Huifeng Xi, Xiangbo Shu, Manjie Chen, Huanliang Zhang, Shi-qing Huang and Heng Xiao
The primary objective of this study is characterizing the anisotropic mechanical properties of corrugated cardboard and simultaneously simulating its drop cushioning dynamic…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary objective of this study is characterizing the anisotropic mechanical properties of corrugated cardboard and simultaneously simulating its drop cushioning dynamic effects under various drop conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Static and dynamic tests were conducted on corrugated cardboard to obtain adequate experimental data in different directions. An effective anisotropic constitutive model is introduced by developing the honeycomb materials model in ANSYS LS-Dyna, and an effective approach is established toward effectively determining the material parameters from the test data obtained. The model is validated by comparing simulation results with experimental data from five drop conditions, including bottom drop, front drop, side drop, 30° side drop and edge drop. Additionally, simulations are conducted to study the cushioning performance of the packaging by dropping the corrugated cardboard at different heights.
Findings
The study establishes a fast and effective approach to simulating the drop cushioning performance of corrugated cardboard under various drop conditions, which demonstrates good agreement with experimental data.
Originality/value
This approach is of value for packaging protection and provides guidance for stacking of packaging during transportation.
Details
Keywords
Huifeng Bai, Julie McColl, Christopher Moore, Weijing He and Jin Shi
This empirical study, from the international retailing perspective, examines the direction of retailers' further expansion after initial entry into overseas host market in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This empirical study, from the international retailing perspective, examines the direction of retailers' further expansion after initial entry into overseas host market in the context of the luxury fashion retail market in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts qualitative multiple case studies.
Findings
After initial entry into China, luxury fashion retailers further expand their retail operations through three directional patterns: cautious, regional and countrywide expansions. The stepwise expansion from tier-1 to tier-2 and tier-3 cities remains popular; however, the importance of the tier system of Chinese cities has been weakened because tier-3 cities in affluent regions are perceived to have more potential than some tier-2 cities in less developed regions. The retailers assess a potential local market through interrelated criteria, including location and strategic importance, economic development, available store locations and staff, a high degree of urbanisation and tourism, debatable favourable policies and offers, and popularity of e- and m-commerce. There is a positive relationship between popularity of e- and m-commerce in a city and the potential of that city to run brick-and-mortar stores.
Originality/value
The paper offers an insight into the current international retailing literature by examining the direction of luxury fashion retailers' further expansion after their initial market entry. Particularly, the research considers a set of criteria which can be used to assess a potential local market, and the impact of e- and m-commerce on local market choices for brick-and-mortar stores.
Details
Keywords
Huifeng Bai, Jin Shi, Peng Song, Julie McColl, Christopher Moore and Ian Fillis
This empirical study aims to examine luxury fashion retailers' localised multiple channel distribution strategies in China.
Abstract
Purpose
This empirical study aims to examine luxury fashion retailers' localised multiple channel distribution strategies in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Through case studies of 15 participating retailers, qualitative data were collected from 33 semi-structured interviews.
Findings
Strong impacts of internationalisation strategies, distribution strategies and channel length towards multiple channel retailing are revealed. Multi-channel retailing is widely employed by firms who have entered China and further developed their businesses through local partnerships and adopted a selective distribution strategy via relatively longer channels. Omni-channel retailing is only suitable for the few retailers using an exclusive distribution strategy through direct marketing and wholly owned customer relationship management. As a dynamic transformation from multi- to omni-channel retailing, cross-channel retailing is adopted by those who are withdrawing from local partnerships and shifting to wholly owned expansions and operations in host markets.
Research limitations/implications
The results are potentially challenged by relatively small sample size.
Practical implications
Practitioners are suggested to adapt multiple channel retailing to their international expansion strategies, distribution strategies and channel length in the host markets.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature in both multiple channel retailing and international retailing by offering insights into the motives, development patterns and suitability of multiple channel retailing in the international retail marketing context.