Xiaoyu Liu, Suchuan Dong and Zhi Xie
This paper aims to present an unconditionally energy-stable scheme for approximating the convective heat transfer equation.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an unconditionally energy-stable scheme for approximating the convective heat transfer equation.
Design/methodology/approach
The scheme stems from the generalized positive auxiliary variable (gPAV) idea and exploits a special treatment for the convection term. The original convection term is replaced by its linear approximation plus a correction term, which is under the control of an auxiliary variable. The scheme entails the computation of two temperature fields within each time step, and the linear algebraic system resulting from the discretization involves a coefficient matrix that is updated periodically. This auxiliary variable is given by a well-defined explicit formula that guarantees the positivity of its computed value.
Findings
Compared with the semi-implicit scheme and the gPAV-based scheme without the treatment on the convection term, the current scheme can provide an expanded accuracy range and achieve more accurate simulations at large (or fairly large) time step sizes. Extensive numerical experiments have been presented to demonstrate the accuracy and stability performance of the scheme developed herein.
Originality/value
This study shows the unconditional discrete energy stability property of the current scheme, irrespective of the time step sizes.
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Zhengwei Song, Zhi-Hui Xie, Lifeng Ding and Shengjian Zhang
This paper aims to comprehensively review the preparation methods of superhydrophobic surfaces (SHPS) for corrosion protection of Mg alloy in recent years.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to comprehensively review the preparation methods of superhydrophobic surfaces (SHPS) for corrosion protection of Mg alloy in recent years.
Design/methodology/approach
The preparation methods, wettability and corrosion resistance of SHPS on Mg alloy in the past three years are systematically described in this paper.
Findings
Two types of SHPS, including single-layer and multilayer coatings for corrosion protection of Mg alloy are summarized. Preparing multilayered coatings with multifunction is the current trend in developing SHPS on Mg alloy.
Originality/value
This paper reviewed the preparation methods and corrosion resistance of SHPS on Mg alloys. It provides a valuable reference for researchers to develop highly durable SHPS with excellent corrosion resistance for Mg alloys.
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Qinghua Zhu, Xiaoling Sun, Jia Tina Du, Yuxiang Zhao, Kewen Wu and Hua Zheng
This chapter aims to investigate the research status and development of virtual community (VC) in China by a critique of library and information science (LIS) journal articles and…
Abstract
This chapter aims to investigate the research status and development of virtual community (VC) in China by a critique of library and information science (LIS) journal articles and to put forward future directions in virtual community for the researchers in our discipline. We used a multiple case of methods including bibliometric approaches (such as keyword frequency and co-word analysis) and a coding system to reveal several characteristics of the research status quo and trends. The results show that from 2000 to the present, VC-related research by LIS Chinese scholars has experienced rapid development with an increasing number of academic papers, authors, journals and institutions. However, LIS research is still at an early stage with the slow introduction of fundamental concepts and frameworks, lack of theoretical support, and organisations focused on empirical studies. VC-related research in China in recent years fully demonstrates its diversified attributes. Our study is limited to the analysis of academic journal literature published in mainland China while excluding dissertations and books, and publications in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Our classification system also needs to be more specific. Our findings have implications for researchers, students, journals and sponsors of Chinese LIS research related to virtual communities.
Although the differential roles of political and business ties are recognized in the literature, the interplay between political and business ties remains unclear. This study aims…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the differential roles of political and business ties are recognized in the literature, the interplay between political and business ties remains unclear. This study aims to explore how political ties affect the formation of business ties with unfamiliar partners by analyzing how a buyer’s political ties affect the market-based selection of suppliers, an important channel through which the buyer forms business ties with unfamiliar suppliers.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 204 Chinese manufacturing firms was conducted to elucidate the relationship between political ties and the market-based selection of suppliers.
Findings
The findings suggest that buyers with strong political ties are more likely to engage in the market-based selection of suppliers; this positive relationship is diminished when social control is preferred over contractual control in the buyer’s supplier governance and is enhanced when technological uncertainty is high.
