Ting Wang, Xiaoling Shao and Xue Yan
In intelligent scheduling, parallel batch processing can reasonably allocate production resources and reduce the production cost per unit product. Hence, the research on a…
Abstract
Purpose
In intelligent scheduling, parallel batch processing can reasonably allocate production resources and reduce the production cost per unit product. Hence, the research on a parallel batch scheduling problem (PBSP) with uncertain job size is of great significance to realize the flexibility of product production and mass customization of personalized products.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors propose a robust formulation in which the job size is defined by budget constrained support. For obtaining the robust solution of the robust PBSP, the authors propose an exact algorithm based on branch-and-price framework, where the pricing subproblem can be reduced to a robust shortest path problem with resource constraints. The robust subproblem is transformed into a deterministic mixed integer programming by duality. A series of deterministic shortest path problems with resource constraints is derived from the programming for which the authors design an efficient label-setting algorithm with a strong dominance rule.
Findings
The authors test the performance of the proposed algorithm on the extension of benchmark instances in literature and compare the infeasible rate of robust and deterministic solutions in simulated scenarios. The authors' results show the efficiency of the authors' algorithm and importance of incorporating uncertainties in the problem.
Originality/value
This work is the first to study the PBSP with uncertain size. To solve this problem, the authors design an efficient exact algorithm based on Dantzig–Wolfe decomposition. This can not only enrich the intelligent manufacturing theory related to parallel batch scheduling but also provide ideas for relevant enterprises to solve problems.
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Hui Ma, Shenglan Chen, Xiaoling Liu and Pengcheng Wang
To enrich the research on the economic consequences of enterprise digital development from the perspective of capacity utilization.
Abstract
Purpose
To enrich the research on the economic consequences of enterprise digital development from the perspective of capacity utilization.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of listed firms from 2010 to 2020, this paper exploits text analysis of annual reports to construct a proxy for enterprise digital development.
Findings
Results show that enterprise digital development not only improves their own capacity utilization but also generates a positive spillover effect on the capacity utilization of peer firms and firms in the supply chain. Next, based on the incomplete information about market demand and potential competitors when making capacity-building decisions, the mechanism tests show that improving the accuracy of market forecasts and reducing investment surges are potential channels behind the baseline results. Cross-sectional tests show the baseline result is more pronounced when industries are highly homogeneous and when firms have access to less information.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the research related to the economic consequences of digital development. With the development of the digital economy, the real effects of enterprise digital development have also triggered extensive interest and exploration. Existing studies mainly examine the impact on physical operations, such as specialization division of labor, innovation activities, business performance or total factor productivity (Huang, Yu, & Zhang, 2019; Yuan, Xiao, Geng, & Sheng, 2021; Wang, Kuang, & Shao, 2017; Li, Liu, & Shao, 2021; Zhao, Wang, & Li, 2021). These studies measure the economic benefits from the perspective of the supply (output) side but neglect the importance of the supply system to adapt to the actual market demand. In contrast, this paper focuses on capacity utilization, aimed at estimating the net economic effect of digital development by considering the supply-demand fit scenario. Thus, our findings enrich the relevant studies on the potential consequences of digital development.
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Mingzheng Wu, Xiaoling Sun, Delin Zhang and Ci Wang
This study aimed to develop a moderated mediation model to explain the relationship between perceived organizational justice and the counterproductive work behavior (CWB) of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to develop a moderated mediation model to explain the relationship between perceived organizational justice and the counterproductive work behavior (CWB) of Chinese public servants. In this model, the authors assumed that job burnout mediates the relationship between perceived organizational justice and CWB and that moral identity moderates the relationship between job burnout and CWB.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 210 public servants in China participated in this study, and their characteristics were measured by self-report tools. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to test the moderated mediation model.
Findings
Analysis of the data demonstrated that perceived organizational justice, job burnout and moral identity influenced CWB. Moral identity moderated the relationship between job burnout and CWB, such that individuals with low moral identity are more likely to engage in CWB. Moreover, job burnout mediated the effect of perceived organizational justice on CWB, and the mediating effect of job burnout was moderated by moral identity. The indirect effect of perceived organizational justice on CWB through job burnout was significant among individuals with low moral identity but not among individuals with high moral identity.
Research limitations/implications
The findings highlight the self-regulatory function of moral identity in preventing CWB.
Practical implications
The study offers several significant suggestions to reduce CWB in Chinese public sector administration, such as by improving organizational justice perception, recruiting and selecting individuals with reference to their moral identity and monitoring employees’ job burnout regularly.
