Yuanyuan Dang, Shanshan Guo, Haochen Song and Yi Li
Prior studies on the impact of incentives on physicians’ online participation mainly focused on different incentives while ignoring the difficulty of setting monetary incentives…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior studies on the impact of incentives on physicians’ online participation mainly focused on different incentives while ignoring the difficulty of setting monetary incentives efficiently. Based on goal-setting theory, the current research examines the relationship between incentives with goals of varying difficulty and professional health knowledge sharing (PHKS) in online health knowledge-sharing platforms (OHKSPs).
Design/methodology/approach
Four field experiments with different monetary incentives were conducted by one of China’s largest OHKSPs, with whom the researchers cooperated in data collection. Monthly panel data on 10,584 physicians were collected from September 2018 to December 2019. There were 9,376 physicians in the treatment group and 1,208 in the control group. The authors used a difference-in-difference (DID) model to explore the research question based on the same control group and the Chow test with seemingly unrelated estimation (sureg) to compare regression coefficients between four groups. Several robustness checks were performed to validate the main results, including a relative time model, multiple falsification tests and a DID estimation using the propensity score matching method.
Findings
The results show that the monetary incentive significantly positively affected the volume of physicians’ PHKS directly with negative spillover to the duration of physicians’ PHKS. Moreover, the positive effect of incentives with higher difficulty on the volume of physicians’ PHKS was significantly smaller than that of incentives with low difficulty. Finally, professional title had a positive moderating effect on the volume of goal difficulty setting and did not significantly moderate the effect on the duration of physicians’ PHKS.
Research limitations/implications
Some limitations of this study are: firstly, because the field experiments were enterprise benefit oriented, the treatment and control groups were not balanced. Secondly, the experiments for different incentive measures were relatively similar, making it challenging to validate a causal effect. Finally, more consideration should be given to the strategy for setting hierarchical incentives in future research.
Originality/value
The research indicates that monetary incentives have a bilateral effect on PHKS, i.e. a positive direct effect on the volume of physicians’ contributions and a negative spillover effect on the duration of physicians’ PHKS. The professional titles of physicians also moderate such bilateral switches of PHKS. Furthermore, when a physician’s energy is limited, the goal difficulty setting of the incentive mechanism tends to be low. The more difficult the incentives are, the more inefficient the effects on physicians’ PHKS will be.
Details
Keywords
This study examines the impact of doing, using and interacting (DUI) and science, technology and innovation (STI) learning mechanisms on firm performance, investigating their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the impact of doing, using and interacting (DUI) and science, technology and innovation (STI) learning mechanisms on firm performance, investigating their influence on financial performance through innovative performance in machine tools and textile manufacturing firms in Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data was collected through a survey of 202 manufacturing firms across two industries, as secondary data inadequately captures learning mechanisms, particularly for DUI mode. The study employed structural equation modelling (SEM) alongside descriptive analysis to examine the impact of STI–DUI learning mechanisms on performance.
Findings
The study reveals that firms, despite minimal investment in formal R&D, effectively learn through networking and imitation (DUI mechanisms). They also benefit from local industrial training institutions. Notably, innovative performance mediates the relationship between learning mechanisms (imitation, networking and industry institutions) and firms' financial performance.
Originality/value
The literature was found to be scant in terms of understanding the nature of firms learning mechanism, especially for the firms undertaken for the analysis. Although having distinguished nature of knowledge and learning required to compete for the products manufactured in machine tools and textiles industries, local conditions, domestic national institutions and regional aspects makes the industries unique case to understand the challenges amidst unique features of these industries. The study is expected to fill-in the gap in the literature of manufacturing industries belonging to developing countries in the era of increasing technological competition in the integrated world economies.
Details
Keywords
Jingfu Liu, Behrooz Jalalahmadi, Y.B. Guo, Michael P. Sealy and Nathan Bolander
Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry due to several advantages and capabilities, including use of rapid prototyping, fabrication of complex…
Abstract
Purpose
Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry due to several advantages and capabilities, including use of rapid prototyping, fabrication of complex geometries, reduction of product development cycles and minimization of material waste. As metal AM becomes increasingly popular for aerospace and defense original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), a major barrier that remains is rapid qualification of components. Several potential defects (such as porosity, residual stress and microstructural inhomogeneity) occur during layer-by-layer processing. Current methods to qualify AM parts heavily rely on experimental testing, which is economically inefficient and technically insufficient to comprehensively evaluate components. Approaches for high fidelity qualification of AM parts are necessary.
