Jianhua Wang, Hongbo Xu, Li Zhou, Ximing Liu and Hongyun Zhao
This paper aims to investigate the mechanism of Ni particles distribution in the liquid Sn3.5Ag melt under the external static magnetic field. The control steps of Ni particles…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the mechanism of Ni particles distribution in the liquid Sn3.5Ag melt under the external static magnetic field. The control steps of Ni particles and the Sn3.5Ag melt metallurgical process were studied. After aging, the microhardness of pure Sn3.5Ag, Sn3.5Ag containing randomly distributed Ni particles and Sn3.5Ag containing columnar Ni particles were compared.
Design/methodology/approach
Place the sample in a crucible for heating. After the sample melts, place a magnet directly above and below the sample to provide a magnetic field. Sn3.5Ag with the different morphological distribution of Ni particles was obtained by holding for different times under different magnetic field intensities. Finally, pure Sn3.5Ag, Sn3.5Ag with random distributed Ni particles and Sn3.5Ag with columnar Ni particles were aged and their microhardness was tested after aging.
Findings
The experimental results show that with the increase of magnetic field strength, the time for Ni particle distribution in Sn3.5Ag melt to reach equilibrium is shortened. After aging, the microhardness of Sn3.5Ag containing columnar nickel particles is higher than that of pure Sn3.5Ag and Sn3.5Ag containing randomly distributed nickel particles. A chemical reaction is the control step in the metallurgical process of nickel particles and molten Sn3.5Ag.
Originality/value
Under the action of the magnetic field, Ni particles in Sn3.5Ag melt will be arranged into columns. With the increase of magnetic field strength, the shorter the time for Ni particles in Sn3.5Ag melt to arrange in a column. With the extension of the service time of the solder joint, if Sn3.5Ag with columnar nickel particles is used as the solder joint material, its microhardness is better than Sn3.5Ag with arbitrarily distributed nickel particles and pure Sn3.5Ag.
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Hongyun Tian, Shuja Iqbal, Farooq Anwar, Shamim Akhtar, Muhammad Aamir Shafique Khan and Weijie Wang
This study examines the impact of network embeddedness (NE) on innovation performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and analyses absorptive capacity as mediator…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the impact of network embeddedness (NE) on innovation performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and analyses absorptive capacity as mediator and openness as moderator.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 209 employees of SMEs using a convenient sampling technique. Partial least squares structural equation modeling in SmartPLS was used to analyze the various constructs.
Findings
The results exhibit a positive and significant relationship in NE and absorptive capacity. Also, this study found a positive and significant relationship in absorptive capacity and innovation performance. Moreover, absorptive capacity has a positive and significant mediation role in the relationship between NE and innovation performance. Also, openness positively moderated the relationship of NE and absorptive capacity.
Practical implications
SMEs should try to implement the functions of NE, such as interaction with other firms in higher frequency, developing trust among all parties, clear alliance among the partners to enhance innovation performance. Similarly, SMEs should focus on absorptive capacity and openness to enrich innovation performance.
Originality/value
This study adds in the current literature of the chosen constructs and empirically contributes the effects in the manufacturing industry of Jiangsu Province, China.
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Ishmael Nanaba Acquah, Caleb Amankwaa Kumi, David Asamoah, Benjamin Agyei-Owusu, Mavis Agbodza and Yaw Agyabeng-Mensah
This paper examines the nexus between supply chain social capital (relational social capital and structural social capital), supply chain responsiveness (operations system…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the nexus between supply chain social capital (relational social capital and structural social capital), supply chain responsiveness (operations system responsiveness and supplier network responsiveness) and firm performance. Additionally, the study examines the mediating role of supply chain responsiveness on the relationship between supply chain social capital and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors test their hypotheses on a sample of 120 firms operating in Ghana. The measurement model and hypothesized paths were assessed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.
Findings
The findings revealed that structural social capital had a significant direct effect on firm performance, but relational social capital did not. It was also revealed that both relational and structural social capital have significant effects on operations system responsiveness and supplier network responsiveness. Additionally, operations system responsiveness fully mediated the effect of relational social capital on firm performance and partially mediated the effect of structural social capital on firm performance. Supplier network responsiveness, on the other hand, partially mediated the effect of both relational and structural social capital on firm performance.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the limited literature on supply chain social capital by unearthing the mechanisms through which supply chain social capital enhances firm performance. Specifically, the study demonstrates the intervening role of operations system responsiveness and supplier network responsiveness in the supply chain social capital–firm performance link.
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Hongyun Zhang, Tan Zhang, Haili Cai, Yahui Li, Wayne Wei Huang and Dongming Xu
The purpose of this paper is to help enhance the scholarly conversation about the essential nature of the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) construct, its dimensionality and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to help enhance the scholarly conversation about the essential nature of the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) construct, its dimensionality and measurement. The authors focus on how EO was defined and measured in various contexts, which is the basis for the proposed five-dimensional EO scale (FDEOS).
