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Previous studies have illustrated that relational embeddedness is an important factor in alliance governance, but the homogeneity of it turned out to be an obstacle in the path of alliance governance research. In light of this theoretical gap, the purpose of this study is to answering the following questions: Is relational embeddedness homogeneous? How does dual relational embeddedness and inter-firm trust influence alliance governance (especially the equity governance)?

Based on the perspective of transaction cost economics, there is traditional “transaction characteristics-prevention cost-alliance governance” framework from Williamson. In this study, we firstly introduce relational embeddedness and inter-firm trust into new model as moderating variable which based on the primary hypotheses in traditional framework; secondly, from the social network view, we analysis the dual nature of relational embeddedness and inter-firm trust. Thirdly, the authors refine the above moderating effect from different type of relational embeddedness and inter-firm trust. The authors conduct empirical analyses based on survey data of 328 Chinese manufacturing enterprises, and multiple regression analyses were used to test the above mentioned moderating effect.

The results show: ERE (economic relational embeddedness) and SRE (social relational embeddedness), respectively, lead to deterrence-based trust and knowledge-based trust. The ERE and deterrence-based trust strengthen the tendency towards hierarchical equity cooperation, while SRE and knowledge-based trust weaken the likelihood of equity cooperation choices being made.

This study has made some encouraging progress, but there are still some problems and elements worthy of further study. First, from the view of independent variables, the authors did not include any transaction characteristics (such as asset co-specificity) in our integrated model. Secondly, and most importantly, the authors found some variables outside the analysis framework (such as whether involving R&D or core technology). After interaction with these variables, it is possible that the moderating role of relational embeddedness and trust, and especially the effects of SRE and KBT on equity cooperative governance, may be reversed.

Inter-firm cooperation is an important and special organization, which can joint interdependent resources to create value. This paper provides suggestions to Chinese enterprises which could help them realize the duality of relationship character and how to properly implement alliance governance. It helps enterprises to realize that relational embeddedness is not homogeneous and clarify the relationship between inter-firm trust and alliance governance. This research indicates the firm manager that effective alliance governance comes from appropriate relational embeddedness and inter-firm trust.

Overall, three contributions emerge: first, the authors construct a relational embeddedness and classical framework that overcomes the traditional deficiencies of being static and one-sided. Secondly, the forward research of dual embeddedness and trust improves the relational embeddedness theory and provides new ideas for subsequent research. Last but not least, the research clearly indicates that ambidextrous relational embeddedness leads to ambidextrous trust, which not only refines the existing research into trust mechanisms, but also clarifies the relationship between trust and alliance governance.

Prior studies have demonstrated the important role of coopetition in firms’ innovation. Based on the paradox perspective, this study aims to focus on technology transfer, the pre-innovation stage, to provide a supplementary understanding of the complementarity and contradictoriness of paradoxical coopetition, with the formal and informal governance mechanisms which are suitable with this understanding in coopetition.

This study conducted an original, multisource survey of 280 Chinese manufacturing firms. Hypotheses were tested through multiple regressions.

Coopetition has a positive impact on technology transfer between firms. Along with the increasing specificity of assets invested ex ante as a kind of formal governance mechanism, the relationship between coopetition and technology transfer becomes stronger. Meanwhile, inter-firm justice as an informal governance mechanism in the technology transfer process can be positively affected by coopetition between partners.

The study adds to the business-to-business coopetition literature on how to properly treat and use coopetition in technology transfer. Using the paradox perspective in the Chinese context, the findings emphasize the positive role of coopetition in the inter-firm technological exchange process, enriching the understanding of the complementary and contradictory features of paradoxical coopetition. To govern coopetitive relationships, the firms should also implement two fundamental governance mechanisms, that is, specialty asset and inter-firm justice.

Focusing on internal corporate governance, the purpose of this paper is to apply the shareholder activism perspective to consider how large shareholder participation behaviors might influence firm innovation performance. Specifically, “confrontationally strategic intervention” and “cooperatively strategic consensus” participation behaviors are examined and hypothesized to have different effects on managers’ risk-taking and firm innovation performance.

Drawing on 182 Chinese firm samples, this paper applies hierarchical ordinary least-squares regression analysis to test the proposed hypotheses.

The results show that strategic intervention was negatively associated with managers’ risk-taking and firm innovation performance, while strategic consensus positively affected managers’ risk-taking and firm innovation performance. Moreover, managers’ risk-taking fully mediated the influence of strategic intervention on firm innovation performance, whereas it partially mediated the influence of strategic consensus on firm innovation performance.

The study extends research on shareholder participation by construing that large shareholders’ participation behaviors can significantly influence managers’ risk-taking and corporate innovation performance, further deepening the understanding of the influences of large shareholders on the firm-level outcomes. The theoretical and practical implications of this finding are also discussed.

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) have evolved quickly during the last several years. They are widely used in a lot of fields. Channel allocation provides basic means to guarantee mesh networks’ good performance such as efficient routing. The purpose of this paper is to study channel allocation in mesh networks.

