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Due to the increasing size and complexity of construction projects, construction engineering and management involves the coordination of many complex and dynamic processes and relies on the analysis of uncertain, imprecise and incomplete information, including subjective and linguistically expressed information. Various modelling and computing techniques have been used by construction researchers and applied to practical construction problems in order to overcome these challenges, including fuzzy hybrid techniques. Fuzzy hybrid techniques combine the human-like reasoning capabilities of fuzzy logic with the capabilities of other techniques, such as optimization, machine learning, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) and simulation, to capitalise on their strengths and overcome their limitations. Based on a review of construction literature, this chapter identifies the most common types of fuzzy hybrid techniques applied to construction problems and reviews selected papers in each category of fuzzy hybrid technique to illustrate their capabilities for addressing construction challenges. Finally, this chapter discusses areas for future development of fuzzy hybrid techniques that will increase their capabilities for solving construction-related problems. The contributions of this chapter are threefold: (1) the limitations of some standard techniques for solving construction problems are discussed, as are the ways that fuzzy methods have been hybridized with these techniques in order to address their limitations; (2) a review of existing applications of fuzzy hybrid techniques in construction is provided in order to illustrate the capabilities of these techniques for solving a variety of construction problems and (3) potential improvements in each category of fuzzy hybrid technique in construction are provided, as areas for future research.

The purpose of this paper is to review the application of digital holography in studies of the corrosion of metallic materials.

Digital holography is used for in situ observation of the dynamic processes at the electrode | electrolyte interface and on the electrode surface during the corrosion dissolution of metallic materials.

Digital holography is an effect method to in situ observe the corrosion processes, and it can provide a direct experimental foundation for studying the corrosion mechanism.

Even though there are several challenges, digital holography will play a significant role in studying corrosion processes.

A daily vlog is a new type of film tourism that has been underexplored in the literature. This study aims to explore the key elements of daily vlogs that trigger a followers’ travel intention within the framework of enduring involvement. The study will highlight the affect-inspiring role of para-social relationships (PSR), extending the scope of film tourism research.

In Study 1, the objective was to investigate the essential components of enduring involvement in destination-life scenarios. This was accomplished through the analysis of qualitative data, including interview data collected from 15 participants and more than 20,000 words extracted from online blogs, barrages and comments. Additionally, Study 2 used 376 questionnaires to test the proposed structural model.

Within daily vlog-induced tourism, PSR assumes a pivotal role as a catalyst for evoking emotions. This phenomenon is interwoven with enduring involvement and has a direct impact on the determination of travel intention. Within the contextual framework of enduring involvement, constituents such as destination-life self-disclosure, situational resonance and affective belonging converge synergistically. These elements collectively underpin the process through which followers harness PSR as a driving force for nurturing travel intentions within the realm of daily vlog-induced tourism.

This study proposes the concept of daily vlog-induced tourism and emphasizes the emotion-inspiring role of PSR, to extend film tourism research to include daily vlogs. The study then explores the influencing factors of daily vlog-induced tourism under the framework of enduring involvement, providing a new understanding of enduring involvement in daily vlog-induced tourism.

日常视频博客是一种新型的电影旅游, 但文献中对它的研究还不够。本研究旨在持久卷入的框架内探讨日常视频博客触发追随者旅游意向的关键因素。本研究将强调辅助准社会关系的情感激励作用, 从而扩展电影旅游研究的范围。

研究1的目的是调查目的地生活场景中持久参与的基本要素。为此, 研究人员分析了定性数据, 包括从15名参与者那里收集的访谈数据, 以及从在线博客、弹幕（即时更新的互动评论系统）和评论中提取的 20,000 多字的数据。此外, 研究2利用 376 份调查问卷对所提出的结构模型进行了检验。

在由日常博客引发的旅游中, 准社会关系作为唤起情感的催化剂发挥着举足轻重的作用。这一现象与持久参与交织在一起, 并对旅游意向的产生产生直接影响。在持久参与的情境框架内, 目的地生活的自我披露、情境共鸣和情感归属等要素协同作用。这些要素共同支撑着追随者利用准社会关系的过程, 准社会关系在日常视频博客引发的旅游领域中是培育旅游意愿的驱动力。

本研究提出了“日常视频博客诱导旅游” 的概念, 并强调了准社会关系的情感激励作用, 从而将电影旅游研究扩展至日常微博。随后, 研究在持久参与的框架下探讨了日常视频博客诱发旅游的影响因素, 为日常视频博客诱发旅游中的持久参与提供了新的理解。

Los “vlogs” diarios son un nuevo tipo de turismo cinematográfico poco explorado en la bibliografía. Este estudio pretende explorar los elementos clave de los vlogs diarios que desencadenan la intención de viaje de los seguidores en el marco de la implicación duradera. El estudio destacará el papel inspirador de afecto de las relaciones para-sociales (RPS), ampliando el alcance de la investigación sobre el turismo cinematográfico.

