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A shared cognitive schema is the fundamental source of tacit understanding within a team. This study aims to address how such a shared cognitive schema emerges and evolves in an interdisciplinary research team.

This study uses an exploratory single case study to analyze the emergence and evolution of a shared cognitive schema in an interdisciplinary research team systematically. The authors spent more than two years collecting data from the IAM team via semistructured interviews, archival data and observation. Subsequently, a framework for the resulting mechanism model was developed by analyzing the data using a three-step process.

This study shows that as the interdisciplinary research team develops, the shared cognitive schema passes through three stages: overlapping cognitive schema, complementary cognitive schema and synergetic cognitive schema. The mechanisms of overlap, complement and synergy play important roles. The convergent roles of partner-based recruiting, knowledge categorization and following the existing institution facilitate the overlapping of knowledge structures. Complementary cognitive schema sharing is facilitated by interdisciplinary member selection, knowledge stock expansion and the effects of accomplished mentors. The synergetic behaviors of group voice, interactive cognition and adaptive learning facilitate synergetic cognitive schema sharing.

This study is the first to discuss the emergence and evolution of a shared cognitive schema at the microlevel of knowledge structure and belief structure. It offers a new theoretical perspective on the development rules of scientific research teams and provides practical enlightenment regarding the establishment and operation of interdisciplinary research teams.

This study aims to realize the multipurpose use of inorganic materials in adsorption treatment of pigment wastewater and preparation of core-modified Color Index Pigment Red 57:1 (C.I. Pigment Red 57:1, PR 57:1).

In this paper, the inorganic materials (sepiolite and SiO₂·nH₂O) were used in both PR 57:1 production wastewater treatment and its core-modification. The inorganic material firstly adsorbed 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (bon acid) in the pigment wastewater to reduce chemical oxygen demand. Then, the inorganic material adsorbed with bon acid was reused to prepare core-modified PR 57:1.

In the pigment wastewater adsorption experiment, it was found that under pH = 3, the adsorption percentage of bon acid by inorganic material can reached up to 46.00%. The pigment characterization results showed that the core-modified PR 57:1 had a core-shell structure. Under UV light irradiation for 1 h, the core-modified PR 57:1 prepared with sepiolite and SiO₂·nH₂O showed total color difference ΔE value of 1.43 and 2.05, respectively, which was lower than that of unmodified PR 57:1 (ΔE = 2.89). In addition, the transmittance of pigment water suspension test results showed that the core-modified PR 57:1 showed better water dispersibility.

This paper attempts to develop a synergistic strategy based on the multipurpose use of inorganic materials in adsorption treatment of pigment wastewater and preparation of core-modified PR 57:1.

The purpose of the work reported in this paper is to prepare hybrid pigments fabricated by depositing pigment yellow 12 (PY12) on the surface of silica gel to improve the application performance of the resulting pigments. The particle size distribution, optical properties, thermal stability, water dispersibility and flowability of the pigments with and without silica gel modification were studied.

The hybrid pigments were synthesised with different amount of silica gel. The modified pigments were characterised by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

The particle size distribution of the modified pigments was found to have been altered significantly. This can be explained by the interaction between pigments and silica gel, which prevented self-aggregation of pigment particles and hence improved the properties of pigments.

Only silica supports and pigment yellow 12 were evaluated. Other pigments could also be studied.

Modification of pigment particles with smaller particle size can increase the efficiency of the modified pigment, in terms of colour shade and tinting strength, due to better particle size distribution.

The paper demonstrates that inorganic core can prevent self-aggregation of pigment particles, and the application properties of such pigment depend on the resulting degree of dispersion of pigment particles.

Green innovation and sustainability are two contemporary initiatives that are gaining more and more attention from researchers, academics and industry professionals as they are considered important business strategies to improve environmental conditions and obtain better organizational performance. Besides, the growth of uncontrolled economic activities leads to an imbalance of economic, social and environmental values in different sectors. However, little is known about the mediating role that economic, social and environmental sustainability has in the relationship between green innovation and firm performance. Previous literature has focused on developed economies, but not on a developing economy such as that of Mexico. Therefore, this research aims to fill this existing gap by exploring the mediating effects of sustainability in the relationship between green innovation and firm performance.

A theoretical research model that theorizes, through ten hypotheses, the antecedents and consequences of the mediating effect of economic, social and environmental sustainability and the occurrence between green innovation and firm performance is proposed. The model is tested through PLS-SEM using data that were collected using a questionnaire survey that was distributed among companies in the automotive industry in Mexico. In total, a sample of 460 responses was obtained.

The results suggest that green innovation has significant positive effects on economic and environmental sustainability, as well as on firm performance, but not on social sustainability. The results also indicate that the relationship between green innovation and firm performance improves considerably with the mediation of economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Despite the present study focused on an industrial sector that is commonly at the forefront of technological development, it was limited to a specific region of Mexico. Thus, its results must be taken with caution as more extensive results including other regions and nations will be required to further validate the results obtained from the present study.

The findings of this study have important implications for both policymakers and managers of manufacturing firms in the automotive industry as they can be used as a basis to formulate better strategies and policies to enhance the capabilities of companies to develop innovations that could reduce environmental risks and other consequences of climate change.

The present study adds to the innovation and sustainability body of knowledge by analyzing and discussing the mediating role of sustainability in the relationship between green innovation and firm performance. It also generates new knowledge about the mediating effect that sustainability has on the relationship between green innovation and firm performance, particularly in the context of a developing economy such as that of Mexico.