Search results

The purpose of this paper is to study the high temperature oxidation behavior of Ti and C-added FeCoCrNiMn high entropy alloys (HEAs).

Cyclic oxidation method was used to obtain the oxidation kinetic profile and oxidation rate. The microstructures of the surface and cross section of the samples after oxidation were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The results show that the microstructure of the alloy mainly consisted of FCC (Face-centered Cubic Structure) main phase and carbides (M₇C₃, M₂₃C₆ and TiC). With the increase of Ti and C content, the microhardness, strength and oxidation resistance of the alloy were effectively improved. After oxidation at a constant temperature of 800 °C for 100 h, the preferential oxidation of chromium in the chromium carbide determined the early formation of dense chromium oxide layers compared to the HEAs substrate, resulting in the optimal oxidation resistance of the TC30 alloy.

More precipitated CrC can preferentially oxidize and rapidly form a dense Cr₂O₃ layer early in the oxidation, which will slow down the further oxidation of the alloy.

Analyses the evolution of China’s telephone and cable systems, in terms of the public interest, discussing current bureaucratic conflicts and policy debates over convergence, and construction of an independent broadband cable network. Looks in depth at China’s problems and the different problems for its citizens with regard to poverty levels and access to the Web.

This paper aims to present a novel transfer alignment method based on combined double-time observations with velocity and attitude for ships’ poor maneuverability to address the system errors introduced by flexural deformation and installing which are difficult to calibrate.

Based on velocity and attitude matching, redesigning and deducing Kalman filter model by combining double-time observation. By introducing the sampling of the previous update cycle of the strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS), current observation subtracts previous observation are used as measurements for transfer alignment filter, system error in measurement introduced by deformation and installing can be effectively removed.

The results of simulations and turntable tests show that when there is a system error, the proposed method can improve alignment accuracy, shorten the alignment process and not require any active maneuvers or additional sensor equipment.

Calibrating those deformations and installing errors during transfer alignment need special maneuvers along different axes, which is difficult to fulfill for ships’ poor maneuverability. Without additional sensor equipment and active maneuvers, the system errors in attitude measurement can be eliminated by the proposed algorithms, meanwhile improving the accuracy of the shipboard SINS transfer alignment.

This paper aims to obtain a symmetrical step-down topology with lower equivalent capacity and wider step-down range under the condition of the same output. Two new symmetrical step-down topologies of star-connected autotransformers are proposed in this paper. Taking the equivalent capacity as the main parameter, the obtained topologies are modeled and analyzed in detail.

This paper adopts the research methods of design, modeling, analysis and simulation verification. First, the star-connected autotransformer is redesigned according to the design objective of symmetrical step-down topology. In addition, the mathematical model of two topologies is established and a detailed theoretical analysis is carried out. Finally, the theoretical results are verified by simulation.

Two symmetrical star-connected autotransformer step-down topologies are designed, the winding configurations of the corresponding topology are presented, the step-down ranges of these three topologies are calculated and the influence of step-down ratio on the equivalent capacity of autotransformer are analyzed. Through analysis, the target step-down topologies are obtained when the step-down ratio is [1.1, 5.4] and [1.1, 1.9] respectively.

Because the selected research object is only a star-connected autotransformer, the research results may lack generality. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to further study the topologies of other autotransformers.

This paper includes the implications of the step-down ratio on the equivalent capacity of autotransformers and the configuration of transformer windings.

The topologies designed in this paper enable star-connected autotransformer in the 12-pulse rectifier to be applied in step-down circumstances rather than situations of harmonic reduction only. At the same time, this paper provides a way that can be used to redesign the autotransformer in other multi-pulse rectifier systems, so that those transformers can be used in voltage regulation.

This study is a reference for manufacturers who are promoting their product-service system (PSS) development. Currently, improvements in both digital customization and sustainability for various smart PSS categories have been considered rarely. This paper addresses this research gap by developing relevant models.

The development trends of customization-oriented PSS are described in a literature review. An in-depth multiple-case study methodology is adopted, and seven manufacturing companies are sampled. The goal is to identify digital customization measures that can be employed on representative smart PSS models and to explore how these models can create sustainable value.

This study provides valuable insights by uncovering a synthesis framework for achieving customization of the product/use/result-oriented smart PSSs, and the relevant representative smart functions are summarized. This identifies how digital customization capabilities can improve sustainability, including direct economic value for customers as well as additional social benefits and environmental improvements during customization.

Currently, the influence of digitalization on customized offerings and the relevant impact on sustainability development have not been fully addressed to date. This study provides comprehensive information with a reference value for digital customization transformation among the three main types of smart PSS.

The gait planning and control of quadruped crawling robot affect the stability of the robot walking on a slope. The control includes the position control in the swing phase, the force control in the support phase and the switching control in the force/position switching. To improve the passing ability of quadruped crawling robot on a slope, this paper aims to propose a soft control strategy.

The strategy adopts the statically stable crawling gait as the main gait. As the robot moves forward, the position/force section switching control is adopted. When the foot does not touch the ground, the joint position control based on the variable speed PID is performed. When the foot touches the ground, the position-based impedance control is performed, and a fuzzy multi-model switching control based on friction compensation is proposed to achieve smooth switching of force and position.

