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1 – 10 of 76Wenchao Zhang, Enming Cui, Cheng Wang, Baoquan Zhang, Jiwei Jin, Pengfei Zhang, Wending Wu and Mingwei Wang
An investigation was conducted into the impact of various process parameters on the surface and subsurface quality of glass-ceramic materials, as well as the mechanism of material…
Abstract
Purpose
An investigation was conducted into the impact of various process parameters on the surface and subsurface quality of glass-ceramic materials, as well as the mechanism of material removal and crack formation, through the use of ultrasonic-assisted grinding.
Design/methodology/approach
A mathematical model of crack propagation in ultrasonic-assisted grinding was established, and the mechanism of crack formation was described through the model. A series of simulations and experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of process parameters on crack depth, surface roughness, and surface topography during ultrasonic-assisted surface and axial grinding. Additionally, the mechanism of crack formation was explored.
Findings
During ultrasonic-assisted grinding, the average grinding forces are between 0.4–1.0 N, which is much smaller than that of ordinary grinding (1.0–3.5 N). In surface grinding, the maximum surface stresses between the workpiece and the tool gradually decrease with the tool speed. The surface stresses of the workpiece increase with the grinding depth, and the depth of subsurface cracks increases with the grinding depth. With the increase of the axial grinding speed, the subsurface damage depth increases. The roughness increases from 0.780um/1.433um.
Originality/value
A mathematical model of crack propagation in ultrasonic-assisted grinding was established, and the mechanism of crack formation was described through the model. The deformation involved in the grinding process is large, and the FEM-SPH modeling method is used to solve the problem that the results of the traditional finite element method are not convergent and the calculation efficiency is low.
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Pengfei Zhang, Lijun Zhao, Olga Vata and Sriram Rajagopal
This paper aims to examine three of the major issues relating to the welfare of seafarers, including wages, social security benefits and onboard and ashore welfare facilities and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine three of the major issues relating to the welfare of seafarers, including wages, social security benefits and onboard and ashore welfare facilities and services. It is impossible to research all countries here, so this paper selects Greece – which is one of today’s primary shipping countries as for shipowning, as well as for global supply and demand for seafarers – to conduct an empirical case study.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the existing knowledge and scholarship, and primary data collected in several phases of fieldwork, this paper intends to critically examine three major issues relating to the welfare for Greek seafarers, namely, wages, social security benefits and onboard and ashore welfare facilities and services.
Findings
This paper finds that they face poor labour conditions, which are getting worse due to the depressed world and Greek economies and intense financial pressures on shipping companies. The entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 has a significant impact on the world maritime industry.
Research limitations/implications
This paper critically examines the three major issues relating to the welfare of Greek seafarers.
Originality/value
Such issues, which Greece is facing are also common in other countries, so the findings and suggestions revealed from this paper are of importance for the global shipping industry and other states.
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Dian Song, Pengfei Zhang, Rongrong Shi and Yishuai Yin
In the pursuit of competitive advantage, an increasing number of firms are adopting open innovation (OI) strategies. However, previous studies have often overlooked the role of…
Abstract
Purpose
In the pursuit of competitive advantage, an increasing number of firms are adopting open innovation (OI) strategies. However, previous studies have often overlooked the role of strategic human resource management (SHRM) in promoting OI. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how SHRM impacts OI through the mediating factors of intellectual capital (IC) and supply chain integration (SCI). This research sheds light on the critical interplay between SHRM, IC and SCI in driving OI success. The findings underscore the importance of adopting a comprehensive and integrated approach to OI that encompasses both resources and dynamic capabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
By integrating resource-based view with the dynamic capability perspective, the hypotheses were tested with a survey sample of 136 Chinese manufacture firms using hierarchical regression and bootstrap method.
Findings
The results show that SHRM has a positive effect on OI, and both IC and SCI are partial mediators of the relationship between SHRM and OI. In addition, the chain mediation effect of “SHRM-IC-SCI-OI” has further been verified.
Originality/value
This study uncovers the “black box” between SHRM and OI, and responds to the call for strengthening research on the relationship between SHRM and OI. The study indicates that firms should implement HR practices, including extensive training, team reward and internal promotion to promote the implementation of OI strategy.
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Huizhong Zhang, Yu Zuo, Pengfei Ju, Jian Zhang, Xuhui Zhao, Yuming Tang and Xiaofeng Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to study the variations of composition and properties of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel surface in 80°C, 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 2 mg L-1 NaF…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the variations of composition and properties of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel surface in 80°C, 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 2 mg L-1 NaF solution, is helpful to understand the mechanisms of corrosion resistancethe of plated Pd on 316 L ss.
