Fatao Wang, Di Wu, Hongxin Yu, Huaxia Shen and Yuanjun Zhao
Based on the typical service supply chain (SSC) structure, the authors construct the model of e-tailing SSC to explore the coordination relationship in the supply chain, and big…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the typical service supply chain (SSC) structure, the authors construct the model of e-tailing SSC to explore the coordination relationship in the supply chain, and big data analysis provides realistic possibilities for the creation of coordination mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
At the present stage, the e-commerce companies have not yet established a mature SSC system and have not achieved good synergy with other members of the supply chain, the shortage of goods and the greater pressure of express logistics companies coexist. In the case of uncertain online shopping market demand, the authors employ newsboy model, applied in the operations research, to analyze the synergistic mechanism of SSC model.
Findings
By analyzing the e-tailing SSC coordination mechanism and adjusting relevant parameters, the authors find that the synergy mechanism can be implemented and optimized. Through numerical example analysis, the authors confirmed the feasibility of the above analysis.
Originality/value
Big data analysis provides a kind of reality for the establishment of online SSC coordination mechanism. The establishment of an online supply chain coordination mechanism can effectively promote the efficient allocation of supplies and better meet consumers' needs.
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Henry Yu Xie, Qian (Jane) Xie and Hongxin Zhao
Strategic positioning of foreign firms in a host market is vital for their success. By integrating the resource partitioning theory and the resource-based view, this study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Strategic positioning of foreign firms in a host market is vital for their success. By integrating the resource partitioning theory and the resource-based view, this study aims to investigate foreign firms’ strategic positioning (i.e. their choice of generalist or specialist positioning strategy) and its performance implications in the US market.
Design/methodology/approach
The final sample includes 212 foreign companies from 28 countries operating in the US market. Multiple data sources were used to collect data of these foreign companies’ subsidiaries in the USA This study used logistic regression to test its major hypotheses.
Findings
The results of this study suggest that a generalist positioning strategy is positively related to performance in a host market. It is also found that market concentration and local market knowledge moderate this strategic positioning – performance relationship.
Research limitations/implications
For a foreign firm that enters a host market, market concentration (an industry-level factor) in the host market and the firm’s local market knowledge (a firm-specific factor) play prominent roles in the strategic positioning – performance relationship.
Originality/value
This study offers a novel perspective of international business strategy by applying the lens of resource partitioning theory to study the relationships between multinational enterprises’ strategic positioning and performance. This study contributes to the strategy literature in that it examines the performance implications of firms’ strategic positioning (i.e. generalist or specialist positioning).
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Chunbo Lin, Wenbin Xu, Yuxiong Guo, Chengyong Shi, Jianbo Huang, Taisheng Wang, Hongxin Zhang, Zhankun Weng and Jia Xu
In this paper, a dynamic projection scanning lithography (DPSL) technology and system is proposed to achieve cross-scale 3D printing, addressing the limitations of the traditional…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, a dynamic projection scanning lithography (DPSL) technology and system is proposed to achieve cross-scale 3D printing, addressing the limitations of the traditional 3D printing methods that struggle to achieve both large build volumes and high precision. The method achieves a printing accuracy of 10 µm within a build volume of 100 × 100 × 100 mm, and successfully fabricates complex hollow structures and functional models.
Design/methodology/approach
DPSL uses a digital micromirror device (DMD)-based digital projector to generate light patterns for light-curing printing. The light patterns are created by sequentially loading the print design frame by frame, forming dynamic light patterns that are scanned line by line across the material surface for solidifying the printing materials. By controlling the scanning range of the digital projector, it is theoretically able to print models of any size. Additionally, by using DMD oblique scanning, the impact of the DMD micromirrors’ shape and arrangement on print accuracy is addressed by overlapping exposures along the scanning direction of the digital projector.
Findings
This study shows the printing system resolution of 1.3 µm, while the maximum size of the printing model depends on the system scanning range. Additionally, by using DMD oblique scanning, the impact of the DMD micromirrors’ shape and arrangement on print accuracy is addressed by overlapping exposures along the scanning direction of the digital projector.
Originality/value
This work demonstrates that DPSL based on oblique scanning technology is used to achieve 3D printing with high precision, large area and smoother surface. In addition, a rigid release method is used to achieve a precise printing layer thickness in the top-down printing process. By adhering the release film to the bottom surface of the glass and adjusting the descent distance of the stage for each layer, uniform layer thickness can be achieved for each exposure.
