Yan Yin Lee, Mohammad Falahat and Bik Kai Sia
This paper identifies the forces that drive digital adoption among SMEs from low and high-tech industries in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper identifies the forces that drive digital adoption among SMEs from low and high-tech industries in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses multiple case analyses based on data gathered by in-depth interviews with key representatives of 20 firms from low and high-tech industries in Malaysia.
Findings
The findings suggest that digital adoption among SMEs derives by four fundamental forces, which are sales, marketing, process improvement and product development.
Research limitations/implications
This study employed qualitative research, but lack of geographic diversity limits the generalisability of the case findings. This study provides several suggestions to policymakers and technology suppliers on how to encourage adoption of digitalisation among SMEs.
Originality/value
This study proposes a model that presents the critical forces that drive digital adoption for export-oriented firms, thus enriching the knowledge in SME digitalisation literature.
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Jingyu Cao, Jiusheng Bao, Yan Yin, Wang Yao, Tonggang Liu and Ting Cao
To avoid braking accidents caused by excessive wear of brake pad, this study aims to achieve online prediction of brake pad wear life (BPWL).
Abstract
Purpose
To avoid braking accidents caused by excessive wear of brake pad, this study aims to achieve online prediction of brake pad wear life (BPWL).
Design/methodology/approach
A simulated braking test bench for automobile disc brake was used. The correlation and mechanism between the three braking condition parameters of initial braking speed, braking pressure and initial braking temperature and the tribological performance were analyzed. The different artificial neural network (ANN) models of wear loss were discussed. Genetic algorithm was used to optimize the ANN model. The structure scheme of the online prediction system of BPWL was discussed and completed.
Findings
The results showed that the braking conditions were positively correlated with the wear loss, but negatively correlated with the friction coefficient. The prediction accuracy of back propagation (BP) ANN model was higher. The model was optimized by genetic algorithm, and the average deviation of prediction results was 4.67%. By constructing the online monitoring system of automobile braking conditions, the online prediction of BPWL based on the ANN model could be realized.
Originality/value
The research results not only have important theoretical significance for the study of BPWL but also have practical value for guiding the maintenance and replacement of automobile brake pads and avoiding the occurrence of braking accidents.
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Jingyu Cao, Jiusheng Bao, Yan Yin, Cheng Liu, Xiaolong Wang and Jiao Yang
This study aims to develop a large gap nanomagnetic liquid sealing technology to address the problems of significant deformation, vibration, and radial oscillation caused by harsh…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a large gap nanomagnetic liquid sealing technology to address the problems of significant deformation, vibration, and radial oscillation caused by harsh working conditions such as low assembly and processing accuracy, heavy load, and high speed in mechanical equipment.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the principle of magnetic liquid sealing structure, a large gap magnetic fluid sealing scheme based on axial and radial distribution was proposed, equipped with self-made silicone oil–based magnetic fluid. Taking the common roller in mining equipment as an example, sealing performance tests were conducted using a mining roller running resistance test bench in the simulated underground environment.
Findings
In routine environmental tests, the running resistance of the new magnetic liquid sealing roller is reduced by an average of 7.6% and 34.3% compared to the labyrinth sealing roller, respectively; In long-term environmental tests, the running resistance of the new magnetic liquid sealing roller decreased by an average of 16.2% compared to the labyrinth sealing roller, it is recommended to equip it with self-made silicone oil–based magnetic fluid; In vibration environmental tests, the running resistance of the new magnetic liquid sealing roller is more stable compared to the magnetic liquid sealing roller with only axial distribution.
Originality/value
The research results have important theoretical and practical value in compensating for the shortcomings of magnetic fluid sealing structure and expanding the application fields of magnetic fluid.
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Yan Yin, Heng Zhou, Jiusheng Bao, Zengsong Li, Xingming Xiao and Shaodi Zhao
This paper aims to overcome the defect of single-source temperature measurement method and improve the measurement accuracy of FTR. The friction temperature rise (FTR) of brake…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to overcome the defect of single-source temperature measurement method and improve the measurement accuracy of FTR. The friction temperature rise (FTR) of brake affects braking performance seriously. However, it was mainly detected by single-source indirect thermometry, which has obvious deviations.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-point temperature measurement system was built based on three kinds of single-resource thermometry. Temperature characteristics of these thermometry were analyzed to achieve a standard FTR curve. Two fusion-monitoring models for FTR based on multi-source information were established by artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM).
