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Article
Publication date: 11 July 2023

Yuan Shi, Ting Qu, Jia Shi and Lan Huang

The paper aims to clarify the effects of brand differentiation on the platform's formulation of channel strategy and help the online platform formulate the optimal channel…

380

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to clarify the effects of brand differentiation on the platform's formulation of channel strategy and help the online platform formulate the optimal channel strategy, which involves selecting a proper selling mode for each brand.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a multistage game model consisting of one online platform and two competing manufacturers with differentiated brands and examines the effects of brand differentiation on these three channel members' profits under each candidate channel strategy.

Findings

The results show that the platform prefers to offer the reselling mode for both brands when the brand differentiation is low, and this preference will be enhanced by the decrease in order fulfilment cost. By contrast, when the brand differentiation is high, it will offer the reselling mode for the premium brand but the marketplace service for the economy brand if the order fulfilment cost is not high; or the marketplace mode will be offered to both brands if this cost is high.

Research limitations/implications

This study assumes that the order fulfilment costs of platform and manufacturer are fixed and symmetric. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to consider asymmetric costs of order fulfilment.

Practical implications

The paper guides the online platform to formulate the optimal channel strategy for differentiated brands and provides managerial insights for differentiated brands entering online markets.

Originality/value

This paper explores platforms' optimal channel strategy by jointly considering the effects of brand differentiation and investigates the impacts of brand differentiation on the optimal decision making under four candidate options. Moreover, this paper has been extended to examine the case when the manufacturers' production costs cannot be neglected.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 123 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2020

Gaoxin Cheng, Linsen Xu, Jiajun Xu, Jinfu Liu, Jia Shi, Shouqi Chen, Lei Liu, Xingcan Liang and Yang Liu

This paper aims to develop a robotic mirror therapy system for lower limb rehabilitation, which is applicable for different patients with individual movement disability levels.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a robotic mirror therapy system for lower limb rehabilitation, which is applicable for different patients with individual movement disability levels.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper puts forward a novel system that includes a four-degree-of-freedom sitting/lying lower limb rehabilitation robot and a wireless motion data acquisition system based on mirror therapy principle. The magnetorheological (MR) actuators are designed and manufactured, whose characteristics are detected theoretically and experimentally. The passive training control strategy is proposed, and the trajectory tracking experiments verify its feasibility. Also, the active training controller that is adapt to the human motor ability is designed and evaluated by the comparison experiments.

Findings

The MR actuators produce continuously variable and compliant torque for robotic joints by adjusting excitation current. The reference limb joint position data collected by the wireless motion data acquisition system can be used as the motion trajectory of the robot to drive the affected limb. The passive training strategy based on proportional-integral control proves to have great trajectory tracking performance through experiments. In the active training mode, by comparing the real-time parameters adjustment in two phases, it is certified that the proposed fuzzy-based regulated impedance controller can adjust assistance torque according to the motor ability of the affected limb.

Originality/value

The system developed in this paper fulfills the needs of robot-assisted mirror therapy for hemiplegic patients.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 48 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 December 2020

Jia Shi, Pingping Xiong, Yingjie Yang and Beichen Quan

Smog seriously affects the ecological environment and poses a threat to public health. Therefore, smog control has become a key task in China, which requires reliable prediction.

Abstract

Purpose

Smog seriously affects the ecological environment and poses a threat to public health. Therefore, smog control has become a key task in China, which requires reliable prediction.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper establishes a novel time-lag GM(1,N) model based on interval grey number sequences. Firstly, calculating kernel and degree of greyness of the interval grey number sequence respectively. Then, establishing the time-lag GM(1,N) model of kernel and degree of greyness sequences respectively to obtain their values after determining the time-lag parameters of two models. Finally, the upper and lower bounds of interval grey number sequences are obtained by restoring the values of kernel and degree of greyness.

Findings

In order to verify the validity and practicability of the model, the monthly concentrations of PM2.5, SO2 and NO2 in Beijing during August 2017 to September 2018 are selected to establish the time-lag GM(1,3) model for kernel and degree of greyness sequences respectively. Compared with three existing models, the proposed model in this paper has better simulation accuracy. Therefore, the novel model is applied to forecast monthly PM2.5 concentration for October to December 2018 in Beijing and provides a reference basis for the government to formulate smog control policies.

