Virtual Work Research Articles

Solution-Focused Telemental Health: A New Approach for Social Work Field Education

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges around the world and shifted social work education. The solution-focused telemental health (SFTH) model was developed and evaluated at a social work program in New York State in the United States with both Master and Bachelor of Social Work students. The 14-week online training model included: (a) a clinical weekly seminar augmenting social work students’ practice classes focusing on solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), (b) group supervision and case consultations, and (c) a field placement implementing SFTH. A cotherapy model was implemented where students worked in pairs for additional support, processing, and preparation. Process evaluation using focus groups with social work students, and their process recordings and weekly supervision logs revealed: (a) increased social work students’ competence in using SFBT in their telemental health practice, (b) strong collaboration with peers in the virtual training with group cohesion and mutual support, and (c) needs for more focused and meaningful telemental health training. Recommendations are provided for social work education to incorporate training in telemental health and virtual social work practice using evidence-based approaches. The SFTH model provides an effective, short-term, online training approach for social work students.

A constitutive artificial neural networks-based mechanical model of the pneumatic artificial muscles

Abstract Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs), recognized as typical smart material actuators, have perennially presented a formidable challenge in the realm of precise mechanical modeling due to the hyperelasticity and nonlinearity. In order to construct the mechanical model of the PAM, we propose a constitutive artificial neural network-based mechanical model. Utilizing the constitutive artificial neural network (CANN), we have constructed a strain energy function for PAMs that satisfies symmetry, objectivity, and polyconvexity. Furthermore, by employing the principle of virtual work and considering the hyper-elastic material, the geometric constraints, and the deformation of the internal air chamber, we have derived the mechanical model of PAMs. To verify the accuracy of the proposed model, the finite element simulation is used to demonstrate the modeling accuracy under different load conditions for PAMs with different geometries and constitutive model conditions. Finally, the accuracy and generalization of the proposed model is validated through experiments on a PAM experimental platform.

Unveiling the dark side of virtual work climate: the mediating role of blurred work-nonwork boundaries

PurposeThis research investigates the dark sides of virtual work climate by examining how blurred work-nonwork boundaries serve as a turning point leading to amotivation at work.Design/methodology/approachThis quantitative study involved 487 employees from small and medium-sized enterprises in China who completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method.FindingsThe study found that virtual work climate positively influences workplace flexibility. However, blurred work-nonwork boundaries mediate the relationship between workplace flexibility and psychological demands, transforming the positive effects of virtual work climate in terms of flexibility into negative outcomes. Psychological demands from both work and nonwork domains contribute to amotivation at work.Practical implicationsThe study provides practical insights for managers on satisfying employees’ needs for flexible working arrangements within a virtual work climate by advocating for clear policies that establish distinct work-nonwork boundaries, thereby ensuring employee motivation is not compromised.Originality/valueThis research unveils the dark sides of the virtual work climate, extending the self-determination through the lens of the “too-much-of-a-good-thing” theory. The findings suggest that blurred work-nonwork boundaries may be the turning point where the virtual work climate leads to amotivation at work.

Nurturing innovation in virtual work climate: the power of self-determination and learning orientation

Nurturing innovation in virtual work climate: the power of self-determination and learning orientation

Are undergraduate students prepared to lead in virtual environments? An examination of students’ preparedness for future leadership roles

PurposeIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has become widespread and shows no sign of being eliminated. Therefore, it is important to identify the skills necessary to be an effective leader in virtual environments as well as train undergraduate students to become effective virtual leaders.Design/methodology/approachThrough a Qualtrics panel drawn from the US, this study examines the perceptions of 517 undergraduate students related to virtual leadership skills and their perceived preparedness to exhibit these same skills.FindingsAlso, a paired samples t-test demonstrates the significant difference between undergraduate students’ perceptions of relevant virtual leadership skills and their perceived preparedness to exhibit those skills, specifically communication skills, technological proficiency, time management, motivating others, employee engagement, strategic thinking and self-motivation/discipline.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has limitations related to sampling error and bias. This study is subject to sampling error because the sample population utilized a panel. Respondents of this survey were members of Qualtrics panels and were signed up to receive invitations to take surveys distributed by Qualtrics panels. Therefore, it is possible that these panel members were not fully representative of the undergraduate student population. In addition, respondents may have been motivated by the incentives offered for taking the survey.Practical implicationsThe results from this study can be utilized to evaluate how to enhance these relevant skills in higher education curricula to reduce this gap between the perceived importance of the relevant skills and their perceptions of their preparedness to exhibit those skills.Social implicationsThis research also holds significant societal implications, as it highlights the need to adapt educational practices to better prepare leaders for a digitally driven workforce. Enhancing virtual leadership skills can significantly improve remote work environments, fostering a more inclusive and accessible workplace culture. Such improvements are likely to positively shift public attitudes toward remote work, facilitating broader acceptance and integration of diverse individuals into the workforce. Additionally, by enabling greater participation from individuals in remote or underserved areas and those with disabilities, these educational enhancements can dramatically improve quality of life. These changes support not only work–life balance but also well-being, promoting a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Furthermore, this research could influence public policy, advocating for comprehensive digital leadership training in educational systems, which is crucial as societies continue to navigate the increasing shift toward a digitally integrated economy.Originality/valueIn the evolving landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper gains originality in investigating this topic and providing relevant research-based implications on leadership skills in the virtual and remote work environments.

