Jia Xu, Jingyu Zhang, Jiahan Xu, Guangyuan Miao, Long Feng, Zhanzhu Zhang and Huanxia Zhang
Nanotechnology has been able to bind to a wide range of functional textiles in recently. This paper aims to modify graphene oxide (GO) by grafting dimethyl phosphite and…
Abstract
Purpose
Nanotechnology has been able to bind to a wide range of functional textiles in recently. This paper aims to modify graphene oxide (GO) by grafting dimethyl phosphite and perfluorohexyl iodine. It was applied to cotton to obtain a flame-retardant, water-repellent and ultraviolet-resistant multifunctional fabric.
Design/methodology/approach
The GO-multi was synthesized by grafted dimethyl phosphite and perfluorohexyl chain and applied to cotton by the dipping-drying method. The surface chemistry of functionalized GO was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the fabric was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The combustion properties were evaluated using a microscale combustion calorimeter, match test and TGA. Hydrophobicity of film and fabric surface was characterized by static contact angle, and the UV resistance of the fabric was represented by the ultroviolet procetion factor (UPF) value.
Findings
Dimethyl phosphite and perfluorohexyl chains were grafted on the surface of GO successively. In the match test, the GO-multi/cotton kept the original outline of the fabric. According to the micro-scale combustion calorimetry (MCC) data, the value of PHRR and THR of GO-multi/cotton was about 45 per cent lower than that of untreated cotton fabric. It was found from the field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures that the residue of GO-multi/ cotton burned by the match method was more compact and the graphene lamellar structure remained more complete. The hydrophobic effect of GO-multi/cotton was improved compared to untreated cotton, but not better than the fabric treated by the perfluorohexyl chain-grafted GO. The UPF value of GO-multi/cotton reached 253, which indicated that the anti-ultraviolet performance of GO-multi was greatly improved after it was deposited on the cotton fabric.
Research limitations/implications
Although the hydrophobic effect was much higher than that of untreated cotton fabric, its hydrophobic effect was not satisfied, which may be due to the fact that the content of F element content was low. So, it is still needed to explore the modifying method to increase the functional component amount on the GO nanosheet.
Practical implications
This modifying method can be used in any of multifunctional textile preparation process. The hydrophobic and flame-retardant cotton fabric revealed a sample for use in outdoor sports such as clothes and tents.
Originality/value
To meet the needs of multifunctional cotton fabrics, the modification of GO with dimethyl phosphite and perfluorohexyl iodine has not been reported. The modified fabric has flame-retardant, UV-resistant and hydrophobic properties.
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Shuochen Wei, Lifang Wang, Taiwen Feng and Yanni Gao
This study explores the antecedent configurations shaping ambidextrous environmental strategy (AES) and the subsequent performance outcomes. The lack of literature from the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the antecedent configurations shaping ambidextrous environmental strategy (AES) and the subsequent performance outcomes. The lack of literature from the configurational perspective and inconsistent performance results suggest that this study has significant implications for practitioners, policymakers and the public. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how different antecedent conditions interact to shape AES and subsequent performance outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the research aims, the current research utilize research techniques based on technology–organization–environment framework and configurational perspective. This study collects data from 317 Chinese manufacturing enterprises and tests the theoretical framework using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis and propensity score matching.
Findings
Perceived institutional pressure, green supply chain integration and digital technology adoption form four paths that lead to the existence of AES. There are four sets of replaceable conditions between distinct paths. In addition, except for configuration P3, all other configurations promote environmental, operational and financial performance.
Research limitations/implications
Our results provide new insights for enterprises to shape AES and achieve multiple performances, and new ideas for promoting environmental policies and public environmental awareness.
Originality/value
This study adds literature on AES and confirms multiple drivers, revealing their interaction mechanisms and key antecedent conditions. In addition, this study promotes the performance practice of AES by examining different AES configurations that achieve triple performance and insignificant operational performance.
