Robert de Souza, Song Zice and Liu Chaoyang
An increase in business overheads due to the enterprise dynamics is postulated to be a cubic function of the area between the actual response of a company in the supply chain and…
Abstract
An increase in business overheads due to the enterprise dynamics is postulated to be a cubic function of the area between the actual response of a company in the supply chain and a theoretical neutral axis, where demand equals supply. Reduction of these dynamics has become critical to the competitiveness of the company and even the whole supply chain. The impact of seven causal factors on the dynamic performance of a generic supply chain simulation with reference to the beer game is studied, guidelines for supply chain re‐engineering in order to reduce such dynamics are provided, and coordination dynamics in networking organizational structure are identified. It is then shown that reduction of coordination dynamics is an alternative solution to structural re‐engineering, e.g. shortening manufacturing and transport lead times. Explores the dynamic performance of both centralized and decentralized coordination mechanisms and proposes that there is no essential difference in performance; the latter is more flexible and allows for autonomy of different companies if it is well coordinated. Finally, proposes a decentralized coordination method by using a market mechanism.
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Kuei-Kuei Lai, Hsueh-Chen Chen, Yu-Hsin Chang, Vimal Kumar and Priyanka C. Bhatt
This study aims to propose a methodology by integrating three approaches, namely, internal core technology, external knowledge flow and industrial technology development to help…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose a methodology by integrating three approaches, namely, internal core technology, external knowledge flow and industrial technology development to help companies improve their decision-making quality for technology planning and enhance their research and development (R&D) portfolio efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
The primary focus of this study is thin-film solar technology and patent data is retrieved from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database. This study presents a methodology based on the proposed integrated analysis method, constructed with patent indicators, centrality analysis of social networks and main path analysis.
Findings
The results of this study can be itemized as – the core technological competency: companies involved in two specific technology fields have lower strength in R&D portfolio than leading companies with single-core technology. Knowledge flow: most companies in a network are knowledge producers/absorbers and technological development: diverse source and sink nodes were identified in the global main path during 1997-2003, 2004-2010 and 2011-2017.
Research limitations/implications
Latecomer companies can emulate leaders’ innovation and enhance their technological competence to seek niche technology. Using the global main path, companies monitor outdated technologies that can be replaced by new technologies and aid to plan R&D strategy and implement appropriate strategic decisions avoiding path dependency.
Originality/value
The knowledge accumulation process helps in identifying the change of position and the role of companies; understanding the trend of industrial technology knowledge helps companies to develop new technology and direct strategic decisions. The novelty of this research lies in the integrated approach of three methods aiding industries to find their internal core technical competencies and identify the external position in the competitive market.
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Vimal Kumar, Kuei-Kuei Lai, Yu-Hsin Chang, Priyanka Chand Bhatt and Fang-Pei Su
The evolution of technology has become the mainstream of the current technological innovation era. Technological change is organized in its unique pattern and a new approach that…
Abstract
Purpose
The evolution of technology has become the mainstream of the current technological innovation era. Technological change is organized in its unique pattern and a new approach that takes place in a systematic and selective manner. Such change is generally molded with the amalgamation of various factors, namely, economic, social or scientific and technological. This paper aims to focus on identifying technological trajectories in a technological ecosystem with the case of m-payment technology.
Design/methodology/approach
This study constructs a patent citation network for mobile payment service technology through patent citation data and identifies the main evolution process using the main path analysis of the network. The scope of this study focuses on key innovation using social network analysis and patent citation network, validated using the case of a mobile payment system and analyzing its technological trajectory.
Findings
Analyzing technology evolution provides a greater insight of the overall technology landscape to the researcher and practitioner. Analyzing the m-payment technology landscape gives three main categories of m-payment systems: the mobile financial transaction system), the payee mobile device payment selection system and e-wallet services.
Originality/value
The novelty of this research lies in the process of identifying technological evolution using social network and patent citation network analysis. The case of m-payment technology ecosystem is studied quantitatively which is not explored by previous researchers. This research provides a way to develop the main path technology of innovative products or services to identify technology evolution using the case of m-payment landscape.
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Vu-Dung-Van Phan, Yung-Fu Huang and Manh-Hoang Do
This study aims to investigate the cognitive factors and e-social interactions that influence the green purchase intention of Vietnamese consumers.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the cognitive factors and e-social interactions that influence the green purchase intention of Vietnamese consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted the survey with 453 samples of young consumers in Vietnam, using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach to evaluate the measurement quality to deal with research objectives.
Findings
The findings of this study demonstrate that cognitive factors positively impact green purchase intentions in Vietnam. Moreover, the analysis revealed that the attitude variable played a mediating role in this model, whereas the social norms factor did not.
