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Article
Publication date: 15 April 2020

Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap, Wen Jie Leong and Martin Skitmore

Teamwork in the construction industry has attracted much attention from both academic and industrial circles. Most importantly, improving team effectiveness will increase the…

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Abstract

Purpose

Teamwork in the construction industry has attracted much attention from both academic and industrial circles. Most importantly, improving team effectiveness will increase the likelihood of successful project delivery. Recognising the factors influencing team dynamics is important for enhanced team performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a detailed literature review, a survey questionnaire containing 10 aspects and 25 attributes of teamwork relevant to construction is used to collect feedback from Malaysian construction practitioners from client, consultant and contractor organisations to prioritise these hypothesised variables. The data are then subjected to reliability analysis, descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and frequencies), a one-sample t-test, the Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA and exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

The significance of these aspects and attributes is then presented. The three most crucial aspects are “project performance”, “decision-making capability” and “problem-solving ability”. The most influential attributes are “effective communication between project team members”, “efficient team leadership”, “well-defined team responsibilities and roles”, “clear team goals and objectives” and “good collaboration between all project leaders”. The Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA reveals five attributes having statistically significant differences with respect to company size, namely “clear team goals and objectives”, “commitment to the project”, “adequate resources”, “team or task processes” and “creativity and innovation”. Six underlying dimensions are found, comprising (1) participative engagement and task commitment; (2) team responsibility structure and accountability; (3) culture of trust and respect; (4) leader's skills and abilities; (5) top management support; and (6) synergic working environment.

Practical implications

The identification of these dimensions for team effectiveness provides rigorous basis for formulating useful team-building strategies for integrating a collaborative environment among project stakeholders and consequently improving project performance.

Originality/value

This paper bridges the identified knowledge gap concerning the dimensionality of teamwork attributes in construction-based setting and adds to existing knowledge of how team effectiveness can be leveraged to improve project performance in the construction management literature.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 27 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 25 November 2019

Jiani Jiang, Bruce A. Huhmann and Michael R. Hyman

The purpose of this paper is to investigate masculinity in Chinese social media marketing for global luxury fashion brands through two studies.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate masculinity in Chinese social media marketing for global luxury fashion brands through two studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 compares physical characteristics of males in visually oriented US (Instagram) and Chinese (Weibo) social media posts promoting global luxury fashion magazine brands (e.g. Vogue, Cosmopolitan, GQ and Esquire). Study 2 examines the prevalence of and Chinese consumers’ responses (reposts, comments and likes) to different masculinities depicted in luxury fashion brand-sponsored Weibo posts.

Findings

Male portrayals for Chinese audiences feature more characteristics associated with emerging East Asian hybrid masculinities – “Little Fresh Meat” (LFM) and “Old Grilled Meat” (OGM) – than associated with global or regional hegemonic masculinity (i.e. the scholarly Wén and action-oriented Wu). Wén remains common in social media posts for luxury fashion goods, but LFM and OGM engender more consumer responses.

Practical implications

Chinese luxury fashion marketing depicts masculinity more similarly to other East Asian marketing than to Western marketing. Some luxury fashion brands are struggling for acceptance among Chinese youth. Luxury fashion marketers should incorporate hybrid rather than hegemonic masculinities to prompt more favorable responses among Chinese consumers, especially younger female target markets.

Originality/value

Growing female occupational and consumer power and shifting male employment from blue-collar to white-collar jobs have influenced media portrayals of masculinity. Social media marketing for luxury fashion brands demonstrates the prevalence and appeal of hybrid masculinities in China.

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Article
Publication date: 26 September 2008

Wen Zeng, Feng Lin, Tingchun Shi, Renji Zhang, Yongyan Nian, Jie Ruan and Tianrui Zhou

In plastic reconstruction surgeries, total auricular reconstruction for microtia is a real challenge. Presently, autogenous costal cartilage and MEDPOR are the chosen materials…

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Abstract

Purpose

In plastic reconstruction surgeries, total auricular reconstruction for microtia is a real challenge. Presently, autogenous costal cartilage and MEDPOR are the chosen materials but none can satisfy the requirements of orthopaedic operation. The purpose of this paper is to examine how to fabricate an ear scaffold with a good shape.

Design/methodology/approach

A new approach to form the auricle framework is described. CT scan data of the patient's contralateral “good ear” are used to generate a 3D reconstruction model of the new ear. This model is then imported into rapid prototyping (RP) software to slice. The sliced data drive the fused deposition modeling (FDM) machine to build the ear framework layer by layer. Based on the actual shape of the computer model, FDM technology produces a real feel ear framework to match the size of the opposite good ear.

Findings

An artificial human ear was built using FDM technology based on CT images. The auricular framework with polyurethane was a porous structure with good flexibility and biocompatibility. After implanting into the mouse, a real life human ear appeared on the back of the mouse. The experiment indicated that this method provided an efficient way to macrotia reconstruction.