Originality/value
The authors developed and verified a moderated mediated model on the relationship between perceived organizational justice and CWB. The study revealed that job burnout has a mediating effect on the perceived organizational justice–CWB relation, providing important insights into the processes through which perceived organizational justice affects CWB.
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Yuming Hong, Daniel W.M. Chan and Albert P.C. Chan
This paper aims to explore the applicability of construction partnering in Mainland China, and to provide useful suggestions and possible implications for decision‐makers to adopt…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the applicability of construction partnering in Mainland China, and to provide useful suggestions and possible implications for decision‐makers to adopt this collaborative approach to project procurement.
Design/methodology/approach
Document analysis was first employed to identify the favourable conditions and potential difficulties in the application of partnering in Mainland China. A series of face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews targeting academic experts and industrial practitioners was undertaken to solicit their perceptions of the benefits and difficulties of implementing partnering in Mainland China, coupled with their overall assessment of the applicability of, and suggestions for, the implementation of partnering in the region.
Findings
The results of document analysis indicated that the cultural roots of co‐operation and mutual trust, together with the increasing need to improve the current state of project performance in Mainland China, underpin the application of partnering in the construction market, although its application and generalisation still encounter some significant difficulties. The perceived benefits, potential barriers and effective strategies for partnering application in Mainland China were determined from the interviewees. The interview results further supported the applicability of construction partnering and provided constructive and practical suggestions for possible implementation in the Mainland Chinese construction industry. The partnering approach is evaluated as being practicable and appropriate in this study for the construction industry in Mainland China.
Research limitations/implications
Although it is essential to base the analysis of partnering applicability on a qualitative study, an empirical quantitative investigation of the benefits and difficulties of partnering application could further reinforce the quality of analysis. Future research could look into the project‐based assessment of partnering application in terms of the perceived benefits and potential difficulties of, and success factors for, partnering implementation in Mainland China.
Practical implications
Policy‐makers aiming for the introduction of the partnering approach could be equipped with stronger confidence from favourable cultural environment and industrial needs. Restrictions to the application of partnering underlying in the current working culture could be mitigated when appropriate strategies are taken by the initiators of the partnering approach.
Originality/value
Increased worldwide attention on construction partnering has shed light on the construction industry in Mainland China to achieve better value for money in project procurement and management. This paper provides valuable reference for decision‐makers to consider the adoption of partnering based on the qualitative analysis of the applicability of partnering in the construction industry in Mainland China.
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Xinjian Li, Yu Zhang, Juan Wang and Xiaoling Li
In online exchange platforms' sponsored search advertising, the array of product quality signals within a keyword search results list plays a crucial role in shaping buyers'…
Abstract
Purpose
In online exchange platforms' sponsored search advertising, the array of product quality signals within a keyword search results list plays a crucial role in shaping buyers' purchasing decisions. This research seeks to explore the impact of various quality signals – namely, ranking position, seller reputation and product price – on ad clicks. Additionally, it examines the role of keyword attributes, such as specificity and popularity, in modulating the effects of these quality signals on advertising clicks.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 5,763 effective data points were collected from a leading B2B electronic platform company, and we employed negative binomial regression with Heckman correction methods to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicate that in online exchange platforms, search ad clicks are significantly and positively affected by displayed signals such as ranking position, seller reputation and product price information. Notably, a U-shaped relationship emerges between product price and ad clicks. Furthermore, keyword specificity and popularity distinctly moderate the impact of these displayed signals on ad clicks within online exchange platforms.
Originality/value
This paper addresses the gap in existing research on search advertising by methodically analyzing the impact of various signals displayed in search results and how keyword attributes moderate ad clicks, all through a signaling theory lens.
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Xiaoling Li, Zongshu Wu, Qing Huang and Juanyi Liu
This study develops an empirical framework to address how large third-party sellers (TPSs) can apply customer acquisition strategies to improve their performance in consumers’…
Abstract
Purpose
This study develops an empirical framework to address how large third-party sellers (TPSs) can apply customer acquisition strategies to improve their performance in consumers’ person-goods matching process and how the platform firm’s similar strategies moderate the effects of TPSs’ strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data collected from the top ten TPSs from a Chinese e-commerce platform, the fixed effect model is used to validate the conceptual model and hypotheses.
Findings
The study results show that both market detection strategy and matching optimization strategy can help large TPSs improve their sales performance. Moreover, the similar market detection strategy applied by the platform firm weakens the effect of large TPSs’ customer acquisition strategies, while the similar matching optimization strategy applied by the platform firm strengthens the effect of large TPSs’ customer acquisition strategies.
