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1 – 10 of over 9000Parisa Bagheri Tookanlou and Hartanto Wijaya Wong
The purpose of this study is to analyze the problem of optimal product line design in marketing channels where consumers are heterogeneous in both horizontal and vertical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the problem of optimal product line design in marketing channels where consumers are heterogeneous in both horizontal and vertical dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper develops a model to evaluate when it is preferable for a firm to extend the product line in a vertical or horizontal direction. Consumers are modeled as being vertically heterogeneous with respect to their valuation of quality and horizontally heterogeneous with respect to their preference on the esthetic component of the product. These model characteristics allow us to consider a broader set of product line extension strategies. By considering both a vertically integrated channel and a decentralized channel, this study investigates how channel structure influences optimal product line design. The problem with supplemental numerical analyses is mathematically analyzed.
Findings
The analysis shows that a horizontal product line extension strategy that offers the customized product can be used as an alternative to a vertical product line extension strategy. If the fixed cost is not too high, offering the customized product with low quality may be preferred to the quality-based segmentation strategy. Furthermore, the analysis shows that the channel structure is influential as the preference for the horizontal product line extension strategy is more pronounced in the decentralized channel than in the centralized channel.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis presented in this paper is limited by the consideration of full market coverage. Further research is needed to see how the results can be generalized to the case with partial market coverage.
Practical implications
The analysis suggests that a firm may consider product customization as part of its product line strategy. Information regarding market characteristics and channel structure is important when deciding on the optimal product line design.
Originality/value
The model reflects a more realistic marketing strategy and channel structure than previous studies that typically consider product line extension in only one direction and focus on the centralized distribution channel. Combining the standard product line extension and customization strategies also represents an important contribution to the literature. These extensions produce interesting new results and insights into a firm’s optimal product line design strategy.
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Qianwen Zhou and Xiaopeng Deng
Despite the knowledge transfer between projects has received increasing attention from scholars, few scholars still conduct comprehensive research on inter-project knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the knowledge transfer between projects has received increasing attention from scholars, few scholars still conduct comprehensive research on inter-project knowledge transfer from both horizontal and vertical perspectives. Besides, knowledge transfer is affected by multiple antecedent conditions, and these factors should be combined for analysis. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the key factors influencing knowledge transfer between projects using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method from both horizontal and vertical perspectives and how these factors combine to improve the effectiveness of knowledge transfer (EKT) between projects.
Design/methodology/approach
First, nine factors affecting knowledge transfer between projects were identified, which were from the four dimensions of subject, relationship, channel, and context, namely temporary nature (TN), time urgency (TU), transmit willingness (TW), receive willingness (RW), trust (TR), project-project transfer channels (PPC), project-enterprise transfer channels (PEC), organizational atmosphere (OA), and motivation system (MS). Then, the source of the samples was determined and the data from the respondents was collected for analysis. Following the operation steps of the fsQCA method, variable calibration, single condition necessity analysis, and configuration analysis were carried out. After that, the configurations of influencing factors were obtained and the robustness test was conducted.
Findings
The results of the fsQCA method show that there are five configurations that can obtain better EKT between projects. Configuration 3 (∼TN * ∼TU * TW * RW * TR * ∼PPC * PEC * MS) has the highest consistency, indicating that it has the highest degree of the explanatory variable subset. Configuration 1 (∼TN * ∼TU * TW * RW * PEC * OA * MS) has the highest coverage, meaning that this configuration can explain most cases. Also, the five configurations were divided into three types: vertical transfer, horizontal-vertical transfer, and channel-free transfer category.
Originality/value
Firstly, this study explores the key factors influencing knowledge transfer between projects from four dimensions, which presents the logical chain of influencing factors more clearly. Then, this study divided the five configurations obtained into three categories according to the transfer direction: vertical, horizontal-vertical, and channel-free transfer, which gives implications to focus on both horizontal knowledge transfer (HKT) and (VKT) when studying knowledge transfer between projects. Lastly, this study helps to realize the exploration of combined improvement strategies for EKT, thereby providing meaningful recommendations for enterprises and project teams to facilitate knowledge transfer between projects.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyze the thermal and fluid dynamic behaviors of mixed convection in air because of the interaction between a buoyancy flow and a moving plate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the thermal and fluid dynamic behaviors of mixed convection in air because of the interaction between a buoyancy flow and a moving plate induced flow in a horizontal no parallel-plates channel to investigate the effects of the minimum channel spacing, wall heat flux, moving plate velocity and converging angle.
