Karimi, Yixiang Gan, Xu Wang, Arnaud Castel, Peter Irga, Cecilia Gravina da Rocha, Fraser Torpy, Sara Wilkinson, Danielle Moreau and Fabien Delhomme
Hempcrete has the potential to reduce both CO2 emissions and energy usage in buildings. Hempcrete has a high sound absorption capacity, excellent moisture regulator and…
Abstract
Purpose
Hempcrete has the potential to reduce both CO2 emissions and energy usage in buildings. Hempcrete has a high sound absorption capacity, excellent moisture regulator and outstanding thermal insulation properties. However, hempcrete traditionally uses lime-based binders, which are carbon-intensive materials. The low-carbon binders to increase the sustainability of hempcrete are the current research gap. Geopolymer binders are low-carbon binders composed of aluminosilicate precursors dissolved in a high alkalinity solution. This study investigated the suitability of calcined clay and ground granulated blast furnace slag geopolymer binder as a low-carbon binder for hempcrete applications.
Design/methodology/approach
Two types of hemp hurds with different water absorption capacity and particle size distributions were used. Hempcrete properties tested were compressive strength, bulk density, sound absorption coefficient by a two-microphone impedance tube and thermal conductivity by a Hot Disk system.
Findings
The particle size distribution and water absorption capacity of hemp hurds did not affect the compressive strength of hempcrete when following a mixing procedure, ensuring the hurds in a saturated surface dry condition. The geopolymer hempcrete achieved a compressive strength about four times higher than the reference hydrated lime hempcrete. All hempcrete specimens achieved outstanding acoustic performance. The increase in bulk density led to the decrease in the maximum sound absorption coefficient. The geopolymer hempcrete achieved the lowest thermal conductivity.
Originality/value
The outcomes of this paper reveal that the low-carbon geopolymer binder appears to be a promising option for manufacturing hempcrete, achieving significantly higher compressive strength and lower thermal conductivity than the reference hydrated lime-based hempcrete.
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Emilie Giguere, Karine Bilodeau and Louise St-Arnaud
This paper aims to examine the work experiences of female executives and the challenges of their visible and invisible work activities, considering the operating modes they…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the work experiences of female executives and the challenges of their visible and invisible work activities, considering the operating modes they develop to carry out their work activities.
Design/methodology/approach
This study relies on a materialist feminist perspective and a critical experientialist work theory, which considers both the visible and invisible dimensions of the work performed by female executives. The methodology is based on a qualitative research design involving individual and group interviews with 51 Canadian female executives.
Findings
The results reveal the hyper-efficiency operating mode mobilized by female executives, which combines strategies to take over and delegate work activities from the domestic sphere to reconcile the managerial work with their different life spheres.
Originality/value
A key finding emerging from these results relates to the invisible but omnipresent part of the work activities from the domestic sphere throughout the lives of female executives.
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P. Lehoux, R. Pineault, L. Richard, J. St‐Arnaud, S. Law and H. Rosendal
This study examined the provision of high‐tech home care by Quebec primary care organizations (CLSCs). Four technologies were selected: IV antibiotic therapy, oxygen therapy…
Abstract
This study examined the provision of high‐tech home care by Quebec primary care organizations (CLSCs). Four technologies were selected: IV antibiotic therapy, oxygen therapy, parenteral nutrition, and peritoneal dialysis. A postal survey was sent to all CLSCs and a response rate of 69 percent was obtained; 57 percent of CLSCs have been involved in the provision of services related to three of the high‐tech interventions. The most frequently used sources of information are written material provided by manufacturers or by hospitals. CLSCs relied heavily on peer‐to‐peer training and training provided by manufacturers and hospitals. Formal agreements with hospitals regarding patient flow management were established; aspects related to the “content” of care were much less formalized. CLSCs have integrated high‐tech home care to a substantial extent. Our findings raise quality‐of‐care issues. The interface with hospitals needs to be reinforced and emphasis given to the appropriate use of technology.
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Seth Ayim Gyekye and Mohammad Haybatollahi
The study tested a model of the antecedents and consequences of organizational justice among Ghanaian industrial workers (N = 320). Justice perceptions were examined in terms of…
Abstract
The study tested a model of the antecedents and consequences of organizational justice among Ghanaian industrial workers (N = 320). Justice perceptions were examined in terms of their socio-cultural properties and demographic variables. These variables were examined in terms of their impact as antecedents and consequences of justice evaluations. Antecedents comprised work-related and personal characteristics. Consequences comprised perceived organizational support, organizational citizenship behavior, organizational safety climate, safety behavior, and accident frequency. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. Mplus-7 indicated a partial mediation effect in a multi-mediation model. Work-related variables strongly and positively correlated with organizational justice, and were generally better predictors of organizational justice than were personal characteristics. The results have implications to organizational behavior.
