• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2013.01a
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• pp.52-59
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• 2013

The use of economic incentives to improve H&S performance in the construction industry in general, has been investigated by various scholars. However, few studies have looked at the impact of economic incentives on construction clients especially in the developing world. Therefore it was necessary to investigate specifically the impact of the economic incentive on client's H&S performance. Economic incentives are considered to be a proactive way of improving H&S performance. The investigation was conducted using a Delphi technique to determine the impact significance of the economic incentive or disincentive on construction clients' H&S performance. Findings from the study were that the economic factor had critical impact significance on clients' H&S performance. Further clients were 'very likely to' implement various H&S elements as a result of the economic incentive and disincentive. The paper will report on the findings from an analysis of impact significance of the economic incentives on clients. It will underscore the point that economic incentives or disincentives on construction clients are necessary to encourage them to actively participate in H&S performance improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2011

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance degrades when hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) is present in the fuel hydrogen gas; this is referred to as $H_2S$ poisoning. This paper reveals $H_2S$ poisoning on PEMFC by measuring electrical performance of single cell FC under various operating conditions. The severity of $H_2S$ poisoning depended on $H_2S$ concentration under best operating conditions($65^{\circ}C$ of cell temperature and 100% of anode humidification). $H_2S$ adsorption occured on the surface of catalyst layer on MEA, but not on the gas diffusion layer(GDL) by analyzing SEM/EDX data. In addition, MEA poisoning by $H_2S$ was cumulative but reversible. After poisoning for less than 150 min, performance of PEMFC was recovered up to 80% by just inert nitrogen gas purging.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2024

Background: This research suggested a method for evaluating health and safety performance as a combination of reactive and active monitoring. Methods: A number of Freedom of Information requests (FoI) were sent to the Health and safety Executive (HSE) and 100 UK universities. Data on the number of reportable incidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences were compiled for UK universities and combined with the Impact Ranking for good health and well-being. A semi-structured survey was used to identify best H&S practices. Subsequently, the effect of workers' involvement in H&S management on RIDDOR and near-miss reports, was investigated using statistical analysis. Results: A ranking of UK universities that perform highly in Health and Safety (H&S) was assembled and selected universities were contacted to identify best practices. Best practices were divided into three categories: team management, roles and responsibilities, and H&S performance monitoring. One of the findings demonstrated a reverse dependence between provision of a refresher training in risk assessments and a number of reported RIDDOR incidents. Conclusion: Health and Safety professionals in the universities may find it useful to reflect on these findings and the identified best practices in order to improve the H&S performance in their own organisations.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.207-212
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• 2023

H₂S is a toxic and harmful gas, even at concentrations as low as hundreds of parts per million; thus, developing an H₂S sensor with excellent performance in terms of high response, good selectivity, and fast response time is important. In this study, an H₂S sensor with a high response and fast response time, consisting of a sensing material (SnO₂), an electrode, a temperature sensor, and a micro-heater, was developed using micro-electro-mechanical system technology. The developed H₂S sensor with a micro-heater (circular type) has excellent H₂S detection performance at low H₂S concentrations (0-10 ppm), with quick response time (<16 s) and recovery time (<65 s). Therefore, we expect that the developed H₂S sensor will be considered a promising candidate for protecting workers and the general population and for responding to tightened regulations.

• Clean Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.286-293
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• 2017

The goal of this paper was to improve the performance of the adsorbent to remove $H_2S$. Pellet type adsorbents were prepared by using four kinds of materials ($Fe_2O_3$, $Ca(OH)_2$, Activated carbon, $Al(OH)_2)$ for use as a basic carrier. As the results of $H_2S$ adsorption tests, $Fe_2O_3$ and Activated Carbon improved the adsorption performance of $H_2S$ by 1.5 ~ 2 times, and $Ca(OH)_2$ and $Al(OH)_2$ showed no effect on $H_2S$ adsorption performance. Four basic materials were as carriers, and 5 wt% of KI, KOH and $K_2CO_3$ were added on the carriers, respectively. As the results of $H_2S$ adsorption tests, adsorbent containing $K_2CO_3$ showed the best performance. As a result of $H_2S$ adsorption test with varying $K_2CO_3$ content from 5 to 30 wt%, it was confirmed that adsorption performance was increased up to 20 wt% of $K_2CO_3$ and adsorption performance decreased to 30 wt%. The $H_2S$ adsorption performance was modeled by using Thomas model with varying $K_2CO_3$ contents and the results were used for the adsorption tower design. It was shown that the experimental values and the simulated values were in good agreement with the contents range of $K_2CO_3$ up to 20 wt%. Based on these results, it is expected that not only the adsorption performance of $H_2S$ adsorbent is improved but also life time of the adsorbent is increased.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-43
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• 2009

