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Article
Publication date: 3 April 2017

Qing Zhou, Gang Fang, Wei Yang, Yun Wu and Liqin Ren

The purpose of this paper is to theoretically and empirically analyze the impact of the types of micro-innovation on innovation performance and the choice of micro-innovation…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to theoretically and empirically analyze the impact of the types of micro-innovation on innovation performance and the choice of micro-innovation strategies in different contexts on the basis of an examination of the basis and standards of micro-innovation categorization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected and analyzed 206 survey samples from the Zhejiang Province in China; there were 68, 63 and 75 enterprises at inception, high growth and maturity stages, respectively, and there were, in total, 53, 90 and 63 low-tech manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), technology-intensive manufacturing SMEs and service-oriented SMEs, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The analysis results suggest that SMEs at the embryonic stage should choose strategies of imitative innovation, whereas SMEs at growth stage should use continued micro-innovation and independent micro-innovation as the optimal choices; it is better for the SMEs at the mature stage to resort to independent micro-innovation. Low-tech manufacturing SMEs should opt for the continued micro-innovation strategy, and technology-intensive manufacturing SMEs should adopt independent micro-innovation, whereas service-oriented SMEs should choose both continued and independent micro-innovation strategies.

Originality/value

This study sets up a classification framework of micro-innovation and addresses its category and sources, thus extending the micro-innovation research results. The conclusion also supports and enriches the view of open innovation in the innovation theory. Hidden behind the phenomenon that internal and external factors play vital roles, it is a basic rule that innovation activities must be subject to various related factors.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2022

Qing Zhou, Yue Zhang, Wei Yang, Liqin Ren and Ping Chen

This paper aims to explore and analyze how a focal firm, coming from emerging economies, of the multinational technology standard alliance ecosystem engages different actors of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore and analyze how a focal firm, coming from emerging economies, of the multinational technology standard alliance ecosystem engages different actors of the alliance in value co-creation practice, contributing to product collaborative innovation and reciprocal standards cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on in-depth interviews, primary company, and secondary documents, this paper conducts an exploratory single case study of TechAlpha to investigate the practice of value co-creation in the multinational technology standard alliance (MTSA).

Findings

Based on the extended resource-based view (ERBV), this paper finds that in the MTSA ecosystem, actor engagement sets the anchor for the focal firm in the MTSA to dominate the resource interaction, achieving a greater interaction through goal co-discussion, standard co-construction and achievement co-sharing. Resource interaction is composed of standard resource identification, standard resource sharing, and standard resource alignment, putting a high value on the practice of value co-creation. Value co-creation dominated by the focal firm of the MTSA is embodied in the synergy of actor engagement and resource interaction.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the relevant literature by illustrating how the focal firm coming from emerging economies of the MTSA enables value co-creation through adjusting the situation of actor engagement and exerting its standards resource interaction. This paper also advances the process of acquisition, integration, and reconstruction of heterogeneous resources throughout the MTSA by offering a new supplementary perspective and new evidence from a Chinese firm.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 122 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 December 2023

Qing Zhou, Yuanqing Liu, Xiaofeng Liu and Guoping Cai

In the post-capture stage, the tumbling target rotates the combined spacecraft system, and the detumbling operation performed by the space robot is required. To save the costly…

Abstract

Purpose

In the post-capture stage, the tumbling target rotates the combined spacecraft system, and the detumbling operation performed by the space robot is required. To save the costly onboard fuel of the space robot, this paper aims to present a novel post-capture detumbling strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Actuated by the joint rotations of the manipulator, the combined system is driven from three-axis tumbling state to uniaxial rotation about its maximum principal axis. Only unidirectional thrust perpendicular to the axis is needed to slow down the uniaxial rotation, thus saving the thruster fuel. The optimization problem of the collision-free detumbling trajectory of the space robot is described, and it is optimized by the particle swarm optimization algorithm.

Findings

The numerical simulation results show that along the trajectory planned by the detumbling strategy, the maneuver of the manipulator can precisely drive the combined system to rotate around its maximum principal axis, and the final kinetic energy of the combined system is smaller than the initial. The unidirectional thrust and the lower kinetic energy can ensure the fuel-saving in the subsequent detumbling stage.

