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The purpose of this study is to deals with the effect of premixed dual metal sulfides (tin disulfide + iron disulfide) as a replacement for antimony trisulfide on the tribological performance of brake friction materials.

In this study, brake friction materials were developed by using premixed dual metal sulfides as a replacement for antimony trisulfide in the formulation. The brake friction materials were developed in the form of standard brake pads as per the industrial practice. Thermal stability was measured for varying ingredients and developed brake pads using thermogravimetric analysis. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the developed brake pads were tested as per the industrial standards. The tribological properties were analyzed using the Chase test as per SAE J661. Worn surface analysis was done using a scanning electron microscope.

The experimental results indicate that the brake pads filled with premixed dual metal sulfides had good thermal stability, physical, chemical and mechanical properties with stable friction and less wear rate due to better lubrication preventing friction undulations.

This paper explains the influence of premixed dual metal sulfides as a replacement for antimony trisulfide in brake pads formulation to enhance the tribological performance by preventing friction undulations.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0144/

This paper aims to deal with the effect of natural barytes purity levels on the tribological performance of brake pads.

In this study, brake pads were developed by varying three different natural barytes without varying other ingredients. The brake pads were developed as per the standard industrial practice. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the developed brake pads were tested as per the industrial standards. The tribological properties were analyzed using a full-scale inertia brake dynamometer. Worn surface analysis was done using scanning electron microscope coupled with elemental mapping.

The experimental results indicate that the brake pads filled with natural barytes 95% purity had good physical, chemical and mechanical properties with stable friction and less wear rate due to reduced impurity level preventing frictional undulations.

This paper explains the effect of the purity level of natural barytes in brake pads formulation to enhance the tribological performance by altering tribofilms and preventing friction undulations.

The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of oxide-coated steel in comparison with mild steel fibers on the tribological and corrosion performances of friction composites.

In this study, the friction composites were developed in the form of standard brake pads by using oxide-coated steel and compared with mild steel fibers-based one without varying the other ingredients. The brake pads were developed as per the industrial procedure. The physical, mechanical, thermal properties of the developed brake pads were analyzed as per the industrial standards. The tribological properties were analyzed using the Chase test. The worn surface analysis was done using scanning electron microscope. Corrosion behavior was also analyzed in both salt and normal water conditions.

The experimental results indicate that the oxide-coated steel-based friction composites brake pads possess good physical, chemical, thermal, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties with stable fade and recovery characteristics because of its oxide coating and flake morphology.

This paper explains the influence of oxide-coated steel in friction composites for enhancing the tribological performance and corrosion resistance by its oxide coating and flake morphology which could potentially replace mild steel fibers-based problems in friction composites.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate an optimal control solution with prescribed degree of stability for the position and tracking control problem of the twin rotor multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) system (TRMS). The twin rotor MIMO system is a benchmark aerodynamical laboratory model having strongly non-linear characteristics and unstable coupling dynamics which make the control of such system for either posture stabilization or trajectory tracking a challenging task.

This paper first describes the dynamical model of twin rotor MIMO system (TRMS) and then it adopts linear-quadratic regulator (LQR)-based optimal control technique with prescribed degree of stability to achieve the desired trajectory or posture stabilization of TRMS.

The simulation results show that the investigated controller has both static and dynamic performance; therefore, the stability and the quick control effect can be obtained simultaneously for the twin rotor MIMO system.

The articles on LQR optimal controllers for TRMS can also be found in many literatures, but the prescribed degree of stability concept was not discussed in any of the paper. In this work, new LQR with the prescribed degree of stability concept is applied to provide an optimal control solution for the position and tracking control problem of TRMS.

Sources highlight that lack of systematic labour training components results in low performance and productivity of labour, which leads the construction industry of many countries to face various challenges. This study aims to quantify the variations in the performance and productivity levels of labour in building construction projects through the applications of effective work-based training components.

A comprehensive literature review and a series of experts’ discussions with action-oriented communication approaches were conducted to develop a set of practices related to labour training, performance assessment and productivity measurements within a framework. The developed practices were applied to around 100 labourers working on nine building construction projects through a construction supervisory training programme.

The study presents the detailed patterns of the significant changes in labour performance and productivity levels. The majority of trained labourers have grown to perform the work process with some relevant theoretical and operational knowledge and skills. The overall results spotlight the significant behavioural changes that can be observed in workforce operations by improving labour performance, which resulted in implementing effective labour-rewarding practices within a framework.

Although the study findings were limited to the Sri Lankan context, the proposed practices can be applied to the industry practices of the construction sector of other developing countries and the other developing industries in similar ways/scenarios.

The study outcomes contribute to uplifting the work qualities of labourers with life-long learning opportunities and unlocking the potential barriers for expanding the local labour supply while controlling the excessive inclination of the local firms towards foreign labour. This paper describes further implications and future scopes of the study elaborately.

The study provides generalised mechanisms and practices that transform the labour characteristics and add new attributes for strengthening the values of construction supervision practices to obtain well-improved work outputs. The study outcomes reinforce the chain relationships among the training elements, labour performance and productivity levels, leading to upgrading current planning and operational management practices, especially adding constructive mechanisms in resource levelling and productivity benchmarking practices.

