Hai Jiang, YiYing Lu, Liwen Ding, Wenzhong Lu, Guifen Fan and Yusheng Shi
Aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramics are suitable substrate and package materials for high-power integrated circuits.
Abstract
Purpose
Aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramics are suitable substrate and package materials for high-power integrated circuits.
Design/methodology/approach
Dense AlN ceramics with Y2O3 and LaF3 as sintering additives are prepared. The effects of these additives on the density, phase composition, microstructure and thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics are investigated.
Findings
Results show that 2 Wt.% Y2O3-doped additive is insufficient for the samples to achieve the full densification sintered at 1,700°C. When LaF3 is added with Y2O3, the samples are perfectly densified at the same sintering condition. The relative density and thermal conductivity of the samples are 97.8-99.07 per cent and 169.104-200.010 W·m-1·K-1, respectively. The density of the samples and their microstructure, especially the content and distribution of secondary phases, is necessary to control the thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics.
Originality/value
Y2O3 and LaF3 additives can effectively promote densification and enhance the thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics in a low sintering temperature, and the AlN ceramics added with Y2O3-LaF3 might have potential applications in package materials for high-power integrated circuits.
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Ting Nie, Lida Xie, Caijun Gong, Yiying Huang and Qiao Yan
In line with the theory of planned behavior, this study aims to examine the mediating effect of cultural identity and role identity between relational capital and adaptive…
Abstract
Purpose
In line with the theory of planned behavior, this study aims to examine the mediating effect of cultural identity and role identity between relational capital and adaptive behavior, and the moderating effect of willingness to learn.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 241 Chinese expatriates in Latin America through a two-wave survey.
Findings
The findings indicate that expatriates’ perceived relational capital can promote adaptive behaviors by enhancing their cultural identity and role identity. Willingness to learn positively moderates the indirect effects of relational capital on adaptive behaviors through cultural identity and role identity. For expatriates with a high willingness to learn, the impact of relational capital on their adaptive behaviors through cultural identity and role identity is stronger.
Originality/value
This study extends empirical research on expatriate adaptation. Organizations should promote the accumulation of expatriates’ relational capital while they are working abroad. Meanwhile, willingness to learn should be considered as a criterion when selecting expatriates.
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Yaqun Yi, Jing Ji and Chongchong Lyu
This paper aims to investigate the impact of exploratory innovation on the quality of new product development (NPD), and how do polychronicity of the top management team (TMT) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of exploratory innovation on the quality of new product development (NPD), and how do polychronicity of the top management team (TMT) and interfunctional coordination (IFC) moderate the above relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The hypotheses were tested by the survey data of 210 Chinese enterprises. Hierarchical regression analyzes were used to test the hypotheses in this research.
Findings
The results indicate that exploratory innovation facilitates NPD quality. TMT polychronicity weakens the effect of exploratory innovation on NPD quality. IFC strengthens the effect of exploratory innovation on NPD quality.
Practical implications
This study provides managers with insight on the relationship between exploratory innovation and NPD quality. To improve NPD quality, managers should be paying more attention to exploratory innovation. Furthermore, this study helps managers to understand how the relationship changes with the increases of TMT polychronicity and IFC.
Originality/value
This study highlights the value of exploratory innovation in increasing NPD quality based on the knowledge-based view. By incorporating TMT polychronicity and IFC based on the attention-based view, it offers much richer understandings of how exploratory innovation affects NPD quality.
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Dimitrios Kafetzopoulos, Spiridoula Margariti, Chrysostomos Stylios, Eleni Arvaniti and Panagiotis Kafetzopoulos
The objective of this study is to improve the food supply chain performance taking into consideration the fundamental concepts of traceability by combining the current frameworks…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to improve the food supply chain performance taking into consideration the fundamental concepts of traceability by combining the current frameworks, its principles, its implications and the emerging technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
A narrative literature review of already existing empirical research on traceability systems was conducted resulting in 862 relevant papers. Following a step-by-step sampling process, the authors ended up with 46 final samples for the literature review.
