Jiawei Xu, Baofeng Zhang, Jianjun Lu, Yubing Yu, Haidong Chen and Jie Zhou
The importance of the agri-food supply chain in both food production and distribution has made the issue of its development a critical concern. Based on configuration theory and…
Abstract
Purpose
The importance of the agri-food supply chain in both food production and distribution has made the issue of its development a critical concern. Based on configuration theory and congruence theory, this research investigates the complex impact of supply chain concentration on financial growth in agri-food supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
The cluster analysis and response surface methodology are employed to analyse the data collected from 207 Chinese agri-food companies from 2010 to 2022.
Findings
The results indicate that different combination patterns of supply chain concentration can lead to different levels of financial growth. We discover that congruent supplier and customer concentration is beneficial for companies’ financial growth. This impact is more pronounced when the company is in the agricultural production stage of agri-food supply chains. Post-hoc analysis indicates that there exists an inverted U-shaped relationship between the overall levels of supply chain concentration and financial growth.
Practical implications
Our research uncovers the complex interplay between supply chain base and financial outcomes, thereby revealing significant ramifications for agri-food supply chain managers to optimise their strategies for exceptional financial growth.
Originality/value
This study proposes a combined approach of cluster analysis and response surface analysis for analysing configuration issues in supply chain management.
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Jian Gao, Hao Wen, Zhiyuan Lin, Haidong Wu, Si Li, Xin Chen, Yun Chen and Yunbo He
Remanufacturing of worn blades with various defects normally requires processes such as scanning, regenerating a geometrical reference model, additive manufacturing (AM) through…
Abstract
Purpose
Remanufacturing of worn blades with various defects normally requires processes such as scanning, regenerating a geometrical reference model, additive manufacturing (AM) through laser cladding, adaptive machining and polishing and quality inspection. Unlike the manufacturing process of a new part, the most difficult problem for remanufacturing such a complex surface part is that the reference model adaptive to the worn part is no longer available or useful. The worn parts may suffer from geometrical deformation, distortion and other defects because of the effects of harsh operating conditions, thereby making their original computer aided design (CAD) models inadequate for the repair process. This paper aims to regenerate the geometric models for the worn parts, which is a key issue for implementing AM to build up the parts and adaptive machining to reform the parts. Unlike straight blades with similar cross sections, the tip geometry of the worn tip of a twist blade needs to be regenerated by a different method.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a surface extension algorithm for the reconstruction of a twist blade tip through the extremum parameterization of a B-spline basis function. Based on the cross sections of the scanned worn blade model, the given control points and knot vectors are firstly reconstructed into a B-spline curve D. After the extremum of each control point is calculated by extremum parameterization of a B-spline basis function, the unknown control points are calculated by substituting the extremum into the curve D. Once all control points are determined, the B-spline surface of the worn blade tip can be regenerated. Finally, the extension algorithm is implemented and validated with several examples.
Findings
The proposed algorithm was implemented and verified through the exampled blades. Through the extension algorithm, the tip geometry of the worn tip of a twist blade can be regenerated. This method solved a key problem for the repair of a twist blade tip. It provides an appropriate reference model for repairing worn blade tips through AM to build up the blade tip and adaptive machining/polishing processes to reform the blade geometry.
Research limitations/implications
The extension errors for different repair models are compared and analyzed. The authors found that there are several factors affecting the accuracy of the regenerated model. When the cross-section interval and the extension length are set properly, the restoration accuracy for the blade tip can be improved, which is acceptable for the repairing.
Practical implications
The lack of a reference geometric model for worn blades is a significant problem when implementing blade repair through AM and adaptive machining processes. Because the geometric reference model is unavailable for the repair process, reconstruction of the geometry of a worn blade tip is the first crucial step. The authors proposed a surface extension algorithm for the reconstruction of a twist blade tip. Through the implementation of the proposed algorithm, the blade tip model can be regenerated.
Social implications
Remanufacturing of worn blades with various defects is highly demeaned for the aerospace enterprises considering sustainable development. Unlike straight blades, repair of twist blades encountered a very difficult problem because the geometric reference model is unavailable for the repair processes. This paper proposed a different method to generate the reference model for the repair of a twist blade tip. With this model, repair of twist blades can be implemented through AM to build up the blade tip and adaptive machining to subtract the extra material.
Originality/value
The authors proposed a surface extension algorithm to reconstruct the geometric model for repair of twist blades.
