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1 – 10 of over 14000
Article
Publication date: 10 August 2022

Peiyu Zhou, Shuping Zhao, Yiming Ma, Changyong Liang and Junhong Zhu

The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of platform characteristics (i.e. media richness and interactivity) on individual perception (i.e. outcome expectations) and…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of platform characteristics (i.e. media richness and interactivity) on individual perception (i.e. outcome expectations) and consequent behavioral response (i.e. user participation in online health communities (OHCs)) based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed a research model to test the proposed hypotheses, and the proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for which data were collected from 321 users with OHC experience using an online survey.

Findings

The empirical results show the following: (1) the three dimensions of media richness significantly affect the three outcome expectations, except that richness of expression has no significant effect on the outcome expectation of health self-management competence. (2) Human-to-human interaction significantly affects the three outcome expectations. Moreover, compared with human-to-human interaction, human-to-system interaction has a stronger impact on the outcome expectation of health self-management competence. (3) The three outcome expectations have a significant influence on user participation in OHCs.

Originality/value

This study extends the understanding about how platform characteristics (i.e. media richness and interactivity) motivate user participation in the context of OHCs. Drawing on the S-O-R model, this study reveals the underlying mechanisms by which media richness and interactivity are associated with outcome expectations and by which outcome expectations is associated with user participation in OHCs. This study enriches the literature on media richness, interactivity, outcome expectations and user participation in OHCs, providing insights for developers and administrators of OHCs.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 75 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2005

Y. Zhang

To form and develop a new mode of mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (mixed EHL) which is more realistic and of more application values to a practical elastohydrodynamic contact…

Abstract

Purpose

To form and develop a new mode of mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (mixed EHL) which is more realistic and of more application values to a practical elastohydrodynamic contact on gears, cams and roller bearings than the previous and current existing mixed EHL models.

Design/methodology/approach

The representative theoretical and experimental studies on elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) and mixed EHL carried out in the previous and recent time, including those of the author, are reviewed. The obtained results on EHL and mixed EHL in those studies and the viewpoints on the mode of mixed EHL based on those results developed in those studies are compared and evaluated. Strong proves are formed on the new mode of mixed EHL proposed in the present paper based on these comparisons and evaluations.

Findings

Strong viewpoints are formed on the mode of the occurrence of dry contact in EHL in a practical concentrated contact. A new mode of mixed EHL is proposed by incorporating this mode of the occurrence of dry contact in EHL. Also, comments and evaluations on the previous researches on mixed EHL are made.

Practical implications

A very useful material for the engineers who are engaged in the design of EHL on gears, cams and roller bearings, and for the tribology scientists who thrust efforts in studying EHL and mixed EHL both by theoretical modeling and by experiments.

Originality/value

A new mode of mixed EHL is originally proposed by incorporating the finding of a more realistic mode of the occurrence of dry contact in EHL. This new mode of mixed EHL should become the direction of the theoretical research of mixed EHL in the future time. It provides a clearer way to this research.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 57 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 July 2022

Da Teng, Yun-Wen Feng, Jun-Yu Chen and Cheng Lu

The purpose of this paper is to briefly summarize and review the theories and methods of complex structures’ dynamic reliability. Complex structures are usually assembled from…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to briefly summarize and review the theories and methods of complex structures’ dynamic reliability. Complex structures are usually assembled from multiple components and subjected to time-varying loads of aerodynamic, structural, thermal and other physical fields; its reliability analysis is of great significance to ensure the safe operation of large-scale equipment such as aviation and machinery.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper for the single-objective dynamic reliability analysis of complex structures, the calculation can be categorized into Monte Carlo (MC), outcrossing rate, envelope functions and extreme value methods. The series-parallel and expansion methods, multi-extremum surrogate models and decomposed-coordinated surrogate models are summarized for the multiobjective dynamic reliability analysis of complex structures.

Findings

The numerical complex compound function and turbine blisk are used as examples to illustrate the performance of single-objective and multiobjective dynamic reliability analysis methods. Then the future development direction of dynamic reliability analysis of complex structures is prospected.

Originality/value

The paper provides a useful reference for further theoretical research and engineering application.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 July 2018

Lu Zhang, Difang Wan, Wenhu Wang, Chen Shang and Fang Wan

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of four different incentives in improving hedging effectiveness and propose an alternative regulatory mechanism for China’s…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of four different incentives in improving hedging effectiveness and propose an alternative regulatory mechanism for China’s futures market.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method that this study uses is a laboratory experiment, and this study follows the basic norms of experimental research. In addition, this paper designs and conducts a game experiment between hedgers and futures brokerage firms (FBFs) under different incentive mechanisms.

