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1 – 10 of 281The spread of the Internet has transformed the dating landscape. Given the increasing popularity of online dating and rising immigration to Canada, this study takes an…
Abstract
Purpose
The spread of the Internet has transformed the dating landscape. Given the increasing popularity of online dating and rising immigration to Canada, this study takes an intersectional lens to examine nativity and gender differentials in heterosexual online dating.
Design/methodology/approach
In 2018, a random-digit-dial telephone survey was conducted in Canada. Logistic regression models were used to analyze original data from this survey (N = 1,373).
Findings
Results show that immigrants are more likely than native-born people to have used online dating in Canada, possibly because international relocation makes it more difficult for immigrants to meet romantic partners in other ways. In online-to-offline transitions, both native-born and immigrant online daters follow gendered scripts where men ask women out for a first date. Finally, immigrant men, who likely have disadvantaged positions in offline dating markets, also experience the least success in finding a long-term partner online.
Originality/value
Extending search theory of relationship formation to online dating, this study advances the understanding of change and continuity in gendered rituals and mate-selection processes in the digital and globalization era. Integrating search theory and intersectionality theory, this study highlights the efficiency of using the Internet to search for romantic partners and the socially constructed hierarchy of desirability as interrelated mechanisms that produce divergent online dating outcomes across social groups. Internet dating, instead of acting as an agent of social change, may reproduce normative dating practices and existing hierarchies of desirability.
Dongfang Sun, Jingchun Tang, Xiuping Zhang, Xudong Yuan, Yue Qian, Fangping Ye, Bin Ye and Bin Jiang
The leakage problem caused by machining error, assembly error, wearing and thermal deformation has been the main factor hindering the development of scroll compressor. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
The leakage problem caused by machining error, assembly error, wearing and thermal deformation has been the main factor hindering the development of scroll compressor. This paper aims to investigate the lubrication characteristics of radial clearance and further optimize the radial clearance, which can reduce the leakage in the tangential direction of the working chamber.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper establishes a model of radial clearance oil film lubrication in scroll compressor. And, the method to solve the Reynolds and energy equations is presented, as well as the dimensionless and discretization by finite element difference method. To verify the established model, performance experiment of scroll compressor for electric vehicle air conditioning system is also carried out.
Findings
Based on the presented model, the temperature field and distribution of the oil film in the radial clearance are analyzed. And the influence of the structural parameter on the radial clearance is further discussed. The optimum radial clearance could be achieved at β = 40°–42°, where the orbiting scroll is in the state of rotary balance. And, the simulation results coincide well with the experimental results.
Originality/value
This work provides an effective model to evaluate the lubrication characteristics of radial clearance in scroll compressor, which can provide guidance for the design of scroll compressor.
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Fernando Muñoz‐Bullón and Maria J. Sanchez‐Bueno
The purpose of this paper is to examine the joint effect of product and international diversification strategies on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Spain.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the joint effect of product and international diversification strategies on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Spain.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors rely on a panel data of small and medium Spanish manufacturing enterprises over the period 1993‐2006, collected from the Spanish Survey of Business Strategies.
Findings
The evidence reveals the existence of a negative relationship between geographic expansion and profitability. Likewise, the adoption of both product and international diversification is not associated with higher performance.
Research limitations/implications
A promising avenue for future research is the analysis of firms located in different countries (for example, emerging economies), or the study of this issue considering factors such as the ownership structure (family firms, the role of the state and banks, etc.).
Practical implications
The authors' analysis underlines the fact that the distinctive particularities of SMEs – for example, limited resources, lack of previous experience in the adoption of new products and accessing new markets – might constrain diversification as an alternative for firm growth. As a practical implication, Spanish SMEs should overcome their shortcomings before adopting diversification in order to improve the profitability associated with these strategies.
Originality/value
Although Spain's economic structure is highly segmented and made up of mainly SMEs, research on these companies in this country is rather scarce. In particular, the distinctive characteristics of SMEs mean that diversification might have different performance implications than for larger companies. Moreover, the authors' analysis offers new insights compared to previous research, which has traditionally relied on cross‐section data.
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Xiaoliang Qian, Jing Li, Jianwei Zhang, Wenhao Zhang, Weichao Yue, Qing-E Wu, Huanlong Zhang, Yuanyuan Wu and Wei Wang
An effective machine vision-based method for micro-crack detection of solar cell can economically improve the qualified rate of solar cells. However, how to extract features which…
Abstract
Purpose
An effective machine vision-based method for micro-crack detection of solar cell can economically improve the qualified rate of solar cells. However, how to extract features which have strong generalization and data representation ability at the same time is still an open problem for machine vision-based methods.
Design/methodology/approach
A micro-crack detection method based on adaptive deep features and visual saliency is proposed in this paper. The proposed method can adaptively extract deep features from the input image without any supervised training. Furthermore, considering the fact that micro-cracks can obviously attract visual attention when people look at the solar cell’s surface, the visual saliency is also introduced for the micro-crack detection.
