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Article
Publication date: 26 June 2019

Hui Wang, Jingsong Peng, Bing Zhao, Xin-Dong Zhang, Jie Yu, Yuan Li and Mao-Min Wang

Near-net-shaped processes of jet engine blade have better performance in both reducing the material waste during production and improving work reliability in service, while the…

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Abstract

Purpose

Near-net-shaped processes of jet engine blade have better performance in both reducing the material waste during production and improving work reliability in service, while the geometric features of blade, both sculptured surface and thin-walled shape, make the precise machining of blade challenging and difficult owing to its dynamics behaviors under complex clamping and machining loads. This paper aims to present a fundamental approach on modeling and performance analysis of the blade–fixture system.

Design/methodology/approach

A computerized framework on the complex blade–fixture dynamic behavior has been developed. Theoretical mechanic analysis on blade fixturing and machining is proposed with an especial emphasis on the boundary conditions of the blade–fixture system. Then the finite element analysis (FEA) method is used to simulate the variation trend of preloads, stiffness and blade distortion. The strong influence of parameters of workpiece–fixture configuration on blade distortion and machining error is investigated.

Findings

With a case of real jet engine blade machining, the experimental results and theoretical predictions suggest good agreement on their variation tendency. The loaded pressure of clamps has a critical influence on the total stiff performance of the blade–fixture system, and the profile error of the blade contributes much to the inconsistency in geometric dimension and surface integrity of blades’ machining. In the end, the results also validate the effectiveness of this methodology to predict and improve the performance of the blade–fixture configuration design.

Originality/value

The adaptive machining of near-net-shaped jet engine blade is a new high-performance manufacturing technology in aerospace production. This study provides a fundamental methodology for the performance analysis of blade-fixture system, to clear the variation law of blade distortion during preloading and machining, which will contribute to minimize the machining error and improve productivity.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

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Article
Publication date: 3 February 2022

Natalie W.M. Wong, Ka Ki Lawrence Ho, Mao Wang and Chih-Wei Hsieh

A debate emerged among members of public administration academia soon after COVID-19 appeared on the roles and measures that governments ought to deploy to prevent infection. One…

775

Abstract

Purpose

A debate emerged among members of public administration academia soon after COVID-19 appeared on the roles and measures that governments ought to deploy to prevent infection. One prevalent discourse is the strength of “strong government” in the fight against the virus—the administrative capacity to launch prompt, appropriate and effective actions that entail collaboration with citizens. A notable development in governance is that new public management (NPM) principles, such as the value of money and the pluralisation of service delivery, are gradually put aside when governments urgently need to curb the spread of infection. The roles of bureaucracy and centralised action are re-emphasised in the policymaking and implementation of anti-epidemic measures. Such a trend allows us to examine if the COVID-19 public health crisis has fundamentally reversed the trend of government retreat in public service within neoliberal regimes since the 1980s.

Design/methodology/approach

For this research, the authors selected two “strong governments” in Asia—Hong Kong and Taiwan—by showing how administrators outline their anti-pandemic strategies, examining the role of government in coordinating responses and how bureaucracy interacts with the other two key domains of the governance mechanism: civil society and the market. These two offshore Chinese capitalist economies and pluralistic societies are perceived to have “strong government capacity” in the fight against COVID-19, presumably as a key attribute to their success confining the spread of infection during the early stages of the first outbreak. Both societies reported low infection rates and low mortality rates until September 2020. The authors browsed databases developed by scholars (Cheng et al., 2020; Hale et al., 2020) and referred to two “rubrics” to assess and compare government actions in both places in response to COVID-19. The authors itemised, categorised and counted the policy actions in both places according to the rubrics, noticed that the policy footprint appeared in over two-thirds of indicators of proactive government interventions and identified double-digit counts in nearly half of the categories.

Findings

The authors found that both governments attempted to establish strong stewardship and quick measures to contain the infection. The pattern of “strong government” is, however, not the same as that superficially exhibited. Taiwan took limited steps to regulate business activities but proactively intervened and coordinated the supply of hygienic utilities. Hong Kong launched aggressive attempts to reduce human mobility but remained non-active despite the “face mask run” in society. The “strong government” aspect also received divergent reactions from society. There was extensive cross-sectoral collaboration under the centralised “National Team” advocacy in Taiwan, and there has been no record of local infection for over 10 months. The Hong Kong government was repeatedly doubted for its undesirable stewardship in anti-epidemic measures, the effectiveness of policy interventions and the impartiality of law enforcement. Spontaneous actions during the health crisis from civil societies and private markets were noted, but they seemed uncoordinated with official attempts.

