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Article
Publication date: 29 August 2023

Chenxing Wang, Bena Ilyas, Guqang Ni and Muhammad Imran Rasheed

The success and long-term survival of service organizations depend on employee behavior such as work engagement and creativity. In this study, The authors intend to investigate…

Abstract

Purpose

The success and long-term survival of service organizations depend on employee behavior such as work engagement and creativity. In this study, The authors intend to investigate employee engagement and creativity in the hospitality industry based on the theory of social exchange. In addition, The authors explore the mediating role of employee ambidexterity between ethical leadership and employee work engagement and between ethical leadership and employee creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an online survey questionnaire, data were collected from 246 workers in the hospitality industry in Pakistan. Smart-PLS version 3 was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results of the structural equation modeling reveal that ethical leadership has a positive association with work engagement and employee creativity in the hospitality industry. Results further reveal that employee ambidexterity significantly mediates the relationships between ethical leadership and work engagement and between ethical leadership and employee creativity.

Originality/value

This study not only makes an important contribution to the literature on the role of employee ambidexterity in the hospitality industry but will also help service businesses in managing their employees more effectively.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 September 2020

Xin Chen, Yuanqiong He, Lihua Wang and Jie Xiong

The purpose of this paper is to examine how customer socialization strategies can help social enterprises (SEs) to establish different types of organizational legitimacy and how…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how customer socialization strategies can help social enterprises (SEs) to establish different types of organizational legitimacy and how different types of organizational legitimacy in turn can encourage customers' positive in-role behavior (such as repurchasing) and extra-role citizenship behavior (such as referral, feedback and forgiveness of quality problems).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 381 customers in Chinese SEs is used to examine the research questions. The paper uses structural equation modeling and bootstrap method to analyze the hypothesized relationships among customer socialization strategies, organizational legitimacy and customers' in-role and extra-role behaviors.

Findings

This study finds that various customer socialization strategies can differentially enhance different types of organizational legitimacy of a SE, which in turn positively affects customers' in-role repeated purchase behavior and extra-role citizenship behavior. The study also finds that three types of organizational legitimacy are highly accumulative; gaining relational and market legitimacy might be a precondition for obtaining social legitimacy for SEs.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to empirically investigate the important role of customer socialization strategies in the acquisition of different types of organizational legitimacy in the context of SEs. It also shows how different types of organizational legitimacy, in turn, can positively affect customers' in-role and extra-role behaviors. In addition, this is one of the first empirical studies to investigate the accumulative nature of three types of organizational legitimacy in SEs: relational legitimacy, market legitimacy and social legitimacy.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 59 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2018

Zumin Wu, Chenxing Sheng, Zhiwei Guo, Yifei Li, Reza Malekian and Zhixiong Li

Water-lubricated bearings can significantly reduce the pollution to environment because the traditional oil lubricant is replaced by water in the bearings. The ultrahigh molecular…

Abstract

Purpose

Water-lubricated bearings can significantly reduce the pollution to environment because the traditional oil lubricant is replaced by water in the bearings. The ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has proven to be effective and reliable for the manufacturing of water-lubricated bearings. However, limited work has been done to address the improvement of the tribological performance of the UHMWPE-based water-lubricated bearings using surface texture processing. This paper aims to investigate the effects of bar-grooved surface on the tribological performance improvement of UHMWPE-based water-lubricated bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

For the first time, the bar grooves were processed on the surfaces of UHMWPE-based water-lubricated bearings. The CBZ-1 friction and wear tester have been used to test the wear and friction performance of the bearing samples. The LI laser interference surface contour graph and the digital microscope have been used to measure the surface morphology of the specimens. The tribological characteristics of the tested bearings were analyzed.

Findings

With bar grooves added on the surfaces of the specimens, the friction coefficient of the specimens were lower than that of the specimens without surface texture processing; the wear quantity of the two kinds of specimens were almost the same; by using the LI laser interference surface contour graph and the digital microscope to measure the surface morphology of the specimens, the furrows of the specimens with bar grooves were narrower and shallower than that of the specimens without bar grooves.