Findings
The main findings of this study include the various descriptions of the architecture of traceability systems, the different sources enabling this practice, the common desirable attributes, and the enabling technologies for the deployment and implementation of traceability systems. Moreover, several technological solutions are presented, which are currently available for traceability systems, and finally, opportunities for future research are provided.
Practical implications
It provides an insight, which could affect the implementation process of traceability in the food supply chain and consequently the effective management of a food traceability system (FTS). Managers will be able to create a traceability system, which meets users' requirements, thus enhancing the value of products and food companies.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the food supply chain and the traceability systems literature by creating a holistic picture of where something has been and where it should go. It is a starting point for each food company to design and manage its traceability system more effectively.
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Ying Yang, Paul Humphreys and Ronan McIvor
This paper aims to investigate how to improve business service quality (BSQ) in an e‐commerce environment. It also serves as a basis for developing a BSQ measurement instrument in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how to improve business service quality (BSQ) in an e‐commerce environment. It also serves as a basis for developing a BSQ measurement instrument in an e‐commerce environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines BSQ along four inter‐organisational business process transactions. The focus is mainly on understanding the buyer's expected service and identifying main BSQ dimensions to satisfy the buyers.
Findings
Four main BSQ quality dimensions including marketing service, logistics service, operations service and collaboration service are identified along the inter‐organisaitonal business process. Four propositions are then offered. Additionally, customised business service quality is also discussed.
Research limitations/implications
This research calls for a need to test the propositions through a questionnaire survey, where quantitative analysis will be conducted to identify the extent to which various BSQ dimensions affect the buyers' overall satisfaction. In addition, it would be worthwhile to investigate the linkage between BSQ and buyer performance.
Originality/value
With the rapid growth of e‐commerce, business environments are demanding higher level of service quality than ever before. In this context, the contribution of this paper is to look at how to improve BSQ along the inter‐organisational process transactions.
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Xiao Huang and Fangyan Wu
This study aims to understand how product attributes (object stimuli), social influences (social-psychological stimuli) and internal factors (internal stimuli) contribute to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand how product attributes (object stimuli), social influences (social-psychological stimuli) and internal factors (internal stimuli) contribute to Chinese Generation Z’s purchase intentions (responses) for new Chinese style apparel (NCSA) through NCSA attitudes (cognitive state) and cultural pride (affective state) based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 989 respondents aged between 18 and 29 years through self-administrated questionnaires via a professional survey panel, Credamo, in China. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
Results showed that among the seven stimuli, NCSA’s design, online social networking communities, cultural identity and personal norms significantly influenced Generation Z’s purchase intentions through both NCSA attitudes and cultural pride. Further, NCSA’s cultural connotations and celebrity influences elicited purchase intentions merely through the affective state – cultural pride. In contrast, NCSA’s functionality did not have a significant influence on NCSA attitudes and adversely affected cultural pride.
Originality/value
This study fills the research gap and extends the application of the S-O-R model within the NCSA context. The findings of this study shed light on the practical implications for marketers, brands and policymakers with regard to a better understanding of Chinese Generation Z’s NCSA consumption.
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Xunzhuo Xi, Can Chen, Rong Huang and Feng Tang
This study aims to examine whether Chinese firms increase their concerns about analysts’ earnings forecasts following the split-share structure reform (SSR) in 2005, which removed…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine whether Chinese firms increase their concerns about analysts’ earnings forecasts following the split-share structure reform (SSR) in 2005, which removed trading restrictions on approximately 70% of the shares of listed firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data from 2002 to 2019, the authors empirically test the association between meeting or beating analysts’ earnings expectations and the implementation of SSR.
Findings
The authors find that firms are more inclined to meet analysts’ earnings expectations after the introduction of SSR. Further analysis shows that firms guide analysts to walk their forecasts down by manipulating third-quarter earnings, suggesting enhanced value relevance between analysts’ forecasts and third-quarter earnings management in the postreform period.
Practical implications
The findings reveal an undesirable side effect of SSR and suggest that policymakers and regulators should consider and carefully manage the complex relationships between firms and analysts.
Originality/value
In contrast to prior studies that predominantly focus on the positive effects of the reform, this study reveals the side effects of SSR and provides new evidence on the mechanisms of meeting or beating analysts’ earnings expectations.