Yanjin Lu, Yiliang Gan, Junjie Lin, Sai Guo, Songquan Wu and Jinxin Lin
The aim of the study is to obtain dense Ni-free CoCrW parts fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technique for dental application.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the study is to obtain dense Ni-free CoCrW parts fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technique for dental application.
Design/methodology/approach
The optimum of processing CoCrW powders was investigated by the varying laser scanning speeds between 200 and 1,500 mm/s with the other parameters fixed as constants. The investigations of density, phase, mechanical property and corrosion resistance were conducted.
Findings
It was found that a maximum relative density of 99.4 per cent was obtained with the preferable laser scanning speed of 700 mm/s; the outcome from the tensile test suggested that the 0.2 per cent yield strength of the specimen fabricated at 700 mm/s satisfied the type 5 criteria in ISO22764 for dental application, whereas the electrochemical test indicated that the specimens fabricated at 700 mm/s existed excellent corrosion resistance. The high precision dental denture could be fabricated by SLM.
Originality/value
In the study, the Ni-free CoCrW parts fabricated by SLM was investigated by the tensile and electrochemical tests. The yield strength, corrosion resistance and margin fit accuracy met requirements for dental application. It was considered that the speed of 700 mm/s with the laser powers of 95 W, the track width of 0.11 mm and the layer thickness of 25 μm are promising candidates for fabricating the CoCrW parts.
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Yen-I Lee, Xuerong Lu and Yan Jin
Although uncertainty has been identified as a key crisis characteristic and a multi-faceted construct essential to effective crisis management research and practice, only a few…
Abstract
Purpose
Although uncertainty has been identified as a key crisis characteristic and a multi-faceted construct essential to effective crisis management research and practice, only a few studies examined publics' perceived uncertainty with a focus on crisis severity uncertainty, leaving crisis responsibility uncertainty uninvestigated in organizational crisis settings.
Design/methodology/approach
To close this research gap empirically, this study employed data from an online survey of a total of 817 US adults to examine how participants' crisis responsibility uncertainty and their attribution-based crisis emotions might impact their crisis responses such as further crisis information seeking.
Findings
First, findings show that participants' crisis responsibility uncertainty was negatively associated with their attribution-independent (AI) crisis emotions (i.e. anxiety, fear, apprehension and sympathy) and external-attribution-dependent (EAD) crisis emotions (i.e. disgust, contempt, anger and sadness), but positively associated with internal-attribution-dependent (IAD) crisis emotions (i.e. guilt, embarrassment and shame). Second, crisis responsibility uncertainty and AI crisis emotions were positive predictors for participants' further crisis information seeking. Third, AI crisis emotions and IAD crisis emotions were parallel mediators for the relationship between participants' crisis responsibility uncertainty and their further crisis information seeking.
Practical implications
Organizations need to pay attention to the perceived uncertainty about crisis responsibility and attribution-based crisis emotions since they can impact the decision of seeking crisis information during an ongoing organizational crisis.
Originality/value
This study improves uncertainty management in organizational crisis communication research and practice, connecting crisis responsibility uncertainty, attribution-based crisis emotions and publics' crisis information seeking.
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Xuerong Lu, Wenqing Zhao, Toni G.L.A. van der Meer and Yan Jin
As a sticky crisis challenge, toxic polarization continues to mutate and confront organizations and democratic society. How corporations engage stakeholders in social-political…
Abstract
Purpose
As a sticky crisis challenge, toxic polarization continues to mutate and confront organizations and democratic society. How corporations engage stakeholders in social-political issue communication without exacerbating the situation unexpectedly, has become a critical question for corporate communicators and crisis managers. Taking a readiness approach to proactively manage polarization-triggered threats as corporations are engaged in social-political issue communication on social media, this study examines whether and how corporations might contribute to alleviating socio-political issue polarization and facilitating stakeholder issue engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is a 3 (corporate political engagement approach: pro-issue stance vs anti-issue stance vs political CSR) × 2 (stakeholder comment valence: positive vs negative) × 2 (issue: gun control vs refugee immigration) mixed-design online experiment conducted among 1,589 US adults.