Originality/value
This study provides firsthand evidence on the performance of large TPSs’ and the platform firm’s strategies. It demonstrates the effectiveness of large TPSs’ market detection strategy and matching optimization strategy, which can be adopted to meet consumers’ search and evaluation motivations in their person-goods matching process respectively. Moreover, it identifies the role of platform firms by showing the moderating effect of similar strategies adopted by the platform firm on the effect of large TPSs’ customer acquisition strategies.
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Hongqing Zhu, Xiaoling Ge, Yang Wang and Zequn Ding
This paper aims to study the present situation of Tianjin industrial energy consumption carbon emissions and put forward constructive suggestions for future energy-saving emission…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the present situation of Tianjin industrial energy consumption carbon emissions and put forward constructive suggestions for future energy-saving emission reduction work.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the energy consumption data form the Tianjin’s Industrial Energy Efficiency Guide (TJBS, 2009-2013) and Tianjin’s Statistical Yearbook (NBS, 2006-2012), some models were able to predict the future with a high degree of accuracy.
Findings
With an average error of 3.06 per cent for the logistic regression model and an average error of 2.03 per cent for the gray model, the R2 for the energy elasticity model is 0.99158. It also indicated that between 2008 and 2012, the energy consumption per unit of industrial added value decreased by approximately 33.61 per cent. These results show that energy-saving efforts and the optimization of the industrial structure have increased the energy efficiency of Tianjin.
Originality/value
The authors think that their contribution refers to a combination between methodology of forecasting and industrial energy consumption.
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Xin Wang, Xiaoling Xu, Zuowan Zhou and Jihua Gou
This paper aims to exploit shape memory polymer (SMP) composite as multifunctional coatings for protecting substrates from surface wear and bacterial. The efficiency of added nano…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to exploit shape memory polymer (SMP) composite as multifunctional coatings for protecting substrates from surface wear and bacterial. The efficiency of added nano or micro-sized particles in enhancing the properties of SMP was investigated. This study also attempts to use a low-cost and effective spraying approach to fabricate the coatings. The coatings are expected to have good conformability with the substrate and deliver multi-functional performance, such as wrinkle free, wear resistance, thermal stability and antimicrobial property.
Design/methodology/approach
High-performance SMP composite coatings or thin films were fabricated by a home-made continuous spray-deposition system. The morphologies of the coatings were studied using the scanning electron microscope and the transmission electron microscope. The abrasion properties were evaluated by Taber Abraser test, and thermo-gravimetric analysis was carried out to investigate the thermal properties of prepared composites. The antimicrobial property was determined by the inhibition zone method using E. coli. The thermally responsive shape memory effect of the resulting composites was also characterized.
Findings
The morphology analysis indicated that the nanoclay was distributed on the surface of the coating which resulted in a significant improvement of the wear property. The wear resistance of the coatings with nanoclay was improved as much as 40 per cent compared with that of the control sample. The thermo-gravimetric analysis revealed that the weight loss rate of composites with nanoclay was dropped over 40 per cent. The SMP coating with zinc oxide (ZnO) showed excellent antimicrobial effect. The shape recovery effect of SMP/nanoclay and SMP/ZnO composites can be triggered by external heating and the composites can reach a full shape recovery within 60 s.
Research limitations/implications
This study proposed a continuous spray-deposition fabrication of SMP composite coatings, which provides a new avenue to prepare novel multi-functional coatings with low cost.
Originality/value
Most studies have emphasized on the sole property of SMP composites. Herein, a novel SMP composite coating which could deliver multi-functionality such as wrinkle free, wear resistance, thermal stability and antimicrobial property was proposed.
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Qinghua Zhu, Xiaoling Sun, Jia Tina Du, Yuxiang Zhao, Kewen Wu and Hua Zheng
This chapter aims to investigate the research status and development of virtual community (VC) in China by a critique of library and information science (LIS) journal articles and…
Abstract
This chapter aims to investigate the research status and development of virtual community (VC) in China by a critique of library and information science (LIS) journal articles and to put forward future directions in virtual community for the researchers in our discipline. We used a multiple case of methods including bibliometric approaches (such as keyword frequency and co-word analysis) and a coding system to reveal several characteristics of the research status quo and trends. The results show that from 2000 to the present, VC-related research by LIS Chinese scholars has experienced rapid development with an increasing number of academic papers, authors, journals and institutions. However, LIS research is still at an early stage with the slow introduction of fundamental concepts and frameworks, lack of theoretical support, and organisations focused on empirical studies. VC-related research in China in recent years fully demonstrates its diversified attributes. Our study is limited to the analysis of academic journal literature published in mainland China while excluding dissertations and books, and publications in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Our classification system also needs to be more specific. Our findings have implications for researchers, students, journals and sponsors of Chinese LIS research related to virtual communities.