Design/methodology/approach
The variations of composition and properties of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel surface in 80°C, 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 2 mg L-1 NaF solution after connected to Pd electrode were studied with methods of potential monitor, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) measurement.
Findings
By connecting to a Pd electrode, the potential of the SS sample increased from the active region to the passive region. By connecting to the Pd electrode, the contents of Cr, Cr(OH)3 and Fe3O4 in passive film increased obviously. With increased Pd/SS area ratio, the Cr(OH)3 content in passive film increased but the Fe3O4 content changed little. The results show that after connecting to Pd the corrosion resistance of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel increases obviously, which may be attributed to the more compact passive film because of higher Cr, Cr(OH)3 and Fe3O4 contents and less point defects in the film.
Originality/value
The effects and mechanism of Pd on passivation of SS was studied.
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Ge Zhang, Pengfei Chen and Si Xu
Given that the current sustainability assessment in higher education institutions primarily relies on qualitative methods with relatively limited quantitative tools, the purpose…
Abstract
Purpose
Given that the current sustainability assessment in higher education institutions primarily relies on qualitative methods with relatively limited quantitative tools, the purpose of this study is to design a tool that could be used to comprehensively assess the overall state of higher education institutions’ sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors based the “Model to Assess the Sustainability of Higher Education Institutions” on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework of economic, environmental and social factors, and established its primary dimensions as educational level, research capacity, community outreach, campus operations, campus experience and assessment reports. They designed the College Organisational Sustainability Scale (CO-SS) based on this research model, drawing their inspiration from the qualitative research tool, the Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire, and taking the following validation steps: expert review (n = 10), pilot testing (n = 150) and formal experiments (n = 1108). These steps were taken to optimise the scale items, test the model’s validity and assess its reliability.
Findings
After undergoing rigorous scientific validation, CO-SS was unequivocally confirmed as an effective and reliable tool, demonstrating its accurate reflection of the level of sustainability in higher education institutions.
Originality/value
The authors took an industry-specific approach by relying on the TBL and the Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire to construct and validate the CO-SS. Furthermore, the CO-SS has the potential to evolve into a self-assessment tool for higher education institutions, and a reliable foundation for data-driven decision-making in the realm of organisational sustainability at universities.
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Li Zhao, Jianxin Sun, Ling Zhang, Pengfei He and Qiulu Yi
This study explores the effects of different types of technology lock-in on enterprise innovation performance. On this basis, the authors aim to provide technological innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the effects of different types of technology lock-in on enterprise innovation performance. On this basis, the authors aim to provide technological innovation suggestions for the long-term development of Chinese enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 211 high-tech enterprises in China were taken as the research sample. Data were collected through questionnaire surveys and secondhand data. Linear and nonlinear regression models were used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Different types of technology lock-in had different effects on enterprise innovation performance. Initiative lock-in and passive lock-in showed an inverted U-shaped relationship with innovation performance. Economies of scale were positively correlated with innovation performance, while self-lock-in was negatively correlated with it.
Practical implications
This research can help enterprises reconceptualize technology lock-in. It can also help enterprises in different stages of development carry out targeted technological innovation and management strategies.
Originality/value
This research enriches our understanding of technology lock-in. By breaking with previous conceptualizations of a simple linear relationship between technology lock-in and innovation performance, this study proposes and confirms different technology lock-in has different relationships with enterprise innovation performance. This study is important for enterprises to reassess their technology lock-in state and carry out targeted technological innovation strategies. This research enriches the theory of path dependence and its combination with other theories. And this study also reveals the current research on technology lock-in is insufficient.
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Pengfei Yuan, Baiyan He and Lianhong Zhang
Due to the structural layout, mining process, and working environment, curved chains such as horizontal and vertical bends inevitably exist in the armoured face conveyor (AFC)…
Abstract
Purpose
Due to the structural layout, mining process, and working environment, curved chains such as horizontal and vertical bends inevitably exist in the armoured face conveyor (AFC). With the increasing power, conveying capacity, and distance of the AFC, the dynamic influence of these curved chains should be highly emphasized. This paper establishes a dynamic model of the AFC by multi-body system theory and finite segment method, in which the curved chains can be fully considered.
Design/methodology/approach
The scraper chains are firstly grouped into the straight, horizontal bend, vertical convex and concave bend sections. Each bend section running in a circle is simplified as an ideal arc. Through solving its differential equilibrium equation and using Newton's second law, its running resistance is derived. Then the grouped chains are discretized into finite control elements according to the Kelvin model, and the governing equation of each control element is established. The dynamic model of the AFC is obtained by assembling these equations, and the corresponding simulation model is developed by using MATLAB/Simulink.
