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1 – 10 of 42
Article
Publication date: 16 February 2022

Shan Yu and Qiang Hou

This study considered the dynamic equilibrium decision-making problem in a three-level supply chain comprising a manufacturer, a recycler and an echelon utilization (EchU…

Abstract

Purpose

This study considered the dynamic equilibrium decision-making problem in a three-level supply chain comprising a manufacturer, a recycler and an echelon utilization (EchU) enterprise under the condition of cost-sharing coordination.

Design/methodology/approach

This study constructed a differential game model based on cost-sharing coordinated decision-making among a manufacturer, a recycler and an EchU enterprise operating under a cost subsidy. The study determined the optimal equilibrium strategies and evolutionary characteristics of subsidy mechanisms in a closed-loop supply chain. Finally, this study numerically simulated the path evolution process of vehicle battery EchU, the profit of each stakeholder and the sensitivity of parameters and verified the influences of various parameters on the overall structure and path.

Findings

The results show that a cost subsidy policy has a moderating effect on the EchU decision-making process and supply chain profit. The effect of that policy increases over time.

Practical implications

This study determined the equilibrium decision-making of enterprises in a closed-loop vehicle battery supply chain from a dynamic perspective, as well as the combined effects of government subsidy policies and cost-sharing coordination mechanisms.

Social implications

The results have important guiding significance for coordination and cooperation between enterprises in closed-loop supply chains, for their decision-making and for the development of government subsidies.

Originality/value

This study considered the effects of government subsidies on closed-loop supply chains and the introduction of an EchU market to a closed-loop vehicle battery supply chain.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 June 2024

Zhenyang Zhu, Yi Liu and Lei Zhang

At present, using the finite element method is difficult to efficiently and accurately construct the temperature field of mass concrete based on temperature measurement points…

Abstract

Purpose

At present, using the finite element method is difficult to efficiently and accurately construct the temperature field of mass concrete based on temperature measurement points. Thus, there is a need to propose a method for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed an implicit finite element method that digitally constructs the temperature field of mass concrete based on temperature measurement data. That is, in the proposed method of this paper, the temperature of the measuring point is also one of the boundary conditions, which real-time corrects the calculation error.

Findings

In this method, during the digital construction of the temperature field, the computed temperature approaches the actual measured value at the point of measurement with increasing iteration steps. Using this method and sufficient temperature measurement data, the errors in calculation conditions (such as the boundary conditions, the initial casting temperature and material parameters) can be automatically corrected during the iterative computation process.

Originality/value

This new method can improve calculation accuracy and allows the digitally constructed temperature field to converge to its true value with sufficient measurement data.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 41 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2024

Qiang Sun, Quantong Jiang, Siwei Wu, Chang Liu, Heng Tang, L. Song, Hao Shi, Jizhou Duan and BaoRong Hou

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of ZnO on the structure and properties of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating on rare earth magnesium alloy under large…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of ZnO on the structure and properties of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating on rare earth magnesium alloy under large concentration gradient.

Design/methodology/approach

The macroscopic and microscopic morphology, thickness, surface roughness, chemical composition and structure of the coating were characterized by different characterization methods. The corrosion resistance of the film was studied by electrochemical and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy. The results show that the addition of ZnO can significantly improve the compactness and corrosion resistance of the MAO coating, but the high concentration of ZnO will cause microcracks, which will reduce the corrosion resistance to a certain extent.

Findings

When the concentration of zinc oxide is 8 g/L, the compactness and corrosion resistance of the coating are the best, and the thickness of the coating is positively correlated with the concentration of ZnO.

Research limitations/implications

Too high concentration of ZnO reduces the performance of MAO coating.

Practical implications

The MAO coating prepared by adding ZnO has good corrosion resistance. Combined with organic coatings, it can be applied in corrosive marine environments, such as ship parts and hulls. To a certain extent, it can reduce the economic loss caused by corrosion.

Originality/value

The effect of ZnO on the corrosion resistance of MAO coating in electrolyte solution was studied systematically, and the conclusion was new to the common knowledge.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 71 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2024

Shi Chen, Zhiyong Han, Qiang Zeng, Bing Wang, Liming Wang, Liuyang Guo and Yimin Shao

Hydro-viscous drive (HVD) clutches are widely used in equipment requiring soft start, such as fans and pumps, to transmit torque and adjust speed by changing the gap distance…

86

Abstract

Purpose

Hydro-viscous drive (HVD) clutches are widely used in equipment requiring soft start, such as fans and pumps, to transmit torque and adjust speed by changing the gap distance between friction pairs. This paper aims to propose a novel two-parameter evaluation method for HVD during the mixed lubrication stage. The objective is to develop an effective model that establishes the relationship between these parameters and the actual surface topography.

