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1 – 10 of 13Swee Leong Sing, Wai Yee Yeong, Florencia Edith Wiria, Bee Yen Tay, Ziqiang Zhao, Lin Zhao, Zhiling Tian and Shoufeng Yang
This paper aims to provide a review on the process of additive manufacturing of ceramic materials, focusing on partial and full melting of ceramic powder by a high-energy laser…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a review on the process of additive manufacturing of ceramic materials, focusing on partial and full melting of ceramic powder by a high-energy laser beam without the use of binders.
Design/methodology/approach
Selective laser sintering or melting (SLS/SLM) techniques are first introduced, followed by analysis of results from silica (SiO2), zirconia (ZrO2) and ceramic-reinforced metal matrix composites processed by direct laser sintering and melting.
Findings
At the current state of technology, it is still a challenge to fabricate dense ceramic components directly using SLS/SLM. Critical challenges encountered during direct laser melting of ceramic will be discussed, including deposition of ceramic powder layer, interaction between laser and powder particles, dynamic melting and consolidation mechanism of the process and the presence of residual stresses in ceramics processed via SLS/SLM.
Originality/value
Despite the challenges, SLS/SLM still has the potential in fabrication of ceramics. Additional research is needed to understand and establish the optimal interaction between the laser beam and ceramic powder bed for full density part fabrication. Looking into the future, other melting-based techniques for ceramic and composites are presented, along with their potential applications.
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Xuesong Lu, Yoonjae Lee, Shoufeng Yang, Yang Hao, Julian Evans and Clive Parini
The aim of this paper is to provide an easy method of extrusion freeforming to fabricate microwave electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) crystals. EBG crystals are periodic dielectric…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide an easy method of extrusion freeforming to fabricate microwave electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) crystals. EBG crystals are periodic dielectric structures that can block wave propagation and generate a bandgap. These crystals can be used in high capability antennae, electromagnetic wave semiconductors, microresonators, high‐reflectivity mirrors and polarizing beam splitters.
Design/methodology/approach
The effects of extrusion process parameters and paste characteristics were investigated. Finally, one‐period and two‐period woodpile EBG crystals with bandgaps in the frequency region of 90‐110 GHz were fabricated and the bandgap was measured.
Findings
The filament diameter is influenced by whether extrusion is carried out with or without a substrate and by the free fall‐distance from the nozzle. The quality of lattice structures is dependent on paste flow and properties. A ceramic paste with 60 vol. % (the fraction of ceramic powder based on solvent‐free polymer) was well suited to fabrication. The solvent content also influenced the fabrication. The experimental results show that under ∼12 per cent solvent mass fraction in the paste and relatively high extrusion ram velocity (more than 0.014 mm/s) at a pressure of 14 MPa, samples with high quality were fabricated.
Originality/value
This paper demonstrates that the rapid prototyping method of extrusion freeforming can be applied for the fabrication of EBG crystals from ceramic powders and the important factors which influence the product quality are identified.
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Pengyun Zhao, Shoufeng Ji and Yuanyuan Ji
This paper aims to introduce a novel structure for the physical internet (PI)–enabled sustainable supplier selection and inventory management problem under uncertain environments.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to introduce a novel structure for the physical internet (PI)–enabled sustainable supplier selection and inventory management problem under uncertain environments.
Design/methodology/approach
To address hybrid uncertainty both in the objective function and constraints, a novel interactive hybrid multi-objective optimization solution approach combining Me-based fuzzy possibilistic programming and interval programming approaches is tailored.
Findings
Various numerical experiments are introduced to validate the feasibility of the established model and the proposed solution method.
Originality/value
Due to its interconnectedness, the PI has the opportunity to support firms in addressing sustainability challenges and reducing initial impact. The sustainable supplier selection and inventory management have become critical operational challenges in PI-enabled supply chain problems. This is the first attempt on this issue, which uses the presented novel interactive possibilistic programming method.
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Jerry Chih‐Ching Chiang, Ming‐Hsien Yang, Gary Klein and James Jiunn‐Yih Jiang
The purpose of this paper is to understand how perceptions of fair treatment impact voluntary behaviors of information technology (IT) professionals beneficial to the achievement…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand how perceptions of fair treatment impact voluntary behaviors of information technology (IT) professionals beneficial to the achievement of organizational goals. Specifically, social exchange and psychological contract theory provide a framework to consider whether equitable treatment of employees and preservation of implied contracts are indicators of beneficial, extra‐role behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a questionnaire targeting IT professionals to test a model derived from theory and prior IT personnel literature.
Findings
IT employees reciprocate demonstrations of equity and maintenance of implied contracts by added beneficial behaviors not explicit to their job requirements. This relationship is partially mediated by their trust held in the organization.
Research limitations/implications
This study considered two related but distinct social exchange concepts in the same model of IT personnel behavior that had previously been considered independently indicating the need to consider both in future models. Generalizations of the observed result are limited by the use of cross‐sectional data from a single culture.