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Hongxin Wang, Chundong Zheng, Wenqing Wu and Fanhui Sui
Based on a personality-behavior-outcome framework, this study analyzes how entrepreneurs' dual narcissism (i.e. narcissistic admiration and rivalry) affects new venture growth…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on a personality-behavior-outcome framework, this study analyzes how entrepreneurs' dual narcissism (i.e. narcissistic admiration and rivalry) affects new venture growth (NVG) through learning from entrepreneurial failure (LFEF) and discusses the moderating effect of personal initiative on the relationship between dual narcissism and LFEF.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 294 entrepreneurs from different cities and industries in China were selected as the research sample. The mediation effect was examined using the PROCESS macro, and the moderation effect was tested via hierarchical regression analysis.
Findings
This study found that narcissistic admiration positively affected NVG, while narcissistic rivalry had the opposite effect. LFEF mediated the relationships between narcissistic admiration/rivalry and NVG. In addition, the effects of narcissistic admiration and rivalry on LFEF were moderated by personal initiative.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that entrepreneurs with narcissistic rivalry should deliberately regulate their cognition of failure and strengthen their learning from failure. Moreover, entrepreneurship education mentors should emphasize cultivating and guiding entrepreneurs' personal initiative in the context of frustration education. In addition, venture capitalists can consider incorporating the personality traits (i.e. dual narcissism and personal initiative) of entrepreneurs into the investment decision-making index system.
Originality/value
This study advances the relationship between narcissism and performance through the perspective of dual narcissism and provides a learning theory perspective for analyzing the narcissism–performance relationship. Moreover, by exploring the moderating role of personal initiative, this study enriches the understanding of the conditional factor that affects the ability to learn from failure.
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Feifei Wang, Tina J. Jayroe, Junping Qiu and Houqiang Yu
The purpose of this paper is to further explore the co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationship among the core authors in the field of Chinese information science (IS), to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to further explore the co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationship among the core authors in the field of Chinese information science (IS), to expose research activity and author impact, and to make induction analyses about Chinese IS research patterns and theme evolution.
Design/methodology/approach
The research data include 8,567 papers and 70,947 cited articles in the IS field indexed by Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index from 2000 to 2009. Author co-citation analysis, author bibliographic-coupling analysis, social network analysis, and factor analysis were combined to explore co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationships and to identify research groups and subjects.
Findings
Scholars with greatest impact are different from the most active scholars of Chinese IS; there is no uniform impact pattern forming since authors’ impact subjects are scattered and not steady; while authors’ research activities present higher independence and concentration, there is still no steady research pattern due to no deep research existing. Furthermore, Chinese IS studies can be delineated by: foundation or extension. The research subjects of these two parts, as well as their corresponding/contributing authors, are different under different views. The general research status of core authors is concentrated, while their impact is broad.
Originality/value
The combined use of some related methods could enrich the development and methodology research of the discipline, and the results establish a reference point on the development of IS research.
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Hussam Al Halbusi, Khalid Al-Sulaiti, Fadi Abdelfattah, Ahmad Bayiz Ahmad and Salah Hassan
This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of online pharmacies in Qatar using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology-2 (UTAUT-2…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of online pharmacies in Qatar using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology-2 (UTAUT-2) framework. Specifically, this study examines the impact of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, technology trust, perceived risk and users’ level of awareness of behavioral intention, which in turn affects the adoption of online pharmacies. Furthermore, this study explores the moderating role of word-of-mouth (WOM) recommendations on the relationship between behavioral intention and online pharmacy adaptation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a descriptive, quantitative approach to investigate the UTAUT-2 model in the context of consumers’ adoption of e-pharmacy in Qatar. Through convenience sampling, 455 responses were collected from regular customers accessing online pharmacy services. The data were analyzed using Smart-PLS 3.2 software to examine the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
The results showed that WOM recommendations significantly enhanced the relationship between behavioral intention and adopting online pharmacies in Qatar. This study identified the factors that may hinder or enable the adoption of online pharmacies, including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, technology trust, perceived risk and users’ level of awareness.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the existing literature on technology acceptance by extending the UTAUT-2 model and recognizing three additional variables (perceived risk, technology trust and technology awareness). These need to be investigated against UTAUT-2 variables to detect the significance of their impact on adapting the e-health concept in Qatar. The potential for cultural change to accelerate the adoption of online pharmacies is highlighted. Future research should explore the role of moral and cultural factors in technology adoption.
Practical implications
The results underscore the economic and social significance of e-pharmacy adoption, particularly within the context of a developing country. Considering the positive intentions expressed by individuals toward e-pharmacy, it becomes crucial for managers and decision-makers to make strategic choices to address any challenges that may arise. Policymakers are encouraged to enhance their services and implement various development initiatives to expand e-pharmacy accessibility and availability.
