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Article
Publication date: 15 September 2023

Peng Liu, Rong Zhang, Ya Wang, Hailong Yang and Bin Liu

In recent years, private brands for e-commerce platforms have experienced rapid growth. However, whether these platforms developing private brands should share their demand…

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, private brands for e-commerce platforms have experienced rapid growth. However, whether these platforms developing private brands should share their demand information with others and how such information sharing affects the sales format selection of national brand manufacturers have puzzled firm managers in practice. This paper aims to investigate the information-sharing strategy for the e-commerce platform and its influence on the sales format selection in the presence of the private brand.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a game-theoretical model to examine the interaction between the information-sharing strategy and sales format selection in a supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and a platform that operates a private brand.

Findings

The equilibrium results show that when the commission rate is low, the manufacturer favors agency selling, and the platform shares demand information with the manufacturer; when the commission rate is high, the manufacturer prefers reselling, and the platform does not share the information. This preference is affected by information forecasting accuracy; as the information forecasting accuracy increases, the manufacturer prefers to adopt agency selling, and the platform tends to share the information. Interestingly, under agency selling, sharing information with the manufacturer can increase the platform’s profit from selling the private brand and achieve a win-win situation for them. Furthermore, we show that the manufacturer can inspire the platform to share the information with himself by adopting agency selling, whereas the platform sharing the information improves the probability that the manufacturer adopts agency selling. Moreover, the manufacturer may have a first-mover advantage. In particular, the manufacturer moving first increases the likelihood that the manufacturer chooses agency selling and the platform shares the information.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to sales format literature by exploring the effect of information sharing strategy on sales format selection in the presence of the private brand and can help manufacturers and platforms to make suitable decisions regarding information sharing and sales format selection.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 July 2022

Qiongqiong Gu, Rong Zhang and Bin Liu

Due to product value uncertainty, consumers do not know the product matching rate before they get the product, which is the probability of product fitness. Taking the consumers’…

Abstract

Purpose

Due to product value uncertainty, consumers do not know the product matching rate before they get the product, which is the probability of product fitness. Taking the consumers’ anticipated regret into account, this paper aims to develop a theoretical model to explore how the anticipated regret affects pricing and advertising decisions and profits of retailers in the online to offline (O2O) supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper considers an O2O supply chain consisting of an e-retailer and a brick-and-mortar retailer; both retailers cooperate to provide buying online and pick up in-store (BOPS) for consumers.

Findings

It shows three major findings. Retailers should decide whether to introduce BOPS channel according to the matching rate of the product when the BOPS channel is not very convenient for consumers. When the BOPS channel does not exist in the market, the profits of two retailers increase with the online regret of consumers, while the BOPS channel exists in the market and the matching rate of the product is low, the higher offline regret can enable both retailers to increase the profits; furthermore, when the matching rate is high, the higher degree of online regret can bring more profit to the O2O supply chain. Therefore, both retailers can take measures together to induce consumers’ regrets according to the different matching rates, which makes both retailers obtain more profits. Counterintuitively, consumer surplus will not always increase due to consideration of anticipated regret.

Research limitations/implications

The model has some limitations that are worth further discussing. First, in practice, the O2O supply chain includes many forms except the BOPS channel, for example, order online and pick-up in-store (ROPS) channel; future research can discuss and consider the impact of consumers’ anticipated regret on ROPS. Second, the authors consider that O2O is a supply chain composed of two retailers. In reality, there is also a situation where an oligopoly retailer opens two channels to realize O2O supply chain, in the case the inventory decision-making of the product is worth studying. Finally, to highlight the impact of the anticipated regret on consumers’ decision-making, the return of the product is not considered. Future research can take the return of the product into account to assess the robustness of the results.

