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1 – 10 of 667Tingzhuang Han, Qingxia Wang, Cheng Zhang, Peng Peng, Shuai Long, Qingshan Yang and Qingwei Dai
This paper aims to explore the impact of Sc element on the microstructure and corrosion properties of Mg-0.5Zn alloy.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the impact of Sc element on the microstructure and corrosion properties of Mg-0.5Zn alloy.
Design/methodology/approach
Three kinds of Mg-0.5Zn-xSc (x = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 Wt.%) alloys were obtained, and the microstructure and corrosion properties were both analyzed.
Findings
As the Sc concentration increases, the corrosion resistance of the alloys initially improves and subsequently deteriorates. The trace addition of Sc can effectively reduce the grain size of Mg-Zn-Sc alloys and enhance the density of the corrosion products film. Consequently, an appropriate amount of Sc can reduce the corrosion rate of Mg-0.5Zn alloy.
Originality/value
However, the addition of Sc also introduces the second phase particles in the alloy, leading to galvanic corrosion, which adversely affects the corrosion resistance of Mg-0.5Zn alloy. Therefore, the amount of Sc added should be carefully controlled.
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This paper seeks to explore how contextual factors influence the effectiveness of government support initiatives in enhancing the international performance (IP) of small and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to explore how contextual factors influence the effectiveness of government support initiatives in enhancing the international performance (IP) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Addressing the fragmented nature of international business literature regarding institutional context, this study adopts an institution-based view (IBV) to examine how specific components of institutional context act as moderators in the relationship between government support and SME performance in international markets.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is grounded in empirical research, utilizing data collected from 257 exporting SMEs in the Caucasus region through a random sampling method, achieving a response rate of 57.1%, comparable to similar studies in international business. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess both direct effects and moderating relationships.
Findings
The results confirm that government support, whether informational or experiential, significantly enhances SMEs’ performance in international markets. However, the relationship between government support and IP is moderated by the stability and specificity of the institutional environment. Institutional enforceability does not exhibit a significant moderating effect. Notably, institutional predictability moderates only the relationship between informational support and SMEs’ IP, highlighting the nuanced role of institutional context.
Originality/value
This research contributes to international business literature by applying an IBV, emphasizing the critical role of context in interactions among market stakeholders. It provides novel insights into how institutional context shapes the effectiveness of government support initiatives in fostering international success for SMEs, particularly in emerging economies. These findings advance the understanding of institutional context influences on SME internationalization and highlight the importance of tailoring government support in accordance with institutional context.
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Chun Yang, Bart Bossink and Peter Peverelli
Building on resource dependence theory and the dynamic institution-based view, this paper examines the influence of government affiliations on firm product innovation in a dynamic…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on resource dependence theory and the dynamic institution-based view, this paper examines the influence of government affiliations on firm product innovation in a dynamic institutional environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Using unique panel data of Chinese manufacturing firms covering a period of 12 years (1998–2009) with 2,564,547 firm-year observations, this study chooses the panel Tobit model with random effects to explore the influence of government affiliations on firm product innovation, followed by an analysis to test the moderation effects of dynamic institutional environments.
Findings
The study findings suggest that Chinese firms with higher-level government affiliations have a relatively high product innovation performance. It finds that this innovation stimulating effect is contingent on the dynamic nature of the institutional environment. To be specific, a high speed of institutional transition may depress the positive innovation effects of government affiliations, while a more synchronized transition speed of institutional components may enhance the positive innovation effects of firms' government affiliations.
Originality/value
This study adds to a better understanding of the drivers of product innovation in Chinese firms that are situated in environments that are characterized by institutional change, using and contributing to resource dependence theory and the dynamic institution-based view.
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Chaochao Guo, Youchao Sun, Rourou Yu and Chong Peng
The purpose of this paper is to overcome the inherent lack of precision in commonly used interpolation procedures when solving the mathematical model of turbofan engines, as well…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to overcome the inherent lack of precision in commonly used interpolation procedures when solving the mathematical model of turbofan engines, as well as to address the issue that the theoretical variogram model in traditional Kriging models is prone to subjective selection bias, which makes it impossible to accurately capture the inherent fluctuation patterns in compressor data.
Design/methodology/approach
To mitigate this challenge, based on the spatial distribution characteristics of the compressor characteristic data of a certain type of turbofan engine, the input and output dimensions of the model are defined. By determining the stable operating region from the original component data, the authors use the proposed Kriging method improved with a support vector machine model to reconstruct the characteristics at unknown speeds within this region. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated using the established assessment metrics.
