Le Bo and Xiaoli Yang
Consumers' willingness to pay premium (WTPP) for two different types of agricultural brand labels (enterprise and regional), are evaluated through a non-hypothetical Random n…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumers' willingness to pay premium (WTPP) for two different types of agricultural brand labels (enterprise and regional), are evaluated through a non-hypothetical Random n-price auction experiment during the online purchase of fresh agricultural products. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the two WTPP, compare their differences, and explore their sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected in July–August 2020 from a sample of 310 consumers in Liaoning Province, China. A nonhypothetical random n-price auction experiment was implemented in a simulated online shopping environment.
Findings
The results show that WTPP exists, and WTPP level of regional brand labels is higher than that of enterprise brand labels. Consumers' WTPP is sustainable. Consumers with low WTPP for enterprise brand labels and consumers with high WTPP for regional brand labels have stronger willingness to repurchase.
Practical implications
The results have direct practical implications for developing brand agriculture and encouraging “brand consumption”. The results can provide theoretical reference for policymakers, enlightenment for the development and effective dissemination of agricultural brand labels and important information to e-retailers on how to sale agricultural products with agricultural brand labels.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous study has related WTPP and its sustainability for agricultural brand labels in China. We try to fill a gap in literature on consumers' WTPP for agricultural brand labels. And the authors explore the sustainability of WTPP by analyzing the impact of WTPP on repurchase intention and recommendation intention respectively.
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Guimei Wang, Shaohua Jin, Buqin Zhang, Fugui Yang and Xiaoli Ji
The coal reserves overlain by buildings, water bodies and railways are estimated to be about 14 billion tons in China. Based on the concept of green mining, in order to save the…
Abstract
The coal reserves overlain by buildings, water bodies and railways are estimated to be about 14 billion tons in China. Based on the concept of green mining, in order to save the unit energy, Double pumps in parallel forms of pumping are adopted in 0the paste filling of the pumping system. The optimal solution of the objective function could be obtained by taking the unit flow power of the pumping system as the objective function, using the quadratic polynomial by the least square method curve fitting and by the application of MATLAB. Thereby it is possible to reduce power consumption and increase the efficiency of the operating economy in the paste filling station.
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Bo Yang, Xiaoli Nan and Xinyan Zhao
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of independent vs interdependent self-construal in non-smokers’ responses to an anti-smoking message that focuses on either…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of independent vs interdependent self-construal in non-smokers’ responses to an anti-smoking message that focuses on either personal or relational consequences of smoking.
Design/methodology/approach
Two web-based experimental studies were conducted among US college non-smokers. In the first study, participants’ self-construal was measured. Then participants were randomly assigned to view an anti-smoking message emphasizing either relational or personal consequences of smoking. Message evaluation, smoking attitudes, and behavioral intentions were assessed after message exposure. The second study followed the same procedure except that participants’ self-construal was manipulated by randomly assigning participants to an independent or interdependent self-construal priming task prior to message exposure.
Findings
Both studies showed a noticeable pattern of interaction between message focus and self-construal: non-smokers with a salient interdependent self-construal responded more favorably to an anti-smoking message emphasizing personal (vs relational) consequences of smoking whereas non-smokers with a salient independent self-construal responded more favorably to an anti-smoking message emphasizing relational (vs personal) consequences of smoking. However, the interaction effect was small in the first study.
Originality/value
Findings from this study are original in that they run counter to the general belief that messages matching people’s self-perceptions will be more persuasive. On the other hand, matching health risk messages with people’s dominant self-construal may reduce the messages effectiveness due to defensive processing. As a result, communication practitioners should take a great caution of tailoring threatening smoking prevention messages to target audiences’ self-perceptions.
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Xiaoli Li, Zihan Peng and Kun Li
This study aims to explore the mechanism of boundary-spanning search on firm’s innovation performance under environmental dynamics from the perspective of strategic knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the mechanism of boundary-spanning search on firm’s innovation performance under environmental dynamics from the perspective of strategic knowledge integration.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted among Chinese firm managers and R&D personnel, resulting in the collection of 315 valid samples. Hierarchical regression analysis was mainly adopted to demonstrate the hypothesized relationships, while the Sobel test and bootstrap method were used to further validate the mediating effects.