Originality/value

The contributions are in two main aspects. First, this paper considers an O2O supply chain with consumer value uncertainty, where there are duopoly retailers in the market and most of the existing literature focus on oligopoly retailer operates both online and offline channels; meanwhile, consumers’ value perceptions of the product is deterministic. Second, this paper explores how the consumer anticipated channel regret affects the pricing and advertising decisions of O2O supply chain, and the authors take behavioral theory into account when studying omnichannel operations, while most studies on anticipated regret consider traditional two-stage price reduction management, product innovation, etc.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 38 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 December 2022

Rong Zhang

The purpose of this research was to explore the stickiness of players' motivation in a virtual community and to explore the important factors for gamers.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to explore the stickiness of players' motivation in a virtual community and to explore the important factors for gamers.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, motivation was the independent variable; the virtual community was the mediator; and stickiness was the dependent variable. An online questionnaire survey was conducted, with users of augmented reality (AR) as the research objects. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS and AMOS software to verify the research model and research hypotheses, to understand the relation between player motivation and stickiness and to determine whether there were any changes in the virtual community.

Findings

The authors found that the relation between players' motivation in AR-based games and the virtual community had a significant positive impact. Ingress had a significant positive impact on the virtual community and stickiness, and Pokémon had a significant positive impact too. The virtual community of the Ingress game played a completely mediating role in motivation and stickiness, but the virtual community in Pokémon did not have a mediating effect.

Originality/value

The novel approach adopted in this study enabled us to determine the causal relation between player motivation, the virtual community and stickiness, on the basis of the theoretical framework formulated, and the latter was used to construct a path analysis model diagram. The correlation between motivation and the virtual community, between the virtual community and stickiness, and the causal relation between all three was verified. The study results and conclusions may help companies understand how to use virtual communities in AR games to improve stickiness and motivate gamers to continue playing.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 May 2016

Li Feng, Rong Zhang and Dennis McCornac

Currently, in China, the governance structure of modern companies gives directors great powers to pursue profits. However, little attention is paid to the undertaking of corporate…

Abstract

Purpose

Currently, in China, the governance structure of modern companies gives directors great powers to pursue profits. However, little attention is paid to the undertaking of corporate philanthropic activities. Therefore, rules on directors’ behavior in terms of corporate philanthropy are urgently needed to resolve the conflict between philanthropy and profits. This paper aims to discuss the main purpose of corporate philanthropy behavior in China, namely, the promotion of the company, and to analyze the theoretical mechanism for placing restrictions on directors’ behavior. The concepts and details of directors’ duty of loyalty and duty of diligence are also discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper addresses the theoretical framework for the restriction of director behavior in corporate philanthropy in China, explains the legal dilemma for the current situation and analyzes the problems associated with the determination of board directors’ behavior.

Findings

It is concluded that board members should give priority to their duty of loyalty and comply with their faithful obligations in corporate philanthropy. They should also fulfill their diligence obligations and not cause inconvenience and trouble for the company.

Research limitations/implications

Corporate philanthropy is well known as a beneficial activity to both the company and society. It not only helps to establish a good image of the company, which is in line with the interests of the shareholders and creditors, but also contributes to the development of social welfare. It is a topic worthy of deep discussion.

Practical implications

It is still very difficult to establish non-profit organizations because of stringent conditions on registration, organization and funding in China. Therefore, there are a limited number of independent non-governmental charitable organizations in China. Most charitable organizations have charitable expertise and government ties. Corporate philanthropy is a problem closely related to governmental administration and legal system renovation.

Social implications

Recently, a young girl related to the Red Cross Society of China was found guilty and arrested. This scandal has made people lose their confidence in philanthropy and has caused another round of intense discussion online. Corporate philanthropy is the focus of criticism because individuals with power gain benefits by taking advantage of their position. It is a very challenging issue for the Chinese society as to how to restore the reputation of philanthropy.

Originality/value

This paper points out the weakness in the current legal system as a restrictive mechanism to supervise the board directors’ behaviors in China. It analyzes the corporate philanthropy issue from the national level and highlights the significance of supervising governmental administration and corporate management through the improvement of the legal system.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 58 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 9 December 2022

Pinjie Xie, Baolin Sun, Li Liu, Yuwen Xie, Fan Yang and Rong Zhang

To cope with the severe situation of the global climate, China proposed the “30 60” dual-carbon strategic goal. Based on this background, the purpose of this paper is to…

Abstract

Purpose

To cope with the severe situation of the global climate, China proposed the “30 60” dual-carbon strategic goal. Based on this background, the purpose of this paper is to investigate scientifically and reasonably the interprovincial pattern of China’s power carbon emission intensity and further explore the causes of differences on this basis.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the principle of “shared but differentiated responsibilities,” this study measures the carbon emissions within the power industry from 1997 to 2019 scientifically, via the panel data of 30 provinces in China. The power carbon emission intensity is chosen as the indicator. Using the Dagum Gini coefficient to explore regional differences and their causes.