Design/methodology/approach
Survey was conducted in design industry in China. A pilot test was conducted with 20 Chinese firms. Questionnaires were sent to 1,200 firms. A total of 408 complete and valid questionnaires were received.
Findings
It was found that a behavior aspect of EO as a second-order reflective model had a greater degree of agreement among scholarly community. As a result, a new FDEOS was proposed from behavioral perspective. Data were collected from 408 firms of design industry in a big developing country.
Originality/value
While five-dimensional EO construct is a well-recognized concept in the literature on entrepreneurship, little is known about its measurement. The research reported in this paper provides support for this assertion and develops a new scale, FDEOS, that designed to be neutral with regard to industry context and type of organization.
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Hongyun Tian, Shuja Iqbal and Shamim Akhtar
In the competitive business world, companies strive to be innovative, and to do so, they try to implement innovative human resource practices. Therefore, the authors propose an…
Abstract
Purpose
In the competitive business world, companies strive to be innovative, and to do so, they try to implement innovative human resource practices. Therefore, the authors propose an association between innovative human resource practice, organizational commitment, innovation performance and transformational leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
This study gathered data from 1,037 small- and medium-sized enterprises and implied partial least square structural equation modeling PLS-SEM using Smart PLS was adopted to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The findings reveal positive direct relationships between innovative human resource practices, organizational commitment and innovation performance. Moreover, organizational commitment positively mediates and transformational leadership significantly and positively moderates the relationship. Companies should use innovative recruitment and selection, performance management, and innovative compensation to enhance organizational commitment and innovation performance. In addition, the optimized organizational commitment aids in strengthening the connection between innovative human resource practices and firms' innovation performance.
Originality/value
Managers should also develop a sense of affiliation and attachment to increase innovation performance. The study contributes empirically to the literature on innovative human resource practices and their effect on organizational commitment and innovation performance.
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Sampson Ato Sarsah, Hongyun Tian, Courage Simon Kofi Dogbe, Bylon Abeeku Bamfo and Wisdom Wise Kwabla Pomegbe
The study explored the mediating role of potential and realized absorptive capacities in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and radical innovation performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explored the mediating role of potential and realized absorptive capacities in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and radical innovation performance among manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical analysis was based on 357 manufacturing SMEs in Ghana. Various validity and reliability checks were conducted before the presentation of the actual analysis, which was conducted using ordinary least squares approach, run using SPSS (v. 20).
Findings
Findings revealed that potential and realized absorptive capacities significantly mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and radical innovation performance among manufacturing SMEs. Further, it was identified that ambidexterity in absorptive capacity also had a greater effect on radical innovation performance among manufacturing SMEs.
Research limitations/implications
Since the data used were cross-sectional, the relationships measured represent only a snapshot of time. Longitudinal studies could therefore be adopted in the future to complement the cross-sectional conducted.
Practical implications
While managers of manufacturing SMEs seek to achieve higher radical innovation performance through entrepreneurial orientation, it should also be noted that both potential and realized absorptive capacities have a significant role to play in this relationship. Managers must therefore also seek to invest time to build both potential and realized absorptive capacities, as they define greater innovation success.
Originality/value
Some past studies have considered absorptive capacity as composite variable, therefore added both potential and realized absorptive capacities to form a single variable. Others also presented potential and realized absorptive capacities individually. This current study extends the body of knowledge by presenting an ambidexterity position between potential and realized absorptive capacities.
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Mahmoud Abdelaziz Ahmed Abdelaziz, Jiani Wu, Changwei Yuan and Mohamed Ahmed Ghonim
In light of the current challenges in the business environment, firms, particularly those involved in supply chains, must foster innovation. In this context, the current study…
Abstract
Purpose
In light of the current challenges in the business environment, firms, particularly those involved in supply chains, must foster innovation. In this context, the current study employs the theory of dynamic organizational capabilities (DOCs) to track supply chain learning capabilities (SCLCs) and independently uncover their relationship to innovation at both the product and process levels. Similarly, the study intends to investigate the influence of technological turbulence (TT) on these relationships as a moderating variable.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were gathered using in-person interviews with 189 CEOs with some supply chain management proficiency from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the industrial zones of eastern Egypt. The study used a survey approach to collect data, and the SEM-PLS technique was utilized to analyze the data.
Findings
Study findings revealed that SCLCs positively affect product and process innovation. In addition, TT positively moderates the relationship between SCLCs and product and process innovation, except for risk-taking capability. Further theoretical and practical implications are derived from the study findings.
Originality/value
This research adds to the knowledge of the dynamic capabilities theory (DCT), which affects how firms interact with their external environment. Studying learning capabilities are employed as essential competencies to counterbalance high levels of TT in the external environment in terms of innovative performance and vice versa if firms do not attempt to strengthen their dynamic learning capabilities in supply chains. In addition, this study contributes to the literature by studying learning capabilities from the external perspective, where SCLCs are being developed as a new variable to improve innovation.
