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1 – 10 of 172Guotao Zhang, Zan Zhang, Zhaochang Wang, Yanhong Sun, Baohong Tong and Deyu Tu
The lubricating fluid stored in the porous matrix will spontaneously exude to supplement the lubricating film in the damaged area, thus ensuring the long-term self-lubricating…
Abstract
Purpose
The lubricating fluid stored in the porous matrix will spontaneously exude to supplement the lubricating film in the damaged area, thus ensuring the long-term self-lubricating function of the porous surface. To reveal the repair mechanism of oil film, it is necessary to understand the flow characteristics of oil in micropores. The purpose of this study guides the design of micropore structure to realize the rapid exudation of oil to the porous surface and the rapid repair of the lubricating film.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, cylindrical orifice, convergent orifice and divergent orifice were studied. The numerical model of lubricating oil exudation in micropores was established. The distribution characteristics of oil pressure, velocity and three-phase contact line in the process of oil exudation were investigated. The effects of different orifice shapes and orifice structure parameters on the pinning and spreading characteristics of oil droplet were analyzed. Then the internal mechanisms of oil droplet formation and spread on the orifice surface were summarized.
Findings
The results show that during the process of oil exudation, the three-phase contact line of the oil drop is pinned once at the edge of the cylindrical and convergent orifice. Compared with the three orifice structures, the inlet pressure of the oil drop is low, and the oil velocity at the pinning point is stable in the divergent orifice. Resulting in favorable oil exudation. It is easier for oil droplet to depin by appropriately reducing the wall wetting angle, increasing the aperture or controlling the wall inclination angle. Ensure the self-healing and long-lasting lubrication film of porous oil-bearing surfaces.
Practical implications
The effect of pore structure on the flow behavior of lubricating fluid has always been concerned. But the mechanism by which different orifice shape affect the pinning behavior of oil droplets is not yet clear, which is crucial for understanding the self-healing mechanism of oil films on porous surfaces. It is meaningful to analyze the mechanism of oil exudation and spreading on the porous surface of oil in the special orifice, to optimize the design of the orifice structure.
Originality/value
Orifice shape has influence on internal flow field parameters. There is no report on the influence of orifice shape on the film formation process of oil seepage and diffusion from pores. The effects of different orifice shapes and orifice structure parameters on the characteristics of oil droplet pinning and diffusion were studied.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2024-0118/
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Xueguo Xu and Hetong Yuan
Breakthrough technological innovation is of vital significance for firms to acquire and maintain sustainable competitive advantages. The construction of an innovation ecosystem…
Abstract
Purpose
Breakthrough technological innovation is of vital significance for firms to acquire and maintain sustainable competitive advantages. The construction of an innovation ecosystem and the interaction with heterogeneous participants have emerged as a new dominant model for driving sustained breakthrough technological innovation in firms. This study aims to explore the effects of collaborative modes within the innovation ecosystem on firms’ breakthrough technological innovation and the ecological legitimacy mechanisms involved.
Design/methodology/approach
The research employs data from 212 innovative firms and conducts empirical research using a two-stage structural equation modeling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that firm-firm collaboration (FF), firm-user collaboration (FU), firm-government collaboration (FG), firm-university-institute collaboration (FUI) and firm-intermediary collaboration (FI) all have significant positive effects on breakthrough technological innovation (BTI), with FU being particularly crucial. Furthermore, the results confirm the positive moderating effects of ecological legitimacy (EL) on the relationships between FF and BTI, as well as between FU and BTI. Conversely, EL has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between FUI and BTI, as well as between FI and breakthrough technological innovation. Additionally, EL does not have a significant influence on the relationship between FG and BTI.
Originality/value
Through resource dependence theory (RDT), this study unveils the black box of how collaboration modes within innovation ecosystems impact breakthrough technological innovation. By introducing ecological legitimacy as a contextual factor, a new research perspective is provided for collaboration innovation within innovation ecosystems. The study employs a combination of SEM and ANN for modeling, complementing nonlinear relationships and obtaining robust results in complex mechanisms.
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Xiaohui Zhan and Yun Liu
The topic of employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) has attracted more and more interest in both practice and academic fields. However, previous studies have…
Abstract
Purpose
The topic of employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) has attracted more and more interest in both practice and academic fields. However, previous studies have mainly investigated the antecedents of UPB and little research has discussed the outcome variables. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effect mechanism of UPB on employee performance evaluation rated by a supervisor through a leader-member exchange (LMX) and the moderating role of supervisor bottom-line mentality (BLM).
