The purpose of this paper is to undertake research on the relationship of firm heterogeneity and innovation diffusion performance, and the role of absorptive capacity in this…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to undertake research on the relationship of firm heterogeneity and innovation diffusion performance, and the role of absorptive capacity in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the diffusion of innovation theory, enterprise heterogeneity directly affects the evaluation stage (considering whether to adopt it) and the experimental stage (observing whether it is suitable for one’s own situation) of the diffusion process. Therefore, the paper uses a structural equation model to construct the influencing factors model of enterprise heterogeneity on technology diffusion. Furthermore, questionnaires were distributed to 236 enterprises with different scales, nature and location to explore the impact of heterogeneity on technology diffusion with scientific, objective and comprehensive data.
Findings
Firm heterogeneity has a positive effect on absorptive capacity and absorptive capacity has a positive effect on technological innovation diffusion performance. Thus, absorptive capacity plays an intermediary role in the effect on enterprise heterogeneity and technological innovation diffusion performance. More interestingly, the authors get some results that are not entirely consistent with the theoretical assumptions.
Practical implications
Firm heterogeneity plays a central role in the process of innovation diffusion. Enterprises should build internal management platforms to enhance cooperation among employees, and establish links with other enterprises for opportunities for win-win cooperation. In addition, enterprises should control the frequency of internal activities, which will undermine the enthusiasm of enterprise members to participate in technology sharing.
Originality/value
This paper explores the interaction between technology potential, cooperation frequency and absorptive capacity from the perspective of systems theory. The findings enrich the theory of innovation diffusion, and explore the inherent reasons why enterprise heterogeneity affects innovation diffusion. Furthermore, the theory that intra-firm cooperation promotes innovation diffusion is not always correct.
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Mairi Gunn, Irene Hancy and Tania Remana
This chapter reports on research that explores new and emerging extended reality [XR] technologies and how they might provide opportunities to trial, investigate, and put into…
Abstract
This chapter reports on research that explores new and emerging extended reality [XR] technologies and how they might provide opportunities to trial, investigate, and put into practice their potential to reverse processes of atomisation, polarisation, and intercultural discomfort, in our contemporary society. This transdisciplinary practice-led research was underpinned by disciplines of computer science and engineering, social sciences, history, diverse community economics, human ecology, and Indigenous psychology. The collaboration between these various disciplines with the Māori and non-Māori community members allowed researchers to understand current societal stressors, prioritise relationality, and explore our shared values in the creation of XR experiences for exhibition in the galleries, libraries, archives, and museums [GLAM] sector.
A discursive design framework motivated, inspired, provoked, persuaded, and reminded inspiring collaborators, and visitors to the exhibitions, the value of (re)connecting with people and overcoming interracial awkwardness through these curated experiences. The XR technologies provided women a platform to discuss and reimagine first encounters between people from different cultural backgrounds. The technologies included a 180° stereoscopic projection, Common Sense, in which Māori Elder Irene Hancy shared her insight about social engagement and haptic HONGI in which visitors were greeted by a Māori woman Tania Remana via augmented reality. This research has been motivated by a desire to promote and support intercultural understanding in Aotearoa New Zealand, and it extends research by other non-Māori and Māori scholars.
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Jing Wang, Hongying Mi, Weigui Zhou, Xin Yang and Yan He
This study aims to the preparation and tribological characteristics of graphene/triangular copper nanoplate composites (abbreviated as GN/Cu nanoplates) as grease additive and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to the preparation and tribological characteristics of graphene/triangular copper nanoplate composites (abbreviated as GN/Cu nanoplates) as grease additive and clarifies the growth mechanism and tribological mechanism of GN/Cu nanoplates by different analysis methods. In this paper, it is expected to alleviate the problems of easy aggregation and poor dispersion stability of graphene in lubricants and provide theoretical support for the application of graphene and its composites in the tribology field.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the GN/Cu nanoplates have been successfully prepared by the electrostatic self-assembly method. The structural characteristics of GN/Cu nanoplates were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Then the tribological properties of GN/Cu nanoplates were investigated under different loads with SRV-IV [Schwingung, Reibung, Verschleiß (German); oscillating, friction, wear (English translation)] tribotester. White-light interferometry was applied to quantify the wear loss of the disk. The element chemical state on worn surfaces was analyzed by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscope to clarify the tribological mechanism of graphene composites.
