Minglong Li, Xiaoyang Sun, Yu Zhu and Hailian Qiu
An increasing number of immersive technologies have been adopted in museum tourism in response to shifting consumer habits in the digital era. In contrast, the authenticity…
Abstract
Purpose
An increasing number of immersive technologies have been adopted in museum tourism in response to shifting consumer habits in the digital era. In contrast, the authenticity experience of museum tourists relies on genuine relics, the environment and activities, which are ancient or traditional. This raises the question of whether tourists can perceive authenticity in immersive technology-based museum tourism. To address this question, this study aims to explore the impact of virtual reality (VR) attributes on tourists’ presence, tourism authenticity and subsequent behavioral intentions in virtual museums.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected via scenario-based surveys of participants who had taken virtual museum tours based on VR. A total of 174 effective questionnaires were collected for exploratory factor analysis via SPSS 25. Afterward, 597 questionnaires were obtained for confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis via Mplus 7.4.
Findings
A conceptual model of how VR attributes influence presence, authenticity and visit intention was developed. There is a chain intermediary between presence and visit intentions, from original authenticity to interactive authenticity and then to emotional authenticity. Technology readiness and museum familiarity moderate some relationships between VR attributes and presence.
Practical implications
The findings can guide museums in improving the use of VR. For example, managers can improve the quality of virtual systems and adopt various interactive forms to enhance tourists’ participation experiences.
Originality/value
These research findings contribute to the research area of immersive technology adoption, enhance the understanding of tourism authenticity in the new context of technology application and extend the presence-emotion-intention theory.
Details
Keywords
Yun Zhan, Jia Liao and Xiaoyang Zhao
This study aims to investigate the effect of top management team (TMT) stability on outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) of Chinese firms and the moderating effects of state…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of top management team (TMT) stability on outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) of Chinese firms and the moderating effects of state ownership and managerial ownership on this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical analysis based on the ordinary least square regression model is conducted using Chinese A-share listed firms that engaged in OFDI from 2008 to 2021.
Findings
TMT stability has a positive effect on firms’ OFDI. Moreover, state ownership significantly strengthens the positive relationship between TMT stability and OFDI, while managerial ownership weakens this positive relationship.
Practical implications
The findings help firms to effectively retain TMT talents and promote the smooth internationalization of firms, thereby enhancing their long-term development capabilities and competitive advantages.
Originality/value
This study expands the investigation of the factors influencing OFDI at the micro level of the TMT, providing valuable decision-making insights for firms.
Details
Keywords
Haifeng Huang, Xiaoyang Wu, Tingting Wang, Yongbin Sun and Qiang Fu
This paper aims to study the application of reinforcement learning (RL) in the control of an output-constrained flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle (FWMAV) with system uncertainty.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the application of reinforcement learning (RL) in the control of an output-constrained flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle (FWMAV) with system uncertainty.
Design/methodology/approach
A six-degrees-of-freedom hummingbird model is used without consideration of the inertial effects of the wings. A RL algorithm based on actor–critic framework is applied, which consists of an actor network with unknown policy gradient and a critic network with unknown value function. Considering the good performance of neural network (NN) in fitting nonlinearity and its optimum characteristics, an actor–critic NN optimization algorithm is designed, in which the actor and critic NNs are used to generate a policy and approximate the cost functions, respectively. In addition, to ensure the safe and stable flight of the FWMAV, a barrier Lyapunov function is used to make the flight states constrained in predefined regions. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, the stability of the system is analyzed, and finally, the feasibility of RL in the control of a FWMAV is verified through simulation.
Findings
The proposed RL control scheme works well in ensuring the trajectory tracking of the FWMAV in the presence of output constraint and system uncertainty.
Originality/value
A novel RL algorithm based on actor–critic framework is applied to the control of a FWMAV with system uncertainty. For the stable and safe flight of the FWMAV, the output constraint problem is considered and solved by barrier Lyapunov function-based control.
Details
Keywords
Changjun Yi, Chuwei Li, Chun Yan, Minmin Guo and Xiaoyang Zhao
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the negative expectation–performance gap on the internationalization speed as well as the moderating role of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the negative expectation–performance gap on the internationalization speed as well as the moderating role of organizational slack, based on the performance feedback theory and the springboard perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper takes the Chinese A-share listed companies engaged in outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) between 2010 and 2022 as the research sample. A two-way fixed effects model is employed to test the research hypotheses, using a dataset comprising 6,868 observations.
