Weihua Jiao, Zetian Fu, Weisong Mu, Xiaoshuan Zhang, Jianjun Lu and Mark Xu
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the technical efficiency of Chinese table grape wholesalers and subsequently to examine the degree to which the calculated efficiency…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the technical efficiency of Chinese table grape wholesalers and subsequently to examine the degree to which the calculated efficiency correlates with a set of explanatory variables.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-stage procedure is applied in this paper. First, a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique is applied to investigate the degree of technical efficiency for Chinese table grape wholesalers. Second, Tobit regression is used to analyze the factors influencing technical efficiency.
Findings
Research results reveal that the mean technical efficiency of the sample is 0.544 and 0.860 under constant returns scale (CRS) and VRS assumptions, respectively, and the scale efficiency (SE) is 0.620. The variables of experiences, number of grape varieties on sale, daily selling volumes and fixed sale ratio have a significant effect on technical efficiency, while the other exogenous variables do not affect the efficiency in any significant way.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this research are specific to table grape wholesalers in China, however, the method used in this study is transferrable and applicable to the study of similar problems in others countries.
Originality/value
This research has yielded some interesting and original insights into the efficiency level of Chinese grape wholesalers and the factors that influence the level of efficiency. The findings have practical implications for Chinese agriculture policy makers, and are able to stimulate further research of a similar type in the international agricultural research community.
Details
Keywords
Weihua Jiao, Zetian Fu, Weisong Mu, Neil McLaughlin and Mark Xu
Table grape is one of the most important horticultural crops in China. However, quality and safety have become major constraints for the further development of the Chinese table…
Abstract
Purpose
Table grape is one of the most important horticultural crops in China. However, quality and safety have become major constraints for the further development of the Chinese table grape industry, which is dominated by small‐scale vinegrowers. Strategic partnership has been regarded as an effective mechanism to manage the supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of a supply chain model based on different strategic partnerships on the effect of safety and quality control and small‐scale vinegrowers' performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The field survey was performed in seven representative districts in China, including Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Tianjin, Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces. A semi‐structured interview was adopted as the data collection method. Both quantitative and qualitative data were generated and analyzed in this research. All quantitative analyses were conducted using EXCEL 2003 version and a comparative analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that modern supply chains are more efficient than the traditional one in improving the effect of safety and quality control and small‐scale vinegrowers' performance.
Originality/value
This paper first identified different models of table grape supply chain based on different strategic partnerships, and then analyzed the impact of supply chain model on the effect of quality and safety control and small‐scale vinegrowers' performance. It concludes with some policy suggestions relative to further development of the table grape industry in China.
Details
Keywords
Wang Zhang, Lizhe Fan, Yanbin Guo, Weihua Liu and Chao Ding
The purpose of this study is to establish a method for accurately extracting torch and seam features. This will improve the quality of narrow gap welding. An adaptive deflection…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to establish a method for accurately extracting torch and seam features. This will improve the quality of narrow gap welding. An adaptive deflection correction system based on passive light vision sensors was designed using the Halcon software from MVtec Germany as a platform.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes an adaptive correction system for welding guns and seams divided into image calibration and feature extraction. In the image calibration method, the field of view distortion because of the position of the camera is resolved using image calibration techniques. In the feature extraction method, clear features of the weld gun and weld seam are accurately extracted after processing using algorithms such as impact filtering, subpixel (XLD), Gaussian Laplacian and sense region for the weld gun and weld seam. The gun and weld seam centers are accurately fitted using least squares. After calculating the deviation values, the error values are monitored, and error correction is achieved by programmable logic controller (PLC) control. Finally, experimental verification and analysis of the tracking errors are carried out.
Findings
The results show that the system achieves great results in dealing with camera aberrations. Weld gun features can be effectively and accurately identified. The difference between a scratch and a weld is effectively distinguished. The system accurately detects the center features of the torch and weld and controls the correction error to within 0.3mm.
Originality/value
An adaptive correction system based on a passive light vision sensor is designed which corrects the field-of-view distortion caused by the camera’s position deviation. Differences in features between scratches and welds are distinguished, and image features are effectively extracted. The final system weld error is controlled to 0.3 mm.
Details
Keywords
Ming Yi, Yingying Lu, Weihua Deng, Lu Kun and Zhanhao Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to present a new human dynamics model to explain the process of verified users' (VUs) posting on Sina micro-blog.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new human dynamics model to explain the process of verified users' (VUs) posting on Sina micro-blog.
Design/methodology/approach
A common human dynamics research method with three steps is applied. Firstly, a large-scale behavioral dataset is collected involving 495 VUs and five topics on Sina micro-blog. Second, five important indicators that reveal the characteristics of posting behavior are analyzed. Then, a quantitative model is constructed to describe the process of posting behavior, and its validity is verified by simulations.