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Tian Hongyun, Jan Muhammad Sohu, Asad Ullah Khan, Ikramuddin Junejo, Sonia Najam Shaikh, Sadaf Akhtar and Muhammad Bilal
In this digital age, the rapid technological innovation and adoption, with the increasing use of big data analytics, has raised concerns about the ability of small and medium…
Abstract
Purpose
In this digital age, the rapid technological innovation and adoption, with the increasing use of big data analytics, has raised concerns about the ability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to sustain the competition and innovation performance (IP). To narrow the research gap, this paper investigates the role of big data analytics capability (BDAC) in moderating the relationship between digital innovation (DI) and SME innovation performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This research has been carried forward through a detailed theory and literature analysis. Data were analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models using a two-stage approach in smartPLS-4.
Findings
Results highlight that digital service capability (DSC) significantly mediates the relationship between DI and IP. Additionally, value co-creation (VCC) directly affects digital transformation (DT), while DI has a stronger effect on DSC than IP. Furthermore, BDAC significantly moderates the relation between DSC → IP and DT → IP, whereas it has a detrimental effect on the relation between DI and IP. In addition to that, VCC, DSC, DT, DI and BDAC have a direct, significant and positive effect on IP.
Practical implications
This research was motivated by the practical relevance of supporting SMEs in adopting DT and the resource-based view (RBV) and technology acceptance model (TAM). This study shows that all direct and indirect measures significantly affect innovation performance, including BDAC as moderator. These findings refresh the perspective on what DT, DI, VCC, DSC and BDAC can bring to a firm's innovation performance.
Originality/value
This paper has contributed to DT by empirically validating a theoretical argument that suggests the acceptance and adoption of new technology. This paper aims to fill theoretical gaps in understanding BDAC and DT by incorporating the RBV and TAM theories on BDAC and DT.
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Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the influence of over-allocation and under-allocation of family board seats on the corporate investment efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the perspective of altruistic behavior, this paper theoretically analyzes the relationship between the preference of family board seats allocation and corporate investment efficiency, and designs the research. On this basis, we use STATA14.0 as an analysis tool to empirically test the relationship between the preference of family family board seats allocation and corporate investment efficiency, and consider the impact of different governance scenarios.
Findings
This study finds that firms with a higher over-allocation degree of family board seats invest more efficiently, evidenced by significantly suppressed over-investment rather than mitigated under-investment. However, we do not find evidence that the higher degree of under-allocation of family board seats contribute to lower corporate investment efficiency. Additionally, this study finds that the positive relationship between the over-allocation degree of family board seats and corporate investment efficiency is more pronounced for firms with higher separation of cash flow rights and control rights, and weaker regional law system environment. Our mechanism discussion shows that the higher over-allocation level of family board seats contributes to the mitigation of agency costs for family firms by reducing the tendency for non-family boards to vote “against board proposals” and the appropriation behavior of the controlling family, and eventually improving corporate investment efficiency.
Originality/value
This paper examines the relationship between the preference of family board seats allocation and corporate investment efficiency from the perspective of altruistic behavior. Unlike previous studies, this paper distinguishes the governance effects arising from over-allocation and under-allocation of family board seats. Additionally, different governance scenarios are incorporated into the decision-making mechanism of the board of family firms, and the influences of the divergence of cash-flow and control rights and a weaker regional law system on the governance effect of the preference of family board seat allocation are analyzed.
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Hui Lei, Shiyi Tang, Yuxin Zhao and Shou Chen
This study aims to explore the effect of digitalization on the promotion of enterprise R&D cooperation, and it analyzes the microimpact mechanism and boundary conditions of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the effect of digitalization on the promotion of enterprise R&D cooperation, and it analyzes the microimpact mechanism and boundary conditions of enterprise digitalization on enterprise R&D cooperation.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on survey data sourced from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys of the business environment of Chinese enterprises in 2012, this study applies multiple regression methods to test theoretical hypotheses.
Findings
Enterprise digitalization positively affects the breadth and intensity of enterprise R&D cooperation. Employees’ digital literacy plays an intermediary role between enterprise digitalization and enterprise R&D cooperation. The subordinate attributes of enterprises weaken the positive relationship between enterprise digitalization and the breadth and intensity of enterprise R&D cooperation. The shareholding of state-owned enterprises reinforces the positive relationship between digitalization and the intensity of enterprise R&D cooperation. However, such shareholding shows no significant regulatory effect on digitalization and the breadth of enterprise R&D cooperation.
Originality/value
Focusing on the digital transformation of the enterprise, this study discusses its impact mechanism on enterprise R&D cooperation, including the impact on the intensity and breadth of R&D cooperation. The study further examines the regulatory effect of organizational inertia on enterprise digital and R&D cooperation from two aspects: resource rigidity and routine rigidity. It emphasizes the significance of the digital literacy of employees in enterprise digitalization and discusses the micromechanism of enterprise digitalization and enterprise R&D cooperation.