Competitive Strategy Research Articles

Relay-Type Catalysis by a Dual-Metal Single-Atom System in a Waste Biomass Derivative Host for High-Rate and Durable Li-S Batteries.

An environmental-friendly and sustainable carbon-based host is one of the most competitive strategies for achieving high loading and practicality of Li-S batteries. However, the polysulfide conversion reaction kinetics is still limited by the nonuniform or monofunctional catalyst configuration in the carbon host. In this work, we propose a catalysis mode based on "relay-type" co-operation by adjacent dual-metal single atoms for high-rate and durable Li-S batteries. A discarded sericin fabric-derived porous N-doped carbon with a stacked schistose structure is prepared as the high-loading sulfur (84 wt %) host by a facile ionothermal method, which further enables the uniform anchoring of Fe/Co dual-metal single atoms. This multifunctional host enables superior lithiophilic-sulfiphilic and electrocatalytic capabilities contributed by the "relay-type" single-atom modulation effects on different conversion stages of liquid polysulfides and solid Li2S2/Li2S, leading to the suppression of the "shuttle effect", alleviation of nucleation and decomposition barriers of Li2Sx, and acceleration of polysulfide conversion kinetics. The corresponding Li-S batteries exhibit a high specific capacity of 1399.0 mA h g-1, high-rate performance up to 10 C, and excellent cycling stability over 1000 cycles. They can also endure the high sulfur loading of 8.5 mg cm-2 and the lean electrolyte condition and yield an areal capacity as high as 8.6 mA h cm-2. This work evidentially demonstrates the potential of waste biomass reutilization coupled with the design of a single-atom system for practical Li-S batteries with high energy density.

The Level of Importance of the Four P’s by the Customers of Shell, Petron, and Chevron Stations in General Santos City

Consumer-centric companies focus their resources on developing products and establishing strategies that satisfy customers’ needs and wants. The efforts involved in determining customers’ desires require rigorous analysis because of customers’ heterogeneity. Cost leadership, one of the three generic competitive strategies, aims to increase profit by reducing the cost of production and offering a competitively priced product. This strategy is effective in maximizing the limited resources of the company. In relation to the three generic competitive strategies, there are factors that affect customers’ decisions. The factors that affect customers’ preferences are location, brand, behavior, values, product attributes, quality, price, promotion, and perception. This study focused on the four significant factors, which are the Four Ps: product, price, place, and promotion. Respondents, who are customers of Shell, Petron, and Chevron fuel stations in General Santos City, evaluated the level of importance of the Four Ps. A sample size of 120 respondents was chosen to answer the validated questionnaires. A descriptive-quantitative research design and stratified sampling methods were applied in the study. Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS were the software used to analyze and interpret the data. The findings indicate that the place factor and the promotion factor, among the four factors, have the highest and lowest means, respectively. According to the respondents, price information and brand are very important, since they have the highest mean in price and product factors. The analysis of the Kruskal-Wallis H Test indicates that there are no significant differences in the level of importance of the four Ps among Shell, Petron, and Chevron stations in General Santos City as evaluated by the respondents.

Light competition drives species replacement during secondary tropical forest succession.

Light competition is thought to drive successional shifts in species dominance in closed vegetations, but few studies have assessed this for species-rich and vertically structured tropical forests. We analyzed how light competition drives species replacement during succession, and how cross-species variation in light competition strategies is determined by underlying species traits. To do so, we used chronosequence approach in which we compared 14 Mexican tropical secondary rainforest stands that differ in age (8-32year-old). For each tree, height and stem diameter were monitored for 2years to calculate relative biomass growth rate (RGR, the aboveground biomass gain per unit aboveground tree biomass per year). For each stand, 3D light profiles were measured to estimate individuals' light interception to calculate light interception efficiency (LIE, intercepted light per unit biomass per year) and light use efficiency (LUE, biomass growth per intercepted light). Throughout succession, species with higher RGR attained higher changes in species dominance and thus increased their dominance over time. Both light competition strategies (LIE and LUE) increased RGR. In early succession, a high LIE and its associated traits (large crown leaf mass and low wood density) are more important for RGR. During succession, forest structure builds up, leading to lower understory light levels. In later succession, a high LUE and its associated traits (high wood density and leaf mass per area) become more important for RGR. Therefore, successional changes in relative importance of light competition strategies drive shifts in species dominance during tropical rainforest succession.