Originality/value

The initial findings enable us to rethink correlations between state capacity and legitimacy in the fight against the virus and its development post-COVID-19. Apparently, Taiwan and Hong Kong demonstrated a “re-expansion” of their public sector during the public health crisis, but not in the same format. This can be understood based on their varying regime values and administrative systems. The pandemic has been a catalyst, pushing both regimes back to their original track of public administration establishments. The concept of “path dependence” might explain the initial development and project the longer-term transformation of the public sector in both places.

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International Journal of Public Sector Management, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3558

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Article
Publication date: 10 June 2021

Chih-Wei Hsieh and Mao Wang

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has helped Taiwan gain widespread recognition and commendation. Taiwan's low infection rate is praiseworthy not merely because it…

150

Abstract

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has helped Taiwan gain widespread recognition and commendation. Taiwan's low infection rate is praiseworthy not merely because it was once considered a high-risk region but because it has weathered the COVID-19 storm without resorting to draconian measures. The purpose of this paper is thus an effort to understand and explain how Taiwan has been able to achieve a fine balance between disease containment and everyday life.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the COVID-19 Government Response Event Dataset, Taiwan’s actions focus mainly on the management of health resource allocation, external border restrictions, quarantine of high-risk cases and the establishment of a centralized crisis task force. On this basis, the authors highlight and discuss the critical factors for Taiwan’s success against COVID-19. Caveats are also detailed to caution some aspects of the lessons to be drawn from it.

Findings

Setting clear goals, effective leadership, active community participation and innovative solutions are four pillars of Taiwan’s success against COVID-19. The island believes that once stringent border controls are strictly executed, virus-free citizens can relax inside. However, those who would like to learn from Taiwan’s experience should be mindful of the likelihood of asymptomatic spread of the disease as well as the unique geographical and social characteristics that contribute to Taiwan’s approach to COVID-19.

Originality/value

The authors’ analysis of Taiwan adds anecdotes to the scholarly discussion on public health emergency management, suggesting that anti-COVID-19 policy would get its intended outcomes only if government leaders and community stakeholders collaborate to set clear goals ahead and implement them with innovative solutions.

Details

Social Transformations in Chinese Societies, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1871-2673

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Book part
Publication date: 25 September 2020

Yan Zhu

Friendships, an important form of people’s everyday relationships with others, have been studied by many scholars from different disciplines. However, there is limited research on…

Abstract

Friendships, an important form of people’s everyday relationships with others, have been studied by many scholars from different disciplines. However, there is limited research on friendship in the context of childhood, particularly that of Chinese rural children. This chapter presents findings from an in-depth study on Chinese children’s understandings and experiences of friendships with peers in the context of a rural primary boarding school. Data for this research were collected through an intensive five-month study, using an ethnographic approach, in a rural primary boarding school (given the pseudonym ‘Central Primary School’) in the western area of China in 2016. This chapter discusses parents’ influences on children’s selection of friends, particularly their ‘good’ friends, and their understandings of the functions of making friends in the context of rural China. It unpacks parents’ interventions on children’s friendships by discussing the moralised hierarchical relationship between children and their parents – children are expected to show obedience to parents. Then, it argues that the Confucian-collectivist values construct a relationship between a child’s individual achievement and their family’s collective good, which makes friendship not only an individual issue but also a collective one too.

Details

Bringing Children Back into the Family: Relationality, Connectedness and Home
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-197-6

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Book part
Publication date: 25 January 2023

Yang Yang, Graziano Abrate and Chunrong Ai

This chapter provides an overview of the status of applied econometric research in hospitality and tourism management and outlines the econometric toolsets available for…

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the status of applied econometric research in hospitality and tourism management and outlines the econometric toolsets available for quantitative researchers using empirical data from the field. Basic econometric models, cross-sectional models, time-series models, and panel data models are reviewed first, followed by an evaluation of relevant applications. Next, econometric modeling topics that are germane to hospitality and tourism research are discussed, including endogeneity, multi-equation modeling, causal inference modeling, and spatial econometrics. Furthermore, major feasibility issues for applied researchers are examined based on the literature. Lastly, recommendations are offered to promote applied econometric research in hospitality and tourism management.

