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Article
Publication date: 14 September 2010

A. Lin Cao, Qing Jun Zhu, Sheng Tao Zhang and Bao Rong Hou

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and estimate the stray current corrosion hazard of a buried metallic pipeline using a predictive model for stray current density.

561

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and estimate the stray current corrosion hazard of a buried metallic pipeline using a predictive model for stray current density.

Design/methodology/approach

A predictive model for stray current density of the buried metallic pipeline was built, using a back propagation (BP) neural network method and experimental data. The accuracy of the model was tested using test samples. The single sensitivity analysis predictive method was used to establish the relationship between stray current density with the soil resistivity. The effects of buried depth and the pipe‐to‐ground voltage offset were researched using this network model.

Findings

The feasibility of the BP neural network to forecast stray current effects from the buried metallic pipeline was confirmed.

Originality/value

The paper provides a new method to analyze and estimate the stray current corrosion hazard of buried metallic pipelines.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 57 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

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Article
Publication date: 28 January 2014

Yingxia Cao and Xiaofan Li

The paper aims to establish a quality assurance framework for Chinese private higher education (PHE) in particular and for any newly-established higher education sector in…

2482

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to establish a quality assurance framework for Chinese private higher education (PHE) in particular and for any newly-established higher education sector in general.

Design/methodology/approach

This research relied on published qualitative and quantitative data, existing literature, historical documents, and the authors' observations. It described the PHE growth context, analyzed the quality issue from three dimensions (academic, administrative, and relationship quality), and examined its quality assurance practice through three players.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights about how quality and quality assurance issues have impacted on PHE development. To approach the issues, it suggests a “quality assurance triangle” framework that is composed of three PHE players (government, market, institution) and their joint association.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the relative position of each player in current quality assurance, the success of its implementation in China depends on how the government establishes the triangle system and balances its dominating roles to ensure each of the players act independently and collaboratively.

Practical implications

This framework provides directions for establishing an appropriate quality assurance system for PHE in China.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to setup a sound quality assurance system for PHE in China and contributes to quality assurance literature with a new framework.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

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Article
Publication date: 2 July 2020

Bao Dai, Ahsan Ali and Hongwei Wang

Grounded on the cognition–affect–conation (C–A–C) framework, this study aims to explore how perceived information overload affects the information avoidance intention of social…

5445

Abstract

Purpose

Grounded on the cognition–affect–conation (C–A–C) framework, this study aims to explore how perceived information overload affects the information avoidance intention of social media users through fatigue, frustration and dissatisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach/methodology/approach

A quantitative research design is adopted. The data collected from 254 respondents in China are analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

Perceived information overload directly affects fatigue, frustration and dissatisfaction among social media users, thereby affecting their information avoidance intention. In addition, frustration significantly affects social media fatigue and dissatisfaction. Consequently, social media fatigue influences dissatisfaction among users.

Originality/value

The literature review indicates that social media overload and fatigue yield negative behavioral outcomes, including discontinuance. However, rather than completely abstaining or escaping, social media users adopt moderate strategies, including information avoidance, to cope with overload and fatigue owing to their high dependence on social media. Unfortunately, merely few studies are available on the information avoidance behavior of social media users. Focusing on this line of research, the current study develops a model to investigate the antecedents of information avoidance in social media.

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Article
Publication date: 20 May 2020

Sofiya Bano and Sandhya Pillai

The purpose of this paper is to prepare calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles by green synthesis technique and study its structural, morphological and optical properties. The prepared…

904

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles by green synthesis technique and study its structural, morphological and optical properties. The prepared samples were calcined at, 200°C, 300°C and 500°C, and the variation in the properties at different temperatures were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Green approach has been used in the present work to synthesise the CaO nanoparticles using Murraya Koenigii leaf (curry leaves) extract as a capping agent. This technique involves the use of nontoxic reagents and natural products derived from various parts of plants.

Findings

Studies reveal that CaO nanoparticles with good optical properties can be synthesized successfully by green approach. The optical absorbance spectra show a broad absorption peak around 400–500 nm. FTIR studies confirm the presence of different functional groups that help in the stabilization of CaO nanoparticles. PL emission spectra show a high intensity emission peak at around 231 nm in addition to peaks at 375 nm and 400 nm. XRD studies show planes of CaO cubic phase. SEM images show a nonuniform distribution of spherical particles along with some clusters. EDX spectra confirm the presence of calcium and oxygen.