Practical implications

The proposed model can simulate and forecast system characteristic data with the time-lag effect more accurately, which shows that the time-lag GM(1,N) model proposed in this paper is practical and effective.

Originality/value

Based on interval grey number sequences, the traditional GM(1,N) model neglects the time-lag effect of driving terms, hence this paper introduces the time-lag parameters into driving terms of the traditional GM(1,N) model and proposes a novel time-lag GM(1,N) model.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2021

Dong Tian, Shuo Hao, Weisong Mu, Jia Shi and Jianying Feng

The selection of purchasing channels by wine consumers indirectly affects buying experience and satisfaction, therefore, it is of great practical significance to study consumers'…

Abstract

Purpose

The selection of purchasing channels by wine consumers indirectly affects buying experience and satisfaction, therefore, it is of great practical significance to study consumers' preference on channel selection. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current state of consumer selection for purchasing channel and the corresponding influencing factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 2,976 valid questionnaires were collected by convenience sampling from 34 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China in 2020 via the Internet, yielding a response rate of 82.2%. A categorical statistical approach was used to understand consumer's selection for each channel. Besides, binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting consumers' channel selection.

Findings

The results show that Chinese wine consumers' main purchasing channels are as follows: supermarket/mall, wine specialty stores, comprehensive e-business flagship stores, comprehensive e-business individual stores, restaurants and short video and live streaming platforms. Estimation results showed that among the 12 influencing factors in 4 categories, consumers' education and some other factors significantly influenced consumers' decision on wine purchasing channels.

Research limitations/implications

Limited by time and experimental conditions, this study did not analyze the trend of wine consumers' purchasing channel selection. Future work would concentrate on multi-year data and conduct longitudinal comparative analysis.

Originality/value

This study innovatively subdivides the currently popular wine sales channels in Chinese market and conducts research related to consumer channel selection. The results of the study can provide reference for wine producers and distributors to update their strategic layout and also help various channels to understand the characteristics of their customer groups for targeted marketing.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2021

Jiajun Xu, Linsen Xu, Gaoxin Cheng, Jia Shi, Jinfu Liu, Xingcan Liang and Shengyao Fan

This paper aims to propose a bilateral robotic system for lower extremity hemiparesis rehabilitation. The hemiplegic patients can complete rehabilitation exercise voluntarily with…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a bilateral robotic system for lower extremity hemiparesis rehabilitation. The hemiplegic patients can complete rehabilitation exercise voluntarily with the assistance of the robot. The reinforcement learning is included in the robot control system, enhancing the muscle activation of the impaired limbs (ILs) efficiently with ensuring the patients’ safety.

Design/methodology/approach

A bilateral leader–follower robotic system is constructed for lower extremity hemiparesis rehabilitation, where the leader robot interacts with the healthy limb (HL) and the follow robot is worn by the IL. The therapeutic training is transferred from the HL to the IL with the assistance of the robot, and the IL follows the motion trajectory prescribed by the HL, which is called the mirror therapy. The model reference adaptive impedance control is used for the leader robot, and the reinforcement learning controller is designed for the follower robot. The reinforcement learning aims to increase the muscle activation of the IL and ensure that its motion can be mastered by the HL for safety. An asynchronous algorithm is designed by improving experience relay to run in parallel on multiple robotic platforms to reduce learning time.

Findings

Through clinical tests, the lower extremity hemiplegic patients can rehabilitate with high efficiency using the robotic system. Also, the proposed scheme outperforms other state-of-the-art methods in tracking performance, muscle activation, learning efficiency and rehabilitation efficacy.

Originality/value

Using the aimed robotic system, the lower extremity hemiplegic patients with different movement abilities can obtain better rehabilitation efficacy.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 48 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2019

Jia-lu Shi and Wen-hsiang Lai

Over recent decades, talent agglomeration has emerged as a critical topic for scholars, businesses and government officers. Innovative ability is a core competition for high-tech…