Findings

By analyzing the experimental data, it is found that compared with other incentive mechanisms, hedgers’ willingness to hedge and FBFs’ regulatory intention are both significantly higher for the dynamic linkage updating mechanism, indicating that hedgers have a stronger willingness to follow their hedging plan, and FBFs are more responsible for their regulatory behaviors. Additionally, the dynamic linkage updating mechanism has a long-term impact on effective hedging in the futures market.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that the dynamic linkage updating mechanism is beneficial for effectively restricting both hedgers’ over-speculation and FBFs’ regulatory slack and improving the hedging efficiency of the futures market.

Practical implications

To solve the problem of inefficient hedging in China’s futures market, i.e., hedgers’ over-speculation and FBFs’ passive collusion with hedgers, the regulators of China’s futures market should reform the existing incentives and adopt a dynamic linkage updating mechanism to encourage all the participants to actively improve hedging effectiveness.

Originality/value

This paper analyzes and verifies, for the first time, the role of the dynamic linkage updating mechanism in the investing behaviors of hedgers and the regulatory behaviors of future brokerage firms. The futures market experiment that was designed and used in this study is a pioneering and exploratory experiment that applies game theory and mechanism design theory to the field of behavioral finance.

Details

China Finance Review International, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 March 2020

Vitus Mwinteribo Tabie, Chong Li, Wang Saifu, Jianwei Li and Xiaojing Xu

This paper aims to present a broad review of near-a titanium alloys for high-temperature applications.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a broad review of near-a titanium alloys for high-temperature applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a brief introduction of titanium (Ti) alloys, this paper considers the near-α group of Ti alloys, which are the most popular high-temperature Ti alloys developed for a high-temperature application, particularly in compressor disc and blades in aero-engines. The paper is relied on literature within the past decade to discuss phase stability and microstructural effect of alloying elements, plastic deformation and reinforcements used in the development of these alloys.

Findings

The near-a Ti alloys show high potential for high-temperature applications, and many researchers have explored the incorporation of TiC, TiB SiC, Y2O3, La2O3 and Al2O3 reinforcements for improved mechanical properties. Rolling, extrusion, forging and some severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques, as well as heat treatment methods, have also been explored extensively. There is, however, a paucity of information on SiC, Y2O3 and carbon nanotube reinforcements and their combinations for improved mechanical properties. Information on some SPD techniques such as cyclic extrusion compression, multiaxial compression/forging and repeated corrugation and straightening for this class of alloys is also limited.

Originality/value

This paper provides a topical, technical insight into developments in near-a Ti alloys using literature from within the past decade. It also outlines the future developments of this class of Ti alloys.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2017

Yanli Lu, Yao Yao, Shuang Li, Qian Zhang and Qingjun Liu

Using the remarkable olfaction ability, insects can sense trace amounts of host plant volatiles that are notorious for causing severe damage to fruits and vegetables and in…

Abstract

Purpose

Using the remarkable olfaction ability, insects can sense trace amounts of host plant volatiles that are notorious for causing severe damage to fruits and vegetables and in consequence the industry. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the interactions between olfactory proteins, odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and host plant volatiles through the developed olfactory biosensors. It might be helpful to develop novel pest control strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the successfully expressed and purified OBPs of the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis, a biosensor was developed by immobilizing the proteins on interdigitated electrodes through nitrocellulose membrane. Based on electrochemical impedance sensing, benzaldehyde emitted by the host plants, such as Beta vulgaris, was detected, which could be used to investigate and analyze the mechanisms of pests’ sense of chemical signals. The relative decreases of charge transfer resistances of the sensor were proportional to the odorant concentrations from 10−7 M to 10−3 M. Meanwhile, the interactions between OBPs and benzaldehyde were studied through the process of molecular docking.

Findings

The paper provides a pest OBPs-based biosensor that could sensitively detect the host odorants benzaldehyde. Meanwhile, the most related amino acids of OBPs that bind to host plant volatiles can be distinguished with molecular docking.