Findings
Finally, the two models were verified based on the experimental results. The results showed that the fusion-monitoring model of SVM was more accurate than that of ANN in monitoring of FTR.
Originality/value
Then the temperature characteristics of the three single-source thermometry were analyzed, and the fusion-monitoring models based on multi-source information were established by ANN and SVM. Finally, the accuracy of the two models was compared by the experimental results. The more suitable fusion-monitoring model for FTR monitoring was determined which would be of theoretical and practical significance for remedying the monitoring defect of FTR.
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Shaodi Zhao, Yan Yin, Jiusheng Bao, Xingming Xiao, Zengsong Li and Guoan Chen
The friction between brake pair causes an intense temperature rise on interface during braking, which affects the braking performance seriously. Therefore, building an accurate…
Abstract
Purpose
The friction between brake pair causes an intense temperature rise on interface during braking, which affects the braking performance seriously. Therefore, building an accurate testing method for frictional temperature rise (FTR) is a prerequisite.
Design/methodology/approach
Facing braking conditions of automobiles, an experimental system for testing of FTR based on preset thermometry method (PTM) was established. The FTR was collected by the PTM and the variation laws as well as the cause of errors were analyzed by experiments. The deviations between tested and real temperature were corrected based on tribology and heat theories. Finally, an online prediction method for FTR was pointed out.
Findings
After correction, the temperature curve accords well with the laws of tribology and thermal theories. The corrected FTR at braking end point is approximately equal to the authentic temperature test by hand thermometer.
Originality/value
This study eliminated the hysteresis phenomenon of temperature rise sequence and lays a foundation for online accurate monitoring and warning of brake friction temperature rise. It has important theoretical and practical value for expanding the monitoring and improvement of brake performance.
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Jiusheng Bao, Yan Yin, Lijian Lu and Tonggang Liu
The purpose of this study is to establish an effective method for characterizing the tribological properties of friction brakes during continuous braking because they have direct…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to establish an effective method for characterizing the tribological properties of friction brakes during continuous braking because they have direct influences on the reliable operation of transport vehicles and industrial equipments.
Design/methodology/approach
First, tribological tests were carried out with the X-DM type friction tester, and changing curves of friction coefficient and temperature were obtained. Second, a novel tribological characteristic parameter set characterizing the tribological properties of brake pair in continuous braking was extracted from some important experimental data such as friction coefficient, wear rate and temperature. Finally, the influence of law and mechanism of braking number on dynamic tribological parameters was studied through continuous braking experiments.
Findings
The extracted tribological characteristic parameter set includes two subsets: dynamic characteristic parameter subset and overall characteristic parameter subset, which is composed of ten parameters: dynamic parameters of friction coefficient (including average, trend coefficient and stability coefficient), dynamic wear rate, dynamic average temperature, dynamic temperature rise, overall average friction coefficient, overall wear rate, overall average temperature and overall temperature rise.
Originality/value
Conclusively, the novel tribological characteristic parameter set is more comprehensive and objective, and it can provide a theoretical basis for the study of tribological properties in continuous braking.
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Shaodi Zhao, Jiusheng Bao, Qingjin Zhang, Yan Yin, Xiaoyang Wang and Junwei Ai
This study aims to develop magnetic field-controlled friction braking technology, the preparation process of hard magnetic brake friction material was optimized and analyzed in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop magnetic field-controlled friction braking technology, the preparation process of hard magnetic brake friction material was optimized and analyzed in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
NdFeB, a rigid magnetic material, was selected as additive. Magnetic field orientation, a part of material preparation, was added to the preparation process. Experiments investigated the tribological properties of each brake lining sample. The preparation process of the hard magnetic friction material was optimized based on fuzzy theory by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methods and SPSS software. The microscopic morphology and the distribution and content of elements of friction lining samples prepared with or without orientation excitation voltage were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.
