Chun-Tang Chao, Ming-Tang Liu, Juing-Shian Chiou, Yi-Jung Huang and Chi-Jo Wang
The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel design for determining the optimal hybrid fuzzy PID-controller of an active automobile suspension system, employing the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel design for determining the optimal hybrid fuzzy PID-controller of an active automobile suspension system, employing the gravitational search algorithm (GSA).
Design/methodology/approach
The hybrid fuzzy PID-controller structure is an improvement to fuzzy PID-controller by incorporating a fast learning PID-controller.
Findings
The GSA can adjust the parameters of the PID-controller to achieve the optimal performance.
Research limitations/implications
The GSA may have the advantage of quick convergence, but the required computation may be intensive.
Practical implications
The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach on active automobile suspension system.
Originality/value
In order to demonstrate the theoretical guarantee of the proposed method, comparisons with particle swarm optimization or other methods has also been carried out.
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Yong‐Ming Tang, Yun Chen, Wen‐Zhong Yang, Xiao‐Shuang Yin, Ying Liu and Jin‐Tang Wang
The aim of this paper is to investigate inhibition of copper corrosion by 3,5‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐TAT) in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate inhibition of copper corrosion by 3,5‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐TAT) in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4.
Design/methodology/approach
Potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance measurements were carried out on copper in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4 containing various concentrations of 2‐TAT, and the effects of temperature were also investigated.
Findings
As an efficient inhibitor, 2‐TAT behaves better in 1 M HCl than in 0.5 M H2SO4. 2‐TAT can be classified as cathodic‐type corrosion inhibitor in 1 M HCl and acts as relatively mixed type in 0.5 M H2SO4. Activation energies in the presence and absence of 2‐TAT were obtained by measuring the temperature independence of corrosion current. Adsorption of the inhibitor on the copper surface was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
Practical implications
This inhibitor could have application in industries where hydrochloric acid solutions are used to remove scale and salts from copper surfaces and may render dismantling unnecessary.
Originality/value
The results from this paper showed that 2‐TAT could be considered as a suitable inhibitor for copper in acidic media.
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Clark Shi-Ming Tang, Thomas Li-Ping Tang and Xiao-Yan Li
This study aims to develop a Chinese core self-evaluations scale (CCSES) (Study 1) and examines the relationship between CCSES and self-reported job performance among…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a Chinese core self-evaluations scale (CCSES) (Study 1) and examines the relationship between CCSES and self-reported job performance among entrepreneurs in private small and medium enterprises in People's Republic of China (Study 2).
Design/methodology/approach
In Study 1, the paper incorporated two indigenous Chinese constructs, team-based self-esteem and personal integrity, into the existing literature of CSE and developed a new CCSES using a sample of 300 Chinese entrepreneurs in Hangzhou, China. In Study 2, the paper validated the CCSES in a separate sample of 306 entrepreneurs and investigated the relationships between CCSES and self-reported job performance.
Findings
The paper identified four sub-constructs in the 13-item CCSES: personal self-esteem, team-based self-esteem, personal integrity, and self-competence. Results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed good psychometric properties and high reliability in Study 1. In Study 2, the paper found a good fit between the measurement model and the data, and a significant relationship between CCSES and the overall measure of job performance and its three components. Males had significantly higher Chinese core self-evaluations (CCSE) scores than females. There were no differences in CCSE scores across age and educational background.
Originality/value
Borrowing the CSE construct in the Western literature, the paper includes two indigenous Chinese constructs, team-based self-esteem and personal integrity, provides a new perspective of the CSE construct for entrepreneurs, and investigates its relationship with job performance in China.
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Qi Zheng Li, Yu Zuo, Jing Mao Zhao, Yu Ming Tang, Xu Hui Zhao and Jin Ping Xiong
By adding a Ce salt and an Nd salt to an anodizing electrolyte, modified anodic films are obtained on aluminum surfaces. This paper aims to study the effects of rare‐earth…
Abstract
Purpose
By adding a Ce salt and an Nd salt to an anodizing electrolyte, modified anodic films are obtained on aluminum surfaces. This paper aims to study the effects of rare‐earth elements on the corrosion resistance of the anode film.
Design/methodology/approach
The crystalline film was studied by X‐ray diffraction. The methods of scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, electrochemical polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize the properties of the films.