Dynamic capabilities and competitiveness: Relationship among industrial policy, structural transformation, and economic growth in Indonesian regional industries

The complex interactions of industrial Policy, structural transformation, economic growth, and competitive strategy within regional industries are examined in this research. Using a dynamic capabilities framework, the study examines the mediating roles of organizational innovation and adaptability in the link between competitiveness and macroeconomic variables. A two-way fixed effects model is used in this study to examine the influence of structural transformation (ST) on Industrial Policy (IP). Using regional data covering the years 2010 to 2022, the research undertaken in this paper explores the dynamics of the Indonesian economy by empirically assessing the consequences of structural change on industrial Policy. In order to establish a comprehensive model that clarifies the mechanisms through which industrial policies and structural shifts impact the development of dynamic capabilities, ultimately influencing competitiveness strategies, this research draws on a large amount of empirical data and integrates insights from seminal works. Our research adds to our knowledge of strategic management in regional industries by providing detailed information on how economic development and policy interventions influence businesses’ ability to adapt and gain a competitive edge. In addition to advancing scholarly discourse, this study offers business executives and politicians valuable insights for managing the intricacies of global economic processes.

A competitive strategy toward 1 T/2H MoS2 to balance impedance for optimizing electromagnetic wave absorption

Interface engineering and phase engineering play crucial roles in enhancing the design and development of advanced electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers. However, there is a lack of focus on designing phase structures and interfaces from a microscopic perspective to adjust impedance matching and EMW absorption. This study introduced a competitive strategy involving 1 T/2H MoS2. The phase structure and composition of MoS2 were controlled using a microwave hydrothermal method. By creating a diverse phase interface within the material in the form of 1 T/2H, a balance between conduction loss and polarization loss was achieved, leading to improved EMW absorption through enhanced impedance matching. The results indicated that the incorporation of the 1 T phase boosted the electron transfer capability of MoS2, increasing conduction loss. The 1 T/2H phase interface enhanced interface polarization, thereby amplifying polarization loss. At a thickness of 2.8 mm, the absorber demonstrated a minimum reflection loss of −64.9 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 4.6 GHz. In far-field conditions, the maximum radar cross-section (RCS) of the 1 T/2H phase MoS2 nanoflowers was −27.5 dBm2. This study elucidates the relationship between 1 T/2H phase MoS2 content and phase interfaces with impedance matching, offering a novel approach for developing high-performance MoS2-based EMW absorbing materials.

A typology of evaluative health platforms: Commercial interests and their implications for patient voice

Interactions in the healthcare system today involve an important new set of actors: evaluative health platforms (EHPs). These platforms are not neutral intermediaries, but active moderators of how patients express opinions, choose providers, and consume health-related information. This paper adds to our understanding of the varied and evolving commercial interests of EHPs and the implications these have for patient voice. We analyze 71 platforms in the USA, UK, and Germany and identify five ideal types: subscribers, analyzers, advertisers, regulators, and scammers. Each platform type enacts a unique competitive strategy through an evaluative infrastructure which constrains but also generates possibilities for patient voice. Based on our typology, we develop three contributions. First, we nuance universalizing claims about the consequences of platform capitalism by specifying the diverse strategies underpinning competition between EHPs in different countries, and showing how each strategy leads evaluative infrastructures to develop in ways that impact patient voice. Second, we show how patients can navigate the challenges of a complex EHP space by exercising their ability to choose between platforms. Finally, we outline the conditions platforms need to fulfil to become empowering. Overall, this study highlights the varied and complex relationship between platform business models and user voice, which exists not only in healthcare, but also in many other fields.