Findings
Our findings reveal both challenges and opportunities should a corporation choose to explicitly communicate its issue stance with stakeholders on social media: On one hand, it unavoidably increased stakeholders’ perceived issue polarization; on the other, the increased issue polarization perception seemed to motivate stakeholders to engage more in social-political discussion led by the corporation.
Originality/value
Our findings showcased what type of corporate engagement in controversial social-political issues is more expected in terms of its impact on perceived polarization or political discussion among stakeholders, contributing theoretically and practically to organizational readiness for social-political issue polarization challenges.
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Disinformation, false information designed with the intention to mislead, can significantly damage organizational operation and reputation, interfering with communication and…
Abstract
Purpose
Disinformation, false information designed with the intention to mislead, can significantly damage organizational operation and reputation, interfering with communication and relationship management in a wide breadth of risk and crisis contexts. Modern digital platforms and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), introduce novel risks in crisis management (Guthrie and Rich, 2022). Disinformation literature in security and computer science has assessed how previously introduced technologies have affected disinformation, demanding a systematic and coordinated approach for sustainable counter-disinformation efforts. However, there is a lack of theory-driven, evidence-based research and practice in public relations that advises how organizations can effectively and proactively manage risks and crises driven by AI (Guthrie and Rich, 2022).
Design/methodology/approach
As a first step in closing this research-practice gap, the authors first synthesize theoretical and technical literature characterizing the effects of AI on disinformation. Upon this review, the authors propose a conceptual framework for disinformation response in the corporate sector that assesses (1) technologies affecting disinformation attacks and counterattacks and (2) how organizations can proactively prepare and equip communication teams to better protect businesses and stakeholders.
Findings
This research illustrates that future disinformation response efforts will not be able to rely solely on detection strategies, as AI-created content quality becomes more and more convincing (and ultimately, indistinguishable), and that future disinformation management efforts will need to rely on content influence rather than volume (due to emerging capabilities for automated production of disinformation). Built upon these fundamental, literature-driven characteristics, the framework provides organizations actor-level and content-level perspectives for influence and discusses their implications for disinformation management.
Originality/value
This research provides a theoretical basis and practitioner insights by anticipating how AI technologies will impact corporate disinformation attacks and outlining how companies can respond. The proposed framework provides a theory-driven, practical approach for effective, proactive disinformation management systems with the capacity and agility to detect risks and mitigate crises driven by evolving AI technologies. Together, this framework and the discussed strategies offer great value to forward-looking disinformation management efforts. Subsequent research can build upon this framework as AI technologies are deployed in disinformation campaigns, and practitioners can leverage this framework in the development of counter-disinformation efforts.
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The purpose of this study was to bring a new structural hybrid design approach to improve the mechanical and biological properties of the bone scaffolds fabricated by laser powder…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to bring a new structural hybrid design approach to improve the mechanical and biological properties of the bone scaffolds fabricated by laser powder bed fusion, selective laser melting (SLM).
Design/methodology/approach
In designing the hybrid scaffolds, different unit cells were used such as dodecahedron (DCH), grid (G), octet-truss (OCT) with partially dense (PDsl) and fully dense (FDsl) surface layers. After fabrication of scaffolds on SLM machine, compression test and cell viability test were applied to observe the effect of hybrid design on mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds.
Findings
It has been observed that designing the scaffold with partially dense or FDsl surfaces did not have a critical effect on the cell viability. On the contrary, the compression strength of scaffold increased from 56 to 100 MPa when the surface layer of the scaffold was designed as FDsl surface instead of partially dense surface. It has also been observed that the scaffold having the highest hybridity (PDsl+G+DCH+OCT) delivered the highest cell viability performance and had a compressive strength slightly higher than that of the scaffolds with single unit cell, PDsl+OCT.
