A. Saboktakin, T. Vu-Khanh and Y. Bonnefon
The purpose of this paper is to experimentally investigate the capability of four non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to detect the layer orientation in textile composite…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to experimentally investigate the capability of four non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to detect the layer orientation in textile composite laminates. The aerospace industry has been the primary driving force in the use of textile composites.
Design/methodology/approach
Woven glass fiber composite samples were inspected using C-scan ultrasonic, vibration analyzer, X-ray micro-tomography and ultraviolet technique. In a complementary study, mechanical testing was carried out to investigate the effect of mid-layer orientation on in-plane tensile strength and their failure modes using microscopic imagining.
Findings
During C-scan ultrasonic, the high attenuation and scattering of ultrasonic waves caused by the textile fabric layers limited its application to only detect the first layer of samples. Frequency response tests of composite samples were also conducted to investigate the effect of mid-layer orientation on dynamic responses. The same trend was observed in the finite element modeling results with a clear effect of the fiber orientation defect seen in frequency response function response and higher mode shapes. Moreover, the results of micro computed tomography demonstrate that this technique could definitely detect the orientation of each layer; however, X-ray imaging at small scales introduced some challenges. Images obtained from ultraviolet technique did not reveal mid-layer orientation.
Originality/value
In this paper, the application of different NDT techniques along with finite element modeling to inspect two-dimensional textile composites was presented. Hopefully, the research results presented here will lead to much published papers in inspection of textile composites.
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Amir Rafiee, Yong Wu and Abdul Sattar
Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) promise great benefits, including improving safety, reducing congestion, and providing mobility for elderly and the disabled; however, there are…
Abstract
Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) promise great benefits, including improving safety, reducing congestion, and providing mobility for elderly and the disabled; however, there are discussions on how they should be programmed to respond in an ethical dilemma where a choice has to be made between two or more courses of action resulting in loss of life. To explore this question, the authors examine the current academic literature where the application of the existing philosophical theories to ethics settings in AVs has been discussed, specifically the utilitarianism and the deontological ethics. These two theories are widely regarded as rivals, and are useful in demonstrating the complex ethical issues that must be addressed when programming AVs. We also look at the legal framework, specifically normative principles in criminal law used to regulate difficult choices in an emergency, which some have suggested as a plausible defence for manufacturers who seek to program AVs using a utilitarian framework. These include the doctrine of necessity, the sudden emergency doctrine, and the duty of care. The authors critique each theory, highlighting their benefits and limitations. The authors then make a case for programming AVs using a randomized decision system (RDS) and propose that it could be a viable solution in dealing with certain moral dilemmas. Finally using our assessment, the authors suggest certain objectives for manufacturers and regulators in designing and programming AVs that are technically viable, and would make them morally acceptable and fair.
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Jean-François Bonnefon, Marco Heimann and Katia Lobre-Lebraty
The purpose of this paper is to show how overall performance can help foster trust in financial institutions. While a climate of mistrust amongst investors and the general public…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how overall performance can help foster trust in financial institutions. While a climate of mistrust amongst investors and the general public toward financial institutions has developed since the recent turmoil in the financial markets, it is believed that mutual funds adopting the overall performance approach can help recover a climate of trust owing to the implied balance between economic, social and environmental performance. More specifically, overall performance promotes values that are similar to investors’ values and could be used by responsible investment funds if they want to contribute to the restoration of trust in investment funds.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses an innovative, experimental design to test the effect of value similarity on the trust that investors have in the investment fund. This effect cannot be studied in isolation, which is why it is compared with the effects of financial performance and ethical labeling on trust.
Findings
The authors find that funds with similar values are perceived as more trustworthy by investors. Consequently, overall performance should be added to fund managers' toolbox if they want to foster trust in their fund. The effect of financial performance on trust applies only when the investor has no other information regarding the fund. As for the ethical labeling of funds, it has no effect on trust.
Research limitations/implications
The findings encourage research that aims to develop a comprehensive approach of integrated overall performance focusing on financial and extra-financial values. Bonnet et al.’s (2016) fieldwork on socio-economic management and Naro and Travaillé©’s (2016) work on management controllers provide promising examples in this regard.
Practical implications
Investment funds can acquire an edge by communicating on overall performance and specific values of their target investors. Merely labeling funds as ethical is not sufficient to increase trust.