Originality/value
This study builds upon previous research on e-commerce in the pharmaceutical industry and provides a comprehensive understanding of customers in developing countries. Extending the UTAUT-2 model and identifying additional variables contributes to the knowledge of e-health concepts in Qatar. The findings have practical implications for developing strategies to promote online pharmacy adoption in Qatar and other countries.
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Sara Melén Hånell, Emilia Rovira Nordman, Daniel Tolstoy and Nurgül Özbek
The purpose of this paper is to explore how market factors (pertaining to institutions, competition and resources) shape the international strategies of an online retailer.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how market factors (pertaining to institutions, competition and resources) shape the international strategies of an online retailer.
Design/methodology/approach
A single qualitative case study research design is employed to conduct in-depth analyses of a Swedish internationalising small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in the retail business.
Findings
The findings show that online retailers can use partnerships to tackle industry dynamics and break into foreign markets. This type of “piggy-back internationalisation” can be an effective strategy of handling foreign market dynamics in the entry phase: that is to say, the short term. Reliance upon relationships, however, may paradoxically inhibit retailers’ abilities to stay competitive in the post-entry phase (i.e. the long term) since they become cut-off from the first-hand market learning.
Research limitations/implications
The authors provide propositions based upon the findings to support further research in the international marketing and international retailing literature.
Practical implications
The findings enhance the understanding of how electronic commerce affects SME internationalisation. They also generate new insights into the use of possible international expansion strategies for managers in retail SMEs.
Originality/value
This study introduces a new theoretical perspective to build upon international retail research and contributes to the international retail literature with relevant insights into both advantages and disadvantages of using partnerships to overcome challenges related to international online retailing.
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Zhongyi Wang, Jin Zhang and Jing Huang
Current segmentation systems almost invariably focus on linear segmentation and can only divide text into linear sequences of segments. This suits cohesive text such as news feed…
Abstract
Purpose
Current segmentation systems almost invariably focus on linear segmentation and can only divide text into linear sequences of segments. This suits cohesive text such as news feed but not coherent texts such as documents of a digital library which have hierarchical structures. To overcome the focus on linear segmentation in document segmentation and to realize the purpose of hierarchical segmentation for a digital library’s structured resources, this paper aimed to propose a new multi-granularity hierarchical topic-based segmentation system (MHTSS) to decide section breaks.
Design/methodology/approach
MHTSS adopts up-down segmentation strategy to divide a structured, digital library document into a document segmentation tree. Specifically, it works in a three-stage process, such as document parsing, coarse segmentation based on document access structures and fine-grained segmentation based on lexical cohesion.
Findings
This paper analyzed limitations of document segmentation methods for the structured, digital library resources. Authors found that the combination of document access structures and lexical cohesion techniques should complement each other and allow for a better segmentation of structured, digital library resources. Based on this finding, this paper proposed the MHTSS for the structured, digital library resources. To evaluate it, MHTSS was compared to the TT and C99 algorithms on real-world digital library corpora. Through comparison, it was found that the MHTSS achieves top overall performance.
Practical implications
With MHTSS, digital library users can get their relevant information directly in segments instead of receiving the whole document. This will improve retrieval performance as well as dramatically reduce information overload.
Originality/value
This paper proposed MHTSS for the structured, digital library resources, which combines the document access structures and lexical cohesion techniques to decide section breaks. With this system, end-users can access a document by sections through a document structure tree.
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Qi Yang, ZhiQiang Feng, RuanBing Zhang, YunPu Wang, DengLe Duan, Qin Wang, XiaoYu Zou and YuHuan Liu
This study aims to develop a green, economical and efficient ultrasonic-/microwave assisted extraction (UMAE) process for the extraction of anthocyanins.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a green, economical and efficient ultrasonic-/microwave assisted extraction (UMAE) process for the extraction of anthocyanins.
Design/methodology/approach
After optimizing the extraction conditions by response surface methodology, three assays including DPPH, ABTS·+, FRAP were applied to analyze the antioxidant activity of the extracted anthocyanins. The stability under different temperatures, reductant concentrations and pHs was also discussed. The components of anthocyanins in blueberry were analyzed by HPLC-QTOF-MS2.
Findings
The optimal extraction parameters were ultrasonic power of 300 W, microwave power of 365.28 W and solid–liquid ratio of 30 (g/mL). The possible structures can be speculated as Delphinidin-3-O-galactoside, Delphinidin, Petunidin, Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, Petunidin-3-O-glucoside, Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. The results demonstrated that the UMAE can improve the yield of anthocyanins in shorter extraction time with higher activity.
Originality/value
The present study may provide a promising and feasible route for extracting anthocyanins from blueberries and studying their physicochemical properties, ultimately promoting the utilization of blueberry anthocyanins.