The HTS power cable system of 3-phase 100-m class has been tested at the KEPCO's Gochang power testing center in Korea during 8,000 hours or more for investigating long-term operating performance. The system is rated 22.9kV, 1250A and is cooled with sub cooled liquid nitrogen. Several cooling performance tests such as cooling capacity, heat load, AC loss, temperature stability and thermal cycle were performed at operating temperature of 66.4K and several different temperatures.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.73-101
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• 2010

Using data collected from franchisees from Busan, we empirically examined the relationship both structural (tie strength), relational (trust), and cognitive (shared value) of social capital and between those dimensions and the patterns of economic performance and noneconomic performance (relationship continuity intention). So we established 9 hypotheses to test the structural relationship among dimensions of social capital and performances like below. H1: A franchisee's perceived tie strength with its franchisor will positively influence its trust in the franchisor. H2: A franchisee's perceived shared value with its franchisor will positively influence its trust in the franchisor. H3: A franchisee's perceived tie strength with its franchisor will positively influence its economic performance. H4: A franchisee's perceived shared value with its franchisor will positively influence its economic performance. H5: A franchisee's perceived trust in its franchisor will positively influence its economic performance. H6: A franchisee's perceived tie strength with its franchisor will positively influence its relationship continuity intention with the franchisor. H7: A franchisee's perceived shared value with its franchisor will positively influence its relationship continuity intention with the franchisor. H8: A franchisee's perceived trust in its franchisor will positively influence its relationship continuity intention with the franchisor. H9: A franchisee's perceived economic performance will positively influence its relationship continuity intention with the franchisor. The conceptual model specifying the relationship among dimensions of social capital and performances is presented in Fig. 1. Tests of the hypotheses were performed using a structural equation model. This model also reflected a good fit to the data ($\chi^2$=101.12 df=62 p=0.004, RMSEA=0.050 GFI=0.936 AGFI=0.895 NFI=0.959 CFI=0.986). The standardized solution estimated by the AMOS 7 program was for interpreting the structural results (Table 1). As was expected, tie strength and shared value were founded to be significant predictors of trust (H1 supported; H2 supported). Tie strength and trust have a significant positive effect on economic performance (H3 supported; H5 supported). But shared value have not a significant effect on economic performance (H4 Rejected). Tie strength were not associated with relationship continuity intention (H6 Rejected). While on the other higher shared value, trust, and economic performance have a significant effect on the relationship continuity intention (H7 supported; H8 supported; H9 supported). The results show integratedly that, first, tie strength does not affect directly but affects indirectly on relationship continuity intention via trust and economic performance. Second, shared goals affect directly and do indirectly via trust on relationship continuity intention. But shared goals does not affect via economic performance on relationship continuity intention. Finally, the study suggests important implications for both research and practice for franchise system especially.

• Journal of Venture Innovation
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.99-112
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• 2018

This study focused the effect of small business owner's competencies on business performance. Especially mediating effect of professional education between independent variables and dependent variables. As a result of statistical analysis, 3 hypothesis were accepted and 1 hypothesis was rejected. H1. The relationship between small business owner's managerial competencies and business performance was positive. H2. The relationship between small business owner's technological competencies and business performance was not valid. H3. Professional education was mediating effect between small business owner's competencies and financial performance. H4. Professional education was mediating effect between small business owner's competencies and non-financial performance. This study founded professional education was mediating effect, especially partial mediating effect between small business owner's competencies and financial performance, non-financial performance. This study provided logical background on government support of small business owner's professional education and small business owner's spontaneous participation in professional educations

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1-34
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• 2010