Findings
Case studies with real scenarios are provided, and simulations are carried out. The results show that the running resistance contributed by the curved chains is larger than the traditional empirical value.
Originality/value
The work in this paper helps the dynamic performance design of AFC, with a deep understanding of the curved chains.
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Jinshuai Xie, Lei Tang, Pengfei Gao, Zhengquan Zhang and Liangfeng Li
This paper aims to study the effect of different Ni content on the microstructure and properties of Sn-0.7Cu alloy. Then, the spreading area, wetting angle, interface layer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the effect of different Ni content on the microstructure and properties of Sn-0.7Cu alloy. Then, the spreading area, wetting angle, interface layer thickness and microstructure of the soldering interface was observed and analyzed at different soldering temperatures and times.
Design/methodology/approach
Sn-0.7Cu-xNi solder alloy was prepared by a high-frequency induction melting furnace. Then Sn-0.7Cu-xNi alloy was soldered on a Cu substrate at different soldering temperatures and times.
Findings
It was found that Ni made the intermetallic compounds in the Sn-0.7Cu solder alloy gradually aggregate and coarsen, and the microstructure was refined. The phase compositions of the solder alloy are mainly composed of the ß-Sn phase and a few intermetallic compounds, Cu6Sn5 + (Cu, Ni)6Sn5. The maximum value of 12.1 HV is reached when the Ni content is 0.1 Wt.%. When the Ni content is 0.5 Wt.%, the wettability of the solder alloy increases by about 15%, the interface thickness increases by about 8.9% and the scallop-like structure is the most refined. When the soldering time is 10 min and the soldering temperature is 280 °C, the wettability of Sn-0.7Cu-0.2Ni is the best.
Originality/value
It is groundbreaking to combine the change in soldering interface with the soldering industry. The effects of different soldering temperatures and times on the Sn-0.7Cu-xNi alloy were studied. Under the same conditions, Sn-0.7Cu-0.2Ni exhibits better wettability and more stable solder joint stability.
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To further understand the granular flow lubrication mechanism in metal contact pairs, the effect of sliding-rolling ratio on the force chain properties was investigated.
Abstract
Purpose
To further understand the granular flow lubrication mechanism in metal contact pairs, the effect of sliding-rolling ratio on the force chain properties was investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
The parallel inter-plate model of the granular flow lubrication was established with discrete element method. Then, the correlation law between sliding-rolling ratio and force chain evolution properties was calculated and analyzed with PFC2D software platform.
Findings
Numerical calculation results show that the dynamic fluctuation property of force chain is existed, and the shock frequency of it is increased with the increase of sliding-rolling ratio. The same evolution law is also occurred for the bearing rate of strong force chain in the initial expansion and final compression phases, and the opposite phenomena is obtained for the overall expansion phase. Moreover, the directivity of strong force chain is changed by the sliding-rolling ratio. With the increase of sliding-rolling ratio, the directivity of strong force chain is first tended to y-axis, and then inclined to the x-axis in the whole phases. The basic reason is that a clamping up and downward movement impact for the neighbor particles are the essence of the above phenomenon.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this work is to lay a theory foundation of interfacial lubrication mechanism with granular flow.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2023-0133/
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Pengfei Zhao, Ji Wu, Zhongsheng Hua and Shijian Fang
The purpose of this paper is to identify electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) customers from customer reviews. Thus, firms can precisely leverage eWOM customers to increase their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) customers from customer reviews. Thus, firms can precisely leverage eWOM customers to increase their product sales.
Design/methodology/approach
This research proposed a framework to analyze the content of consumer-generated product reviews. Specific algorithms were used to identify potential eWOM reviewers, and then an evaluation method was used to validate the relationship between product sales and the eWOM reviewers identified by the authors’ proposed method.
Findings
The results corroborate that online product reviews that are made by the eWOM customers identified by the authors’ proposed method are more related to product sales than customer reviews that are made by non-eWOM customers and that the predictive power of the reviews generated by eWOM customers are significantly higher than the reviews generated by non-eWOM customers.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed method is useful in the data set, which is based on one type of products. However, for other products, the validity must be tested. Previous eWOM customers may have no significant influence on product sales in the future. Therefore, the proposed method should be tested in the new market environment.
Practical implications
By combining the method with the previous customer segmentation method, a new framework of customer segmentation is proposed to help firms understand customers’ value specifically.
Originality/value
This study is the first to identify eWOM customers from online reviews and to evaluate the relationship between reviewers and product sales.
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