Design/methodology/approach
This review summarizes the existing powder-based fusion computational models and their feasibility in AM processes through discrete aspects, including process and microstructure modeling.
Findings
Current progresses and challenges in high fidelity modeling of AM processes are presented.
Originality/value
Potential opportunities are discussed toward high-level assurance of AM component quality through a comprehensive computational tool.
Details
Keywords
Cecilia Isabel Calderón-Valencia, Judith Cavazos-Arroyo and Alfonso López Lira-Arjona
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the anti‐sedimentation of the acrylic resin containing long afterglow phosphors (SrMgAl4O8:Eu2+, Dy3+).
Design/methodology/approach
The phosphors were first modified by the vinylsilane coupling agent MPS (3‐(methacryloxypropyl)‐trimethoxysilane). Then, the acrylic resin containing modified phosphors was synthesised by in situ polymerisation. Meanwhile, the compared blend sample was prepared by pure acylic resin with no modified phosphors in the same content. When the two resins were coated on glass, the films were characterised by ATR‐FTIR, SEM and TGA. The sedimentation performances of liquid resins were also observed.
Findings
Results showed that anti‐sedimentation of acrylic resin with phosphors by in situ polymerisation was enhanced greatly, because the phosphors have been connected with the macromolecule chain, and dispersed homogeneously with no aggregation, so preventing its sedimentation.
Research limitations/implications
Researchers are encouraged to test the proposed method and enhance the anti‐sedimentation further.
Practical implications
This method provides an idea to solve the problem of anti‐sedimentation in luminescent paint containing long afterglow phosphors in practical production and application.
Originality/value
This paper introduced the in situ polymerisation to enhance the anti‐sedimentation of acrylic resin containing long afterglow phosphors and it can be applied also to other inorganic powders.
Details
Keywords
Bingjun Li, Shuhua Zhang, Wenyan Li and Yifan Zhang
Grey modeling technique is an important element of grey system theory, and academic articles applied to agricultural science research have been published since 1985, proving the…
Abstract
Purpose
Grey modeling technique is an important element of grey system theory, and academic articles applied to agricultural science research have been published since 1985, proving the broad applicability and effectiveness of the technique from different aspects and providing a new means to solve agricultural science problems. The analysis of the connotation and trend of the application of grey modeling technique in agricultural science research contributes to the enrichment of grey technique and the development of agricultural science in multiple dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the relevant literature selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Web of Science, SpiScholar and other databases in the past 37 years (1985–2021), this paper firstly applied the bibliometric method to quantitatively visualize and systematically analyze the trend of publication, productive author, productive institution, and highly cited literature. Then, the literature is combed by the application of different grey modeling techniques in agricultural science research, and the literature research progress is systematically analyzed.
Findings
The results show that grey model technology has broad prospects in the field of agricultural science research. Agricultural universities and research institutes are the main research forces in the application of grey model technology in agricultural science research, and have certain inheritance. The application of grey model technology in agricultural science research has wide applicability and precise practicability.
Originality/value
By analyzing and summarizing the application trend of grey model technology in agricultural science research, the research hotspot, research frontier and valuable research directions of grey model technology in agricultural science research can be more clearly grasped.
Details
Keywords
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on a study which aims to improve the compatibility of the long afterglow phosphors SrMgAl4O8:Eu2+, Dy3+with organic matrix, including its water resistance.
Design/methodology/approach
The phosphors were modified by the lauric acid‐based Al‐Zr coupling agent (CA). Then, they were characterised by attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR), pH and electric conductivity in water, scanning electron microscope (SEM), contact angle and fluorescence decay curves before and after modification.
Findings
The pH and electric conductivity displayed the improved water resistance, as the Al‐Zr CA addition increased, and the minimum contact angle with resin decreased from 68.3 to 40.3°C, which showed that the compatibility with organic matrix was enhanced significantly. The afterglow luminous properties were unimpaired.
Research limitations/implications
The researchers are encouraged to test the proposed method and enhance the compatibility further.
Practical implications
This method will extend the applications of phosphors in the paint, coatings, ink and plastics industry.
