Lulu Peng, Jianchang Li, Tianhui Ren, Hua Wu and Chenyan Ma
The purpose of the research was to test whether the novel synthesized additive TEAT can be a substitution for the traditional additive ZDDP partly or entirely in mineral oil.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the research was to test whether the novel synthesized additive TEAT can be a substitution for the traditional additive ZDDP partly or entirely in mineral oil.
Design/methodology/approach
The extreme pressure, antiwear (AW) and friction reducing property of TEAT was examined, the tribological property of the combination of TEAT and ZDDP was also examined. The worn surfaces of the steel balls were observed using a polarizing optical microscope and x‐ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy.
Findings
The results show that: TEAT can enhance the PB value of the base oil obviously; TEAT shows better AW performance than ZDDP in high load and a wide range of concentration, it shows better friction‐reducing performance than ZDDP in high load and all the concentration tested; TEAT alone can provide a better AW and friction reducing property than ZDDP and the combination of TEAT and ZDDP; and the tribochemical reaction occurs between novel compound and metallic surface, generating sulfur containing layer mainly exists in the form of FeS.
Originality/value
These findings indicate that TEAT presents better tribological properties than ZDDP in a wide range of practical conditions. TEAT may be a substitute for ZDDP in the future.
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Jianchang Fan, Zhun Li, Fei Ye, Yuhui Li and Nana Wan
This study aims to focus on the optimal green R&D of a capital-constrained supply chain under different channel power structures as well as the impact of capital constraint…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on the optimal green R&D of a capital-constrained supply chain under different channel power structures as well as the impact of capital constraint, financing cost, channel power structure and cost-reducing efficiency on green R&D and supply chain profitability.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-echelon supply chain is considered. The upstream firm engages in green R&D but has capital constraints that can be overcome by external financing. Green R&D is beneficial to reduce production costs and increase consumer demand. Based on whether or not the upstream firm is capital constrained and dominates the supply chain, four models are developed.
Findings
Capital constraints significantly lower green R&D and supply chain profitability. Transferring leadership from the upstream to the downstream firms leads to higher green R&D levels and downstream firm profitability, whereas the upstream firm's profitability is increased (decreased) if green R&D investment efficiency is high (low) enough. Greater financing costs reduce green R&D and downstream firm profitability; however, the upstream firm's profitability under the model in which it functions as the follower increases if the initial capital is sufficient. More importantly, empirical analysis based on practice data is used to verify the theoretical results reported above.
Practical implications
This study reveals how upstream firms in supply chains decide green R&D decisions in situations with capital constraints, providing managers and governments with an understanding of the impact of capital constraint, channel power structure, financing cost and cost-reducing efficiency on supply chain green R&D and profitability.
Originality/value
The major contributions are the exploration of supply chain green R&D by taking into consideration channel power structures and cost-reducing efficiency and the validation of theoretical results using practice data.
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This paper forms an e-commerce supply chain that include a manufacturer providing products and an online platform providing service. The reselling platform mode and the agent…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper forms an e-commerce supply chain that include a manufacturer providing products and an online platform providing service. The reselling platform mode and the agent platform mode are considered through an exploration of the manufacturer Stackelberg (MS), vertical Nash (VN), platform Stackelberg (PS) power structures. The purpose of this paper is to explore the pricing and platform service decisions under different platform selling modes and channel power structures.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the game theory models, this paper investigates the interaction between the manufacturer and the online platform under four different scenarios. The optimal solutions of four models are provided. Through comparison analyses, this paper evaluates the impacts of platform selling mode and channel power structure on the pricing and platform service decisions and the members’ profits.
Findings
The manufacturer prefers the MS power structure in any platform mode. The online platform prefers the PS (MS) power structure under a low (high) service cost efficiency in the reselling platform mode, while prefers the PS and VN power structures in the agent platform mode. Moreover, the manufacturer prefers the agent (reselling) platform mode under a low (high) service cost efficiency in any power structure. The online platform prefers the reselling platform mode in the MS and PS power structures, while prefers the reselling (agent) platform mode under a low (high) service cost efficiency in the VN power structures.
Originality/value
The analysis result provides important managerial implications that help the supply chain members develop a better understanding of the selection of the platform selling mode and the effect of the channel power structure in the presence of platform service.
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Abstract
Subject area
Strategy.
Study level/applicability
The case is suitable for upper level undergraduate business and MBA students.
Case overview
FOTILE, one of the fam ily businesses in Zhejiang, Ch ina, has now become the leading brand in the Ch ina kitchen appliance industry and has successfully entered into the global market. It has gone from a traditional family business in the 1980s to a modern enterprise because of the successful transformation from the first generation (Father: Lixiang Mao) to the second generation (Son: Zhongqun Mao) and the blending of a family business with the modern enterprise system. They both have strong beliefs that family businesses have their own advantages, but they have different ways and strategies of running the business. The case describes the process of how the father and his son worked together designing the strategies to successfully grow FOTILE.
Expected learning outcomes
The case is a vehicle for exploring strategies to operate a family business, to successfully develop a sustainability model, to manage a growing company through its entrepreneurial stage, and to merge western business culture with Chinese Confucian culture. It should help students to: explore strategies of managing/leading a family business and transferring successfully the business from one generation to the next; understand the importance of marketing, focusing on overall strategy and sustainability; know how to identify market opportunities, exhibit start-up intent, perform start-up planning, mission development, and feasibility analysis, and acquiring initial resources; and appreciate the close link between culture and strategy.