Findings
The electrostatic force between the negative charge of graphene and the positive charge of triangular copper nanoplates promotes the self-assembly of GN/Cu nanoplates. With the addition of GN/Cu nanoplates, the wear loss and average friction coefficient under the load of 200 N have been decreased by 72.6% and 18.3%, respectively. It is concluded that the combined action of graphene deposition film and the copper melting film formed on the worn surface could effectively improve the antiwear ability and friction reduction performance of the grease.
Originality/value
This manuscript fulfills a new approach for the preparation of GN/Cu nanoplates. At the same time, its tribological properties and mechanism as a lubricating additive were studied which provide theoretical support for the application of graphene and its composites in the tribology field.
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Hongying Zhao and Christian Wagner
The purpose of this paper is to examine how different types of user experience in TikTok impact purchase intention via commitment to the influencer and commitment to the platform…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how different types of user experience in TikTok impact purchase intention via commitment to the influencer and commitment to the platform, with customer type included to determine moderating effects. Three types of user experience are considered: information experience, entertainment experience and parasocial-relationship-based experience.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected 458 valid questionnaires from TikTok users, employing the structural equation modeling approach to examine the proposed research model.
Findings
Information experience, entertainment experience and parasocial-relationship-based experience are found to critically stimulate user commitment to the influencer and commitment to the platform, in turn driving TikTok-based purchase intention. Tests incorporating customer type reveal that commitment to the influencer more strongly influences the purchase intention of repeat customers, with commitment to the platform more likely to stimulate purchase intention among potential customers.
Research limitations/implications
On a theoretical level, the paper is among the first to examine TikTok-based user purchase intention with customer type as a moderator. On a practical level, the results can guide marketers to effectively promote products using TikTok and inspire TikTok managers to develop customized strategies to stimulate initial and repeat sales.
Originality/value
TikTok is moving to the stage of commercialization and monetization by introducing e-commerce features. Although this move should cultivate particularly fertile ground for companies to sell products, TikTok user purchase behavior has yet to receive sufficient research attention, with little currently known about their purchase motivations. The current study uncovers the significant antecedents of users' purchase intention through TikTok, and further reveals the motivational differences among potential and repeat customers.
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Chathuri Gunarathna, Rebecca Yang, Pabasara Wijeratne Mudiyanselage, Gayashan Amarasinghe, Tharushi Samarasinghalage, R.P. Nilmini Weerasinghe, Hongying Zhao, Chaoxiang Zhang, Chengyang Liu, Kaige Wang and Sujan Dev Sureshkumar Jayakumari
Project-based learning is one of the most effective methods of transferring academic knowledge and skills to real-world situations in higher education. However, its effectiveness…
Abstract
Purpose
Project-based learning is one of the most effective methods of transferring academic knowledge and skills to real-world situations in higher education. However, its effectiveness is not much investigated focusing on the students' narrative. This study aims at evaluating the students' experience and perspective on adopting project-based learning in master by research and doctoral programmes for proactive skills development.
Design/methodology/approach
This study evaluates the self-reflection of 10 postgraduate students and their supervisor who have participated in developing a software tool for solar photovoltaics (PV) integrated building envelope design, management and the related education.
Findings
Findings reveal that the students have effectively improved their knowledge on the subject via collaborating with the industry, self-learning/observation, peer learning, problem-solving and teamwork. Dividing the project into student-led tasks has improved the decision-making and leadership skills, risks identification, planning and time management skills. The overall experience has (1) built up confidence in students, (2) enhanced their creativity and critical thinking and (3) improved their proactive skills and context knowledge.
Originality/value
A clear research gap can be seen in exploring the effectiveness of project-based learning for master by research and doctoral programmes, which mainly focus on extensive research. These programmes do not necessarily focus on developing students' proactive skills, which is the main requirement if they intend to work in the construction industry. This paper addresses the above research gap by demonstrating the effectiveness of project-based learning for developing the proactive skills in a research-intensive learning environment.
