Jia Hui Chong and Changsong Wang
Fast fashion brands in Asia are increasingly incorporating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into their business strategies in response to the mounting environmental and…
Abstract
Purpose
Fast fashion brands in Asia are increasingly incorporating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into their business strategies in response to the mounting environmental and social concerns. The study aims to provide insights into the current landscape of CSR practices and communication within the Asian context through focusing on two prominent Asian brands to understand how these fashion brands articulate and convey their CSR activities on their respective websites.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative content analysis to critically evaluate the CSR communication used by Uniqlo and Shein, with the incorporation of signalling theory as a theoretical framework to discuss the observed elements on their websites.
Findings
The results indicate that the two Asian fast fashion brands actively engage in CSR’s environmental and social dimensions. Notably, the social dimension is more prominently expressed on both brands’ websites than on other dimensions. Through a nuanced interplay of colour, imagery and keywords, these Asian fast fashion brands strategically signify their commitment to environmental stewardship and stakeholder well-being.
Originality/value
This study fills a gap in the literature by examining CSR programs on Asian-owned fast fashion brands’ websites through the application of signalling theory. The research contributes to the theoretical foundation of CSR communication outcome research, offering actionable insights for marketers entering the Asian fashion market to enhance brand reputation and legitimacy.
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Biao Ma, Qian Wang, Changsong Zheng, Liang Yu, Guoyu Wang and Liangjie Zheng
This paper aims to explore the effect of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) temperature on the dynamic friction-wear properties of the friction component in a wet multi-disc…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the effect of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) temperature on the dynamic friction-wear properties of the friction component in a wet multi-disc clutch during the running-in process.
Design/methodology/approach
The running-in evolution was explored in terms of global friction performance and instantaneous friction characteristics. The variation of friction torque of the initial 300 engagement cycles was obtained by wet-clutch tests. Finally, an optical microscope was used to detect the wear mechanism of friction surfaces.
Findings
The ATF temperature showed a significant effect on the friction-wear performance in the clutch running-in process. The mean coefficient of friction decreased with the increase of the ATF temperature and decreased rapidly in the approximately initial 60 clutch engagements. The higher the ATF temperature was, the thinner the ATF film was, and more asperity summits were cut, thus leading to a smoother surface. Considering the slightly instantaneous friction fluctuation and the wear performance, a proper ATF temperature is necessary.
Originality/value
The results provide theoretical guidance for selecting the optimal ATF temperature during the running-in process.
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Shufa Yan, Biao Ma and Changsong Zheng
The purpose of constructing a degradation index (DI) is to better characterize the degradation degree of mechanical transmission compared with relying solely on spectral oil data…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of constructing a degradation index (DI) is to better characterize the degradation degree of mechanical transmission compared with relying solely on spectral oil data, which leads to an accurate estimation of the failure time when the transmission no longer fulfills its function.
Design/methodology/approach
The DI is modeled using a weighted average function with two desirable properties: maximizing the monotonic trend and minimizing the variance of failure threshold between different transmissions. The method includes concentration modification, data selection and data fusion steps that lead to a reasonable mechanical transmission degradation model. The proposed methodology was verified through a case study involving multispectral oil data sampled from several power-shift steering transmissions.
Findings
The results show that the DI outperforms all spectral oil data. Compared with the existing spectral oil data-based degradation modeling approach for mechanical transmissions, the present methodology provides an accurate RUL prediction.
Research limitations/implications
There are several important directions for future research: First, more degradation data (i.e. ferrography) that are tailored to the degradation modeling of mechanical transmission need to be involved. Second, more effective degradation data selection methodologies that are applicable for multiple data types need to be developed. Third, kernel methods that can fuse the nonlinear degradation data need to be investigated.
Originality/value
The novelty of this methodology lies in integrating the multiple degradation data in a unified DI. And the main contribution of this paper is to establish a new direction in degradation modeling and RUL prediction of mechanical transmission.