Practical implications
Managers of IT personnel must design and implement procedures that guarantee equitable distribution of resources and rewards. Management honoring contacts that are merely implicit and derived internally by the IT employee is crucial in promoting beneficial behaviors that fall outside explicit job requirements.
Originality/value
The paper highlights how IT employees reciprocate in the technology work environment. In exchange for an organization honoring contracts that are merely perceived and providing an equitable structure, IT professionals are willing to go beyond required job descriptions to achieve goals.
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Pengyun Zhao, Shoufeng Ji and Yaoting Xue
The purpose of this paper is to propose an innovative integration method based on decision-theoretic rough set and the extended VlseKriterijuska Optimizacija I Komoromisno Resenje…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose an innovative integration method based on decision-theoretic rough set and the extended VlseKriterijuska Optimizacija I Komoromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methods to address the resilient-sustainable supplier selection and order allocation (SS/OA) problem.
Design/methodology/approach
Specifically, a two-stage approach is designed in this paper. First, the decision-theoretic rough set is employed to calculate the rough number for coping with the subjective uncertainty of data and assigning the weights for a resilient-sustainable evaluation criterion. On this basis, the supplier resilient-sustainable performance is ranked in combination with the extended VIKOR method. Second, a novel multi-objective optimization model is proposed that applies an improved genetic algorithm to select the resilient-sustainable supplier and allocate the corresponding order quantity under a multi-tier supplier network.
Findings
The results reveal that joint consideration of resilience and sustainability is essential in the SS/OA process. The method proposed in this study based on decision-theoretic rough sets and the extended VIKOR method can handle imprecise information flexibly, reduce information loss and obtain acceptable solutions for decision-makers. Numerical cases validate that this integrated approach can combine resilience and sustainability for effective and efficient SS/OA.
Practical implications
This paper provides industry managers with a new perspective on SS/OA from a resilience and sustainability perspective as a basis for best practices for industry resilience and sustainability. The proposed method helps to evaluate the resilient-sustainable performance of potential suppliers, which is applicable to solving real-world SS/OA problems and has important practical implications for the resilient-sustainable development of supply chains.
Originality/value
The two interrelated priorities of resilience and sustainability have emerged as key strategic challenges in SS/OA issues. This paper is the first study of this issue that uses the proposed integrated approach.
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Yuran Jin, Shoufeng Ji, Xin Li and Jiangnan Yu
Additive manufacturing has achieved rapid development in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to visualize the intellectual landscapes of additive manufacturing and identify…
Abstract
Purpose
Additive manufacturing has achieved rapid development in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to visualize the intellectual landscapes of additive manufacturing and identify the hotspots and emerging trends of additive manufacturing, which can provide references for scholars, enterprises and governments to promote the development of theory and practice in the additive manufacturing field.
Design/methodology/approach
Science mapping is a fast-growing interdisciplinary field originated in information science and technology. Based on this methodology, guided by a computational approach, the paper visualizes the co-occurring keywords network and co-citation references network by CiteSpaceIII software to explore the hotspots and emerging trends of additive manufacturing by the following five indicators: highly cited keywords, burst keywords, clusters, landmark references and burst references.
Findings
“Additive manufacturing,” “3D printing,” “3D powder printing,” “consolidation phenomena,” “microstructure,” “rapid prototyping,” etc., are the main hotspots of additive manufacturing. The trends of additive manufacturing generally consist of three stages: the fundamental concepts stage from 1995 to 2000 (“rapid prototyping,” “additive manufacturing,” etc.), the approaches and techniques applications stage from 2001 to 2010 (“stereolithography,” “scaffold,” etc.), and the emerging trends stage from 2011 to the present (“stem cell”, “selective laser,” “ti-6al-4v,” etc.). The research is most abundant in 2010 and 2012. The medical field is an important hotspot of additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing has been researched in interdiscipline.
Originality/value
The paper maps the perspective of additive manufacturing and explore the hotspots and emerging trends of additive manufacturing.
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Yuran Jin, Shoufeng Ji, Li Liu and Wei Wang
More and more enterprises have realized the importance of business model innovation. However, the model tools for it are still scarce. There is a clear research gap in this…
Abstract
Purpose
More and more enterprises have realized the importance of business model innovation. However, the model tools for it are still scarce. There is a clear research gap in this academic field. Therefore, the aim of this study is to put forward a visual business model innovation model.
Design/methodology/approach
The scientific literature clustering paradigm of grounded theory is used to design business model innovation theory model (BMITM). BMITM and the business model innovation options traced back from 870 labels in the grounded process are integrated into a unified framework to build the business model innovation canvas (BMIC).
Findings
BMIC composed of three levels and seven modules is successfully developed. 145 business model innovation options are designed in BMIC. How to use BMIC is explained in detail. Through the analysis of innovation hotspots, the potential business model innovation directions can be found. A new business model of clothing enterprises using 3D printing is innovated with BMIC as an example.
Research limitations/implications
Compared with the previous tools, BMIC owns a clearer business model innovation framework and provides a problem-oriented business model innovation process and mechanism.
Practical implications
BMIC provides a systematic business model innovation solution set and roadmap for business model innovation practitioners.
