Xi Yang, Zhiyuan Zhou, Quanwu Zhao, Jackie (Jake) London and Guangzhu Tan
Service providers on highly competitive online outsourcing platforms employ various signals to entice buyers to make online purchases. One such signal—the solution…
Abstract
Purpose
Service providers on highly competitive online outsourcing platforms employ various signals to entice buyers to make online purchases. One such signal—the solution exemplars—attracts attention through depictions of exemplary prior work completed by the service providers. Unfortunately, it is not known the extent to which solution exemplar characteristics affect sales performance nor is it clear how such signals perform in the presence of complementary signals such as service provider expertise. This paper explores these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Extending signaling theory, the authors develop a model to explore the effects of solution exemplar characteristics (i.e. exemplar quantity, exemplar diversity and exemplar popularity) on sales performance under the moderating impact of service provider expertise. The authors test the model using proprietary data from ZBJ.com, a leading online outsourcing platform in China.
Findings
Exemplar quantity and exemplar popularity positively affect sales performance; exemplar diversity has no significant impact on sales performance and service provider expertise positively moderates the relationships between exemplar quantity, exemplar popularity and sales performance.
Originality/value
This work makes several significant contributions. First, the authors enrich the research on signals in online outsourcing by exploring the impact of solution exemplar characteristics on sales performance. Second, the authors analyze three solution exemplar characteristics: exemplar quantity, exemplar diversity and exemplar popularity. Third, this work shows that service provider expertise moderates the relationship between solution exemplar characteristics and sales performance. Important practical implications for both online outsourcing platforms and service providers are discussed.
Details
Keywords
Wei Jiang, Zhiyuan Zhou, Yu Yan, Gongping Wu, Lianqing Yu, Hong Jun Li and Wei Chen
In response to the poor reliability of live maintenance robots in semi-structured environments and the difficulty of monitoring their operation status, this paper aims to propose…
Abstract
Purpose
In response to the poor reliability of live maintenance robots in semi-structured environments and the difficulty of monitoring their operation status, this paper aims to propose an online method for evaluating the operation status of high-voltage live maintenance robots based on fuzzy control.
Design/methodology/approach
The robot bolt tightening operation is taken as an example. During the whole operation process, the key technologies of bolt tightening are analyzed theoretically, a two-dimensional fuzzy control model of bolt tightening process control is established and the control parameters, which characterize the operation status, are obtained. Through dynamic adjustment of the fuzzy controller, real-time online monitoring of the robot operation status can be achieved.
Findings
The results of simulation experiments and 220 kV live operation experiments show that the reliability of robot bolt tightening is greatly enhanced by the proposed control method.
Originality/value
The results not only verify the engineering practicability of the fuzzy control-based method but also indicate that it can improve efficiency, safety and operability.
Details
Keywords
Marcelo Battesini and Jair Carlos Koppe
This study aims to propose an approach to assess the security of supply (SS) in a coal-fired electricity generation supply chain subject to public price regulation in Brazil. This…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose an approach to assess the security of supply (SS) in a coal-fired electricity generation supply chain subject to public price regulation in Brazil. This study characterizes the Brazilian scenario of coal-fired electricity generation, which represents less than 3.5% of the energy sources.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from six mining companies that supply a coal plant were analyzed in a case study. The risks were characterized and objectively estimated through a synthetic multidimensional index. Structural changes in the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and exploration indicator time series of coal companies (CC) were statistically detected.
Findings
Empirical evidence demonstrates that the supply chain has a low disruption risk (SS index equal to 0.74). However, when suppliers are individually analyzed, 48.64% of all coal shows moderated disruption risk, and 2.51% is under high risk. In addition, this study finds a drop in the financial results of CC related to public regulation of coal prices. This impacts the security of coal supply.
Research limitations/implications
This study discusses the influence of legal and regulatory policy risks in a coal power generation supply chain and the implications of the SS index as a management tool.
Originality/value
A novel SS index is presented and empirically operationalized, and its dimensions – environmental, occupational, operational, economic-financial and supply capacity – are analyzed.
Details
Keywords
Hamsavathi Kannan, Soorya Prakash K. and Kavimani V.
The aim of the work is to investigate structural behaviour of reinforced concrete (RF) beam retrofitted with basalt fibre (BF) fabric. The incorporation of BF showed enhancement…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the work is to investigate structural behaviour of reinforced concrete (RF) beam retrofitted with basalt fibre (BF) fabric. The incorporation of BF showed enhancement in bending strength, to increase confinement and to repair damages caused by cracking. In the early decades, using BF for composite materials shaped BF as an excellent physical substance with necessary mechanical properties, highlighting the significant procedures ability.