This paper aims to deal with the synergistic effect of steel slag-molybdenum disulfide particles on fade-recovery performances of non-asbestos organic friction material.

The brake friction materials were developed by using steel slag and molybdenum disulfide particles as individual and combination in the formulation. The brake friction materials were developed in the form of standard brake pads as per the industrial practice. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the developed brake pads were tested as per the industrial standards. The tribological properties were analyzed using the Chase test as per IS2742-Part-4. Worn surface analysis was done using a scanning electron microscope.

The experimental results indicate that the brake pads filled with a combination of steel slag and molybdenum disulfide showed stable friction and less wear rate due to the synergetic nature of abrasive and lubricant.

This paper explains the influence of steel slag and molybdenum disulfide particles as individual and combined in brake pads formulation to enhance the tribological performance by producing stabilized friction with undulations.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-06-2020-0216/

The hospitality industry has one of the most diversified workforces. This study aims to examine the effect of employees’ perceptions toward diversity management on the company’s financial performance. The current study also examines the moderating effect of board members’ diversity level on the association between employees’ perceptions and financial outcomes.

From online reviews, the authors identified multi-faucets of diversity management and measured employees’ perceptions of diversity management. Using panel data analysis, the relationships among employees’ perceptions, board members’ diversity level and companies’ financial performance were studied.

This study found that employees’ perceptions of diversity management positively influence the company’s financial performance and the relationship was positively moderated by board members’ diversity level.

Findings show that hospitality employees perceive nine diversity and inclusion categories (age, organizational climate, culture, disability, education, gender, physical differences, policy and practice and race) that companies need to consider when developing and implementing diversity management. Moreover, practitioners need to eliminate the gap between board members and employees when applying diversity management.

Drawing upon service–profit chain theory, this study extends hospitality literature regarding diversity management by demonstrating how employees perceive working environments created by diversity management affects the organizational financial outcome. Moreover, this study emphasizes the exemplary role of board members as policy and practice makers, to provide employees with the legitimacy and responsibilities of diversity management.

The cruise sector's workforce is highly diverse in terms of nationalities, age, and gender. However, diversity in the workforce does not guarantee business success.

Decades of research on the effects of diversity indicate that it can negatively or positively affect an organization's performance. A more diverse workforce does not automatically perform better financially, feels more committed to their companies, nor experiences higher levels of satisfaction. Indeed, data suggest diversity may produce more conflict, employee turnover, but if well managed can lead to greater creativity and innovation.

This chapter explores the cruise industry's diversity and inclusion challenges and management practices. To examine what cruise companies are doing in this field, we reviewed the public data of the four largest cruise companies. We analyzed how these companies define diversity, their commitment to inclusion, their practices, their metrics, and their primary objectives.

Firstly, there is no theoretical model that includes all variables that affect the management of diversity in the cruise sector. Secondly, companies communicate a commitment to inclusion in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports and refer to similar policies implemented by the hospitality industry. Thirdly, the main challenges are the multicultural environment and the limited female representation.

The major limitation of this study is the data source. We recommend further studies supported by nonpublic company data. We encourage cruise industry leaders to support the research to develop an empirically tested model that captures the specific variables that affect diversity management in the industry.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of commercially available iron–aluminum alloy compared to copper, iron and aluminum powders on the tribological performances of friction composites. The main objective is to replace copper from the friction composite formulations.

In this study, friction composites were fabricated as of standard brake pads using commercially available iron–aluminum alloy and compared to copper powder, iron powder and aluminum powder-based without varying the other ingredients. The brake pads were developed as per the industrial procedure. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the developed brake pads were analyzed as per industrial standards. Tribological properties were analyzed using the chase test. Initial speed and deceleration tests in a real-time braking scenario were performed using a full-scale inertia brake dynamometer. Worn surface analysis was done using a scanning electron microscope.

The results indicate that iron–aluminum alloy (mechanomade)-based friction composites possess good physical, chemical, thermal and mechanical properties with stable fade and recovery characteristics due to its composition and flake morphology. During initial speed and deceleration braking conditions, iron–aluminum alloy also showed good tribological behavior.

This paper explains the influence of commercially available iron–aluminum alloy in friction composites in enhancing tribological performance by its composition and flake morphology, which could potentially replace copper in friction composites by solving subsequent problems.

Despite a growing body of research focusing on the dark side of sharing economy development, arguments are fragmented and incomplete. This study aims to address the gap by integrating existing viewpoints based on a provider’s perspective.

This study conducted a bibliometric analysis using text mining and clustering algorithm techniques to measure the scope of scientific output on this topic and identify the main research themes.

Through the bibliometric analysis, this study developed an integrative framework based on the platform providers’ internal management issues and external conflicts with consumers, society, government regulations and traditional business. It also identified significant gaps within each research theme and proposed a future research agenda.

Sharing economy development has not yet been fully understood and regulated, leading to unprecedented challenges to existing business systems. The study addresses knowledge gaps and advances the understanding of the dark side of the sharing economy based on the provider’s internal management and interplay with external forces. It offers a roadmap for future research to advance understanding of the “hidden” dark side of the sharing economy.