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Article
Publication date: 10 August 2010

XueHua Zhang, Hongwei Zhang, Baoan Zhang and Hongbo Liu

The purpose of this paper is to present a new plan approach for optimal allocation water resources in social‐economic‐environmental complex system in order to achieve human and…

332

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new plan approach for optimal allocation water resources in social‐economic‐environmental complex system in order to achieve human and nature coordinated development.

Design/methodology/approach

By integrating the system dynamics (SD) and multi‐objective programming (MOP), the new approach which is termed SD‐MOP model is proposed. The model is characterized by fully reflecting the initial trends of the system development, accurately explaining both of the structure and function of the system, objectively finding the sensible points of the system, and achieving the optimum solutions of the model, the according the solutions the optimal plan can be designed according practical situation.

Findings

By applying SD‐MOP integrated model, the designed planning proposal can be guaranteed operable, available, and optimal level.

Practical implications

SD‐MOP integrated model is a very useful support tool in optimal decision making.

Originality/value

The new planning approach of SD‐MOP integrated model can be used in regional resources planning, especially in formulating sustainable development strategies. In addition, the model can be used to estimate the trends of the system development when the planning program has been implemented.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 39 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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Case study
Publication date: 17 October 2012

Pablo Cardona, Jiming Bao and Isabel Ng

Leadership.

Abstract

Subject area

Leadership.

Study level/applicability

The case is suitable for MBA, Executive level courses.

Case overview

Yongye Group is a biotechnological enterprise in Inner Mongolia, China. In China, people lack trust in economic transactions due to the transitional state of the economy, especially regarding food safety. To respond to this situation, Wu Zishen, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Yongye Group, was determined to build trust among employees, distributors, farmers, and consumers towards the company. To this end, he started using a creative incentive system with employees and stakeholders: the pay-before-performance incentive system. According to this system, the reward is delivered in advance, contrary to be paid after the fulfillment of the task. This practice is meant to transform employees' work attitude from a passive “being told to work” to a more proactive “I want to work” mentality. When such an incentive system is practiced with customers and external distributors, it sends a message that the company is “treating customers as company employees”, which means that they are trusted as if they were part of the company itself. Wu Zishen also introduced a coherent series of leadership practices that generate a truly proactive culture in the organization.

Expected learning outcomes

From this case, students will learn how to create a proactive culture in business organizations and the effect of pay-before-performance on employees' work motivation.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes and an exercise for class-based discussion are available.

Details

Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, vol. 2 no. 8
Type: Case Study
ISSN: 2045-0621

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 9 July 2024

Xuehua Li and Lei Zhang

Lots of successful space missions require that the maneuvering spacecraft can reach the target spacecraft. Therefore, research on relative reachable domain (RRD) in target orbit…

62

Abstract

Purpose

Lots of successful space missions require that the maneuvering spacecraft can reach the target spacecraft. Therefore, research on relative reachable domain (RRD) in target orbit for maneuvering spacecraft is particularly important and is currently a hot-debated topic in the field of aerospace. This paper aims at analyzing and simulating the RRD in target orbit for maneuvering spacecrafts with a single fixed-magnitude impulse and continuous thrust, respectively, to provide a basis for analyzing the feasibility of spacecraft maneuvering missions and improving the design efficiency of spacecraft maneuvering missions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the kinematics model of relative motion, RRD in target orbit for maneuvering spacecraft with a single fixed-magnitude impulse can be calculated via analyzing the relationship between orbital elements, position vector and velocity vector of spacecrafts, and relevant studies are introduced to compare simulation results for the same case and validate the method proposed in the paper. With analysis of the dynamic model of relative motion, the calculation of RRD in target orbit for maneuvering spacecraft with continuous thrust can be transformed as the solution of the optimal control problem, and example emulations are carried out to validate the method.

Findings

For the case with a single fixed-magnitude impulse, simulation results show preliminarily that the method is in agreement with the method in Ref. (Wen et al., 2016), which treats the same case and thus is plausibly correct and feasible. For the case with continuous thrust, analysis and simulation results confirm the validity of the proposed method. The methods based on relative motion in this paper can efficiently determining the RRD in target orbit for maneuvering spacecraft.

Originality/value

Both theoretical analyses and simulation results indicate that the method proposed in this paper is comparatively simple but efficient for determine the RRD in target orbit for maneuvering spacecraft swiftly and precisely.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 19 April 2022

Zhigang Lu and Xuehua Kong

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the opaque inventory information disclosure strategy for an online retailer who sells two substitutable products to customers in two…

222

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the opaque inventory information disclosure strategy for an online retailer who sells two substitutable products to customers in two selling periods.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a two-period model where an online retailer sells two substitute products with two inventory composition structures to maximize profits. The authors investigate the optimal inventory disclosure decision from both ex post and ex ante perspectives. Sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effects that discount rate, transaction cost and the probability of agreeable inventory situation have on the equilibrium disclosure outcome. The authors also consider risk-averse customers and horizontally differentiated products to highlight the robustness of our results.

