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1 – 10 of 557Lin Xue and Feng Zhang
With the increasing number of Web services, correct and efficient classification of Web services is crucial to improve the efficiency of service discovery. However, existing Web…
Abstract
Purpose
With the increasing number of Web services, correct and efficient classification of Web services is crucial to improve the efficiency of service discovery. However, existing Web service classification approaches ignore the class overlap in Web services, resulting in poor accuracy of classification in practice. This paper aims to provide an approach to address this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a label confusion and priori correction-based Web service classification approach. First, functional semantic representations of Web services descriptions are obtained based on BERT. Then, the ability of the model is enhanced to recognize and classify overlapping instances by using label confusion learning techniques; Finally, the predictive results are corrected based on the label prior distribution to further improve service classification effectiveness.
Findings
Experiments based on the ProgrammableWeb data set show that the proposed model demonstrates 4.3%, 3.2% and 1% improvement in Macro-F1 value compared to the ServeNet-BERT, BERT-DPCNN and CARL-NET, respectively.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a Web service classification approach for the overlapping categories of Web services and improve the accuracy of Web services classification.
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Yong Liu, Chang-Xue Lin and Gang Zhao
The paper attempts to discuss the optimal pricing decisions under the decentralized and centralized decision and analyze the influence of online reviews and in-sale service on…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper attempts to discuss the optimal pricing decisions under the decentralized and centralized decision and analyze the influence of online reviews and in-sale service on dual-channel supply chain. Finally, the authors design a two-part tariff coordination mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
To deal with this pricing conflict problems of dual-channel supply chain consisting of dominant manufacturer and a retailer, considering the fact that online reviews and in-sale service are important factors on consumers’ purchase decisions, the authors establish some basic models and exploit them to discuss the optimal pricing decisions under the decentralized and centralized decision and analyze the influence of online reviews and in-sale service on dual-channel supply chain. Finally, the authors design a profit-sharing coordination mechanism.
Findings
The results show that the optimal online direct selling price is positively correlated with product perceived quality obtained from online reviews and negatively correlated with the in-sale service. The traditional retail price is positively correlated with the in-sale service and weakly correlated with online reviews. For the manufacturer and retailer, whether decentralized decision or coordination contract, their profits increase with the increase of the in-sale service in a certain range and quality perceived from spontaneous online reviews. Online reviews and in-sale service are important factors on consumers’ purchase decisions. Positive in-sale services and online reviews can provide consumers with a better shopping experience, thereby promoting their enthusiasm for shopping and improving their quality of life. The two-part tariff coordination mechanism improves the profits of the manufacturer and the traditional retailer, respectively, through the transfer fee.
Originality/value
The proposed approach can well analyze the channel conflicts and pricing problems between retailers and manufacturers with respect to product offline price and online price. The analysis and results can inform decision-making for manufacturers and retailers.
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Jin Cai, Zhongfu Li, Yudan Dou, Yue Teng and Mengqi Yuan
Contractor selection is critical in green buildings (GBs) since the preferred contractor has the responsibility to achieve construction sustainability as well as relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
Contractor selection is critical in green buildings (GBs) since the preferred contractor has the responsibility to achieve construction sustainability as well as relationship sustainability. The developer satisfaction reflecting requirements can boost the cooperative relationship among stakeholders and act as an evaluation scale for the success of GB projects, which needs to be emphasized in the selection process but little involved in the existing research. This study explores improving GB contractor (GBC) selection by integrating developer satisfaction into selection procedures.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic framework of GBC selection including twenty-five criteria from literature review and experts survey is firstly constructed. Both tactical and strategic criteria are further classified into Kano categories (must-be, one-dimensional, and attractive categories) using the fuzzy Kano model (FKM), and weighted by the developer satisfaction index. The model proposed by this study combining FKM and TOPSIS divides the selection process into the filtration phase and selection phase by Kano categories. The proposed model is finally verified through performance comparison among multiple methods in a case.
Findings
Selection criteria are measured linearly and nonlinearly, showing criteria having nonlinear satisfaction change accounts for two-thirds of all. Criteria at tactical level tend to be must-be or one-dimensional categories for the developer, and most strategic criteria are classed as the attractive category, indicating that adding strategic criteria is necessary for long-term cooperation. The proposed model, using developer satisfaction to improve the selection process, ensures the selected GBC to be the most satisfactory with requirements of the developer and makes the performance of GBCs easily distinguishable.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge for promoting relationship sustainability by supplementing an integrated model with emphasis on developer satisfaction in GBC selection, so as to establish a good initial foundation due to the match between performances of GBCs and needs of developers. It not only helps maximize developer satisfaction in GBC selection by applying satisfaction to pre-construction management, but also instructs GBCs to prioritize performance improvements. The framework is also conducive for developers to classify selection criteria and select other participants (like green suppliers) from the satisfaction perspective in GBs.