En el Estudio 1, el objetivo era investigar los componentes esenciales de la implicación duradera en escenarios de vida en destino. Para ello se analizaron datos cualitativos, incluidos datos de entrevistas realizadas a 15 participantes y más de 20.000 palabras extraídas de blogs, “barrages” (un sistema de comentarios interactivos actualizados al instante) y comentarios. Además, el Estudio 2 utilizó 376 cuestionarios para poner a prueba el modelo estructural propuesto.

Dentro del turismo cotidiano inducido por los “vlogs”, la RSP asume un papel fundamental como catalizador para evocar emociones. Este fenómeno se entrelaza con la implicación duradera y tiene un impacto directo en la determinación de la intención de viaje. En el marco contextual de la implicación duradera convergen sinérgicamente elementos como la autodivulgación de la vida en el destino (AD), la resonancia situacional y la pertenencia afectiva. Estos elementos apuntalan colectivamente el proceso a través del cual los seguidores aprovechan el PSR como fuerza motriz para alimentar las intenciones de viaje en el ámbito del turismo cotidiano inducido por los “vlogs”.

Este estudio propone el concepto de turismo diario inducido por “vlogs” y hace hincapié en el papel inspirador de emociones del PSR, para ampliar la investigación sobre el turismo cinematográfico e incluir los “vlogs” diarios. A continuación, el estudio explora los factores que influyen en el turismo diario inducido por “vlogs” bajo el marco de la implicación duradera, proporcionando una nueva comprensión de la implicación duradera en el turismo diario inducido por “vlogs”.

Off-site construction (OSC) has been regarded as a clean and efficient production approach to help the construction industry towards sustainability. Different levels of OSC technologies vary greatly in their implementations and adoptions. Compared to low OSC level technologies have been applied widely, the adoption of high OSC level technologies (HOSCLTs) in practice remains limited. The adoption mechanism for HOSCLTs by firms has not been clear, hindering their promotion. This study aims to explore the mechanism combining subjective and objective adoption for HOSCLTs.

This study developed an integrated model illustrating mechanism for HOSCLTs adoption based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), which has strong capacity to explain potential adopters' subjective intentions to adoption, and the task-technology fit (TTF) theory, which well describes the linkages between the task, technology and performance in technology adoption. The proposed model was then empirically evaluated through a survey of 232 practitioners in the Chinese OSC industry using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

The results indicate that both task characteristics (TAC) and technology characteristics (TEC) positively affect TTF of HOSCLTs. TAC, TTF, firm conditions and stakeholder influence have significant positive effects on perceived usefulness (PU), which further positively influence attitude towards adoption. TEC and firm conditions are significantly related to perceived ease of use (PEU). TTF, PEU and attitude towards adoption are good predictors of behavior intention to HOSCLTs adoption. PEU only significantly influences adoption intention and is not observed to influence attitudes and PU, unlike prior research on common OSC adoption.

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by exploring HOSCLTs adoption in the industry based on distinguishing the levels of OSC technologies and supplementing an integrated model for explaining the mechanism with the combination of subjective and objective adoption. The study also provides useful insights into understanding and promoting HOSCLTs adoption for policy makers and stakeholders actively involved in the OSC field.

Cute products have found market success. The literature has identified various factors of cuteness, but the effect of size is under-addressed. This study aims to investigate whether and how size perception influences consumers’ cuteness perception.

In three experiments, size was manipulated in terms of visual cue, product description and product name to determine its impact on cuteness perception.

The results of the three experiments demonstrate that a size cue of smallness can heighten consumers’ perception of product cuteness. The first two studies provided converging evidence for the main hypothesis that smaller objects are evaluated as cuter. Study 3 not only replicated the findings of the first two studies but also revealed that vulnerability acts as the underlying process for the smallness-cuteness relationship. Study 3 also showed that the purchase likelihood for an extended product warranty is higher in the small condition compared to the control condition.

While the findings were robust across product types and size manipulations, possible boundary conditions related to product types or individual characteristics were not tested.

The findings suggest how brand managers can use size perceptions to influence consumers’ perceptions of the cuteness of their products and brands.

The findings inform brand managers about the nuances of size cues that may affect how customers perceive their products and identify a more generally applicable cuteness factor that may have downstream implications for marketing practitioners.

In this paper the aim is that Aramid/alginate blended nonwoven fabrics were prepared, and the flame retardancy of the blended nonwoven fabrics was studied by thermogravimetric analysis, vertical flame test, limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimeter test.

The advantages of different fibers can be combined by blending, and the defects may be remedied. The study investigates whether incorporating alginate fibers into aramid fibers can enhance the flame retardancy and reduce the smoke production of prepared aramid/alginate blended nonwoven fabrics.

Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that alginate fibers could effectively inhibit the combustion performance of aramid fibers at a higher temperature zone, leaving more residual chars for heat isolation. And vertical flame test, LOI and cone calorimeter test testified that the incorporation of alginate fibers improved the flame retardancy and fire behaviors. When the ratio of alginate fibers for aramid/alginate blended nonwoven fabrics reached 80%, the incorporation of alginate fibers could notably decreased peak-heat release rate (54%), total heat release (THR) (29%), peak-smoke production rate (93%) and total smoke production (86%). What is more, the lower smoke production rate and lower THR of the blends vastly reduced the risk of secondary injury in fires.

This study proposes to inhibit the flue gas release of aramid fiber and enhance the flame retardant by mixing with alginate fiber, and proposes that alginate fiber can be used as a biological smoke inhibitor, as well as a flame retardant for aramid fiber.

This paper aims to investigate how a Chinese firm’s strategic orientation impact its knowledge acquisition from its foreign alliance partners through governance mechanisms used in the Sino-foreign alliance partnership.

This research first proposes an integrated model which links a firm’s strategic orientations (entrepreneurial and market orientations), governance mechanism (contract and trust controls), and its knowledge acquisition together. Then, this research collected data from 198 Chinese firms involved in Sino-foreign alliances to test the conceptual model.

For entrepreneurial-oriented alliance firms, a moderate level of contract and a high level of trust are the most efficient uses of control mechanisms for Chinese firms’ knowledge acquisition. In comparison, for market-oriented alliance firms, both contract and trust control mechanisms should be used at the moderate level to achieve maximum knowledge acquisition from their foreign partners.

By introducing a new antecedent for the choice of control mechanisms in the context of Sino-foreign alliance relationships, this study empirically finds a non-linear relationship between contract control and knowledge acquisition and confirms the significant role of trust in facilitating knowledge acquisition between alliance partners from the perspective of alliance firms in emerging markets.

Insufficient intra-organizational diffusion of prefabricated construction (PC) technology hinders its implementation benefits. More research on intra-organizational diffusion of PC technology is required to improve organizational performance in PC implementation. This study aims to explore the antecedents and consequence of intra-organizational diffusion of PC technology.

This study established an antecedent and consequence model of intra-organizational diffusion of PC technology from the perspective of contingency theory. The model was empirically tested by 91 valid questionnaires using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

The results indicate that organizational support (OSU), organizational climate (OC) and mechanistic organizational structure (OST) positively influence intra-organizational diffusion of PC technology, which further positively influences organizational performance. The relationship between OC and intra-organizational diffusion of PC technology is mediated by OSU. Technological turbulence negatively moderates the relationship between OSU and intra-organizational diffusion.

This is the first paper to study the antecedents and consequence of intra-organizational diffusion of PC technology and an expansion of contingency theory in the research field of PC technology. This study helps to theoretically stimulate future research on intra-organizational diffusion and practically promote intra-organizational diffusion of PC technology along with improving organizational performance in its implementation.

The purpose of this paper is to present an analytical method for throughput analysis of assembly systems with complex structures during transients.

Among the existing studies on the performance evaluation of assembly systems, most focus on the system performance in steady state. Inspired by the transient analysis of serial production lines, the state transition matrix is derived considering the characteristics of merging structure in assembly systems. The system behavior during transients is described by an ergodic Markov chain, with the states being the occupancy of all buffers. The dynamic model for the throughput analysis is solved using the fixed-point theory.

This method can be used to predict and evaluate the throughput performance of assembly systems in both transient and steady state. By comparing the model calculation results with the simulation results, this method is proved to be accurate.

This proposed modeling method can depict the throughput performance of assembly systems in both transient and steady state, whereas most exiting methods can be used for only steady-state analysis. In addition, this method shows the potential for the analysis of complex structured assembly systems owing to the low computational complexity.

The goal of this chapter is to respond to the theoretical inquiries by scholars who are interested in how the public–private partnership (PPP) models adapt to China’s context where political power dictates economic strategies. We also want to provide suggestions to policy designers who aim to promote a sustainable investment environment for domestic and international investors. We review the literature that explains the upside and downside of PPP projects in contemporary China. (1) We classify the trajectory of PPP evolution into four phases, i.e., emergence, growth, recession and revival. (2) We note that private companies take a disadvantageous position in the partnership compared with governments and state-owned enterprises because of a lack of specialized legislation, unequal competition between private companies and state-owned enterprises and the opposition from the civic society. (3) We identify political risks as the most influential risks. Political risks also lead to the misallocation of other risks between public and private parties that contributes to the high failure rate of China’s PPP projects. Based on these findings, we recommend governments to draft specialized legislation, stabilize the political environment and provide favourable subsidies to local governments to limit the risks involved in PPP projects. We also advise private enterprises and state-owned enterprises to focus on negotiating over task and risk division with governments when they make decisions to participate in PPP projects. This full review of studies on PPP development in China provides reliable recommendations to scholars, governments and enterprises.