Supplementary materials
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Yibo Hu, Jinbo Song and Tingting Zhao
The development of China's solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is in a transition period from pursuing scale and speed to focusing on efficiency and quality. “Smart PV projects”…
Abstract
Purpose
The development of China's solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is in a transition period from pursuing scale and speed to focusing on efficiency and quality. “Smart PV projects” (SPVPs) were proposed by the ministries of the Chinese government in 2018 to encourage intelligent upgrading and to fill the gaps in traditional PV projects. However, only a small number of PV enterprises are in progress, and only a few SPVPs have been built. The intelligence level of China's PV projects needs to be improved. The purpose of this study is to analyze the willingness of the main participants to be involved in the intelligent upgrading of PV projects by establishing an evolutionary game model that includes three parties.
Design/methodology/approach
A tripartite evolutionary game model is constructed that considers PV enterprises, project owners and the government. The evolutionary stability strategies of each party and the corresponding stable conditions are obtained. The parameters that affect the decision behaviors are also analyzed.
Findings
The four stages of the intelligent upgrade of PV projects and the effects of the government subsidy strategies are examined. At different stages, adopting different measures to promote cooperation among the three parties involved is necessary. Government subsidies should be provided to PV enterprises during the initial stage and should be biased toward project owners during the intermediate stage. During the peak stage, PV enterprises constantly need to decrease project costs and improve quality and service, thus helping project owners reduce their initial investments and obtain additional gains. The government's reputation drives it to continually adopt incentive strategies.
Originality/value
This research focuses on the interactions among the three parties. Based on evolutionary game analysis, several conditions that facilitate the intelligent upgrading of PV projects are illustrated. Implications for different developing stages are proposed from the perspectives of each party for the decision-makers of SPVPs.
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Muhammad Esmed Alif Samsudin, Yusnizam Yusuf, Norzaini Zainal, Ahmad Shuhaimi Abu Bakar, Christian Zollner, Michael Iza and Steven P. DenBaars
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of AlN nucleation thickness in reducing the threading dislocations density in AlN layer grown on sapphire substrate.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of AlN nucleation thickness in reducing the threading dislocations density in AlN layer grown on sapphire substrate.
Design/methodology/approach
In this work, the effect of the nucleation thickness at 5 nm, 10 nm and 20 nm on reducing the dislocation density in the overgrown AlN layer by metal organic chemical vapor deposition was discussed. The AlN layer without the nucleation layer was also included in this study for comparison.
Findings
By inserting the 10 nm thick nucleation layer, the density of the dislocation in the AlN layer can be as low as 9.0 × 108 cm−2. The surface of the AlN layer with that nucleation layer was smoother than its counterparts.
Originality/value
This manuscript discussed the influence of nucleation thickness and its possible mechanism in reducing dislocations density in the AlN layer on sapphire. The authors believe that the finding will be of interest to the readers of this journal, in particular those who are working on the area of AlN.
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Mazwan Mansor, Syamsul M., Yusnizam Yusuf and Mohd Nazri Abdul Rahman
This study aims to present a numerical study of atomic structure for aluminium nitride (AlN) when the crystal was assumed grown on different orientation of sapphire substrate. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present a numerical study of atomic structure for aluminium nitride (AlN) when the crystal was assumed grown on different orientation of sapphire substrate. The change of the AlN atomic structure with sapphire orientation was associated to the interface between the AlN and the sapphire. The results from this study would provide a guideline in selecting suitable orientation of sapphire for obtaining desirable AlN crystals, in particular, for reducing threading dislocation density in the AlN/sapphire templates for developing UV LEDs.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach of atomic structure by visualization for electronic and structural analysis numerical method to develop shape of atomic geometry to evaluate which plane are more suitable for the AlGaN technology UV-LED based.
Findings
The calculation based on ratio on first and second layers can be done by introduction of lattice constant.
Research limitations/implications
With plane’s color of cutting plane on bulky materials, all the shape looks the same.
Practical implications
By implementing this method, the authors can save time to find the most suitable plane on the growth structure.
Originality/value
All authors of this research paper have directly participated in the planning, execution or analysis of the study; all authors of this paper have read and approved the final version submitted; the contents of this manuscript have not been copyrighted or published previously; the contents of this manuscript are not now under consideration for publication elsewhere; the contents of this manuscript will not be copyrighted, submitted or published elsewhere, whereas acceptance by the journal is under consideration.
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The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to reduce the field failures of splined shafts. The paper also demonstrates the application of Mahalanobis-Taguchi system…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to reduce the field failures of splined shafts. The paper also demonstrates the application of Mahalanobis-Taguchi system (MTS) for identifying the optimum hardness profile to avoid failures.
Design/methodology/approach
Through the usage profile analysis and comparison between the failed and good shafts, the major reason for shaft failure was identified as hardness variation. Then MTS approach was used to identify the optimum hardness profile for the shafts. An experiment was designed with power, feed and the gap between inductor and quench ring representing the heat transfer rate, heat removal rate and the time between heat transfer and removal of induction hardening process as factors. Based on experimental results, the optimum combination factors that would reduce the variation around the optimum hardness profile were identified.
Findings
The study showed that the shaft failures can be reduced by optimizing the hardness profile of the shafts rather than warning customers on overloading, changing the raw material or investing on machining operation to achieve better shaft finish. The study suggested heat transfer rate, heat removal rate and the time between heat transfer and removal had significant impact on the shaft's hardness profile. The study resulted in reducing the field failures from 0.32 to 0.029 percent.
Practical implications
This study provides valuable information on how to identify optimum hardness profile using MTS methodology to reduce shaft failures and how to minimize the variation around the optimum hardness profile using design of experiments.
Originality/value
To the best of author's knowledge, no study has been conducted to identify optimum hardness profile using MTS methodology. The study also provides an approach to minimize the variation around a non-linear hardness profile using design of experiments.