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1 – 10 of over 1000Qibiao Yang, Yunhan You, Bojin Cheng, Lie Chen, Jian Cheng, Deyuan Lou, Yutao Wang and Dun Liu
The purpose of this study is to process the wettability surface of the ZrO2 ceramics to improve their surface friction performance.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to process the wettability surface of the ZrO2 ceramics to improve their surface friction performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Microtexture was processed on the surface of ZrO2 ceramics using a femtosecond laser. The three-dimensional texture morphology, surface contact angle, friction curve and wear morphology were measured by the laser confocal microscope, the contact angle meter, the reciprocating friction and wear tester and the scanning electron microscope, respectively. Based on Wenzel and partial impalement models, a geometric model of micro pits is established to study the influence mechanism of micro pit depth, diameter and distribution density on wettability and to analyze the relationship between surface wettability and tribological properties.
Findings
The results show that changing the geometric characteristics of the texture will lead to a change in the solid-liquid contact mode, and then lead to a change of in the surface contact angle. Wettability is an essential factor that affects the reduction of surface friction. The construction of a reasonable texture can enhance the surface hydrophilicity, which is conducive to the formation of a lubricating film on the ceramic surface, thereby reducing abrasive and adhesive wear, and improving the wear resistance of the ZrO2 ceramic surface.
Originality/value
The results provide a theoretical reference for femtosecond laser surface texture wettability regulation and tribological performance improvement.
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Deyuan Lou, Jianfeng Cao, Yi Huang, Chenghu Lin, Chunlin He, Peter Bennett and Dun Liu
The original powder commonly used for laser 3D printing is atomized alloy powder. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ball milling (BM) on the structure and…
Abstract
Purpose
The original powder commonly used for laser 3D printing is atomized alloy powder. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ball milling (BM) on the structure and performances of the alloy powder and its composite products.
Design/methodology/approach
BM powder of Ni-Cr-graphite elements was subjected to laser cladding forming and the effect of BM on the powder structure was studied by X-ray diffraction, metallographic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The laser cladding-formed coatings were also tested by reciprocating friction measures and electrochemical corrosion experiment.
Findings
The results showed that the grains of laser cladding-formed Cr3C2-NiCr coating of BM powder were more refined compared to the coating of the atomized powder. Moreover, the abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance were slightly improved.
Originality/value
This work offers guidance for new original powder selection for laser 3D printing/powder bed forming/selective laser melting applications.
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Shu Wang, Dun Liu and Jiajia Nie
It is only logical that a firm aims to make a profit after entering the market. However, some firms enter the market with the goal of market expansion and even burn money to…
Abstract
Purpose
It is only logical that a firm aims to make a profit after entering the market. However, some firms enter the market with the goal of market expansion and even burn money to pursue market share, which is counterintuitive in practice. To explore the theoretical foundations behind this rare phenomenon, this paper focuses on discussing the impact of the market expansion entry strategy on the entrant firm and the incumbent firm.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a game theory model of a supply chain with an incumbent and an entrant, this paper explores the mathematical conditions for the entrant to adopt either the traditional or the market expansion entry strategy and investigates the incumbent’s benefits and losses under different entry strategies.
Findings
The results show that when the market-expansion effect and the selling price ceiling are moderate, the entrant firm always adopts the market expansion entry strategy, and the incumbent firm obtains a free ride from the entrant firm and benefits from it. The entire industry profits and the industry consumer surplus are increased. In particular, we further investigate the cases in which the incumbent firm has a first-mover advantage or there is a troublesome cost, and the results confirm the aforementioned conclusions.
Originality/value
By considering market share as the entrant’s goal, this paper contributes to the dual-purpose literature. Moreover, based on the model’s mathematical results, this paper offers relevant management insights for the entrant and its stakeholders in the e-commerce platform.
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The purpose of this paper is to focus, at the country‐specific level, on India's recent outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) surge, and more broadly test the investment…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus, at the country‐specific level, on India's recent outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) surge, and more broadly test the investment development path (IDP) hypothesis for India.
Design/methodology/approach
A combination of descriptive and empirical analysis has been used to ascertain the relevance of the IDP theory for India. The theoretical background of this paper is the IDP hypothesis, which states that the net outward investment position (NOIP) of a country depends on its level of development. The hypothesis is tested with a time series data set from 1991 to 2006.
Findings
This paper highlights that while India's sharp rise in investments since 1991 has followed the gross domestic product driven development, its NOIP fails to exactly match the stylized IDP model.
Research limitations/implications
This paper undertakes a macro level analysis and has not tested the hypothesis at the sectoral or bilateral levels.
Practical implications
The paper identifies some peculiar features of Indian OFDI that cannot be explained by the IDP model per se. Hence modifications are required for a fuller understanding of India's investment position.
Originality/value
This paper addresses an under researched topic of Indian OFDI.