Findings
After rare‐earth element modification, the pores of the porous layer were very evidently smaller, the anodic film was more compact, and the thickness and hardness of the films had increased. The corrosion resistance of the anodic films modified with rare‐earth elements clearly was improved in neutral, acidic, and basic NaCl solutions. Ce showed a better effect than Nd in increasing the corrosion resistance of the films, and the film modified with Ce+Nd showed the highest corrosion resistance. EIS analysis showed that the impedances of both the barrier layer and porous layer of the anodic films increased after modification with the rare‐earth elements, indicating that the anodizing process was affected by the presence of the rare‐earth elements.
Originality/value
The results presented in this paper offer a foundation for further research and application of rare‐earth elements in aluminum anodic oxide films.
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Yunfei Du, Chuntian Li, Bin Huang, Ming Tang and Changhua Du
This paper aims to identify a variety of binary system solders by alloying, and relevantly derive multiple system Pb-free solders from the former, attempting to replace the high…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify a variety of binary system solders by alloying, and relevantly derive multiple system Pb-free solders from the former, attempting to replace the high temperature Sn-Pb solder.
Design/methodology/approach
The basis of the paper is the synthesis of previous studies. In terms of some binary high temperature solder alloys, such as Au-20Sn, Bi-2.5Ag, Sn-5Sb, Au-12.5Ge, Zn-6Al and Zn-Sn, taking the alloy phase diagram as the starting point, the melting characteristics, microstructure, mechanical properties, wetting ability and reliability of solder joint are analysed and the prospect is consequently indicated.
Findings
Based on the analysis of the six groups of Pb-free solders, the present binary system solder alloys, from the perspective of melting properties, mechanical properties, soldering or reliability of solder joint, rarely meet the comprehensive requirements of replacing the high-temperature Sn-Pb solder. It is assumed to be a solution that multiple-system Pb-free solders derive from a variety of binary system solders by means of alloying. The future development of high temperature Pb-free solder may focus on some factors such as physical properties, mechanical properties, processing, reliability of solder joint, environmental performance and expense.
Originality/value
The paper concentrates on the issue of Pb-free solders at high temperature. From a specific perspective of binary system solders, the presently available Pb-free solders are suggested from the starting point of the alloy phase diagram and the prospect of alternatives of Sn-Pb solders at high temperature are indicated.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a historical review of China’s anti-corruption efforts, from the ancient period of Chinese slavery societies to the late 1970s before China…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a historical review of China’s anti-corruption efforts, from the ancient period of Chinese slavery societies to the late 1970s before China launched its profound economic reform, under the current status of the harsh crusade against corruption that the Chinese new leadership initiated.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is mainly based on a great deal of historical literature and empirical findings, with relevant comparative analysis on policies and regulations between various periods of China.
Findings
The phenomenon of corruption has existed in Chinese history for thousands of years, throughout Chinese slavery societies, feudal societies, republic period and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Anti-corruption laws formed an important part of ancient Chinese legal system, and each dynasty has made continuous and commendable progress on fighting such misconduct. Innumerable initiatives have also been taken by the ruling party Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since the founding of the PRC. The PRC government created various specially designed government organizations and a series of updated regulations for preventing economic crimes. They have realized that periodic movements against corruption would no longer be helpful, and the paramount issue nowadays is indeed how bold the leaders are in striking out those unhealthy tendencies.
Originality/value
This paper fills in the blanks in the Western world with a comprehensive description of, and comments on, the historical efforts on China’s corruption and economic crime prevention. It also, in various ways, provides meaningful information that links to China’s current furious war against corruption.
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Shu‐Cheng Chi, Hwa‐Hwa Tsai and Ming‐Hong Tsai
This study samples 78 business decision‐makers whose cases were part of an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process, i.e., the Public Construction Commission (PCC), which…
Abstract
This study samples 78 business decision‐makers whose cases were part of an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process, i.e., the Public Construction Commission (PCC), which operates under the government in Taiwan, between 1997 and early 2000. The authors propose an interaction between two variations of trust—category‐based trust and experience‐based trust—and hypothesize that decision‐makers’ perceived identity with new versus old government ideology and past justice experiences (with the PCC) would jointly affect their decision preferences. The results partially support these hypotheses. The authors emphasize the critic role of trustworthiness of the third‐party ADR providers. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of the findings.