Social implications
Increasing similarity in values to investors and adopting the overall performance approach in investment funds will increase investors' trust. Trust contributes to social capital and allows societies to create flexible large-scale businesses needed to be competitive in a global environment.
Originality/value
Using an innovative experimental methodology, this paper shows that the underlying factor of overall performance on trust in investment funds is value similarity. It provides researchers and practitioners with insight about the underlying mechanisms of the effect of overall performance on trust.
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MR. JOHN BURNS, President of the Local Government Board, speaking on the Housing of the Working Classes Bill before the Standing Committee of the House of Commons, on 13th May, is…
Abstract
MR. JOHN BURNS, President of the Local Government Board, speaking on the Housing of the Working Classes Bill before the Standing Committee of the House of Commons, on 13th May, is reported to have said that “he believed the time had come when men were tired of drenching the country with Public Libraries, and were beginning to realise that small gardens, parks and open spaces were infinitely better for the people.” We do not contend for one moment that more parks and open spaces are not wanted for the use of the people, but that these should be provided in place of Public Libraries is certainly another matter. If more open spaces be necessary for the physical well‐being of the race, surely libraries are quite as much a necessity for the intellectual equipment of the people. And Public Libraries, if used in an intelligent manner, will certainly help those who use the parks to appreciate their beauties all the more. We can, perhaps, forgive Lord Rosebery for his recent criticisms on libraries, because by reason of his position, and having the great advantage of owning a fine library, he has not really experienced the need for the help a Public Library affords. It is, therefore, an easy matter to criticise from his point of view. But such criticism from John Burns, the self‐made man, and essentially a man from the ranks of the people, is another matter. He is the man who must have found Public Libraries useful to him in his earlier days; indeed, one seems to remember reading somewhere, a short time ago, that Mr. Burns gave an address in which he publicly stated that he owed much to Public Libraries for the help he had received through their agency. We earnestly hope that Mr. Burns did not intend to make so sweeping an assertion as his present words imply. From the point of view of librarianship such drastic criticism as this from such an one as Mr. Burns appears to us to be of serious import, especially as there seems to be a half‐veiled sting in his words which is unduly emphasised by the inclusion of the word “infinitely”—that “open spaces were infinitely better for the people” than Public Libraries. It is tantamount to saying that our work as librarians is of little value or that we have failed in our mission, either of which is very wide of the mark.
Shafaqat Mehmood and Salman Khan
This study aims to examine the impact of autonomous vehicles adoption motivations (i.e. technological, ecological and intrinsic motivation) on tourists’ pro-environmental behavior…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of autonomous vehicles adoption motivations (i.e. technological, ecological and intrinsic motivation) on tourists’ pro-environmental behavior and verify the mediating role of tourists’ green self-image between the relationship of eco-friendly attitudes and autonomous vehicles adoption motivations.
Design/methodology/approach
The data from 586 national and international tourists were analyzed using the partial least squares method.
Findings
The findings revealed that eco-friendly attitude is a significant predictor of tourists’ green self-image; tourists’ green self-image is a significant predictor of autonomous vehicles adoption motivations; and autonomous vehicles adoption motivations are significant predictors of tourists’ pro-environmental behavior. In addition, tourists’ green self-image mediated the relationship between eco-friendly attitudes and autonomous vehicles adoption motivations.
Originality/value
These outcomes provide valuable guidance for the future development of green destination tourism and allow interesting implications for the tourism industry and autonomous vehicles adoption.
目的
本研究探讨自动驾驶汽车采纳动机(即技术、生态和内在动机)对游客环保行为的影响, 并验证游客绿色自我形象在环保态度和自动驾驶汽车采纳动机之间的中介作用。
设计/方法/途径
收集586份来自中国国内外游客的数据, 采用偏最小二乘法进行分析。
研究结果
研究结果表明, 环保态度显著影响游客绿色自我形象, 进而影响自动驾驶汽车采纳动机, 带来游客的环保行为。此外, 游客的绿色自我形象在环保态度与自动驾驶汽车采纳动机之间起到中介作用。
原创性/价值
本研究提出了游客绿色自我形象的概念, 将游客与环保人士的日常行为进行区分。研究结果为绿色目的地旅游业的未来发展提供了方向, 对旅游业和自动驾驶汽车的采纳产生影响。
Propósito
Este estudio tiene como objetivo examinar el impacto de las motivaciones para la adopción de vehículos autónomos (es decir, motivaciones tecnológicas, ecológicas e intrínsecas) en el comportamiento proambiental de los turistas y verificar el papel mediador de la autoimagen ecológica de los turistas en la relación entre las actitudes ecológicas. y las motivaciones para la adopción de vehículos autónomos.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Se analizaron los datos de 586 turistas nacionales e internacionales mediante el método de mínimos cuadrados parciales.