Originality/value

An olfactory biosensor was developed to explore interactions and mechanism between the pest OBPs and benzaldehyde, which showed promising potentials for small organic molecule sensing. Simultaneously, it might be helpful for novel pest control strategies.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 37 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 July 2023

YunYing Zhong, Lu Zhang, Wei Wei and Jerry Cha-Jan Chang

Considering Gen Z’s unique formative experience with social media, this study aims to apply the cue utilization theory to investigate the effects of social media policy as an…

Abstract

Purpose

Considering Gen Z’s unique formative experience with social media, this study aims to apply the cue utilization theory to investigate the effects of social media policy as an organizational cue in attracting this cohort to hospitality and tourism (H&T) companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 (policy frame: promotion/prevention) × 2 (policy boundary: distinct/permeable) experiment was conducted with 243 Gen Z H&T job seekers. ANCOVA analyses were performed to analyze the effects of policy frame and boundary on perceived organization attractiveness and pursuit intention, respectively.

Findings

This study found that when a company policy promoted social media usage, Gen Z job seekers reported higher attractiveness and pursuit intention in the distinct boundary condition. However, when a company’s social media policy emphasized a prevention frame, Gen Z job seekers reported a similar level of perceived attractiveness and pursuit intention, regardless of the policy boundary conditions.

Originality/value

This study addressed the literature gaps of limited research on the Gen Z workforce and the effects of social media policy on talent attraction. Based on the cue utilization theory, this study identified the policy clause combinations that generated positive recruitment impacts among Gen Z members. The study provided unique theoretical and practical implications for H&T managers to use social media policy as a novel and cost-effective tool to attract Gen Z talents.

研究目的

考虑到 Z 世代在社交媒体方面的独特成长经历, 本研究借鉴了线索利用理论, 调查了社交媒体公司政策作为组织线索在吸引这一年轻人才群体加入酒店和旅游公司方面的影响。

研究方法

本研究在 243 名 Z 世代潜在的酒店和旅游从业人员中进行了 2(政策框架:促进与预防)x 2(政策边界:明显与模糊)的实验。 通过一系列 2x2 ANCOVA 分析来确认政策框架和政策边界对Z 世代的劳动力在组织吸引力和求职意愿的影响。

研究结论

研究结果表明, 当公司提倡在工作中使用社交媒体, Z世代潜在员工觉得有明显边界政策的公司 (相对于有模糊边界政策的公司)具有更高的吸引力和追求意愿。 然而, 当公司的社交媒体政策强调预防框架时, 无论政策边界如何界定, Z 世代潜在员工都表示相似的组织吸引力和求职意愿。

研究创新

本研究从人才吸引的角度来填补了关于 Z 世代劳动力和社交媒体政策的研究空白。 基于线索利用理论, 该研究揭示了对 Z 世代成员产生积极招聘影响的政策条款组合。 该研究为酒店和旅游管理人员使用社交媒体政策作为吸引 Z 世代人才的新颖且具有成本效益的工具提供了独特的理论和实践意义。

Objetivo

Teniendo en cuenta la experiencia formativa única de la Generación Z con los medios sociales, este estudio aplica la teoría de la utilización de señales para investigar los efectos de la política de medios sociales como indicio organizativo para atraer a esta cohorte a las empresas de hostelería y turismo.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Se realizó un experimento de 2x2 (marco de la política: promoción vs prevención) x (límite de la política: distinto vs permeable) con 243 personas de la Generación Z en busca de empleo en hostelería y turismo. Se aplicaron análisis ANCOVA para analizar los efectos del marco de política y el límite en el atractivo percibido de la organización y la intención de búsqueda, respectivamente.

Resultados

Este estudio descubrió que cuando la política de una empresa promovía el uso de los medios sociales, los solicitantes de empleo de la Generación Z declaraban un mayor atractivo y una mayor intención de búsqueda en la condición de límite diferenciado. Sin embargo, cuando la política de medios sociales de una empresa hacía hincapié en un marco de prevención, los solicitantes de empleo de la Generación Z informaron de un nivel similar de atractivo percibido e intención de búsqueda, independientemente de las condiciones de límite de la política.

Originalidad/valor

Este estudio abordó las lagunas en la literatura debido a la investigación limitada sobre la fuerza laboral de la Generación Z y los efectos de las políticas de redes sociales en la atracción de talento. Basado en la teoría de utilización de señales, el estudio identificó las combinaciones de cláusulas de política que generaron impactos positivos en la contratación entre miembros de la Generación Z. El estudio proporcionó implicaciones teóricas y prácticas únicas para que los gerentes de hostelería y turismo utilicen las políticas de redes sociales como una herramienta novedosa y rentable para atraer talento de la Generación Z.