Originality/value
This study brings a new approach to designing femur bone scaffold for fabricating with SLM. This hybrid design approach, including different unit cells in a single scaffold, covers many requirements of femur bone in terms of mechanical and biological properties.
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Boppana V. Chowdary and Deepak Jaglal
This paper aims to present a reverse engineering (RE) approach for three-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction and fast prototyping (FP) of broken chess pieces.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a reverse engineering (RE) approach for three-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction and fast prototyping (FP) of broken chess pieces.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study involving a broken chess piece was selected to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed unconventional RE approach. Initially, a laser 3D scanner was used to acquire a (non-uniform rational B-spline) surface model of the object, which was then processed to develop a parametric computer aided design (CAD) model combined with geometric design and tolerancing (GD&T) technique for evaluation and then for FP of the part using a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine.
Findings
The effectiveness of the proposed approach for reconstruction and FP of rotational parts was ascertained through a sample part. The study demonstrates non-contact data acquisition technologies such as 3D laser scanners together with RE systems can support to capture the entire part geometry that was broken/worn and developed quickly through the application of computer aided manufacturing principles and a CNC machine. The results indicate that design communication, customer involvement and FP can be efficiently accomplished by means of an integrated RE workflow combined with rapid product development tools and techniques.
Originality/value
This research established a RE approach for the acquisition of broken/worn part data and the development of parametric CAD models. Then, the developed 3D CAD model was inspected for accuracy by means of the GD&T approach and rapidly developed using a CNC machine. Further, the proposed RE led FP approach can provide solutions to similar industrial situations wherein agility in the product design and development process is necessary to produce physical samples and functional replacement parts for aging systems in a short turnaround time.
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The purpose of this paper is to: first, divide external knowledge into different levels and understand how these different levels of external knowledge create different knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to: first, divide external knowledge into different levels and understand how these different levels of external knowledge create different knowledge networks. Second, explore the relation among different levels of external knowledge, different types of knowledge and their influences on innovation. Different types of knowledge may act as mediators between different levels of external knowledge and innovation performance are also discussed. Third, further explicate the possible reasons behind the phenomena observed in the first and second objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The quantitative and qualitative research methods were adopted in this study. In terms of the quantitative research method, data were collected from 157 information and communications technology (ICT) companies in Zhangjiang. There were 38 interviews carried out using the qualitative research method. Interviewees included 26 directors from the Zhangjiang ICT chip companies and 12 directors from China’s domestic mobile phone manufacturing sector.
Findings
This study finds out that the source of external knowledge in the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park is mostly derived from cross-regional and cross-national connections. Through the connection with global companies, the firms in Zhangjiang acquire technical knowledge. Also, through the interaction with cross-regional companies, the firms in Zhangjiang absorb market knowledge. The results of this study indicate that the cross-regional connections are spurred by the increasing demand of the Chinese domestic market and the government’s support for cross-regional interactions. Cross-national connections are encouraged and led by the Chinese Government after China’s 3G communication standard is adopted.
Research limitations/implications
This study is built upon a case study in Zhangjiang of China. The findings of this study may not be applicable to other countries or regions in China. Also, this study only focusses on the ICT industry in Zhangjiang. Knowledge from different industries is not included in this study. In addition, the formal and informal knowledge flow is neglected in this study as well.
Practical implications
The findings of this study provide business executives and policymakers with a new way of thinking about the development of industrial clusters and local firms. Firms may be able to find new ways to raise innovation performance using different external knowledge.
Originality/value
The major contribution of this study is an initial attempt to provide a comprehensive analysis of external knowledge of industrial clusters, different types of knowledge and their influences on innovation performance. Moreover, the mediating effects of different types of knowledge are also discussed.
