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The purpose of this paper is to calculate the Hugoniot relations of polyurea; also to investigate the atomic-scale energy change, the related chain conformation evolution and the hydrogen bond dissociation of polyurea under high-speed shock.

The atomic-scale simulations are achieved by molecular dynamics (MD). Both non-equilibrium MD and multi-scale shock technique are used to simulate the high-speed shock. The energy dissipation is theoretically derived by the thermodynamic and the Hugoniot relations. The distributions of bond length, angle and dihedral angle are used to characterize the chain conformation evolution. The hydrogen bonds are determined by a geometrical criterion.

The Hugoniot relations calculated are in good agreement with the experimental data. It is found that under the same impact pressure, polyurea with lower hard segment content has higher energy dissipation during the shock-release process. The primary energy dissipation way is the heat dissipation caused by the increase of kinetic energy. Unlike tensile simulation, the molecular potential increment is mainly divided into the increments of the bond energy, angle energy and dihedral angle energy under shock loading and is mostly stored in the soft segments. The hydrogen bond potential increment only accounts for about 1% of the internal energy increment under high-speed shock.

The simulation results are meaningful for understanding and evaluating the energy dissipation mechanism of polyurea under shock loading, and could provide a reference for material design.

This paper aims to explore the effects of mineral diesel fuel carbon soot (MCS) and biodiesel carbon soot (BCS) on the lubrication of polyalphaolefin (PAO) and diesel fuels.

Two styles of carbon soot were prepared from the natural combustion of mineral diesel fuel oil (MDO) and biodiesel oil (BDO). Tribological tests were conducted on a high-frequency reciprocating rig. Friction surfaces were characterized using three-dimensional laser scanning confocal microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

The addition of MCS and BCS to PAO could reduce friction in most cases. MCS had a negligible effect on the wear for contents not exceeding 1.0 per cent. By contrast, BCS exhibited a considerable negative influence on the wear resistance even at low contents. For diesel fuels, MCS reduced both friction and wear, whereas BCS substantially deteriorated the lubrication of BDO. MCS formed a Fe₃O₄/C composite lubricating film on the friction surface. BCS also entered the contact region, but it did not form an effective Fe₃O₄/C composite lubricating film.

This work compared MDO and BDO from a different perspective, i.e. the effects of their combustion carbon soot on the lubrication of lubricating oil and fuel oil. The significant negative effect of BCS on the lubrication of lubricating oil and BDO is a problem that could occur in the industrial application of BDO.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gives a momentum theory analysis to analyze the effects of the shroud on aerodynamic performance in a helicopter shrouded tail rotor system for hover and side wind states. As the key to the analysis, introduces a thrust distribution factor to represent the ratio of the shroud thrust to the total thrust of the shrouded rotor. With the help of the factor, fully derives the relations of the thrust, power and disk area for a shrouded rotor. Discusses the effects of the airflow velocity on the thrust gains of the shroud. Makes comparisons between a shrouded rotor and an isolated rotor for different cases and analyzes the variations of the thrust and power of a shrouded rotor with the thrust distribution factor. Gives several conclusions.

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

The purpose of this study is to explore how nationalistic appeals may affect consumers’ perception and purchasing of targeted brands. Qualitative historical data from old China (1900–1949) reveal that social movement groups can adopt nationalistic appeals assisted by meaning framing – defined as a creative interpretation of symbols, designs, behaviors, social events and cultural identities to serve social and political goals – to shape consumers’ attitudes toward foreign brands. After examining the mechanisms and processes underlying consumer boycotts from 1900 to 1949, the responsive strategies of affected foreign companies are illustrated.

Critical historical research method is applied to historical data and historical “traces” from China’s corporate documents, memoirs, posters, advertisements, newspapers and secondhand sources documenting Chinese boycotts from 1900 to 1949.

Consumers may pursue interests beyond economic interests. Nationalistic appeals can mobilize consumer boycotts against foreign brands that were perceived to support or relate to targeted countries. Political framing of certain events shapes consumers’ perceptions and concomitant brand choices.

Although differences between historical and current contexts may require tailoring past marketing strategies to current conditions, past strategies can inform current and future strategies.

Strategies adopted by foreign companies in old China (1900–1949) can help contemporary companies design effective marketing strategies for a hostile marketplace infused with nationalistic appeals and competing interests.

Although local companies can adopt economic or political nationalism to realize their economic goals, it represents a double-edged sword that can harm national brands.

A historical analysis of nationalistic business appeals in pre-1949 China can inform the counterstrategies modern companies adopt to overcome consumer boycotts.

Explores the occurrence of culture shock in the population of expatriate managers working in the joint venture hotels in Beijing, China. In particular, seeks to gauge the importance of a variety of factors that might influence the level of culture shock. Proposes a model which envisages culture shock as determined by situational factors and by the level of inter‐cultural sensitivity of an expatriate. In turn, the level of inter‐cultural sensitivity is seen as a function of biographical factors and cross cultural training. The findings demonstrate a strong inverse relationship between inter‐cultural sensitivity and culture shock. Training before and/or after arrival in China is received by only a small minority of expatriates but is associated with a higher level of inter‐cultural sensitivity. Among situational factors, a managerial emphasis on motivating employees is associated with lower culture shock. A surprising finding is the tendency for Asian expatriates to experience greater culture shock for a given level of inter‐cultural sensitivity. Outlines implications for personnel policy in selecting expatriate managers.

The article aims to investigate the effects of ownership and capital structure on postacquisition operating performance.

The article extends the ongoing literature from an operating loss perspective and provides empirical evidence on the probability of acquirers’ operating loss in relation to ownership and capital structure. The operating performance of publicly listed manufacturing firms in China was tracked up to five years since the completion of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) during 2003–2014.

The empirical results show that, in a five-year postacquisition period, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are more likely to experience operating loss than non-SOEs. The likelihood of the operating loss is negatively associated with ownership concentration, implying that concentrated ownership may serve as an effective corporate governance mechanism in the emerging economy and improve postacquisition performance. The rise in leverage increases the likelihood of postacquisition operating loss, indicating that the costs of debt may outweigh the benefits.

The findings contribute to the literature on ownership, debt governance and post-M&A performance from an emerging economy perspective.