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1 – 10 of 18Marion Heron, Doris Dippold, Karen Gravett, Adeeba Ahmad, Samaher Aljabri, Razan Abuorabi Al-Adwan, Priyanki Ghosh, Raniah Kabooha, Mohammad Makram, Dina Mousawa, Ayesha Mudhaffer, Beyza Ucar Longford, Lingyu Wang, Junyi Zhou and Fengmei Zhu
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the role an intentional and cohesive research group for doctoral researchers and supervisors can play in surfacing and de-mystifying many…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the role an intentional and cohesive research group for doctoral researchers and supervisors can play in surfacing and de-mystifying many of the implicit doctoral literacy practices involved in doctoral study.
Design/methodology/approach
This participatory, collaborative project, involving 11 doctoral researchers and three supervisors, was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, doctoral researchers and supervisors engaged in a discussion which resulted in a shared concept map. The concept map was then used as a prompt for stimulated recall interviews in which the participants reflected on the connections and peer learning afforded by the research group.
Findings
Drawing on ideas from Communities of Practice theory, the data revealed that the research group, including both supervisors and doctoral students, developed knowledge, relational connections and an awareness of a range of doctoral literacies.
Practical implications
This paper makes suggestions for how those in doctoral education can develop and embed research groups into institutional practices.
Originality/value
This study demonstrates the significant role a research group which is structured, intentional and guided plays in supervisors’ and doctoral students’ development of doctoral literacies and the fundamental intellectual and relational connections afforded by participating in such communities.
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Yiping Jiang, Shanshan Zhou, Jie Chu, Xiaoling Fu and Junyi Lin
This paper aims to explore blockchain integration strategies within a three-level livestock meat supply chain in which consumers have a preference for quality trust in livestock…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore blockchain integration strategies within a three-level livestock meat supply chain in which consumers have a preference for quality trust in livestock meat products. The paper investigates three questions: First, how does consumers’ preference for quality trust affect blockchain integration and transaction decisions among supply chain participants? Second, under what circumstances will retailers choose to participate in the blockchain? Finally, how can other factors such as blockchain costs and supplier–retailer partnership value affect integration decisions?
Design/methodology/approach
This paper formulates a supply chain network equilibrium model and employs the logarithmic-quadratic proximal prediction-correction method to obtain equilibrium decisions. Extensive numerical studies are conducted using a pork supply chain network to analyze the implications of blockchain integration for different supply chain participants.
Findings
The results reveal several key insights: First, suppliers’ increased blockchain integration, driven by higher quality trust preference, can negatively affect their profits, particularly, with excessive trust preferences and high blockchain costs. Second, an increase in consumers’ preference for quality trust expands the range of unit operating costs for retailers engaging in blockchain. Finally, the supplier–retailer partnership drives retailer blockchain participation, facilitating enhanced information sharing to benefit the entire supply chain.
Originality/value
This study provides original insights into blockchain integration strategies in an agricultural supply chain through the application of the supply chain network equilibrium model. The investigation of several key factors on equilibrium decisions provides important managerial implications for different supply chain participants to address consumers’ preference for quality trust and enhance overall supply chain performance.
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Bin Bai, Ze Li, Qiliang Wu, Ce Zhou and Junyi Zhang
This study aims to obtained the failure probability distributions of subsystems for industrial robot and filtrate its fault data considering the complicated influencing factors of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to obtained the failure probability distributions of subsystems for industrial robot and filtrate its fault data considering the complicated influencing factors of failure rate for industrial robot and numerous epistemic uncertainties.
Design Methodology Approach
A fault data screening method and failure rate prediction framework are proposed to investigate industrial robot. First, the failure rate model of the industrial robot with different subsystems is established and then the surrogate model is used to fit bathtub curve of the original industrial robot to obtain the early fault time point. Furthermore, the distribution parameters of the original industrial robot are solved by maximum-likelihood function. Second, the influencing factors of the new industrial robot are quantified, and the epistemic uncertainties are refined using interval analytic hierarchy process method to obtain the correction coefficient of the failure rate.
Findings
The failure rate and mean time between failure (MTBF) of predicted new industrial robot are obtained, and the MTBF of predicted new industrial robot is improved compared with that of the original industrial robot.