Design/methodology/approach
Specimens were casted with U-wrapped BF and then evaluated based on flexural tests. In the test carried over for flexural fortifying assessment, BF reinforcements demonstrated a definitive quality improvement in the case of the subjected control sample; ultimately, the end impacts depend upon the applied test parameters. From the outcomes introduced in this comparison, for the double-wrapped sample, the modifications improved by 12% than that of the single-wrapped beam, which is identified to subsist for a better strengthening of new-age retrofitting designs.
Findings
The current research deals with the retrofitting of RC beam by conducting a comparative experiment on wrapping of BF (single or double BF wrapping) in improving the mechanical behavior of concrete.
Originality/value
It can be shown from the experimental results that increasing the number of layers has significant effect on basalt strengthened beams.
Details
Keywords
Due to climate change and an increasing concentration of the world’s population in vulnerable areas, how to manage catastrophe risk efficiently and cover disaster losses fairly is…
Abstract
Purpose
Due to climate change and an increasing concentration of the world’s population in vulnerable areas, how to manage catastrophe risk efficiently and cover disaster losses fairly is still a universal dilemma.
Methodology
This paper applies a law and economic approach.
Findings
China’s mechanism for managing catastrophic disaster risk is in many ways unique. It emphasizes government responsibilities and works well in many respects, especially in disaster emergency relief. Nonetheless, China’s mechanism which has the vestige of a centrally planned economy needs reform.
Practical Implications
I propose a catastrophe insurance market-enhancing framework which marries the merits of both the market and government to manage catastrophe risks. There are three pillars of the framework: (i) sustaining a strong and capable government; (ii) government enhancement of the market, neither supplanting nor retarding it; (iii) legalizing the relationship between government and market to prevent government from undermining well-functioning market operations. A catastrophe insurance market-enhancing framework may provide insights for developing catastrophe insurance in China and other transitional nations.
Originality
First, this paper analyzes China’s mechanism for managing catastrophic disaster risks and China’s approach which emphasizes government responsibilities will shed light on solving how to manage catastrophe risk efficiently and cover disaster losses fairly. Second, this paper starts a broader discussion about government stimulation of developing catastrophe insurance and this framework can stimulate attention to solve the universal dilemma.
Details
Keywords
Yunli Bai, Tianhao Zhou, Zhiyuan Ma and Linxiu Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of infrastructure on the income growth and poverty reduction of rural household in China by estimating the impact of road…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of infrastructure on the income growth and poverty reduction of rural household in China by estimating the impact of road accessibility on the extent of household off-farm employment and its heterogeneous effects among the groups with different income level and earning capacity.
Design/methodology/approach
Using nationally representative panel data collected in 100 villages about 2000 households across five provinces in 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2019. This study adopts Tobit model with panel data, zero-inflated Poisson model and static nonbalanced panel model to yield consistent results.
Findings
We find that road accessibility generally has no effect on the number of off-farm laborers and duration of off-farm employment. However, road accessibility is not beneficial for the households in the low-income villages or with low educational attainment, but it benefits the households in the high-income villages by promoting local off-farm employment or with high educational attainment by increasing the duration of migrant off-farm employment.
Originality/value
This study identifies the heterogeneous effects of road accessibility on the extent of off-farm employment among rural households, which narrows the research gap and enriches the literature. The empirical findings imply that road accessibility widens the gap between rich and poor in off-farm employment, which is of great important to the alleviation of relative poverty after 2020 in China.
Details
Keywords
Zifeng Wang, Zhiyuan Ning and Fei Wu
The purpose of this study is to provide evidence that government financing behavior has an impact on the outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) of enterprises.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide evidence that government financing behavior has an impact on the outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) of enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses debt data from local government financing vehicles to measure the local government debt in China. Based on the data of listed manufacturing firms in China from 2010 to 2018, this paper uses the Tobit model to verify the impact of local government debt and firms' OFDI.
Findings
The results indicate that local government debt impedes firms' OFDI, with a more pronounced impact on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and those with higher political connections. Furthermore, our study suggests that the dampening effect of local governments on firms' OFDI is mitigated in regions following the implementation of the Local Government Debt Management Act.
Originality/value
This study verifies the negative impact of local government debt activity on firms' overseas investments. This is not due to debt crowding out, but rather to the fact that local governments prefer to keep resources locally to stimulate the economy. This paper offers novel insights into the theoretical mechanisms by which local government behavior influences firms' investment activities in emerging markets.
Details
Keywords
Chen Weihong, Zhong Xi, Hailin Lan and Li Zhiyuan
In recent years, the phenomena of “accelerating” and “jumping” during the international expansion of Chinese enterprises have attracted a lot of attention from scholars. However…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, the phenomena of “accelerating” and “jumping” during the international expansion of Chinese enterprises have attracted a lot of attention from scholars. However, while a CEO’s career horizon can significantly affect his or her enterprise’s strategic decision-making, few studies have explored the role of CEO career horizon in terms of “accelerating” and “jumping” internationalization.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a sample of China’s A-share listed manufacturing companies from 2008 to 2017, this study explores the impact of CEO career horizon on the internationalization pace and international rhythm of enterprises.