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Auxetic sandwich structures are gaining attention because of the negative Poisson’s ratio effect offered by these structures. Re-entrant core was one configuration of the auxetic…
Abstract
Purpose
Auxetic sandwich structures are gaining attention because of the negative Poisson’s ratio effect offered by these structures. Re-entrant core was one configuration of the auxetic structures. There is a growing concern about the design and behavior of re-entrant cores in aerospace, marine and protection applications. Several researchers proposed various designs of re-entrant core sandwiches with various materials. The purpose of this study is to review the most recent advances in re-entrant core sandwich structures. This review serves as a guide for researchers conducting further research in this wide field of study.
Design/methodology/approach
The re-entrant core sandwich structures were reviewed in terms of their design improvements, impact and quasi-static crushing responses. Several design improvements were reviewed including 2D cell, 3D cell, gradient, hierarchical and hybrid configurations. Some common applications of the re-entrant core sandwiches were given at the end of this paper with suggestions for future developments in this field.
Findings
Generally, the re-entrant configuration showed improved energy absorption and impact response among auxetic structures. The main manufacturing method for re-entrant core manufacturing was additive manufacturing. The negative Poisson’s ratio effect of the re-entrant core provided a wide area of research.
Originality/value
Generally, re-entrant cores were mentioned in the review articles as part of other auxetic structures. However, in this review, the focus was solely made on the re-entrant core sandwiches with their mechanics.
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Lian Duan, Hongbo Song, Xiaoshan Huang, Weihan Lin, Yan Jiang, Xingheng Wang and Yihua Wu
The study examined the impact of feedback types through a learning management system (LMS) on employees’ training performance. The purpose of this study is to establish effective…
Abstract
Purpose
The study examined the impact of feedback types through a learning management system (LMS) on employees’ training performance. The purpose of this study is to establish effective feedback on advanced technologies for promoting corporate training.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 148 trainees were recruited from a multinational medical company. Employees were randomly assigned to receive feedback from shallow to more constructive details on their learning performance with LMS. Data sources included are employees’ goal setting (GS) performance evaluated by the experts and their posttest scores obtained from the LMS. A series of statistical analyses were performed to investigate the impact of feedback intervention on employees’ GS and their impacts on corporate training results.
Findings
GS has a significant impact on learning outcomes. Employees who set greater specific goals attained higher scores. Furthermore, feedback with more formative evaluation and constructive developmental advice resulted in the most significant positive influence on the relationship between participants’ GS and learning outcomes.
Practical implications
Organizations can benefit from delivering appropriate feedback using LMS to enhance employees’ GS and learning efficacy in corporate training.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to examine the moderating effect of feedback provided by LMS on GS and online learning performance in corporate training. This study contributes to GS theory for practical application and proposes a viable method for remote learning. The current study’s findings can be used to provide educational psychological insights for training and learning in industrial contexts.
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Xinhong Zou, Hongchang Ding and Jinhong Li
This paper aims to present a sliding mode control method based on disturbance observer (DO) for improving the reaching law of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a sliding mode control method based on disturbance observer (DO) for improving the reaching law of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM).
Design/methodology/approach
Aiming at the insufficiency of the traditional exponential reaching law used in sliding mode variable structure control, an exponential reaching law related to the speed error is proposed. The improved exponential reaching law can adaptively adjust the size of the constant velocity term in the reaching law according to the size of the speed error, so as to adaptively adjust the speed of the system approaching the sliding mode surface to overcome the control deviation and improve the dynamic and steady state performance. To improve the anti-interference ability of the system, a DO is proposed to observe the external disturbance of the system, and the observed value is used to compensate the system. The stability of the system is analyzed by Lyapunov theorem. The effectiveness of this method is proved by simulation and experiment.
Findings
Simulation and experiment show that the proposed method has the advantages of fast response and strong anti-interference ability.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed method cannot observe the disturbance caused by the change of internal parameters of the system.
Originality/value
A sliding mode control method for PMSM is proposed, which has good control performance. The proposed method can effectively suppress chattering, ensure fast response speed and have strong anti-interference ability. The effectiveness of the algorithm is verified by simulation and experiment.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical historical analysis of the business (mis)behaviors and influencing factors that discourage enduring cooperation between…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical historical analysis of the business (mis)behaviors and influencing factors that discourage enduring cooperation between principals and agents, to introduce strategies that embrace the social values, economic motivation and institutional designs historically adopted to curtail dishonest acts in international business and to inform an improved principal–agent theory that reflects principal–agent reciprocity as shaped by social, political, cultural, economic, strategic and ideological forces
Design/methodology/approach
The critical historical research method is used to analyze Chinese compradors and the foreign companies they served in pre-1949 China.
Findings
Business practitioners can extend orthodox principal–agent theory by scrutinizing the complex interactions between local agents and foreign companies. Instead of agents pursuing their economic interests exclusively, as posited by principal–agent theory, they also may pursue principal-shared interests (as suggested by stewardship theory) because of social norms and cultural values that can affect business-related choices and the social bonds built between principals and agents.
