In-Organization Ethics Power-Allocation Mechanisms and Members’ Decision-Making Behavior

This study examines experimental evidence showing how ethics power allocation mechanisms affect an individual’s in-organization resource division and ethical behavior. We used two two-stage lab experiments to explore power seeking and usage; the experiments contained two stages of power contending and power usage. Stage one used two different power-seeking mechanisms in the honesty game. Stage two was based on the dictator game and the ultimatum game to measure an individual’s power usage. The results show that the decisions taken by power-holders could influence the optimization of collective resources, and power-holders who gain power with unethical methods could result in collective resource allocation inequities. With more balanced in-organization power, members tend to be more honest. Subjects also adjust their unethical behavior to adapt to the environment, which could cause the diffusion of unethical behavior. This paper re-designed the dictator game and the ultimatum game by adding an ethically vulnerable power acquisition mechanism. For organizations to prevent the disproportionate dispersion of resources and achieve more public benefits, it is meaningful for managers to create a proper in-organization ethical power allocation mechanism.

Exploration of the Digital Innovation Process in the Smart Product-Service System

The dissemination of digital technologies enabled massive data generation and new forms of cooperation. Hence, a new type of innovation named digital innovation emerged. Digital innovation has evolved in different domains and contexts, one of which is called Smart Product-Service System (Smart PSS). Many research works have been done on the development of Smart PSS by leveraging various digital technologies and exploiting its digital capabilities along its lifecycle to generate personalized and innovative solutions. However, there are scarcely any works to explore how the digital innovation process can be manifested to fully exploit digital capabilities throughout Smart PSS development. Aiming to fill this gap, this research provides a theoretical basis for digital innovation in Smart PSS and investigates how it can be in line with the development of Smart PSS from an engineering lifecycle perspective. This work also provides a definition of Smart PSS from the context of digital innovation. A case study on smart office chair is employed to demonstrate the digital innovation process in the usage stage. This work can provide insight and guidance for Smart PSS development and further harness its digital innovation process.

Contemporary Business Transformation Trends and Opportunities in Corporate Companies in the Global Economy

Looking forward, 2020 will be a time of some retribution for digital initiatives and that is eventually uplifting news. 2020 will even now observe the fast scaling of advanced activities across businesses. The previous barely any a long time in business have been described by a progression of basic moves in the manner organizations work and structure themselves. As they continued looking for more prominent efficiencies, economies of scale or lower costs, organizations have held onto patterns, for example, redistributing, offshoring, and mergers and acquisitions, while fast mechanical advancement has changed the manner in which data is shared and imparted, and the manner in which business cycles and exchanges are directed. In spite of the fact that patterns, for example, offshoring, mergers and acquisitions, and enormous scope IT ventures can have various targets and require various aptitudes, they are largely instances of business change. Each kind of task expects heads to set clear goals, to guarantee that those points are perceived by everybody in the association, and to zero in cautiously on the usage stage so the destinations are accomplished. To put it plainly, each venture is tied in with overseeing huge scope change – something that in the present exceptionally circulated, worldwide association is a perplexing and requesting undertaking. In light of an overview and methodical surveys investigates the patterns that are driving business change and takes a gander at the difficulties and openings introduced by this indispensable part of contemporary business.

Evaluating Smart PSS Solutions with Context-Awareness in Usage Phase

With the mature development of IoT techniques, smart PSS emphasizes the digital transformation of the traditional PSS, which is an ever-evolving and value-co-creation system with the participation of users through the whole product lifecycle, especially during the usage stage. Due to the frequent changes of usage situations, the smart PSS providers are supposed to evolve their product-service bundles according to the trends of usage situations. It is critical to determine what is the current uasge situation, thereafter to evaluate and select proper product-service bundles during the usage phase. In this article, we propose a context-aware approach to evaluate the smart PSS performance during the usage phase.

Scientific and methodological bases of rational design of hoisting-and-transport machines metal structures

Purpose of this paper is to improve parameters of metal structures elements of hoisting-and-transport machines (HTMs) by means of systematic approach to study changes of their stress-strain state during design or usage stage. Subject of the study is pattern of changes in distribution and values of stresses in elements of metal structures of HTMs depending on the structural and parametric characteristics. Design methodology of metal structures of HTMs on the basis of a portal crane is proposed, it is based on strength calculations using methods of allowable stresses and FEM, 3D computer simulation, system analysis of the stress-strain state and structural-parametric synthesis. Results of modeling of loading state and calculations of the portal crane metal structures on strength by FEM in CAD/CAE system, analysis of their stress-strain state, structural-parametric synthesis are presented. Recommendations on practical application of the results are given. Possible ways of further development of proposed solutions are identified.