Findings
Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits significant advantages over the conventional Kriging approach. Specifically, it leads to a substantial reduction in root mean square error and mean absolute error by 0.0153/0.0118 (low speed), 0.1306/0.0362 (medium speed) and −0.0066/0.2366 (high speed).
Originality/value
This refined approach not only offers notable engineering applicability but also contributes significantly to the enhancement of aerospace engine model solutions’ precision.
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Ping Liu, Ling Yuan and Zhenwu Jiang
Over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have rapidly advanced organizational management, with many organizations adopting AI-based algorithms to enhance…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have rapidly advanced organizational management, with many organizations adopting AI-based algorithms to enhance employee management efficiency. However, there remains a lack of sufficient empirical research on the specific impacts of these algorithmic management practices on employee behavior, particularly the potential negative effects. To address this gap, this study constructs a model based on the psychological ownership theory, aiming to investigate how algorithmic management affects employees’ knowledge hiding.
Design/methodology/approach
This study validates the model through a situational experiment and a multi-wave field study involving full-time employees in organizations implementing algorithmic management. Various analytical methods, including analysis of variance, regression analysis and path analysis, were used to systematically test the hypotheses.
Findings
The study reveals that algorithmic management exerts a positive indirect influence on knowledge hiding through the psychological ownership of personal knowledge. This effect is particularly pronounced when employees have lower organizational identification, highlighting the critical role of organizational culture in the effectiveness of technological applications.
Originality/value
This study is among the first empirical investigations to explore the relationship between algorithmic management and employee knowledge hiding from an individual perception perspective. By applying psychological ownership theory, it not only addresses the current theoretical gap regarding the negative effects of algorithmic management but also provides new theoretical and empirical support for the governance and prevention of knowledge hiding within organizations in the context of AI algorithm application. The study highlights the importance of considering employee psychology (i.e. psychological ownership of personal knowledge) and organizational culture (i.e. organizational identification) under algorithmic management. This understanding aids organizations in better managing knowledge risks while maximizing technological advantages and effectively designing organizational change strategies.
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Xuerong Peng, Lian Zhang, Seoki Lee, Wenhao Song and Keyan Shou
This study aims to identify key contributors, research themes, research gaps, and future directions in hospitality innovation by conducting bibliometric and content analyses of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify key contributors, research themes, research gaps, and future directions in hospitality innovation by conducting bibliometric and content analyses of peer-reviewed articles in this field.
Design/methodology/approach
A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer software on 2,698 peer-reviewed English-language articles retrieved from the Web of Science database, published between 1995 and 2023. Key contributors were identified based on publication volume, citation, and co-citation analysis. Co-occurrence analysis of index keywords and content analysis of influential articles were used to identify research themes.
Findings
The study identified four distinct research themes in hospitality innovation: (1) digital technology adoption primarily among customers, (2) innovation management within hospitality firms, focusing on knowledge management and eco-innovation, (3) service innovation primarily among employees, and (4) business model innovation involving multiple stakeholders. Additionally, the study determined key contributors, highlighted research gaps, and provided suggestions for future research directions.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a systematic and in-depth review of hospitality innovation research. It identifies key contributors, research themes, and potential gaps for future research, offering valuable insights for both industry practitioners and scholars.
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Jiamin Peng, Chi Fu, Yujuan Guo and Lingwen Huang
This study focuses on the context of interactions in online medical-consultation services. It integrates theories of value co-creation and social support, and it introduces…
Abstract
Purpose
This study focuses on the context of interactions in online medical-consultation services. It integrates theories of value co-creation and social support, and it introduces customer-perceived doctor’s contribution behaviors (DCBs) as mediators to investigate the impact of customer value co-creation behavior (CVCB) on customer service well-being (CSW). This study also explores the moderating roles of communication and task characteristics of interactive medical interfaces.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 353 patients with online consultation experience were conducted. Structural equation modeling and PROCESS macro technology were used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
CVCB positively affects CSW through the mediating role of DCBs, including cure-based knowledge contribution behavior (KCB) and care-based emotional supportive behavior (ESB). The difference in task-oriented communication styles between customers and doctors weakens the positive effect of CVCB on perceived doctor’s cure-based KCB and care-based ESB. However, task complexity diminishes the positive effect of CVCB on perceived doctor’s cure-based KCB.
Practical implications
Managers of online medical-consultation platforms can optimize service design and enhance positive doctor–patient interactions to improve CSW and promote sustainable platform growth. This can effectively address social equity issues associated with the uneven distribution of medical resources and enhance societal well-being.