Findings

The authors find that the online retailer will choose the opaque information disclosure when attempting to increase revenue and reduce the mismatch of supply and demand in both ex post and ex ante inventory information conditions. Comparing with ex post disclosure strategies, ex ante opaque disclosure is optimal in a larger price region, and the total revenues gap between opaque disclosure and complete disclosure gradually increase as discount rate, transaction cost or the probability of agreeable inventory situation decreases. Furthermore, strategic customers may tend to be risk neutral when faced with opaque inventory information in a two-period sales setting.

Originality/value

This current paper is the first paper to study the online retailer's inventory information disclosure strategy in two selling periods. Moreover, this paper presents the conditions under which the online retailer should share complete or opaque inventory information with customers to maximize the online retailer's total revenues.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 6 June 2022

Yating Wang, Mingjian Zhou, Hong Zhu and Xuehua Wu

This paper aims to explore the mechanism underlying the relationship between abusive supervision differentiation (ASD) and team performance. The moderating roles of inter-team and…

934

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the mechanism underlying the relationship between abusive supervision differentiation (ASD) and team performance. The moderating roles of inter-team and intra-team competitive climate are also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

This research collects data from 419 employees and 71 supervisors from hospitals and financial companies in China. Techniques include descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression are applied to analyze the data.

Findings

This research finds that (1) team relationship conflict mediated the relationship between ASD and team performance and (2) intra-team competitive climate strengthened the indirect relationship between ASD and team performance through team relationship conflict.

Practical implications

The results indicate that organizations should take measures to minimize the occurrence of abusive supervision. Team leaders should increase self-control and avoid abusing employees. Furthermore, organizations should establish an open and fair reward and punishment system to avoid cutthroat competition.

Originality/value

This study advances our knowledge of how ASD results in poor team effectiveness. This contributes to the literature by identifying team relationship conflict as a mediating mechanism linking the negative association of ASD with team performance. Additionally, competitive climate enriches the individual-focused team-level model of abusive supervision.

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Article
Publication date: 18 July 2008

Guijun Zhuang, Xuehua Wang, Lianxi Zhou and Nan Zhou

The purpose of this study investigates the asymmetric effects of brand origin confusion (BOC) on consumer preference and the purchase of local versus foreign brands in China…

5320

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study investigates the asymmetric effects of brand origin confusion (BOC) on consumer preference and the purchase of local versus foreign brands in China. Drawing on the general country‐of‐origin (COO) literature and recent developments in brand‐origin studies and the emerging market phenomenon globally, it proposes and test a model of the asymmetric effects of BOC on consumer preference and the purchase of local versus foreign brands in China. This study intends to help to explain from a new angle the decreasing competitiveness of foreign brands in emerging markets, such as China.

Design/methodology/approach

The study pretest on nationally distributed brands across seven product categories resulted in a final set of 67 brands: 35 foreign and 32 local. Four hundred respondents evaluated measures related to brand origin, brand awareness, brand value, brand preference, and brand purchases in the previous six months. Hierarchical regression analysis was used in data analysis.

Findings

The hypotheses on the asymmetric effects of BOC between local and foreign brands in China were mostly supported. Specifically, the results showed that local brands are likely to be in an advantageous position when there is a high level of BOC. However, as the brand knowledge of consumers increases, the effects of BOC decrease.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence of the asymmetric effects of BOC between local and foreign brands and the moderating role of brand knowledge for local brands in China. It fills a gap in the international branding and marketing communication literature, and offers meaningful managerial insights for both local and international companies to formulate effective branding and marketing communication strategies in China and possibly in other emerging markets.

Details

International Marketing Review, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-1335

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2021

Liudmila Ivanovna Khoruzhy, Roman Petrovich Bulyga, Olga Yuryevna Voronkova, Lidia Vladimirovna Vasyutkina, Natalya Ryafikovna Saenko, Andrey Leonidovich Poltarykhin and Surendar Aravindhan

Nowadays, cloud platforms are used in many fields, including e-commerce, web applications, data storage, healthcare, gaming, mobile social networks, etc. However, security and…

259

Abstract

Purpose

Nowadays, cloud platforms are used in many fields, including e-commerce, web applications, data storage, healthcare, gaming, mobile social networks, etc. However, security and privacy are still two significant concerns in this area. The target of this paper is to present a system for trust management in industrial cloud computing using the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach. MCDM techniques have been developed to accommodate a wide range of applications. As a result, hundreds of approaches have been generated with even minor variations on current approaches spawning new study fields.

