Xinsheng Xu, Tiequn Huang, Cheng Wang, Jun Yuan and Fanfan Zhu
Product variant design process consists of a series of asynchronous activities. These activities and the logic relations among them are important in constructing general logic…
Abstract
Purpose
Product variant design process consists of a series of asynchronous activities. These activities and the logic relations among them are important in constructing general logic workflow structure, which is the foundation of deriving an activity path for variant design business. Traditional process modeling approaches have not defined activities for product variant design and cannot describe the complex relations among these activities because of the lack of logic express elements. Thus, logic workflow structure modeling method is anticipated to meet the requirements of logic description and path generation in product variant design application. This paper aims to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper identifies the variant design modes of different types of parts and defines their variant design activities. The procedure of constructing general logic workflow structure of product variant design is proposed. Simultaneously, the principles of inferring logic relations among activities are put forward based on their adjacency information and connectivity probability. A general logic workflow structure of product variant design is constructed. Based on this, activity path corresponding to a variant design business can be generated. The algorithm of generating activity path is designed as well. In addition, Boolean vectors of activity path, based on the functional contour matrix of polychromatic set theory, can be inferred, which denotes the functional character of activity path.
Findings
A general logic workflow structure for product variant design has been established, which comprises variant design activities and basic process logic nodes. The logic relations among activities can be inferred based on their in-degree/out-degree and connectivity probability. The function character of activity path can also be expressed based on the polychromatic set theory.
Originality/value
The combination of variant design activity and basic process logic node makes diverse variant design business descriptions possible in a general workflow structure. The proposed approach provides evidences for designer to plan and develop product variant design system effectively.
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Xinsheng Xu, Ping Ji and Felix T.S. Chan
With the rapid development of e-commerce, multi-sourcing with supply contracts and spot buying has become more and more popular in reality. The main purpose of the paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
With the rapid development of e-commerce, multi-sourcing with supply contracts and spot buying has become more and more popular in reality. The main purpose of the paper is to explore a loss-averse buyer's optimal procurement policy in a multi-sourcing under e-commerce surroundings.
Design/methodology/approach
The study introduces the loss aversion utility function to characterize the loss aversion effect and derives a loss-averse buyer's optimal procurement policy in a multi-sourcing with a wholesale price contract and spot market.
Findings
A loss-averse buyer could order no items in a wholesale price contract and only needs to replenish commodities from spot market under certain conditions. In addition, the study shows that spot capacity has important influences on a loss-averse buyer's optimal ordering decision in the wholesale price contract.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to study the loss aversion effect on a buyer's procurement decision in a multi-sourcing. The results present important managerial insights for a loss-averse buyer to devise optimal ordering policies in a multi-sourcing under e-commerce surroundings.
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Xinsheng Xu, Jing Lin, Ying Xiao, Jianzhe Yu, Qing Liu and Jie Geng
Product variant design can only be achieved after all its constituent parts have been implemented by variant design. It is necessary to plan the sequence of part variant design…
Abstract
Purpose
Product variant design can only be achieved after all its constituent parts have been implemented by variant design. It is necessary to plan the sequence of part variant design reasonably. The product variant design process involves a large amount of information transfer events at the dimensional level. A reasonable product variant design process needs to make full use of the information transfer characters of parts to decrease the uncertainty of product variant design process. The existing methods of researching the product variant design process mainly focus on resource constraint and activity logic. They are deficient, however, in information transfer resolution and uncertainty management. This paper aims to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper identifies the number of dimension transfer paths and the position of dimension locating within a transfer path as being the key factors affecting the information transfer role of dimension. Information transfer utility is proposed to measure the information transfer capability of dimensions and parts. Based on these, a two-stage approach of generating the sequence of part variant design based on information transfer utility is proposed.
Findings
The uncertainty of dimension constraint network is minimal during the product variant design process when parts are implemented by variant design under the sequence generated through a two-stage method based on the information transfer utilities of parts, as does the times of parameter transferring and iteration in dimension constraint network.
Originality/value
Part variant design under the sequence of descending information transferring utilities can decrease the difficulty of implementing product variant design validly and also increase the efficiency. This suggests an innovative method to planning the product variant design process reasonably from the perspective of informatics.
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Xinsheng Xu, Ping Ji and Felix T.S. Chan
Optimal ordering decision for a retailer in a dual-sourcing procurement is an important research area. The main purpose of this paper is to explore a loss-averse retailer’s…
Abstract
Purpose
Optimal ordering decision for a retailer in a dual-sourcing procurement is an important research area. The main purpose of this paper is to explore a loss-averse retailer’s ordering decision in a dual-sourcing problem.
