Shumei Chen and Dandan Li
The purpose of this paper is to predict the likely economic effects of a free trade area (FTA) on both China and the United Kingdom (hereafter the UK).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to predict the likely economic effects of a free trade area (FTA) on both China and the United Kingdom (hereafter the UK).
Design/methodology/approach
Following literature review and trade relationship briefing, this paper uses the Global Trade Analysis Project simulation to predict the economic effects of such a FTA on both China and the UK.
Findings
The simulation results indicate that a China-UK free trade area (hereafter CUFTA) will bring more benefits than harm to both China and the UK, and achieving zero tariff or reducing technological barriers to trade (TBT) is mutually beneficial for both China and the UK, with the growth in GDP, economic welfare as well as import and export. Combining zero tariff and the reduction of TBT in exceptional departments is the most favorable way to improve the macroeconomic effects without bringing damaging effects on the comparative disadvantage industries such as transport equipment, chemicals industries for China and textiles and apparel industry for the UK.
Originality/value
After the UK voted to leave the European Union, CUFTA is put on the agenda by both the governments, yet there are fewer studies on CUFTA, with this paper being one of the early trials. Besides, based on the simulation results, some policy suggestions will be put forward for future negotiations and industrial policies’ adjustment.
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Shumei Chen and Jia Xu
This paper aims to theoretically and empirically demonstrate the role played by business continuity management (BCM) to address risks such as trade conflicts and natural…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to theoretically and empirically demonstrate the role played by business continuity management (BCM) to address risks such as trade conflicts and natural disasters. This paper also answers whether compliance with international standards such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 22301 is adequate.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei is conducted to examine how a robust end-to-end BCM system has been established in two decades and in what way it has helped Huawei to efficiently maintain growth under pressure, such as being added to the “Entity List” and the pandemic.
Findings
Huawei case contributes to BCM theory in its approach to establishing the BCM system and its well-established BCM model. Huawei establishes and continually improves its BCM system by applying the Plan (establish), Do (implement and operate), Check (monitor and review) and Act (maintain and improve) cycle. Characterized as 4Ps: BCM policy, BCM process, incident management plan and business continuity plan, Huawei BCM system is shaped into a loop with end-to-end BCM process, covering all steps along its value chain – from suppliers and partners to Huawei itself and then on to its customers – with key initiatives for all domains such as R&D, procurement, manufacturing, logistics and global technical services. In practice, implementing international standards such as ISO 22301 enables Huawei to develop business continuity but not enough. Optimizing the BCM system is an ongoing effort, and BCM maturity is ever present: continually improving Huawei’s own BCM system and benchmarking against best practices available worldwide.
Research limitations/implications
Apart from the case study, other methods such as counter-factual analysis can be used to further test whether Huawei’s BCM system is cost-effective. Another direction for future study is whether suggested BCM maturity levels should be supplemented into ISO 22301. In the digital age, how to use digitalization to ensure business continuity is a current issue not just for practitioners such as Huawei but also for researchers worldwide.
Practical implications
In practice, implementing international standards such as ISO 22301 enables Huawei to develop business continuity but not enough. Optimizing the BCM system is an ongoing effort, and BCM maturity is ever present: continually improving Huawei’s own BCM system and benchmarking against best practices available worldwide.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to focus on how an organization continually improves the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of its BCM system, with special attention to standards compliance.
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Environmental crises and resource shortage have been matters of concern worldwide particularly, as the beginning of the twenty-first century. Remanufacturing can be one of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Environmental crises and resource shortage have been matters of concern worldwide particularly, as the beginning of the twenty-first century. Remanufacturing can be one of the best approaches to promoting the development of circular economy and realizing the efficient use of resources. However, research studies indicate that the general public still remains unaware of the merits of remanufactured products. Hence, investigating main motivations of consumers to purchase remanufactured products is certainly worth exploring. The purpose of this paper is to find out consumers’ key motivations to purchase remanufactured products. A new multi-attributes decision-making method based on prospect theory (PT) is conducted.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, according to the prior literature, 12 main factors that influence consumers to purchase a remanufactured product are selected. Then, the single valued triangular neutrosophic numbers and triangular neutrosophic weighted geometric averaging operator are applied to rank them. Secondly, a multi-attribute decision-making method with PT is used to evaluate the utilities of new and remanufactured products, respectively. Based on the utilities, consumers’ preferred choice between the new and remanufactured products can be elicited.
Findings
The proposed method has been applied to a real survey. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is not only capable of recognizing the consumers’ key motivations for purchasing a remanufactured product but also able to deal with the ranking of the new and remanufactured products.
Originality/value
The contributions of this paper are threefold. Firstly, this paper attempts to explore the main motivations that encourage consumers to purchase a remanufactured product, instead of a new one. Secondly, the proposed method is established based on PT, taking consumers’ psychological behavior into consideration, which can obtain a relatively reasonable result. Thirdly, it can enrich the remanufacturing literature, serving as a guideline for consumers when purchasing a remanufactured product. In addition, this paper can help the remanufacturers make pricing and production decisions where necessary.