Originality/value

This paper presents a post-capture detumbling strategy to drive the combined system from three-axis tumbling state to uniaxial rotation about its maximum principal axis by redistributing the angular momentum of the parts of the combined system. The strategy reduces the thrust torque for detumbling to effectively save the thruster fuel.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 March 2023

Wei Yang, Xiaoyun Lao, Qing Zhou and Jian Liu

This study aims to examine how participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) affects province-level regional economic resilience. In the context of dual circulation – the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine how participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) affects province-level regional economic resilience. In the context of dual circulation – the new development paradigm proposed by the Chinese Government – participating in the BRI is an important means of connecting both international and domestic circulations and achieving high economic resilience. The complex causal relationship between participation in the BRI and province-level regional economic resilience is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the complex system view, this study uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to examine the impact on regional economic resilience when provinces participate in the BRI through unimpeded trade, infrastructure connectivity, financial integration and people-to-people bonds under the two conditions of attention allocation and buffering capacity. Qualitative textual analysis is applied to analyse provincial work reports, and relevant statistical data are used to measure the economic resilience from 2013 to 2020.

Findings

The authors identified three condition configurations that lead to a high regional economic resilience at province-level and one condition configuration that lead to no high-level regional economic resilience.

Research limitations/implications

In-depth analyses of qualitative materials should be conducted to explain the systematic relationships among the conditions.

Originality/value

This research is of practical significance to the development of the theoretical framework and practices of the BRI in the context of dual circulation.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 August 2019

Gang Fang, Qing Zhou, Jian Wu and Xiaoguang Qi

Innovation networks provide an efficient mechanism for organizations to realize their potential for knowledge learning and innovation improvement. Firms situated within innovation…

Abstract

Purpose

Innovation networks provide an efficient mechanism for organizations to realize their potential for knowledge learning and innovation improvement. Firms situated within innovation networks require specific abilities to acquire the knowledge and the complementary assets that facilitate their innovation performance. Motivated by recent research studies in the area of social network and RBV, the purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the precise manner in which network capability affects a firm’s innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data obtained from Chinese high-tech firms, the hypotheses are tested by using hierarchical multiple regressions.

Findings

This study identifies two types of network capabilities: network structural capability and network relational capability. The findings suggest that network structural capability has a greater positive impact on innovation performance than network relational capability does within an exploration-orientated network. However, network relational capability is more positively associated with innovation performance within an exploitation-orientated network.

Practical implications

A firm can enhance the value of its ego network by shaping and adjusting network configurations, rather than by passively reaping the benefits from existing relationships or ties with partners.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to strategic management theory and social network theory by illustrating how a networked firm can enable network value and appropriate this value according to its strategic purposes and by suggesting that a firm can improve its ego network’s value through exerting its network capabilities to shape and adjust network configurations. This paper also advances the contingent approach within social network research by offering a new complementary perspective and new evidence from a Chinese context.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 119 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 29 January 2024

Ronald H. Humphrey, Chao Miao and Anthony Silard

After summarizing what has been learned so far, the purpose of this review is to suggest several promising avenues for future research on work-to-family enrichment (WFE) and…

Abstract

Purpose

After summarizing what has been learned so far, the purpose of this review is to suggest several promising avenues for future research on work-to-family enrichment (WFE) and family-to-work enrichment (FWE).

Approach

This is a literature review. After reviewing the existing research and searching for gaps in the literature, new areas of research will be proposed to fill these gaps.

Findings

While much has been learned about the antecedents and consequences of work–family enrichment in both directions, WFE and FWE, much remains to be learned.

Research Implications

Three important outcomes – job performance, organizational citizenship behavior, and counterproductive work behavior – need to be studied regarding WFE and FWE. Although supervisor support has been studied, the field needs to incorporate leadership theories and models to understand this phenomenon. Additional predictors of work outcomes – including emotional intelligence, leadership, emotional labor, social support, gender, and cross-cultural variables – need to be examined. Experience sampling methods and advanced research methodologies should also be used.

Practical Implications

Although prior research has demonstrated the important effects of WFE and FWE, the practical effects on organizations in terms of job performance still need to be investigated.

Societal Implications

The literature review conclusively demonstrates that WFE and FWE are both related to job satisfaction and family satisfaction.

Originality

This is the first review to summarize the existing meta-analytical research in this area and to propose the particular avenues of research advocated in this article.