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Shaheen Akter, Xiaolan Fu, Leonardo Bremermann, Mauro Rosa, Valerie Nattrodt, Juha Väätänen, Roman Teplov and Iulduz Khairullina
Access to affordable and sustainable energy is crucial for the improvement of the well-being of modern societies. Most energy technologies require comparatively high up-front…
Abstract
Access to affordable and sustainable energy is crucial for the improvement of the well-being of modern societies. Most energy technologies require comparatively high up-front investment, which adds to the challenge of electrification, despite the recognized multiple benefits. Partnership with multinational enterprises (MNEs) can provide necessary investment in infrastructure, finance, and technology for renewable energy and contribute to improving development indicators. However, remote areas with poor infrastructure do not have access to MNEs that are profit seekers. The Brazil experience with MNEs and “Light for All” (LfA) program shows that people gaining access to electricity invest more in businesses, education, health, and women reduce their drudgery at household chores. However, areas having a poor infrastructure in the north remain out of electricity, and attempts to create universal access were failed until a regulatory incentive framework and particular attention from the government was established. This is a great learning for the developing countries aiming to achieve sustainable development goals. A host country can gain development cooperation from MNEs with rightly formulated and implemented policies and regulatory conditions.
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Considerable attention has been paid to the motives and process of idiosyncratic internationalization trajectory of Multinational Corporations from emerging economies (EMNCs)…
Abstract
Purpose
Considerable attention has been paid to the motives and process of idiosyncratic internationalization trajectory of Multinational Corporations from emerging economies (EMNCs). Yet, the ability to undertake strategic asset-seeking foreign direct investments (FDIs) is not the same as the ability to achieve subsequent investment success (Buckley, 2018). Since an ultimate goal of strategic asset-seeking FDIs is to tap advanced knowledge in host locations to accelerate EMNC competence creation, and the current study aims to shed light on the question of whether, and if so how, EMNCs have been able to build competences after strategic asset-seeking motivated FDIs.
Design/methodology/approach
This study tests the US patent and citation data from 2000 to 2014 of leading innovation-oriented MNCs from China and India, complemented with data from LexisNexis Directory of Corporate Affiliations and Mergent Online databases. Wilcoxon rank sum test is employed to compare EMNCs with control group MNCs from mature industrialized countries to identify key technological competence creation mechanisms of EMNCs. Negative binomial regression technique is then employed to test the relationship between the key mechanisms and EMNC innovative performance in terms of quantity and quality of patented inventions.
Findings
In contrast to the extant EMNC literature, the author finds that EMNC parents adopt a hands-on and less of an orchestrating approach. They are playing critical roles in accessing and transferring knowledge from international host locations. The empirical analyses indicate an absence of reverse transfers of knowledge from subsidiaries to the parent. Instead, EMNC parents directly access and absorb explicit knowledge from external sources in subsidiary host locations, which significantly contributes to EMNC innovative performance. Meanwhile, the author finds that the employment of intra-firm and inter-unit inventor teams and associated internal tacit knowledge access and transfer significantly contribute to EMNC innovative performance.
Originality/value
This study investigates the post-internationalization performance of EMNCs and contributes to the reconciliation of theoretical debates, as well as the generation of a comprehensive understanding of the MNC. Managerial implications are also discussed.
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Since China initiated its “go global” policy that promotes its overseas investment, China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) has increased almost twenty times during the…
Abstract
Since China initiated its “go global” policy that promotes its overseas investment, China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) has increased almost twenty times during the last 10 years, reaching $55.9 billion in 2008. The issue of internationalization of Chinese OFDI has attracted increasing attention of researchers from a business perspective. This article systematically reviews the previous studies on overseas investments by Chinese MNEs and discusses the characteristics of Chinese internationalization behavior at both firm level and country level. The internationalization of Chinese companies cannot be understood as a simple game of “catch up” with established MNEs, and more firm‐level empirical studies should be carried out on how these characteristics influence firms’ strategic decisions.
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For the broad understanding of sustainable development, items such as seasonal change, timing of restrained harvesting and the rate of regeneration of natural resources, as well…
Abstract
For the broad understanding of sustainable development, items such as seasonal change, timing of restrained harvesting and the rate of regeneration of natural resources, as well as the theories of population growth are crucial. Similarly, in the world of computing as a whole and computing simulation in particular, three important components of models are theory, data and program. A model for global sustainability should include sub‐models for different resources and consumers in the ecological system. In this paper, a sample of sub‐models relating to areas such as human population growth, water, soil and land, greenhouse gases and CO2, conservation, forests and harvesting are listed, combined with other models such as pollution, waste treatment and ozone levels. The complexity of such simulations and their relevance to the current debate on sustainability are discussed.
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Diego Quer-Ramón, Enrique Claver-Cortés and Laura Rienda-García
Since the beginning of the 21st century, China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) is growing steadily and Chinese multinationals (MNCs) are playing an increasingly…
Abstract
Purpose
Since the beginning of the 21st century, China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) is growing steadily and Chinese multinationals (MNCs) are playing an increasingly important role in the global economy. Thus, the number of papers focusing on China’s OFDI and Chinese MNCs has been increasing during the last years. The aim of this chapter is to carry out a review of the empirical papers dealing with Chinese MNCs published between 2002 and 2012 in high-impact international business and management journals.
Design/methodology/approach
This chapter reviews 43 empirical papers focusing on Chinese MNCs that were published in nine major scholarly journals between 2002 and 2012.
Findings
We report individual and institutional contributions, the theories and methods used, the research topics, and the main findings. We also discuss implications for future research.
Originality/value
Some previous literature reviews have dealt with research on China’s OFDI and Chinese MNCs. Nevertheless, none of the earlier reviews dealt specifically with empirical papers; neither did they provide an analysis of both individual and institutional contributions.
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