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Demand for long-term care services increases with population aging. This study aims to develop a conceptual model of elderly customers’ health-care experiences to explore the…
Abstract
Purpose
Demand for long-term care services increases with population aging. This study aims to develop a conceptual model of elderly customers’ health-care experiences to explore the antecedents, mechanisms and outcomes of social participation in long-term care service organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a two-phase data collection approach, this study collects data from 238 elderly customers in a long-term care service organization. The final data are analyzed through structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results show that care management efforts (i.e. customer education, perceived organization support, role modeling, perceived other customer support and diversity of activity) influence elderly customers’ psychological states (i.e. self-efficacy and sense of community), leading to increased social participation. In addition, high levels of social participation evoke positive service satisfaction and quality of life, both of which alleviate switching intention.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first conclusive service studies focused on the role of elderly customers’ social participation in their long-term care experience. The findings contribute to health-care service marketing and transformative service research, and expand understanding of elderly customers’ health-care experience, especially in long-term care service settings.
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Zhiming Long, Zhixuan Feng, Bangxi Li and Rémy Herrera
This chapter aims to shed light on the hidden benefits and losses of US-China trade within the framework of unequal exchange theory. After presenting the evolutions of the trade…
Abstract
This chapter aims to shed light on the hidden benefits and losses of US-China trade within the framework of unequal exchange theory. After presenting the evolutions of the trade balance between China and the United States, we propose two methods for measuring the unequal exchange between them: one considers the labor content directly incorporated into the exchange; the other focuses on the international values with input-output tables. This allows to present a synthesis of sectoral analyses. Our results show a significant unequal exchange in US-China trade over 1995–2014, the United States being actually the main beneficiary of this trade. Both methods exhibit the inequality in exchange tending to decrease over time; China's disadvantage has been gradually reducing from the 2000s. We finally suggest that the relative decline in the hegemonic status of the United States in this bilateral unequal relationship could help explain its decision to launch its trade war with China.
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Omar Ikbal Tawfik, Hamada Elsaid Elmaasrawy and Khaldoon Albitar
This study aims to investigate the relationship between political connections, financing decisions and cash holding.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between political connections, financing decisions and cash holding.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on historical data from 181 active non-financial firms listed on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Stock Exchange Markets during the period of 2009–2016, this study uses ordinary least squares and dynamic system-generalized method of moments to test the research hypotheses. The final data set comprises a total of 1,448 firm-year observations from ten major non-financial industry classifications.
Findings
This study finds a positive relationship between political connections and each of internal financing proxied by retained earnings ratio and external financing proxied by short- and long-term debt to total asset. The findings also show a positive relationship between political connections and cash holding.
Practical implications
The findings of the study provide a better understanding of the role of politically connected directors in financing decisions and cash holding in the GCC. Investors can consider the presence of royal family members in the board of directors when making investment decision. Policymakers are encouraged to develop more effective policies that encourage listed firms to provide information on the political positions of the board of directors, managers and major shareholders/owners of companies.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between political connections and financing decisions by focusing on the GCC region. This study also highlights that boards in connected firms in the GCC have lower monitoring role owing to political interventions, and that connected firms face higher agency problems as they have weak governance and boards compared with non-connected firms.
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Sourav Mondal, Saumya Singh and Himanshu Gupta
Green entrepreneurship (GE) is a novel concept in business and enhances environmentally friendly production and operation activities for “sustainable development” (SD). The aim of…
Abstract
Purpose
Green entrepreneurship (GE) is a novel concept in business and enhances environmentally friendly production and operation activities for “sustainable development” (SD). The aim of this study is to determine the drivers that contribute to the growth and success of “micro, small, and medium enterprises” (MSMEs) in the manufacturing sector in India. The study also examines the mutual and cause-and-effect relationships among these identified drivers.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used integrated research methodology and identified nine key drivers of GE (GEDs) through extensive literature reviews, theoretical perspectives (i.e. “resource-based view” (RBV), “natural resource-based view” (NRBV) and “critical success factor theory” (CSFT)), and expert opinions. Further, “total interpretive structural modeling” (TISM) and “matrice d'impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment” (MICMAC) analysis are used here to develop a hierarchical model and cluster the drivers, and fuzzy “decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory” (fuzzy-DEMATEL) is used to develop causal relationships among the drivers. Further, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to ensure the robustness of the results.
