J. Turowski and Z.J. Pudlowski
Introduction Academic institutions involved in electrical engineering education now realise the importance of students' understanding of the concepts of magnetic fields and their…
Abstract
Introduction Academic institutions involved in electrical engineering education now realise the importance of students' understanding of the concepts of magnetic fields and their application in various electromechanical devices and systems. Students find it extremely difficult to comprehend magnetic fields and to grasp the physical phenomena which occur in those devices and systems. Often to be able to consider, and skillfully investigate, the behaviour of such devices and systems, students have not only to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of difficult physical phenomena, but also show the ability to perform sometimes extremely complex mathematical calculations. Of the many aims and objectives to consider when teaching, two important factors are:
The work aims at investigating the law of miniaturization of a linear reluctance motor by expressing the ratio of force to mass as a function of bar position in per unit, for…
Abstract
The work aims at investigating the law of miniaturization of a linear reluctance motor by expressing the ratio of force to mass as a function of bar position in per unit, for different scale factors. Corresponding to the same factors, inductance is also computed. Finally the ratio of the bar length to external diameter is changed and the analysis is accordingly repeated.
Jacek WOROTYŃSKI, Marek TUROWSKI and Ernest A. MENDRELA
Among the many calculation methods that allow the evaluation of magnetic field in different electromagnetic devices is the Reluctance Network Method (RNM). It is based on network…
Abstract
Among the many calculation methods that allow the evaluation of magnetic field in different electromagnetic devices is the Reluctance Network Method (RNM). It is based on network theory according to which the analysed space is replaced by the network of magnetic reluctances, with magnetomotive forces as supply sources. This method makes it possible to analyse magnetic fields in two‐dimensional (2‐D) and three‐dimensional (3‐D) domains, and in comparison to other numerical methods (e.g. Finite‐Element Method) the calculation time is much shorter, with relatively good accuracy.
Thi Phuong Linh Nguyen, Nhat Minh Tran, Thi Thanh Hoa Phan, Trong Nghia Vu, Manh Linh Tran and Thi Dao Nguyen
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting Vietnamese consumers' intention and behavior towards “bringing your own shopping bags” (BYOB) instead of using…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting Vietnamese consumers' intention and behavior towards “bringing your own shopping bags” (BYOB) instead of using plastic bags based on the theory of interpersonal behavior (TIB).
Design/methodology/approach
We used a combination of in-depth interview and large-scale survey methods with the official research sample of 536 Vietnamese consumers to explore the relationship among factors in the research model including: attitude, affect, social factor, facilitating conditions, intention and behavior towards BYOB instead of using plastic bags. The collected data went through quantitative analysis steps including Cronbach's Alpha reliability test, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) for scales and hypotheses testing.
Findings
The results show that intention towards BYOB has a positive effect on consumers' behavior towards BYOB. Facilitating conditions have a stronger and more positive influence than attitude and affect intention towards BYOB. Meanwhile, the hypothesis about the relationship between social factors and intention towards BYOB was rejected by this study.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of this paper is that the findings of the present study are limited to elements of the TIB.
Practical implications
Based on the results of the study, we made some suggestions for state management agencies and retailers to promote intention and behavior towards BYOB instead of using plastic bags.
Originality/value
This study applies the TIB to understand the relationship between factors such as attitude, affect, social factors and facilitating conditions on intention and behavior towards BYOB instead of using plastic bags.
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Urvashi Kaushal and Toran Talwar
Engineers graduating from premier institutions of India look for global opportunities that will provide a chance to work with the best and the most innovative minds in the world…
Abstract
Purpose
Engineers graduating from premier institutions of India look for global opportunities that will provide a chance to work with the best and the most innovative minds in the world. Nevertheless, to compete in the global job market, they require added competence in English. However, it is seen that despite exemplary hard skills, lack of good communication skills has obstructed the growth of engineers. This study aims to find a viable tool to enhance engineering students' communication skills despite many limitations. The purpose of this study is to explore how presentations can be used to address problems of low levels of English ability in highly skilled, high-functioning engineering professions.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper discusses a study conducted in India's premier institution where around 240 first-semester engineering students were the sample. It uses partial ethnographic research to verify its hypothesis that presentations compel students to plan, prepare, practise and perfect their communication skills. It presents an ethnographic experiment conducted by the researchers and data collected using the qualitative research method of interviews.
Findings
The results of the paper indicate that making engineers plan, prepare and make presentations can explore their ability to communicate in English. It also concludes that presentation helps students explore all four language skills, that is, reading the information collected, listening to peers, writing or preparing their presentation and finally speaking in front of the audience.
Practical implications
This paper argues that presentation can be made a practice even in a large class of multi-level second language (L2) learners as it will generate interest in students and will develop many qualities such as team spirit, confidence and public speaking.
Social implications
This study will help to address problems of low levels of English ability in highly skilled, high-functioning engineering professions.
