Chia-Lin Hsu, Li-Chen Yu, Wei-Feng Tung and Kwen-Wan Chen
This study broadens the understanding of how omnichannel service convenience, shopping value and channel congruence affect customer perceived trust and satisfaction and, in turn…
Abstract
Purpose
This study broadens the understanding of how omnichannel service convenience, shopping value and channel congruence affect customer perceived trust and satisfaction and, in turn, affect selection intention after an omnichannel shopping experience.
Design/methodology/approach
Target participants were recruited based on previous purchases from the Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo. A questionnaire was distributed via social media. In total, 341 valid responses were collected for structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings
The results revealed that in omnichannel shopping context, perceived trust and satisfaction are positively affected by service convenience and shopping value and are especially affected by channel congruence. Further analysis showed that perceived trust and satisfaction have a positive effect on omnichannel selection intention, with satisfaction playing a mediating role in the relationships of omnichannel service convenience, shopping value and channel congruence with omnichannel selection intention.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on omnichannel customer behaviour by shedding light on the antecedents of intention to select omnichannel retailers from the customer’s perspective.
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Wei Zhu, Chen-yu Li, Xiao-yan Xiao and Wen-bin Xu
– The purpose of this paper is to develop an effective treatment to analyze and diagnose urban rail transit (URT) vehicle maintenance strategy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an effective treatment to analyze and diagnose urban rail transit (URT) vehicle maintenance strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the technique of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is introduced into the examination of URT trains, first. Then the method of fuzzy-set-based assessment for FMEA is presented, which is the quantitative tool of Fuzzy-Set-based treatment for FMEA in analysis and diagnoses to URT maintenance strategy. Moreover, recommendations for further improvement of the proposed approach are also provided. Initial application into the vehicle maintenance of Shanghai URT System shows, that the proposed approach has a good performance and consequently is worth further development.
Findings
The paper presents a FMEA and fuzzy-set-based theoretical approach for analyzing and diagnosing current methods in URT vehicle maintenance strategy.
Practical implications
With rapid development of URT systems in the world especially in those highly populated areas, much more attentions are turning to researches on URT maintenance, nevertheless, few quantitative research achievement are mentioned or applied. This paper is a tentative attempt at introducing fuzzy-set theory into quantitative analysis and diagnoses of URT maintenance strategy.
Originality/value
The study in this paper is helpful in theory and practice of URT maintenance and its methodology could be further applied into a broad family of facility group or system in other engineering fields.
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Serhat Yüksel, Hasan Dinçer, Çağatay Çağlayan and Gülsüm Sena Uluer
Carbon emission is one of the most important problems of today. In this framework, it is important for countries to take the necessary actions to solve this problem. Energy use is…
Abstract
Carbon emission is one of the most important problems of today. In this framework, it is important for countries to take the necessary actions to solve this problem. Energy use is one of the most important causes of carbon emissions. Choosing fossil fuels in this process increases the carbon emission problem. Therefore, it is understood that countries should be more sensitive about energy types. In this context, renewable energy (RE) sources are recommended by experts. However, due to some problems of these energy types, it does not seem possible to meet all energy needs from these sources. It is thought that nuclear energy will produce a permanent solution to the carbon emission problem. In this context, it is recommended that the use of nuclear energy be put on the agenda by countries.
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Yu Chen, Shengbin Hao and A. Li
The critical issue in financial management is investigating the role of government in an organization's economy. Governmental facilities, loans and long-term financial plans may…
Abstract
Purpose
The critical issue in financial management is investigating the role of government in an organization's economy. Governmental facilities, loans and long-term financial plans may affect the performance of financial management systems. Financial management systems may be affected by various other factors, such as organizational, technological and governmental factors. Studying and investigating the influence of organizational, technological and governmental factors on financial management systems' performance is the primary goal of this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
Financial management has always been affected by the increasing role of technology. Also, the use of financial software, the entry of computer-based computing and math planning are examples of technology entry to financial management that has led to changes in recent years. Data were collected from the insurance offices through a questionnaire. Distributed questionnaires were conducted on a Likert scale. The causal model has been appraised by the structural equation modeling (SEM) method that has been utilized to assess the validity and reliability of the model. The software has been used to evaluate the questionnaire, and the hypotheses of the research are evaluated using SPSS 22 and SMART-PLS software.
Findings
The results showed that organizational, technological and governmental factors directly affect financial management systems' performance. For this reason, the role of organizational, technological and governmental factors on the success of financial management systems in insurance companies must be considered for decision-making in the future.
Research limitations/implications
This study includes some restrictions required to be examined in assessing the outcomes. First, sample research was selected from the managers of the insurance offices in Harbin, China. So, the sample size is not big, and the generalization of the results is limited. Second, the current research might have ignored other variables, which affect the performance of financial management systems. Future researchers intend to investigate the impact of investments and projects on financial management systems' performance as a proposal. Nevertheless, the subsequent investigation can assess vital factors like investments and plans on financial management systems' performance.