First, the papers in channel allocation fields are surveyed, and then the limitations in existing methods noted. Graph theory is used to find a better model to represent the problem and algorithms are proposed based on this model. Simulation proved that algorithms are better than the previous conflict graph‐based approaches.

The paper analyzes the conflict graph‐based model and finds its limitations, then proposes a bipartite graph‐based model. Algorithms were devised based on this model. Simulation results illustrate that the algorithms can reduce the starvation ratio and improve the bandwidth utilization, compared with previous conflict graph‐based algorithms.

The research of this paper is based on an ideal network environment without interference or noises. It will be better if the noises are considered in future work.

To study the routing strategies of WMNs, it is not sufficient to only consider path length as routing metric since the nodes are heterogeneous. The routing metrics should include the channel bandwidths which are the results of channel allocation.

This paper presents a new bipartite graph‐based model to represent the channel allocation problem in mesh networks. This model is more efficient and includes more information compared with conflict graph model, and it also proposes channel allocation algorithms based on bipartite graph‐based model. The algorithms can reduce starvation ratio and improve the bandwidth utilization.

Contemporary technological disruptions are espoused as though they stimulate sustainable growth in the built environment through the Green Internet of Things (G-IoT). Learning from discipline-specific experiences, this paper articulates recent advancements in the knowledge and concepts of G-IoT in relation to the construction and smart city sectors. It provides a scoping review for G-IoT as an overlooked dimension. Attention was paid to modern circularity, cleaner production and sustainability as key benefits of G-IoT adoption in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). In addition, this study also investigates the current application and adoption strategies of G-IoT.

This study uses the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) review approach. Resources are drawn from Scopus and Web of Science repositories using apt search strings that reflect applications of G-IoT in the built environment in relation to construction management, urban planning, societies and infrastructure. Thematic analysis was used to analyze pertinent themes in the retrieved articles.

G-IoT is an overlooked dimension in construction and smart cities so far. Thirty-three scholarly articles were reviewed from a total of 82 articles retrieved, from which five themes were identified: G-IoT in buildings, computing, sustainability, waste management and tracking and monitoring. Among other applications, findings show that G-IoT is prominent in smart urban services, healthcare, traffic management, green computing, environmental protection, site safety and waste management. Applicable strategies to hasten adoption include raising awareness, financial incentives, dedicated work approaches, G-IoT technologies and purposeful capacity building among stakeholders. The future of G-IoT in construction and smart city research is in smart drones, building information modeling, digital twins, 3D printing, green computing, robotics and policies that incentivize adoption.

This study adds to the normative literature on envisioning potential strategies for adoption and the future of G-IoT in construction and smart cities as an overlooked dimension. No previous study to date has reviewed pertinent literature in this area, intending to investigate the current applications, adoption strategies and future direction of G-IoT in construction and smart cities. Researchers can expand on the current study by exploring the identified G-IoT applications and adoption strategies in detail, and practitioners can develop implementation policies, regulations and guidelines for holistic G-IoT adoption.

The purpose of this paper is to quantify, evaluate and compare the implementation performance of a supplier development (SD) program using graph theoretic approach (GTA).

Broadly 13 critical success factors (CSFs) were identified and they were classified into four significant categories (SCs). Featuring these SCs and CSFs under each SC, GTA was proposed for evaluating the implementation performance of SD programs. The analysis was further extended to evaluate the performance of a SD program along the timeline to capture the other influences (if any), eventually compare the results with different performance situations and accordingly set the future targets.

In order to demonstrate the utility of the proposed approach it was applied to an Indian manufacturing company. The results obtained shown that there has been a significant growth achieved in the implementation performance of a SD program over a period of three years (i.e. 12 quarters) along the chosen SCs and CSFs under each SC. It was also found that still there was a performance gap and scope for improvement in the SD program of the case company.

The proposed approach is aimed at providing a procedure for evaluating the implementation performance of a SD program. This study is an attempt to assist a manufacturer to assess its SD program and accordingly define its course of actions.

Although many issues related to SD have been widely recognized and studied, there are no specific studies available in the literature to assess the implementation performance of SD programs along the timeline. The proposed model has the ability to capture the performance and interdependencies of SCs, CSFs under each SC and also to quantify the implementation performance of a SD program along the timeline.