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Kunyong Chen, Yong Zhao, Yuming Liu, Haidong Yu and Shunzhou Huang
This paper aims to propose an optimization method to automatically adjust the spatial route of multibend pipes to meet the assembly demands in constrained space.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose an optimization method to automatically adjust the spatial route of multibend pipes to meet the assembly demands in constrained space.
Design/methodology/approach
The compact geometric parameters that uniquely determine the pipe route are analyzed. Besides, the relationship between these parameters and the end pose is revealed based on the exponential product formula. Mathematical representations for the engineering constraints, including the end pose restriction, collision interference, manufacture ability and geometric limitations, are further established. On this basis, the adjustment of the spatial route is formulated as a multiconstraint optimization problem. A modified particle swarm optimization method based on the combination of gradient projection and swarm intelligence is designed to find the near-optimal pipe that meets the required assembly demands.
Findings
The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively find the feasible pipe route that satisfies the engineering constraints and the end pose requirement is highly guaranteed.
Originality/value
The proposed method can automate the geometric adjustment of multi-bend pipes to meet the actual assembly demands, which significantly reduces manual efforts and guarantees high accuracy. The results demonstrate the possibility of further applications in the pipe assembly or design process, especially in ships, aerospace products or pressure vessels.
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Bifu Xiong, Siliang He, Jinguo Ge, Quantong Li, Chuan Hu, Haidong Yan and Yu-An Shen
This paper aims to examine the effects of bonding temperature, bonding time, bonding pressure and the presence of a Pt catalyst on the bonding strength of Cu/SB/P-Cu/SB/Cu joints…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the effects of bonding temperature, bonding time, bonding pressure and the presence of a Pt catalyst on the bonding strength of Cu/SB/P-Cu/SB/Cu joints by transient liquid phase bonding (TLPB).
Design/methodology/approach
TLPB is promising to assemble die-attaching packaging for power devices. In this study, porous Cu (P-Cu) foil with a distinctive porous structure and Sn-58Bi solder (SB) serve as the bonding materials for TLPB under a formic acid atmosphere (FA). The high surface area of P-Cu enables efficient diffusion of the liquid phase of SB, stimulating the wetting, spreading and formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs).
Findings
The higher bonding temperature decreased strength due to the coarsening of IMCs. The longer bonding time reduced the bonding strength owing to the coarsened Bi and thickened IMC. Applying optimal bonding pressure improved bonding strength, whereas excessive pressure caused damage. The presence of a Pt catalyst enhanced bonding efficiency and strength by facilitating reduction–oxidation reactions and oxide film removal.
Originality/value
Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of low-temperature TLPB for Cu/SB/P-Cu/SB/Cu joints and provides insights into optimizing bonding strength for the interconnecting materials in the applications of power devices.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between firm size, the nature of ownership and corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance in China and to figure…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between firm size, the nature of ownership and corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance in China and to figure out the reason that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) usually perform better in CSR activities than private enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted two studies of CSR in China. In the first study, the authors developed and assessed a CSR measure; second study was to investigate the difference of CSR behavioral performance between SOEs and private enterprises.
Findings
The authors found that the differences in CSR performances between SOEs and private enterprises were not caused by the nature of ownership as most Chinese scholars used to believe. Actually, the differences came from the differences of firm size, which had been ignored in prior studies on factors influencing CSR performance. The size of SOEs is usually much larger than private enterprises, and larger enterprises often perform better in the field of CSR. In a word, the size rather than the nature of ownership is the main reason that CSR performances of SOEs are better than private enterprises.
Originality/value
Though many papers in China suggested that SOEs performed much better than private enterprises in CSR activities, the authors proved that this belief was a misunderstanding. It was found that SOEs were usually larger than private enterprises, which might have confused their efforts to find the real reason that SOEs and private enterprises perform differently in CSR. The authors also developed a measuring tool of CSR based on the Stakeholder Theory, which would be a new measurement tool for future studies, especially for emerging market economies and unlisted companies.
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The objective of this study was to empirically examine how family financial socialization affects individuals' financial outcomes, including financial literacy, financial behavior…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study was to empirically examine how family financial socialization affects individuals' financial outcomes, including financial literacy, financial behavior and financial well-being, based on the family financial socialization theory (FFST).
Design/methodology/approach
Using a national representative sample of 6,311 US respondents from the 2016 National Financial Well-Being Survey, structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the hypotheses in this study. Sampling weights were incorporated into the structural model using the maximum likelihood estimation with robust standard errors and a Satorra-Bentler scaled test statistic (MLM estimation).