Research limitations/implications
The behaviors of compradors and foreign companies in pre-1949 China suggest international business practices for shaping social bonds between principals and agents and foreign principals’ creative efforts to enhance shared interests with local agents.
Practical implications
Understanding principal–agent theory’s limitations can help international management scholars and practitioners mitigate transaction partners’ dishonest acts.
Originality/value
A critical historical analysis of intermediary businesspeople’s (mis)behavior in pre-1949 (1840–1949) China can inform the generalizability of principal–agent theory and contemporary business strategies for minimizing agents’ dishonest acts.
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Zhe Du, Changjie Chen and Xinhou Wang
Stab-resistant body armor (SRBA) is used to protect the body from sharp knives. However, most SRBA materials currently have the disadvantages of large weight and thickness. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Stab-resistant body armor (SRBA) is used to protect the body from sharp knives. However, most SRBA materials currently have the disadvantages of large weight and thickness. This paper aims to prepare lightweight and high-performance SRBA by 3D printing truss structure and resin-filling method.
Design/methodology/approach
The stab resistance truss structure was prepared by the fused deposition modeling method, and the composite structure was formed after filling with resin for dynamic and quasi-static stab tests. The optimized structural plate can meet the standard GA68-2019. Digital image correlation technology was used to analyze the local strain changes during puncture. The puncture failure mode was summarized by the final failure morphologies. The explicit dynamics module in ANSYS Workbench was used to analyze the design of the overlapped structure stab resistance process in this paper.
Findings
The stab resistance performance of the 3D-printed structural plate is affected by the internal filling pattern. The stab resistance performance of 3D-printed structural parts was significantly improved after resin filling. The 50%-diamond-PLA-epoxy, with a thickness of only 5 mm was able to meet the stab resistance standard. Resins are used to increase the strength and hardness of the material but also to increase crack propagation and reduce the toughness of the material. The overlapping semicircular structure was inspired by the exoskeleton structure of the demon iron beetle, which improved the stab resistance between gaps. The truss structure can effectively disperse stress for toughening. The filled resin was reinforced by absorbing impact energy.
Originality/value
The 3D-printed resin-filled truss structure can be used to prepare high-performance stab resistance structural plates, which balance the toughness and strength of the overall structure and ultimately reduce the thickness and weight of the SRBA.
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Szilvia Vanessza Schalk-Nador and Ida Rašovská
This study examines empirically the development of efficiency levels in the hotel industry and its key drivers, by juxtaposing pre- and post-COVID-19 results in the four most…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines empirically the development of efficiency levels in the hotel industry and its key drivers, by juxtaposing pre- and post-COVID-19 results in the four most important cities in the United States in terms of international arrivals.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-step approach was employed by first utilising the data envelopment analysis method to characterise the efficiency of United States hotels. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to compare hotel performance in the two years prior to the COVID-19 outbreak with the first two years after the outbreak.
Findings
The results indicated the positive effect of size and the economy hotel category on efficiency, while increasing property age, urban location and a lack of brand affiliation showed a negative effect. During the pandemic, size and the economy category remained significant and positive, whereas urban location continued to represent a negative effect.
Practical implications
This study assists decision makers regarding prospective investments, supports existing and future portfolio analyses, contributes to observations on competition, and offers a wider perspective of the industry.
Originality/value
First, this study investigated the evolution of factors that influenced efficiency before and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, the results offer insights into the impact of the pandemic on hotels' efficiency levels. Third, the study proposes directions for the restoration of hotel efficiency to pre-COVID-19 levels.
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Hairui Jiang, Jianjun Guan, Yan Zhao, Yanhong Yang and Jinglong Qu
The purpose of this study is to investigate the corrosion resistance of superalloys subjected to ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). The passive film growth on the superalloys’…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the corrosion resistance of superalloys subjected to ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). The passive film growth on the superalloys’ surface is analyzed to illustrate the corrosion mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
Electrochemical tests were used to investigated the corrosion resistance of GH4738 superalloys with different UIT densities. The microstructure was compared before and after the corrosion tests. The passive film characterization was described by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) tests.
Findings
The compressive residual stress and corrosion resistance of the specimens significantly increased after UIT. The order of corrosion resistance is related to the UIT densities, i.e. 1.96 s/mm2 > 1.71 s/mm2 > 0.98 s/mm2 > as-cast. The predominant constituents of the passive films are TiO2, Cr2O3, MoO3 and NiO. The passive film on the specimen with 1.96 s/mm2 UIT density has the highest volume fraction of Cr2O3 and MoO3, which is the main reason for its superior corrosion resistance.
Originality/value
This study provides quantitative corrosion data for GH4738 superalloys treated by ultrasonic impact. The corrosion mechanism is explained by the passive film’s characterization.
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