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1 – 10 of 30Liangbin Chen, Lihong Zhao and Keren Ding
This paper aims to improve the permeability and antifouling of polysulfone (PSF) ultrafiltration membranes, the PSF matrix was modified by incorporating sulfonated polysulfone…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to improve the permeability and antifouling of polysulfone (PSF) ultrafiltration membranes, the PSF matrix was modified by incorporating sulfonated polysulfone (SPSF).
Design/methodology/approach
Systematic investigations were conducted on the synergistic effects of a pore-forming agent, coagulation bath temperature and SPSF doping in the casting solution on blended ultrafiltration membranes. The chemical composition of the membranes was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology and surface roughness of the membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The hydrophilicity of the membrane surface was analyzed using a contact angle meter. The permeability and antifouling properties of the blended membranes were also investigated through filtration experiments.
Findings
The results indicated that the blended ultrafiltration membranes demonstrated an optimal overall performance when PVP-K30 content was 5.0 Wt.%, coagulation bath temperature was 30°C and SPSF content was 2.4 Wt.%. In comparison to a pure PSF ultrafiltration membrane, there was a significant increase in pure water flux (390.7 L·m−2·h−1) by 2.2 times, while bovine serum albumin retention slightly decreased to 93.8%. In addition, the flux recovery rate improved by 2.1 times (71.4%) compared to that of the original PSF ultrafiltration membrane.
Practical implications
The method provided a simple and practical solution for improving the antifouling and permeability of PSF ultrafiltration membranes.
Originality/value
SPSF was anticipated to serve as an excellent modification additive for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes with superior properties.
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Liangbin Chen, Lihong Zhao, Keren Ding, Kaibo Xu and Xianzhe Tang
This study aims to optimize the preparation conditions and modify the nanofiltration (NF) membranes to prepare high-performance polysulfone/sulfonated polysulfone composite…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to optimize the preparation conditions and modify the nanofiltration (NF) membranes to prepare high-performance polysulfone/sulfonated polysulfone composite nanofiltration (PSF/SPSF-NF) membranes through interfacial polymerization.
Design/methodology/approach
Investigating the impacts of anhydrous piperazine (PIP) concentration, trimesoyl chloride (TMC) concentration and basement membrane type on NF membrane performance, the optimal membrane was prepared. In addition, nano-SiO2 was added to the active separation layer to modify the NF membranes.
Findings
The comprehensive performance of PSF/SPSF-NF membranes was optimized when the concentration of PIP was 0.75 Wt.% and the concentration of TMC was 0.15 Wt.%, at which time the water flux was 66.1 L·m−2·h−1 and the retention rate of Na2SO4 was 98.1%. The comprehensive performance of polysulfone/sulfonated polysulfone-SiO2 nanofiltration (PSF/SPSF-SiO2-NF) membranes was optimized when the blending ratio of nano-SiO2 to PIP was 2:3, with a pure water flux of 81.9 L·m−2·h−1 and a Na2SO4 retention rate of 95.9%. Compared to polysulfone nanofiltration (PSF-NF) membranes and PSF/SPSF-NF membranes, NF membranes with nano-SiO2 increased the flux recovery rate by 22.9% and 8.7%.
Practical implications
PSF/SPSF-SiO2-NF membrane exhibits excellent antifouling properties.
Originality/value
There is currently no literature available on the preparation of NF membranes using polysulfone/sulfonated polysulfone (PSF/SPFS) as a substrate. This provides a method for modifying NF membranes, starting with the modification of the basement membrane and then modifying the active separation layer.
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Yawei Xu, Lihong Dong, Haidou Wang, Yuelan Di, Xiaozhu Xie, Peng Wang and Miao Zhang
Crack sensor based on RFID tag has become a research hotspot in the field of metal structural health monitoring for its significant benefit of passive wireless transmission. While…
Abstract
Purpose
Crack sensor based on RFID tag has become a research hotspot in the field of metal structural health monitoring for its significant benefit of passive wireless transmission. While in practice, crack location will impact the performance of crack depth-sensing tag. The purpose of this paper is to provide a method for reducing disturbance of crack location on crack depth-sensing tag.
Design/methodology/approach
The effect analysis of crack location on crack depth-sensing tag is presented first to find disturbance reason and disturbance law. On the basis of that, a miniaturized tag is proposed to improve the current distribution and reduce the disturbance introduced by crack location.
Findings
The degree of crack location disturbance is closely related to the current distribution in the coverage area of tag. Because sensing tag performs better when crack locates in the high current density area, miniaturization of sensing tag is exploited to expand the high current density area and make the area more symmetrical. The simulated and experimental results demonstrate that tag miniaturization can enhance the performance of crack depth-sensing tag.
Originality/value
This paper provides a method to enhance the performance of crack depth-sensing tag.