Design/methodology/approach

In the presented methods, the fractal features of the real manufacturing surface are calculated based on the power spectrum function by the ultra-depth three-dimensional microscope. After that, the hybrid friction model of the friction plate is established based on mixed elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication theory, boundary friction model and fractal theory. Then the torque and load bearing characteristics of the clutch are obtained, and the influences of the surface fractal features are investigated and discussed. Finally, the Weierstrass–Mandelbrot function is adopted for the surface topography characterization and evaluation.

Findings

The results indicate that the proposed method exhibits good accuracy, while the speed difference between the friction pair exceeds 2,500 rpm. It is concluded that this paper proposed a way to evaluate the torque and loading capacity of HVD considering the real manufacturing surface topography and is helpful for surface optimization.

Originality/value

The originality and value of this study lie in its development of a novel torque and load bearing capacity evaluation method for HVD in mixed lubrication stage, considering manufacturing surface topography and describing the real manufacturing surface.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 76 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 February 2023

Jiale Zhang, Farzana Quoquab and Jihad Mohammad

This study aims to present a comprehensive knowledge mapping and an in-depth analysis of plastic and sustainability research to understand better global trends and directions in…

4886

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present a comprehensive knowledge mapping and an in-depth analysis of plastic and sustainability research to understand better global trends and directions in this field that emerged between 1995 and 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a visual analysis of 1933 research articles listed in the Web of Science (WoS) databases between the years 1995 and 2022 related to plastic and sustainability. The knowledge mapping based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer presents the current research status, which contains the analysis of the collaboration network, co-citation network, references with citation bursts and keyword analysis.

Findings

The results reveal that China and the USA are the most prominent countries in exploring the notion of sustainability and plastic. The Chinese Academy of Science is the most prominent institution. Chai Qiang, Friedrich Daniel, Sahajwalla Veena and Ok Yong Sik are the most prolific authors in this field. Furthermore, circular economy, bioplastic, sustainable development, polyester and bioplastics are the highly discussed issues in recent years. Not surprisingly, COVID-19 is the latest topic of discussion started in 2021 due to its negative impact on plastic pollution and the challenges it posed to sustainability.

Originality/value

This study is among the pioneers to shed light on the current research status of plastic and sustainability using the bibliometric method and the newest data. This study also suggests that collaborations between scholars and institutions require to be enhanced for better management of plastic pollution and to contribute to sustainable development.

Details

Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-9899

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2024

Liang Ma, Qiang Wang, Haini Yang, Da Quan Zhang and Wei Wu

The aim of this paper is to solve the toxic and harmful problems caused by traditional volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) and to analyze the effect of the layered structure on the…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to solve the toxic and harmful problems caused by traditional volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) and to analyze the effect of the layered structure on the enhancement of the volatile corrosion inhibition prevention performance of amino acids.

Design/methodology/approach

The carbon dots-montmorillonite (DMT) hybrid material is prepared via hydrothermal process. The effect of the DMT-modified alanine as VCI for mild steel is investigated by volatile inhibition sieve test, volatile corrosion inhibition ability test, electrochemical measurement and surface analysis technology. It demonstrates that the DMT hybrid materials can improve the ability of alanine to protect mild steel against atmospheric corrosion effectively. The presence of carbon dots enlarges the interlamellar spacing of montmorillonite and allows better dispersion of alanine. The DMT-modified alanine has higher volatilization ability and an excellent corrosion inhibition of 85.3% for mild steel.

Findings

The DMT hybrid material provides a good template for the distribution of VCI, which can effectively improve the vapor-phase antirust property of VCI.

Research limitations/implications

The increased volatilization rate also means increased VCI consumption and higher costs.

Practical implications

Provides a new way of thinking to replace the traditional toxic and harmful VCI.

Originality/value

For the first time, amino acids are combined with nano laminar structures, which are used to solve the problem of difficult volatilization of amino acids.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 71 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2023

Ying Gao, Qiang Zhang, Xiaoran Wang, Yanmei Huang, Fanshuang Meng and Wan Tao

Currently, the Tang tomb mural cultural relic resources are presented in a multi-source and heterogeneous manner, with a lack of effective organization and sharing between…

Abstract

Purpose

Currently, the Tang tomb mural cultural relic resources are presented in a multi-source and heterogeneous manner, with a lack of effective organization and sharing between resources. Therefore, this study aims to propose a multidimensional knowledge discovery solution for Tang tomb mural cultural relic resources.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking the Tang tomb murals collected by the Shaanxi History Museum as an example, based on clarifying the relevant concepts of Tang tomb mural resources and considering both dynamic and static dimensions, a top-down approach was adopted to first construct an ontology model of Tang tomb mural type cultural relics resources. Then, the actual case data was imported into the Neo4J graph database according to the defined pattern hierarchy to complete the static organization of knowledge, and presented in a multimodal form in knowledge reasoning and retrieval. In addition, geographic information system (GIS) technology is used to dynamically display the spatiotemporal distribution of Tang tomb mural resources, and the distribution trend is analysed from a digital humanistic perspective.