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a sample consisting of 304 employees and 96 supervisors in several manufacturing firms in China. The authors used hierarchical linear modeling to test the hypotheses, as this was cross-level research. In addition, this paper also uses Mplus7.4 to test the moderating effects of supervisor BLM on the indirect effects between the UPB and performance evaluation by a moderated path analysis.
Findings
The results confirm that UPB is positively related to performance evaluation rated by supervisors. Additionally, the mediating effect of LMX in the relationship between UPB and performance evaluation is successfully demonstrated. Furthermore, supervisor BLM cross-levelly moderates the relationship between UPB and LMX, as well as moderates the mediation effect of LMX on the correlation between UPB and performance evaluation.
Research limitations/implications
The primary contribution of this research is building a cross-level model for the effect of UPB on followers’ performance evaluation scored by the supervisor and thereby extending the nomological networks of both UPB and performance evaluation literature. Another contribution the study makes to the literature is that it provides a new perspective to understand how UPB relates to followers’ performance evaluation.
Originality/value
This is the first study about how and when UPB predicts followers’ performance evaluation rated by the supervisor.
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Luca Zan and Qingmei Xue
Transformations taking place in China are of crucial importance in the development of the world economy. The international community is turning its attention to China's move…
Abstract
Purpose
Transformations taking place in China are of crucial importance in the development of the world economy. The international community is turning its attention to China's move towards a market economy and assessing the likely impact on the years ahead. This paper aims to plot the evolution of administrative reforms in China with particular reference to the state (and therefore public sector), because the modernization of the state is an issue that will persist into the future, and because the state itself was driving the country's transformation towards a market economy in a deliberate way.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper revisits the debate on administrative reforms at different levels, i.e. fiscal, budgeting, government organizations, and public sector units (PSUs). In addition to reconstructing the evolution of norms and procedures as part of deliberate strategies by the center, the paper also investigates how actual practices at the micro level have followed this process of reform, with reference to the administration of cultural heritage at the municipal level, based on a field research project.
Findings
A lack of understanding of the role played by actual accounting transformation seems to characterize the current debate on policies. Serious discrepancies can be found between expectations and actual changes; between macro and micro policies, and micro practices.
Originality/value
An holistic focus on various trend of reforms is taken, looking at debates that are usually separated, also linking them to actual changes in accounting practice.
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Jin-yuan Qian, Zan Wu, Qian-Kun Zhang, Zhi-Jiang Jin and Bengt Ake Sunden
The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of dimple geometries and arrangements on the heat transfer enhancement in a dimple jacketed heat exchanger.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of dimple geometries and arrangements on the heat transfer enhancement in a dimple jacketed heat exchanger.
Design/methodology/approach
For the purpose of this paper, with the experimental validated numerical model, this paper carries out numerical simulations of both single dimples with different geometries and the whole dimple jacketed heat exchanger with different dimple arrangements. For a single dimple, its secondary vortex flow, temperature differences and the pressure drop performance for different geometries are analyzed. For the whole dimple jacketed heat exchanger, the heat transfer and pressure drop performances are investigated by comparing the no dimple, triangular and rectangular dimple arrangements.
Findings
Results show that dimples can improve the heat transfer efficiency compared with conventional jacketed heat exchanger, and specific geometries and arrangement of dimples for better heat transfer performance are figured out.
Originality/value
This paper considers both dimple geometries and arrangements, which can be useful for further applications in specific integrated devices or similar applications.
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Yue He, Zan Mo and Huijian Fu
Downward line extension is a valuable growth strategy that enables multiple products and services to meet diverse customer needs. However, downward extended products launched by…
Abstract
Purpose
Downward line extension is a valuable growth strategy that enables multiple products and services to meet diverse customer needs. However, downward extended products launched by high-status brands may be challenged by horizontal extended products launched by relatively low-status brands when these two types of products target similar consumers. This study aims to examine the impact of product type (horizontal extended versus downward extended) on consumers’ purchase intentions, the underlying mechanism and the moderating role of power distance belief.
Design/methodology/approach
Four scenario-based experiments were conducted to probe the research questions.