Findings
First, the shorter the CEO’s career horizon, the more likely the CEO can avoid risky strategic decisions, which ultimately causes a negative relationship between CEO career horizon and the internationalization pace and rhythm of the enterprise. Second, for larger and older boards of directors, there is a more negative impact of the CEO’s short-term career horizon on the internationalization pace and internationalization rhythm of the company. However, given a larger proportion of female directors and non-executive directors, the CEO’s short-term career horizon has a weaker negative impact on international pace and the rhythm of internationalization.
Originality/value
First, based on upper echelon theory, this study interprets the influence of CEO career horizon on the time dimension of corporate internationalization (including internationalization pace and international rhythm), deepening the theory’s explanatory power. Second, by clarifying the important predictive effect of CEO career horizon on internationalization pace and international rhythm, this research enriches extant research on both variables’ antecedents, as well as that on the influence of CEO career horizon. Finally, by introducing the regulatory role of the board’s supervisory ability, this study clarifies the boundary conditions for the influence of the CEO’s career horizon on international pace and rhythm, and it expands the literature on how CEOs and boards of directors can influence corporate strategic decisions during the internationalization process.
Details
Keywords
Shuqing Li, Zhiyuan Hao, Li Ding and Xia Xu
Through the case analysis of China’s digital library, the purpose of this paper is to make readers understand the development status, achievements and problems of China’s digital…
Abstract
Purpose
Through the case analysis of China’s digital library, the purpose of this paper is to make readers understand the development status, achievements and problems of China’s digital library. At the same time, it also enables readers to understand the common application forms of these modern information technologies in digital libraries, so as to provide a reference basis for the application of new technologies in other countries’ digital libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
On the basis of literature review, the authors have analyzed a conspicuous collection of related papers in order to make a comprehensive summary and elaboration on the present situation of modern information technology application in Chinese digital libraries.
Findings
This paper defines and analyses the concepts, contents and relationships of the three most important modern Big Data information technologies, and then completes the analysis of the current situation of the application of information technology in Chinese digital libraries. The block chain can achieve more accurate information collection, more secure information storage and more effective information dissemination. Artificial intelligence can improve the existing digital library service level in three aspects: resource construction, information organization and information service. Internet plus will help transform the traditional digital library business mode in order to adapt to the change of user-centered service.
Originality/value
This is among the first structured attempts of comprehensively and generally summarizing the application of modern information technology in Chinese digital libraries. It also contains an original exploration of the relationship between the main kinds of modern information technology. Based on this, a relatively complete application scenario and possible vision of modern information technology in digital library can be built.
Details
Keywords
Yinghu Wang, Zhiyuan Wang and Jianyan Xu
High-nitrogen steel is a common material for the manufacture of drilling equipment such as drill collars. However, its poor surface properties often limit its applications. The…
Abstract
Purpose
High-nitrogen steel is a common material for the manufacture of drilling equipment such as drill collars. However, its poor surface properties often limit its applications. The purpose of this paper is to find a way to enhance the surface performance of high-nitrogen steel, which is expected to improve the wear resistance of high-nitrogen steel.
Design/methodology/approach
The CoCrNi and CoCrFeNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA) coatings were prepared on high-nitrogen steel substrate by laser cladding technology. The microstructure, phase composition and element distribution of the fabricated coatings were investigated using scanning electronic microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray diffraction. The phase structure, phase stability and structural stability of the CoCrNi and CoCrFeNi MEAs were investigated in combination with phase diagram calculation and molecular dynamics. Then the wear tests were carried out for coatings.
Findings
The results show that both prepared MEA coatings have good quality and contain a single face-centered cubic phase. The wear performance of MEA coatings is improved by the refinement of grain size and the increase of dislocation density. Due to the addition of Fe atoms, the lattice distortion of the CoCrFeNi system increased, resulting in a higher dislocation density of the coating. Cr atoms in the CoCrFeNi system are the largest, and the local lattice distortions induced by them are greater. Through this study, MEA coatings with high hardness can be expanded to drilling field applications.
Originality/value
CoCrFeNi and CoCrNi MEA coatings were successfully prepared on the surface of high-nitrogen steel for the first time without obvious defects. The micromorphology and grain orientation of the different kinds of coatings were discussed in detail. The hardness-strengthening mechanism and structure stability of the coatings were illustrated by experiments and molecular dynamics simulations.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2024-0116/