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Lihong Zhou, Ruhua Huang and Tim Zijlstra
This paper aims to report on a literature review that aimed to establish a guiding framework for the development of digital scholarship services in China’s university libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report on a literature review that aimed to establish a guiding framework for the development of digital scholarship services in China’s university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework was developed through systematically searching, screening, assessing, coding and aggregating digital scholarship services as reported in the existing body of literature. Three types of literature were included in the analysis: international academic literature as reported in English; academic literature in Chinese; and relevant professional reports.
Findings
The literature analysis pointed to 25 different digital scholarship services, which emerged in six themes: supporting services, formulating research ideas, locating research partners, writing proposals, conducting research and publishing results.
Originality/value
Although this literature review focused on university libraries in China, the research findings and the guiding framework developed provide useful insights and indications that can be shared across international borders.
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Lihong Song, Zhaoyi Xie, Qiaoyi Chen and Ziqi Liu
This paper expects to analyze the connection between occupational stigma and job meaningfulness among Chinese takeaway riders, the mediating role of occupational identity and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper expects to analyze the connection between occupational stigma and job meaningfulness among Chinese takeaway riders, the mediating role of occupational identity and relative deprivation, and the moderating effect of job stress based on resource conservation theory.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample was derived from 371 takeaway riders across China. PLS-SEM was mainly utilized for the data analysis.
Findings
The findings of the study indicated a significant negative correlation between occupational stigma and job meaningfulness. Furthermore, it is worth noting that relative deprivation and occupational identity served as mediators and masks, respectively, in the relationship between occupational stigma and job meaningfulness. Furthermore, job stress amplifies the association between occupational stigma and occupational identity. Additionally, job stress diminishes the connection between occupational stigma and relative deprivation.
Originality/value
This study proposes a positive correlation between occupational stigma and occupational identity in the Chinese context. It also enriches the empirical research based on resource conservation theory. Furthermore, it holds practical implications for takeaway riders in China, offering insights to bolster their job meaningfulness.
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Ruhua Huang, Tong Lai and Lihong Zhou
This paper reports on a critical literature review, which aimed to identify, understand and qualify barriers that hinder the release of open government data (OGD) in China…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper reports on a critical literature review, which aimed to identify, understand and qualify barriers that hinder the release of open government data (OGD) in China. Moreover, the purpose of this paper is to develop and propose a theoretical framework, which can be adopted as a basis for empirical investigation in the future, and to articulate mitigating strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an inductive qualitative approach, retrieving 42 academic articles from three main Chinese academic databases: CNKI, Wanfang and CQVIP. A thematic analysis approach was employed for the literature analysis.
Findings
The literature analysis pointed to 15 barriers to the release of OGD in China. Furthermore, the barriers emerged in the following three main themes: institutional barriers, data integrity and quality barriers, and user participation barriers.
Originality/value
This paper reports on one of the early research efforts into the problems of releasing OGD in China. Although this study focusses on Chinese context and issues, the findings and lessons learnt can be shared across international borders.
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Lihong Zhou, Yaqian Song and Tong Zhou
Self-service libraries (SSLs) have been regarded as an effective approach to provide convenient book services to the enormously large populations of China’s cities. These SSLs are…
Abstract
Purpose
Self-service libraries (SSLs) have been regarded as an effective approach to provide convenient book services to the enormously large populations of China’s cities. These SSLs are in fact automatic book service machines, which provide a combination of services, including reading card issuing, book lending and returning, and book reservations and collection. However, despite acclaimed success, SSL services are not well received by patrons and are underutilised. The purpose of this paper is to identify and understand the causes of the underutilisation of SSL services in Chinese cities.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an inductive approach and a case study research design. The SSL services in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, were adopted as the case study, in which 20 public librarians, SSL workers and managers, and library patrons were approached and interviewed using semi-structured question scripts. The interview data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.
Findings
The analysis pointed to 13 causes in three main themes: management problems, service limitations, and the implicit role of government. Further conceptualisation of the findings revealed that the underutilisation of SSL services has resulted from the absence of a patron-centric perspective and the negligence of patrons’ needs and requirements. Therefore, to increase the popularity and usage of SSLs, it is necessary to develop patron-centric management mechanisms through which patrons’ needs and requirements can be effectively understood and responded to.
Originality/value
This study aims to develop specific suggestions to improve the usage of SSLs. Furthermore, although this study focuses on SSL development in China, this research can provide useful suggestions and implications that can be shared across international borders.