This paper aims to first, identify the external and internal factors that a company needs to analyze when formulating its digital platform strategy. Based on the framework of PESTNPG (political economic social and culture technological population and globalization) and internal analysis a company should analyze both internal and external factors to formulate its digital platform strategy. For companies from emerging markets the institutional-based market created by national or local governments is important for digital platform strategy. Second dynamic capability theory and its linkages to digital platform strategy. The dynamic capabilities view is considered as a primary theoretical lens in the strategy literature to analyze a company’s strategies to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. To carry out a successful digital platform strategy companies need to build strong dynamic capabilities to capture or create opportunities and reconfigure their resources simultaneously. Third the advantages and disadvantages of different digital platform strategies (i.e. an independent digital platform and online–offline integration platform) and the possible consequences and risks of different strategies. It is important to evaluate different types of digital platform strategies that require different capabilities in terms of business structure product structure revenue structure organizational structure and technology architecture. A company needs to link these capabilities to a digital platform strategy to enable the integration (or separation) of online business with offline business. It also increases the accuracy and efficiency of online business. Fourth key points of digital platform strategy implementation. Companies need to identify key profit models for their digital platform to promote business growth and financial returns. It is equally important to increase customer value by leveraging its digital exhibition platform and to learn to use digital technology to foster organizational dematerialization.

Zhejiang Meorient Commerce & Exhibition Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Meorient”) was a leading company in the exhibition industry in China. The unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 plunged Meorient into a state of emergency that forced it to fight for survival. Further, China had launched a national strategy of Digital China, which created new market opportunities for Meorient. As a result, Meorient gradually developed and launched its digital exhibition services in 2015. Meorient suffered significant losses in 2020 due to COVID-19 and had to formulate a new strategy based on a digital exhibition platform in 2021. Chairman Pan Jianjun had two options. One was a purely digital platform strategy without the original offline exhibition business. The other one was an online and offline integration strategy. Which option was the best way forward for Meorient? Pan had to make a choice. Some of the top management team members believed Meorient should completely transform into a digital platform company and provide comprehensive online digital exhibition services. Over the previous 20 years, Meorient had accumulated a large amount of data from domestic and foreign exhibitors and professional buyers and had gradually developed a digital exhibition platform. It was one of the companies that pioneered digital transformation within China’s exhibition industry. More conservative thinking held that Meorient's strategy should focus more narrowly on the integration of online and offline exhibition businesses. Toward the post-pandemic era, China’s national strategy of “Digital China” accelerated the development of digital infrastructures. During such critical transitional period, Meorient had to choose wisely if it was to sustain its profits or even survive.

The case is aimed at students in undergraduate, MBA, short course executive, EMBA or other executive education programs, especially where digital transformation is featured subject matter.

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

CSS 11: Strategy

With the discussion on the linear relationship of determined material parameters, this study aims to propose a new method to analyze the deformation mechanism.

A modified constitutive model based on the hyperbolic sine Arrhenius equation has been established, which is applied to describe the flow behavior of Ti-6Al-4V alloy during the superplastic forming (SPF).

The modified constitutive model in this work has a good ability to describe the flow behavior for Ti-6Al-4V in SPF. Besides, a deformation map of titanium material is obtained based on the parameters. As the supplement, finite element models of high-temperature tensile tests are carried out as the application of the constitutive model.

The relationship between constitutive model parameters and forming mechanism is established, which is a new angle in rheological behavior research and constitutive model analysis.

When bending a large diameter thin-walled tube, the thickn ess of outer side wall will reduce greatly, which leads to a decrease of structural strength of the tube. To solve this problem, this paper investigated the deformation principles of an eccentric tube in the rotary draw bending process, trying to find a way to reduce the wall thickness difference between inner and outer diameters.

An finite element model is established for analyzing the deformation of an eccentric tube in rotary draw bending process. The wall thickness distribution of the formed pipe was analyzed along the axis and diameter, respectively.

It is found that there exists an optimal eccentricity between the inner and outer circle center of the tube cross-section. If the eccentricity of the tube is chosen properly, it is possible to get a bent tube with equal thickness of inner and outer side walls. In addition, it is also found the optimal eccentricity on the cross-section can be influenced by bending radius, wall thickness, diameter and bending angle. The optimal eccentricity increases greatly with the decreasing of bending radius, the increase of outer diameter and the increase of wall thickness. The influence of bending angle on the optimal eccentricity can be divided into two situations. When the bending angle is small, the optimal eccentricity increases with the increase of bending angle. When the bending angle exceeds a certain value, the pipe enters a stable forming state. The optimal eccentricity of the stable forming region does not change with the bending angle.

Such a research is beneficial for reducing the thickness difference between inner and outer side walls in the rotary draw bending process.

When manufacturing an arc-shaped tube product using push bending process, the transition zone and outfeed zone will inevitably occur. Transition zone and outfeed zone are caused by the kinematical motion of mobile tools. The existence of transition zone and outfeed zone will lead to a big deviation between the forming product and desired shape. To improve the forming quality of arc-shaped products in push bending, the transition zone and outfeed zone are investigated in this paper.

A piecewise function is used to describe the bending characteristics along bending line, in which a series of vibration parameters are extracted and considered as control values.

The new strategy is helpful for finding the relationship between tools motion and curvature distribution and improving the bending lines design procedure in flexible push bending.

The new strategy is helpful for finding the relationship between tools motion and curvature distribution and improving the bending lines design procedure in flexible push bending.