Findings
The findings show that there is a positive relationship between the negative expectation–performance gap and internationalization speed for Chinese multinational enterprises (CMNEs). In addition, this effect is stronger in private CMNEs. Furthermore, the relationship is negatively moderated by organizational slack. Additional findings suggest that that negative industry expectation-performance gap has a stronger impact on the internationalization speed. The moderating effect of unabsorbed slack resources is more pronounced.
Practical implications
When emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) face the dilemma of underperforming, they may consider a rapid internationalization strategy as a solution to improve performance. However, EMNEs should be wary of falling into a resource trap. Organizational slack reduces managers’ incentives to identify issues associated with negative performance feedback, thereby diminishing the likelihood of addressing performance challenges through rapid internationalization. For state-owned EMNEs, optimizing organizational structure and improving the efficiency of responses to negative performance feedback are essential.
Originality/value
Unlike previous studies, this paper integrates performance feedback theory and the springboard perspective to explore in depth the relationship between performance feedback, internationalization speed and organizational slack within the context of managers’ cognitive and decision-making mechanisms. It also examines the distinct impacts of historical and industry negative expectation–performance gaps as well as the different moderating roles of absorbed and unabsorbed organizational slack, which have not been explored together before.
Details
Keywords
Yun Zhan, Jia Liao and Xiaoyang Zhao
According to the resource-based theory, a firm’s unique resources and capabilities are the key to its competitive advantage. This paper aims to investigate the effect of top…
Abstract
Purpose
According to the resource-based theory, a firm’s unique resources and capabilities are the key to its competitive advantage. This paper aims to investigate the effect of top management team (TMT) stability, an important intangible resource of the firm, on the maturity mismatch between investment and financing of companies. Additionally, we explore the moderating effects of state ownership and institutional ownership in this context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducts an empirical analysis based on the ordinary least squares (OLS) model with a sample of Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2010 to 2022.
Findings
The results show that TMT stability significantly mitigates the degree of maturity mismatch. Both state ownership and institutional ownership weaken the negative effect of TMT stability on maturity mismatch. Besides, alleviating financing constraints is a crucial pathway through which TMT stability influences maturity mismatch.
Practical implications
The findings help firms to effectively retain TMT talents and reduce the occurrence of maturity mismatch.
Originality/value
This paper not only helps to expand the research on the economic effects of TMT stability but also provides new ideas on how to alleviate the maturity mismatch of companies.
Details
Keywords
Jing Yang, Jie Zhong, Fang Xie, Xiaoyang He, Liwen Du, Yaqian Yan, Meiyu Li, Wuqian Ma, Wenxin Wang and Ning Wang
The purpose of this work is to controllably synthesize a carbon aerogel with programmable functionally graded performance via a simple and effective strategy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this work is to controllably synthesize a carbon aerogel with programmable functionally graded performance via a simple and effective strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
This work uses polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via the controllable sol-gel, lyophilization, and carbonization approach to achieve a programmable carbon aerogel. This design has the advantages of low raw material and preparation cost, simple and controllable synthetic process and low carbonization temperature.
Findings
The thermal stability and microstructure of PVA aerogel can be controlled by the crosslinking agent content within a certain range. The crosslinking agent content and the carbonization temperature are the key factors for functionally graded programming of carbon aerogels, including microstructure, oxygen-containing functional groups and adsorption performance. The adsorption ratio and adsorption rate of uranium can be controlled by adjusting initial concentration and pH value of the uranium solution. The 2.5%25 carbon aerogel with carbonization temperature of 350 °C has excellent adsorption performance when the initial concentration of uranium solution is 32 ppm at pH 7.5.
Research limitations/implications
As a new type of lightweight nano-porous amorphous carbon material, this carbon aerogel has many excellent properties.
Originality/value
This work presents a simple, low cost and controllable strategy for functionally graded programming of novel carbon aerogel. This carbon aerogel has great potential for application in various fields such as uranium recovery, wastewater treatment, sound absorption and shock absorption.
Details
Keywords
Yubin Wang, Jingjing Wang and Xiaoyang Wang
The authors explicitly evaluate the dynamic impact of five most concerned supply chain disruption scenarios, including: (1) a short-term shortage and price jump of corn supply in…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors explicitly evaluate the dynamic impact of five most concerned supply chain disruption scenarios, including: (1) a short-term shortage and price jump of corn supply in hog farms; (2) a shortage of market hogs to packing facilities; (3) disruption in breeding stock adjustments; (4) disruption in pork import; and (5) a combination of scenario (1)–(4).