Findings
Consumers develop lower purchase intentions for downward (versus horizontal) extended products due to the reduction of perceived fit and self-congruity (Study 1). Beyond that, power distance belief moderates the impact of product type on consumers’ purchase intentions, as a low power distance belief reduces the negative effect of downward line extension (Studies 2a, 2b and 2c). Perceived fit and self-congruity mediate the interaction effect between product type and power distance belief on consumers’ purchase intentions (Study 2c).
Practical implications
This study provides marketing practitioners with guidance on implementing the strategy of downward line extension.
Originality/value
This study serves as a preliminary effort to compare consumers’ responses between downward and horizontal extended products, which deepens the understanding of downward line extension. It also contributes to the body of knowledge about line extension and power distance belief by demonstrating the moderating role of power distance belief in a line extension context.
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Yan-Chun Zhang, Wu-Zan Luo, Ming Shan, Dong-Wen Pan and Wen-Jie Mu
The aims of this study are to conduct a systematic review of public–private partnership (PPP) studies published from 2009 to 2019, to compare the results with Ke et al. (2009) who…
Abstract
Purpose
The aims of this study are to conduct a systematic review of public–private partnership (PPP) studies published from 2009 to 2019, to compare the results with Ke et al. (2009) who reviewed the PPP literature published from 1998 to 2008, and to trace the evolution of the PPP knowledge in the past two decades. This study also presents the possible directions that the PPP research may go towards in the future, arguably.
Design/methodology/approach
This study carried out a top journal-based search to identify the quality PPP articles published from 2009 to 2019. A total of 12 top-tier construction journals were systematically searched in the database of web of science (WOS), from which 279 PPP articles were identified for review.
Findings
The number of the identified articles, the titles of the journals, institutions, the most cited papers, and prevalent research methods were analyzed and compared. The existing PPP studies in construction journals were classified into seven streams. Through analysis of the PPP research status and gaps, five future research directions were revealed.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the current body of knowledge by revealing the research trend of PPP from 2009 to 2019. It presents the change of PPP development trend in the past decade through comparison with Ke et al. (2009). It also reveals the major research streams and points out the directions that the PPP research may go towards in the future. Moreover, this study is helpful to the practice as well. It can enhance the practitioners' understanding of the PPP development in the past decade. In addition, it identified the research institutions contributing the most in the area of PPP, which may serve as valuable reference for practitioners to locate the best institutions for consultancy or collaboration.
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Zhengyi Zhang, Jun Jin, Ting Wen and Zan Chen
With the fierce competition in a knowledge economy, knowledge-intensive enterprises (KIEs) make technological progress in their catching-up processes through implementing product…
Abstract
Purpose
With the fierce competition in a knowledge economy, knowledge-intensive enterprises (KIEs) make technological progress in their catching-up processes through implementing product innovation and process innovation. In this study, the aim is to understand the determinants of enterprise innovation type in China's catch-up environment. Further, this paper intends to deal with two related questions. First, what effect does the internal knowledge base have on KIEs' technology innovation activities? Second, considering the technology gap and technology development speed, what are the different impacts of the knowledge base on the type of technology innovation activities?
Design/methodology/approach
This paper collected data from 212 KIEs in China through a two-stage questionnaire survey, combined with statistical data for research. The hypothesis was tested by regression analysis. Specifically, descriptive statistics and regression analysis are introduced to test the hypothetical relationship between the knowledge base and technology innovation. Meanwhile, multiple regression is used to test whether there is any difference in the influence of technology gap and technology development speed on enterprise knowledge base and technology innovation. Finally, the corresponding robustness tests are done.
Findings
This study finds that in a sample of Yangtze River Delta KIEs, firms' knowledge base influences innovation types. Specifically, the knowledge base width (KBW) and knowledge base depth (KBD) positively influence process innovation, and KBD positively affects product innovation. Regarding the effects of catch-up context factors on KIEs’ innovation choice, a wide technology gap tends to positively influence product innovation in industries with high levels of KBW. Moreover, when technology development speed is high, its potential positive influence on process innovation will be more significant for industries with deeper knowledge bases.