Practical implications

The paper implicates that the surface texture processing using bar grooves can reduce the friction coefficient and prolong the service life of the water-lubricated bearings in practical applications.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to provide important theoretical and experimental support to the design of water-lubricated bearings in practical applications.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 70 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 April 2017

David Binion and Xiaolin Chen

This paper aims to describe a method for efficient frequency domain model order reduction. The method attempts to combine the desirable attributes of Krylov reduction and proper…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a method for efficient frequency domain model order reduction. The method attempts to combine the desirable attributes of Krylov reduction and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and is entitled Krylov enhanced POD (KPOD).

Design/methodology/approach

The KPOD method couples Krylov’s moment-matching property with POD’s data generalization ability to construct reduced models capable of maintaining accuracy over wide frequency ranges. The method is based on generating a sequence of state- and frequency-dependent Krylov subspaces and then applying POD to extract a single basis that generalizes the sequence of Krylov bases.

Findings

The frequency response of a pre-stressed microelectromechanical system resonator is used as an example to demonstrate KPOD’s ability in frequency domain model reduction, with KPOD exhibiting a 44 per cent efficiency improvement over POD.

Originality/value

The results indicate that KPOD greatly outperforms POD in accuracy and efficiency, making the proposed method a potential asset in the design of frequency-selective applications.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2017

Jian Gao, Hao Wen, Zhiyuan Lin, Haidong Wu, Si Li, Xin Chen, Yun Chen and Yunbo He

Remanufacturing of worn blades with various defects normally requires processes such as scanning, regenerating a geometrical reference model, additive manufacturing (AM) through…

410

Abstract

Purpose

Remanufacturing of worn blades with various defects normally requires processes such as scanning, regenerating a geometrical reference model, additive manufacturing (AM) through laser cladding, adaptive machining and polishing and quality inspection. Unlike the manufacturing process of a new part, the most difficult problem for remanufacturing such a complex surface part is that the reference model adaptive to the worn part is no longer available or useful. The worn parts may suffer from geometrical deformation, distortion and other defects because of the effects of harsh operating conditions, thereby making their original computer aided design (CAD) models inadequate for the repair process. This paper aims to regenerate the geometric models for the worn parts, which is a key issue for implementing AM to build up the parts and adaptive machining to reform the parts. Unlike straight blades with similar cross sections, the tip geometry of the worn tip of a twist blade needs to be regenerated by a different method.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a surface extension algorithm for the reconstruction of a twist blade tip through the extremum parameterization of a B-spline basis function. Based on the cross sections of the scanned worn blade model, the given control points and knot vectors are firstly reconstructed into a B-spline curve D. After the extremum of each control point is calculated by extremum parameterization of a B-spline basis function, the unknown control points are calculated by substituting the extremum into the curve D. Once all control points are determined, the B-spline surface of the worn blade tip can be regenerated. Finally, the extension algorithm is implemented and validated with several examples.

Findings

The proposed algorithm was implemented and verified through the exampled blades. Through the extension algorithm, the tip geometry of the worn tip of a twist blade can be regenerated. This method solved a key problem for the repair of a twist blade tip. It provides an appropriate reference model for repairing worn blade tips through AM to build up the blade tip and adaptive machining/polishing processes to reform the blade geometry.

Research limitations/implications

The extension errors for different repair models are compared and analyzed. The authors found that there are several factors affecting the accuracy of the regenerated model. When the cross-section interval and the extension length are set properly, the restoration accuracy for the blade tip can be improved, which is acceptable for the repairing.

Practical implications

The lack of a reference geometric model for worn blades is a significant problem when implementing blade repair through AM and adaptive machining processes. Because the geometric reference model is unavailable for the repair process, reconstruction of the geometry of a worn blade tip is the first crucial step. The authors proposed a surface extension algorithm for the reconstruction of a twist blade tip. Through the implementation of the proposed algorithm, the blade tip model can be regenerated.