Research limitations/implications
This study presents several valuable findings on the green purchase intentions of young Vietnamese consumers. Therefore, the results can potentially advance and strengthen green purchasing theories in the Vietnamese market. Moreover, the recommendations indicate that cognitive factors and e-social interactions are crucial in shaping green purchasing intentions among Vietnamese consumers. Thus, it is suggested that the firms in the Vietnamese market focus on green marketing based on leveraging these factors.
Originality/value
This work provides a valuable contribution to the knowledge related to cognitive and e-social interactions among young Vietnamese consumers. It demonstrates the significant impact of these elements on green purchase intentions through e-commerce.
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Reena Sachan and Ajay Kumar Singh
The purpose of this study is to investigate microbial influenced corrosion of steel because of iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate microbial influenced corrosion of steel because of iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB).
Design/methodology/approach
Carbon steel was selected for this study. Winogradsky media was used for isolation of IOB and as test solution for corrosion measurements. Electrochemical tests and immersion test were conducted to estimate the corrosion rate and extent of pitting. The corroded surface was analysed by SEM and corrosion products formed over the metal surface were identified by XRD and Fourier transformed infrared. Biofilm formed over the corroded metal was analysed by UV-visible spectroscopy for its extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) constituents.
Findings
Presence of IOB in Winogradsky medium enhances corrosion. Uniform and localized corrosion increases with increased bacterial concentration and EPS constituents of the biofilm. Iron sulphite formation as one of the corrosion products has been suggested to be responsible for increased corrosion attack in the inoculated media in comparison to control media where corrosion product observed is iron hydrogen phosphate which is protective in nature.
Originality/value
This work correlates increased corrosion of steel in the presence of bacteria with the nature of corrosion products formed over it in case of IOB. Formation of corrosion products is governed by various electrochemical reactions; hence, inhibition of such reactions may lead to reduce or stop the formation of such products which enhances corrosion and thereby may reduce the extent of microbial induced corrosion.
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Cheng‐Hsiung Hsieh, Ching‐Hua Liu, Kuan‐Chieh Hsiung and Qiangfu Zhao
The purpose of this paper is to solve the pack loss problem of video transmitted over error‐prone channels. Pack loss generally affects the visual quality of reconstructed frames…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to solve the pack loss problem of video transmitted over error‐prone channels. Pack loss generally affects the visual quality of reconstructed frames significantly. Consequently, a grey approach to error concealment (EC) is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
Note that missing information in error blocks can be found before and after the error frame. Thus, two adjacent error‐free frames are utilized to conceal error blocks caused by packet loss. This paper presents an EC approach based on grey polynomial interpolation (GPI) which is called the GTEC. In the GTEC, the following stages are involved. First, error blocks due to packed loss are detected. Then, optimal reference blocks in adjacent frames are found through boundary matching algorithm (BMA). Finally, estimated blocks are obtained by the GPI. By replacing error blocks with the estimated blocks, EC is completed in the GTEC.
Findings
In the simulation, the proposed GTEC is compared with the EC scheme in H.264 and the BMA. With packet loss rates of 1, 3, 5, and 10 per cent, the proposed GTEC approach has better performance than EC schemes in H.264 and BMA, both in peak signal‐to‐noise ratio and visual quality. Consequently, it provides an alternative where EC is required.
Originality/value
The value of GTEC proposed in this paper is not only in better performance but also in the originality to apply grey scheme, i.e. GPI, in the field of EC.
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Sandrotua Bali, Tsai-Ching Chen, Ming-Chou Liu, Suriya Klangrit and Cheng-Yi Lin
With the increasing number of institutions offering online degree programs, there is a growing need to understand the requirements for interactions and the challenges present in…
Abstract
Purpose
With the increasing number of institutions offering online degree programs, there is a growing need to understand the requirements for interactions and the challenges present in online learning environments. Consequently, this qualitative study aims to explore aspects of nontraditional students, typically defined as older than traditional college age, employed full-time or with family responsibilities.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with nine nontraditional students. Grounded in social presence theory, this study analyzed the experiences and viewpoints of nontraditional students in the online learning environment, utilizing thematic analysis.
Findings
Thematic analysis unveiled two major themes: interactions in online learning and challenges in online learning. Four sub-themes emerged from interactions in online learning (interaction with instructors, interaction with peers, content interaction and interface interaction). In addition, three sub-themes emerged from challenges in online learning (timing inflexibility, tools and technological barriers and diverse learning modes). The findings of this suggest that nontraditional students derived benefits from online learning, yet they faced limitations in peer interaction and experienced technological barriers.
Originality/value
This study is based on primary data collected from nontraditional students, offering valuable insights into the needs and challenges they face in higher education while engaged in online learning.
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Rohit Raj, Vimal Kumar, Ankesh Mittal, Priyanka Verma, Kuei-Kuei Lai and Arpit Singh
This study aims to identify and prioritize the key practices and strategies for effective global sourcing and supply chain management (SCM).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify and prioritize the key practices and strategies for effective global sourcing and supply chain management (SCM).