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The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative study on the transatlantic similarities and dissimilarities in the USA's and the EU's poultry trade disputes with China, as a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative study on the transatlantic similarities and dissimilarities in the USA's and the EU's poultry trade disputes with China, as a case study of murky protectionism amid the current global financial crisis.
Design/methodology/approach
The case history is explored chronologically, supported with relevant legal documents. For comparative purposes, the poultry trade profiles concerning these trade partners are overviewed before the case study.
Findings
The paper concludes from the case study that there is a great deal of synchronicity between the murky protectionism and the current global crisis within the current WTO framework, due to both pressures faced by some governments from inside and the inherent limitations of the WTO agreements and dispute settlement mechanism. Comparatively, the EU's approach to poultry dispute with China is more scientific, while the USA's is more political.
Research limitations/implications
As the Sino‐US poultry dispute is still outstanding, pending for the panel's report, the findings are interim, and the implications only tentative. In short, the lessons learnt from this comparative case study is that unilateral capacity building might be the only concrete thing Chinese exporters and authorities can do at present stage under the current WTO legal framework, amid the tidal wave of the current global crisis.
Originality/value
The paper examines trade disputes over the same commodity China involved with two pivotal trade partners, in order to explore underlying differences; and lessons drawn for China.
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Yan Li, Shumei Jin, Qi Chen and Steven J. Armstrong
This research focuses on the work–family facilitation process to theorize and examine the potential positive impact of perceived overqualification (POQ) on an individual’s…
Abstract
Purpose
This research focuses on the work–family facilitation process to theorize and examine the potential positive impact of perceived overqualification (POQ) on an individual’s work–family interface. Drawing on social cognitive theory of self-regulation, this research identifies work–family balance self-efficacy (WFBSE) as a motivational mechanism through which POQ affects work engagement. Additionally, it proposes flexibility human resource (HR) practices as a key moderator of this process.
Design/methodology/approach
This research collected multi-wave time-lagged data from 342 managers in the hospitality industry. The research focused on managers with the title of headwaiter and above, while front-line service personnel were not included.
Findings
The results showed that POQ had an indirect positive relationship with work engagement via WFBSE. The results also showed that employee-experienced flexibility HR practices moderated the effectiveness of WFBSE in translating POQ into work engagement.
Practical implications
This research provides guidance and insights into how HRM systems can be customized to sustain positive outcomes in situations of overqualification. It is crucial that hotels offer flexibility options or individualization of work arrangements for overqualified employees.
Originality/value
The potential positive impact of POQ on employees’ work–family interface has been neglected. In addition, prior research has devoted little attention to potential organizational factors that enhance the positive effects of POQ. By examining the mediating and moderating effects, this research aims to explain how and under what conditions POQ facilitates work engagement.
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Chenshuo Lu, Shumei Kang, Qidong Cao, Dongpeng Sun, Jinghao Li, Hong Chen and Xintong Li
This paper aims to improve the corrosion resistance of AH36 carbon steel, an epoxy resin (EP)-based superhydrophobic coating was prepared on the surface of AH36 carbon steel.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to improve the corrosion resistance of AH36 carbon steel, an epoxy resin (EP)-based superhydrophobic coating was prepared on the surface of AH36 carbon steel.
Design/methodology/approach
The hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used as nanocontainers, and the corrosion inhibitor L-proline was loaded by negative pressure method and then modified it with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, got functionalized hydroxy carbon nanotubes (KH-CNTs@LP). The KH-CNTs@LP was mixed with the EP, and the KH-CNTs@LP/EP superhydrophobic coating was successfully prepared on the surface of the AH36 carbon steel matrix by spraying.
Findings
The results showed that the water contact angle of the KH-CNTs@LP/EP superhydrophobic coating is 155.2° and the rolling angle is 5°. The KH-CNTs@LP/EP superhydrophobic coating had a good corrosion resistance in the pH = 4 corrosion environment, |Z|0.01 Hz was 7.21 × 107 Ω·cm2.
Originality/value
The KH-CNTs@LP/EP superhydrophobic coating is pH-responsive and releases L-proline, which increased the impedance of the coating and can effectively improve the protection efficiency of the coating on the metal. The active protection is provided by loaded L-proline inhibitor from KH-CNTs@LP, whereas the passive protection is achieved through the water rejection of superhydrophobic surfaces.
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The following is an introductory profile of the fastest growing firms over the three-year period of the study listed by corporate reputation ranking order. The business activities…
Abstract
The following is an introductory profile of the fastest growing firms over the three-year period of the study listed by corporate reputation ranking order. The business activities in which the firms are engaged are outlined to provide background information for the reader.
Zhenbin Chen, Jiapeng Long, Lei Kang, Xueyan Du, Duolong Di and Jingbo Liu
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a higher chloromethylation degree (CD) modified macroporous adsorption resin (MAR, LX1180-Cl) and further study their adsorption…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a higher chloromethylation degree (CD) modified macroporous adsorption resin (MAR, LX1180-Cl) and further study their adsorption performance.