Novel competitive fractional chaotic circuits interaction networks with hierarchical structure and encryption application

In the realm of complex networks, the challenge of ensuring secure communication amidst the vulnerabilities of conventional encryption methods has become increasingly critical. This study delves into the complex realm of synchronized behaviors in networks, employing fractional-order chaotic circuits within hierarchically structured competitive interaction networks to enhance encryption security, particularly for medical image transmission. We propose a novel paradigm that transcends traditional synchronization methods used across various disciplines, from engineering to social sciences, by unveiling the intricate dynamics of how units within networks share interactions. Our approach leverages the unique properties of fractional chaos and network hierarchy, demonstrating that the proposed model, characterized by multi-directed links and competitive strategies, significantly improves synchronization. Through detailed analysis, including bifurcation diagrams and Lyapunov exponent plots, we uncover the optimal configurations of coupling strength and fractional order that lead to enhanced network synchronization. This synchronization is pivotal for our encryption application, showcasing a high level of security and privacy in the transmission of medical images. The encryption technique benefits from the network’s complex and synchronized dynamics, rendering it a formidable challenge for potential attackers to decipher the encrypted data. While our findings offer a promising mechanism for creating robust communication networks capable of securing sensitive medical data, the implications of our work extend beyond this application. The successful application of fractional-order chaotic circuits sets a groundwork for securing diverse types of data transmissions against the evolving landscape of cyber threats. This research not only marks a significant advancement in network security but also opens new avenues for applying these principles across a spectrum of fields where data security and privacy are paramount.

STUDY ON E-COMMERCE PLATFORM. ONLINE RETAILING AT FLIPKART

India is at the forefront of digital retailing, which has changed the game for retailers globally, thanks to the success of e-commerce platforms like Flipkart. By dissecting the inner workings of online retailing via the lens of Flipkart, this research aims to illuminate the intricate factors impacting the e-commerce industry. Combining qualitative insights with quantitative data, this research employs a mixed-methods approach to provide a full understanding of Flipkart's essential role in the e-commerce business. It delves into the intricacies of Flipkart's online buying experience by examining trends in consumer behavior, technological advancements, market dynamics, and rival tactics. Through in-depth surveys, interviews with industry experts, and analysis of current market trends, this study investigates the elements that influence the choices and preferences of online shoppers. To maintain its lead over competitors, Flipkart has adjusted its approach to cater to customers' evolving desires. Keywords: E-commerce, Online Retailing, Flipkart, Consumer Behavior, Market Trends, Technological Innovations, Competitive Strategies, India.

Beyond wages: The transformative role of strikes in accelerating transportation electrification

Transportation electrification is a critical step towards energy transition and low-carbon society, with wide-ranging social and economic impacts. This study examines the significant role of the 2023 United Auto Workers strike in the context of transportation electrification, with a focus on its implications for the automotive industry and labor market dynamics. Through an analysis of the strike’s immediate effects on production and long-term implications for labor practices and competitive strategies, this study explores how labor actions can influence the pace and direction of the transportation decarbonization efforts. We argue that the strike may accelerate automation and the adoption of non-unionized labor, potentially reshaping the future labor market and manufacturing landscape. To support a just and equitable transition, we call for incorporating the safeguarding of labor social benefits into the innovation of public policies and investment portfolios that incentivize the electric vehicle markets.