Research Limitations Implications
Failure data of industrial robots is the basis of this prediction method, but it cannot be used for new or similar products, which is the limitation of this method. At the same time, based on the series characteristics of the industrial robot, it is not suitable for parallel or series-parallel systems.
Practical Implications
This investigation has important guiding significance to maintenance strategy and spare parts quantity of industrial robot. In addition, this study is of great help to engineers and of great significance to increase the service life and reliability of industrial robots.
Social Implications
This investigation can improve MTBF and extend the service life of industrial robots; furthermore, this method can be applied to predict other mechanical products.
Originality Value
This method can complete the process of fitting, screening and refitting the fault data of the industrial robot, which provides a theoretic basis for reliability growth of the predicted new industrial robot. This investigation has significance to maintenance strategy and spare parts quantity of the industrial robot. Moreover, this method can also be applied to the prediction of other mechanical products.
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Yali Han, Krishna P. Paudel, Junyi Wan and Qinying He
China's economy has transformed from a high-speed growth phase to a high-quality development phase. The agriculture sector has grown substantially since the economic reform in…
Abstract
Purpose
China's economy has transformed from a high-speed growth phase to a high-quality development phase. The agriculture sector has grown substantially since the economic reform in 1978. Considering the five-year plan (FYP) as a collection of policies, this study explores the relationship between the FYP and agricultural total factor productivity (TFP).
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses 31 provincial-level panel data of the five FYPs from 1996 to 2020. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to compute Malmquist productivity indexes. The authors analyze the temporal and spatial changes and convergences of China's agricultural TFP, and investigate the impact of economic planning on China's agricultural TFP and its regional difference.
Findings
There is a slow but upward growth trend in China's agricultural TFP. The technical change has played a leading role in the growth of China's agricultural TFP. The agricultural TFP of all provinces has shown a “catch-up” effect and is developing toward their respective steady-state levels. The regional difference in productivity growth among the eastern, central and western regions exists. Test results show that the FYP has a positive effect on the agricultural TFP, and the effect has obvious regional heterogeneity. The FYP also plays a positive role in the gross value of agricultural output, and the impact effect is greater than that on the improvement of agricultural productivity.
Originality/value
There are many forms of industrial policy in China, among which the FYP is the guiding document of industrial policy, which makes a systematic plan for industrial development in the subsequent five years. The development objectives, guidelines and overall deployment for agriculture in the FYP not only describe the general context of China's agricultural development but also show the key ideas of agricultural development. Therefore, this study explores its impact on agricultural quality development from the perspective of FYP. The results provide evidence for examining the governance performance of the government and the objective evaluation and restraint of the FYP. As agriculture moves toward the stage of high-quality development, the Chinese government should strengthen the critical guiding role of the FYP and pay attention to quality indicators such as technical progress, efficiency improvement and regional coordination in the formulation of the FYP.
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The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of the information sharing of the dynamic demand on green technology innovation and profits in supply chain from a…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of the information sharing of the dynamic demand on green technology innovation and profits in supply chain from a long-term perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors consider a supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and a retailer. The retailer has access to the information of dynamic demand of the green product, whereas the manufacturer invests in green technology innovation. Differential game theory is adopted to establish three models under three different scenarios, namely (1) decentralized decision without information sharing of dynamic demand (Model N-D), (2) decentralized decision with information sharing of dynamic demand (Model S-D) and (3) centralized decision with information sharing of dynamic demand (Model S-C).
Findings
The optimal equilibrium results show that information sharing of dynamic demand can improve the green technology innovation level and increase the green technology stocks only in centralized supply chain. In the long term, the information sharing of dynamic demand can make the retailer more profitable. If the influence of green technology innovation on green technology stocks is great enough or the cost coefficient of green technology innovation is small enough, the manufacturer and decentralized supply chain can benefit from information sharing. In centralized supply chain, the value of demand information sharing is greater than that of decentralized supply chain.
Originality/value
The authors used game theory to investigate demand information sharing and the green technology innovation in a supply chain. Specially, the demand information is dynamic, which is a variable that changes over time. Moreover, our research is based on a long-term perspective. Thus, differential game is adopted in this paper.
