Fei Xu, Zheng Wang, Wei Hu, Caihao Yang, Xiaolong Li, Yaning Zhang, Bingxi Li and Gongnan Xie
The purpose of this paper is to develop a coupled lattice Boltzmann model for the simulation of the freezing process in unsaturated porous media.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a coupled lattice Boltzmann model for the simulation of the freezing process in unsaturated porous media.
Design/methodology/approach
In the developed model, the porous structure with complexity and disorder was generated by using a stochastic growth method, and then the Shan-Chen multiphase model and enthalpy-based phase change model were coupled by introducing a freezing interface force to describe the variation of phase interface. The pore size of porous media in freezing process was considered as an influential factor to phase transition temperature, and the variation of the interfacial force formed with phase change on the interface was described.
Findings
The larger porosity (0.2 and 0.8) will enlarge the unfrozen area from 42 mm to 70 mm, and the rest space of porous medium was occupied by the solid particles. The larger specific surface area (0.168 and 0.315) has a more fluctuated volume fraction distribution.
Originality/value
The concept of interfacial force was first introduced in the solid–liquid phase transition to describe the freezing process of frozen soil, enabling the formulation of a distribution equation based on enthalpy to depict the changes in the water film. The increased interfacial force serves to diminish ice formation and effectively absorb air during the freezing process. A greater surface area enhances the ability to counteract liquid migration.
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Guodong Ni, Qi Zhang, Yaqi Fang, Ziyao Zhang, Yaning Qiao, Wenshun Wang and Yongliang Deng
The purpose of this paper is to explore the correction mechanism of resilient safety culture on new generation of construction workers (NGCWs)' unsafe behavior and test the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the correction mechanism of resilient safety culture on new generation of construction workers (NGCWs)' unsafe behavior and test the multiple mediation effects of job crafting and perceived work meaningfulness based on the context of Chinese construction industry in order to find a new way to effectively correct the NGCWs' unsafe behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical model of correction mechanism was established based on literature research and theoretical deduction. An empirical study was employed based on confirmatory factor analysis and regression analysis with a sample of 404 NGCWs in China.
Findings
The results indicated that resilient safety culture can effectively correct NGCWs' unsafe behavior through job crafting and perceived work meaningfulness. Job crafting and perceived work meaningfulness can play independent and serial mediating roles between resilient safety culture and unsafe behavior.
Research limitations/implications
Research results only represent a short-term law about the correction mechanism of NGCWs' unsafe behavior based on a questionnaire study from China's construction industry. It is necessary to continue to implement a longitudinal study to test it in a relatively long period in future research. The findings also need to be verified based on the young construction workers in other countries.
Practical implications
This study provides a theoretical basis and feasible management reference for construction enterprises in China to correct NGCWs' unsafe behavior from the perspective of resilient safety culture. Furthermore, the construction of resilient safety culture in construction enterprises can help NGCWs better carry out job crafting and perceive the meaning of work.
Originality/value
This paper clarifies the correction mechanism of resilient safety culture on unsafe behavior of NGCWs, and further tests the independent mediating roles and a serial mediating role of job crafting and perceived work meaningfulness between resilient safety culture and unsafe behavior, which fills the research gap about the influence mechanism of resilient safety culture on young construction workers' unsafe behavior and enriches the theoretical system of unsafe behavior correction of construction workers.
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Guodong Ni, Yaqi Fang, Xinyue Miao, Yaning Qiao, Wenshun Wang and Jian Xuan
This study aims to provide a new perspective and path to reduce the unsafe behavior of new generation of construction workers (NGCWs) in China. The purpose of this study is to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide a new perspective and path to reduce the unsafe behavior of new generation of construction workers (NGCWs) in China. The purpose of this study is to explore the influencing mechanism of work-family balance on the unsafe behavior of NGCWs and test the mediating effect of job satisfaction and the moderating effect of group safety climate.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical model on the influencing mechanism of work-family balance on unsafe behavior of NGCWs was constructed through theoretical analysis. Research data were collected from 502 NGCWs via a questionnaire survey, and research hypotheses were testified with regression analysis.
Findings
The results show that work-family balance not only directly reduces NGCWs’ unsafe behavior but also indirectly reduces it through job satisfaction, which plays a partial mediating role. In addition to positively moderating the relationship between work-family balance and NGCWs’ unsafe behavior, group safety climate can also moderate the relationship between work-family balance and job satisfaction in a positive way.
Practical implications
This study provides practical implications for construction companies to reduce the unsafe behaviors of NGCWs from the perspective of work-family balance. Specifically, construction companies should adopt more flexible work rules, such as flexible organization and rotation systems, to increase their work autonomy. Meanwhile, construction companies need to improve the work environment and basic conditions for NGCWs, establish a reasonable salary system and provide attractive promotion opportunities to increase their job satisfaction. In addition, construction companies should provide active safety lectures and training, and supervisors should improve safety communication and interaction levels. Co-workers should remind workers about their safety attitudes and behaviors promptly. A good group safety climate will be created through the efforts of construction companies, supervisors and co-workers.