East Asian Security Architecture in the Geopolitical Competition Between China and the United States: Impacts and Adjustments

In the context of globalization, the rivalry between China and the United States has become a key factor shaping the regional security landscape. In this paper, the author investigates the profound impact and potential adjustment strategies of the geopolitical competition between China and the United States on the security architecture of East Asia. This paper first outlines the complexity of Sino-U.S. competition and its profound challenges in East Asia. The problem statement clarifies the core issue addressed in this study: how to address the multiple pressures on regional security arising from Sino-U.S. competition. The research employs a comprehensive approach, including a literature review and case analysis, to thoroughly understand the competition's multidimensional effects. Findings reveal that Sino-U.S. competition has significantly altered the security landscape in East Asia, spanning military, political, and economic domains. In conclusion, the paper summarizes key discoveries and emphasizes the urgency of adjusting the East Asian security framework. It proposes recommendations to guide regional stakeholders in preparing for the new geopolitical reality, ensuring adaptability to and mitigation of uncertainties from Sino-U.S. competition. These suggestions aim to provide powerful insights for decision-makers, fostering practical and effective policy adjustments in response to evolving circumstances.

Monopolistic Competition and Market Positioning Strategies in Zimbabwe's Brewing Industry: Implications for Upgrading the Sorghum Value Chain.

Monopolistic Competition and Market Positioning Strategies in Zimbabwe's Brewing Industry: Implications for Upgrading the Sorghum Value Chain.

Competitiveness Strategy Analysis With SWOT Approach Of Grocery Stores Islamic Business Perspective

The grocery store became one of the UMKMs that channeled everyday needs to the community. This research aims to identify strategies to improve the competitiveness of food enterprises with a SWOT analysis approach, with a case study of Rizqi Halwa Kelontong Shop in Negarayu Village, Tonjong District, Brebes District. This research uses qualitative descriptive methods. Data sources in this research include primary and secondary data. With the collection of primary data from interview and observation, Secondary data from library studies such as journals and relevant articles. The strategy to compete in enterprise is the most crucial thing in development process of enterprise, so it requires the right strategy by implementing the SWOT analyst approach. Besides, as Muslim, also need to pay attention to existence of Islamic business ethics. Islamic business ethics teaches businessmen tobe able to follow orders they are taught and avoid prohibitions in accordance with Islamic rules. SWOT analysis of grocery stores shows strength in product completeness, price flexibility, and good customer service. However, there are weaknesses such as space constraints and SDM, a less strategic location. Opportunities to expand the product sector and enhance cooperation with suppliers need to be exploited, while threats come from large-store competition and price fluctuations. Strategies that match the SWOT matrix should used to maximize strengths, minimize weaknesses, and improve the competitiveness and resilience of retail stores in the market. The owner of this store applies the principles of Islamic business ethics and always keeps practicing shiddiq, trust, fathonah, and tabligh attitudes.

E-service failure and recovery strategy in times of crisis: effect on peer attitudes, expectation and future intention

AbstractThis study analyses the impact of the critical issues on Travel and Tourism e-service failure and explores specifically how peer-to-peer accommodation business can cope with the potential collapse in demand caused by global crises. The purpose is to examine the impact of peer-to-peer accommodation’s recovery offer on revisiting intentions and relationships termination in light of justice-, fairness-, and attribution theory. In this vein, the main aim is to develop a theoretical model which is underpinned by an understanding of the consequences of e-service failure and the effectiveness of recovery strategies for business competitiveness. To gauge peer perceptions of peer-to-peer accommodations, we employed a mixed-method approach. Alongside 17 interviews with peers and industry experts, a survey involving 404 peer-to-peer accommodation users was conducted. Structural equation modelling was applied to unravel the intricate relationships and influences at play. The findings suggest that managers and service providers need to focus on timely recovery and building stronger relationships with peers, to increase repurchase intention and post-recovery satisfaction and to better front the crises times. This could be implemented efficiently via the platform of social media. This study offers specific theoretical and practical implications by providing a fair recovery strategy to result in the satisfaction of both parties.

Automatic price appraisals: why they matter and how to measure them.