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Guan‐Lin Chen, Shu‐Chen Yang and Shung‐Ming Tang
The aim of this paper is to employ the perspectives of uses and gratification theory and experiential marketing to investigate the antecedents of virtual community (VC) members’…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to employ the perspectives of uses and gratification theory and experiential marketing to investigate the antecedents of virtual community (VC) members’ attitude formation and knowledge‐contribution intention through the sense of virtual community (SOVC) and the interaction between their motivations and experiences in a peer‐to‐peer problem solving (P3) VC.
Design/methodology/approach
This study chose a well‐known professional IT VC in Taiwan, the ITHelp community, as the target for data collection. An online survey linked from the homepage of this community was used through the cooperation of the vendor of this community. This study employs the partial least squares (PLS) method to examine the research model.
Findings
The results show that members’ attitudes toward their VCs are determined by the interaction between their motivations for and experiences with P3 VC usages. Moreover, SOVC plays full mediating roles in the relationship between attitude toward P3 VC and knowledge‐contribution intention.
Research limitations/implications
VC managers need to aim at creating pleasant experiences for their members and foster their belongingness and consciousness to form higher SOVC. The conclusions are restricted to a VC that involves IT‐related issues, which focuses problem solving rather than being socially oriented. Members of IT P3 VCs are usually highly innovative and enthusiastic about new IT products, which is quite different from the membership of other P3 VCs.
Originality/value
Extant studies seldom considered the effects of SOVC and members’ experiences on knowledge‐contribution behavior. The mediating role of SOVC and the interaction between motivations and experience can enhance our understanding about online knowledge‐contribution behavior.
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Kai Leung Yung, George To Sum Ho, Yuk Ming Tang and Wai Hung Ip
This project attempts to present a space component inventory classification system for space inventory replenishment and management. The authors propose to adopt a classification…
Abstract
Purpose
This project attempts to present a space component inventory classification system for space inventory replenishment and management. The authors propose to adopt a classification system that can incorporate all the different variables in a multi-criteria configuration. Fuzzy logic is applied as an effective way for formulating classification problems in space inventory replenishment.
Design/methodology/approach
A fuzzy-based approach with ABC classification is proposed to incorporate all the different variables in a multi-criteria configuration. Fuzzy logic is applied as an effective way for formulating classification problems in space inventory replenishment of the soil preparation system (SOPSYS) which is used in grinding and sifting Phobos rocks to sub-millimeter size in the Phobos-Grunt space mission. An information system was developed using the existing platform and was used to support the key aspects in performing inventory classification and purchasing optimization.
Findings
The proposed classification system was found to be able to classify the inventory and optimize the purchasing decision efficiency. Based on the information provided from the system, implementation plans for the SOPSYS project and related space projects can be proposed.
Research limitations/implications
The paper addresses one of the main difficulties in handling qualitative or quantitative classification criteria. The model can be implemented using mathematical calculation tools and integrated into the existing inventory management system. The proposed model has important implications in optimizing the purchasing decisions to shorten the research and development of other space instruments in space missions.
Originality/value
Inventory management in the manufacture of space instruments is one of the major problems due to the complexity of the manufacturing process and the large variety of items. The classification system can optimize purchasing decision-making in the inventory management process. It is also designed to be flexible and can be implemented for the manufacture of other space mission instruments.
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Saliha Karadayi-Usta and Cigdem Kadaifci
The purpose of this study is to extract factors enabling the digital car sharing enterprises' supply chain resilience (SCR), to interpret different factor prioritizations in terms…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to extract factors enabling the digital car sharing enterprises' supply chain resilience (SCR), to interpret different factor prioritizations in terms of industry representatives’ assessments and specialties, and to discuss the results by applying and comparing different ranking techniques.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the purpose, the factors were identified via an in-depth systematic literature review, and next, these factors were examined by industry representatives to gather the decision matrices, then analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique (MACBETH) were applied separately to model the decision problem, and finally the findings were interpreted with different participants’ perspectives.
Findings
The findings revealed that the AHP and MACBETH provide nearly identical rankings in terms of main factors by implying the significance of the triple bottom line of sustainability. Therefore, the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability should be accomplished to obtain a resilient digital car sharing enterprise supply chain. In addition, readiness and agility are the other important factors affecting the enterprises’ resilience, and finally, although digitalization seemed to be the least important one, its sub-factor emerged at the top of the ranking list.
Originality/value
Up to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in the literature that focuses on the SCR of car sharing companies, a particular type of digital enterprise, and uses AHP and MACBETH to examine the important factors that might affect the SCR of these companies. Practitioners should take the findings of both methods into account when evaluating the results and determine the short- and long-term strategies accordingly.