Social implications

Remanufacturing of worn blades with various defects is highly demeaned for the aerospace enterprises considering sustainable development. Unlike straight blades, repair of twist blades encountered a very difficult problem because the geometric reference model is unavailable for the repair processes. This paper proposed a different method to generate the reference model for the repair of a twist blade tip. With this model, repair of twist blades can be implemented through AM to build up the blade tip and adaptive machining to subtract the extra material.

Originality/value

The authors proposed a surface extension algorithm to reconstruct the geometric model for repair of twist blades.

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2018

Haibo Huang, Jinpeng Liu, Binbin Fan, Xing Chen, Aibing Yu and Xuedao Shu

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the wear resistance behavior of the striated tool for cross wedge rolling (CWR).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the wear resistance behavior of the striated tool for cross wedge rolling (CWR).

Design/methodology/approach

A mechanical-thermal coupled, temperature-dependent FE wear model was developed to explore the wear behaviors for striated CWR tools. To verify the proposed FE model, a newly developed measuring device was also developed to measure wear on the tool ridge. To find the impact order of the parameters of striate unit, orthogonal experiment was carried out.

Findings

The experimental and numerical results both indicate that the wear resistance of striated tool is better than that of smooth tool. Minimum tool ridge wear can be achieved by choosing proper tool contact temperature with striated units on crossed ridge. The order of the striation geometrical factors’ impact on ridge wear is striation width > striation interval > striation length.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the specified tool, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Originality/value

It is shown that the wear resistance of striated CWR tool is better than that of smooth tool. The information may help CWR manufactures to design and produce tools with less wear.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 70 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 August 2023

Mingqiu Zheng, Chenxing Hu and Ce Yang

The purpose of this study is to propose a fast method for predicting flow fields with periodic behavior with verification in the context of a radial turbine to meet the urgent…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a fast method for predicting flow fields with periodic behavior with verification in the context of a radial turbine to meet the urgent requirement to effectively capture the unsteady flow characteristics in turbomachinery. Aiming at meeting the urgent requirement to effectively capture the unsteady flow characteristics in turbomachinery, a fast method for predicting flow fields with periodic behavior is proposed here, with verification in the context of a radial turbine (RT).

Design/methodology/approach

Sparsity-promoting dynamic mode decomposition is used to determine the dominant coherent structures of the unsteady flow for mode selection, and for flow-field prediction, the characteristic parameters including amplitude and frequency are predicted using one-dimensional Gaussian fitting with flow rate and two-dimensional triangulation-based cubic interpolation with both flow rate and rotation speed. The flow field can be rebuilt using the predicted characteristic parameters and the chosen model.

Findings

Under single flow-rate variation conditions, the turbine flow field can be recovered using the first seven modes and fitted amplitude modulus and frequency with less than 5% error in the pressure field and less than 9.7% error in the velocity field. For the operating conditions with concurrent flow-rate and rotation-speed fluctuations, the relative error in the anticipated pressure field is likewise within an acceptable range. Compared to traditional numerical simulations, the method requires a lot less time while maintaining the accuracy of the prediction.

Research limitations/implications

It would be challenging and interesting work to extend the current method to nonlinear problems.

Practical implications

The method presented herein provides an effective solution for the fast prediction of unsteady flow fields in the design of turbomachinery.

Originality/value

A flow prediction method based on sparsity-promoting dynamic mode decomposition was proposed and applied into a RT to predict the flow field under various operating conditions (both rotation speed and flow rate change) with reasonable prediction accuracy. Compared with numerical calculations or experiments, the proposed method can greatly reduce time and resource consumption for flow field visualization at design stage. Most of the physics information of the unsteady flow was maintained by reconstructing the flow modes in the prediction method, which may contribute to a deeper understanding of physical mechanisms.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2014

Xiang Gao, Hua Wang and Guanlong Chen

Fitting evenness is one key characteristic for three-dimensional objects' optimal fit. The weighted Gaussian imaging method is developed for fitting evenness of auto body…

1778

Abstract

Purpose

Fitting evenness is one key characteristic for three-dimensional objects' optimal fit. The weighted Gaussian imaging method is developed for fitting evenness of auto body taillight fitting optimization.

