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1 – 10 of 18Shengnan Liu, Philip Hallinger and Daming Feng
In this era of global education reform, teacher professional learning (TPL) has emerged as a key factor in efforts to create sustainable school improvement. The same holds in…
Abstract
Purpose
In this era of global education reform, teacher professional learning (TPL) has emerged as a key factor in efforts to create sustainable school improvement. The same holds in Mainland China where ambitious curriculum reforms have been undertaken since 2000. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of learning-centered leadership (LCL) and teacher trust (TT) in fostering TPL in Chinese schools. More specifically, the authors examined two research questions: (1) What is the nature of the relationship of LCL to TT and professional learning?; and (2) How LCL practices influence TT and professional learning.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed a cross-sectional survey design. The authors collected survey data from 1,259 teachers in 41 primary and secondary schools in three different Chinese provinces. The research employed confirmatory factor analysis to confirm the measurement model and structural equation modeling to examine interactions among the three main variables.
Findings
The results affirmed a positive association between LCL and TPL, and highlighted TT as a significant mediator in this relationship. Additional analyses distinguished between the effects of different dimensions of LCL on TT and TPL. Although the results of these analyses were broadly consistent with prior findings reported in the literature, divergent findings also emerged. More specifically, there was a limited use and no significant impact of “leadership modeling” on either TT or professional learning.
Research limitations/implications
The authors suggest that this pattern of leadership practice is linked with features of China’s institutional cum socio-cultural context. The authors recommend the use of qualitative and mixed methods studies capable of gaining further insight into relationships.
Practical implications
These findings in Mainland China reaffirm the efficacy of school-level leadership that builds a safe, trusting but focussed environment for teacher learning in the workplace. This is a potentially significant finding in a society where the use of top-down directives and reliance on legitimate authority by leaders can rob teachers of the motivation and initiative that undergirds sustainable professional learning. The findings, in concert with those of other scholars, suggest that “building trust” represents a useful strategy for principals who seek to establish productive learning environments for their teachers.
Originality/value
The value of this study lies in two areas. First, this is one of a growing but still limited set of quantitative empirical studies of school leadership in Mainland China. Second, the study tests the nature of mediation in the relationship between leadership, trust and TPL, a topic of relatively recent vintage in the educational leadership literature.
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Gehan Wishwajith Premathilake, Hongxiu Li, Chenglong Li, Yong Liu and Shengnan Han
Humanoid social robots (HSRs) are an innovative technology revitalizing various service sectors, such as the hospitality industry. However, limited research has explored how…
Abstract
Purpose
Humanoid social robots (HSRs) are an innovative technology revitalizing various service sectors, such as the hospitality industry. However, limited research has explored how anthropomorphic features of HSRs influence user satisfaction with the services delivered by HSRs. To address this, a research model was proposed to evaluate how three distinct anthropomorphic features: appearance, voice and response, impact the perceived values (i.e. utilitarian, social and hedonic values) of HSRs, which, in turn, influence user satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from an online survey of hotel customers was utilized to test the research model (N = 509).
Findings
The results indicated that appearance, voice, and response affect perceived utilitarian, hedonic and social values differently. The response feature of HSRs demonstrated the strongest impact on perceived utilitarian, social and hedonic values. In addition, voice affected all three perceived values, while appearance only affected perceived utilitarian and social values. Furthermore, perceived utilitarian, hedonic and social values showed positive impacts on user satisfaction, with hedonic value being the most influential factor.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on HSRs and anthropomorphism by explaining how different anthropomorphic features affect users’ value perceptions and user satisfaction with HSR services by utilizing the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework.
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Pui Yee Chan, Phaik Kin Cheah and Yuen Onn Choong
This research aimed to investigate how learning-centered leadership influences teachers’ self-efficacy, with a focus on the mediating role of teachers’ professional learning in…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aimed to investigate how learning-centered leadership influences teachers’ self-efficacy, with a focus on the mediating role of teachers’ professional learning in Malaysian national secondary schools. Given the continuously evolving educational environment and the integration of technology, teachers’ self-efficacy is of utmost importance.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for this study were collected from a sample of 430 secondary school teachers in Malaysia, and the analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The research revealed significant relationships between variables: learning-centered leadership positively related to teachers’ professional learning, which, in turn, positively influences teachers’ self-efficacy. Interestingly, the study found that the direct relationship between learning-centered leadership and teachers’ self-efficacy was not significant. These findings highlight the crucial mediating role of teachers’ professional learning in the relationship between learning-centered leadership and teachers’ self-efficacy.
Originality/value
These findings provide important insights into the factors that enhance teachers’ self-efficacy and competence, especially within the dynamic environment of schools.