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Cutting Edge Research Methods in Hospitality and Tourism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-064-9

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Book part
Publication date: 27 August 2014

Suresh C. Sood and Hugh M. Pattinson

This chapter covers a diverse range of alternative methods for capturing deep major account insights online. Increasingly in the twenty first century, B2B decision-makers remain…

Abstract

This chapter covers a diverse range of alternative methods for capturing deep major account insights online. Increasingly in the twenty first century, B2B decision-makers remain abreast of industry innovations and product information through participation in online communities. Through using social mobile technologies businesses exchange product and service experiences online amongst peers not just vendor organisations. A key aspect of this chapter shares rationale for selection of a marketing versus research community, community objectives, online techniques to gain major account insights using big data, resourcing, integration with existing marketing systems and budgeting for ongoing maintenance of marketing communities supporting B2B sales and marketing initiatives. This chapter focuses on the emerging area of B2B sales activities for creation and management of online communities for Major Account management of energy supply customers. A case-based research strategy specifically honed towards sensemaking of major account activities through using B2B online communities in conjunction with emerging research methods is outlined and critiqued.

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Field Guide to Case Study Research in Business-to-business Marketing and Purchasing
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78441-080-3

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Book part
Publication date: 15 November 2019

Alexeis Garcia-Perez, Farah Gheriss and Denise Bedford

Abstract

Details

Designing and Tracking Knowledge Management Metrics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78973-723-3

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Book part
Publication date: 25 October 2022

Hannah R. Marston, Linda Shore, Laura Stoops and Robbie S. Turner

Abstract

Details

Transgenerational Technology and Interactions for the 21st Century: Perspectives and Narratives
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83982-639-9

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 May 2024

Bahati Sanga and Meshach Aziakpono

Lack of access to finance is a major constraint to the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in developing countries. The recent proliferation…

1414

Abstract

Purpose

Lack of access to finance is a major constraint to the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in developing countries. The recent proliferation of mobile phone services, access to the internet and emerging technologies has led to a surge in the use of FinTech in Africa and is transforming the financial sector. This paper aims to examine whether FinTech developments heterogeneously contribute to the growth of digital finance for SMEs and entrepreneurship in 47 African countries from 2013 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a novel method of moments quantile regression, which deals with heterogeneity and endogeneity in diverse conditions for asymmetric and nonlinear models.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that the rise of FinTech companies offering services in Africa heterogeneously increases digital finance for SMEs and entrepreneurship in their different stages of growth. FinTech developments have a strong and positive impact in countries with higher levels of digital finance than those with lower levels. FinTech developments and digital finance positively and significantly influence entrepreneurship in Africa, particularly in the nascent and transitional development stages of entrepreneurship. Institutional quality has a considerable positive moderating effect when used as a control rather than an interaction variable.

Practical implications

The results suggest the need to promote FinTech developments in Africa: to provide a wide range of alternative digital finance schemes to SMEs and to promote entrepreneurship, especially in countries where entrepreneurship is in the nascent and transitional development stages. The results also underscore the need to promote FinTech development through supportive regulations and institutional quality to reduce risks related to FinTech and digital financing schemes.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first attempts to account for the often overlooked heterogeneity effects and show that the influence of FinTech developments is not homogenous across the varying development stages of digital finance and entrepreneurship.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 17 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

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Article
Publication date: 16 May 2023

Adib Bin Rashid, Abu Saleh Md. Nakib Uddin, Fahima Akter Azrin, Khondker Safin Kaosar Saad and Md Enamul Hoque

The main objective of this paper is to illustrate an analytical view of different methods of 3D bioprinting, variations, formulations and characteristics of biomaterials. This…

278

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to illustrate an analytical view of different methods of 3D bioprinting, variations, formulations and characteristics of biomaterials. This review also aims to discover all the areas of applications and scopes of further improvement of 3D bioprinters in this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviewed a number of papers that carried evaluations of different 3D bioprinting methods with different biomaterials, using different pumps to print 3D scaffolds, living cells, tissue and organs. All the papers and articles are collected from different journals and conference papers from 2014 to 2022.

Findings

This paper briefly explains how the concept of a 3D bioprinter was developed from a 3D printer and how it affects the biomedical field and helps to recover the lack of organ donors. It also gives a clear explanation of three basic processes and different strategies of these processes and the criteria of biomaterial selection. This paper gives insights into how 3D bioprinters can be assisted with machine learning to increase their scope of application.

Research limitations/implications

The chosen research approach may limit the generalizability of the research findings. As a result, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed hypotheses further.

Practical implications

This paper includes implications for developing 3D bioprinters, developing biomaterials and increasing the printability of 3D bioprinters.

Originality/value

This paper addresses an identified need by investigating how to enable 3D bioprinting performance.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 29 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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