Practical implications

CaO nanoparticles have wide applications in optical devices as well as in phototherapy. It is thus interesting to devise new and eco-friendly techniques to synthesise these nanoparticles to suit these applications.

Originality/value

This work would provide a new insight into the preparation of different metal oxide nanoparticles by a very simple and cost-effective green technique without the use of toxic reagents.

Details

World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5945

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 30 January 2023

Yanqing Lin, Shaoxiong Fu and Xun Zhou

As the number of social media users continues to rise globally, a heated debate emerges on whether social media use improves or harms mental health, as well as the bidirectional…

1893

Abstract

Purpose

As the number of social media users continues to rise globally, a heated debate emerges on whether social media use improves or harms mental health, as well as the bidirectional relation between social media use and mental health. Motivated by this, the authors’ study adopts the stressor–strain–outcome model and social compensation hypothesis to disentangle the effect mechanism between social media use and psychological well-being. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

To empirically validate the proposed research model, a large-scale two-year longitudinal questionnaire survey on social media use was administered to a valid sample of 6,093 respondents recruited from a university in China. Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis.

Findings

A longitudinal analysis reveals that social media use positively (negatively) impacts psychological well-being through the mediator of nomophobia (perceived social support) in a short period. However, social media use triggers more psychological unease, as well as more life satisfaction from a longitudinal perspective.

Originality/value

This study addresses the bidirectional relation between social media use and psychological unease. The current study also draws both theoretical and practical implications by unmasking the bright–dark duality of social media use on psychological well-being.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

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Article
Publication date: 12 May 2020

Xiongfei Cao, Mingchuan Gong, Lingling Yu and Bao Dai

The problematic use of social media progressively worsens among a large proportion of users. However, the theory-driven investigation into social media addiction behavior remains…

6046

Abstract

Purpose

The problematic use of social media progressively worsens among a large proportion of users. However, the theory-driven investigation into social media addiction behavior remains far from adequate. Among the countable information system studies on the dark side of social media, the focus lies on users' subjective feelings and perceived value. The technical features of the social media platform have been ignored. Accordingly, this study explores the formation of social media addiction considering the perspectives of users and social media per se on the basis of extended motivational framework and attachment theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the formation of social media addiction with particular focus on WeChat. A field survey with 505 subjects of WeChat users was conducted to investigate the research model.

Findings

Results demonstrate that social media addiction is determined by individuals' emotional and functional attachment to the platform. These attachments are in turn influenced by motivational (perceived enjoyment and social interaction) and technical (informational support, system quality and personalization) factors.

Originality/value

First, this study explains the underlying mechanism of how users develop social media addiction. Second, it highlights the importance of users' motivations and emotional dependence at this point. It also focuses on the technical system of the platform that plays a key role in the formation of addictive usage behavior. Third, it extends attachment theory to the context of social media addictive behavior.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 14 September 2023

Arkadiusz Kawa and Wojciech Zdrenka

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that create value for the customer in the area of e-commerce logistics and to verify whether these factors impact online…

2433

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that create value for the customer in the area of e-commerce logistics and to verify whether these factors impact online retailers' performance through customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in a business to customer (B2C) area.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of the study, a model of logistics value in e-commerce was introduced. The model was proposed based on the literature review. A total of 592 correctly filled questionnaires from telephone and web interviews [computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) and computer-assisted web interview (CAWI)] were studied. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted in the study.