Accurately estimating consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) is crucial to product design, pricing decisions, and the design of competitive marketing strategies. However, traditional self-report measures of WTP are susceptible to many reporting biases, including tactical responding or an inability to make accurate estimates. Importantly, appraisals also occur automatically (i.e., in the absence of substantial time, intention, awareness, and/or substantial cognitive resources) and implicit measures used to capture automatic appraisals are less susceptible to the sort of reporting biases that self-report measures can be affected by. However, the only existing implicit measure for assessing automatic price appraisals (the Task Rule Congruency paradigm, 'TRC') is impractical because of the large number of trials and time it requires. Accordingly, here we introduce the Implicit Attribute Classification Task (IMPACT), test its effectiveness for the measurement of automatic price appraisals (Study 1), and directly compare its effectiveness and utility with that of the TRC (Study 2). We find that the IMPACT is an efficient measure of automatic price appraisals, that it produces considerably larger effects compared to the TRC, and that it does so while substantially shortening the procedure. We also discuss how the IMPACT scores can be used to derive an implicit measure of willingness to pay. Our findings make a substantial contribution to both research and practice by providing an effective tool that facilitates, for the first time, an efficient exploration of implicit WTP.

A corner protrusion strategy for the aerodynamic response mitigation of tall buildings with the aim of using non-structural components

Side protrusion, i.e., the addition of material on the side of a tall building, has been demonstrated as an effective strategy to mitigate the aerodynamic responses under a broad range of design wind speeds. This study investigates the possibility of producing similar behavior of side protrusion via a corner protrusion strategy. The proposed strategy is evaluated using two parameters, which are the gap ratio (GR) and the protrusion ratio (PR). High-frequency force balance (HFFB) wind tunnel testing was carried out to examine the aerodynamic performance of ten models under different wind angles. The results demonstrate that the corner protrusion strategy can achieve similar performance as the side protrusion strategy using nonstructural components (NCs). The reductions of base overturning moment (OTM) for model CP-14–86 are 33%, 39%, 33%, and 24% at the mean hourly design wind speeds (cities) of 42 m/s (San Francisco), 53 m/s (New York), 62 m/s (Houston), and 77 m/s (Miami), respectively. The effectiveness of the corner protrusion strategy occurs when the PR is larger than 6%. The benefits of using NCs to reduce wind responses of tall buildings are discussed, which is expected to be a competitive aerodynamic strategy not only for new buildings but also for retrofitting existing buildings.

Moderating Role of Environment on the Relationship of Competitive Strategy and Firm Performance: Based on Machine Learning and Text Analysis

The impact of competitive strategy on firm performance has been a fundamental and important issue. However, there is a little research on moderating role of environment on the relationship, especially moderating role of different dimensions of environment. This study employs the technology of machine learning and text analysis to obtain the measure value of competitive strategy and environment. On this basis, the research empirically investigates the moderating effect of environmental dynamism, complexity and competitiveness on the relationship between competitive strategy and organizational performance. The results show that both types of competitive strategy can improve corporate performance, environmental characteristics have a significant impact on the causal relationship mentioned above, and there are differences in the moderating effects of different environmental dimensions. Some conclusions are inconsistent with the research of foreign scholars. The differences in conclusions reflect the impact of China's transitional economic environment on corporate competitive strategy decisions and result.

Probiotic Effect of Streptococcus dentisani on Oral Pathogens: An In Vitro Study

Probiotics, including Streptococcus dentisani, have been proposed as an alternative to re-establish the ecology of the oral cavity and inhibit the formation of pathogenic biofilms. The main objective of this work was to assess the probiotic ability of S. dentisani against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, and Candida albicans biofilms. The ability of the strains to form a monospecies biofilm and the probiotic potential of S. dentisani using the competition, exclusion, and displacement strategies were determined. All strains were moderate biofilm producers. The ability of S. dentisani to compete with and exclude S. mutans and S. mitis during biofilm formation was not significant. However, S. dentisani significantly reduced pathologic streptococcal biofilms using the displacement strategy. Also S. dentisani reduced the formation of the C. albicans biofilm mainly through competition and displacement. In vitro, S. dentisani exhibited probiotic potential to reduce the formation of potentially pathogenic biofilms. Further investigation is required to understand the biofilm-inhibiting mechanisms exhibited by this probiotic strain.