Design/methodology/approach
For a loss-averse retailer, the study obtains the optimal ordering decision to maximize expected utility. Based on sensitivity analysis, the properties of the optimal ordering decision are well discussed.
Findings
Under the optimal ordering quantity that maximizes expected loss aversion utility, the relevant expected profit of a retailer turns to be smaller under a bigger loss aversion coefficient. For this point, a retailer needs to balance between expected loss aversion utility maximization and expected profit maximization in deciding the optimal ordering policy in a dual-sourcing problem.
Originality/value
This paper reveals the influence of loss aversion on a retailer’s ordering decision in a dual-sourcing problem. Managerial insights are suggested to devise the optimal ordering policy for retailers in practice.
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Xinsheng Xu, Tianhong Yan, Xizhu Tao, Tianrong Zhu and Dan Li
In the case of mass customization, product variety leads to exponentially increased variation in the production system. Providing flexible manufacturing solution for customized…
Abstract
Purpose
In the case of mass customization, product variety leads to exponentially increased variation in the production system. Providing flexible manufacturing solution for customized product rapidly is the key measure to achieve the goal of cost and delivery time. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Following introduction, the paper describes flexible manufacturing and numerical control (NC) machining techniques in mass customization. The kernel idea is that NC program for mass customization product should be generated from parametric manufacturing information template, so as to achieve NC program variant design in accord with product variant design. The elements of NC programming system discussed in this paper address the definition of machining feature, the development of NC subprogram, template construct, and the architecture of NC programming system for mass customization product.
Findings
Machining feature, NC subprogram, and template are made to help manufacturing system to deal with the increased variation requirements resulting from product variety. The effects can be verified by the case study.
Originality/value
This paper provides a practical NC programming system for mass customization product and makes detailed technical solution to manufacturing system developer and its applications.
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Yousef Al Rjoub, Ala Obaidat, Ahmed Ashteyat and Khalid Alshboul
This study aims to conduct an experimental study and finite element model (FEM) to investigate the flexural behavior of heat-damaged beams strengthened/repaired by hybrid…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to conduct an experimental study and finite element model (FEM) to investigate the flexural behavior of heat-damaged beams strengthened/repaired by hybrid fiber-reinforced polymers (HFRP).
Design/methodology/approach
Two groups of beams of (150 × 250 × 1,200) mm were cast, strengthened and repaired using different configurations of HFRP and tested under four-point loadings. The first group was kept at room temperature, while the second group was exposed to a temperature of 400°C.
Findings
It was found that using multiple layers of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) enhanced the strength more than a single layer. Also, the order of two layers of FRP showed no effect on flexural behavior of beams. Using a three-layer scheme (attaching the GFRP first and followed by two layers of CFRP) exhibited increase in ultimate load more than the scheme attached by CFRP first. Furthermore, the scheme HGC (heated beam repaired with glass and carbon, in sequence) allowed to achieve residual flexural capacity of specimen exposed to 400°C. Typical flexural failure was observed in control and heat-damaged beams, whereas the strengthened/repaired beams failed by cover separation and FRP debonding, however, specimen repaired with two layers of GFRP failed by FRP rupture. The FEM results showed good agreement with experimental results.
Originality/value
Few researchers have studied the effects of HFRP on strengthening and repair of heated, damaged reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This paper investigates, both experimentally and analytically, the performance of externally strengthened and repaired RC beams, in flexure, with different FRP configurations of CFRP and GFRP.
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Xinsheng Cheng, Yingjie Xu and Fengshu Li
This study had a threefold aim: to examine the impact of a Simmelian-tie tripartite alliance on corporate green innovation; to determine the chain-mediating roles of knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This study had a threefold aim: to examine the impact of a Simmelian-tie tripartite alliance on corporate green innovation; to determine the chain-mediating roles of knowledge acquisition and knowledge integration; and to identify the moderating effect of network routines on the relationship between a Simmelian tie and green innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through 487 valid survey questionnaires from Chinese small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs). The authors examined the data through a structural model using partial least-squares structural-equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
The results reveal several key factors with positive impacts on enterprise green innovation. Specifically, a Simmelian tie significantly and positively affects enterprise green innovation. The results further reveal that knowledge acquisition and integration play mediating roles, while a network routine positively moderates the relationships among a Simmelian tie, knowledge acquisition and integration, and corporate green innovation.
Originality/value
This study is among the earliest empirical studies to investigate the influence of Simmelian ties on corporate green innovation for manufacturing companies. This study provides a theoretical basis for managers of firms, especially those of SMEs with limited resources, to fully use Simmelian ties to achieve environmentally sustainable innovation. In addition, this study validates and extends knowledge-management theory by verifying the linking roles of knowledge acquisition and integration and facilitating role of network routines.