Originality/value
First, this study sheds light on the interplay between political and business ties by revealing how the buyer’s political ties affect the formation of business ties with unfamiliar suppliers, as represented by the market-based selection of suppliers. Second, it uncovers the boundary conditions of the effect of political ties by revealing the moderating effect of social control preference and technological uncertainty. Third, it extends the interorganizational governance structure literature from its focus on the complement-substitute debate on social control and contractual control to examine the contingent effect of a hybrid governance structure.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the following research question in partner selection decisions in business-to-business strategic partnerships/collaborations literature…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the following research question in partner selection decisions in business-to-business strategic partnerships/collaborations literature: How do inertia and uncertainty affect partner selection? Explicitly, the paper analyzes how inertia of previous alliance selection routines and uncertainty of entire market movement shape firms’ preferences regarding exploratory partner selection (i.e. selecting new partners who never collaborate with the focal firm).
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded on inter-firm partnerships, partner selection and network theory literature, the study empirically tests a fine-grained sample of 511 open-end funds initiated by 61 fund management firms in China. To do so, it runs Tobit regression for main analysis and applies a variety of sensitivity analyses to check the robustness.
Findings
Results show that inertia in previous partner selection has a negative effect on exploration. Importantly, these inertial forces impact domestic firms but not international firms. Market uncertainty also affects exploratory partner selection: short-term market uncertainty encourages exploration, whereas long-term uncertainty inhibits it. These effects also depend on firms’ type: long-term market uncertainty has a negative effect on exploration for international firms but not for domestic firms. Both types of firms exhibit a stronger tendency toward exploration when they encounter short-term uncertainty. However, this inclination is stronger in international firms.
Originality/value
Earlier research has examined how inertia affects exploitation but largely overlooked its effect on exploration. A critical examination of firm and environment level factors provides a deeper understanding of why and when firms have inconsistent preferences for specific partner selection strategies. Thus, this study offers a unique perspective for understanding firms’ exploratory partner selection by focusing on two important characteristics of focal firms: one internal (inertia) and one external (market uncertainty) in nature.
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Ying Ye and Kwok Hung Lau
The purpose of this paper is to put forward a demand chain management (DCM) framework underpinned by the alignment theory and applies it to investigate the fashion apparel (FA…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to put forward a demand chain management (DCM) framework underpinned by the alignment theory and applies it to investigate the fashion apparel (FA) industry in China under the impacts of the latest economic transition.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory multiple case study methodology involving five Chinese FA firms, each with a different business model and ownership type, was employed. Semi-structured interviews, onsite observations and review of company documents were conducted to collect information for analysis.
Findings
Using a conceptual DCM framework as a guide for analysis, the study finds that companies with a higher level of alignment with the external market situation and among the three internal DCM dimensions, namely, market management, supply chain management (SCM), and organization management, appear to perform better under the rapidly changing economic conditions in China.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to knowledge by reviewing thoroughly the literature on SCM evolution and develops a DCM framework based on alignment theory that represents the state of the art in this area. By extending the administration-integration-production-development (A-I-P-D) logic set adopted in the alignment theory, this study has also equipped the proposed framework with an empirical tool to measure alignment.
Practical implications
By applying the framework to examine the Chinese apparel industry under the impacts of the latest economic transition, this study provides practitioners in the industry with a framework to help formulate strategies and a tool to measure alignment. The findings of the case study also offer insights to the industry to thrive in the rapidly changing businesses environment with dynamic uncertainties.
Originality/value
This study extends the application of the A-I-P-D logic set under the alignment theory to the SCM field. This endeavor successfully transforms the proposed DCM framework from a theoretical concept to a practical tool to help evaluate empirically the alignment and strategic fit of a firm and potential relationship with firm performance. As the Chinese FA market has increasingly evolved under the impact of the globalization, the findings of this study not only assist the local FA companies in coping with the dynamic uncertainties but also shed light on the future developments of the global FA industry. Besides, the alignment measurement tool embedded in the proposed DCM framework can help enhance the chances of business success during implementation.
