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The tension variations across the width of the weaver's beam cause uneven tension in the fabric formation zone. As a result of the tension variation, the woven fabric tends to have fabric defects, such as non-uniform fabric density and differential dye take–up at various places on the fabric. As the warp ends are continuously subjected to varying tensions, warp breakage frequently occurs. As a result, the quality of the fabric produced suffers and there is reduced loom efficiency. However, uniformity in the fabric density is crucial, especially for technical and smart textiles. In this paper, the authors have attempted to model the varyingtensions across different segments of a warp sheet under a set of assumptions and derived a linear model. Furthermore, a prototype of an automatic tension control device is instrumentedwith two different positions which are located one meter apart and allows the tension variations across the warp-sheet to be practically observed. The measured average tension shows that variations in the internal tension on different segments of the warp-sheet can be minimized or even completely eliminated over time. With the implementation of a related experiment, the authors have shown the effectiveness of this automatic tension controller and its strong implications for the industry.

The present study aims to identify significant barriers to adopting prefabricated construction (PFC) in developing economies using a study in Sri Lanka and develop an integrated strategy framework to mitigate and overcome the obstacles.

The research process included a comprehensive literature review, a pilot study, a questionnaire survey for data collection, statistical analysis and a qualitative content analysis.

Ranking method revealed that all 23 barriers were significant. Top significant barriers include challenges in prefabricated component transportation, high capital investment costs and lack of awareness of the benefits of PFC among owners/developers. Factor analysis clustered six barrier categories (BCs) that fit the barrier factors, explaining 71.22% of the cumulative variance. Fuzzy synthetic evaluation revealed that all BCs significantly influence PFC adoption in Sri Lanka. Finally, the proposed mitigation strategies were mapped with barriers to complete the integrated framework.

The study outcomes are relevant to construction industry stakeholders of Sri Lanka, who are keen to enhance construction efficiencies. The implications can also benefit construction industry stakeholders and policymakers to formulate policies and regulations and identify mitigation solutions.

The study provides deeper insights into the challenges to adopting prefabrication in South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the integrated framework is a novel contribution that can be used to derive actions to mitigate barriers in developing economies.

Motorcycle is one of the popular modes of transport in developing countries. However, the statistics related to accidents show that motorcycles are the most vulnerable vehicles. Research studies have revealed that half of all the possible types of motorcycle injuries could be reduced or prevented using effective protective clothing. Facts and figures emphasize that this is high time to develop a safety jacket for motorbike riders. This paper aims to develop an innovative, integrated automatic air-inflated tubeless jacket to prevent major injuries in fatal accidents.

Two accelerometers integrated near the front axle, an angle sensor and the electronic control unit (ECU) were used to detect the collision or accident. The sensors were fixed on the bike and connected with the ECU via a bluetooth device that was always at the activated stage. The fused sensors were emulated with the ECU under laboratory conditions. The trigger signal generated by the crash discriminant algorithm triggered the chemical reaction to generate N2 gas and inflate the tubeless safety jacket.

Under laboratory conditions, it was found that the signal generated by the ECU unit ejected approximately 15 litres of N2 gas in volume to fill the jacket within 100 milliseconds, which was less than the approximate estimated falling time of the rider 120 milliseconds.

The existing developments of airbag systems in motorbikes are mounted on the motorbikes' frame, following the airbag systems in automobiles. These developments cannot fully protect the rider due to differentiation in crash dynamics and respective positions of the rider at the point of impact. Though few safety jackets and airbag vests are developed, the airbag deployment is activated when rider and motorbike separated during a collision using a tether-triggering mechanism. The authors designed the jacket so that inflation is activated not only by crash sensors but also on the fusion of multiple sensors based on a crash discriminative algorithm. The airbag deployment mechanism is incorporated with the jacket and acts as a safety jacket during a collision.

This study aims to investigate how the individual-focused transformational leadership effect of transformational leadership impacts the team member’s individual work performance through the intermediary mechanisms of work engagement and regulatory focus.

A moderated mediation model was analyzed through PLS-SEM by using a sample of 462 team members across diverse work teams in Sri Lankan organizations.

Results revealed that individual-focused transformational leadership positively impacts the team member’s individual work performance through the mediation of the team member’s work engagement. The direct relationship between individual-focused transformational leadership and the team member’s work engagement was found to be positively moderated by the team member’s promotion regulatory focus.

This paper demonstrates implications for team designing and leadership development and highlights the importance of team leaders utilizing individual-focused transformational leadership to gain improved work performance from each team member.

This study provides empirical evidence for the mediating role of work engagement and the moderating role of promotion regulatory focus in deriving the team member’s work performance, which contributes to constructing a more refined profile of individual-focused transformational leadership.

This chapter delved into the multifaceted landscape of construction partnering, exploring its key aspects, promotion factors, and associated challenges. It examined how partnering principles are applied in various construction contexts, including stealth construction, where integration of advanced technologies and collaborative practices is pivotal. Moreover, it highlighted the significance of partnering in addressing crucial considerations such as environmental protection, health and safety, project delivery duration, aesthetics, and economy during and after the construction phase. Through collaborative efforts and shared responsibilities, construction partnering emerges as a cornerstone for achieving excellence and sustainability in the built environment.

Previous studies have argued that improvement in organizational performance though change management processes is grounded in external knowledge acquisition and assimilation. However, there is ambiguity in how existing knowledge, in the form of intellectual capital (IC), is mobilized in this context. In response, this paper develops a context-based mediator model depicting the relationship between IC processes, absorptive capacity (AC) and organizational performance following the introduction of external knowledge.

A qualitative longitudinal case study approach is adopted, collecting data over three phases of a quality improvement program over a three-year period.

With the development of relational capital facilitated thorough changes in the work environment and the structured enhancement of knowledge-processing capabilities, the study identified the mediating role of AC on the relationship between IC mobilization and improved organizational performance.

Whilst there have been studies of relationships between IC and organization performance, to the best of the “authors” knowledge, this is one the few empirical studies to explore associations between IC types, existing knowledge sharing processes and IC mobilization, mediated by the AC of a firm, to exploit external knowledge.

The construction industry is responsible for over 30% of natural resource extraction and 25% of global waste generation. Modular construction (MC) offers an opportunity to move towards a circular economy (CE), enhancing the value at the end-of-life stage through reuse and disassembly. However, a gap remains, prohibiting the full realisation of this potential. This study aims to bridge this gap by developing a strategic framework that enhances the end-of-life value of MBs by integrating CE principles by investigating key parameters, identifying relevant CE principles and formulating integration strategies to maximise their effectiveness.

This study adopts a qualitative research approach, using two Delphi rounds with experts selected through purposive sampling. The qualitative data were analysed using manual content analysis.

The research identifies six parameters that influence the end-of-life value of MBs and aligns them with suitable CE 9R principles. In total, 41 strategies are provided for integrating these principles with 6 parameters to enhance the end-of-life value of MBs.

The study findings present a systematic approach to integrating CE principles to enhance the end-of-life value of MBs. Identifying specific strategies integrating CE principles for each key parameter distinguishes it from previous research, which often lacks this level of focus on end-of-life parameter-specific strategies. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the practical application of CE concepts in MC. Further, it offers practical strategies for enhancing the end-of-life value of MB to promote a sustainable built environment.