Design and Analysis of a Novel Schönflies Motion Parallel Robot with Full Cycle Rotation

AbstractDue to the complex structures of multi-limbed parallel robots, conventional parallel robots generally have limited workspace, complex kinematics, and complex dynamics, which increases the application difficulty of parallel robot in industrial engineering. To solve the above problems, this paper proposes a single-loop Schönflies motion parallel robot with full cycle rotation, the robot can generate Schönflies motion by the most simplified structure. The novel Schönflies motion parallel robot is a two-limb parallel mechanism with least links and joints, and each limb is driven by a 2-degree of freedom (DOF) cylindrical driver (C-driver). The full cycle rotation of the output link is achieved by “…R-H…” structure, where the revolute (R) and helical (H) joints are coaxial. Mobility, kinematics, workspace and singularity analysis of the novel Schönflies motion parallel robot are analyzed. Then, dynamic model is formulated based on the principle of virtual work. Moreover, a pick-and-place task is implemented by the proposed Schönflies motion parallel robot and a serial SCARA robot, respectively. The simulation results verify the correctness of the theoretical model. Furthermore, dynamics performances of the proposed Schönflies motion parallel robot and a serial SCARA robot are compared, which reveal the performance merits of the proposed Schönflies motion parallel robot.

Location Matters: Everyday Gender Discrimination in Remote and On-site Work

Remote work has dramatically transformed professional environments, sparking considerable scholarly interest in its impact on employees and organizations. Contributing to this burgeoning literature, we investigate how remote versus on-site work affects women’s experiences of gender discrimination. Given that work location can alter the gendered nature of interactions, we focus on everyday gender discrimination—slights and offenses that occur in interactions and are perceived by recipients as reflecting gender bias. Integrating gender frame theory and scholarship on virtual work, we argue that the gender frame tends to be less salient in remote settings. Thus, we predict that women will experience less everyday gender discrimination when working remotely than on-site. Moreover, because the gender frame is likely to be more salient during on-site work for younger women and those who work with mostly men, we expect that these women will experience a particularly pronounced reduction in everyday gender discrimination when working remotely. To test these predictions, we developed a new measure of everyday gender discrimination and conducted an original survey of 1,091 professional women who work in the same job both remotely and on-site. We find that women consistently report less everyday gender discrimination in remote versus on-site work. This effect is particularly pronounced for younger women and those who interact mainly with men. Overall, this study advances research on how work location shapes workers’ outcomes and experiences, enriches the literature on the trade-offs women face in virtual and on-site settings, and extends scholarship on the contextual factors shaping workplace discrimination.

Grounding Analytical Mechanics in Statics: A Didactic Emphasis on the Principle of Virtual Work

Abstract Many textbooks on analytical mechanics introduce the Lagrangian formalism with D'Alembert's or Hamilton's principle. However, the validity of D'Alembert's principle is rooted in an ancient law of statics, the Principle of Virtual Work (PVW), which is rarely discussed in these texts, potentially causing difficulties. Likewise, the well-known tendency of nature to optimize physical phenomena is a straightforward consequence of the PVW, from which Hamilton's principle can also be derived. While Lagrange felt it necessary to dedicate half of his classical book to justify the validity of the PVW, today it is often regarded as a trivial intermediate step when establishing D'Alembert's principle. In this paper, following the path set by Lagrange—though in modern notation—the didactic potential of working with the PVW as an initial step before studying dynamics at the undergraduate level is explored. Beyond elucidating its conceptual richness and historical significance, several practical applications of the PVW are provided, aiming for a deeper understanding of the foundations of dynamics.

