Xinxin Fu, Yanjun Chen, Minggang Sun and Tengjiang Yu
The service performance for colored asphalt pavement is inevitably affected by the addition of different colorants, especially the challenge of low temperature environment in cold…
Abstract
Purpose
The service performance for colored asphalt pavement is inevitably affected by the addition of different colorants, especially the challenge of low temperature environment in cold regions. Therefore, the purpose of study is to explore the effects of different colorants on the service performance for colored asphalt pavement and to provide a foundation for improving the applicability of colored asphalt pavement in cold regions.
Design/methodology/approach
In the study, three kinds of colorants (iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide green) were used to compare the influence of different colorants amounts and different colorants kinds on the service performance for colored asphalt pavement in cold regions. According to the characteristics of low temperature in cold regions, the effects of different colorants on the low temperature performance for colored asphalt pavement were studied.
Findings
The study shows that different colorants have different effects on the service performance of colored asphalt pavement. The high temperature performance increases with the increase of the colorants amount, but the low temperature performance is opposite. Additionally, the yellow colored asphalt pavement has more advantages of low temperature adaptation than the red and green colored asphalt pavement.
Originality/value
The study results provide a certain theoretical foundation for the application of colored asphalt pavement in cold regions and have certain value and significance for the further development of colored asphalt pavement.
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Social participation (SP) has been shown to have a favorable impact on health status, particularly among elders in developed countries. However, empirical study is scarce for…
Abstract
Purpose
Social participation (SP) has been shown to have a favorable impact on health status, particularly among elders in developed countries. However, empirical study is scarce for China. This study explores the relation between social participation (SP) and health status among middle-aged adults and elders in China when controlled socioeconomic characteristics of individuals.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper employs an empirical study based on the data from a three-wave national longitudinal survey: the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011, 2013 to 2015. It collects data from 28,895 individuals aged 45–84. It uses lagged variable method (LV) to address the reverse causality problem, and the random-effects model or fixed-effect model to address the heterogeneity problem.
Findings
The paper finds the social participation positively affect self-reported health statistically. The influence of social participation on self-reported health flows through two channels: the improved mental health effect (SP-MH-SRH channel) and the increased income effect (SP-income-SRH channel). In comparison with the SAP-income-SRH channel, the influence of the SP-MH-SRH channel l is greater.
Research limitations/implications
First, the absence of other measures of volunteering, such as hours of social participation that are not available in the employed dataset. Second, even though the LV model and FE model are used in the paper, there may remain the endogeneity problem in the results. Third, the influences of formal and informal social participation should be distinguished in the future research.
Social implications
Social participation may improve the self-reported health status. The influence of SP on health may be due to the improved mental health effect (SP-MH-SRH channel). In order to improve the mental and physical health status of middle-aged adults and elders the government should consider even more promotion of social participation.
Originality/value
First, this paper focuses on the correlation between social participation and well-being (self-reported health) of middle-aged adults and elderly in China, the previous studies on the issue for China are scarce. Second, this paper uses the lagged variable method (LV) to address the reverse causal relation problem, and the fixed-effects model or the random-effects model to address the heterogeneity problem. Third, the two channels (the improved mental health effect and the increased income effect) are firstly investigated in this study.
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Hui Guo, Jinzhou Jiang, Suoting Hu, Chun Yang, Qiqi Xiang, Kou Luo, Xinxin Zhao, Bing Li, Ziquan Yan, Liubin Niu and Jianye Zhao
The bridge expansion joint (BEJ) is a key device for accommodating spatial displacement at the beam end, and for providing vertical support for running trains passing over the gap…
Abstract
Purpose
The bridge expansion joint (BEJ) is a key device for accommodating spatial displacement at the beam end, and for providing vertical support for running trains passing over the gap between the main bridge and the approach bridge. For long-span railway bridges, it must also be coordinated with rail expansion joint (REJ), which is necessary to accommodate the expansion and contraction of, and reducing longitudinal stress in, the rails. The main aim of this study is to present analysis of recent developments in the research and application of BEJs in high-speed railway (HSR) long-span bridges in China, and to propose a performance-based integral design method for BEJs used with REJs, from both theoretical and engineering perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The study first presents a summary on the application and maintenance of BEJs in HSR long-span bridges in China representing an overview of their state of development. Results of a survey of typical BEJ faults were analyzed, and field testing was conducted on a railway cable-stayed bridge in order to obtain information on the major mechanical characteristics of its BEJ under train load. Based on the above, a performance-based integral design method for BEJs with maximum expansion range 1600 mm (±800 mm), was proposed, covering all stages from overall conceptual design to consideration of detailed structural design issues. The performance of the novel BEJ design thus derived was then verified via theoretical analysis under different scenarios, full-scale model testing, and field testing and commissioning.
