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The purpose of this paper is to realize the integrated optimization of process planning and scheduling in printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).

Logical and numerical contour matrix is used to describe the constituent of component and machine for different PCBA processes on the basis of polychromatic sets (PS) theory, and a PS model of PCBA is built. A hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) is developed to optimize the component allocation, PCB assignment and assembly sequence simultaneously.

Integration of PCBA process planning and scheduling (PCBAPPS) can bridge the gap between design and manufacturing to guarantee the assembly quality and improve the production efficiency. However, PCBAPPS have to search for the optimal result in their own vast solution space. They are complex combinatorial optimization problems. The optimization of PCBAPPS constructs a unified solution space which includes two sub‐solution space stated above. In this paper, dynamic optimization of PCBAPPS is implemented and the solution efficiency is improved.

PS model holds unified standard form on the basis of logical contour and numerical matrix. It is adopted to describe the static structure and dynamic characteristic of PCBA system and combine with GA to solve the integrated optimization problem of PCBAPPS effectively and dynamically.

Although an important facet of modernist architecture in which function plays a prominent role, building flexibility is not entirely a new concept. Its relevance transcends generations, allowing space and structure to evolve through time. This paper investigates the relationship among main building structures, infill elements, and space by studying examples in ancient Chinese architecture. It reveals the role of building owners, users, and craftsmen from a survey of historical documentation. In studying these examples, it is concluded that craftsmen in ancient China were involved not only during the construction phase but throughout the period of use as well. Thus, in select cases, the relationship between craftsmen and owners or users had been preserved for generations. Finally, this paper suggests potential strategies for the building industry and technology in the move towards sustainable development.

Despite sponsorship disclosure regulations, many influencers circumvent regulations by posting hidden advertising in covert formats. However, the impact of influencer hidden advertising sponsorship disclosure (IHASD) on brand attitudes is complex and contradictory. To understand the influence mechanism clearly, we introduced the operational transparency framework and investigated the mediating effects of perceived manipulative intent and perceived authenticity as well as the relationship between them. The conditions under which the mediation effect occurs were also analyzed.

The authors conducted three experimental studies. Studies 1 and 2 examined the influence mechanism of sponsorship disclosure (present vs absent) and sponsorship disclosure prominence (explicit vs implicit) of influencer hidden advertising on brand attitudes (i.e. the mediating effect of perceived manipulative intent and perceived authenticity). Study 3 explored the moderating effect of consumers’ thinking styles.

The results revealed that sponsorship disclosure and sponsorship disclosure prominence of influencer hidden advertising weakened brand attitudes through perceived manipulative intent while enhancing brand attitudes through perceived authenticity. Perceived authenticity and perceived manipulative intent played a bidirectional chain mediating role. When consumers’ thinking style was experiential, the negative mediating effect of perceived manipulative intent was alleviated and the positive mediating effect of perceived authenticity was enhanced; this effect, though, was the opposite when consumers’ thinking style was rational.

This research contributes to influencer sponsorship disclosure literature through providing an enhanced comprehensive, in-depth theoretical explanation of the competing mechanisms of sponsorship disclosure effects.

This paper examines the port of Mombasa’s attempted implementation of computer-based terminal operating systems (TOS); the challenges faced and the outcomes. In addition to enhancing its operations efficiency, a key motivation for the technology was to facilitate better integration and connectivity to the Belt and Road as a key gateway along the key route. It utilised a qualitative single-case methodology, involving a combination of semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations and content analysis of relevant policy documents and reports provided by the port. The paper finds that the attempt to adopt and implement TOS at the port mostly failed as a result of a complex combination of technological, organisational and environmental factors. Most importantly, the wider business environment was ill equipped with the necessary information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure to support effective implementation. There was also a general lack of appropriately skilled workers to support and drive the same.

Organizational wicked problems are ill-defined phenomena arising in complex environments with intertwined and evolving interests. This paper aims to use a nonlinear epistemological approach to explore how multiple management decision tools work together to form configurational paths to deal with organizational wicked problems and to propose some heuristic toolkits for tackling them.

Based on interviews with 53 senior executives dealing with 62 organizational wicked problems, this paper uses grounded theory to construct an antecedent theoretical framework and then uses qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to conduct configuration analysis on the strategy portfolios that can tackle organizational wicked problems.

This paper used grounded theory to identify six theoretical dimensions as management decision tools for dealing with organizational wicked problems: change adaptation, goal performing, administration, mechanical integration, organic integration and entrepreneuring. In addition, this paper used QCA to explore and propose three heuristic toolkits – synergy oriented, institution oriented and innovation oriented – as multiple equivalent paths to help deal with organizational wicked problems.

This paper uses configuration analysis instead of the net effect analysis of the traditional econometric method and captures multiple antecedent conditions for decision-makers to deal with organizational wicked problems from a holistic perspective. This paper constructs three heuristic toolkits and matches each of them with the most suitable type of organizational wicked problem, constructing a complete research chain of “identifying–tackling” the organizational wicked problem and providing a reference for organizations facing similar situations in future practice.

The construction industry has been investigating “where Henry Ford is in the industry system.” Given that listed construction enterprises are the backbone of the promotion of the high-quality development of the industry, their research and innovation are of considerable importance. This study aims to comprehensively assess the research and development (R&D) status quo and trends within various types of construction enterprises in order to identify effective strategies to enhance R&D efficiency in the construction industry.