Introduction The purpose of this research is to develop overall model which involves the effect of ongoing support services by franchisor on franchisee's relationship quality(trust, satisfaction, and commitment) and business performance(financial and non-financial performance), and to investigate the relationships among trust, satisfaction, commitment, financial and non-financial performance. This study also suggests franchise business or franchise system should be based on long-term orientation between franchisor and franchisee rather than short-term orientation, or transactional relationship, and proposes the most effective way of providing on-going support services by franchisor with franchisee thru symbiotic relationship among franchisor and franchisee Research Model and Hypothesis The research model as Figure 1 shows the variables on-going support services which affect the relationship quality between franchisor and franchisee such as trust, satisfaction, and commitment, and also analyze the effects of relationship quality on business performance including financial and non-financial performance We established 12 hypotheses to test as follows; Relationship between on-going support services and trust H1: On-going support services factors (product category & price, logistics service, promotion, information providing & problem solving capability, supervisor's support, and education & training support) have positive effect on franchisee's trust. Relationship between on-going support services and satisfaction H2: On-going support services factors (product category & price, logistics service, promotion, information providing & problem solving capability, supervisor's support, and education & training support) have positive effect on franchisee's satisfaction. Relationship between on-going support services and commitment H3: On-going support services factors (product category & price, logistics service, promotion, information providing & problem solving capability, supervisor's support, and education & training support) have positive effect on franchisee's commitment. Relationship among relationship quality: trust, satisfaction, and commitment H4: Franchisee's trust has positive effect on franchisee's satisfaction. H5: Franchisee's trust has positive effect on franchisee's commitment. H6: Franchisee's satisfaction has positive effect on franchisee's commitment. Relationship between relationship quality and business performance H7: Franchisee's trust has positive effect on franchisee's financial performance. H8: Franchisee's trust has positive effect on franchisee's non-financial performance. H9: Franchisee's satisfaction has positive effect on franchisee's financial performance. H10: Franchisee's satisfaction has positive effect on franchisee's non-financial performance. H11: Franchisee's commitment has positive effect on franchisee's financial performance. H12: Franchisee's commitment has positive effect on franchisee's non-financial performance. Method The on-going support services were defined as an organized system of continuous supporting services by franchisor for the purpose of satisfying the expectation of franchisee based on long-term orientation and classified into six constructs such as product category & price, logistics service, promotion, providing information & problem solving capability, supervisor's support, and education & training support. The six constructs were measured agreement using a 7-point Likert-type scale (1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree)as follows. The product category & price was measured by four items: menu variety, price of food material provided by franchisor, and support for developing new menu. The logistics service was measured by six items: distribution system of franchisor, return policy for provided food materials, timeliness, inventory control level of franchisor, accuracy of order, and flexibility of emergency order. The promotion was measured by five items: differentiated promotion activities, brand image of franchisor, promotion effect such as customer increase, long-term plan of promotion, and micro-marketing concept in promotion. The providing information & problem solving capability was measured by information providing of new products, information of competitors, information of cost reduction, and efforts for solving problems in franchisee's operations. The supervisor's support was measured by supervisor operations, frequency of visiting franchisee, support by data analysis, processing the suggestions by franchisee, diagnosis and solutions for the franchisee's operations, and support for increasing sales in franchisee. Finally, the of education & training support was measured by recipe training by specialist, service training for store people, systemized training program, and tax & human resources support services. Analysis and results The data were analyzed using Amos. Figure 2 and Table 1 present the result of the structural equation model. Implications The results of this research are as follows: Firstly, the factors of product category, information providing and problem solving capacity influence only franchisee's satisfaction and commitment. Secondly, logistic services and supervising factors influence only trust and satisfaction. Thirdly, continuing education and training factors influence only franchisee's trust and commitment. Fourthly, sales promotion factor influences all the relationship quality representing trust, satisfaction, and commitment. Fifthly, regarding relationship among relationship quality, trust positively influences satisfaction, however, does not directly influence commitment, but satisfaction positively affects commitment. Therefore, satisfaction plays a mediating role between trust and commitment. Sixthly, trust positively influence only financial performance, and satisfaction and commitment influence positively both financial and non-financial performance.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.83-88
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• 2017

This paper related with the performance evaluation of H-MMA (Hybrid-MMA) which is applying the adaptive modulus and adaptive step size concept to MMA adaptive equalization algorithm in order to reduce the intersymbol interference that is occurred in communication channel for digital code transmission. In the conventional MMA adaptive equalizer, the coefficient is updated by using the equalizer output and possible to compensation of amplitude and phase in 2nd dimensional QAM signal, the equalization performance were degraded due to fixed modulus and step size. For the overcomming the abovemensioned problem, it is possible to improving the equalization performance in the 2nd dimensional QAM signal by applying the adaptive modulus and adaptive step size propotional to equalizer output signal to the conventional MMA algorithm. The computer simulation was performed in the same channel for the compare the performance of MMA and proposed H-MMA which is proposed in this paper. As a result of simulation, the proposed H-MMA has slower convergence time in order to arriving the steady state than MMA. But after the steady state, H-MMA has more superior to the MMA in every performance index and the equalization noise was reduced.