Design/methodology/approach
The horizontal channel is made up of an upper inclined plate heated at uniform wall heat flux and a lower adiabatic moving surface (belt). The belt moves from the minimum channel spacing section to the maximum channel spacing section at a constant velocity so that its effect interferes with the buoyancy effect. The numerical analysis is accomplished by means of the finite volume method, using the commercial code Fluent.
Findings
Results in terms of heated upper plate and moving lower plate temperatures and stream function fields are presented. The paper underlines the thermal and fluid dynamic differences when natural convection or mixed convection takes place, varying minimum channel spacing, wall heat flux, moving plate velocity and converging angle.
Research limitations/implications
The hypotheses on which the present analysis is based are two-dimensional, laminar and steady state flow and constant thermo physical properties with the Boussinesq approximation. The minimum distance between the upper heated plate of the channel and its lower adiabatic moving plate is 10 and 20 mm. The moving plate velocity varies in the range 0-1 m/s; the belt moves from the right reservoir to the left one. Three values of the uniform wall heat flux are considered, 30, 60 and 120 W/m2, whereas the inclination angle of the upper plate θ is 2° and 10°.
Practical implications
Mixed convection because of moving surfaces in channels is present in many industrial applications; examples of processes include continuous casting, extrusion of plastics and other polymeric materials, bonding, annealing and tempering, cooling and/or drying of paper and textiles, chemical catalytic reactors, nuclear waste repositories, petroleum reservoirs, composite materials manufacturing and many others. The investigated configuration is used in applications such as re-heating of billets in furnaces for hot rolling process, continuous extrusion of materials and chemical vapor deposition, and it could also be used in thermal control of electronic systems.
Originality/value
This paper evaluates the thermal and velocity fields to detect the maximum temperature location and the presence of fluid recirculation. The paper is useful to thermal designers.
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Souad Marzougui, M. Bouabid, Fateh Mebarek-Oudina, Nidal Abu-Hamdeh, Mourad Magherbi and K. Ramesh
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the temperature, the Dirichlet conditions have been considered to the parallel horizontal plates. The model of generalized…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the temperature, the Dirichlet conditions have been considered to the parallel horizontal plates. The model of generalized Brinkman-extended Darcy with the Boussinesq approximation is considered and the governing equations are computed by COMSOL multiphysics.
Design/methodology/approach
In the current study, the thermodynamic irreversible principle is applied to study the unsteady Poiseuille–Rayleigh–Bénard (PRB) mixed convection in a channel (aspect ratio A = 5), with the effect of a uniform transverse magnetic field.
Findings
The effects of various flow parameters on the fluid flow, Hartmann number (Ha), Darcy number (Da), Brinkman number (Br) and porosity (ε), are presented graphically and discussed. Numerical results for temperature and velocity profiles, entropy generation variations and contour maps of streamlines, are presented as functions of the governing parameter mentioned above. Basing on the generalized Brinkman-extended Darcy formulation, which allows the satisfaction of the no-slip boundary condition on a solid wall, it is found that the flow field and then entropy generation is notably influenced by the considering control parameters. The results demonstrate that the flow tends toward the steady-state with four various regimes, which strongly depends on the Hartman and Darcy numbers variations. Local thermodynamic irreversibilities are more confined near the active top and bottom horizontal walls of the channel when increasing the Da and decreasing the Hartmann number. Entropy generation is also found to be considerably affected by Brinkman number variation.
Originality/value
In the present work, we are presenting our investigations on the influence of a transverse applied external magnetohydrodynamic on entropy generation at the unsteady laminar PRB flow of an incompressible, Newtonian, viscous electrically conducting binary gas mixture fluid in porous channel of two horizontal heated plates. The numerical solutions for the liquid velocity, the temperature distribution and the rates of heat transport and entropy generation are obtained and are plotted graphically.
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In dual distribution channel systems, integrated channels (manufacturer-owned) and independent channels (distributor-owned) are likely to adopt destructive behaviours. To suppress…
Abstract
Purpose
In dual distribution channel systems, integrated channels (manufacturer-owned) and independent channels (distributor-owned) are likely to adopt destructive behaviours. To suppress such behaviours, manufacturers need to implement conflict management systems. The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating role of conflict-learning capability (CLC) in the relationship between conflict management system and destructive behaviour. This study also investigates whether interactions between conflict management systems and CLC improve the overall channel performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Using survey data from 157 Japanese industrial manufacturers, this study conducted regression analyses and mediation analyses.