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Xiaohui Dou, Yadong Li, Xinwei Zhang, Shengnan Wang, Yang Cheng, Wanpeng Yao, Dalei Zhang and Yan Li
The purpose of this study is to characterize the galvanic corrosion behavior of a simulated X80 pipeline steel welded joint (PSWJ) reconstructed by the wire beam electrode (WBE…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to characterize the galvanic corrosion behavior of a simulated X80 pipeline steel welded joint (PSWJ) reconstructed by the wire beam electrode (WBE) and numerical simulation methods.
Design/methodology/approach
The galvanic corrosion of an X80 PSWJ was studied using WBE and numerical simulation methods. The microstructures of the coarse-grained heat affected zone, fine-grained heat affected zone and intercritical heat affected zone were simulated in X80 pipeline steel via Gleeble thermomechanical simulation processing.
Findings
Comparing the corrosion current density of coupled and isolated weld metal (WM), base metal (BM) and heat-affected zone (HAZ), the coupled WM exhibited a higher corrosion current density than isolated WM; the coupled BM and HAZ exhibited lower corrosion current densities than isolated BM and HAZ. The results exhibited that the maximum anodic galvanic current fitted the Gumbel distribution. Moreover, the numerical simulation results agreed well with the experimental data.
Originality/value
This study provides insight into corrosion evaluation of heterogeneous welded joints by a combination of experiment and simulation. The method of reconstruction of the welded joint has been proven to be a feasible approach for studying the corrosion behavior of the X80 PSWJ with high spatial resolution.
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Yong Liu, Shengnan Han and Hongxiu Li
By surveying current literature, the purposes of this paper are twofold: to identify current situation of mobile learning (m‐learning) adoption and specify the challenges and to…
Abstract
Purpose
By surveying current literature, the purposes of this paper are twofold: to identify current situation of mobile learning (m‐learning) adoption and specify the challenges and to identify the factors driving m‐learning adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews literature related to: m‐learning applications and challenging issues and adoption researches on m‐learning and related topics. A reflection on the unique nature of m‐learning adoption building upon the literature reviewed contributes to a new conceptual model.
Findings
Even if m‐learning is fast evolving, the review of literature reveals a challenge as to how to promote m‐learning adoption. In this light, the paper extends the scope of literature reviewed to the theories and factors relating to different roles m‐learning users have into consideration, namely, technology user, consumer and learner, in an attempt to offer a more complete understanding of m‐learning adoption. Insights are drawn from the proposed model.
Practical implications
A number of m‐learning projects have been initiated worldwide while guidelines drawing from m‐learning adoption research are in short supply. A research in this regard will contribute to a better understanding of developing acceptable m‐learning service.
Originality/value
Based on a literature review, the paper not only specifies the current situation of m‐learning adoption, but also develops factors influencing m‐learning adoption to enrich our understanding of m‐learning adoption – which help to facilitate and promote future empirical research.
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Shengnan Zeng, Richard Bailey, Shuo Peng and Xiaohui Chen
This paper aims to explore how the term “mental health literacy” (MHL) is defined and understand the implications for public mental health and educational interventions.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore how the term “mental health literacy” (MHL) is defined and understand the implications for public mental health and educational interventions.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive search was conducted by searching PubMed, ERIC, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science. Keywords such as “mental health literacy” and “definition” were used. The publication year ranges from 1997 to 2023.
Findings
In total, 17 papers met the inclusion criteria. Three distinct themes characterise the definitions of MHL: cognitive understanding; affective empowerment; and behavioural change. In the mental health educational context, inspiration, transformation and practice can be viewed as three stages for curriculum development.
Research limitations/implications
Despite conducting a systematic literature review, there remains the possibility that certain relevant studies may not have been identified. Specifically, the selection criteria prioritise papers that explicitly addressed MHL.
Practical implications
Traditional educational approaches prioritise knowledge dissemination and attitude change; integrating MHL into mental health well-being curriculum advocates for action-oriented intervention to address mental health challenges.
Social implications
Understanding different definitions and concepts in a field can be valuable for consolidating shared understandings, highlighting tensions and contradictions, and enhancing communication among researchers. Ironically, perhaps, the process also highlights the provisional nature of these definitions.
Originality/value
The exploration of MHL with three themes of definitions sheds light on the understanding of this concept. Three core themes in MHL definitions guide future curriculum development. This study underscores the importance of prioritise action-oriented intervention in mental health education, emphasising the need to move beyond knowledge dissemination towards transformative practices that promote holistic mental well-being.