Practical implications
The research also includes insurance companies and all departments and individuals associated with financial management systems somehow.
Originality/value
In the current article, the performance of financial management systems is highlighted, and the method to resolve the issue has been utilized as an experimental example. This article's introduced model supplies a comprehensive framework to investigate the impact of organizational, technological and governmental factors on financial management systems' performance.
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Hui Li, Lei Fu, Li Lin, Yu Chen, YunRong Luo, XiuLan Li, WenLing Xie and Qingyuan Wang
In summary, it can be found that the current research on the simulation of natural atmospheric dry–wet alternating accelerated corrosion mainly focused on the study of…
Abstract
Purpose
In summary, it can be found that the current research on the simulation of natural atmospheric dry–wet alternating accelerated corrosion mainly focused on the study of electrochemical corrosion process and the study of corrosion rate; the micro-pre-corrosion mechanism of materials in this environment, especially for materials. The specific effects of fatigue and fracture performance still lack detailed research. Accordingly, this study aims to more realistically simulate the effect of natural atmospheric corrosion environment on the corrosion resistance and fatigue performance of aircraft skin.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the uniaxial strain control method was used to test the fatigue performance of pre-corrosion samples under simulated natural atmospheric corrosion using MTS809 tensile-torque composite fatigue machine. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy spectrum analysis, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were used. Fatigue fracture, corrosion morphology and corrosion products were analyzed.
Findings
The results show that the deep corrosion pit caused by pre-corrosion environment leads to multi-source initiation of crack; the fatigue life of pre-corroded sample decreases by about one-half, chloride ion invades the material and promotes intergranular corrosion; life prediction results show that the natural atmospheric corrosive environment mainly affects the plastic term in the Manson–Coffin formula resulting in a decrease in fatigue life.
Originality/value
Innovative experimental schemes and materials are used and the test temperature and relative humidity are strictly controlled. The corrosion failure mechanism of 2A70-T6 aluminum alloy under alternating wet and dry accelerated corrosion environment and its influence on fatigue behavior were obtained.
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Peng Zeng, Tianbin Li, Rafael Jimenez, Xianda Feng, Yu Chen and Tianlong Zhang
The collocation-based stochastic response surface method (CSRSM) is widely used in geotechnical reliability analyses due to its efficiency and accuracy. Determining the optimal…
Abstract
Purpose
The collocation-based stochastic response surface method (CSRSM) is widely used in geotechnical reliability analyses due to its efficiency and accuracy. Determining the optimal truncated order of the associated polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) is important, as it may strongly affect the practical applicability of CSRSM.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the performance of different optimal order selection strategies used in the CSRSM and proposes a new cross-order validation method. First, several methods commonly used for optimal order selection are briefly reviewed, and their merits and limitations for reliability analyses are discussed. Then, an improved optimal order selection method that achieves a better trade-off between efficiency and accuracy is proposed.
Findings
In total, ten simple mathematical examples from the literature are employed to perform a preliminary test on the proposed method, and a comparative study is conducted to demonstrate its advantages with respect to some other existing methods.
Practical implications
A total of three typical geotechnical problems are employed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method in geotechnical practice.
Originality/value
An improved optimal order selection method that achieves a better trade-off between efficiency and accuracy is proposed. The threshold value of the deterministic coefficient used for the proposed method is discussed.
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Liang Zhang, Song-bai Xue, Li-li Gao, Yan Chen, Sheng-lin Yu, Zhong Sheng and Guang Zeng
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of minor addition of the rare earth (RE) element cerium, Ce, on the microstructures and creep properties of Sn-Ag-Cu solder…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of minor addition of the rare earth (RE) element cerium, Ce, on the microstructures and creep properties of Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys.
Design/methodology/approach
The pure Sn, Sn-Cu alloy, Sn-Ag alloy and Cu-Ce alloy were used as raw materials. Sn-Ag-Cu alloys with different contents of RE Ce were chosen to compare with Sn-Ag-Cu. The raw materials of Sn, Sn-Cu alloy, Sn-Ag alloy, Cu-Ce alloy were melted in a ceramic crucible, and were melted at 550°C ± 1°C for 40 minutes. To homogenize the solder alloy, mechanical stirring was performed every ten minutes using a glass rod. During the melting, KC1 + LiCI (1.3:1), were used over the surface of liquid solder to prevent oxidation. The melted solder was chill cast into a rod.