Findings
The results show that boundary and compensation systems have different effects on destructive behaviours. On the one hand, compensation systems with strong CLC have a larger impact, although those with weak CLC can also suppress destructive behaviours to some degree. On the other hand, boundary systems with strong CLC suppress destructive behaviours, but those with weak CLC do not. In addition, this study reveals that manufacturers with strong CLC can indirectly improve overall channel performance by implementing conflict management systems and suppressing destructive behaviours.
Originality/value
Previous studies reveal that boundary and compensation systems suppress destructive behaviours. However, these studies neglect the importance of organisational capability in the successful implementation of conflict management systems. By focusing on CLC, this study advances our understanding of dual distribution and channel conflict.
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Subhasree Dutta, Somnath Bhattacharyya and Ioan Pop
The purpose of this study is to analyze the heat transfer and flow enhancement of an Al2O3-water nanofluid filling an inclined channel whose lower wall is embedded with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the heat transfer and flow enhancement of an Al2O3-water nanofluid filling an inclined channel whose lower wall is embedded with periodically placed discrete hydrophobic heat sources. Formation of a thin depletion layer of low viscosity over each hydrophobic heated patch leads to the velocity slip and temperature jump condition at the interface of the hydrophobic patch.
Design/methodology/approach
The mixed convection of the nanofluid is analysed based on the two-phase non-homogeneous model. The governing equations are solved numerically through a control volume approach. A periodic boundary condition is adopted along the longitudinal direction of the modulated channel. A velocity slip and temperature jump condition are imposed along with the hydrophobic heated stripes. The paper has validated the present non-homogeneous model with existing experimental and numerical results for particular cases. The impact of temperature jump condition and slip velocity on the flow and thermal field of the nanofluid in mixed convection is analysed for a wide range of governing parameters, namely, Reynolds number (50 ≤ Re ≤ 150), Grashof number (
Findings
The presence of the thin depletion layer above the heated stripes reduces the heat transfer and augments the volume flow rate. Consideration of the nanofluid as a coolant enhances the rate of heat transfer, as well as the entropy generation and friction factor compared to the clear fluid. However, the rate of increment in heat transfer suppresses by a significant margin of the loss due to enhanced entropy generation and friction factor. Heat transfer performance of the channel diminishes as the channel inclination angle with the horizontal is increased. The paper has also compared the non-homogeneous model with the corresponding homogeneous model. In the non-homogeneous formulation, the nanoparticle distribution is directly affected by the slip conditions by virtue of the no-normal flux of nanoparticles on the slip planes. For this, the slip stripes augment the impact of nanoparticle volume fraction compared to the no-slip case.
Originality/value
This paper finds that the periodically arranged hydrophobic heat sources on the lower wall of the channel create a significant augmentation in the volume flow rate, which may be crucial to augment the transport process in mini- or micro-channels. This type of configuration has not been addressed in the existing literature.
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Oktay Çiçek and A. Cihat Baytaş
The purpose of this study is to numerically investigate heat transfer and entropy generation between airframe and cabin-cargo departments in an aircraft. The conjugate forced…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to numerically investigate heat transfer and entropy generation between airframe and cabin-cargo departments in an aircraft. The conjugate forced convection and entropy generation in a cylindrical cavity within air channel partly filled with porous insulation material as simplified geometry for airframe and cabin-cargo departments are considered under local thermal non-equilibrium condition.
Design/methodology/approach
The non-dimensional governing equations for fluid and porous media discretized by finite volume method are solved using the SIMPLE algorithm with pressure and velocity correction.
Findings
The effects of the following parameters on the problem are investigated; Reynolds number, Darcy number, the size of inlet and exit cross-section, thermal conductivity ratio for solid and fluid phases, angle between the vertical symmetry axis and the end of channel wall exit and the gap between adiabatic channel wall and horizontal adiabatic wall separating cabin and cargo sections.
Originality/value
This paper can provide a basic perspective and framework for thermal design between the fuselage and cabin-cargo sections. The minimum total entropy generation number is calculated for various Reynolds numbers and thermal conductivity ratios. It is observed that the channel wall temperature increases for high Reynolds number, low Darcy number, narrower exit cross-section and wider the gap between channel wall and horizontal.