Findings
Comprehensive evaluations are implemented on two existing data sets, where subjective experimental results show that most of the micro-cracks can be detected, and the objective experimental results show that the method proposed in this study has better performance in detecting precision.
Originality/value
First, an adaptive deep features extraction scheme without any supervised training is proposed for micro-crack detection. Second, the visual saliency is introduced for micro-crack detection.
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Ying Ying Feng, Yue Jia, Xiao Qian Sun, Guo Peng Chen and Zong An Luo
A new backward punch shape was designed and used in the hydroforming process of double-layer Y-shaped tubes to achieve uniform wall thickness. This study focuses on the…
Abstract
Purpose
A new backward punch shape was designed and used in the hydroforming process of double-layer Y-shaped tubes to achieve uniform wall thickness. This study focuses on the implementation and effectiveness of this novel punch shape.
Design/methodology/approach
A numerical simulation and experimental validation of the hydroforming process of double-layer Y-shaped tubes under various backward punch, replenishment ratios (left and right feed ratios) and internal pressure loading paths was performed using finite elements. During the hydroforming process, an analysis was made on the distribution of stress, strain and wall thickness in both the inner and outer layers of the Y-shaped conduit.
Findings
The novel backward punch parallel to the main tube has been found to improve the distribution of wall thickness in Y-shaped tubes. By controlling the feeding ratio and modifying the loading path of the internal pressure, it is possible to obtain the optimal forming part of the double-layer Y-shaped tube. The comparison between the simulation and experimental results of the double-layer Y-shaped tube formed under the optimal path indicates that the error is within 5% and the distribution of wall thickness is consistent.
Originality/value
A novel backward punch technique is employed to control the hydroforming process in a Y-shaped tube. A study on hydroforming of double-layer Y-shaped tubes with asymmetric features and challenging forming conditions is being suggested.
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Zhao Cai, Hefu Liu, Qian Huang, Yue Kang and Liang Liang
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between psychological contract and knowledge sharing behavior in the enterprise system (ES) post-implementation stage. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between psychological contract and knowledge sharing behavior in the enterprise system (ES) post-implementation stage. The fulfillment and obligation of psychological contract are proposed as antecedents of knowledge sharing behavior performed by client firms. Additionally, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is considered a moderator in the relationship between psychological contract and knowledge sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted the questionnaire survey to collect data from 132 client firms of a focal ES provider in the garment industry of China. Hierarchical regression analysis was used for data analysis.
Findings
Psychological contract fulfillment is negatively related to knowledge sharing, whereas the positive role of psychological contract obligation is supported. EOstrengthens the role of both psychological contract fulfillment and obligation in shaping knowledge sharing behavior of client firms.
Originality/value
This study adopts forward- and backward-looking approaches in decision making as a theoretical lens to investigate how to improve client firms’ knowledge sharing behavior through psychological contract. By figuring out the roles of psychological contract and EO in influencing knowledge sharing, this research benefits both vendor and client firms in maintaining sustainable collaboration and continuous improvement of ES projects.
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Astha Sanjeev Gupta, Jaydeep Mukherjee and Ruchi Garg
COVID-19 disrupted the lives of consumers across the globe, and the retail sector has been one of the hardest hits. The impact of COVID-19 on consumers' retail choice behaviour…
Abstract
Purpose
COVID-19 disrupted the lives of consumers across the globe, and the retail sector has been one of the hardest hits. The impact of COVID-19 on consumers' retail choice behaviour and retailers' responses has been studied in detail through multiple lenses. Now that the effect of COVID-19 is abating, there is a need to consolidate the learnings during the lifecycle of COVID-19 and set the agenda for research post-COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
Scopus database was searched to cull out academic papers published between March 2020 and June 6, 2022, using keywords; shopping behaviour, retailing, consumer behaviour, and retail channel choice along with COVID-19 (171 journals, 357 articles). Bibliometric analysis followed by selective content analysis was conducted.
Findings
COVID-19 was a black swan event that impacted consumers' psychology, leading to reversible and irreversible changes in retail consumer behaviour worldwide. Research on changes in consumer behaviour and consumption patterns has been mapped to the different stages of the COVID-19 lifecycle. Relevant research questions and potential theoretical lenses have been proposed for further studies.
Originality/value
This paper collates, classifies and organizes the extant research in retail from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies three retail consumption themes: short-term, long-term reversible and long-term irreversible changes. Research agenda related to the retailer and consumer behaviour is identified; for each of the three categories, facilitating the extraction of pertinent research questions for post-COVID-19 studies.