Findings
This study concludes the effectiveness of family financial socialization by showing that parental financial socialization has significant positive impacts on financial literacy, financial behavior and financial well-being. In addition, parents' education can significantly influence the quality of parental financial socialization.
Practical implications
The result underscores the importance of financial socialization in the family context and encourages parents to discuss financial matters with their children at home. Detailed implications have been provided to financial educators, practitioners and policymakers to incorporate parental involvement in the design of financial education programs, as well as financial services providers to improve marketing strategies for their banking services.
Originality/value
This research is amongst the first to empirically explore the relationships among parental financial socialization, financial literacy, financial behavior and financial well-being based on the FFST. The study also contributes to the literature by confirming the effects of parental socialization received in childhood on adults' later financial outcomes.
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Lini Zhang, Haidong Zhao and Brenda Cude
This study, which is based on the extended hierarchy of effects (HOE) model, aims to examine whether social media interactions with one or more luxury brands can affect consumers'…
Abstract
Purpose
This study, which is based on the extended hierarchy of effects (HOE) model, aims to examine whether social media interactions with one or more luxury brands can affect consumers' knowledge of, affection for and purchases of as well as loyalty to luxury fashion brands as a category.
Design/methodology/approach
SoJump (a leading data collection company in China) launched an online survey to collect data from Chinese luxury fashion brand consumers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to analyze data from the random sample of 308 Chinese luxury fashion brand consumers.
Findings
The findings of this study demonstrated that social media interaction had direct positive influences on three stages of the luxury fashion brand decision-making process – knowledge, affection and loyalty – but not purchases. The results also empirically confirmed that consumers' response to social media interaction follows the cognition-affect-conation sequential process presented in the HOE model.
Practical implications
This study not only provides a new perspective for researchers to investigate the impacts of interactive social media marketing on purchase decision-making in the luxury fashion brand category but also underpins the importance of building interactive alliances for luxury brands to increase consumers' knowledge of, affection for, purchases in and loyalty to the luxury fashion brand category.
Originality/value
This study is among the first to investigate whether social media interactions with luxury fashion brands as a category influence consumers' knowledge of, affection for and loyalty to that category. In addition, this study is the first attempt to explore whether social media interactions can directly influence consumers' luxury fashion brand purchases.
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Shanhua Qian, Longfei Gong, Wei Wang, Zifeng Ni and Haidong Ren
This study aims to reduce the harm of industrial lubricants to consumers. Composite aluminum-based grease (CAG) was prepared, and medical-grade montmorillonite (M-MMT) was used to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to reduce the harm of industrial lubricants to consumers. Composite aluminum-based grease (CAG) was prepared, and medical-grade montmorillonite (M-MMT) was used to improve the antiwear performance of the prepared grease.
Design/methodology/approach
The influence of the additive (M-MMT) on the tribological performance is mainly investigated using a ball-disc wear tester, and the wear scar surface about the disc was characterized by white light interferometer and electrochemical workstation. Moreover, the cell viability test was used to evaluate the safety of the grease.
Findings
The results indicated that for the grease containing 1.5% M-MMT, the average coefficient of friction was reduced by about 46% compared with the CAG, the wear volume of the disc reduced by about 74%. Moreover, CAG and 1.5% M-MMT-containing CAG were proved safety by means of the cell viability test.
Originality/value
The integral properties of CAG can be improved with the medical-grade materials as the additives, while ensuring the safety.
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The purpose of this study is to empirically explore the impact of government subsidies for the digital economy on corporate innovation. It aims to determine whether these…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to empirically explore the impact of government subsidies for the digital economy on corporate innovation. It aims to determine whether these subsidies promote innovation, and to examine the specific ways in which they inspire corporate innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study selects Chinese A-share listed companies during the period from 2007 to 2019 as the research object. It employs panel data to empirically examine the impact of government subsidies in the digital economy on corporate innovation.
Findings
The findings reveal that government subsidies for the digital economy effectively promote corporate innovation. They significantly increase the number and share of invention patents and improve the quality of corporate innovation. Moreover, it is noted that the positive impact is largely confined to non-state-owned enterprises, small firms and those in highly competitive markets.
Originality/value
The contribution of this paper lies in focusing on government subsidies in the digital economy, which is distinct from the general government subsidies in a broad sense.