A Cradle-to-Grave Multi-Pronged Methodology to Obtain the Carbon Footprint of Electro-Intensive Power Electronic Products

This paper proposes the application of a cradle-to-grave multi-pronged methodology to obtain a more realistic carbon footprint (CF) estimation of electro-intensive power electronic (EIPE) products. The literature review shows that methodologies for establishing CF have limitations in calculation or are not applied from the conception (cradle) to death (grave) of the product; therefore, this paper provides an extended methodology to overcome some limitations that can be applied in each stage during the life cycle assessment (LCA). The proposed methodology is applied in a cradle-to-grave scenario, being composed of two approaches of LCA: (1) an integrated hybrid approach based on an economic balance and (2) a standard approach based on ISO 14067 and PAS 2050 standards. The methodology is based on a multi-pronged assessment to combine conventional with hybrid techniques. The methodology was applied to a D-STATCOM prototype which contributes to the improvement of the efficiency. Results show that D-STATCOM considerably decreases CF and saves emissions taken place during the usage stage. A comparison was made between Sweden and China to establish the environmental impact of D-STATCOM in electrical networks, showing that saved emissions in the life cycle of D-STATCOM were 5.88 and 391.04 ton CO2eq in Sweden and China, respectively.

The impacts of knowledge sharing-based value co-creation on user continuance in online communities

Purpose Though online communities offer unprecedented opportunities to involve people in knowledge sharing, the reasons why users would like to participate in those activities in online communities have still been under-explored. In this research, the authors aim to use the value co-creation theory to build and test a continuance usage model, which focuses more on experiential values resulted from the knowledge sharing behavior. Design/methodology/approach An integrative research model is built to investigate how knowledge sharing behavior affects users’ co-creation value and then drives their continuance usage in online communities. Online survey data collected from 239 Sina Microblog users in China are utilized to validate the proposed model and hypotheses. Findings Empirical results indicate that the knowledge sharing behavior helps improve users’ co-creation value, including customer learning value, social integrative value and hedonic value. This co-creation value can subsequently affect users’ future participation intention in online communities. Originality/value This paper seeks to fill the research gap by examining customers’ motivations or perceptions underlying their knowledge sharing behavior at the usage-stage, instead of the pre-usage stage mainly concentrated on by previous studies. The managerial implications can be utilized for policy making to encourage customers’ participation and operate a better online community.

Analysis of research trends and constructs in context to lean six sigma frameworks

Purpose The literature of lean six sigma (LSS) is flooded with frameworks. But to date, there has been no attempt to expose the inconsistencies in the existing frameworks and associated research trends. The purpose of this paper is to critically review 26 LSS frameworks and highlight inconsistencies. The study also helps in analysing research trends and constructs of LSS frameworks, and facilitates new applications. Design/methodology/approach It uses Scopus database and finalises 26 frameworks in the LSS domain considering a timeframe from 2000 to 2017, using a structured literature review approach and involving domain experts. It uses a battery of systematic requirements-based questions to understand trends and covers building blocks/constructs also. Findings It reveals inconsistencies at three different stages, namely, the framework stage, usage stage capturing existing research trends and construct stage. It also offers details at building block/construct level. Thus, it offers guidance in reducing inconsistencies and possible modifications in the existing frameworks. It not only exposes existing constructs and sub-constructs but also guides about the new upcoming changes in the business influencing the LSS domain. It also educates about the strengths and weaknesses of each framework. Research limitations/implications This study tries to reduce inconsistencies, but does not offer new generalised or sector-specific framework. Practical implications This study will assist for modification/corrections in the existing frameworks by reducing inconsistencies and will encourage new frameworks to facilitate applications. Originality/value This is a unique study which offers frameworks-based review, portrays research trends and guides about constructs of a framework by exposing inconsistencies at each stage. It helps in reducing inconsistencies and offers guidance regarding modifications in the LSS framework considering upcoming challenges.