Comparative Analysis of Compositions for Virtual Singers and Human Singers

This article discusses the similarities and differences between traditional vocal works and virtual singer works. It introduces the vocal characteristics of virtual singers, explores the differences between their performances and those of real singers, and analyzes the considerations that composers have for harmony when composing for virtual singers and real vocals, such as the way in which traditional functional harmonies and modern twelve-tone sequences are harmonic, and what the differences are, and composers' ideas for using different harmonies for different groups when composing. This article focuses on virtual singers Kafu and Hatsune Miku, as well as some representative works by the two virtual singers. Several songs written for real vocals will be analyzed, such as the Mass, Rossini's opera, and the vocal parts of Boulez's Ownerless Mallet. The impact of different vocal characteristics on the uniqueness of musical works, along with the technical differences and similarities between compositions for virtual and real singers, will be discussed.

Periodic solutions for nonlinear deformation waves based on new Boussinesq-type equation within strain gradient elasticity and reductive perturbation technique

In this article, we present a detailed variational formulation to study and analyze the geometrically nonlinear behavior of elastic materials at small scales, where the classical theory of elasticity becomes inadequate. The presented technique is based on the variation of the internal energy of the elastic material and the virtual work of the external forces for the dynamical system in the framework of the first strain gradient theory of elasticity. This approach simultaneously determines the equilibrium equations in nonlinear form and the complete set of nonlinear boundary conditions. A new hyperbolic Boussinesq-type equation is derived based on the presented model in one-dimensional space and time to examine the impact of geometrical nonlinearity on wave propagation in an isotropic elastic material. The exponential reductive perturbation technique (ERPT) is employed to obtain an approximate and hierarchical solution for the new nonlinear partial differential equation (NPDE). The obtained results are plotted and analyzed, moreover, the results reveal that geometric nonlinearity significantly influences wave propagation in polycrystalline silicon.

What we do not see, does exist: exploring the realities of work engagement in virtual teams

Purpose The purpose of this study is to shed light on the job resources and demands of employees working in virtual teams and the impact of these job factors on their work engagement levels. Specifically, the authors focus on identifying the differing significance of employee job resources and demands on their virtual work engagement levels. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach grounded on abductive analysis is used to arrive at the findings. The methods for data collection include participant observation and semistructured interviews of 27 software engineers in the Indian information technology sector, working with virtual teams. Findings The authors identified the virtual-work-induced job demands and resources. Primarily, the authors found 14 job factors related to high and low levels of individual virtual work engagement, and classified them under eight aggregate dimensions: psychosocial hurdles, collaboration challenges, leadership and operational issues, dehumanization under job demands, supportive leadership, personal resources, alternate sources of income and learning goal orientation under job resources. Consequently, the authors built an importance–frequency work engagement map based on how these job factors are related to low and high levels of work engagement. Research limitations/implications This study’s qualitative nature limits the generalizability of the findings. Hence, further studies are encouraged to corroborate the findings. There is also a possibility of the social desirability bias that could have affected the results as participants may have perceived an element of risk in sharing all their honest feelings and perceptions. This may have especially been the case for those with higher status or positions in the company. Practical implications The findings suggest practical measures either to engage employees in their free time or to improve loyalty. There is a clear potential for the organization and virtual leader to communicate effectively about the expected goals, arrange informal interactions and reduce scrutiny of monitoring, thereby increasing the remote workers’ resources. Originality/value The originality of this study comes from multiple factors. First, the authors highlight ta contextual adaptation of the job demands-resources (JD-R) model into a virtual team context. By extension, the authors examine “how much” does both the job resources and demands contribute to the wellbeing of the employees working in virtual teams. Second, the authors construct an importance–frequency work engagement map (specifically for the virtual work context) based on the findings, which categorizes the observed resources and demands into four quadrants. The authors propose that this map could be a possible extension to the JD-R model, highlighting the differing significance of each resource and demand to employee work engagement.

Strategies for the development of finite elements for non-prismatic frames

Non-prismatic structural elements, often referred to as beams with variable cross-sections, constitute a special class of slender structures. These types of structures capture the interest of engineers and architects due to their ability to optimize geometry to meet specific needs, such as weight reduction, material consumption, environmental impact, and costs. Despite the advantages that engineers can gain from using non-prismatic structural elements, modeling these structures poses non-trivial challenges, resulting in inaccuracies that may compromise the benefits offered by such structures. Taking this into consideration, this work presents an innovative approach to obtain the displacement solution for non-prismatic beams, obtaining the elastic stiffness matrix through the virtual work principle, using the kinematics of Timoshenko's theory. This proposed formulation is independent of bar discretization to achieve an analytical result. This is due to the absence of considering any additional approximations beyond those already contained in the analytical idealization of bar behavior, resulting in a nearly natural discretization of the structure.