Abstract

Purpose

Over recent decades, talent agglomeration has emerged as a critical topic for scholars, businesses and government officers. Innovative ability is a core competition for high-tech talents. In China, low innovation is the bottleneck, as the high-tech industry usually cannot provide sufficient support for the continuous needs of innovative talents. To enhance the continuous support of talents, it is important to obtain the mechanisms of talent evaluation and flow in high-tech industry. Exploring the incentive factors influencing the scientific and technological personnel, adjust the layout of talents and promote the rational agglomeration. It’s significant to realize the regional economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes an assessment model using the multi-criteria decision-making method of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the weights of incentive factors and a nonlinear programing model, from micro, meso and macro perspectives of individual, organizational and social incentives by adopting Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, Kurt Lewin’s field theory and Lee’s push-pull theory. After the literature review and interviews with 14 experts, this study produced a research framework and a pairwise comparison questionnaire. In addition, the relative quantitative weights of 3 main categories and 15 indicators are identified and ranked based on the AHP method.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the most important dimension is the individual, and the top three highest weighted factors are job satisfaction, sense of working accomplishment and interpersonal relationships. The discussion in this study showed that the proposed model is rational and acceptable to motivate high-tech innovation talent (HTIT) agglomeration for high-tech enterprises, universities, government and start-ups.

Research limitations/implications

The pairwise comparison using the AHP method is limited to expert opinions, which are considered comparatively subjective. The number of incentive factors should be increased, as some indicators may have been omitted from the AHP model.

Practical implications

According to the results, some suggestions can be recommended to corporate executives, HR managers and government officers to attract and retain high-tech talents and further to improve industrial clusters and economic development.

Originality/value

This paper derives a relative ranking of importance based on the opinions of experienced HR specialists, high-tech talent, scholars and government official, and assesses the consistency of results. The ordering represents the importance of indicators and sub-indicators of two levels from respondents’ perspectives in an industry cluster background. The study, focusing on the high-tech industry in China (which is a developing country), offers a unique view, as earlier studies mainly collect data from developed countries.

Details

International Journal of Innovation Science, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-2223

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2021

Bin Li, Tingting Zhang, Nan Hua and Youcheng Wang

This study aims to develop a holistic and dynamic model that governs the various relationships among the critical factors of crisis management from a stakeholder perspective in…

2687

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a holistic and dynamic model that governs the various relationships among the critical factors of crisis management from a stakeholder perspective in the context of China’s COVID-19 epidemic outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 731 textual sources, and the text mining technique identified the themes of a holistic crisis management model. Then, content analysis was applied to reveal in-depth insights into the themes.

Findings

From a stakeholder perspective, the model comprises six elements: political environment, economic environment, technology, social environment, health and science and international relationships, which relate significantly to four procedural actions: prevention, response, recovery and adaptation. The overlapping stages and situational dynamic mechanisms of the process are another two new major findings of this study; learning and preparing are threaded throughout the whole dynamic process.

Practical implications

Hospitality stakeholders are advised to collaborate under the guidance of the dynamic crisis management model and adopt high-technology tools for the industry’s recovery management. Developing a new business model and marketing strategy is a useful approach to face similar crisis management challenges in the future.

Originality/value

This paper fills an existing research gap by presenting a health-related crisis management model that can be used to evaluate the dynamic process of collaborations among stakeholders in coping with external challenges forced upon the hospitality industry.

利益相关者视角下的危机管理动态模型:以covid-19在中国的发展为例

目的

本研究以中国新冠肺炎疫情为背景, 从利益相关者的角度构建危机管理关键因素之间各种关系的整体动态模型。

设计/方式/方法

本研究从731个文本来源收集定量数据, 并通过文本挖掘技术识别危机管理模型的构成要素,并运用内容分析对构成要素进行深入剖析。

发现

从利益相关者的角度来看, 该模型包括六个要素:政治环境、经济环境、技术、社会环境, 健康科学和国际关系。这些要素与预防、反馈、恢复和适应这四项运行程序密切相关。本研究的两大发现是防疫机制的动态机制和重叠特性, 学习和预备贯穿于疫情防控的整个动态过程。

实践意义

酒店利益相关者应在动态危机管理模型的指导下进行合作, 并运用高科技进行行业复苏管理。此外, 开发新的商业模式和营销策略也是面对新的外部环境的有效途径。

创新/价值

本文通过提出一个健康相关的危机管理模型来填补现有研究的空白, 该模型可用于评估酒店行业外部环境中利益相关者之间的动态合作过程。

Objetivo

En este estudio se recogieron datos cuantitativos de 731 fuentes textuales, se identificaron los elementos constitutivos del modelo de gestión de crisis a través de la minería textual y se analizaron en profundidad los elementos constitutivos mediante el análisis de contenido.