Findings
Three important characteristics of VUs' micro-blog posting behavior are observed: fat-tailed distribution, fluctuation and periodicity. These characteristics do not fit the assumption of interest-driven models proposed by previous literature. An optimized task-driven model is introduced to describe this complex phenomenon mathematically. The model is verified on empirical data, confirming that task-driven models can be optimized to explore information behavior on social media.
Originality/value
Being different from previous studies that mainly describe common users' posting behavior on social media by applying interest-driven models, this paper customizes an optimized task-driven model for VUs, who mainly treat social media as a platform for work and play a crucial role in information creation on social media.
Details
Keywords
Weihua Liu, Zhixuan Chen, Tsan-Ming Choi, Paul Tae-Woo Lee, Hing Kai Chan and Yongzheng Gao
This study aims to explore the impact of carbon neutral announcements on “stock market value” of publicly listed companies in China.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the impact of carbon neutral announcements on “stock market value” of publicly listed companies in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The event study approach is adopted. Market, market-adjusted, Carhart four-factor model and a cross-sectional regression model are employed to examine the impacts of carbon neutral announcements on “stock market value” of Chinese companies based on data from 188 carbon neutral announcements.
Findings
Carbon neutral announcements positively impact Chinese shareholder value. Carbon neutral announcements at the strategic level have a more positive and significant impact on Chinese stock market value. Innovative carbon neutral announcements do not significantly cause Chinese stock market reactions. Companies have more positive and significant stock market reactions when the companies make carbon neutral announcements that reflect high supply chain network resilience and heterogeneity and strong supply chain network relationships.
Practical implications
The findings uncover the business value of carbon neutral activities and provide operations managers in developing countries insights into how to improve enterprises' market value by actively implementing carbon neutral activities.
Originality/value
This paper is the first trial to apply an event study to examine the relationship between carbon neutral announcements and Chinese stock market value from the perspective of announcement level and type and supply chain networks. This paper introduces corporate reputation theory and enriches the application of corporate reputation theory in the field of low-carbon environmental protections and supply chains.
Details
Keywords
Weihua Liu, Yanjie Liang, Xiaoran Shi, Peiyuan Gao and Li Zhou
The review aims to facilitate a broader understanding of platform opening and cooperation and points out potential research directions for scholars.
Abstract
Purpose
The review aims to facilitate a broader understanding of platform opening and cooperation and points out potential research directions for scholars.
Design/methodology/approach
This study searches Web of Science (WOS) database for relevant literature published between 2010 and 2021 and selects 86 papers for this review. The selected literature is categorized according to three dimensions: the strategic choice of platform opening and cooperation (before opening), the construction of an open platform (during opening) and the impact of platform opening and cooperation (after opening). Through comparative analysis, the authors identify research gaps and propose four future research agendas.
Findings
The study finds that the current studies are fragmented, and a research system with a theoretical foundation has not yet formed. In addition, with the development of platform operations, new topics such as platform ecosystems and open platform governance have emerged. In short, there is an urgent need for scholars to conduct exploratory research. To this end, the study proposes four future research agendas: strengthen basic research on platform opening and cooperation, deeply explore the dynamic evolution and cutting-edge models of platform opening and cooperation, analyze potential crises and impacts of platform openness and strengthen research on open platform governance.
Originality/value
This is the first systematic review on platform opening and cooperation. Through categorizing literature into three dimensions, this article clearly shows the research status and provides future research avenues.
Details
Keywords
Tianyin Wang, Yin Tian and Jie Yang
The purpose of this study is to design a long-term vibration monitoring system for track beams of suspended maglev trains to ensure safe and smooth operation of the trains.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to design a long-term vibration monitoring system for track beams of suspended maglev trains to ensure safe and smooth operation of the trains.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper begins by focusing on the selection of hardware for the wireless monitoring and acquisition terminal and the circuit design. It connects to a wireless Access Point (AP) via Wi-Fi and utilizes the Transport Control Protocol (TCP) to upload the sensor data collected by the monitoring terminal to the upper computer. Additionally, the design includes software for the upper computer to parse the uploaded data packets and create a visualization interface, which is crucial for monitoring the vibrations of the track beams.
Findings
The vibration monitoring system developed in this study can display the data collected by the monitoring terminal in real time on the upper computer, while also allowing remote commands to query the status of the monitoring terminal. Due to the low-power design of the monitoring and acquisition terminal, it is capable of meeting the long-term vibration monitoring requirements for the track beams. Through precision testing of the monitoring terminal, we can ensure that the sensors meet experimental requirements, providing reliable data support for scientific research.
Originality/value
The vibration monitoring system presented in this paper integrates modern wireless communication technology and data visualization technology.