Arc-shaped elements in 2D program of frames subjected to thermal loading

This research deals with the creation of a 2D frame program that includes circumferential and parabolical arc-shaped elements subjected to thermal loading. It was based on the Finite Element Method and written in Fortran. The elements have two nodes each and three degrees of freedom per node (both in-plane translations and out-of-plane rotation). The matrices were derived using Virtual Work and some integrals demanded a numerical approximation, where a Gaussian Quadrature approach was employed. The algorithm was checked against results found in books and papers, usual software where curves need to be approximated using a great number of straight elements, and structures designed and solved by the authors using traditional methods. The results for rotations, displacements, reactions, bending, normal and shear forces are seen to be very precise at a less demanding input data in comparison to others programs.

Translational joint in a Finite Element Analysis program of 2D frames with straight and curved elements

This paper describes the development of an algorithm for the structural analysis of bidimensional frames with straight and curved elements that include a translational joint which can be set to any specified angle. The code was written in Fortran following a Finite Element Method-based structure. Three elements were considered: a circumferential arc-shaped; a straight bar with cross-sectional height varying according to a linear polynomial function; and the traditional straight element with constant inertia. All Stiffness matrices and load vectors were derived from the inversion of their corresponding Flexibility matrices obtained using the Force Method. In a few cases, a Gaussian Quadrature was needed in order to calculate the integral. The resulting program was validated against solutions found in the scientific literature in addition to structures created and solved by the authors using the Virtual Work Method, and it is shown to give very accurate predictions for displacements and rotations as well as reactions and internal forces (axial, shear and bending).

A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of A Two-Axially Pre-Loaded Plate Exposed To A Dynamic Force

In this paper, the forced vibration analysis by a harmonically time-dependent force of an elastic plate covered rigidly by a rigid half-plane is given. The plate layer is subjected to bi-axial normal initial force, into lateral sides separately. Here, the preloading state is exactly static and homogeneous. To eliminate the disadvantage of such a nonlinear model, the problem formulation is modeled in terms of the fundamental consideration of the theory of linearized wave in elastic solids under a pre-loaded state (TLWESPS) in a plane-stress case. For this purpose, considering Hamilton’s principles, the system of the partial equations of motion and the boundary-contact conditions are found. Based on the virtual work and the fundamental theorem of the calculus of variation, the three-dimensional finite element method (3D-FEM) is used to understand the dynamic behavior of the plate. A numerical validation process is established based on error norm functions. Next, influences of certain problem parameters such as Young’s modulus, aspect ratio, thickness ratio, pre-loaded parameter, etc. on the frequency mode of the pre-stressed system are given. The numerical investigations show that higher values of Poisson's ratio promote the resonant mode of the plate while increasing the influence of the preloaded parameter on the dynamic response of the plate.

The Impact of Virtual Work on Employee Adaptive Performance in IT Industry

The rapid transition to virtual work, driven by technological advancements and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly impacted employee adaptive performance in many industries. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities posed by virtual work environments on employee adaptability, focusing on six dimensions: geography, collaboration, culture, work practices, organisation, and technology. The research objective is to determine how these dimensions influence adaptive performance, which is crucial for organisational resilience and effectiveness in remote work. A survey was conducted with 276 employees from the IT sector, using purposive sampling to select participants with specific work experience and roles. The study employed a Structural Equation Model (SEM) using Partial Least Squares (PLS) to analyse the data. Key findings indicate that while culture, work practices, organisation, and technology positively and significantly influence adaptive performance, the impact of geography and collaboration was positive but not significant. This suggests that certain aspects of virtual work environments are more critical than others in enhancing employee adaptability. The study's findings underscore the importance of developing targeted strategies to improve adaptive performance in virtual settings, particularly by focusing on cultural adaptation, effective work practices, and leveraging technology. These recommendations are crucial for organisations seeking to enhance their remote work effectiveness. Future research should explore the role of digital skills in enhancing adaptive performance and further investigate the effectiveness of virtual work practices across different industries.