Sensory perception of rivals has trait-dependent effects on plasticity in Drosophila melanogaster.

The social environment has myriad effects on individuals, altering reproduction, immune function, cognition, and aging. Phenotypic plasticity enables animals to respond to heterogeneous environments such as the social environment but requires that they assess those environments accurately. It has been suggested that combinations of sensory cues allow animals to respond rapidly and accurately to changeable environments, but it is unclear whether the same sensory inputs are required in all traits that respond to a particular environmental cue. Drosophila melanogaster males, in the presence of rival males, exhibit a consistent behavioral response by extending mating duration. However, exposure to a rival also results in a reduction in their lifespan, a phenomenon interpreted as a trade-off associated with sperm competition strategies. D. melanogaster perceive their rivals by using multiple sensory cues; interfering with at least two olfactory, auditory, or tactile cues eliminates the extension of mating duration. Here, we assessed whether these same cues were implicated in the lifespan reduction. Removal of combinations of auditory and olfactory cues removed the extended mating duration response to a rival, as previously found. However, we found that these manipulations did not alter the reduction in lifespan of males exposed to rivals or induce any changes in activity patterns, grooming, or male-male aggression. Therefore, our analysis suggests that lifespan reduction is not a cost associated with the behavioral responses to sperm competition. Moreover, this highlights the trait-specific nature of the mechanisms underlying plasticity in response to the same environmental conditions.

Multi-channel prismatic localized surface plasmon resonance biosensor for real-time competitive assay multiple COVID-19 characteristic miRNAs

A multi-channel prismatic localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor was developed for quantitative and real-time detection of multiple COVID-19 characteristic miRNAs. The well-dispersed and dense gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) arrays for LSPR biosensing were fabricated through a nano-thickness diblock copolymer template (BCPT). Both theoretical and experimental analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of particle size, interparticle spacing, and surface coverage on LSPR sensing spectrum and intensity sensitivity of varied AuNPs sizes. A competitive assay strategy was proposed and used for non-amplification miRNA detection with a low limit detection of 3.41 nM, while a four-channel prismatic LSPR system enables parallel detection of multiple miRNAs. Furthermore, this sensing strategy can effectively and specifically identify target miRNA, distinguish mismatched miRNA and interfering miRNA, and exhibit low non-specific adsorption. This BCPT-based LSPR biosensor demonstrates the practicality and potential of a multi-channel, adaptable, and integrated prismatic sensor in medical testing and diagnostic applications.

Digital transformation to enhance Indonesian SME performance: Exploring the impact of market competition and digital strategy

In the current era, the challenges faced by SMEs in Indonesia are becoming increasingly complex. Previously, the primary challenge for SMEs has been to enhance performance. However, with the emergence of information technology, SMEs are now required to compete fiercely. SMEs in Indonesia are still in the process of digital transformation to improve their business strategies, thus limiting research focused on digital transformation in SMEs. Research also considers market complexity and digital strategy as crucial factors for SMEs. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of digital transformation in influencing SME performance. The research approach is quantitative, involving 171 SMEs owners as respondents. The instrument utilized is a Likert scale questionnaire, focusing on the majority of SMEs in Indonesia, particularly those in Java, the most populous island and business center of the country. This includes SMEs operating within various sectors, such as culinary, fashion, retail, and creative industries. The results indicate that digital strategy and market complexity influence digital transformation and SMEs performance. The research findings suggest that digital transformation mediates the influence of digital strategy and market complexity on SME performance. The novelty of this study lies in its focus on the current SMEs digitalization strategy area. This study indicates that digital transformation is an essential aspect affecting current SME performance. The results suggest that SMEs require focused strategies to strengthen resources and gain competitive advantage in complex markets.