Carolin Plewa and Pascale G Quester
A prolific stream of research has demonstrated the unique potential of sports sponsorship to contribute to corporate image and to influence audiences around the world. Meanwhile…
Abstract
A prolific stream of research has demonstrated the unique potential of sports sponsorship to contribute to corporate image and to influence audiences around the world. Meanwhile, the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has increasingly been identified in the literature for its potential to deliver a degree of competitive advantage. This paper builds on both these theoretical fields to develop a conceptual framework linking the effectiveness of sports sponsorship with the sponsors' CSR commitment to both employees and consumers.
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Alena Kostyk and Bruce A. Huhmann
Two studies investigate how different structural properties of images – symmetry (vertical and horizontal) and image contrast – affect social media marketing outcomes of consumer…
Abstract
Purpose
Two studies investigate how different structural properties of images – symmetry (vertical and horizontal) and image contrast – affect social media marketing outcomes of consumer liking and engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
In Study 1’s experiment, 361 participants responded to social media marketing images that varied in vertical or horizontal symmetry and level of image contrast. Study 2 analyzes field data on 610 Instagram posts.
Findings
Study 1 demonstrates that vertical or horizontal symmetry and high image contrast increase consumer liking of social media marketing images, and that processing fluency and aesthetic response mediate these relationships. Study 2 reveals that symmetry and high image contrast improve consumer engagement on social media (number of “likes” and comments).
Research limitations/implications
These studies extend theory regarding processing fluency’s and aesthetic response’s roles in consumer outcomes within social media marketing. Image posts’ structural properties affect processing fluency and aesthetic response without altering brand information or advertising content.
Practical implications
Because consumer liking of marketing communications (e.g. social media posts) predicts persuasion and sales, results should help marketers design more effective posts and achieve brand-building and behavioral objectives. Based on the results, marketers are urged to consider the processing fluency and aesthetic response associated with any image developed for social media marketing.
Originality/value
Addressing the lack of empirical investigations in the existing literature, the reported studies demonstrate that effects of symmetry and image contrast in generating liking are driven by processing fluency and aesthetic response. Additionally, these studies establish novel effects of images’ structural properties on consumer engagement with brand-based social media marketing communications.
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Europe as a destination seems to be in a critical stage. There is more competition than cooperation between European nations and regions Our continent needs new solutions and…
Abstract
Europe as a destination seems to be in a critical stage. There is more competition than cooperation between European nations and regions Our continent needs new solutions and patterns of tourism development. As new initiatives take place in transborder regions it is important to analyze opportunities for transborder tourism development. Several euroregions function only as “umbrellas” facilitating tourism development in national components however some of them are becoming attractive transborder destinations. The author tries to compare regions and euroregions as destinations. The paper shows the role of structural funds (e.g. Interreg), in transnational cooperation and to describes examples of good practice in transborder tourism. According to Association of European Border Regions, “the border regions themselves would not be able to overcome their problems without being granted assistance from the UE. The Oresund is one of the first euroregions promoted as transnational destination. The creation of a transborder destination is a long term process. It requires stable partnership between national components that leads from alienation to integration
Charlotte Huard, Andrée-Ann Deschênes and Charles-Antoine Rioux
The main purpose of this research is to establish the relationships between emotional self-efficacy and workplace psychological health for emergency dispatchers.
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this research is to establish the relationships between emotional self-efficacy and workplace psychological health for emergency dispatchers.
Design/methodology/approach
A correlational design was used to validate results of the study. Between December 2018 and February 2019, a secure online questionnaire was sent to dispatchers through four emergency call centers. Participation was voluntary. A total of 257 emergency dispatchers participated in this study. Gilbert et al.’s (2011) scale of workplace psychological health and Deschênes et al.’s (2019) scale of emotional self-efficacy were used. Multiple linear regression and Pearson's correlation tests were run using the SPSS 25 program in order to establish relationships between the two variables.
Findings
A total of three emotional competencies positively affect workplace psychological well-being (PWB), i.e. self-efficacy beliefs on managing one's own emotions, on managing other people' emotions and on using one's own emotions. As regards to psychological distress (PD), it is negatively correlated to self-efficacy beliefs on managing and using one's own emotions.
Research limitations/implications
One of the study's theoretical contributions is to broaden the scientific knowledge of emergency service dispatching, in addition to opening up a new field of study in workplace people management.
Practical implications
These scientific findings therefore show the importance of emotional self-efficacy in the workplace. The manager or the dispatch leader should focus on developing the following three emotional skills: self-efficacy in managing emotions, managing the emotions felt by others and using emotions. Training allowing the development of these emotional skills should be considered and would be beneficial for emergency dispatchers to maximize their well-being at work.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other study has focused on emergency dispatchers and included the emotional self-efficacy and workplace mental health variables.