Originality/value
There is insufficient attention to the perceived well-being caused by the service context and customer–employee interactions, especially in online environments. This study contributes to value co-creation theory and customer well-being research by exploring factors influencing CSW in online medical care.
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Yunchen Gong, Peng Zhang, Kaiping Peng and Xiaolei Zhang
This study aims to develop a comprehensive measurement that consists of the most significant indicators of team effectiveness. Based on the input-mediator-outcome model, this…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a comprehensive measurement that consists of the most significant indicators of team effectiveness. Based on the input-mediator-outcome model, this measurement assesses two main aspects related to team effectiveness: team processes and emergent states (TPES).
Design/methodology/approach
The scale was developed and validated following three major steps. First, items were generated through literature reviews and expert reviews. Second, a pretest was conducted to refine the scale among 755 Chinese employees recruited on a survey service platform. Finally, in the evaluation section, 3,950 samples were used for scale validation, including a predictive validity test examining the relationship between TPES and team outcomes among 3,550 participants in paired samples (team members and leaders), from 381 work teams from several private companies in IT industries in China.
Findings
The TPES scale measures the team members’ interactions and the team status, consists of five dimensions: goal and role, collaboration, innovation, motivation and cohesiveness, showing acceptable reliability, validity and model fit. The five dimensions show significant positive effects on team performance and members’ satisfaction.
Originality/value
This novel measure of team process and emergent state tailored to IT companies provides a way to comprehensively diagnose a team’s strengths and/or weaknesses, thus suggesting directions for team development.
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Zhao Peng and Kong Dejun
The aim was to investigate the effect of normal load on the tribological performance of laser cladded FeCoCrMoSi amorphous coating, which might choose the appropriate normal load…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim was to investigate the effect of normal load on the tribological performance of laser cladded FeCoCrMoSi amorphous coating, which might choose the appropriate normal load for the friction reduction and wear resistance.
Design/methodology/approach
A FeCoCrMoSi amorphous coating was prepared on 45 steel using laser cladding, and the tribological performance of obtained coating under the different normal loads was investigated using a ball-on-disk tribometer.
Findings
The FeCoCrMoSi amorphous coating is composed of M23C6, Co6Mo6C2 and amorphous phases, where the M23C6 hard phase enhances the coating hardness to increase the wear resistance and the Co6Mo6C2 with the vein shape forms the strong mechanical interlock to play the role of friction reduction. The average coefficients of friction of containing amorphous FeCoCrMoSi coating under the normal loads of 3, 4 and 5 N are 0.68, 0.65 and 0.53, respectively, and the corresponding wear rates are 17.7, 23.9 and 21.9 µm3•N−1•mm−1, respectively, showing that the appropriate normal load is beneficial for improving its friction reduction and wear resistance. The wear mechanism is composed of adhesive wear, abrasive wear and oxidative wear, which is attributed to the high hardness of amorphous coating by the amorphous phase.
Originality/value
The FeCoCrMoSi amorphous coating was first applied for the improvement of 45 steel, and the effect of normal load on its tribological performance was investigated.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2024-0304/
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This study aimed to investigate the impact of benevolent leadership on proactive customer service performance by creating a moderated mediation model. The model focuses on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the impact of benevolent leadership on proactive customer service performance by creating a moderated mediation model. The model focuses on the role of harmonious passion as a mediator in the relationship between benevolent leadership and proactive customer service performance as well as the moderating influence of proactive personality on this mediation.
Design/methodology/approach
The model was tested using data from 339 immediate supervisor-subordinate pairs in eight five-star hotels in Egypt. Frontline service employees and their immediate supervisors completed separate questionnaires, and the responses were matched using identification numbers.
Findings
The results indicate that harmonious passion fully mediates the positive relationship between benevolent leadership and proactive customer service performance. Additionally, proactive personality was found to moderate the mediated relationship between benevolent leadership and proactive customer service performance through harmonious passion, such that the mediation was stronger for employees with higher proactive personalities.
Research limitations/implications
By testing the moderated mediation model, this study contributes to our theoretical understanding of the motivational mechanism through which benevolent leadership influences proactive customer service performance.
Originality/value
This research offers initial evidence of the mediating role of harmonious passion in the positive relationship between benevolent leadership and proactive customer service performance. The moderated mediation model extends existing findings by incorporating proactive personality as a significant moderator in explaining the impact of benevolent leadership on proactive customer service performance.
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