Design/methodology/approach
The agricultural supply chain experienced tremendous disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. To evaluate the impact of disruptions, the authors employ a system dynamics model of hog market to simulate and project the impact of COVID-19 on China hog production and pork consumption. In the model the authors explicitly characterize the cyclical pattern of hog market. The hog cycle model is calibrated using market data from 2018–2019 to represent the market situation during an ongoing African swine fever.
Findings
The authors find that the impacts of supply chain disruption are generally short-lived. Market hog transportation disruption has immediate impact on price and consumption. But the impact is smoothed out in six months. Delay in import shipment temporarily reduces consumption and raises hog price. A temporary increase of corn price or delay in breeding stock acquisition does not produce significant impact on national hog market as a whole, despite mass media coverage on certain severely affected regions.
Originality/value
This is the first evaluation of short-term supply chain disruption on China hog market from COVID-19. The authors employ a system dynamics model of hog markets with an international trade component. The model allows for monthly time step analysis and projection of the COVID-19 impact over a five-year period. The results and discussion have far-reaching implications for agricultural markets around the world.
Details
Keywords
Yi Liu, Fanhua Wu, Xinwei Tian, Xiaoyang Hu, Yongfeng Liu, Xiandong Zhao, Rongjun Qu, Chunnuan Ji and Yuzhong Niu
This paper aims to focus on the preparation of Kevlar fiber (KF) and alkaline hydrolyzed KF (KF-H) to improve the dispersed condition of polyaniline (PAn), as the aggregation of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on the preparation of Kevlar fiber (KF) and alkaline hydrolyzed KF (KF-H) to improve the dispersed condition of polyaniline (PAn), as the aggregation of PAn would lead to some adsorption sites buried. And then the materials were used to enrich anionic dye Congo red (CR) from aqueous solution.
Design/methodology/approach
The materials (KF@PAn and KF-H@PAn) were designed by means of “diffusion-interfacial-polymerization” under mild condition as high affinity due to the structural properties of PAn, KF and KF-H. The dispersed degree of PAn on the surface of KF and KF-H was validated according to adsorption efficiency for CR.
Findings
The content of PAn introduced was not beyond 20 wt.%, while adsorption capacity for CR was significantly enhanced by 4–8 times (on the basis of kinetic data) according to the calculation only by the content of PAn due to KF and alkaline hydrolyzed KF exhibited almost no adsorption for CR, indicating dispersed situation of PAn coating was greatly enhanced and more active sites exposed, which was favorable for the adsorption process. Presence of NaCl would exhibit a more or less positive effect on CR uptake, suggesting the materials could be used for high salt environment.
Research limitations/implications
The investigated means of dispersed degree of PAn on the surface of KF and KF-H are the further and future investigation.
Practical implications
This study will provide a method to improve the dispersed situation of PAn and a theoretical support to treat anionic dyes from aqueous solution especially for salt environment.
Originality/value
The results showed that the dispersed condition of PAn on the surface of KF and KF-H was greatly improved. According to the adsorption capacities for CR, it can be concluded that part of adsorption sites were buried due to the aggregation of PAn, and introduction of KF and KF-H, buried adsorption sites decreased greatly. This study will provide a method to decrease buried adsorption sites of PAn and a contribution for their convenient application in wastewater treatment especially for high salt environment.
Details
Keywords
Yongtao Zhao, Weili Li, Xiaoyang Xuan, Jianbang Gao, Jue Wang, Liang Dong, Dawei Zang, Mingjian Wang and Xiankang Zhong
This study aims to evaluate the protection performance of zinc as sacrificial anode for ABS A steel in the presence of H2S under different temperatures, pH and salinities.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the protection performance of zinc as sacrificial anode for ABS A steel in the presence of H2S under different temperatures, pH and salinities.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, weight loss measurements and electrochemical measurements are used to evaluate the corrosion degree of zinc and ABS A steel.
Findings
Under the conditions involved in this work, it is shown that zinc is a nice sacrificial anode with the reason of its stable potential and excellent anode current efficiency according to the relevant standard. And it is also found that the hydrogen evolution does not occur on ABS A steel specimens. The potential difference between cathode and anode is suitable; thus, it can be concluded that each steel is well protected.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other study has analyzed the protection mechanism and effect of zinc as sacrificial anode in H2S-containing environments under high temperature at present.