Findings
It is found that the microstructure exhibits smaller grains and the Ag3Sn/Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compound (IMC) phases are modified in matrix with the addition of Ce. In particular, the addition of 0.03 wt.% Ce to the Sn-Ag-Cu solder can refine the microstructures and decrease the thickness of the IMC layers of Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys. Meanwhile, thermodynamic analysis showed that these phenomena could be attributed to the reduction of the driving force for Cu-Sn IMC formation due to the addition of Ce. Results calculated using the thermodynamic method are close to the above experimental data. Thus, the optimum content of Ce in Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys should be about 0.030 percent. Additionally, the effect of Ce on the creep rupture life of Sn-Ag-Cu soldered joints was studied. It was found that the creep rupture life may be increased up to 7.5 times more than that of the original Sn-Ag-Cu alloy, when Ce accounts for 0.030 percent.
Originality/value
This paper usefully investigates the effects of the RE cerium (Ce), on the microstructures and creep properties of Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys, optimizing the quantity of Ce in the Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloy through a thermodynamic method and by creep-rupture life testing.
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Simi Maria Mathew, Smitha Nayak and Veena Rao
Mass customization is a production process that allows consumers to customize products from an array of options to suit their preferences and needs and benefit from large-scale…
Abstract
Purpose
Mass customization is a production process that allows consumers to customize products from an array of options to suit their preferences and needs and benefit from large-scale production efficiencies. In recent years, several apparel retailers have integrated customization into their online presence. While the benefits of online apparel mass customization (OAMC) are apparent, factors that determine the usage of the process are many. Therefore, it is important to explore these factors and understand the relationships between them and the impact on the intention to use OAMC.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of studies published in the last decade was conducted through the Scopus, Web of Science and JSTOR databases in September 2023. Peer-reviewed research articles published in the English language were included. These studies were carried out in the United States of America, Canada, Korea and China and addressed motivations and antecedents of OAMC technology.
Findings
The data were extracted, and the findings were synthesized. The review process enabled us to examine several theories and determinants of OAMC. The latter were categorized into the following themes: “consumer personality and psychology”, “consumer perceptions”, “consumer behaviour determinants” and “process, experience and product”. The influence of consumer personality traits, psychogenic needs, characteristics and other facilitating conditions emerged through the review.
Originality/value
The purpose of this paper is to study the various determinants of OAMC and thereby provide valuable information to businesses in OAMC domains to improve customized processes, understand consumers' motivations and develop marketing strategies that improve overall satisfaction with OAMC.
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Chuan-Chung Hsieh, Yu-Ran Chen and Hui-Chieh Li
This study examined the impact of school leadership on teacher professional collaboration, with collective teacher innovativeness and teacher self-efficacy (TSE) playing the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined the impact of school leadership on teacher professional collaboration, with collective teacher innovativeness and teacher self-efficacy (TSE) playing the mediating role. Two most commonly used leadership styles, instructional leadership (IL) and distributed leadership (DL), were analyzed using a multilevel design, i.e. teachers are nested within schools.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model was validated using data of Taiwan TALIS 2018 collected from both teachers and principals and analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling.
Findings
Results showed that IL and DL influence teacher professional collaboration through different paths. IL had a significant direct impact on teacher professional collaboration alone, while DL had a significant direct impact on both teachers' collective innovativeness and their professional collaboration. While TSE had a direct effect on collective teacher innovativeness, TSE and collective teacher innovativeness had a direct effect on teacher professional collaboration.
Originality/value
This study highlights the significant impact of principal leadership as both principals and teachers work in the same environment and culture co-shaped through the interaction and collaboration. Research evidence regarding the effects of IL and DL on teacher professional collaboration is limited; this is even less evidential when the indirect effects of variables mediating between school leadership and teacher outcomes, including teacher collective innovativeness and TSE, are added to the total effects. The present findings provide useful references for principals and teachers when promoting professional collaboration to achieve desired outcomes in school and student improvement.
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This paper aims to investigate the application of 3D printing technology, particularly using sand-type materials, in the creation of artificial rock models for rock mechanics…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the application of 3D printing technology, particularly using sand-type materials, in the creation of artificial rock models for rock mechanics experimentation.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a comprehensive analysis, this research explores the utilization of 3D printing technology in rock mechanics. Sand-type materials are specifically investigated for their ability to replicate natural rock characteristics. The methodology involves a review of recent achievements and experimentation in this field.
Findings
The study reveals that sand-type 3D printing materials demonstrate comparable properties to natural rocks, including brittle characteristics, surface roughness, microstructural features and crack propagation patterns.
Research limitations/implications
While the research establishes the viability of sand-type 3D printing materials, it acknowledges limitations such as the need for further exploration and validation. Generalizability may be constrained, warranting additional research to address these limitations.
Originality/value
This research contributes insights into the potential application of sand-type 3D printing materials in indoor rock physics experiments. The findings may guide future endeavors in fabricating rock specimens with consistent structures for practical rock mechanics applications.