Originality/value

The freeform fabrication technique combined with CT image reconstruction could provide an efficient way to produce a porous structure and solve the framework carving problem in microtia reconstruction.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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Article
Publication date: 20 June 2016

Wei Zhu, Chunze Yan, Yunsong Shi, Shifeng Wen, Changjun Han, Chao Cai, Jie Liu and Yusheng Shi

Semi-crystalline polymers such as polyamide-12 can be used for selective laser sintering (SLS) to make near-fully dense plastic parts. At present, however, the types of…

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Abstract

Purpose

Semi-crystalline polymers such as polyamide-12 can be used for selective laser sintering (SLS) to make near-fully dense plastic parts. At present, however, the types of semi-crystalline polymers suitable for SLS are critically limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the processibility of a new kind of semi-crystalline polypropylene (PP) with low isotacticity for SLS process.

Design/methodology/approach

The SLS processibility of the PP powder, including particle size and shape, sintering window, degree of crystallinity and degradation temperature, was evaluated. Effects of the applied laser energy density on the surface micromorphology, density, tensile strength and thermal properties of SLS-built PP specimens were studied.

Findings

The results show that the PP powder has a nearly spherical shape, smooth surfaces, an appropriate average particle size of 63.6 μm, a broad sintering window of 21 oC and low crystalline degree of 30.4 per cent comparable to that of polyamide-12, a high degradation temperature of 381.8°C and low part bed temperature of 105°C, indicating a very good SLS processibility. The density and the tensile strength first increase with increasing laser energy density until they reach the maximum values of 0.831 g/cm3 and 19.9 MPa, respectively, at the laser energy density of 0.0458 J/mm2, and then decrease when the applied laser energy density continue to increase owing to the degradation of PP powders. The complex PP components have been manufactured by SLS using the optimum parameters, which are strong enough to be directly used as functional parts.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new knowledge for this field that low-isotacticity PPs exhibit good SLS processibility, therefore increasing material types and broadening the application of SLS technology.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 22 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Sheau-yueh Janey Chao

This article was based on the information from The 5th International Conference of Institutes and Libraries for Chinese Overseas Studies held in the University of British Columbia…

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Abstract

Purpose

This article was based on the information from The 5th International Conference of Institutes and Libraries for Chinese Overseas Studies held in the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada in which the author was a presenter in session 4.2.9a of the Early life of Yuan Shikai and the formation of Yuan family. The paper aims to include comprehensive analysis and development of the history of Chinese migration. An annotated bibliography of suggested readings was offered to highlight the subject knowledge for further research in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes comprehensive analysis and development of the history of Chinese migration and the experiences and family histories of overseas Chinese in Canada. An annotated bibliography of suggested readings was offered to highlight the subject knowledge for further research in this area.

Findings

The paper offers full description and comprehensive analysis of the history of Chinese migration and overseas Chinese studies in Canada. A bbibliography of suggested readings was offered for further research in this area.

Research limitations/implications

This research study has a strong subject focus on Chinese migration, overseas Chinese studies, and resource-sharing in the subject area. It is a specific field for research in Asian studies.

Practical implications

The result of this study will assist students, researchers, and the general public in the area of overseas Chinese studies and developing their interests in the social and historical value of Chinese migration history and resource-sharing in the area.

Originality/value

Very little research has been done in the area of Chinese migration and historical development. The paper would offer historians, sociologists, ethnologists, librarians, administrations, professors, as well as students in the fields of Asian history, anthropology, sociology, political science, geography, and other Asian-related interdisciplinary studies.

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Article
Publication date: 8 October 2020

Mingkang Zhang, Yongqiang Yang, Wentao Qin, Shibiao Wu, Jie Chen and Changhui Song

This study aims to focus on the optimized design and mechanical properties of gradient triply periodic minimal surface cellular structures manufactured by selective laser melting.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the optimized design and mechanical properties of gradient triply periodic minimal surface cellular structures manufactured by selective laser melting.

Design/methodology/approach

Uniform and gradient IWP and primitive cellular structures have been designed by the optimized function in MATLAB, and selective laser melting technology was applied to manufacture these cellular structures. Finite element analysis was applied to optimize the pinch-off problem, and compressive tests were carried out for the evaluation of mechanical properties of gradient cellular structures.

Findings

Finite element analysis shows that the elastic modulus of IWP increased as design parameter b increased, and then decreased when parameter b is higher than 5.5. The highest elastic modulus of primitive increased by 89.2% when parameter b is 6. The compressive behavior of gradient IWP and primitive shows a layer-by-layer way, and elastic modulus and first maximum compressive strength of gradient primitive are higher than that of gradient IWP. The effective energy absorption of gradient cellular structures increased as the average porosity decreased, and the effective energy absorption of gradient primitive is about twice than that of gradient IWP.

Originality/value

This paper presents an optimized design method for the pinch-off problem of gradient triply periodic minimal surface cellular structures.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 26 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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Article
Publication date: 21 August 2009

Wen‐Yi Sit, Keng‐Boon Ooi, Binshan Lin and Alain Yee‐Loong Chong

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices and customer satisfaction (CS) as perceived by managers' perspectives…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices and customer satisfaction (CS) as perceived by managers' perspectives in Malaysia's service sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are collected from 140 managers of Malaysia's service firms. The structural analysis is conducted to test the hypotheses in this paper.