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2024

Wanping Yang, Muge Mou, Lan Mu and Xuanwen Zeng

Reducing carbon emissions in agriculture is vital for fostering sustainable agricultural growth and promoting ecological well-being in rural areas. The adoption of Low-Carbon…

Abstract

Purpose

Reducing carbon emissions in agriculture is vital for fostering sustainable agricultural growth and promoting ecological well-being in rural areas. The adoption of Low-Carbon Agriculture (LCA) by farmers holds great potential to accomplish substantial reductions in carbon emissions. The purpose of this study is to explore the farmers' preference and willingness to engage in LCA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the Choice Experiment (CE) method to examine farmers' preferences and willingness to adopt LCA, using field survey data of 544 rural farmers in the Weihe River Basin between June and July 2023. We further investigate differences in willingness to pay (WTP) and personal characteristics among different farmer categories.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that farmers prioritize government-led initiatives providing pertinent technical training as a key aspect of the LCA program. Farmers' decisions to participate in LCA are influenced by factors including age, gender, education and the proportion of farm income in household income, with their evaluations further shaped by subjective attitudes and habits. Notably, we discovered that nearly half of the farmers exhibit indifference towards LCA attributes.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to investigate farmers' attitudes toward LCA from their own perspectives and to analyze the factors influencing them from both subjective and objective standpoints. This study presents a fresh perspective for advocating LCA, bolstering rural ecology and nurturing sustainable development in developing nations.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 May 2024

Ting Li, Junmiao Wu, Junhai Wang, Yunwu Yu, Xinran Li, Xiaoyi Wei and Lixiu Zhang

The purpose of this article is to prepare graphene/polyimide composite materials for use as bearing cage materials, improving the friction and wear performance of bearing cages.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to prepare graphene/polyimide composite materials for use as bearing cage materials, improving the friction and wear performance of bearing cages.

Design/methodology/approach

The oil absorption and discharge tests were conducted to evaluate the oil content properties of the materials, while the mechanical properties were analyzed through cross-sectional morphology examination. Investigation into the tribological behavior and wear mechanisms encompassed characterization and analysis of wear trace morphology in PPI-based materials. Consequently, the influence of varied graphene nanoplatelets (GN) concentrations on the oil content, mechanical and tribological properties of PPI-based materials was elucidated.

Findings

The composites exhibit excellent oil-containing properties due to the increased porosity of PPI-GN composites. The robust formation of covalent bonds between GN and PPI amplifies the adhesive potency of the PPI-GN composites, thereby inducing a substantial enhancement in impact strength. Notably, the PPI-GN composites showed enhanced lubrication properties compared to PPI, which was particularly evident at a GN content of 0.5 Wt.%, as evidenced by the minimization of the average coefficient of friction and the width of the abrasion marks.

Practical implications

This paper includes implications for elucidating the wear mechanism of the polyimide composites under frictional wear conditions and then to guide the optimization of oil content and tribological properties of polyimide bearing cage materials.

Originality/value

In this paper, homogeneously dispersed PPI-GN composites were effectively synthesized by introducing GN into a polyimide matrix through in situ polymerization, and the lubrication mechanism of the PPI composites was compared with that of the PPI-GN composites to illustrate the composites’ superiority.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-12-2023-0415

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 76 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 March 2015

Zhouyang Lian, Lirui Yuan, Wuji Wei, Qing Zhou and Juncheng Jiang

This paper aims to study the controlled release and synergistic effect of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on phosphate corrosion inhibitor at the interface of thermal…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the controlled release and synergistic effect of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on phosphate corrosion inhibitor at the interface of thermal insulation cotton/carbon steel.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out using a coating method, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and AC impedance.

Findings

The single-phase phosphate particles were coated/adsorbed on the PVA film, which was formed on the fiber surface of corrosion inhibitor/PVA-impregnated rock wool sample. On the surface of Q235 steel, an effective protective film was formed by the corrosion inhibitor with partially dissolved PVA that can significantly increase the polarization resistance of corrosion reaction, and reduce the capacitive reactance of electric double layer. The rock wool impregnated with the phosphate corrosion inhibitor and 1.5 per cent PVA showed obvious controlled release and inhibition synergism.

Originality/value

The rock wool impregnated with the phosphate corrosion inhibitor and 1.5 per cent PVA showed the following advantages: the adsorption and release quantities of the corrosion inhibitor increased by 3.3 and 2.9 times, respectively; the release-adsorption equilibrium time increased from 2 to 6 h; and the corrosion inhibition efficiency increased from 61.55 per cent to 94.6 per cent.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 62 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Innovations in Science Teacher Education in the Asia Pacific
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-702-3

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