Originality/value
This paper fills the research gap that existing studies ignore the relationship between types of technology innovation and knowledge base dimensions, especially for KIEs. First, this paper deepens the understanding of the impact mechanism of KIEs' existing knowledge base on innovation activities; the unique use of resources by enterprises is the basis of enterprises' competitive advantage and will become enterprises' competitive advantage. Second, this study indicates that against different backdrops of technology gap and technology development speed, enterprises with different knowledge bases will adopt different types of technology innovation activities. Third, this paper shows that a wider technology gap provides broader innovation space, so the technology gap plays a pulling role in KBW and product innovation, thus pushing forward enterprises' technological catch-up.
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John Anderson, Dylan Sutherland, Fan Zhang and Yangyang Zan
Many academic studies in international business empirically test the determinants of Chinese outward (O)FDI. A weakness with these studies is the limited critical evaluation given…
Abstract
Purpose
Many academic studies in international business empirically test the determinants of Chinese outward (O)FDI. A weakness with these studies is the limited critical evaluation given to the way in which Chinese OFDI data is collected and used. Chinese multinational enterprises (C)MNEs frequently establish special purpose entities in tax havens to transit FDI via intermediary jurisdictions. The purpose of this paper is to develop an alternative approach for measuring CMNE OFDI and subsequently explore how the results of previous studies may have been confounded use of tax havens by MNEs. The authors address the latter question by replicating widely cited quantitative studies.
Design/methodology/approach
Replication approach.
Findings
Through the replication of several studies, this paper finds high levels of discrepancies in general sign and significance between global ultimate ownership modeling results and those using officially recorded FDI data. More specifically, the main areas impacted by using official data rather than data which accounts for the use of tax havens are cultural proximity, geographic distance and natural resource seeking.
Practical implications
This paper looks at studies, which use official FDI data to understand CMNE behavior. It is important to note, however, that there are many hundreds, if not thousands, of studies that use other national-level FDI data to draw similar types of inferences about MNE activity. In this sense, the authors’ critical evaluation of CMNE work holds a much broader and, arguably, more important question: How reliable, in general, are studies, which use officially recorded FDI data? The results from this paper have already caused reflection on the impact of tax haven use on official FDI collection organizations, such as the OECD.
Social implications
The social implications of companies using tax havens to route FDI is immense. The use of tax havens not only aids in tax minimization for companies, but also obscures the true providence and identity of companies. This is problematic in a society, which increasingly desires to understand where, how and by whom a product or service was created prior to consumption.
Originality/value
This paper argues that the tendency for Chinese MNEs to establish offshore holding companies in tax havens has given rise to significant biases in official FDI statistics. Through the use of global ultimate ownership data, the authors have put forward an alternate approach to measure genuine CMNEs’ OFDI activity, one which confronts and deals with their pervasive engagement with tax havens. Through the replication of several Chinese OFDI location choice studies, it was possible to understand how methodological issues stemming from the use of official FDI data may influence prior econometric results. In doing so, the authors hope to have sparked a debate which may lead to a re-evaluation of earlier received wisdom regarding Chinese MNE investment strategy and behaviors. This in turn should foster improved theorizing regarding the Chinese MNE and its outward investment activities.
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Lin Feng, Yang Liu, Zan Li, Meng Zhang, Feilong Wang and Shenglan Liu
The purpose of this paper is to promote the efficiency of RGB-depth (RGB-D)-based object recognition in robot vision and find discriminative binary representations for RGB-D based…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to promote the efficiency of RGB-depth (RGB-D)-based object recognition in robot vision and find discriminative binary representations for RGB-D based objects.
Design/methodology/approach
To promote the efficiency of RGB-D-based object recognition in robot vision, this paper applies hashing methods to RGB-D-based object recognition by utilizing the approximate nearest neighbors (ANN) to vote for the final result. To improve the object recognition accuracy in robot vision, an “Encoding+Selection” binary representation generation pattern is proposed. “Encoding+Selection” pattern can generate more discriminative binary representations for RGB-D-based objects. Moreover, label information is utilized to enhance the discrimination of each bit, which guarantees that the most discriminative bits can be selected.
Findings
The experiment results validate that the ANN-based voting recognition method is more efficient and effective compared to traditional recognition method in RGB-D-based object recognition for robot vision. Moreover, the effectiveness of the proposed bit selection method is also validated to be effective.
Originality/value
Hashing learning is applied to RGB-D-based object recognition, which significantly promotes the recognition efficiency for robot vision while maintaining high recognition accuracy. Besides, the “Encoding+Selection” pattern is utilized in the process of binary encoding, which effectively enhances the discrimination of binary representations for objects.
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