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Yang Liu, Qian Zhang, Jialing Wang, Yawei Shao, Zhengyi Xu, Yanqiu Wang and Junyi Wang
The purpose of this paper is to enhance the compatibility of titanium dioxide in epoxy resins and thus the corrosion resistance of the coatings.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to enhance the compatibility of titanium dioxide in epoxy resins and thus the corrosion resistance of the coatings.
Design/methodology/approach
In this work, TiO2 was modified by the mechanochemistry method where mechanical energy was combined with thermal energy to complete the modification. The stability of modified TiO2 in epoxy was analyzed by sedimentation experiment. The modified TiO2-epoxy coating was prepared, and the corrosion resistance of the coating was analyzed by open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and neutral salt spray test.
Findings
High-temperature mechanical modification can improve the compatibility of TiO2 in epoxy resin. At the same time, the modified TiO2-epoxy coating showed better corrosion resistance. Compared to the unmodified TiO2-epoxy coating, the coating improved the dry adhesion force by 61.7% and the adhesion drop by 33.3%. After 2,300 h of immersion in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution, the coating resistance of the modified TiO2 coating was enhanced by nearly two orders of magnitude compared to the unmodified coating.
Originality/value
The authors have grafted epoxy molecules onto TiO2 surfaces using a high-temperature mechanical force modification method. The compatibility of TiO2 with epoxy resin is enhanced, resulting in improved adhesion of the coating to the substrate and corrosion resistance of the coating.
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Ao Zhang, Jian Zhang, Mingjun Zhang, Junyi Liu and Ping Peng
This paper aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of O atom single doping, Ce and O atoms co-doping on the interfacial microscopic behavior of brazed Ni-Cr/diamond.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of O atom single doping, Ce and O atoms co-doping on the interfacial microscopic behavior of brazed Ni-Cr/diamond.
Design/methodology/approach
Using first-principles calculations, the embedding energy, work of separation, interfacial energy and electronic structures of Ni-Cr-O/diamond and Ni-Cr-O-Ce/diamond interface models were calculated. Then, the effect of Ce and O co-doping was experimentally verified through brazed diamond with CeO2-added Ni-Cr filler alloy.
Findings
The results show that O single-doping reduces the interfacial bonding strength between Ni-Cr filler alloy and diamond but enhances its interfacial stability to some extent. However, the Ce and O co-doping simultaneously enhances the interfacial bonding strength and stability between Ni-Cr filler alloy and diamond. The in-situ formed Ce-O oxide at interface impedes the direct contact between diamond and Ni-Cr filler alloy, which weakens the catalytic effect of Ni element on diamond graphitization. It is experimentally found that the fine rod-shaped Cr3C2 and Cr7C3 carbides are generated on diamond surface brazed with CeO2-added Ni-Cr filler alloy. After grinding, the brazed diamond grits, brazed with CeO2-added Ni-Cr filler alloy, present few fracture and the percentage of intact diamond reaches 67.8%. Compared to pure Ni-Cr filler alloy, the brazed diamond with CeO2-added Ni-Cr filler alloy exhibit the better wear resistance and the slighter thermal damage.
Originality/value
Using first-principles calculations, the effect of Ce and O atoms co-doping on the brazed diamond with Ni-Cr filler alloy is investigated, and the calculation results are verified experimentally. Through the first-principles calculations, the interface behavior and reaction mechanism between diamond and filler alloy can be well disclosed, and the composition of filler alloy can be optimized, which will be beneficial for synergistically realizing the enhanced interface bonding and reduced thermal damage of brazed diamond.
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Ziyan Wang, Xueli Yang, Caixuan Sun, Hongyan Liu, Junkai Shao, Mengjie Wang, Junyi Dong, Guanlong Cao and Guofeng Pan
This paper aims to successfully synthesize three-dimensional spindle-like Au functionalized Co3O4-ZnO nanocomposites; characterize the structure, morphology and surface chemical…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to successfully synthesize three-dimensional spindle-like Au functionalized Co3O4-ZnO nanocomposites; characterize the structure, morphology and surface chemical properties of the products; study the effect of Au NPs doping concentration, operating temperature different gas to, sensing properties; and introduce an attractive gas sensor for acetone detection.