Findings

The results of this paper show that, first, China’s carbon emission intensity from the power industry overall is significantly different. From the perspective of geospatial distribution, the three regions have unbalanced characteristics. Second, according to the decomposition results of the Gini coefficient, the overall difference in power carbon emission intensity is generally expanding. The geospatial and economic development levels are examined separately. The gaps between the eastern and economically developed regions are the smallest, and the regional differences are the source of the overall disparity.

Research limitations/implications

Further exploring the causes of differences on this basis is crucial for relevant departments to formulate differentiated energy conservation and emission reduction policies. This study provides direction for analyzing the green and low carbon development of China’s power industry.

Practical implications

As an economic indicator of green and low-carbon development, CO2 intensity of power industry can directly reflect the dependence of economic growth on the high emission of electricity and energy. and further exploring the causes of differences on this basis is crucial for relevant departments to formulate differentiated energy conservation and emission reduction policies.

Social implications

For a long time, with the rapid economic development, resulting in the unresolved contradiction between low energy efficiency and high carbon emissions. To this end, scientifically and reasonably investigating the interprovincial pattern of China’s power carbon emission intensity, and further exploring the causes of differences on this basis, is crucial for relevant departments to formulate differentiated energy conservation and emission reduction policies.

Originality/value

Third, considering the influence of spatial factors on the convergence of power carbon emission intensity, a variety of different spatial weight matrices are selected. Based on the β-convergence theory from both absolute and conditional perspectives, we dig deeper into the spatial convergence of electricity carbon emission intensity across the country and the three regions.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2022

Rong Zhang and Yu-Teng Chang

The purpose of this research is to explore the critical success factors of mobile animation games, by exploring the game itself, information systems, game motivation and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore the critical success factors of mobile animation games, by exploring the game itself, information systems, game motivation and promotional activities, as well as conducting research and analysis on mobile animation game players.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used the Analysis Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and the consistent fuzzy preference relationship for data analysis. In this study, collect 1,286 valid questionnaires through online questionnaire surveys. And comparing the two games “Legend Showdown” and “Tower of Gods and Demons”, players believe that the more successful mobile animation game is “Legend Showdown”.

Findings

Through experimental design, and the consistent fuzzy preference relationship for data analysis. The results found that the critical factors considered by the player in relation to the mobile animation game were firstly the information system, followed by promotional activities, game motivation and finally the game itself.

Research limitations/implications

Because this research does not involve the concept of fuzzy theory at all, it is easy to produce subjective, uncertain and ambiguity issues when comparing pairwise. We recommended that follow-up researchers can use fuzzy semantic preference relations to solve this problem.

Originality/value

This study proposed a new approach that takes the critical factors for the mobile animation game. According to the research results, the critical success factor of mobile animation games is the information system, as it could provide a reference direction for game manufacturers when designing or formulating marketing strategies in the future.

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2018

Pengpeng Sun, Hui Liu, Miao Geng, Rong Zhang, Tingting Yuan and Wei Jun Luo

The design and performance of X-band high power 3-bit phase shifter which has been fabricated in 0.25µm GaN HEMT technology are presented.

Abstract

Purpose

The design and performance of X-band high power 3-bit phase shifter which has been fabricated in 0.25µm GaN HEMT technology are presented.

Design/methodology/approach

Each bit of this phase shifter design is based on high-pass/low-pass topology.

Findings

For all eight states, the insertion loss is 12.5 ± 2.5 dB from 8-10 GHz and the input return loss is better than 9 dB over 8-10 GHz. The 3-bit phase shifter achieves a RMS phase error of 1o at 8.5 GHz and a RMS amplitude error less than 1.1dB. The measured continuous wave power data demonstrates typical input RF power handing capability of 32 dBm at 8 GHz.