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Hongying Tan, Umair Akram and Yujia Sui
Uncertain level discount (ULD) is a type of promotion combining regular discount (RD) with uncertainty. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of ULD on consumers’…
Abstract
Purpose
Uncertain level discount (ULD) is a type of promotion combining regular discount (RD) with uncertainty. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of ULD on consumers’ perceived quality compared with RD and to identify the relevant influencing mechanism and boundary for the effectiveness of ULD.
Design/methodology/approach
Three online experiments were conducted with 445 participants from China. First, experiment 1 compares the attractiveness of ULD and RD. Second, experiment 2 evaluates the impacts of ULD and RD on consumers’ perceived quality and clarifies the mechanism in this process. Finally, experiment 3 examines the moderating effect of product knowledge.
Findings
ULD has the same level of attractiveness as RD with equivalent expected discount value for consumers. Besides, consumers in ULD give higher ratings to product quality compared with those in RD, and the lower diagnosticity of price cues in ULD underlies the differential effects of ULD vs RD. Furthermore, product knowledge moderates the relationship between the two promotions and perceived quality.
Practical implications
The findings provide valuable guidance for managers to conduct promotional campaigns. ULD is an effective promotion to attract consumers to purchase with keeping consumers’ perceived quality high, and such effectiveness will rise for products that consumers are unfamiliar with. Managers can make rational use of ULD to achieve positive promotion results in both the short and long term.
Originality/value
Few studies pay attention to the long-term effects of the uncertain promotion. This research profoundly investigates the impact of ULD on perceived quality, which complements existing studies from a more integrated perspective that combines short- and long-term effects. Also, this research identifies the mechanism based on the cue diagnosticity theory and puts forward a new explanation for positive uncertainty in uncertain promotions. Finally, this research applies the impact of product knowledge on information process strategies into the uncertain promotion, which clarifies the utility boundary of ULD from a new perspective and offers a more comprehensive understanding for this promotion.
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Hongying Zhao and Christian Wagner
Although the short-video-based application TikTok and its AI-enhanced technology have achieved enormous success and reshaped the user experience, few studies have focused on the…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the short-video-based application TikTok and its AI-enhanced technology have achieved enormous success and reshaped the user experience, few studies have focused on the user experience in the TikTok context. This study adopts a technology affordance theory lens to identify the main mechanisms contributing to the user experience in the short-video platform context while including user experience level and video length as moderating effects.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected 401 valid questionnaires from TikTok users and used the structural equation modeling approach to examine the proposed research model.
Findings
Three technology affordances (perceived effortlessness, perceived recommendation accuracy, and perceived recommendation serendipity) contribute to TikTok users' optimal flow experience. Multi-group analysis results further indicate that individuals react differently to the same stimuli as their experience level increases. Finally, video length critically influences the impact of technology affordances on users' cognitive responses.
Originality/value
As a burgeoning industry, the mechanisms enabling short-video platforms to engage users remain unclear to practitioners and researchers. Thus, this study's technology affordance lens provides necessary insights into how TikTok's innovative and advanced technologies contribute to user flow experience from a context-dependent perspective. Furthermore, given that most existing studies have neglected possible variations in user preferences when investigating the effects of technology, this study enriches the existing literature by employing user experience level and video length as moderators.
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Atul Kulkarni, Xin Cindy Wang and Hong Yuan
This paper aims to examine the unintended negative effect of incentivizing shoppers to make unplanned purchases through incentive reminders during shopping trips.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the unintended negative effect of incentivizing shoppers to make unplanned purchases through incentive reminders during shopping trips.
Design/methodology/approach
Two experimental studies with between-subject designs were conducted to examine the effect of incentive reminders and related factors on abandonment intention.
Findings
When the search for unplanned purchases needed to reach promotional threshold fails, shoppers’ propensity to abandon a transaction increases if they are reminded of an incentive during their shopping trip. When the size of the planned purchases is relatively larger than the incentivized unplanned purchases, abandonment propensity is higher in response to reward type incentives, whereas when the size of the planned purchases is relatively smaller than the incentivized unplanned purchases, abandonment propensity is higher in response to avoidance type incentives.