Originality/value
This study clarifies the influencing mechanism of work-family balance on the NGCWs’ unsafe behavior and further tests the partial mediating role of job satisfaction and the positively moderating effect of group safety climate on the influence relationship of work-family balance on job satisfaction and NGCWs’ unsafe behavior, which defines the boundary conditions of the relationship between work-family balance and NGCWs’ unsafe behavior, and promotes the effective integration of social exchange theory and theoretical system of influencing mechanism of construction workers’ unsafe behavior.
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Xiaobo Shi, Yan Liu, Kunkun Ma, Zixin Gu, Yaning Qiao, Guodong Ni, Chibuzor Ojum, Alex Opoku and Yong Liu
The purpose is to identify and evaluate the safety risk factors in the coal mine construction process.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to identify and evaluate the safety risk factors in the coal mine construction process.
Design/methodology/approach
The text mining technique was applied in the stage of safety risk factor identification. The association rules method was used to obtain associations with safety risk factors. Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) were utilized to evaluate safety risk factors.
Findings
The results show that 18 safety risk factors are divided into 6 levels. There are 12 risk transmission paths in total. Meanwhile, unsafe behavior and equipment malfunction failure are the direct causes of accidents, and inadequate management system is the basic factor that determines the safety risk status.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the limitation of the computational matrix workload, this article only categorizes numerous lexical items into 18 factors. Then, the workshop relied on a limited number of experts; thus, the findings may be potentially biased. Next, the accident report lacks a universal standard for compilation, and the use of text mining technique may be further optimized. Finally, since the data are all from China, subsequent cross-country studies should be considered.
Social implications
The results can help China coal mine project managers to have a clear understanding of safety risks, efficiently carry out risk hazard identification work and take timely measures to cut off the path of transmission with risks identified in this study. This helps reduce the economic losses of coal mining enterprises, thus improving the safety standards of the entire coal mining industry and the national standards for coal mine safety policy formulation.
Originality/value
Coal mine construction projects are characterized by complexity and difficulties in construction. Current research on the identification and assessment of safety risk factors in coal mine construction is insufficient. This study combines objective and systematic research approaches. The findings contribute to the safety risk management of China coal mine construction projects by providing a basis for the development of safety measures.
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Ana María García-Pérez and Vanessa Yanes-Estévez
This work develops a longitudinal analysis of perceived environmental uncertainty applying the Rasch methodology (1960). The environmental uncertainty is defined as an…
Abstract
Purpose
This work develops a longitudinal analysis of perceived environmental uncertainty applying the Rasch methodology (1960). The environmental uncertainty is defined as an individual's perceived inability to predict the environment accurately (Milliken, 1987). The study focuses on analysing the state uncertainty from the perspective of the information and under the cognitive approach to the business reality.
Design/methodology/approach
Rasch measurement theory (1960) is applied, specifically the differential item functioning analysis based on the responses to a survey of SMEs.
Findings
The main sources of uncertainty for all the SMEs in the sample are two sectors in their general environment: economic and political-legal ones. These segments are the only ones in the environment that generate uncertainty that in 2016 is significantly different from that in 2019, being lower in the latter year.
Originality/value
This is a pioneering analysis of uncertainty both for its longitudinal nature and the methodology applied.
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Xiaobo Shi, Yaning Qiao, Xinyu Zhao, Yan Liu, Chenchen Liu, Ruopeng Huang and Yuanlong Cui
Modern subway transportation systems need to satisfy increasing safety demands to rapidly evacuate passengers under hazardous emergency circumstances, such as fires, accidents or…
Abstract
Purpose
Modern subway transportation systems need to satisfy increasing safety demands to rapidly evacuate passengers under hazardous emergency circumstances, such as fires, accidents or terrorist attacks, to reduce passenger injuries or life losses. The emergency evacuation capacity (EEC) of a subway station needs to be revised timely, in case passenger demand increases or the evacuation route changes in the future. However, traditional ways of estimating EEC, e.g. fire drills are time- and resource-consuming and are difficult to revise from time to time. The purpose of this study is to establish an intuitive modelling approach to increase the EEC of subway stations in a stepwised manner.
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops an approach to combine agent-based evacuation modelling and building information modelling (BIM) technology to estimate the total evacuation time of a subway station.
Findings
Evacuation time can be saved (33% in the studied case) from iterative improvements including stopping escalators running against the evacuation flow and modifying the geometry around escalator exits. Such iterative improvements rely on integrating agent-based modelling and BIM.
Originality/value
The agent-based model can provide a more realistic simulation of intelligent individual movements under emergency circumstances and provides precise feedback on locations of evacuation bottlenecks. This study also examined the effectiveness of two rounds of stepwise improvements in terms of operation or design to increase the EEC of the station.