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Mahmut Polatcan, Nedim Özdemir, Ali Çağatay Kılınç, Sally J. Zepeda and Salih Çevik
This study tested a moderated mediation model of school leadership effects on teacher instructional practices. Specifically, the authors focused on the mediating effect of teacher…
Abstract
Purpose
This study tested a moderated mediation model of school leadership effects on teacher instructional practices. Specifically, the authors focused on the mediating effect of teacher professional communities and the moderating effect of instructional climate on the relationship between school leadership and teacher instructional practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected data from 958 teachers working in 72 middle and high schools in Türkiye and employed multilevel structural equation modelling (MSEM) with Bayesian estimation to predict structural links between the study variables.
Findings
Results affirmed a full mediation model where school leadership practices exerted indirect effects on teacher instructional practices through promoting teacher professional communities. The authors also found significant moderating role of instructional climate in the effect of school leadership on teacher professional communities and instructional practices.
Originality/value
This study illuminates the contextualized nature of school leadership by concluding that the effect of school leadership on teacher professional communities and instructional practices is closely tied to the extent to which a high-quality instructional climate is established in schools.
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Yangtao Xing, Fugang Zhai, Shengnan Li, Xiaonan Wang and Zhiqiang He
This study aims to investigate the causes of leakage in radial oil seals under dynamic eccentricity, elucidate the influence of operating parameters on leakage failure and develop…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the causes of leakage in radial oil seals under dynamic eccentricity, elucidate the influence of operating parameters on leakage failure and develop methods for predicting and preventing such leakage.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the principle of cam motion and considering viscoelasticity, develops a motion model of the compression and release of the shaft seal and proposes a method to determine its failure. In addition, this study quantifies the leakage gap and formulates a quantitative calculation model to accurately determine the location and shape parameters of the leakage gap.
Findings
Leakage gaps predominantly occur during the release phase of the shaft seal. Their presence can be identified by comparing the descending times of the seal and the shaft during this phase. An increase in rotation speed and eccentricity heightens the likelihood of gap formation, with both the dimensions and leakage rate of the gap increasing as these factors escalate. Eccentricity, in particular, has a more pronounced effect on gap formation.
Originality/value
This study clarifies the failure mechanisms of radial oil seals under dynamic eccentricity and introduces a criterion for identifying leakage gaps, providing valuable theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of radial oil seals.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2024-0192/.
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Fugang Zhai, Shengnan Li and Yangtao Xing
This paper aims to study the motion trajectory of the oil seal for shaft in eccentric state and derive equation of lip motion trajectory.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the motion trajectory of the oil seal for shaft in eccentric state and derive equation of lip motion trajectory.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper analyzes the force during the motion of the eccentric lip by considering the material viscoelasticity, and a cam-plate mechanism is established as an equivalent model for the motion between the shaft and the lip; according to this, the equation of lip motion trajectory is derived.
Findings
The trajectory of the lip lags that of the shaft in the eccentric state because the viscoelasticity-affected lip recovery velocity is lower than the shaft recovery speed. The lip trajectory enters the lag phase earlier and the lag phase’s duration is longer with the increase of the eccentricity and rotational speed, because the deviation of the recovery velocities between the lip and the shaft will be exacerbated.
Originality/value
Innovatively, by considering the viscoelasticity of the material, the cam-plate mechanism is used to equivalent the motion of the shaft-lip to derive the equation for the radial motion trajectory of the eccentric lip. The regularity of lip motion is the key to determining the performance of oil seals, and the eccentric lip trajectory research method revealed in this paper provides a research basis for the performance research and optimization of eccentric oil seals.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-06-2023-0161/
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Shengnan Han, Ville Harkke, Par Landor Ruggero and Rossi de Mio
The advent of the 3G world of mobile commerce has suffered from the wait‐and‐see mode over the last years. Existing barriers pose a challenge to all actors in the mobile commerce…
Abstract
The advent of the 3G world of mobile commerce has suffered from the wait‐and‐see mode over the last years. Existing barriers pose a challenge to all actors in the mobile commerce industry (MCI). Learning from the future and discovering a route to a desired future are keys to successful mobile commerce business. In this paper we argue that it is very important that all actors in the MCI use an industry foresight approach in order to discover a successful route to future markets. We present a framework for creating industry foresights and for understanding the future of mobile commerce. We focus on the mobile commerce industry as a whole and introduce two broad variables; (1) adoption and diffusion of mobile commerce products and services; and (2) the macro‐economic development trend. Based on these variables we build four foresight scenarios: Rapid‐Up, Rapid‐Down, Slow‐Down and Slow‐Up. On the basis of these four different scenarios we suggest some features of promising mobile commerce products and services. We are using information‐gathering agents in order to collect information for our analysis. The foresight framework will help all actors understand the future for m‐commerce.