Based on the data won from annual reports and the CSMAR database for the period 2016–2020, this study examines 104 listed construction enterprises in China. By applying both the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method and the Malmquist productivity index, this research compares and analyzes the static and dynamic differences in R&D efficiency across different types of construction enterprises.

Results suggest that the magnitude of change in the Malmquist decomposition index of 104 listed construction enterprises gradually narrowed, but the comprehensive technological level remained relatively low. Although state-owned enterprises had an advantage in scale efficiency, meaning they could maximize output with given inputs, their technological progress efficiency, also known as the degree of technological innovation, was significantly lower than that of private enterprises. As one finding, state-owned enterprises in comparison with private enterprises experience significant R&D inefficiency. It represents the main cause of their low degree of technological innovation and efficiency.

This study assesses the R&D efficiency of listed construction enterprises in China from the perspective of different market segments, state-owned and private enterprises and suggests approaches to improve strategies for various corporate types. Thus, the study’s new findings contribute to addressing the challenge of low R&D levels in the construction industry in the fields of engineering, construction and architectural management.

The purpose of this study is investigating the effect of using multi-phase nanofluids, Rayleigh number and baffle arrangement simultaneously on the heat transfer rate and Predict the optimal arrangement type of baffles in the differentiation of Rayleigh number in a 3D enclosure.

Simulations were performed on the base of the L25 Taguchi orthogonal array, and each test was conducted under different height and baffle arrangement. The multi-phase thermal lattice Boltzmann based on the D3Q19 method was used for modeling fluid flow and temperature fields.

Streamlines, isotherms, nanofluid volume fraction distribution and Nusselt number along the wall surface for 104 < Ra < 108 have been demonstrated. Signal-to-noise ratios have been analyzed to predict optimal conditions of maximize and minimize the heat transfer rate. The results show that by choosing the appropriate height and arrangement of the baffles, the average Nusselt number can be changed by more than 57 per cent.

The value of this paper is surveying three-dimensional and two-phase simulation for nanofluid. Also using the Taguchi method for Predicting the optimal arrangement type of baffles in a multi-part enclosure. Finally statistical analysis of the results by using of two maximum and minimum target Function heat transfer rates.

This paper aims to examine alliance governance at different hierarchical levels.

The data is collected from both top-level and operating-level managers in 286 strategic alliances in China (a total of 572 managers). Hierarchical moderated regression models are adopted to test the hypotheses and two-stage regression analyzes are used to correct for endogeneity.

This paper finds that relational governance has a greater impact on alliance performance than contract utilization at the top level. Furthermore, the simultaneous use of relational governance at the top and operating levels have a detrimental impact on alliance performance. Finally, top-level contract utilization has a negative interaction with operating-level relational governance but a positive interaction with operating-level contract utilization.

First, the cross-sectional nature of the data collection approach provides only a snapshot of how each type of governance mechanism and its interactions affect alliance performance. Second, the sample is limited to firms located in emerging markets.

Managers should realize that the effectiveness of contract and relational governance mechanisms varies across different management levels and they should be cautious about the cross-level governance mechanism alignment.

This study advances the interfirm governance literature in that this paper examined alliance governance at different hierarchical levels and provides new insights into the ongoing debate on whether the contract and relational governance mechanisms function as complements or substitutes by exploring the governance alignment across different alliance hierarchies.

Industrial robots are of great significance to the long-term development of family firms. Drawing on the lens of the principal–principal conflict, this paper aims to investigate the influence of family non-executive directors on robot adoption in Chinese family firms.

This paper selects the family firms in China from 2011 to 2019 as the sample. Furthermore, the authors manually collected the family non-executive directors and constructed the robot adoption variable utilizing data sourced from the International Federation of Robotics. In brief, this paper constructs a comprehensive framework of the mechanisms and additional tests pertaining to the influence of family non-executive directors on robot adoption.

This paper finds that family non-executive directors can promote robot adoption in family firms. The underlying mechanism analysis shows that family non-executive directors promote robot adoption by exerting financial and human effects. This paper further finds that the characteristics of family non-executive directors, such as kinship, differential shareholding and excessive directors, affect the role of family non-executive directors. Finally, robot adoption can improve future performance, and the promotional effect is more evident when family members are non-executive directors.

This paper contributes to the related literature from the following two aspects. Firstly, this paper decomposes the types of family directors to understand the role of family non-executive directors, which challenges the assumption that family board members are homogeneous in family firms. Second, this paper expands the research on the factors that influence robot adoption in emerging economies from the micro-enterprise level. In addition, the findings in this paper have managerial implications for family firms to optimize their strategic decisions with the help of the mode of board right allocation.

This paper aims to understand the role that money plays in polygamous marriages among the Hui ethnic group in Northwest China.

This study conducted in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations based on snowball sampling of individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate from June to December 2010, and during the summer of 2011, in Qinghai in Northwest China. Follow-up interviews and observations were conducted in 2015.

This study examines how love and money intersect and work together to sustain the participants’ polygamous marriages. The study concludes that material desires unite love with money to make love consumable. With the help of money, love between the sexes is transformed into desirable consumption through economic activities associated with leisure, gift giving and religious beliefs to articulate individualism

This study is the first to explore money’s role in the experience of polygamy among the Hui ethnic group in China.