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Aihui Chen, Yaning Chen, Ruohan Li and Yaobin Lu
Live-streaming e-commerce is becoming a new way for many consumers to shop. During the live broadcast process, the interaction between anchors and customers plays a decisive role…
Abstract
Purpose
Live-streaming e-commerce is becoming a new way for many consumers to shop. During the live broadcast process, the interaction between anchors and customers plays a decisive role on consumers' purchasing decisions. This study aims to explore how two types of interaction between the anchor and the customers (i.e. task-oriented interaction and relationship-oriented interaction) affect customers' purchase decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study establishes a model based on online trust theory and multi-sensor interaction theory. To validate the model, we carried out five simulated live-streaming events and collected data through a scenario-based survey of the viewers participating in the live-streaming (N = 244). Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Both task-oriented interaction and relationship-oriented interaction have a positive impact on users' purchase decisions through the mediation of virtual touch, emotional trust and cognitive trust. Sense of power has opposite moderating effects on the impacts of relationship-oriented interaction on emotional trust and cognitive trust.
Originality/value
This study enriches the theory of live-streaming e-commerce by demonstrating the decisive roles of two types of anchor–customer interaction, the mediation roles of virtual touch, cognitive trust, and emotional trust in customer purchase decisions, as well as the moderating effect of sense of power on customer decision-making processes. The findings provide practical insights for anchors and live-streaming platforms about how they should arrange live-streaming content to enhance consumer purchasing decisions.
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Xiaobo Shi, Kangbo Fu, Yaning Qiao, João Santos and Zhenmin Yuan
This paper aims to explore the characteristics of lifting accidents and the significance of influencing factors and explain the causes from the perspective of human factors…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the characteristics of lifting accidents and the significance of influencing factors and explain the causes from the perspective of human factors, thereby achieving a more accurate understanding of and prevention of lifting accidents.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed simulation model for prefabricated component lifting is established by combining discrete event simulation (DES) with the system dynamics (SD) method. In addition, essential parameters and relationships within the system dynamics model are determined through survey questionnaires. Finally, the human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS) is used to analyze the cause of the accident.
Findings
The results show that workers falling from height and workers struck by objects are the most frequent types of lifting accidents. In 2072 experiments, these two types of accidents occurred three and five times, respectively. Besides, the links of “crane movement,” “component binding,” “component placement” and “component unhooking” are particularly prone to lifting accidents. In addition, the completeness of emergency plans, failure to observe the status of the tower crane and lack of safety education and training have emerged as primary influencing factors contributing to the occurrence of lifting accidents.
Originality/value
The findings of the study can serve as a reference basis for practitioners, enabling them to preemptively identify possible risk accidents and adopt corresponding measures to prevent them, ensuring the safety and property of practitioners. Additionally, targeted suggestions and innovative ideas are provided to enhance the safety guarantee of the lifting industry and promote its healthy and stable development through a more concrete theoretical foundation and practical guidance.
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This paper examines the relationship between a pyramidal firm’s control-ownership wedge and the amount of its debt relative to the group’s total debt and its likelihood of having…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the relationship between a pyramidal firm’s control-ownership wedge and the amount of its debt relative to the group’s total debt and its likelihood of having guaranteed debt in its capital structure.
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample consists of the 200 largest Indonesian companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2015–2022. I run baseline regressions and a number of robustness tests, which include two-stage least squares, censored regressions, difference-in-differences and subsample regressions as well as regressions with interaction terms.
Findings
The results show that, within pyramidal business groups, member firms with large control-ownership wedges are associated with less group debt allocation and a higher probability of having guaranteed debt.
Originality/value
To the best of my knowledge, this paper is the first to examine the direct link between a pyramidal firm’s control wedge and its’ proportion of group debt allocation and probability of having guaranteed debt. Therefore, it enriches the theory of tradeoffs within business groups and sheds more insights on the intragroup guarantees literature.
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Tao Lin, Yaning Li, Rongjin Zhao, Zekun Ma and Jianan Xie
This paper aims to improve the device performance from the perspective of reducing ohmic contact resistance; the effects of different electrode structures and alloying parameters…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to improve the device performance from the perspective of reducing ohmic contact resistance; the effects of different electrode structures and alloying parameters on the series resistance and power-current-voltage of laser diodes (LDs) have been investigated in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
Four groups of p-GaAs side metal electrodes with different metal layer arrangements and thicknesses are fabricated for the investigated LDs. The investigated p-GaAs side electrodes are based on Ti/Pt/Au material and the n-GaAs side metal electrodes all have a same structure of Ni/Ge/Ni/Au/Ti/Pt/Au. The LDs with different electrodes were alloyed at 380°C for 60 s and 420°C for 80 s.
Findings
The experimental results show that the series resistance decreases by 14%–20%, the output power increases by 2%–2.2% and the conversion efficiency increases by 1.69%–2.16% for the LDs prepared with optimized alloying parameters (420°C for 80 s). The laser diode with p-GaAs side Ti/Pt/Au electrode of 30/70/100 nm has the best device characteristics under both annealing conditions.
Originality/value
The utilization of this improvement on ohmic contact property in electrode is not only very important for upgrading high-power LDs but also helpful for GaAs-based microelectronic devices such as HBT and monolithic microwave integrated circuit.