Design/methodology/approach

Cloud computing provides a fully scalable, accessible and flexible computing platform for various applications. Due to the multiple applications that cloud computing has found in numerous life features, users and providers have considered providing security in cloud communications. Due to its distributive nature, dynamic space and lack of transparency in performing cloud computing, it faces many challenges in providing security. For security improvement, trust management can play a very influential role. This paper proposes a generic analytical methodology that uses a series of assessment criteria to evaluate current trust management testing prototypes in industrial cloud computing and related fields. The authors utilize a MCDM approach in the present article. Due to the multi-dimensionality of the sustainability objective and the complexities of socio-economic and biophysical processes, MCDM approaches have become progressively common in decision-making for sustainable energy.

Findings

The results of comparing and evaluating the performance of this model show its ability to manage trust and the ability to adapt to changes in the behavior of service providers quickly. Using a simulation, all results are confirmed. The results of simulations and evaluation of the present paper indicate that the proposed model provides a more accurate evaluation of the credibility of cloud service providers than other models.

Practical implications

The number of cloud services and customers is vast and extremely competitive in cloud environments, where novel cloud services and customers can join at any time, while others can withdraw whenever they want. Because of cloud services' highly dynamic and dispersed design, trust management mechanisms must be highly flexible to obtain feedback and update trust outcomes as quickly as possible. The model presented in this article tries to improve users' trust in the cloud industry.

Originality/value

Using a method (MCDM) to find the best trust management solution based on user experience in industrial cloud computing is the novelty of this paper.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 51 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 7 January 2014

Xuehua Wang, Wing Chi Chow, Zhilin Yang and Jennifer Y.M. Lai

Reputational beliefs influence online purchase intentions but are difficult to establish in settings in which counterfeit products are common, especially in emerging economies…

1758

Abstract

Purpose

Reputational beliefs influence online purchase intentions but are difficult to establish in settings in which counterfeit products are common, especially in emerging economies. Drawing upon signalling theory, this work decomposes reputational beliefs into: an ability belief, as represented by web site investment, and a truthfulness belief, as signalled by a statement about the existence of a physical store, and investigates their differential effects on online purchase intentions. This work aims to further investigate the moderating effects of searchers' personality type on the relationships between reputational beliefs and online purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments using various samples (students versus non-students) and products (cell phone versus camera) were conducted.

Findings

The results reveal that two significant market signals, web site investment and a statement about physical store existence, influence reputation beliefs, and, thus online purchase intentions. Moreover, aggressive searchers' online purchase intentions depend on their ability belief rather than their truthfulness belief, whereas non-aggressive searchers' intentions rely on their truthfulness belief rather than their ability belief.

Originality/value

This work provides new theoretical insights into factors influencing consumers' online purchase decision making by decomposing reputational beliefs and incorporating the moderating effect of personality type. It contributes to signaling literature by examining the effects of two market signals – web site investment and statement about the existence of a physical store – on two major components of reputational beliefs and online purchase intentions. This article is the first to empirically test the effects of reputational beliefs from the perspective of end-users in an online context.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 20 January 2011

Abstract

Details

International Marketing
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-448-2

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Article
Publication date: 23 June 2021

Muhammad Rashid Saeed, Umar Burki, Raza Ali, Robert Dahlstrom and Hashim Zameer

The topic of brand personality (BP) has received extensive research attention in the last 2 decades, with a particular focus on examining its antecedents and consequences. This…

1858

Abstract

Purpose

The topic of brand personality (BP) has received extensive research attention in the last 2 decades, with a particular focus on examining its antecedents and consequences. This study, therefore, systematically reviews and synthesizes extant research on antecedents and consequences of BP of consumer products.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review approach is used to identify and analyze relevant studies from five major databases and a search engine. This review identified 62 articles from 43 journals published during 1997–2018. The relevant literature germane to the research objectives is extracted from these articles.

Findings

This study identifies and classifies antecedents and consequences of BP of consumer products, along with key mediators and moderators underlying these relationships. Additionally, the study reveals pertinent characteristics of BP literature, including conceptualizations, measurements, methods, theories and research settings. Finally, this study develops an integrative conceptual model and presents avenues for future research.

Practical implications

This study provides insight to practitioners that create and develop brand personalities. The study would inform managers concerning the outcomes of BP.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first systematic review that synthesizes existing empirical research on antecedents and consequences of BP of consumer products.

Details

EuroMed Journal of Business, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1450-2194

Keywords

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