Findings

It was confirmed that four of five defined logistics value dimensions have positive impact on customer satisfaction. These dimensions are communication of delivery status, convenience of receipt, reception experience and convenience of return. The influence of speed of delivery on customer satisfaction was not confirmed. It was also confirmed that customer satisfaction has a positive impact on customer loyalty and that customer loyalty positively impacts online retailers' performance.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the current understanding of the influence of logistics factors on online retailers' performance through customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. There have been few studies that concern logistics value in e-commerce, with particular emphasis on above-mentioned relations. It is especially an important issue due to the fact that logistics can potentially lead to gain a competitive advantage in e-commerce.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 29 April 2020

Po-Lin Lai, Dong-Taur Su, Hui-Huang Tai and Ching-Chiao Yang

The increasing demand for high-quality logistics services has forced container shipping firms to decrease logistics service failure to retain the customers. This study thus aims…

4829

Abstract

Purpose

The increasing demand for high-quality logistics services has forced container shipping firms to decrease logistics service failure to retain the customers. This study thus aims to apply organizational information processing theory (OIPT) to construct a maritime supply chain collaborative decision-making model and examine its impact on logistics service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 142 usable questionnaires were collected from questionnaire survey. A two-step structural equation modeling approach including confirmatory factor analysis was subsequently performed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that internal information integration positively impacts external information integration, that external information integration positively impacts collaborative decision-making, and that collaborative decision-making positively impacts logistics service performance for container shipping firms. However, a relationship between internal information integration and collaborative decision-making was not found in this study.

Research limitations/implications

This study primarily examines collaborative decision-making from the view of container shipping firms. Future research including other supply chain members is needed to generalize the results and could also incorporate other factors such as relationship quality and culture, into the model to address this issue.

Practical implications

To decrease the occurrence of logistics failures and improve service quality in the maritime logistics process, it is suggested that container shipping firms apply information technology for acquiring and assimilating logistics information internally and externally across the supply chain to facilitate decision-making.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the knowledge about the antecedents and impacts of collaborative decision-making for container shipping firms in Taiwan. Particularly, in line with OITP, the findings indicate that container shipping firms can facilitate logistics decision-making and strategy formulation through information integration, which in turn enhances logistics service performance.

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Article
Publication date: 27 February 2024

Fenfang Lin and Teck-Yong Eng

Previous studies focus on the direct effects of marketing analytics on entrepreneurial performance, but few explore the underlying mechanisms. Drawing on affordance theory, this…

390

Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies focus on the direct effects of marketing analytics on entrepreneurial performance, but few explore the underlying mechanisms. Drawing on affordance theory, this study explores pathways through new product innovation (NPI) for the effects of marketing analytics on business performance. NPI is a market-based innovation concept comprising customer- and competitor-driven NPD and incremental innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data collected from UK-based entrepreneurial firms operating in the IT and telecoms industries, we apply confirmatory factor analysis and a sequential structural equation model to test the mediating role of NPI in the effect of marketing analytics on market performance and financial performance.

Findings

The results show that marketing analytics enhances business performance through competitor-driven but not customer-driven NPD. Although using marketing analytics to generate customer knowledge for existing product innovation may enhance market performance, this positive effect becomes negative when competitor-driven NPD is undertaken to improve existing product innovation.

Originality/value

This study makes significant contributions to the innovation and NPD literature. It delves deeper into the existing view on the positive contributions of customer engagement to business value creation, revealing the significance of competitor knowledge to enhance business performance through marketing analytics, particularly in the context of IT and telecoms entrepreneurial firms.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 18 August 2023

Min Ju and Michael T. Elliott

The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of organizational ambidexterity of foreign ventures in an emerging market. Organizational ambidexterity, the simultaneous…

481

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of organizational ambidexterity of foreign ventures in an emerging market. Organizational ambidexterity, the simultaneous pursuit of exploration and exploitation, represents a key innovation strategy. Yet, the driving factors of such innovation strategies for foreign ventures competing in emerging markets have been underresearched. In this study, unpacking the construct of organizational ambidexterity into two dimensions (i.e. the combined dimension [CD] and the balance dimension [BD]), the authors aim to investigate how firm-level and industry-level factors drive foreign ventures in pursuing exploration and exploitation and maximizing the benefits of both.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the hierarchical multiple regression approach using a sample of foreign ventures operating in high-tech manufacturing industries in China.

Findings

The authors find that the firm-level factor of strategic flexibility leads positively to the CD of organizational ambidexterity, whereas the industry-level factor of technological turbulence has a significantly positive impact on the BD.

Originality/value

This study provides important insights into the driving factors of organizational ambidexterity for foreign ventures competing in emerging markets.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

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