Originality/value

This is to the authors’ knowledge the first published results of 3-bit AlGaN/GaN phase shifter.

Details

Microelectronics International, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-5362

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 April 2012

Wen Zeng

The paper aims to explore multilingual thesauri automation construction based on the freely available digital library resources. The key methods and study results are presented in…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to explore multilingual thesauri automation construction based on the freely available digital library resources. The key methods and study results are presented in the paper. It also proposes a way that terms are automatically extracted from multilingual parallel corpus.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the technology of natural language processing to analyze the linguistics characteristics of terms, and combined this with statistical analyses to extract the terms from technological documents. The methods consist of automatically extracting and filtering terms, judging and building relationship among terms, building the multilingual parallel corpus, and extracting term pairs between Chinese and foreign languages through calculating their associated probability. The experiments run on the Java test platform.

Findings

The study obtains the following conclusions: finding the similarities and differences between the Chinese thesaurus standard and international thesaurus standard. The methods for automatically extracting terms and building relationships among them are presented. Eventually the multilingual terms' translation sets are generated based on real corpora. The results of the study show that the proposed methods can obtain better performance. The effect of automatic terms' translation alignment method is better than that of traditional IBM model method.

Practical implications

The study results can provide references for further study and application of multilingual thesauri automation construction using Chinese as a pivot.

Originality/value

The paper proposes new ideas on thesaurus automation construction in the digital age. The presented method based on linguistics and statistics is a new attempt. According to the experimental results, this exploration and study is innovative and valuable. In addition, these ideas and methods give a good start for improving information services of the PRC's National Science and Technology Digital Library.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2021

Xixian Lin, Yuming Zhang, Yimeng Zhang and Guangjian Rong

The purpose of this study is to design a more flexible and larger range of the dimming circuit that achieves the independence of multiple LED strings drive and can time-multiplex…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to design a more flexible and larger range of the dimming circuit that achieves the independence of multiple LED strings drive and can time-multiplex the power circuit.

Design/methodology/approach

The state-space method is used to model the BUCK circuit working in Pseudo continuous conduction mode, analyze the frequency characteristics of the system transfer function and design the compensation network. Build a simulation platform on the Orcad PSPICE platform and verify the function of the designed circuit through the simulation results. Use Altium Designer 16 to draw the printed circuit board, complete the welding of various components and use the oscilloscope, direct current (DC) power supply and a signal generator to verify the circuit function.

Findings

A prototype of the proposed LED driver is fabricated and tested. The measurement results show that the switching frequency can be increased to 1 MHz, Power inductance is 2.2 µH, which is smaller than current research. The dimming ratio can be set from 10% to 100%. The proposed LED driver can output more than 48 W and achieve a peak conversion efficiency of 91%.

Originality/value

The proposed LED driver adopts pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming at a lower dimming ratio and adopts DC dimming at a larger dimming ratio to realize switching PWM dimming to analog dimming. The control strategy can be more precise and have a wide range of dimming.

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2001

Min Zhi Rong, Ming Qiu Zhang, Hong Liu, Hanmin Zeng, Bernd Wetzel and Klaus Friedrich

Nanocomposites represent a new prospective branch in the huge field of polymer materials science and technology. It has been shown that an overall enhancement of properties of…

1513

Abstract

Nanocomposites represent a new prospective branch in the huge field of polymer materials science and technology. It has been shown that an overall enhancement of properties of polymers can be achieved under certain conditions by the addition of nanoparticles. To examine the influence of microstructure on the tribological performance of nanocomposites, different ways of compounding were used in this study. It was found that the friction and wear behavior of polymeric nanocomposites under sliding environment was rather sensitive to the dispersion states of the nanoparticles. When the microstructural homogeneity of the nanocomposites was improved, their wear resistance could be increased significantly. The present work demonstrates the importance of TiO2‐nanoparticles dispersion in an epoxy resin matrix, on the materials’ tribological properties, when sliding against a smooth steel counterpart.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 53 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

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