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Naiding Yang, Yue Song, Yanlu Zhang and Jingbei Wang
The purpose of this study is to enhance the comprehensive understanding of the roles of resource investments, explicit contracts and three components of guanxi (i.e. renqing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to enhance the comprehensive understanding of the roles of resource investments, explicit contracts and three components of guanxi (i.e. renqing, ganqing and mianzi) in asymmetric research and development (R&D) partnerships. Treating dependence asymmetry as a multidimensional construct, this study examines the moderating effects of these elements on the relationships between resources and information asymmetry and opportunism.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was executed by issuing questionnaires to R&D managers participating in R&D projects and collaborations in the Shanghai and Jiangsu provinces via e-mail and face to face surveys. A multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The empirical test generally supported the conceptual model and produced the following findings: first, resources and information asymmetry significantly and positively affect opportunism. Second, the partner’s resource investments can weaken the effect of resources and information asymmetry on the partner’s opportunism. Third, explicit contracts can reduce the impact of information asymmetry on the partner’s opportunism. Fourth, renqing and ganqing but not mianzi can weaken the influence of information asymmetry on the partner’s opportunism.
Originality/value
This study provides a comprehensive and clear understanding of how opportunism can be curbed by jointly considering resource investments, explicit contracts and guanxi in asymmetric R&D cooperative relationships. Moreover, dependence asymmetry and guanxi are measured as a multidimensional construct and reveal their underlying structure, which expands previous understandings of risk management in R&D collaborations.
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Chunchen Xia, Zhixian Cao, Gareth Pender and Alistair Borthwick
The purpose of this paper is to present a fully conservative numerical algorithm for solving the coupled shallow water hydro-sediment-morphodynamic equations governing fluvial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a fully conservative numerical algorithm for solving the coupled shallow water hydro-sediment-morphodynamic equations governing fluvial processes, and also to clarify the performance of a conventional algorithm, which redistributes the variable water-sediment mixture density to the source terms of the governing equations and accordingly the hyperbolic operator is rendered similar to that of the conventional shallow water equations for clear water flows.
Design/methodology/approach
The coupled shallow water hydro-sediment-morphodynamic equations governing fluvial processes are arranged in full conservation form, and solved by a well-balanced weighted surface depth-gradient method along with a slope-limited centred scheme. The present algorithm is verified for a spectrum of test cases, which involve complex flows with shock waves and sediment transport processes with contact discontinuities over irregular topographies. The computational results of the conventional algorithm are compared with those of the present algorithm and evaluated by available referenced data.
Findings
The fully conservative numerical algorithm performs satisfactorily over the spectrum of test cases, and the conventional algorithm is confirmed to work similarly well.
Originality/value
A fully conservative numerical algorithm, without redistributing the water-sediment mixture density, is proposed for solving the coupled shallow water hydro-sediment-morphodynamic equations. It is clarified that the conventional algorithm, involving redistribution of the water-sediment mixture density, performs similarly well. Both algorithms are equally applicable to problems encountered in computational river modelling.
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Jian Lu, Suduo Xue, Renjie Liu and Xiongyan Li
In order to optimize SCSWIRC, the simplification and further optimization method is proposed. SCSWIRC's optimization includes two levels. The first level refers to simplifying…
Abstract
Purpose
In order to optimize SCSWIRC, the simplification and further optimization method is proposed. SCSWIRC's optimization includes two levels. The first level refers to simplifying structural system from the perspective of components; the second level refers to optimizing components' sectional areas from the perspective of mechanics. The first level aims to remove redundant components, and the second level aims to reduce structural self-weight based on the first level. The purpose of the paper is to simplify SCSWIRC's structural system and optimize structural self-weight and reduce construction forming difficulty.
Design/methodology/approach
Grid-jumping layout and multi-objective optimization method is used to simplify and further optimize Spatial cable-truss structure without inner ring cables (SCSWIRC). Grid-jumping layout is used to simplify remove redundant components, and multi-objective optimization method is used to reduce structural self-weight. The detailed solving process is given based on grid-jumping layout and multi-objective optimization method.
Findings
Take SCSWIRC with a span of 100m as an example to verify the feasibility and correctness of the simplification and further optimization method. The optimization results show that 12 redundant components are removed and the self-weight reduces by 3.128t from original scheme to grid-jumping layout scheme 1. The self-weight reduces from 36.007t to 28.231t and feasible coefficient decreases from 1.0 to 0.627 from grid-jumping layout scheme 1 to multi-objective optimization scheme. The simplification and further optimization can not only remove the redundant components and simplify structural system to reduce construction forming difficulty, but also optimize structural self-weight under considering structural stiffness to reduce project costs.
Originality/value
The proposed method firstly simplifies SCSWIRC and then optimizes the simplified SCSWIRC, which can solve the optimization problem from the perspective of components and mechanics. Meanwhile, the optimal section solving method can be used to obtain circular steel tube size with the optimal stiffness of the same areas. The proposed method successfully solves the problem of construction forming and project cost, which promotes the application of SCSWIRC in practical engineering.
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