Findings

Results reveal that leadership, customer focus, information and analysis, and human resource focus are found to have significant and positive association with CS as perceived by Malaysian service sector's managers.

Research limitations/implications

There are a few limitations for this paper. First, the time sequence of the relationships between the variables could not be determined since cross‐sectional data are used. Second, this paper is confined only to service industry. Lastly, the paper is only focused on managers instead of study employees at different hierarchical levels.

Practical implications

This paper serves as a valuable guideline for top management to review their TQM programs and conduct assessments on a regular basis in order to facilitate CS within their organizations.

Originality/value

This paper shows the importance of TQM in contributing to CS within the service context which is not studied in many past researches. This paper only looks at TQM practices from the Malaysian service industries. As Malaysia is a developing country which is moving towards the service sector, this paper will help many organizations that are in other fast growing developing nations which are moving towards the service industry.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 109 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

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Article
Publication date: 21 January 2025

Frank Nana Kweku Otoo, Prince Nti Adjei Junior, George Aboagye Agyeman and Regina Bekoe

Learning capability improves knowledge resources fosters innovative capabilities and firm competitiveness. The study aims to examine the human resource management (HRM) practice…

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Abstract

Purpose

Learning capability improves knowledge resources fosters innovative capabilities and firm competitiveness. The study aims to examine the human resource management (HRM) practice and employee creativity relationship using organizational learning capability (OLC) as a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 67 small-sized and 96 medium-sized firms. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to establish construct validity and reliability. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the proposed model and hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that performance appraisal and employee creativity were positively related. Employee participation and employee creativity were positively related. Compensation and employee creativity were nonsignificantly related. OLC mediates the performance appraisal and employee creativity relationship. Similarly, OLC mediates the employee participation and employee creativity relationship. However, OLC did not mediate the compensation and employee creativity relationship.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the research’s SME focus and cross-sectional data, the finding’s generalizability will be constrained.

Practical implications

The findings of the study would be useful to policymakers, stakeholders and management of SMEs in developing a supportive learning climate that promotes experiential and continuous learning cultures to ensure strategic capabilities, sustainable competitive advantage and innovativeness.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the extant literature on OLC, HRM practices and employee creativity by empirically evidencing that OLC mediates the performance appraisal, employee participation and employee creativity relationship.

Details

African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-0705

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 16 September 2019

Shijie Jiang, Yannick Siyajeu, Yinfang Shi, Shengbo Zhu and He Li

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of applied vibration in improving the forming quality (mechanical property and dynamics characteristics) of fused…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of applied vibration in improving the forming quality (mechanical property and dynamics characteristics) of fused filament fabrication (FFF) parts.

Design/methodology/approach

A vibrating FFF three-dimensional printer was set up, with which the samples fabricated in different directions were manufactured separately without and with vibration applied. A series of experimental tests, including tensile tests, dynamics tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests, were performed on these samples to experimentally quantify the effect of applied vibration on their forming quality.

Findings

It has been found that the applied vibration can significantly increase the tensile strength and plasticity of the samples built in Z-direction, and obviously decrease the orthogonal anisotropy. It can also significantly change the sample’s natural frequency, decrease the resonant response and increase the modal damping ratio, thus improve the anti-vibration capability of FFF samples. In addition, the SEM analysis confirmed that applying vibration into FFF process could improve the forming quality of the fabricated part.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may be focused on investigating the efficiency of applied vibration in improving the forming quality of parts fabricated by the other additive manufacturing techniques.

Practical implications

This study helps to improve the reliability of FFF parts and extend the application range of FFF technology.

Originality/value

A novel method to improve the forming quality of FFF parts is provided and the available information about the performance of dynamics characteristics.

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Article
Publication date: 20 December 2024

Zijun Lin, Chaoqun Ma, Olaf Weber and Yi-Shuai Ren

The purpose of this study is to map the intellectual structure of sustainable finance and accounting (SFA) literature by identifying the influential aspects, main research streams…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to map the intellectual structure of sustainable finance and accounting (SFA) literature by identifying the influential aspects, main research streams and future research directions in SFA.

Design/methodology/approach

The results are obtained using bibliometric citation analysis and content analysis to conduct a bibliometric review of the intersection of sustainable finance and sustainable accounting using a sample of 795 articles published between 1991 and November 2023.

Findings

The most influential factors in the SFA literature are identified, highlighting three primary areas of research: corporate social responsibility and environmental disclosure; financial and economic performance; and regulations and standards.

Practical implications

SFA has experienced rapid development in recent years. The results identify the current research domain, guide potential future research directions, serve as a reference for SFA and provide inspiration to policymakers.

Social implications

SFA typically encompasses sustainable corporate business practices and investments. This study contributes to broader social impacts by promoting improved corporate practices and sustainability.

Originality/value

This study expands on previous research on SFA. The authors identify significant aspects of the SFA literature, such as the most studied nations, leading journals, authors and trending publications. In addition, the authors provide an overview of the three major streams of the SFA literature and propose various potential future research directions, inspiring both academic research and policymaking.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

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