Findings
Two major types of BEJs, deck-type and through-type, are used in HSR long-span bridges in China. Typical BEJ faults were found to mainly include skewness of steel sleepers at the bridge gap, abnormally large longitudinal frictional resistance, and flexural deformation of the scissor mechanisms. These faults influence BEJ functioning, and thus adversely affect track quality and train running performance at the beam end. Due to their simple and integral structure, deck-type BEJs with expansion range 1200 mm (± 600 mm) or less have been favored as a solution offering improved operational conditions, and have emerged as a standard design. However, when the expansion range exceeds the above-mentioned value, special design work becomes necessary. Therefore, based on engineering practice, a performance-based integral design method for BEJs used with REJs was proposed, taking into account four major categories of performance requirements, i.e., mechanical characteristics, train running quality, durability and insulation performance. Overall BEJ design must mainly consider component strength and the overall stiffness of BEJ; the latter factor in particular has a decisive influence on train running performance at the beam end. Detailed BEJ structural design must stress minimization of the frictional resistance of its sliding surface. The static and dynamic performance of the newly-designed BEJ with expansion range 1600 mm have been confirmed to be satisfactory, via numerical simulation, full-scale model testing, and field testing and commissioning.
Originality/value
This research provides a broad overview of the status of BEJs with large expansion range in HSR long-span bridges in China, along with novel insights into their design.
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Building on social exchange theory (SET), the main aim of this paper is to empirically study the impact of high-commitment work practices (HCWPs) systems on radical innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on social exchange theory (SET), the main aim of this paper is to empirically study the impact of high-commitment work practices (HCWPs) systems on radical innovation. Additionally, the paper examines the mediating roles of employee innovative work behaviour (IWB) and knowledge sharing (KS) in the relationship between HCWPs and radical innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a survey questionnaire, data were collected from employees working in pharmaceutical, manufacturing and technological industries in Jordan. A total of 408 employees participated in the study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS v28 was employed to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
This research found that HCWPs in the form of a bundle of human resource management (HRM) practices are significant for employee IWB and KS. However, similar to previous studies, this paper failed to find a direct significant impact for HCWPs on radical innovation. Rather, the impact was mediated by employee IWB. Additionally, this paper found that HCWPs are significant for KS and that KS is significant for employee IWB.
Originality/value
Distinctively, this paper considered the mediating effect of employee IWB on radical innovation. Extant research treated IWB as a consequence of organisational arrangements such as HRM practices; this paper considered IWB as a foundation and source for other significant organisational outcomes, namely radical innovation. Additionally, the paper considered employees' perspectives in studying the relationship between HRM, KS, IWB and radical innovation.
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Zujian Shen, Fei Geng, Xinxin Fan, Zhichen Shen and Haiyan Wang
This paper aims to investigate and prepare the composite polyurea greases with excellent thermal stability and tribological properties.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate and prepare the composite polyurea greases with excellent thermal stability and tribological properties.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, composite Ba-based (Ba, barium) tetra-polyurea lubricating greases were prepared with two different methods: mixing Ba-based gelatinizer and tetra-polyurea gelatinizer by a physical method; and introducing barium carboxylate into tetra-polyurea molecules by a chemical method. The properties of the products, such as heat stability, water resistance and friction performance, were analyzed with thermogravimetry, water-resistance test and four-ball friction test.
Findings
The results indicated that the products obtained by chemically introducing barium carboxylate into tetra-urea molecules showed better elevated temperature tribological properties, and the disadvantages of the polyurea greases with high temperature hardening were also obviously improved. The cone penetration rate at 180°C for 24 h is only 3 per cent. The friction coefficient can be decreased to 0.44 and the last non-seizure load value was increased from 560 N to 1,120 N without any other additives.
Originality/value
The research is significant because the prepared composite grease showed excellent performances, such as the outstanding thermal stability, water resistance and excellent extreme pressure and anti-wear properties, which may be widely applied in steel, metallurgy, bearings and other industrial fields.
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Nishant Singh, Umesh Bamel and Veena Vohra
This study is aimed at examining the mediating effect of meaningful work (MFW) between human resource practices (HRP) i.e. staffing, training, participation, performance-based…
Abstract
Purpose
This study is aimed at examining the mediating effect of meaningful work (MFW) between human resource practices (HRP) i.e. staffing, training, participation, performance-based evaluation, and reward with innovative work behavior (IWB) of Indian small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) employees.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross-sectional study with data of 199 respondents collected from the Indian SME sector. The mediation path was analyzed using multiple hierarchical regression analysis and processes.
Findings
Results of the study indicate that human resource practices, i.e. staffing, training and participatory decision making, are positively related to IWB; MFW mediates the relationships between these human resource practices and IWB. Interestingly, performance-based evaluation and reward are not found to be related positively to IWB in SMEs.