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Fusheng Xie, Ling Gao and Peiyu Xie
This paper examines the different features of China's economic development in different stages of economic globalization. The study finds that the investment- and export-based…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the different features of China's economic development in different stages of economic globalization. The study finds that the investment- and export-based growth model drove China's high-speed economic growth between 2000 and 2007, which came into existence around 2000 when China plugged into the global production network.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper also finds that China slowed down to the New Normal because of the disruption to the socio-economic underpinnings of this growth model. As China adapts to and steers the New Normal, supply-side structural reforms can channel excess capacity to the construction of underground pipe networks in rural areas of central China and fix capital while advance rural revitalization.
Findings
At the same time, enterprises must strive to build a key component development platform for key component innovation and the standard-setting power in global manufacturing.
Originality/value
The establishment of a domestic production network integrating the integrated innovation-driven core enterprises and modular producers at different levels can satisfy the dynamic demand structure of China in which standardized demands and personalized demands coexist.
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External knowledge should not be limited in one zone or level. Researchers have paid more attention to the perspective of multilevel cluster networks. However, little research has…
Abstract
Purpose
External knowledge should not be limited in one zone or level. Researchers have paid more attention to the perspective of multilevel cluster networks. However, little research has empirically studied the various dimensions of external knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to study different levels of external knowledge, their relation with trade and non-trade interdependence and their relation with different kinds of innovations, namely, exploitation and exploration.
Design/methodology/approach
Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were adopted in this study. In terms of the quantitative research method, data were collected from 168 companies in the Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park of China using convenience sampling. As for the qualitative research method, a total of 35 interviews were carried out in this study.
Findings
The quantitative results indicate that different levels of external knowledge in the Shenzhen Hi-Tech Park have different effects. First of all, the results indicate that cross-national connections have a positive influence on trade interdependence, which helps firms to produce exploration. Second, cross-regional connections have a positive influence on both trade and non-trade interdependence, which further help firms to create innovative exploitation and exploration. Third, inter-regional connections have a positive influence on non-trade interdependence, which helps firms to increase innovative exploitation. The qualitative result makes a plausible explanation for the quantitative results. The interview results indicate that as the telecommunications industry has so much to do with China’s national security, there are several initiatives of market protection strategies and political interventions, which help firms to form different levels of knowledge flow in Shenzhen.
Research limitations/implications
There are several limitations of this study which primarily relate to the case study method. The results can be contextually generalized to the domestic-oriented cluster in developing countries.
Practical implications
This study has several managerial implications. First, this research ensures that it is important to consider the multilevel nature of external knowledge before starting with the decision-making process of a firm in a cluster. Second, all levels of administrators and managers in a company should investigate what kinds of involvement and innovation are needed and most highly valued for organizational development. Third, the research framework of this study can be applied to understand which level of external knowledge influences organizational performance.
Originality/value
This study is an initial attempt to provide an examination of external knowledge, organizational involvement and innovation performance of an industrial cluster via a mixed method.
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This paper aims to understand the implication of night soil selling at the public toilets for the shared interests between colonial state and business in nineteenth-century Hong…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the implication of night soil selling at the public toilets for the shared interests between colonial state and business in nineteenth-century Hong Kong. More specifically, this paper attempts to look at the ways the toilets were sustained by the sharing interests over night soil profits between state and business sector.
Design/methodology/approach
It is argued from the political economy perspective that the night soil profit determined the public toilet development.
Findings
The successful emergence of the modern state of colonies was generally attributed to colonial modernization, a force that was widely recognized for having introduced hygienic modernity. It was easily assumed that the public toilets would be provided by colonial government. Instead, sanitary problems during the early colonization of this colony were addressed by the privately-owned public pail toilets provided by big Chinese landowners through the selling of night soil. Based on this quasi-commercial mode, these toilets, which served as night soil collection points, were certainly inefficient; they however survived for half a century into the early twentieth century.
Originality/value
The paper challenges the long-established assumptions of binary relations and hierarchical public roles that put them into zero-sum competition of capacity. It rather argues that the interests aligned with each other.