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Behnam Rajabzadeh, Mohammad Hojaji and Arash Karimipour
Porous medium has always been introduced as an environment for increasing heat transfer in cooling systems. However, increase in heat transfer and resolving pressure drop in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Porous medium has always been introduced as an environment for increasing heat transfer in cooling systems. However, increase in heat transfer and resolving pressure drop in the fluid flow have been focused on by researchers.The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of creating porous micro-channels inside porous macro-blocks to optimize system performance in channels.
Design/methodology/approach
To simulate flow field, a developed numerical code that solves Navier–Stokes equations by finite volume method and semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm will be used together with bi-disperse porous medium (BDPM) method. Working fluid is air with Pr = 0.7 in laminar state. Influence of permeability changes by creation of micro-channels containing porous medium in vertical, horizontal and cross-shape patterns will be investigated.
Findings
By creating porous micro-channels inside macro-blocks, not only does the heat transfer increase significantly but the pressure also drops remarkably. Increase in performance evaluation criteria (PEC) is more evident in lower Reynolds numbers that can increase the PEC to 75 per cent by creating cross-shape micro-channels. By changing the permeability of micro-channels, PEC will increase by reducing the pressure drop but it has minor changes in Nu.
Research limitations/implications
The current work is applicable to optimizing system performance by decreasing the pressure drop and increasing the heat transfer.
Practical implications
The developed patterns are useful in increasing the system performance including the increase in heat transfer and decrease in pressure drop in systems such as air coolers required in electrical circuits.
Originality/value
Development and optimization of system performance by new patterns using BDPM in comparison to the previous patterns.
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Saeed Aghakhani, Behzad Ghasemi, Ahmad Hajatzadeh Pordanjani, Somchai Wongwises and Masoud Afrand
The purpose of this study is to conduct a numerical analysis of flow and heat transfer of water–aluminum oxide nanofluid in a channel with extended surfaces in the presence of a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to conduct a numerical analysis of flow and heat transfer of water–aluminum oxide nanofluid in a channel with extended surfaces in the presence of a constant magnetic field. The channel consists of two parallel plates and five obstacles of constant temperature on the lower wall of the channel. The upper wall and the inlet and outlet lengths of the lower wall are insulated. A uniform magnetic field of the magnitude B0 is located beneath the obstacles. The nanofluid enters the channel with a uniform velocity and temperature, and a fully developed flow leaves the channel.
Design/methodology/approach
The control volume-based finite difference and the SIMPLE algorithm were used for numerical solution. In addition to examining the effect of the Reynolds number, the effects of Hartman number, the volume fraction of nanoparticles, the height of obstacles, the length of obstacles and the distance between the obstacles were investigated.
Findings
According to the results, the heat transfer rate increases with an increasing Reynolds number. As the Hartmann number increases, the heat transfer rate increases. The heat transfer rate also increases with an increase in the volume fraction of nanoparticles. The mean Nusselt number is reduced by an increasing height of obstacles. An increase in the distance between the obstacles in the presence of a magnetic field does not have a significant impact on the heat transfer rate. However, the heat transfer rate increases in the absence of a magnetic field, as the distance between the obstacles increases.
Originality/value
This paper is original and unpublished and is not being considered for publication elsewhere.
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Yanping Liu, Bo Yan and Xiaoxu Chen
This paper studies the optimal decision-making and coordination problem of a dual-channel fresh agricultural product (FAP) supply chain. The purpose is to analyze the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper studies the optimal decision-making and coordination problem of a dual-channel fresh agricultural product (FAP) supply chain. The purpose is to analyze the impact of information sharing on optimal decisions and propose a coordination mechanism to encourage supply chain members to share information.
Design/methodology/approach
The two-echelon dual-channel FAP supply chain includes a manufacturer and a retailer. By using the Stackelberg game theory and the backward induction method, the optimal decisions are obtained under information symmetry and asymmetry and the coordination contract is designed.
Findings
The results show that supply chain members should comprehensively evaluate the specific situation of product attributes, coefficient of freshness-keeping cost and network operating costs to make decisions. Asymmetric information can exacerbate the deviation of optimal decisions among supply chain members and information sharing is always beneficial to manufacturers but not to retailers. The improved revenue-sharing and cost-sharing contract is an effective coordination mechanism.
Practical implications
The conclusions can provide theoretical guidance for supply chain managers to deal with information asymmetry and improve the competitiveness of the supply chain.
Originality/value
This paper combines the three characteristics that are most closely related to the reality of supply chains, including horizontal and vertical competition of different channels, the perishable characteristics of FAPs and the uncertainty generated by asymmetric demand information.
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