Findings

The multi-dimensional knowledge discovery of Tang tomb mural cultural relics resources can help establish the correlation and spatiotemporal relationship between resources, providing support for semantic retrieval and navigation, knowledge discovery and visualization and so on.

Originality/value

This study takes the murals in the collection of the Shaanxi History Museum as an example, revealing potential knowledge associations in a static and intelligent way, achieving knowledge discovery and management of Tang tomb murals, and dynamically presents the spatial distribution of Tang tomb murals through GIS technology, meeting the knowledge presentation needs of different users and opening up new ideas for the study of Tang tomb murals.

Details

The Electronic Library , vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2024

Shuo Su, Xiong-Tao Zhu and Hong-Qiang Fan

This paper aims to study the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light on the corrosion behavior of BC550 weathering steel in simulated marine atmospheric environment.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light on the corrosion behavior of BC550 weathering steel in simulated marine atmospheric environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of UV light on the corrosion behavior of BC550 weathering steel in simulated marine atmospheric environments were investigated by the corrosion weight gain experiment, in situ electrochemical noise, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction.

Findings

UV light accelerated the corrosion process of BC550 weathering steel in the simulated marine atmospheric environment during the first 168 h. The maximum influence factor of UV light was 0.32, and it was only 0.08 after 168 h of corrosion process.

Originality/value

As the extension of corrosion time, the thickness and density of the corrosion product layer increased, which weakened the acceleration effect of UV light.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 71 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 December 2023

Iuliana M. Chitac, Deborah Knowles and Spinder Dhaliwal

Non-verbal communication (NVC) remains largely understudied despite its importance in today's fast-paced and cross-cultural management and research landscape. This article is…

Abstract

Purpose

Non-verbal communication (NVC) remains largely understudied despite its importance in today's fast-paced and cross-cultural management and research landscape. This article is significant because it reveals valuable insights into NVC, which represents 65–93% (Mehrabian, 1981) of communication and has the potential to considerably increase management effectiveness and efficiency by providing leaders and researchers with the knowledge they need to understand and handle diversity with competence.

Design/methodology/approach

This article draws on social identity theory (SIT) (Tajfel and Turner, 1979) and rapport management theory (RMT) (Brown and Levinson, 1987) to analyse illustrative interview extracts of co-occurring verbal and NVC from an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study focussed on understanding how London-based Romanian migrant entrepreneurs experience acculturation.

Findings

Romanian migrant entrepreneurs use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication approaches in their acculturation narratives, providing depth and occasionally shifting meaning. These tactics include repeating verbal discourse with non-verbal clues, replacing verbal communication with non-verbal gestures, complementing verbal communication and juxtaposing non-verbal cues with verbal descriptions.

Originality/value

This study makes a valuable contribution to the fields of qualitative organisational management and entrepreneurial studies by addressing the lack of methodological tools available for analysing non-verbal language in interpretative research. This study presents a systematic technique for assessing non-verbal language symbols that has been developed through face-to-face interviews. The article utilises the first-hand interview experience of a Romanian co-researcher to demonstrate the significance of NVC in the transmission of meaning and the formation of identities amongst Romanian migrant entrepreneurs. These findings contribute to a better understanding of organisational management and research practices, particularly about this understudied entrepreneurial minority of Romanian businesses in London, by helping researchers and managers better grasp the cultural and contextual meanings communicated non-verbally. The article holds significance in the context of cross-cultural and organisational management practices.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 62 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2024

Muhammad Sualeh Khattak, Qiang Wu, Maqsood Ahmad and Rizwan Ullah

Grounded in upper echelon (UE) theory, this study aims to examine the role of managerial competencies (business experience, financial literacy and digital literacy) in sustainable…

Abstract

Purpose

Grounded in upper echelon (UE) theory, this study aims to examine the role of managerial competencies (business experience, financial literacy and digital literacy) in sustainable development strategy, with resource management as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data collection is conducted through a survey completed by 297 top management teams of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Pakistan. Structural equation modelling in Smart PLS is used to substantiate the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal that financially and digitally literate managers significantly contribute to the sustainable development strategies of SMEs. However, experienced managers do not focus significantly on sustainable development strategies. Resource management partially mediates the nexus between financial literacy and sustainable development strategy, as well as between digital literacy and sustainable development strategy. In contrast, resource management does not mediate the nexus between business experience and sustainable development strategy.

Research limitations/implications

This study recommends that SMEs should prioritize managers with digital and financial literacy over those with experience. SMEs led by a management team with digital and financial literacy are more effective in resource management for sustainable development practices, whereas experienced managers may not significantly prioritize managing resources for sustainability.

Originality/value

While research based on the UE theory significantly contributes to the body of knowledge on sustainable development, the role of managerial competencies, particularly business experience, financial literacy and digital literacy, in sustainable development strategy via resource management is neglected. This research fills this gap in the context of UE theory and thereby enriches the literature.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

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