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The research indicates that relatively powerful firms exploit their advantages to damage their weaker partners. However, how power can be abused by advantaged firms remains…
Abstract
Purpose
The research indicates that relatively powerful firms exploit their advantages to damage their weaker partners. However, how power can be abused by advantaged firms remains unclear. This study aims to examine the relationship between power advantage and abuse of power and whether the power advantage mediates the relationship between dependence and personal interests and between trust and company performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 130 retailers in Taiwan were investigated. Partial least squares regression was performed to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results of this study show that power-advantaged firms are more likely to abuse their power; however, the purposes are more for their company performance than for personal interests. Power advantage has different mediating effects on the dependence–personal interests and trust–company performance relationships.
Research limitations/implications
Considering both time and cost limitations, this study investigated one aspect of the retailer–supplier dyad in northern Taiwan. The samples collected may be influenced by the nature of the industry and sampling method, possibly limiting the generalizability of the research results.
Practical implications
This study can help channel managers with a power advantage to have an improved understanding of their salespersons’ behavioral patterns, particularly gaining personal interests from customers.
Originality/value
This study expands the understanding of the antecedents and consequences of power advantages in supplier–retailer relationships. It also highlights in specific institutional arrangements, the weaker parties’ efforts to endure their counterparts’ use of their power advantage to serve their personal interests. Future research may analyze abuse of power by expanding research to other industries and different cultural contexts.
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Jiaming Ma, Zhi Li, Zi-Long Zhao and Yi Min Xie
Furniture plays a significant role in daily life. Advanced computational and manufacturing technologies provide new opportunities to create novel, high-performance and customized…
Abstract
Purpose
Furniture plays a significant role in daily life. Advanced computational and manufacturing technologies provide new opportunities to create novel, high-performance and customized furniture. This paper aims to enhance furniture design and production by developing a new workflow in which computer graphics, topology optimization and advanced manufacturing are integrated to achieve innovative outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Workflow development is conducted by exploring state-of-the-art computational and manufacturing technologies to improve furniture design and production. Structural design and fabrication using the workflow are implemented.
Findings
An efficient transdisciplinary workflow is developed, in which computer graphics, topology optimization and advanced manufacturing are combined. The workflow consists of the initial design, the optimization of the initial design, the postprocessing of the optimized results and the manufacturing and surface treatment of the physical prototypes. Novel chairs and tables, including flat pack designs, are produced using this workflow. The design and fabrication processes are simple, efficient and low-cost. Both additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing are used.
Practical implications
The research outcomes are directly applicable to the creation of novel furniture, as well as many other structures and devices.
Originality/value
A new workflow is developed by taking advantage of the latest topology optimization methods and advanced manufacturing techniques for furniture design and fabrication. Several pieces of innovative furniture are designed and fabricated as examples of the presented workflow.
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Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between environment turbulence, knowledge transfer and innovation performance for emerging market multinationals (EMNEs) in an asymmetric international R&D alliance.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through a survey of high-tech firms in Zhejiang Province of China from 2013 to 2015.
Findings
Innovation performance of EMNEs is positively influenced by knowledge transfer activities (knowledge replication and knowledge adaption), technological and market turbulence, while negatively influenced by institutional turbulence. In addition, different aspects of environmental turbulence moderate the relationship between knowledge transfer practices and innovation performance of EMNEs differently.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies could use a longitudinal design to capture the dynamism driving innovation performance of EMNEs through R&D alliances.
Practical implications
Practical guidelines are provided particularly for EMNE managers on how to develop an innovation strategy by leveraging external knowledge, adaptive innovation and environmental turbulence.
Originality/value
This study deepens the knowledge of how EMNEs enhance their innovation by building the linkage between environmental turbulence and absorptive capacity through knowledge transfer activities in an asymmetric international R&D alliance.