The proposed method offers a solution for stable passage in slope environment. The quadruped crawling robot can realize smooth switching of force/position, precise positioning in the swing process and soft control of force in the supporting phase. This fact is verified by simulation and test.

The method presented in this paper takes advantage of minimal tracking errors and minimal jitters. Simulations and tests were performed to evaluate the performance.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the effects of different dimensions of social capital on the well-being of farmers in China’s undeveloped poverty-stricken areas, and study the equivalent multiple of social capital and income compensation.

The paper opted for an exploratory study using the open-ended approach of grounded theory, including 1,176 interviews with rural households in poverty-stricken areas in China. The data were complemented by documentary analysis. Then an econometric model of social capital and farmers’ well-being was applied to the data.

The results show that the number frequently visiting relatives, reciprocity, participation and trust level are significantly positively related to the well-being of the farmers, and the level of participation in social capital requires the most income compensation, while the level of trust comes second.

This paper can serve as a template for developing a useful tool that can be fitted to national or regional data for studying the effects of social capital on the well-being of farmers in poor areas or countries and for calculating the concrete equivalent multiple of social capital and income compensation.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem is a frontier issue in the field of enterprise strategy and entrepreneurship. As suggested by bottom of the pyramid (BOP) theory, entrepreneurs from base of the pyramid can gain the benefits of economic growth by obtaining equal entrepreneurial opportunities with appropriate support and motivation. However, theoretical framework to understand the ecosystem and help the people from the BOP to benefit from ecosystem is under-researched. Based on the investigation of the Taobao ecosystem case study, this paper developed a multi-layer framework to fill in the research gap.

This research adopts case study methodology for several reasons. First, case study methodology fits the explorative nature of this research to understand “what” and “how” a phenomenon happened (Yin, 2017). Second, case study research design can specify gaps or holes in existing theory with the ultimate goal of advancing theoretical explanations (Ridder, 2016). And third, it can provide researchers with contextual richness (Davison and Martinsons, 2016; Spigel, 2017).

Based on the literature review of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the theory of the BOP, the initial framework of the inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem is proposed. And then, based on the investigation of the Taobao village which is the typical inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, this paper explored how the inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem emerges, develops and realises the co-creation between multiple actors. The emergence of Taobao village entrepreneurial ecosystem is because of the fact that ICT empowers BOP entrepreneurs. The development of entrepreneurial ecosystem presents a point-line-plane diffusion path, and co-creation to enhance inclusive entrepreneurship is realised by interaction and cooperation within social networks and integration of resources. Then, the framework of inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem is further modified.

The complexity of entrepreneurial ecosystem facing BOP poses a major challenge to its actual operation. Therefore, it is necessary to study the driving factors of inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems. In particular, ecosystem is a purposeful collaborative network of dynamic interactive systems, which has a set of changing dependencies in a given context. Research is still limited on socioeconomic actors’ interaction with each other in each stage to promote the evolution of entrepreneurial ecosystem. The extent to which they are intentionally designed or organically produced is still unclear, which is recommended for future study in this field.

It provides theoretical understanding on how to successfully form sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem by integrating BOP entrepreneurs in value chain. The successful experience of Taobao village can provide contributions and implications for the management in practice. On the one hand, this can provide theoretical guidance for other countries and regions to build inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems and help them to check and fill the gaps and build inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems based on their local characteristics. On the other hand, this study provides theoretical guidance for solving the problem of poverty at the BOP, transforming the poor from the objects of help to successful entrepreneurs and thus realising regional sustainable development.

The significance of this study is to provide theoretical understanding on how to successfully form entrepreneurial ecosystem by practical investigation of entrepreneurial “habitat” at the BOP.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the most interesting research question of the past decade – What Lures the Bears? Leveraging the public sector management and international business strategy literature, the paper first presents an overview of the transformational dynamics of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in three major phases – institutionalization, privatization, and corporatization, and internationalization. Then, it analyzes geographic patterns and industry trends of the outward foreign direct investment (FDI) projects announced by SOEs over an eight-year period.

Grounded in the exploratory research such as inductive and deductive logic, the study proposes theoretical constructs, and discusses several findings based on the data accessed from highly cited archival sources, such as the UNCTAD FDI stat/WIRs, the World Development Indicators, Doing Business Report, Global Competitiveness Report, the Index of Economic Freedom, the Academic Ranking of World Universities, and the Fortune Global 500.

Based on an analysis of global market trends (a sample of over 20 countries and five industries), the study highlights that SOEs from Asia and Europe have been greatly expanded into developed markets, thus to secure natural resources, to acquire strategic assets like technology, and to leverage the developed financial markets and better investment environment. Therefore, SOEs’ outward FDI strategy and overseas performance was driven by institutional transitions, resource security, home market development and government legitimacy may contribute to the competitive advantage of their home country.

The study offers several implications for the policymakers of the governments in emerging economies and bureaucratic management of SOEs. It recommends that state ownership pattern and bureaucratic system of SOEs need to be reexamined, revised, and corporatized in the changing dynamics of the multinational business environment, thus to secure resources, acquire technological know-how, and compete in home and global markets.

As a response to academic calls on the globalization, performance and governance mechanisms of SOEs in and out of emerging economies, this paper draws a unique presentation of the transformational dynamics of SOEs – establishment to internationalization.