Diseño/método/enfoque

este estudio utiliza una combinación de minería de texto y análisis de contenido para explorar el manejo de crisis del brote de covid-19 en el sector turístico y hotelero de China. En primer lugar, se recogieron datos cuantitativos de 731 fuentes textuales y se identificaron los elementos constitutivos del modelo de gestión de crisis a través de la minería textual. En segundo lugar, se utiliza el análisis de contenido para analizar en profundidad los elementos constitutivos y, sobre la base de UN análisis de datos exhaustivo y una revisión de la literatura, se llega a UN marco teórico para el manejo de crisis.

Encontró

Desde el punto de vista de las partes interesadas, el modelo consta de seis elementos: el entorno político, el entorno económico, el entorno tecnológico, el entorno social, la ciencia de la salud y las relaciones internacionales. Estos elementos están estrechamente relacionados con los cuatro procedimientos operativos: prevención, retroalimentación, recuperación y adaptación. Los dos principales hallazgos de este estudio son los mecanismos dinámicos y las características de superposición de los mecanismos de prevención de epidemias, y el aprendizaje y la preparación a lo largo de todo el proceso dinámico de prevención y control de brotes.

Significado práctico

las partes interesadas del sector hotelero deben colaborar bajo la guía de UN modelo dinámico de gestión de crisis y utilizar la alta tecnología para la gestión de la recuperación del sector. Además, el desarrollo de nuevos modelos de negocio y estrategias de marketing es también una forma eficaz de afrontar el nuevo entorno externo.

Originalidad/valor

este artículo colma las lagunas de la investigación existente proponiendo UN modelo de gestión de crisis relacionadas con la salud que pueda ser utilizado para evaluar procesos dinámicos de colaboración entre los interesados en el entorno externo del sector hotelero.

Article
Publication date: 25 March 2022

Cosmas Gatot Haryono and Cindy Wijaya

The goal of this study is to learn about of the strategic framework used by event organizers in Indonesia to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort is also used to see how…

Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this study is to learn about of the strategic framework used by event organizers in Indonesia to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort is also used to see how crisis management is implemented in the organization, particularly in relation to the company's efforts to maximize technology in this COVID-19 crisis situation.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study that employs the case study method with a single intrinsic case. Researchers chose six sources based on the range of responsibilities and authorities they have.

Findings

To remain viable faced with COVID-19 pandemic, event organizers must adopt an open communication strategy, be ready to adapt to changing conditions and take bold steps in crisis management. In general, Garuda Organizer's crisis management strategy consists of five stages: crisis research, forming a crisis team, planning crisis management steps, implementing a new work system and adapting to the new system's culture.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of this research is on how to deal with crisis strategies in the world of event organizer from the standpoint of innovation diffusion. This study cannot be generalized because it is limited to efforts to formulate a strategic framework carried out by event organizer companies in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, not seeing the effectiveness of the strategy.

Practical implications

This research, in addition to its theoretical implications, provides practical contributions to the event organizer industry. The pandemic encourages every event organizer company to always be prepared to adapt to changing conditions. There is no such thing as a static condition; rather, it can change abruptly at any time. As a result, the most important requirement is a quick and precise response. Responsive leadership will ensure that the adaptation process goes smoothly. With uncertain conditions, businesses must be prepared to respond to any changes that occur at any time. Sometimes desperate action is required because it must be done quickly. Aside from that, do not overlook openness management. It will be easier to manage a crisis if all available communication channels are opened. Opening all communication channels allows all components of the company to participate in overcoming the crisis. The participation of all parties will make it easier to deal with any crisis that arises. This transparency is carried out not only within the company, but also with parties outside the company, such as the government as a regulator, company partners and community members who use our services. Aside from that, a willingness to change and step outside of one's comfort zone is required both within the company and for each individual employee. The company's willingness to try new things and learn quickly becomes critical for businesses in the midst of a crisis. As in the case of Garuda Organizer, a willingness to constantly learn and develop a new culture that is more in line with current conditions will make the company more adaptable in dealing with crises. Thus, effective crisis-response strategies can be developed quickly. When we are at ease in certain circumstances, as employees, we are often hesitant to change, even if the times or circumstances have changed dramatically. It is necessary to avoid the comfort of the status quo. It takes self-will to change in a crisis like this. What does not change will be forgotten by time. To maintain the continuity of the company's activities, all employees must be willing to give up their comfort and possibly make a small sacrifice (including time and effort). If companies can unite the interests of companies and individuals who work as employees (As the management and employees of Garuda Organizer have done by devoting more time to the company's future and delving deeper into one's own potential), they will undoubtedly survive the current crisis.