Findings
The results demonstrate that boundary-spanning search in different dimensions is a critical factor in the improvement of firm innovation performance (FIP). Two types of strategic knowledge integration are the main factors causing FIP and mediate the influence of boundary-spanning search on FIP. Furthermore, environmental dynamics moderate the relationship among boundary-spanning search, strategic knowledge integration and FIP.
Practical implications
Managers need to strengthen the boundary-spanning search for market and technical knowledge, which will promote firm innovative performance. Managers also need to implement strategic knowledge integration, which specifically includes using planned strategic knowledge integration to compensate for knowledge deficiencies, thereby achieving predetermined objectives; and using emergent strategic knowledge integration to update their understanding of internal and external environments, and to reset strategic objectives. In dynamic environments, managers should emphasize strategic knowledge management activities more.
Originality/value
From a strategic management perspective, this study categorizes strategic knowledge integration into planned and emergent forms. By applying the logic of knowledge acquisition, integration and creation, it explores how boundary-spanning search affects FIP through strategic knowledge integration as the intermediary and the boundary conditions of environmental dynamics. This not only provides a deeper understanding of the nature and effects of boundary-spanning research but also enhances the theory of strategic knowledge management.
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The purpose of this paper is to timely control of a construction collapse accident effectively during its development process by constructing a stage model and then aligning IT…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to timely control of a construction collapse accident effectively during its development process by constructing a stage model and then aligning IT with each stage to help provide the information for decision making.
Design/methodology/approach
Through comprehensive literature review, this paper first identifies the various IT applications in on-site construction monitoring and analyzes the existed disaster/crisis stage models, also the stage models are compared with the causation models to illustrate the strengths. Then, a three-step methodology was conducted to develop and apply the conceptual framework, including the construction of the four-stage model; the establishment of the conceptual framework of information technology (IT) support for management of construction accidents (ITSMCA); and a building collapse accident used to illustrate the proposed framework.
Findings
The accident is divided into four stages, which are incubation stage, outbreak stage, spreading stage and final stage. The real-time staged information to support decision making, such as the contributing factors of on-site workers, materials, equipment and workplace, can be provided by emerging IT. Therefore, IT is aligned with the variations of contributing factors’ attributes in the four stages and ITSMCA is constructed to help accidents management.
Research limitations/implications
The focus of the framework presented in this paper is that the stage model is effective for it catches the variations of the attributes whose values can be provided by IT rather than research on the practical application of the IT system. The construction and application of the IT system will be the research focus in the future.
Originality/value
This paper presents a stage model of a building collapse accident and gives a comprehensive conceptual framework of ITSMCA, which align the IT with different stages of the collapse accident. The ITSMCA proposes a feasible ideology and practical method for real-time management of the collapse accident during the process.
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Zhen Li, Yufan Lu, Chi Zhang, Jinlong Dong, Xiaoli Zhao and Liqin Wang
The traction behaviours of lubricating oil significantly affect the stability and lubrication regime of aviation high-speed ball bearings. Rolling elements will slide at a low…
Abstract
Purpose
The traction behaviours of lubricating oil significantly affect the stability and lubrication regime of aviation high-speed ball bearings. Rolling elements will slide at a low traction force (TF). Therefore, traction behaviours need to be studied, and a fitting expression for traction curves to rapidly calculate the traction coefficient (TC) should be developed.
Design/methodology/approach
The traction behaviours of an aviation lubricating oil were studied in severe operating conditions with a self-designed two-disc testing rig. Based on the least squares method and the Levenberg–Marquardt theory, a rapid calculation expression was developed by fitting the obtained traction curves. The correction of this expression was experimentally verified by comparing the TCs under different operating conditions. This expression was also used to modify the commonly accepted quasi-dynamic model of rolling bearings.
Findings
An increase of the load led to an increase in the TC. In comparison, the temperature and entrainment speed showed inverse effects. The proposed expression exactly predicted the trend of the experimentally acquired traction curve. The calculation with the modified dynamic model showed that the action of the TF on a single rolling element varied and that the temperature increase of the outer raceway is higher than the inner raceway, which is caused by the TF and relative sliding speed between the elements and raceways.
Originality/value
The proposed fitting expression is able to simplify the TC calculation of synthetic aviation lubricating oil in practical engineering applications. This paper can provide an important reference for the traction behaviour of synthetic aviation lubricating oil under severe conditions and assist with its rapid calculation and practical application in engineering.
