Yukun Wei, Leyang Dai, YanFei Fang, Chen Xing Sheng and Xiang Rao
The purpose of this paper is to enhance the characteristics of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Because these NPs stick together easily and are difficult to distribute evenly, they…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to enhance the characteristics of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Because these NPs stick together easily and are difficult to distribute evenly, they cannot be used extensively in lubricating oils. Altering TiO2 was recommended as an alternate way for making NPs simpler to disperse.
Design/methodology/approach
Through dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBDP)-assisted ball mill diagnostics and modeling of molecular dynamics, TiO2@PEG-400 NPs were produced using the DBDP-assisted ball mill. The NPs’ microstructure was examined using FESEM, TEM, XRD, FT-IR and TG-DSC. Using the CFT-1 reciprocating friction tester, the tribological properties of TiO2@PEG-400 NPs as base oil additives were studied. EDS and XPS were used to examine the surface wear of the friction pair.
Findings
Tribological properties of the modified NPs are vastly superior to those of the original NPs, and the lipophilicity value of TiO2 NPs was improved by 200%. It was determined through tribological testing that TiO2@PEG-400’s exceptional performance might be attributable to a chemical reaction film made up of TiO2, Fe2O3, iron oxide and other organic chemicals.
Originality/value
This work describes an approach for preventing the aggregation of TiO2 NPs by coating their surface with PEG-400. In addition, the prepared NPs can enhance the tribological performance of lubricating oil. This low-cost, high-performance lubricant additive has tremendous promise for usage in marine engines to minimize operating costs while preserving navigational safety.
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Yanmei Huang, Changrui Deng, Xiaoyuan Zhang and Yukun Bao
Despite the widespread use of univariate empirical mode decomposition (EMD) in financial market forecasting, the application of multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the widespread use of univariate empirical mode decomposition (EMD) in financial market forecasting, the application of multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD) has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study is to forecast the stock price index more accurately, relying on the capability of MEMD in modeling the dependency between relevant variables.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative and comprehensive assessments were carried out to compare the performance of some selected models. Data for the assessments were collected from three major stock exchanges, namely, the standard and poor 500 index from the USA, the Hang Seng index from Hong Kong and the Shanghai Stock Exchange composite index from China. MEMD-based support vector regression (SVR) was used as the modeling framework, where MEMD was first introduced to simultaneously decompose the relevant covariates, including the opening price, the highest price, the lowest price, the closing price and the trading volume of a stock price index. Then, SVR was used to set up forecasting models for each component decomposed and another SVR model was used to generate the final forecast based on the forecasts of each component. This paper named this the MEMD-SVR-SVR model.
Findings
The results show that the MEMD-based modeling framework outperforms other selected competing models. As per the models using MEMD, the MEMD-SVR-SVR model excels in terms of prediction accuracy across the various data sets.
Originality/value
This research extends the literature of EMD-based univariate models by considering the scenario of multiple variables for improving forecasting accuracy and simplifying computability, which contributes to the analytics pool for the financial analysis community.
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Md Shamim Talukder, Raymond Chiong, Yukun Bao and Babur Hayat Malik
The purpose of this paper is to identify the key facilitators and inhibitors of fitness wearable technology (FWT) adoption and the intention to recommend this technology.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the key facilitators and inhibitors of fitness wearable technology (FWT) adoption and the intention to recommend this technology.
Design/methodology/approach
An innovative and integrated research model was developed by combining constructs from two well-established theoretical models, the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and diffusion of innovation (DOI). The proposed research model was empirically validated using data collected from 392 respondents in China. The data was analyzed using the partial least squares method, a statistical analysis technique based on structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results indicate that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, habit, compatibility and innovativeness have significant direct and indirect effects on FWT adoption and the intention to recommend it. The significance of people’s intention to recommend FWT to others in social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Weibo, and WeChat) is also confirmed.
Practical implications
The findings may facilitate the design and implementation of FWT products, applications and functionalities that can achieve high consumer acceptance and positive recommendations in social networks.
Originality/value
This study is among the first to investigate FWT adoption from behavioral, social and environmental perspectives. It also highlights the importance of social marketing campaigns and suggests directions of future wearable technology adoption research.
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Asela Indunil Gunesekera, Yukun Bao and Mboni Kibelloh
The purpose of this study is to review the effect of usability factors on e-learning user relationships, namely, student–student interaction (SSI), student–instructor interaction…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to review the effect of usability factors on e-learning user relationships, namely, student–student interaction (SSI), student–instructor interaction (SII) and student–content interaction (SCI), in the existing e-learning literature. Further, this study intended to identify whether usability contributes to the satisfaction of e-learners.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has undertaken a systematic review using the PRISMA methodology to filter the literature in the domain of e-learning with respect to usability concerns using six databases. An analytical framework has been formulated to evaluate the literature against different dimensions of interactions and usability.