Social implications

This study discovered that even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is fraught with restrictions, there still are event organizer companies striving to provide the best service. The Garuda Organizer company strives to provide good service to its customers by disseminating innovations. Despite the limited circumstances, the public continues to enjoy events in a novel format, namely through virtual spaces.

Originality/value

This study identifies the use of technology as a means to overcome the problem of organizing events in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and maps the complexity of the innovation adoption process in Indonesian event organizer firms.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2021

Michail Toanoglou, Samiha Chemli and Marco Valeri

It became a fact, and the world's countries went under confinement due to the pandemic of the Covid19. There are severe impacts on tourism with the supply chain experiencing a…

1405

Abstract

Purpose

It became a fact, and the world's countries went under confinement due to the pandemic of the Covid19. There are severe impacts on tourism with the supply chain experiencing a full pause. This research investigates the influence of governance, media coverage, crisis severity, former travel practice and Covid-19 incidences on the perceived risk related to travel and tourism during the pandemic and in cross-countries.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected the data from a sample of 1845 individuals from more than 12 countries and four continents representing quarantined and most impacted areas in the world in March and April 2020. A multilevel linear model was applied to predict the perceived risk across countries as a level 2 research unit.

Findings

The finding confirms the clustering in the data with media coverage, governance and crisis growth affecting the outcome. There are cross-level interaction effects, as the growth rate of the pandemic per country and media coverage impact tourists' perception of risk. Finally, there are lower-level direct effects, with lower-level variables affecting tourists' perceived risks.

Research limitations/implications

The survey is randomly administered online due to the nearly complete quarantine implemented in the studied areas. Besides, and considering the latter, the responses might have been subjective due to the non-containment of the crisis by the study's time, directing to possible alteration of feelings and responses from respondents. This leads to suggest a future extension of this research, similarly, post-crisis.

Originality/value

This research pinpointed the impacts of predictors, concerning the countries' level, during the crisis phase on the perceived risk. Therefore, it gives insights into professional bodies on future concerns to be considered during the recovery phase.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 December 2021

Kamakshi Sharma, Mahima Jain and Sanjay Dhir

This study explores the variables that drive the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the competitiveness of a tourism firm. The relationship between the variables is…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores the variables that drive the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the competitiveness of a tourism firm. The relationship between the variables is established using the modified total interpretive structural modelling (m-TISM) methodology. The factors are identified through literature review and expert opinion. This study investigates the hierarchical relationship between these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The modified total interpretive structural modelling (m-TISM) method is used to develop a hierarchical interrelationship among variables that display direct and indirect impact. The competitiveness of a tourism firm is measured by investigating the effect of variables on the firm's financial performance.

Findings

The study identifies ten key factors essential for analysing the impact of AI on a firm's competitiveness. The m-TISM methodology gave us the hierarchical relationship between the factors and their interpretation. A theoretical TISM model has been constructed based on the hierarchy and relationship of the elements. The elements that fall in Level V are “AI Skilled Workforce”, “Infrastructure” and “Policies and Regulations”. Level IV includes the elements “AI Readiness”, “AI-Enabled Technologies” and “Digital Platforms”. Elements that fall under Level III are “Productivity” and “AI Innovation”. Level II and Level I comprise “Tourist Satisfaction” and “Financial Performance”, respectively. The levels indicate the elements' hierarchical level, with Level I the highest and Level V the lowest.

Research limitations/implications

Tourism and AI scholars can analyse the given variables by including the transitive links and incorporate new variables depending upon future research. The m-TISM model constructed from literature review and expert opinion can act as a theoretical base for future studies to be conducted by researchers.

Practical implications

Management/Practitioners can focus on the available characteristics and capitalise on them while working on the factors lacking in their organisation to enhance their competitiveness. Entrepreneurs starting their own business can utilise the elements in understanding the ecosystem of strengthening a firm's competitiveness. They can work to improve on the aspects which are crucial and trigger the impact on competitiveness. The government and management can devise policies and strategies that encompass the essential factors that positively impact the competitiveness of the firms. The approach can then be looked at with a holistic approach to cater to the other related components of the tourism industry.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind to use the modified TISM methodology to understand the impact of AI on the competitiveness of tourism firms.

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