Design/methodology/approach

Fitting boundary contours are extracted from scanning data points. Optimal fitting target is represented with gap and flushness between taillight and auto body. By optimizing the fitting position of the projected boundary contours on the Gaussian sphere, the weighted Gaussian imaging method accomplishes optimal requirements of gap and flushness. A scanning system is established, and the fitting contour of the taillight assembly model is extracted to analyse the quality of the fitting process.

Findings

The proposed method accomplishes the fitting optimization for taillight fitting with higher efficiency.

Originality/value

The weighted Gaussian imaging method is used to optimize the taillight fitting. The proposed method optimized the fitting objects' 3-D space, while the traditional fitting methods are based on 2-D algorithm. Its time complexity is O(n3), while those of the traditional methods are O(n5). The results of this research will enhance the understanding of the 3-D optimal fitting and help in systematically improving the productivity and the fitting quality in automotive industry.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2017

Wu Li and Yuehua Wu

Using the case of social reading via WeChat in China, this paper aims to explore adolescents’ social reading motivation and behaviour. It also examines how the specific dimensions…

2762

Abstract

Purpose

Using the case of social reading via WeChat in China, this paper aims to explore adolescents’ social reading motivation and behaviour. It also examines how the specific dimensions of reading motivation contribute to the different aspects of social reading behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used survey approach, which gathered 1,039 valid responses from a cluster sampling in 14 middle and high schools in Shanghai, China.

Findings

The results indicated that social reading motivation was a multidimensional construct, which included the dimensions of social interaction, self-development, peer recognition, information acquisition, personal interests and time killing. The research also found that different motivational dimensions exerted different influences on adolescents’ social reading activities. Specifically, the motivations of time killing and self-development are significant predictors of both the reading act and socializing act. However, information acquisition and personal interests were significant predictors only of the reading act, while social interaction and peer recognition significantly predicted the socializing act.

Research limitations/implications

The findings would be valuable for those who develop reading programs or administer adolescents’ reading practice. This study can help them understand the complexity of adolescents’ social reading motivation and distinguish between its different dimensions.

Originality/value

The study provides important insights into the nature of adolescents’ social reading motivation and how it relates to their social reading behaviour. It not only confirmed the multidimensionality of social reading motivation as a construct but also expanded the exploration of reading motivation and behaviour to the social media arena.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 May 2016

Wen Jiang and Xu Chen

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the manufacturer’s production, pricing and green technology investment decision problem when strategic customer behavior and carbon…

1295

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the manufacturer’s production, pricing and green technology investment decision problem when strategic customer behavior and carbon emissions-sensitive random demand is taken into consideration and discuss the impact of carbon emissions-sensitive demand on the manufacturer’s operation strategies, total carbon emissions and maximum expected profit.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors formulate a model to introduce carbon emissions-sensitive demand into the newsvendor framework with strategic customer behavior. The authors characterize the rational expectations equilibrium to derive the optimal solutions to the manufacturer. The authors analyze the effects of carbon emissions-sensitive demand on the manufacturer’s optimal strategies, total carbon emissions and maximum expected profit by comparative analysis.

Findings

The authors obtain the manufacturer’s optimal production, pricing and green technology investment strategies under rational expectations equilibrium in scenario of price-sensitive demand and that of carbon emissions-sensitive demand, respectively. The authors find that as customer demand changes from price-sensitive demand to carbon emissions-sensitive demand, the manufacturer’s optimal prices are the same but optimal production quantity, optimal unit carbon emissions and maximum expected profit go down. Though the total emissions decrease, the carbon emissions reduction would not increase as the demand is more carbon emissions-sensitive. Whether it increases or decreases depends on the model parameters.

Originality/value

Carbon emissions-sensitive demand and strategic customer behavior are considered simultaneously in an integrated model. The result can guide the manufacturer decision-making. The proposed model are hoped to shed light to the future works in the field of sustainable supply chain management.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 116 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

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