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Wan Xu, Xinsheng Liu, Huijuan Zhang, Ting Huo, Zhenbin Chen and Yuan Sun
This study aims to prepare an imprinted composite membrane with grafted temperature-sensitive blocks for the efficient adsorption and separation of rhenium(Re) from aqueous…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to prepare an imprinted composite membrane with grafted temperature-sensitive blocks for the efficient adsorption and separation of rhenium(Re) from aqueous solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
PVDF resin membrane was used as the substrate, dopamine and chitosan (CS) were used to modify the membrane surface and temperature-sensitive block PDEA was grafted on the membrane surface. Then acrylic acid (AA) and N-methylol acrylamide (N-MAM) were used as the functional monomers, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker and ascorbic acid-hydrogen peroxide (Vc-H2O2) as the initiator to obtain the temperature-sensitive ReO4− imprinted composite membranes.
Findings
The effect of the preparation process on the performance of CS–Re–TIICM was investigated in detail, and the optimal preparation conditions were as follows: the molar ratios of AA–NH4ReO4, N-MAM and EGDMA were 0.13, 0.60 and 1.00, respectively. The optimal temperature and time of the reaction were 40 °C and 24 h. The maximum adsorption capacity of CS–Re–TIICM prepared under optimal conditions was 0.1071 mmol/g, and the separation was 3.90 when MnO4− was used as the interfering ion. The quasi first-order kinetics model and Langmuir model were more suitable to describe the adsorption process.
Practical implications
With the increasing demand for Re, the recovery of Re from Re-containing secondary resources becomes important. This study demonstrated a new material that could be separated and recovered Re in a complex environment, which could effectively alleviate the conflict between the supply and demand of Re.
Originality/value
This contribution provided a new material for the selective separation and purification of ReO4−, and the adsorption capacity and separation of CS–Re–TIICM were increased with 1.673 times and 1.219 time compared with other Re adsorbents, respectively. In addition, when it was used for the purification of NH4ReO4 crude, the purity was increased from 91.950% to 99.999%.
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Jianming Zhou, Shuo Liu, Xinsheng Zhang and Ming Chen
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of native Chinese R&D team directors’ differential leadership on team performance, so as to understand whether and how the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of native Chinese R&D team directors’ differential leadership on team performance, so as to understand whether and how the directors’ differential leadership impacts team conflict, whether and how team conflict impacts new product development performance of the R&D team and whether team conflict plays full mediation on the relationship between directors’ differential leadership and new product development performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review on differential leadership and team conflict provided the model and hypothesis. Two-wave data collected from 103 directors and 344 subordinates from 103 R&D teams of high-tech enterprises from China’s Pearl River Delta Area were used as empirical study samples. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the model and hypothesis.
Findings
First, the team director’s differential leadership would cause significant team relationship conflict and team task conflict in the R&D team. Second, team relationship conflict and team task conflict would produce significantly bad new product development performance in the R&D team. Third, team relationship conflict would significantly mediate the relationship between the team director’s differential leadership and the team’s new product development performance.
Research limitations/implications
To yield broader conclusions and to show to that the results can be replicated in other areas or in other types of organizations, further empirical research should expand the sampling by choosing high-tech enterprises from Beijing and Shanghai that have strong innovative abilities. Moreover, to extend the differential leadership theory, few more related variables of consequences, such as team communication, team cooperation and team knowledge share, should be included in future studies.
Practical implications
In general, the native Chinese R&D department director needs to try their best to avoid the use of differential leadership style. In addition, reasonable incentive measures, promotion mechanisms and fair team work culture are needed so as to reduce the negative impact from the director’s differential leadership.
Originality/value
The paper is original in its investigation on how Chinese indigenous organizational factor – differential leadership – influences the R&D team’s conflict and new product development performance, and provides theoretical contribution and managerial implications for the R&D team management.
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Zhi Ding, Xinjiang Wei, Xiao Zhang and Xinsheng Yin
The shield tunnels closely constructed near the foundations have an inevitable influence on the structures, even results in the large settlement or uplift of the structures.
Abstract
Purpose
The shield tunnels closely constructed near the foundations have an inevitable influence on the structures, even results in the large settlement or uplift of the structures.
Design/methodology/approach
The comparison of structural deformation of three different foundations is presented based on the field monitoring data.
Findings
Shield tunnelling parameters vary for the different types of foundations. For the long pile foundations, the recommended speed is 3 to 4 cm/min, the grouting pressure is about 0.3 MPa and the grouting rate ranges from 150 to 180.
Originality/value
The study based on the field monitoring data is rarely reported, especially the topic about the structural deformation of different types of the foundations.