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a combination of Pareto analysis and multi-objective optimization based on ratio analysis research methodology to analyze and establish the relationships among the identified key practices and strategies. Pareto analysis enables organization to prioritize organizational efforts and resources by focusing on the most critical factors.
Findings
The study shows that the “eco-friendly sourcing strategy”, “lean manufacturing” and “tool cost analysis” are the top critical practices and strategy variables for global sourcing and SCM, whereas the “risk management”, “procurement strategy” and “leverage digital solutions” are the critical practices and strategy variables.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this research can also assist organizations in making informed decisions to optimize their global sourcing and supply chain operations.
Originality/value
By using these methods, this research paper gives valuable insights into the critical practices and strategies that can enhance efficiency, mitigate risks and drive success in global sourcing and SCM. The subjects and elements this study identified will serve as a framework and suggestions for further theoretical investigation and real-world implementations.
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Quanquan Liu, Chaoyang Shi, Bo Zhang, Chunbao Wang, Lihong Duan, Tongyang Sun, Xin Zhang, Weiguang Li, Zhengzhi Wu and Masakatsu G. Fujie
Paediatric congenital esophageal atresia surgery typically requires delicate and dexterous operations in a narrow and confined workspace. This study aims to develop a novel robot…
Abstract
Purpose
Paediatric congenital esophageal atresia surgery typically requires delicate and dexterous operations in a narrow and confined workspace. This study aims to develop a novel robot assisted surgical system to address these challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed surgical robot consists of two symmetrical slave arms with nine degree of freedoms each. Each slave arm uses a rigid-dexterous configuration and consists of a coarse positioning manipulator and a distal fine operation manipulator. A small Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm (SCARA) mechanism was designed to form the main component of the coarse positioning unit, ensuring to endure large forces along the vertical direction and meet the operational demands. The fine positioning manipulator applied the novel design using flexible shafts and universal joints to achieve delicate operations while possessing a high rigidity. The corresponding kinematics has been derived and then was validated by a co-simulation that was performed based on the combined use of Adams and MATLAB with considering the real robot mass information. Experimental evaluations for the tip positioning accuracy and the ring transfer tasks have been performed.
Findings
The simulation was performed to verify the correctness of the derived inverse kinematics and demonstrated the robot’s flexibility. The experimental results illustrated that the end-effector can achieve a positioning accuracy within 1.5 mm in a confined 30 × 30 × 30 mm workspace. The ring transfer task demonstrated that the surgical robot is capable of providing a solution for dexterous tissue intervention in a narrow workspace for paediatric surgery.
Originality/value
A novel and compact surgical assist robot is developed to support delicate operations by using the dexterous slave arm. The slave arm consists of a SCARA mechanism to avoid experiencing overload in the vertical direction and a tool manipulator driven by flexible shafts and universal joints to provide high dexterity for operating in a narrow workspace.
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Shucai Yang, Shiwen Xing, Yang Yu, Pei Han, Chaoyang Guo and Lukai Liu
It was verified that the micro-texture in the front and back of the tool at the same time had a positive effect on improving the milling behavior and surface quality of the tool…
Abstract
Purpose
It was verified that the micro-texture in the front and back of the tool at the same time had a positive effect on improving the milling behavior and surface quality of the tool. The purpose of this study is to explore the rationality of simultaneous placement of micro-textures on the front and rear surfaces of ball-end milling cutters, analyze the influence of micro-texture parameters on tool milling behavior and workpiece surface quality, reveal its internal mechanism, and obtain the best micro-texture parameters by optimization.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the mechanism of micro-texture is studied based on the energy loss model. Second, the orthogonal experiment is designed to analyze the influence of micro-texture parameters on tool milling behavior and reveal its mechanism by combining simulation technology and cutting experiment. Finally, the parameters are optimized based on the artificial bee colony algorithm.
Findings
The results show that the simultaneous placement of micro-texture on the rake face and flank face of the tool has a positive effect on improving the milling behavior and surface quality of the tool. Taking milling force, tool wear and surface roughness as the evaluation criteria, the optimal parameter combination is obtained: the rake face micro-texture diameter is 50 µm, the distance from the micro-texture is 200 µm and the distance from the cutting edge is 110 µm; the diameter of the micro-textured flank is 40 µm, the distance from the micro-texture is 170 µm and the distance from the cutting edge is 130 µm.
Originality/value
Taking milling force, tool wear and surface roughness as the evaluation criteria, the optimal parameter combination is obtained: the rake face micro-texture diameter is 50 µm, the distance from the micro-texture is 200 µm and the distance from the cutting edge is 110 µm; the diameter of the micro-textured flank is 40 µm, the distance from the micro-texture is 170 µm and the distance from the cutting edge is 130 µm, which provides theoretical support for the further study of the micro-textured tool.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2023-0022/