Originality/value
Since engineering classes in Indian institutes often comprise 80–120 students, the English teachers face immense challenge of simultaneously improving communication skills of a large number of students who are multi-lingual, multi-level L2 learners. Therefore, this paper presents an effective and interesting way of involving all the students and using presentation to improve their communication skills.
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Sabah A. Abdul‐Wahab, Mahmood Y. Abdulraheem and Melanie Hutchinson
Environmental degradation is a global concern and an increasing one. Increasing population pressures, escalating consumption patterns and rapid industrial development are key…
Abstract
Environmental degradation is a global concern and an increasing one. Increasing population pressures, escalating consumption patterns and rapid industrial development are key contributors to this degradation. There is a growing recognition that sustainable development policies, plans and actions have a better chance of being implemented when they are supported by an educated, informed public. The objective of this paper is to highlight the need for the inclusion of environmental education into the curricula of engineering studies in order to raise environmental awareness at an early stage in their careers. The main aim of such environmental education is to provide engineers with the background to environmental issues such that they develop solutions that take into account the needs of the natural environment and which seek to minimise any negative impact.
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The paper intends to determine the extent to which environmental sustainability issues are integrated in the curricula of industrial design programs in Australian universities.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper intends to determine the extent to which environmental sustainability issues are integrated in the curricula of industrial design programs in Australian universities.
Design/methodology/approach
Industrial design lecturers and program heads were invited to participate in a web‐based survey on their university's industrial design curricula. Online university handbooks were also examined to determine which courses cover sustainability aspects. Survey results were then tabulated and analysed using descriptive statistics.
Findings
The study shows that, while there is a concern that sustainable development issues are important and relevant to design courses, the permeation of environmental sensitivity through most industrial design curricula, and indeed among design academics, is only starting to gain ground. Comparative examination of the curricular structures in Australian universities offering degree programs in industrial and product design revealed that, on average, 12 out of every 100 credit points earned have sustainability content.
Practical implications
The paper informs industrial design academics that much more work has to be done in order to educate the next generation of designers about their responsibilities to the planet and its people. It tells them where we currently are and the gaps that we have to bridge in order to achieve environmental sustainability.
Originality/value
The paper is original in the field of Australian industrial design education, and builds on work in other disciplines about incorporating sustainability aspects in tertiary education.
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The Capitol Mall is a very complex urban area adjacent to downtown Phoenix, where Governmental buildings exist side by side with a historic residential neighborhood, warehouse…
Abstract
The Capitol Mall is a very complex urban area adjacent to downtown Phoenix, where Governmental buildings exist side by side with a historic residential neighborhood, warehouse buildings, an under-construction human services campus, vacant lots, and many homeless people on the streets. This area has been 'forgotten' in recent efforts to revitalize downtown Phoenix. The Capitol Mall project involved two studios - Architecture and Planning - conducted simultaneously during spring 2005. The planning studio was intended to develop a revitalization plan and the architecture studio was charged with developing specific programs and projects of urban design and architecture.
The purpose of this paper is threefold: 1) to introduce our studios as examples of community embeddedness, 2) to discuss our pedagogical approaches and the project's outcomes, and 3) to present a set of lessons learned that can be valuable to others teaching similar joint studio arrangements. In brief the five lessons are: a) joint studios can have different approaches to reality, b) interdisciplinary studios can benefit from different methodologies and outcomes, c) planning and architecture studios use classroom resources differently, d) joint studios display creativity in different ways, 5) interdisciplinary studios can lead to joint discovery and re-enforcement of learning experiences.
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Lori A. Muse and Lori L. Wadsworth
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the perceived value of traditional versus non‐tradition benefits may be related to the employee‐employer relationship, and how the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the perceived value of traditional versus non‐tradition benefits may be related to the employee‐employer relationship, and how the perception of that relationship might be linked to job performance and turnover intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
Multi‐source data were collected from a random sample of employees and their supervisors at a healthcare organization (n=457).
Findings
Non‐traditional benefits have a positive direct relationship with perceived organizational support (POS), whereas traditional health and financial benefits are not related to POS. The relationships between benefits perceptions and POS are moderated by marital status, but not gender. In addition, POS had a strong negative relationship with turnover intentions, and a positive relationship with task performance, job dedication and interpersonal facilitation.
Research limitations/implications
Whereas data collected were multisource in nature, data were collected at the same point in time; therefore the authors could not test causality. Moreover, females were over‐represented in the sample, limiting generalizability.
Practical implications
Managing benefits costs is one of many challenges facing human resource managers in the current economy. This study provides a better understanding of the relationship between employee benefits and important outcomes. The paper's findings emphasize the importance of assessing employees' perceived value of benefits when human resource managers are making decisions about benefit programs.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature in several ways. First, this study offers evidence to solve past conflicts regarding the existence and nature of the relationship between benefits and POS. Second, this research contributes to the need to document potential work outcomes of benefit packages. Third, it distinguishes among different kinds of benefits (traditional vs non‐traditional), and shows that non‐traditional benefits can signal to employees how much they are valued by the organization.