Research limitations/implications
This research intersects and integrates several research domains, specifically transaction abandonment, promotional reactance, unplanned purchases and promotion framing.
Practical implications
Findings from this research help managers understand the possible negative consequences of incentive reminders and offer suggestions for decreasing shopper propensities to abandon transactions in response to incentive reminders aimed at increasing transaction sizes.
Originality/value
This is the first study to highlight (i) the possible effect of incentive reminders on transaction abandonment; (ii) the influence of the size of unplanned purchases and incentive types on abandonment; and (iii) the underlying roles of perceived value of planned purchases and fairness perceptions in abandonment.
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Hongying Shan, Mengyao Qin, Cungang Zou, Peiyang Peng and Zunyan Meng
To respond to customer needs and achieve customized manufacturing, the manufacturing industry, as represented by electronics assembly companies, has embarked on a path of business…
Abstract
Purpose
To respond to customer needs and achieve customized manufacturing, the manufacturing industry, as represented by electronics assembly companies, has embarked on a path of business model transformation (customer to manufacturer [C2M]). The purpose of this paper is to examine the practical application of assembly line-Seru conversion in a Chinese electronics assembly company during the C2M transition.
Design/methodology/approach
To begin with, this paper proposed a production line improvement scheme suitable for the conversion of C2M manufacturing enterprise assembly line-Seru based on an analysis of the difficulties encountered in the existing production line of A company in China. Then, a mathematical model was presented for the minimum value of the makespan and the maximum workers’ expenditure between Serus. Finally, the SA-NSGA-II algorithm and the entropy-weight TOPSIS approach were used to determine the optimal scheme for Seru unit, batch, product type and worker distribution.
Findings
Seru production and multiskilled workers are more suited to the C2M business model. The most effective strategy for worker allocation can reduce the number of employees and makespan in Serus. Additionally, the performance of the SA-NSGA-II algorithm and the method of selecting the optimal solution from the Pareto solution by the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method is also demonstrated.
Practical implications
Through a detailed study of how to transform the production line, other companies can apply the methods outlined in this article to shorten the delivery time, make full use of the abilities of workers and assign workers to specific positions, thereby reducing the number of workers, workers’ expenditure and improving the balance rate of production lines.
Originality/value
Given the scarcity of studies on the production method of C2M-type firms in the prior literature, this paper examined the assembly line-Seru conversion problem with the goal of minimizing the makespan and worker expenditure. To address the NSGA-II algorithm’s insufficient convergence, the simulated annealing process is incorporated into the method, which improves the optimization performance.
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Hongying Shan, Mengyao Qin, Libin Zhang, Zunyan Meng, Peiyang Peng and Xinze Shan
The work efficiency and energy consumption of astronauts in the space station are the key issues in the operation of the space station, and how to evaluate the lean value of their…
Abstract
Purpose
The work efficiency and energy consumption of astronauts in the space station are the key issues in the operation of the space station, and how to evaluate the lean value of their activities is also complex and abstract. Combined with the idea of lean management, this paper aims to propose an space station dynamic value stream mapping system that can monitor and continuously improve the value flow and energy flow of astronauts in real time through lean methods.
Design/methodology/approach
Through systematic literature review, it is found that there is little research on the issue of lean management for astronauts. In manufacturing and services, value stream mapping is widely used for lean management. However, the static value stream map lacks the characteristics of real-time dynamics. This paper proposes to take the three modules of Muda detection, action recognition and energy monitoring as the basic content of the astronaut lean management framework to make the value stream and energy stream dynamic.
Findings
The theoretical framework of astronaut lean management is initially constructed, and the reasons for astronaut Muda and improvement ideas are also analyzed.
Originality/value
In fact, practitioners can use the proposed framework to identify the value of astronauts. Academically, these results collect research on dynamic value stream and lean management, providing a new way to identify value in aerospace using lean methods. Finally, the future research goals of astronaut lean management are put forward.