Design/methodology/approach
Au NPs functionalized Co3O4-ZnO nanocomposite was prepared by coprecipitation and impregnation methods; the structure and surface chemical property of the products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, BET and XPS. The sensing ability of Au@Co3O4-ZnO for acetone and mechanism was analyzed systematically.
Findings
The results of gas sensing tests show that the unique component structure, Schottky junction and catalytic effect of Au functionalization make it have low operating temperature, excellent selectivity, high response (10 ppm, 56) and rapid response recovery time.
Research limitations/implications
All the characterization and test data of the prepared materials are provided in this paper and reveals the gas sensing mechanism of the gas sensor.
Practical implications
The detection limit is 2.92–100 ppb acetone. It is promising to be applied in low-power, micro detection and miniature acetone gas sensors.
Social implications
The gas sensor prepared has a lower working temperature and low detection limit, so it has promising application prospects in low-concentration acetone detection and early warning.
Originality/value
The unique component structure, Schottky junction and catalytic effect of Au functionalization Co3O4-ZnO make it have low operating temperature, excellent selectivity and rapid response recovery time.
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Feihu Zheng, Hao Jiao, Junyi Gu, Hwy-Chang Moon and Wenyan Yin
This study aims to examine how different modes of knowledge flows affect the changes of asset specificity and how ownership control moderates the relationship between knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how different modes of knowledge flows affect the changes of asset specificity and how ownership control moderates the relationship between knowledge flows and asset specificity in the open innovation paradigm.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper selects information technology outsourcing as the research base. It uses the feasible weighted least squares modeling method for its analysis and has collected the data from 2,369 research and development contracts of multinational vendor firms in China.
Findings
The coupled and outbound knowledge flows have a direct and positive effect on asset specificity. Moreover, the results show that weak corporate control has significant moderating effects on the relationship between both coupled and outbound knowledge flows and asset specificity; the strong control positively moderates the relationship between outbound knowledge flows and asset specificity.
Practical implications
In open innovation, firms build a higher degree of asset specificity to maximize the efficiency of knowledge flows, which then helps them to enhance innovation capacity and market performance.
Originality/value
Preceding studies have tended to examine the influences of asset specificity as an independent variable in a closed innovation paradigm. Asset specificity is hence often left as the antecedent “black box.” This paper, however, opens the “black box” of asset specificity, which is set as a dependent variable, by investigating the influences of knowledge flows on the asset specificity in the context of open innovation. It also reinterprets the role of asset specificity by adopting the lens of open innovation theory.
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Jiansen Zhao, Xin Ma, Bing Yang, Yanjun Chen, Zhenzhen Zhou and Pangyi Xiao
Since many global path planning algorithms cannot achieve the planned path with both safety and economy, this study aims to propose a path planning method for unmanned vehicles…
Abstract
Purpose
Since many global path planning algorithms cannot achieve the planned path with both safety and economy, this study aims to propose a path planning method for unmanned vehicles with a controllable distance from obstacles.
Design/methodology/approach
First, combining satellite image and the Voronoi field algorithm (VFA) generates rasterized environmental information and establishes navigation area boundary. Second, establishing a hazard function associated with navigation area boundary improves the evaluation function of the A* algorithm and uses the improved A* algorithm for global path planning. Finally, to reduce the number of redundant nodes in the planned path and smooth the path, node optimization and gradient descent method (GDM) are used. Then, a continuous smooth path that meets the actual navigation requirements of unmanned vehicle is obtained.
Findings
The simulation experiment proved that the proposed global path planning method can realize the control of the distance between the planned path and the obstacle by setting different navigation area boundaries. The node reduction rate is between 33.52% and 73.15%, and the smoothness meets the navigation requirements. This method is reasonable and effective in the global path planning process of unmanned vehicle and can provide reference to unmanned vehicles’ autonomous obstacle avoidance decision-making.
Originality/value
This study establishes navigation area boundary for the environment based on the VFA and uses the improved A* algorithm to generate a navigation path that takes into account both safety and economy. This study also proposes a method to solve the redundancy of grid environment path nodes and large-angle steering and to smooth the path to improve the applicability of the proposed global path planning method. The proposed global path planning method solves the requirements of path safety and smoothness.
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