Findings
Results reveal that while SSI has grabbed 71.4 per cent research attention with respect to usability factors of e-learning systems, SCI has been given the least focus, i.e. 26.6 per cent. According to the results, e-learning systems’ usability issues influence the user relationships and affect the user satisfaction, which will lead to lack of user continuity.
Practical implications
The findings of this review will provide insights to instructional designers to construct more satisfied learning content for the users. The analysis framework of this study will encourage researchers to drive future research in e-learning along with the concern of usability.
Originality/value
This research emphasizes on the importance of SCI to focus future e-learning research on a different angle, in addition to SSI and SII. The analysis framework of this study will provide different dimensions, specifically for the empirical research in the domain of e-learning.
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Jianpeng Fan, Yukun Fan, Jie He and Huichuan Dai
Enterprise innovation depends on the innovative behaviour of employees. The relationship between leaders and employees has a significant impact on employees' attitudes and…
Abstract
Purpose
Enterprise innovation depends on the innovative behaviour of employees. The relationship between leaders and employees has a significant impact on employees' attitudes and behaviours. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to explore how a good leader–member relationship (LMR) motivates employees' innovative behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on 316 questionnaires completed by the members of 53 organisations, SPSS 25.0, Mplus 8.0 and HLM 6.08 were used to analyse the internal mechanisms of LMRs and employees' innovative behaviour.
Findings
The study identified the following findings: first, LMR was positively correlated with employees' innovative behaviour; second, perceived supervisor support and followership behaviour played mediating roles between leader–member relationship and employees' innovative behaviour and third, organisational political climate was negatively correlated with employees' innovative behaviour and played a moderating role in the relationship between LMR and employees' innovative behaviour.
Originality/value
The results of this study have clarified the transmission mechanism between LMRs and employees' innovative behaviour while providing useful references for improving the effectiveness of human resource management in organisations.
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Nattaporn Thongsri, Liang Shen, Yukun Bao and Ibraheem Mubarak Alharbi
The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence the intention to use mobile learning (m-learning) by learners in developing countries such as Thailand. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence the intention to use mobile learning (m-learning) by learners in developing countries such as Thailand. This study integrated two theories; namely, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), which focuses on technology, and uses and gratifications theory (UGT), which involves studying learners’ motivation.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying a quantitative research method, this study conducted a survey of 359 undergraduates. The partial least squares methods and a statistical analysis technique based on the structural equation modelling (SEM), were used to analyse the data.
Findings
The results revealed that the performance expectancy, cognitive need, affective need and social need had significant effect on intention to use m-learning. Furthermore, this study found a significant effect of the cognitive need on the performance expectancy and social need on effort expectancy.
Practical implications
This research model has provided guidelines for the effective development of educational applications for use on mobile devices. The findings can be applied as guidelines for public organizations to develop educational strategies to further encourage the development of online learning.
Originality/value
This research closed a gap of understanding from previous studies by integrating UTAUT and UGT. The method derived from the theoretically integrated model could be applied to study the intentions for the implementation the mobile learning application from the context of developing countries such as Thailand.
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Nattaporn Thongsri, Liang Shen and Bao Yukun
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of mobile assisted language learning (MALL) in vocabulary learning among English foreign language learners in China with a lens…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of mobile assisted language learning (MALL) in vocabulary learning among English foreign language learners in China with a lens on academic major difference. This study hypothesizes that academic majors including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM differentiate the learners’ perception of computer self-efficacy (CSE) and MALL learning performance as well as moderate the effect of CSE on language learning performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Sample data for this study were collected from 200 university students enrolled in both STEM and non-STEM majors. Under the quasi-experiment, this study had been conducted vocabulary training, pre-test, post-test and a questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, a statistical analysis technique based on ANOVA and regression were used to analyze the data.
Findings
The results support hypotheses that CSE, learning score and satisfaction are rated higher for STEM students than non-STEM ones and indicate the effect of CSE on language learning performance is stronger for STEM students than non-STEM ones in using MALL.
Originality/value
This paper addressed important issues in language learning on the academic major difference. The findings would be the guidelines for educational organizations to motivate and stimulate students with sustainable self-confidence important not only for improvement in students’ language learning achievements and outcomes but also for the advancement of mobile technology in language learning.
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Md. Shamim Talukder, Samuli Laato, A.K.M. Najmul Islam and Yukun Bao
Wearable health technologies (WHTs) show promise in improving the health and well-being of the aging population because they promote healthy lifestyles. They can be used to…
Abstract
Purpose
Wearable health technologies (WHTs) show promise in improving the health and well-being of the aging population because they promote healthy lifestyles. They can be used to collect health information from users and encourage them to be physically active. Despite potential benefits of WHTs, recent studies have shown that older people have low continued use intention toward WHTs. Previous work on this topic is disjointed, and new theoretical viewpoints are required.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors propose an enablers and inhibitors perspective to model factors influencing continued use intention of WHTs among the elderly. To test the model, we collected data from Chinese elderly (N = 295) who had prior experience using WHTs.