Findings
Results indicated that green manufacturing and operation capability development, green business process management and attitudes toward developing sustainable business models significantly impacted GE and SD. The findings of this study help managers, policymakers, and practitioners gain an in-depth understanding of the drivers of GE.
Research limitations/implications
The study considers a limited number of drivers and is specific to Indian manufacturing MSMEs only. Further, a limited number of experts from different enterprises are considered for data analysis. This study is also based on interrelationships and their relative importance based on multicriteria decision-making techniques. This study aids government decision-making, policy formulation and strategic decision-making for manufacturing businesses in achieving SD goals. In addition, this research also encourages green entrepreneurs to start eco-driven companies and facilitate the use of environmentally friendly goods to offset environmental challenges and accomplish sustainable development goals.
Originality/value
This study proposes an integrated methodology that will benefit managers, practitioners and others in developing strategies and innovations to improve and develop green practices. This study further helps with responsive, sustainable business development in various manufacturing MSMEs.
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Wen‐Hsiang Lai, Pao‐Long Chang and Ying‐Chyi Chou
Establishing a performance‐oriented evaluation in public sectors is the key to successful administrations. However, because of lacking relative comparable measuring standards, it…
Abstract
Purpose
Establishing a performance‐oriented evaluation in public sectors is the key to successful administrations. However, because of lacking relative comparable measuring standards, it is difficult to measure the relative performance of one unit while comparing to other units with regard to the multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) of performance evaluation. This paper aims to focus on the performance ranking of research and development (R&D) projects in Taiwan's public sectors.
Design/methodology/approach
The algorithm in this paper is based on the concept of fuzzy set theory and the hierarchical structure analysis. The analyzing method adopts the methods of standard normal distribution, linear transformation, and fuzzy MCDM, carrying on the analysis of multiple criteria of the performance evaluation.
Findings
This paper constructs linguistic values to the subjective judgments and analyzes the ranking results of the performance evaluation with respect to 45 R&D projects of one of Taiwan's electric power companies. Thus, the paper demonstrates a successful way of evaluating R&D projects in the public sector.
Originality/value
In this paper, a decision algorithm based on the fuzzy set theory is proposed to solve the performance evaluation of R&D projects in public sectors. In order to solve the difficulties of measuring one unit of the relative performance of quantitative criteria comparing to the other units, the method of standard normal distribution is adopted while measuring the quantitative criteria. The concept of linguistic values and fuzzy numbers are used in this paper since they could easily be used to describe the subjective measurement of the appropriateness of alternatives and the importance weightings of criteria.
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The New Silk Road Diplomacy in the Nineties, the Belt and Road Initiative today, and the Digital Silk Road of the future signal growing Chinese ambitions in international…
Abstract
The New Silk Road Diplomacy in the Nineties, the Belt and Road Initiative today, and the Digital Silk Road of the future signal growing Chinese ambitions in international relations. The bold plans and visions may turn into fundaments of future Chinese domination in World affairs. However, the ways they are to be achieved indicate, that the Chinese policy-making did not adapt yet to new reality of being a leader rather than a free-rider taking advantage of other Powers’ international involvement. The goal of the chapter is to point to the limitations of PRC ambitions. Qualitatively new international reality requires qualitatively new approaches. China, if it does not realize that, despite being one of the biggest surprises in terms of dynamics of development in twentieth century, may become one of the biggest disappointments in twenty-first century. The World seems to accept the fact of growing PRC role in international dimensions. The question is, is China ready for this change not only in words but also in practice.