Findings
The results showed that the tribological properties of brake lining samples could be improved by process optimization and the oriented excitation voltage can effectively improve the properties of the brake lining.
Originality/value
The magnetic field orientation was added into the traditional preparation process, and a set of process parameters with the best tribological properties were obtained through optimization. It is believed that this research will be of great theoretical and practical significance to develop both new brake materials and active control technology of the braking process in the future.
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Xiaoyang Wang, Jiusheng Bao, Jinge Liu, Yan Yin, Tonggang Liu and Shaodi Zhao
This paper aims to develop of magnetic field controlled friction braking technology, a novel brake friction material with magnetic was designed and prepared in this paper.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop of magnetic field controlled friction braking technology, a novel brake friction material with magnetic was designed and prepared in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
The permalloy, a soft magnetic material, was selected as an additive to design and prepare the magnetic brake material. The friction, wear performance and permeability of each brake pads were investigated by experiments. By choosing the performance of friction coefficient fluctuation, friction coefficient deviation and mean wear rate as optimization parameters, the formulation of the magnetic friction material was optimized based on Fuzzy theory by using analytic hierarchy process methods and SPSS software.
Findings
The results showed that the developed soft magnetic friction material has not only superior friction coefficient, permeability and inferior wear rate but also good physical and mechanical properties.
Originality/value
Permalloy powder was added to the formulation of friction material to achieve a new functional friction material with high magnetic permeability. It is believed that this research will be of great theoretical and practical significance to develop both new brake materials and active control technology of the braking process in the future.
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Hoi Ching Cheung, Yan Yin Marco Lo, Dickson K.W. Chiu and Elaine W.S. Kong
This study examines academic librarians' perceptions and attitudes toward Internet of Things (IoT) applications in Hong Kong academic libraries and the problems and possible…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines academic librarians' perceptions and attitudes toward Internet of Things (IoT) applications in Hong Kong academic libraries and the problems and possible improvements in using IoT technologies to strengthen library services.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative research used video conferencing software for semi-structured, one-on-one interviews. Participants were given introductory material about the IoT and asked to complete an interview. The data were analyzed using inductive theme clustering for this study.
Findings
The analysis identified three themes: perception about applying IoT technology to the library, problems and improvements in using IoT. Participants were generally optimistic about the potential benefits of IoT for improving library operations and providing personalized services. However, they also expressed concerns about privacy and security, errors and extra efforts for information literacy training. They suggested improvements such as incorporating facial recognition technology, advanced RFID technology and collections identification technology to enhance user experience.
Originality/value
Most studies examined users' views rather than librarians' on IoT applications, which few studies cover, especially in East Asia.
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Lu Weisheng, Anita M.M. Liu, Wang Hongdi and Wu Zhongbing
The purpose of this paper is to attempt to shed light on procurement innovation by examining two state-of-the-art procurement systems in China – an agent-construction system (ACS…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to attempt to shed light on procurement innovation by examining two state-of-the-art procurement systems in China – an agent-construction system (ACS or in Chinese Dai Jian Zhi) and public-private partnership (PPP), with special consideration given to the systems’ particular political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) background.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper does so by using content analyses, semi-structured interviews, and a “PESTEL-Procurement Innovation” framework.
Findings
It is found that PPP has not been as popular as expected, while the ACS, which is little known to the international construction management community, is widespread in China. The study of ACS and PPP further reveals that congruence between a procurement system and its external PESTEL conditions is essential for procurement innovation.
Research limitations/implications
The “PESTEL-Procurement Innovation” framework could be a useful tool for devising procurement innovation; although there are many questions yet to be answered by further research.
Practical implications
The paper provides useful insights into procurement innovation, particularly when governments worldwide are searching for innovative procurement systems to help deliver public projects and services.
Originality/value
The paper possesses originality in that it tackles procurement innovation, an area that is under researched in construction management. It exhorts the re-connection between a procurement system and its external PESTEL conditions for devising bona fide procurement innovations.