Originality/value
BMIC, a new tool for business model innovation is put forward for the first time. “Mass Selection Customization-Centralized Manufacturing” designed with BMIC for the clothing enterprises using 3D printing is put forward for the first time.
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Yuran Jin, Xin Li, R. Ian Campbell and Shoufeng Ji
3D printing is believed to be driving the third industrial revolution. However, a scientometric visualizing of 3D printing research and an exploration its hotspots and emerging…
Abstract
Purpose
3D printing is believed to be driving the third industrial revolution. However, a scientometric visualizing of 3D printing research and an exploration its hotspots and emerging trends are lacking. This study aims to promote the theory development of 3D printing, help researchers to determine the research direction and provide a reference for enterprises and government to plan the development of 3D printing industry by a comprehensive understanding of the hotspots and trends of 3D printing.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the theory of scientometrics, 2,769 literatures on the 3D printing theme were found in the Web of Science Core Collection’ Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) index between 1995-2016. These were analyzed to explore the research hotspots and emerging trends of 3D printing with the software CiteSpaceIII.
Findings
Hotspots had appeared first in 1993, grew rapidly from 2005 and peaked in 2013; hotspots in the “medical field” appeared earliest and have remained extremely active; hotspots have evolved from “drug”, “printer”, “rapid prototyping” and “3D printing” in the 1990s, through “laser-induced consolidation”, “scaffolds”, “sintering” and “metal matrix composites” in the 2000s, to the current hotspots of “stereolithography”, “laser additive manufacturing”, “medical images”; “3D bioprinting”, “titanium”, “Cstem cell” and “chemical reaction” were the emerging hotspots in recent years; “Commercial operation” and “fusion with emerging technology such as big data” may create future hotspots.
Research limitations/implications
It is hard to avoid the possibility of missing important research results on 3D printing. The relevant records could be missing if the query phrases for topic search do not appear in records. Besides, to improve the quality of data, this study selected articles and reviews as the research objects, which may also omit some records.
Originality/value
First, this is the first paper visualizing the hotspots and emerging trends of 3D printing using scientometric tools. Second, not only “burst reference” and “burst keywords” but also “cluster” and “landmark article” are selected as the evaluation factors to judge the hotspots and trends of a domain comprehensively. Third, overall perspective of hotspots and trends of 3D printing is put forward for the first time.
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Dah-Kwei Liou, Li-Chun Hsu and Wen-Hai Chih
Based on the tricomponent attitude model, a research model is developed to investigate the factors that influence users’ use intentions regarding broadband television. These…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the tricomponent attitude model, a research model is developed to investigate the factors that influence users’ use intentions regarding broadband television. These factors are divided into vendor’s service and personal psychology perspectives. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The research sample consisted of 631 respondents with experience in using broadband television. This study adopted structural equation modeling to test the proposed model.
Findings
The results show that the structural model has a good fit and indicates that perceived system quality, perceived content quality, customization, perceived ease of use, and perceived risk directly influence users’ opinions toward broadband television and indirectly affect their continuance intention to use through attitude to use.
Practical implications
From a managerial standpoint, this study can assist internet protocol television (IPTV) service providers in understanding the critical determinants that influence consumers’ continuance intention to use IPTV.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the understanding of consumers’ continuance intention to use IPTV by introducing customers’ perspectives for vendor’s service factors (perceived system quality, perceived content quality, customization, and perceived ease of use) to current theoretical models. From a personal psychology perspective, this study provides sound evidence that the determinants of perceived price level and perceived risk are critical factors that affect consumers’ attitude to use and continuance intention to use of broadband televisions.
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Long‐Yi Lin and Chun‐Shuo Chen
The main purpose of this study is to explore the influence of the country‐of‐origin image, product knowledge and product involvement on consumer purchase decision.
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to explore the influence of the country‐of‐origin image, product knowledge and product involvement on consumer purchase decision.
Design/methodology/approach
Taiwan, China and the USA were the three countries selected for research into the country‐of‐origin, insurance and catering services. Structured questionnaires and convenience sampling were used. Samples were collected from consumers in the Taipei area. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed with convenience sampling method, and 369 effective samples were collected, the effective rate being 92.25 percent. Stepwise regression analysis was adapted to test hypothesis.
Findings
The main findings were listed as follows: the country‐of‐origin image, product knowledge and product involvement all have a significantly positive effect on consumer purchase decision; the country‐of‐origin image has a significantly positive effect on consumer purchase decisions under different product involvement; and product knowledge has significantly positive effect on consumer purchase decisions under different product involvement.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of the study are: it is unable to infer to national consumers and to other service areas and the explanatory power of some empirical models is relative low. Implications of the study are that: a more thorough structure about consumer purchase decisions should be provided and the relationship between product knowledge and information search quantity should be verified.
Practical implications
Practical implications pf the study are that the company must face competitive strategies from many countries and also the effect of consumer product knowledge on business competitive strategy.
Originality/value
The added value of this paper is to link between theory and practice, and explore the different country‐of‐origin image, product knowledge and product involvement on consumer purchase decisions.
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