Modeling and dynamic analysis of multi-layer plates supported by Pasternak foundation under thermo-mechanical loads using moving element method

This article aims to present a numerical paradigm for modeling and analyzing the dynamic responses of the multi-layer plate structure resting on the Pasternak foundation under thermo-mechanical loads by using the multi-layer moving plate method (MMPM), in which, two consecutive plates connected by a middle viscoelastic layer are simulated by the Mindlin plate theory. The governing equations of motion of the multi-layer plate supported by a Pasternak foundation under a moving load with the linear temperature distribution along the plate thickness are generally established by the virtual work principle. Then, a moving coordinate system attached to the moving load is employed to discretize the structural domain that surrounds loadings. This strategy not only helps to dramatically lessen the number of finite elements but also to completely curtail the updating procedure of the time-varying and spatially varying loads. Finally, the dynamic behavior of the structural system is obtained by the Newmark-beta approach. Outcomes gained from the proposed model are validated by comparing with previously published works. After that, the dynamic analysis of multi-layered connected plates is studied by changing the temperature surrounding the structure. Further, this study also considers the dynamic behavior of double-plate structure subjected to moving harmonic load and resting on an in-homogeneous foundation.

Experimental study on the seismic behavior of all-steel buckling-restrained brace with constrained coupler

This study proposes a novel all-steel buckling-restrained brace (BRB), in which cross-shaped (or H-shaped) steel members and double steel tubes are employed for the core members and buckling-restraining members, respectively. The core members are equipped with a constrained coupler in the central region. The square outer tube, welded to one end of the bracing system, uses spacers to prevent buckling of the inner tube. The hexagonal inner tube is connected to a constrained coupler by welding, thereby preventing the buckling of the core members. The constraint system provides a quadruple restraint mechanism comprising the inner tube, outer tube, constrained coupler, and spacers. Global and local stability are analyzed based on Eulerian theory, the principle of virtual work, and yield line theory, respectively. Cyclic loading tests were performed on four test specimens of the proposed BRB and four traditional BRBs without constrained couplers. Comparative analysis, through cyclic loading tests, reveals that the proposed BRB exhibits a stable energy dissipation performance post-yielding under compression, outperforming the specimens without constrained couplers in terms of the equivalent viscous damping ratio, cumulative plastic deformation, and the compression-strength adjustment factor. Furthermore, the numerical model was constructed and validated using the test results. The effects of the core width-to-thickness ratio and the gap size between the core member and inner tube on hysteretic behaviors were investigated. The contributions of this study can provide a reference for the application of BRBs in the engineering of more complex high-rise buildings and mega-spatial structures.

Mutual trust and employee performance of virtual and face-to-face dyads in multilatina organisations

Abstract Firms are calling their employees back to the office because of concerns about employee productivity, collaboration, and trust. Thus, knowledge about the psychosocial aspects of virtual work environments is now more essential than ever. This study compared the relationships between mutual cognitive trust and employee performance in virtual and face-to-face leader–member dyads. Numerous studies have adopted a unidirectional approach to leader–member trust, exhibiting difficulties related to common method bias. The validity of previous research results comparing trust in face-to-face and virtual leader–member dyads can also be questioned because of other methodological drawbacks. We examined mutual trust and employee performance using different raters. We utilised the multigroup exploratory approach to simultaneously analyse face-to-face and virtual dyads formed by 180 leaders and 561 employees working at a multilatina company. Our results reveal the existence of differences between virtual and face-to-face leader–member dyads vis-à-vis mutual cognitive trust and employee performance relationship.

As virtual work becomes more prevalent, an important question arises: how do surface colors and light color temperature in a virtual environment impact creativity?

ABSTRACT Colors and light affect human emotions, and positive emotions encourage human creativity. To enhance student creativity, the appropriate surface colors and light color temperatures in a virtual environment must be determined. This study explores how color and light color temperature in a virtual space impact student creativity. In Experiment 1, color and light color temperature were chosen by surveying 189 architect students who answered questionnaires after watching 10 pictures of a workspace with five different surface colors and two light color temperatures. The workspace with white walls and daylight had the highest mode scores for positive emotion perception. Experiment 2 assessed the creativity of 46 participants using virtual reality (VR) and the alternative uses test (AUT). Participants were divided into two groups of 23. The first group was exposed to white surfaces under daylight. The second group interacted with red surfaces under warm light. The results indicate that a space with white surfaces and daylight significantly enhances creativity, specifically in originality component, compared to a space with red surfaces and warm light. Using light colors and daylight in VR workspace design may promote positive emotions and enhance creativity.