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2020

Yongkun Wang, Yuting Zhang, Jinhua Zhang, Junjue Ye and Wenchao Tian

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of calcium sulfate whiskers (CSWs) on the thermodynamic properties and shape memory properties of epoxy/cyanate ester shape…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of calcium sulfate whiskers (CSWs) on the thermodynamic properties and shape memory properties of epoxy/cyanate ester shape memory composites.

Design/methodology/approach

To improve the mechanical properties of shape memory cyanate ester (CE)/epoxy polymer (EP) resin, high performance CSWs were used to reinforce the thermo-induced shape memory CE/EP composites and the shape memory CSW/CE/EP composites were prepared by molding. The effect of CSW on the mechanical properties and shape memory behavior of shape memory CE/EP composites was investigated.

Findings

After CSW filled the shape memory CE/EP composites, the bending strength of the composites is greatly improved. When the content of CSW is 5 Wt.%, the bending strength of the composite is 107 MPa and the bending strength is increased by 29 per cent compared with bulk CE/EP resin. The glass transition temperature and storage modulus of the composites were improved in CE/EP resin curing system. However, when the content of CSW is more than 10 Wt.%, clusters are easily formed between whiskers and the voids between whiskers and matrix increase, which will lead to the decrease of mechanical properties of composites. The results of shape memory test show that the shape memory recovery time of the composites decreases with the decrease of CSW content at the same temperature. In addition, the shape recovery ratio of the composites decreased slightly with the increase of the number of thermo-induced shape memory cycles.

Research limitations/implications

A simple way for fabricating thermo-activated SMP composites has been developed by using CSW.

Originality/value

The outcome of this study will help to fabricate the SMP composites with high mechanical properties and the shape memory CSW/CE/EP composites are expected to be used in space deployable structures.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 50 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 March 2022

Ya Su and Lu Zhang

As China's only ruling party, will the Communist Party influence corporate decisions? The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how the political ideology of CEOs…

Abstract

Purpose

As China's only ruling party, will the Communist Party influence corporate decisions? The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how the political ideology of CEOs affects the environmental responsibility of Chinese family firms and its effects on Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER), in addition to a cohesive set of corporate governance contingency factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a series of the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression estimates and two-stage approach to examine four main hypotheses, based on 7,824 observations corresponding to 1,919 family firms in China from 2004 to 2015.

Findings

The study's findings show that CEOs imprinted with communist ideology are significantly positively related to CER in family firms, that the moderating role of ownership concentration is not significant, that board independence positively moderates the focal relationship and that CEO duality negatively moderates this relationship.

Originality/value

The paper expands the research of CEOs' political ideology to the ecological context, which are of significance to both theory and practice.

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2023

Wenjing Li, Lu Zhang, Meng Yue, Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar and Junbiao Zhang

The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to measure farmers' health poverty, (2) to examine the effect of health vulnerability on health poverty and (3) to identify…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to measure farmers' health poverty, (2) to examine the effect of health vulnerability on health poverty and (3) to identify countermeasures that may alleviate health poverty in rural China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study built a health poverty measurement model based on the multi-dimensional poverty framework to evaluate farmers' health vulnerability. Further, this paper used an econometric model to assess the impact of health vulnerability on health poverty. The sample for this study comprised 1,115 rice farmers from Hubei province, China.

Findings

The medical affordability poverty ratio was 17.95%, where farmers in the low-income group faced severe medical affordability poverty (27.46%). Results from the multi-dimensional analysis showed that, the health poverty ratios were 17.95 and 30.50%, respectively. Our results indicated that climate change vulnerabilities, living habits, medical facilities and medical accessibility were positively related to health poverty, whereas the regular physical examinations reduced mental health poverty.

Research limitations/implications

Based on this study's findings, we proposed that: (1) to address illness-induced poverty among members of the agricultural community, national and provincial strategies and programs grounded on a multi-dimensional health poverty framework ought to be formulated and implemented, (2) mechanisms of health knowledge exchange may facilitate the improvement of farmers' health status, (3) robust and comprehensive metrics should be employed to understand and improve farmers' ability to absorb and mitigate the negative health impacts and (4) the improvement in both quality and quantity for medical facilities and medical affordability in the rural areas should be key priorities in governmental-wide initiatives.

Originality/value

Existing studies for alleviating poverty caused by disease mainly focus on medical service support to those economic vulnerabilities after a disease happens. However, few studies have focused on the root causes of poverty caused by disease, particularly from the preventive perspective of health vulnerability. To fill this gap, this study, therefore, proposes the health poverty index and analyzes the impact of health vulnerability on health poverty.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Keywords

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