Originality/value
The study adds value to SME literature on how SMEs may promote innovation amongst their employees. In addition, the findings of the present study add to human resource management (HRM) literature regarding practices in Indian SMEs.
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Alireza Jalali, Mastura Jaafar, Sabri Khalid Abdelsalam Al Rfoa and Sara Abhari
The construction industry activities play a key role in achieving socio-economic development and sustaining economic growth in many countries. Increased awareness about the role…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry activities play a key role in achieving socio-economic development and sustaining economic growth in many countries. Increased awareness about the role of human resource management in employee performance has led construction firms to evaluate and focus on high-performance work practices (HPWPs) components, which intend to cultivate employee and organizational performance. This study aims to explain HPWPs affect employee performances through the mediating influence of trust in management in Aqaba, Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was administered to collect data among the contractors Grade1 across Aqaba, Jordan. This research was designed as a quantitative study and data were collected at one point of time. In total, 311 questionnaires were returned and only 279 completed questionnaires to test the relationship between HPWPs and employee performances according to the ability, motivation and opportunity conceptualized framework. The partial least squares technique was adopted to test the proposed relationships.
Findings
The results present that extensive training, rewards based on performance and job security have a significant relationship with trust in management. Trust in management exerts partial mediation effects between HPWPs (extensive training, rewards based on performance and job security) and employee performance (creativity and innovation).
Originality/value
The findings of the study provide useful and original information to improve the overall performance of construction firms.
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Na Hao, H. Holly Wang, Xinxin Wang and Wetzstein Michael
This study aims to test the compensatory consumption theory with the explicit hypothesis that China's new-rich tend to waste relatively more food.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to test the compensatory consumption theory with the explicit hypothesis that China's new-rich tend to waste relatively more food.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors use Heckman two-step probit model to empirically investigate the new-rich consumption behavior related to food waste.
Findings
The results show that new-rich is associated with restaurant leftovers and less likely to take them home, which supports the compensatory consumption hypothesis.
Practical implications
Understanding the empirical evidence supporting compensatory consumption theory may improve forecasts, which feed into early warning systems for food insecurity. And it also avoids unreasonable food policies.
Originality/value
This research is a first attempt to place food waste in a compensatory-consumption perspective, which sheds light on a new theory for explaining increasing food waste in developing countries.
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This study attempts to explore how a cultural and creative firm's competitive advantages can be maintained through the accumulation of intellectual capital and entrepreneurial…
Abstract
Purpose
This study attempts to explore how a cultural and creative firm's competitive advantages can be maintained through the accumulation of intellectual capital and entrepreneurial orientation. Another goal of this study is to identify the different mechanisms of network ties to explore the interrelationships between organizational capital and competitive advantage in the context of Taiwan and China.
Design/methodology/approach
Study 1 and study 2 settings are applied, and 786 samples (i.e., 418 samples from Taiwan and 368 samples from China) are used to examine the proposed model.
Findings
Study 1 reveals that entrepreneurial orientation may influence the organization capital through human capital and social capital, which discloses the mutual relationships of intellectual capital. Further, the results of study 2 confirm the mediating role of intellectual capital that links the relationships between entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantage. Specifically, this study also discovered that firms with more network or political ties (e.g. the Chinese samples) and business ties (e.g. the Taiwanese samples) tend to amplify the effects of organizational capital on competitive advantage.
Practical implications
According to our empirical results, cultural and creative managers should build a learning mechanism to encourage and develop entrepreneurial orientation and intellectual capital capacities and to provide means of understanding of customers' changing expectations. Hence, in enhancing entrepreneurial orientation and intellectual capital cultural and creative firms can develop a competitive advantage over competitors. Our findings also offer new insight to support further studies of the benefits of managerial ties for firms operating in Guanxi cultural settings in Chinese contexts.
Originality/value
Most previous studies on tourism strategies have disregarded the impacts and different roles of government (e.g. political ties) and business (e.g. business ties) forces on cultural and creative firms' competitive advantages, suggesting a need to address social network issues in response to dynamic tourism environments. Therefore, this study examines differences in network ties and the differences observed between China and Taiwan in the context of Chinese cultural and creative firms.
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Raad Abdulkareem Shareef and Tarik Atan
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of ethical leadership on followers’ organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and turnover intention and to examine the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of ethical leadership on followers’ organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and turnover intention and to examine the mediating role of intrinsic motivation in the relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed a quantitative research method with a sample of 351 supervisor–subordinate dyads in three large public universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Science software, through multiple regression analyses to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicated that ethical leadership positively related to OCB and negatively related to turnover intentions. The results also showed that intrinsic motivation fully mediates the relationship between ethical leadership, OCB, and turnover intentions.
Originality/value
This study recognized the gap in the literature, and it contributes to the body of knowledge through an examination of the mediating role of intrinsic motivation between ethical leadership, OCB and turnover intention, relying on the cognitive evaluation theory.