Design/methodology/approach
CD and crosslinking degree were evaluated using stationary potential step and rotating-disk method, the adsorption performance of LX1180-Cl and LX1180 for flavonoids were studied using the UV-VIS spectrophotometry.
Findings
This research realized high CD (9.6 mass %) on high crosslinking MAR, LX1180. In tandem, the adsorption performance of them to flavonoids finds that the matching degree of polarity (presented with CD) and size were the critical factor to adsorption. It was also found that the reaction time had reduced to 24 h with the addition of iron particles into the zinc chloride (ZnCl2) catalyst.
Research limitations/implications
The study on reaction mechanism and the function principle of hybrid catalyst were speculated, but not the rigid experimental result.
Practical implications
This contribution can provide a rule for the separation and purification of natural products with the aim to improve food additive removal or isolation and purification of flavonoids used for healthcare applications.
Originality/value
This contribution provided a novel way to obtain high degree of CD with high crosslinking MAR, CD of commercially available MAR was improved by 2.5 times to 9.6 percent under crosslinking degree at 58.2 percent, compared with reported CD value (ca. 4.2 percent under crosslinking degree at 20.0 percent), which will be useful in the following further systematically research about the adsorption and separation selectivity of MAR. Besides, the primitive chosen principle of MAR according to the substrate was also presented. Moreover, the chloromethylation mechanism, although speculative, was briefly presented, which will stimulate the related study.
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Lizhu Liu, Guangkai Hu, Xiaorui Zhang, Weng Ling and Jiawen Zhang
The effects of ultrasonication on the epoxy resin and its emulsion were investigated to find out the changes in the Mη and molecular structure of epoxy, as well as its room…
Abstract
Purpose
The effects of ultrasonication on the epoxy resin and its emulsion were investigated to find out the changes in the Mη and molecular structure of epoxy, as well as its room temperature storage stability, centrifugal stability, particle size and its distribution and particle morphology more importantly with the influence of different ultrasonic irradiation time, power and temperature.
Design/methodology/approach
The emulsion was prepared using an emulsifier with epoxy resin and by using phase inversion after subjecting to ultrasound irradiation with a power of 200 W at 50°C for 60 min. The changes in the epoxy resin and its emulsion induced by ultrasound were characterized by Ubbelohde viscometer, FT-IR, 13C-NMR, high-speed desktop centrifuge, laser particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscope.
Findings
The molecular weight of the epoxy resin was initially decreased and then stabilized by the increasing of ultrasonic irradiation time. The mole rate of the epoxy groups in epoxy molecular were decreased by about 14 per cent, resulting from ultrasonic irradiation. The particle size of the emulsion was decreased, while the particle size distribution became uniform in a certain time. The narrow distribution, stable and uniform of waterborne epoxy resin emulsion with more than 60 days room temperature storage period, 80 per cent of the supernatant volume, about 220 nm average particle size was gained with a power of 200 W at 50°C for 60 min.
Research limitations/implications
To overcome the problems commonly encountered with an epoxy emulsion, for example, short storage period and wider particle size, which limit its practical application, the effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the epoxy resin and its emulsion, were investigated. As the stability of emulsion was improved with the introduction of ultrasonic irradiation, the application of epoxy emulsion was improved.
Originality/value
The room temperature storage stability and centrifugal stability of the emulsion were decreased by the mechanical method, and thus, the benefit of an in-depth understanding of the influence of ultrasonic treatment on epoxy resin and its emulsion could further promote the development of water-based coatings.
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X.R. Zhang, L.Z. Liu, J.F. Li, W.W. Cui and L. Weng
The key purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different ultrasonic irradiation times on the wettability and other properties of the resulting water-based…
Abstract
Purpose
The key purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different ultrasonic irradiation times on the wettability and other properties of the resulting water-based coating. The subject water-based coating was prepared using water-soluble polyester and amino resins by ultrasonic oscillation.
Design/methodology/approach
The coating was prepared by polymerising polyester and amino resins in water using ultrasonic oscillation. The coating was baked for 40 seconds at 350°C to coalesce and solidify the film. The contact angle, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the film, as well as the molecular weight (MW) and structure of the polyester resin, were determined.
Findings
The contact angle of the coating was found to decrease with ultrasonic irradiation; the mechanical properties and thermal stability were not altered when the irradiation time was longer than 5 hours. The MW of the polyester initially decreased then increased and stabilized with ultrasonic irradiation. The structure of polyester molecule and aggregated state of the solidified coating were not changed by ultrasonic irradiation.
Research limitations/implications
In the study reported here, the effects of different ultrasonic irradiation times were investigated. Results of this research could benefit in-depth understanding of the influence of ultrasonic treatment on polyester resins and polyester coatings and could further promote the development of water-based coatings.
Originality/value
The contact angle of the water-based coating decreased by mechanical means. The effects of ultrasound on microstructure and properties of the coating and resin were discussed in detail.