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Guoshu Dong, Lihong Wei, Jiaping Xie, Weisi Zhang and Zhefu Zhang
The development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is vital to the economy, as such the financing of SMEs has become the focus of government and enterprises. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is vital to the economy, as such the financing of SMEs has become the focus of government and enterprises. The purpose of this paper is to find the operational and financial strategies of the supplier and retailer in supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
In a Stackelberg game, supplier moves first setting wholesale price, while the retailer follows, setting the ordering quantity. Enterprises maximize their profits by optimization. When measuring profit targets, the capital constraints and income taxes of two companies are considered. In the portfolio financing model, the retailer can obtain products from suppliers through trade credit, and the supplier can use asset-backed securitization (ABS) to solve his/her financing problems.
Findings
The wholesale price is a decreasing function of retailer’s initial cash balance, and the supplier’s financing interest rate is a decreasing function of his/her own capital, the incentive effect of the supplier’s price discount strategy on retailer is more intense in the supply chain with high-priced product or high-capital retailer. And in a capital-constrained supply chain, an increase in tax rate or financing rate does not necessarily motivate the supplier to increase wholesale price. Most importantly, if the supplier’s markup is moderate, portfolio financing has value for both retailer and supplier, while solving the financing problems of both parties.
Research limitations/implications
Future research can consider the explicit and implicit interest when supplier provides trade credit to retailer. It is also possible to consider the portfolio financing when multiple retailers are facing financial constraints.
Practical implications
It provides guidance for supply chain enterprises with financing needs, helping them find optimal decisions. With financial interest, enterprise income tax on the enterprises’ financing factors will produce a tax shield effect; thus, a cost–benefit analysis with the tax shield effect can provide more accurate picture when making corresponding decisions.
Social implications
Government takes feasible adjustments of tax rate for the sake of motivation on financial SMEs tax shield. Furthermore, ABS calls for service from financial institutions, which will, in turn, expedite financial institutions revenue.
Originality/value
The authors provide insights on enterprise financing models, combining ABS with trade credit, expanding enterprise financing channels and enriching the theory of financial supply chain and supply chain management. The authors analyze in detail the influence of tax factors on enterprises by introducing tax factors into traditional process of enterprise operation and financing strategy.
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Qinxuan Gu, Lihong Wang, Judy Y. Sun and Yanni Xu
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships among job and career satisfactions, work commitment, and turnover intentions for the Post‐80 employees in China.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships among job and career satisfactions, work commitment, and turnover intentions for the Post‐80 employees in China.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 290 of China's Post‐80 employees from 19 knowledge‐intensive companies were surveyed. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.
Findings
The perceptions of selected Post‐80 employees on job and career satisfactions were negatively related to turnover intention, while job satisfaction was positively related to four types of work commitment, affective commitment, normative commitment, career commitment and job involvement. Career satisfaction was also positively related to three types of work commitment, affective commitment, normative commitment, and career commitment. However, the relationships of job and career satisfactions and turnover intention as mediated by continuance commitment and career commitment were inconclusive.
Research limitations/implications
Combining the available literature on China's Post‐80 generation with the inconclusive results, the authors posit that the uniqueness of work attitudes held by this generation has not been captured in previous studies. Future research should focus on differentiating work attitudes between this cohort and its preceding generations, as well as its Western counterparts.
Practical implications
Organizations need to recognize the uniqueness of China's Post‐80 generation employees' work attitudes, and develop appropriate talent strategies to retain and motivate this cohort of employees in China.
Originality/value
The paper highlights China's Post‐80 generation employees and extends the turnover models by integrating the perspectives of job satisfaction, career satisfaction and work commitment. The paper identifies research gaps for future research on China's Post‐80 employees' work attitudes.
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Wenxiong Wang, Lihong Yu, Wei Zhou, David W. Marcouiller and Bin Luo
Effective farmer participation in the rural land consolidation process has become increasingly important because it improves results in rural land consolidation and land use…
Abstract
Purpose
Effective farmer participation in the rural land consolidation process has become increasingly important because it improves results in rural land consolidation and land use efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mechanism of farmers’ effective participation in Chinese rural land consolidation.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors empirically assess farmers’ effective participation in the rural land consolidation process in ten counties of China’s Hubei province. Focusing on an effective decision-making model, the authors comprehensively evaluated farmer participation using surveys that incorporated an index system and analyzed survey results using a structural equation model to examine factors that influenced farmer’s effective participation.
Findings
The results of the study suggest that the correlations between farmers’ effective participation and the impacting factors the authors proposed were particularly strong. In addition, participation ability, participation opportunity and participation incentive are strongly associated with effective farmer participation. Thus, the authors highlight that incentives should be provided to encourage farmers’ effective participation in rural land consolidation.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the chosen approach and the set of the research object, the geographic context of the empirical survey work was limited; furthermore, the authors only studied the influencing factors at the individual level, leaving the interaction effects between governmental factors and farmer individual factors inadequately explained.
Originality/value
Despite those limitations, these results serve as an important reference for government agencies and stakeholder groups in rural land consolidation decision making.
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