Hallazgos
Los hallazgos revelaron que la actitud ecológica es un predictor importante de la autoimagen ecológica de los turistas; la autoimagen ecológica de los turistas es un predictor importante de las motivaciones para la adopción de vehículos autónomos; y las motivaciones para la adopción de vehículos autónomos son predictores importantes del comportamiento proambiental de los turistas. Además, la autoimagen ecológica de los turistas medió la relación entre las actitudes ecológicas y las motivaciones para la adopción de vehículos autónomos.
Originalidad/valor
Estos resultados proporcionan una orientación valiosa para el desarrollo futuro del turismo de destino ecológico y permiten implicaciones interesantes para la industria turística y la adopción de vehículos autónomos.
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Zheng Xu, Yihai Fang, Nan Zheng and Hai L. Vu
With the aid of naturalistic simulations, this paper aims to investigate human behavior during manual and autonomous driving modes in complex scenarios.
Abstract
Purpose
With the aid of naturalistic simulations, this paper aims to investigate human behavior during manual and autonomous driving modes in complex scenarios.
Design/methodology/approach
The simulation environment is established by integrating virtual reality interface with a micro-simulation model. In the simulation, the vehicle autonomy is developed by a framework that integrates artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms. Human-subject experiments are carried, and participants are asked to virtually sit in the developed autonomous vehicle (AV) that allows for both human driving and autopilot functions within a mixed traffic environment.
Findings
Not surprisingly, the inconsistency is identified between two driving modes, in which the AV’s driving maneuver causes the cognitive bias and makes participants feel unsafe. Even though only a shallow portion of the cases that the AV ended up with an accident during the testing stage, participants still frequently intervened during the AV operation. On a similar note, even though the statistical results reflect that the AV drives under perceived high-risk conditions, rarely an actual crash can happen. This suggests that the classic safety surrogate measurement, e.g. time-to-collision, may require adjustment for the mixed traffic flow.
Research limitations/implications
Understanding the behavior of AVs and the behavioral difference between AVs and human drivers are important, where the developed platform is only the first effort to identify the critical scenarios where the AVs might fail to react.
Practical implications
This paper attempts to fill the existing research gap in preparing close-to-reality tools for AV experience and further understanding human behavior during high-level autonomous driving.
Social implications
This work aims to systematically analyze the inconsistency in driving patterns between manual and autopilot modes in various driving scenarios (i.e. multiple scenes and various traffic conditions) to facilitate user acceptance of AV technology.
Originality/value
A close-to-reality tool for AV experience and AV-related behavioral study. A systematic analysis in relation to the inconsistency in driving patterns between manual and autonomous driving. A foundation for identifying the critical scenarios where the AVs might fail to react.
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Ilgım Dara Benoit, Elizabeth G. Miller, Ceren Ekebas-Turedi and Elika Kordrostami
While the extant literature establishes that creativity in advertisements enhances ad effectiveness, developing creative advertisements is costly and creativity perceptions are…
Abstract
Purpose
While the extant literature establishes that creativity in advertisements enhances ad effectiveness, developing creative advertisements is costly and creativity perceptions are subjective varying from person to person. Therefore, it is important to study the factors that influence the creativity assessments of consumers. Accordingly, this paper aims to investigate the impact of thinking style on creativity assessments of advertisements.
Design/methodology/approach
Five studies (two surveys and three experiments) demonstrate that individuals with higher levels of analytic thinking style perceive creative advertisements as more creative. This result holds for a self-reported thinking style scale (Studies 1, 2 and 3) as well as for primed thinking styles (Studies 4 and 5) and for different product categories/ads (coffee in Study 1, furniture store in Study 2, and juice in Studies 3, 4 and 5).
Findings
The findings show that analytic thinkers perceive the same creative advertisement as more creative than holistic thinkers. In addition, the advanced creativity perception due to analytic thinking reflects positively on managerially important variables (willingness to pay a premium: Study 1, attitude toward ad: Study 2 and Study 4 post-test).
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to investigate an individual difference, namely, thinking style, that impacts creativity judgments, which in turn enhances advertising effectiveness.