Originality/value
This paper introduces the lauric acid‐based Al‐Zr CA to modify the luminescent pigments of long afterglow phosphors; it can be also applied to other inorganic powders.
Details
Keywords
Yang Guo, Huseini S. Patanwala, Brice Bognet and Anson W.K. Ma
This paper aims to summarize the latest developments both in terms of theoretical understanding and experimental techniques related to inkjet fluids. The purpose is to provide…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to summarize the latest developments both in terms of theoretical understanding and experimental techniques related to inkjet fluids. The purpose is to provide practitioners a self-contained review of how the performance of inkjet and inkjet-based three-dimensional (3D) printing is fundamentally influenced by the properties of inkjet fluids.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is written for practitioners who may not be familiar with the underlying physics of inkjet printing. The paper thus begins with a brief review of basic concepts in inkjet fluid characterization and the relevant dimensionless groups. Then, how drop impact and contact angle affect the footprint and resolution of inkjet printing is reviewed, especially onto powder and fabrics that are relevant to 3D printing and flexible electronics applications. A future outlook is given at the end of this review paper.
Findings
The jettability of Newtonian fluids is well-studied and has been generalized using a dimensionless Ohnesorge number. However, the inclusion of various functional materials may modify the ink fluid properties, leading to non-Newtonian behavior, such as shear thinning and elasticity. This paper discusses the current understanding of common inkjet fluids, such as particle suspensions, shear-thinning fluids and viscoelastic fluids.
Originality/value
A number of excellent review papers on the applications of inkjet and inkjet-based 3D printing already exist. This paper focuses on highlighting the current scientific understanding and possible future directions.
Details
Keywords
Anthony Ayakwah, Ellis L.C. Osabutey and Isaac Sakyi Damoah
A few decades ago, most research works on internationalisation were aligned to studies in developed economies. In recent times, business entrepreneurs in developing and emerging…
Abstract
A few decades ago, most research works on internationalisation were aligned to studies in developed economies. In recent times, business entrepreneurs in developing and emerging economies have shown their potential to permeate international markets. The current capability of business entrepreneurs in developing and emerging economies, which drives their ability to overcome the numerous barriers to internationalisation, particularly within clusters, requires a critical examination. As a result, the study situates the discussion on internationalisation within the theory of agglomeration in developing and emerging economies and argues that the gains enjoyed by business entrepreneurs from operating in close proximity in clusters are critical for overcoming the barriers of internationalisation. This research adopts a systematic review of secondary data to tease out the unique attributes of clusters in developing and emerging economies, which supports the internationalisation drive. The findings show that most emerging economy clusters are engaged in exports but there is minimal work on international entrepreneurs operating within clusters. The unique features that drive exporting clusters are the presence of multinational companies, public agencies and collaborative relationships. These unique features have the capacity to minimise the constraints to internationalisation and determine the export performance of businesses in the cluster.
Details
Keywords
Dezhi Li, Lugang Yu, Guanying Huang, Shenghua Zhou, Haibo Feng and Yanqing Wang
To propose a new investment-income valuation model by real options approach (ROA) for old community renewal (OCR) projects, which could help the government attract private…
Abstract
Purpose
To propose a new investment-income valuation model by real options approach (ROA) for old community renewal (OCR) projects, which could help the government attract private capital's participation.
Design/methodology/approach
The new model is proposed by identifying the types of options private capital has in the OCR project, selecting the option model most suitable for private capital investment decisions, improving the valuation model through the triangular fuzzy numbers to take into account the uncertainty and flexibility, and demonstrating the feasibility of the calculation model through an actual OCR project case.
Findings
The new model can valuate OCR projects more accurately based on considering uncertainty and flexibility, compared with conventional methods that often underestimate the value of OCR projects.
Practical implications
The investment-income of OCR projects shall be re-valuated from the lens of real options, which could help reveal more real benefits beyond the capital growth of OCR projects, enable the government to attract private capital's investment in OCR, and alleviate government fiscal pressure.
Originality/value
The proposed OCR-oriented investment-income valuation model systematically analyzes the applicability of real option value (ROV) to OCR projects, innovatively integrates the ROV and the net present value (NPV) as expanded net present value (ENPV), and accurately evaluate real benefits in comparison with existing models. Furthermore, the newly proposed model holds the potential to be transferred to various social welfare projects as a tool to attract private capital's participation.