Findings
The study results show that social value is the strongest enabler of continued WHT use, and emotional and epistemic values and device quality also increase use continuance. Inertia and technology anxiety were identified as significant inhibitors. A post hoc importance performance map analysis revealed that while emotional value is a highly significant predictor of continued WHT use, existing WHTs do not stimulate such value in our sample.
Research limitations/implications
The research findings illustrate the importance of incorporating user resistance in technology acceptance studies in general and WHT usage studies in particular. This study contributes by providing an integrative model of technology continued use intention for the elderly along with practical implications for policymakers.
Originality/value
A limited number of prior studies have taken both enablers and inhibitors into account when explaining continued WHT use intention among the elderly. This paper fills this research gap and contributes to the WHT literature by considering both enablers and inhibitors in the same model. Moreover, this study contributes to the ongoing research on WHT, and more broadly, gerontechnology use among the elderly.
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Abul Khayer, Yukun Bao and Bang Nguyen
This study aims to investigate the determinants of successful implementation of cloud computing and, further, examines how cloud computing success influences firm performance.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the determinants of successful implementation of cloud computing and, further, examines how cloud computing success influences firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors developed a conceptual framework based on the integration of several strands of literature in business studies and information systems. To test the proposed model, data were collected from 300 Chinese firms which have adopted cloud computing. To analyze the data, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used. An importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) was also conducted to identify the critical factors that exhibit high importance but low performance.
Findings
The results of the study revealed that end-user satisfaction, information quality, system quality, managerial information technology (IT) capability and technical IT capability significantly affect cloud computing success. Additionally, cloud computing success has a strong and positive impact on firm performance. IPMA further confirms that managers need to concentrate more on system quality, information quality, user satisfaction and technical IT capability.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the few attempts to integrate several theoretical frameworks (i.e. IT capabilities and resource-based view, expectation-confirmation theory, and information system success theory) to develop a comprehensive model for understanding the key determinants of cloud computing success and its impact on firm performance. This study makes a useful contribution to the conventional information systems (IS) literature and IT management practice.
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Zi Xuan Chan, Yibai Wang, Lin Yuan, Xiaoyun Chen and Yukun Feng
Building on upper echelons theory, this study explores the influence of managerial cognition on firm innovation during times of crisis. Specifically, we aim to disentangle the…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on upper echelons theory, this study explores the influence of managerial cognition on firm innovation during times of crisis. Specifically, we aim to disentangle the concept of cognitive complexity by examining how CEOs’ cognitive depth and cognitive width differently influence their firms’ innovation outcomes. Additionally, we investigate how organizational slack moderates the impact of these cognitive attributes on innovation, providing a deeper understanding of the conditions under which managerial cognition drives firm adaptability in crises.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilized a sample of 115 listed US firms ranked in the top 200 in terms of market capitalization share in 2020. We measured the key variables by analyzing text and archival data from interviews with CEOs, particularly focusing on their discussions regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regression analysis was employed to test the hypothesized relationships in the research model.
Findings
The results reveal that under the crisis, CEO cognitive depth enhances firm innovation, while CEO cognitive width impedes firm innovation. Moreover, organizational slack weakens the positive relationship between CEO cognitive complexity and innovation.
Research limitations/implications
This study significantly contributes to and extends the established body of research on a leader’s cognition during a crisis. Our study goes beyond traditional views of cognitive complexity by highlighting the distinct impacts of two critical elements: cognitive depth and width, on decision-making processes. This study contributed to the innovative decision-making literature by opening up the black box behind the decision-making process of innovation during uncertainty. This underscores the multifaceted nature of cognitive processes in innovation, highlighting the interplay between cognitive depth, cognitive width and organizational resources in driving firm innovative outcomes during the crisis. We also broaden the temporal scope of empirical research on CEO cognition by gathering data from CEO interviews conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Practical implications
This study reveals that when CEOs have a broader focus and attend to a wide range of information, their ability to quickly utilize firm resources for formulating competitive actions decreases during uncertainty. Consequently, it is crucial for CEOs to acknowledge the limitations of their attentional capacity. The allocation of their attention and information processing capacity has significant implications for their innovative decision-making processes, particularly in navigating through crises.
Social implications
Our study finds that excessive attention during times of crisis may not necessarily be beneficial to firm innovation. An excessive focus on problems can lead to scattered attention, impairing judgment and decision-making abilities. Moreover, excessive attention to problems may trigger panic and unnecessary stress, further impacting decision quality. High cognitive width can trap teams in short-term thinking and emergency mode, neglecting long-term strategies and opportunities such as innovation investment. Yet, firms with more slack resources can reduce the negative impacts of cognitive depth.
Originality/value
This study proposes a comprehensive cognitive model to understand managers’ decision-making during a crisis. The research posits that different dimensions of CEOs’ managerial cognition have distinct impacts on firm innovation in crisis environments. This study significantly contributes to the study of managerial cognition and innovation literature.