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Yong Liu, Jiang Zhang, Junjie Cui, Changsong Zheng, Yajun Liu and Jian Shen
In armored vehicles integrated transmissions, residual life prediction based on oil spectrum data is crucial for condition monitoring and reliability assessment. This paper aims…
Abstract
Purpose
In armored vehicles integrated transmissions, residual life prediction based on oil spectrum data is crucial for condition monitoring and reliability assessment. This paper aims to use the advantages of real-time and accurate prediction of binary Wiener process, the residual life prediction of clutch is studied.
Design/methodology/approach
First, combined with the wet clutch life test, the indicator elements Cu and Pb and the failure threshold of the residual life prediction of the clutch are extracted through the oil replacement correction of the spectral data of the whole life cycle; second, the correlation characteristics of indicating elements are analyzed by MATLAB Copula function, then the correlation function of residual life will be derived; third, according to the inverse Gaussian principle, the performance degradation mathematical models of the unary and binary Wiener processes of the above two indicator elements are established; finally, the maximum likelihood estimation method is used to estimate the parameters, and the monadic and binary performance degradation mathematical models are used to predict the residual life of the tested clutch.
Findings
By comparing the prediction results with the test results, with the passage of time, 81.25% of the predicted value error of the residual life prediction method based on the binary Wiener process is controlled within 20%, while 56.25% of the predicted value error of the residual life prediction method based on the unitary Wiener process is controlled within 20%. At the same time, the prediction accuracy of the binary prediction model is 2%–16.7% higher than that of the unitary prediction model.
Originality/value
This paper studies the residual life prediction theory of wet clutch, which can develop the theory and method of comprehensive transmission health monitoring, and provide theoretical and technical support for the construction of a reliable health management system for high-speed tracked vehicles.
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This chapter aims to investigate and interpret China’s educational aid by analyzing its history, philosophies, and practices in Africa. The study is based on review and analysis…
Abstract
This chapter aims to investigate and interpret China’s educational aid by analyzing its history, philosophies, and practices in Africa. The study is based on review and analysis of governmental documents, reports, academic papers, and news by Chinese and foreign scholars on China’s aid, particularly educational aid to Africa. The analysis unveils three transformations of China’s aid “from pro-ideology to de-ideology,” “from single area to multiple areas,” and “from pragmatic economy driven to sustainable and humane economy focused” in Africa. Meanwhile, it indicates a continuity of the philosophy of solidarity, morality, and reciprocity in China’s South-South cooperation with African educational development.
The analysis also shows China’s educational aid does not match well with the framework of the Western donors. China, under the FOCAC framework, is devoted to higher education cooperation, human resources training program, scholarship, and Chinese language education with African partners. With the growth of its economic and political influence, China will play multiple roles as the biggest developing country and as an active promoter and provider for South-South cooperation in the negotiation and construction of the post-2015 agenda. Nevertheless, we assume China will keep a pragmatic higher education cooperation with its developing country partners to inclusively link it with business, technology transfer, and people-to-people exchange.
This study delivers a comprehensive review and analysis of paradigm shift, philosophy, mechanism, and practice of China’s educational aid to Africa to fill up the literature gap in this field. It also timely presents China’s stance toward discussion on the post-2015 agenda.
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Shih-Tse Edward Wang and Yu-Ting Liao
Although the association between social norms and alcohol dependence has been noted, how social norms cause alcohol dependence remains unclear. This study thus investigated how…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the association between social norms and alcohol dependence has been noted, how social norms cause alcohol dependence remains unclear. This study thus investigated how social norms affect the perceived benefits of drinking and alcohol identity, which in turn affect alcohol dependence.
Design/methodology/approach
Convenience sampling was used, and 452 valid questionnaires were collected from alcohol (specifically, beer) consumers over the age of 18; answers were analyzed through structural equation modeling.
Findings
Social norms positively affected the perceived benefits of drinking and alcohol identity; alcohol identity positively affected alcohol dependence; moreover, alcohol identity fully mediated the effects of social norms and the perceived benefits of drinking on alcohol dependence.
Originality/value
How social norms affect alcohol dependence has rarely been studied; thus, the present study has value for integrating the findings in the lines of research on social norms and alcohol dependence. Based on the study results, the authors recommend that policies aimed at discouraging alcohol dependence should focus on mitigating the social pressure to drink and the perceived benefits of drinking as well as labeling others as drinkers.