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Xiaoli Che, A. Fakhrorazi, Wei-Kit Loke, Swarmilah Hariani and Qinyuan Chen
This study examines the effect of knowledge workers' (k-workers') leader-member exchange (LMX) on task performance and the mediation effect of affective commitment and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the effect of knowledge workers' (k-workers') leader-member exchange (LMX) on task performance and the mediation effect of affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in China.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, 384 qualified questionnaires will be collected from k-workers in China by using a self-administered survey, and the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was employed for data analysis.
Findings
This finding showed that LMX has positive relationship on affective commitment, organizational citizenship behavior and task performance. The result also confirmed the mediation effect of organizational citizenship behavior on the relationship between LMX and task performance.
Originality/value
This research provide some implement to manage, motivate and inspire the k-workers and finally promote the organizational performance.
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Although primarily treated as two distinct research streams, strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions together occupy much of the strategic management discourse…
Abstract
Although primarily treated as two distinct research streams, strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions together occupy much of the strategic management discourse. Alliances, in many cases, end in acquisitions as firms use alliances as intermediate strategic options to eventually acquire a partner. As the discipline of strategy matures and the frequency and the volume of inter-firm cooperation continue to rise, it is imperative to integrate these two research streams for a holistic understanding of the theory of the firm. The purpose of this conceptual piece is threefold. First, we review the extant studies that combine these two governance modes: alliance and acquisitions. Second, drawing on the dominant strategic management theories, we highlight how prior inter-firm alliances inform future acquisitions in terms of (a) pre-combination decisions, (b) post-deal integration processes, (c) alternatives and strategies, and (d) performance outcomes. Finally, in view of the emerging trends and evocative gaps, we offer a conceptual road map to encourage future theoretical development and empirical research.
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Xiaoli Wang, Xincheng Wang and Yu Huang
Though most construction workers in China possess minimal skillset, they are reluctant to attend vocational skill training sponsored by the government or enterprises. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Though most construction workers in China possess minimal skillset, they are reluctant to attend vocational skill training sponsored by the government or enterprises. This paper aims to examine their willingness to attend the training from workers’ individual perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors interviewed 492 construction workers on topics concerning their age, education, work tenure, technological level, daily wages, apprenticeship duration, apprentice channels and training experience; this information was then logistically analyzed to reveal if it influences construction workers’ willingness to attend training courses.
Findings
The results show that in a variety of possible influencing factors, technological level, apprenticeship duration and education are the most significant ones that affect construction workers’ willingness to attend vocational training. Technological level makes the greatest contribution to workers’ willingness to attend training, yet the effect of training experience and daily wages is minimal.
Practical implications
To achieve sustainability in construction labor management, it is important to shed light on what influences worker’s willingness to attend training programs and take some efficient steps to address these issues.
Originality/value
This paper provides a new insight into the workers’ willingness to attend vocational skill training programs in the Chinse construction industry and suggests some practical implications for professionals and policymakers. Furthermore, the findings could prove valuable to other countries or industries, especially those sharing similarities to the Chinese construction industry.
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Zhen Li, Xiaoli Zhao, Dezhi Zheng, Tingjian Wang, Le Gu and Liqin Wang
This study aims to evaluate the rheological properties of aviation lubricating oil under conditions of heavy load, high speed and high temperature and the applicability of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the rheological properties of aviation lubricating oil under conditions of heavy load, high speed and high temperature and the applicability of the classical rheological model under severe conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
A Chinese aviation lubricating oil was used and its traction curves were obtained using a new two-disk tribotester. Its rheological parameters were calculated based on empirical formulae. Moreover, the traction force was calculated based on the classical Eyring rheological model.
Findings
The traction curves are obtained with respect to contact pressure, temperature and rolling speed. The rheological parameters are significantly influenced by environmental factors, especially viscosity. The traction force calculated using the Eyring model is consistent with the experimental results.
Originality/value
A novel two-disk tribotester was designed using a gas bearing and speed–force closed-loop control to ensure measurement accuracy. The mechanism of rheological properties was analyzed and the applicability of the classical rheological model under severe conditions was verified. It provided an experimental and theoretical basis for expanding the application of classical rheological models under extreme conditions.