Blue Ocean Strategy vs. Competitive Strategy: The Effect of Business Strategic Choices on Firm Performance, According to the Industry Life Cycle

The purpose of this study is to explore how blue ocean strategy and competitive strategy influence a firm\u27s business performance differently according to its stage in the industry life cycle (ILC). We developed a theoretical research model and the measure items to capture the different attributes of the blue ocean and competitive paradigms. We collected primary data from 309 business owners and senior managers working in the U.S. through a survey research. We tested the data by performing the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the structural equation modeling analysis (SEM) using SPSS and AMOS. The results from the statistical analysis demonstrate that the effects of blue ocean strategy on a firm\u27s business performance become increasingly weak as ILC stages pass, while the effects of competitive strategy gradually strengthen. However, our results show that, in general, blue ocean strategy has a more positive effect on a firm\u27s performance than competitive strategy. In addition, the study results suggest that blue ocean strategy fully mediates the relationship between a firm\u27s market orientation and its business performance, while competitive strategy only partially mediates the relationship. We discuss some theoretical implications and contributions of our research findings

The Relationship between Metacognition, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation

This study aims to examine the relationship between an entrepreneur’s metacognition, entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and firm performance. We collected primary data from 190 entrepreneurs (business owners or founders) working in the U.S. through a survey. By performing both the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the structural equation modeling (SEM), we tested our hypothesized research model that represented the metacognition-EO-firm performance relationship. The results from the statistical analysis demonstrate that an entrepreneur\u27s metacognition has a significant positive impact on EO. Furthermore, the study result shows that EO has a full mediating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurial metacognition and firm performance. We, thus, anticipate that the findings of this study will help entrepreneurs to understand the mechanism on how their metacognitions impact their business outcomes as well as to recognize why they should consider their metacognitive abilities while executing entrepreneurial tasks

The QM evolution: Behavioral quality management as a firm’s strategic resource

Firms implement various quality management (QM) practices to improve process quality. Scholars recognize that QM practices consist of both technical and behavioral oriented practices. The relationship of technical and behavioral oriented practices on performance has led to paradoxical relationships. Improving quality performance necessitates understanding the relationship between technical and behavioral orientated practices. This study empirically examines the relationship between technical and behavioral quality practices by collecting survey data from both US-based (N = 152) and China-based (N = 222) firms. The analysis uses the structural equation modeling technique, and shows that behavioral QM practices fully mediate the relationship between technical QM practices and firm performance. This implies that behavioral QM practices act as a strategic resource which helps generate a competitive advantage. The results contribute to understanding how quality management practices can lead to a competitive advantage

Lamellar keratoplasty using position-guided surgical needle and M-mode optical coherence tomography

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is an emerging surgical technique for the restoration of corneal clarity and vision acuity. The big-bubble technique in DALK surgery is the most essential procedure that includes the air injection through a thin syringe needle to separate the dysfunctional region of the cornea. Even though DALK is a well-known transplant method, it is still challenged to manipulate the needle inside the cornea under the surgical microscope, which varies its surgical yield. Here, we introduce the DALK protocol based on the position-guided needle and M-mode optical coherence tomography (OCT). Depth-resolved 26-gage needle was specially designed, fabricated by the stepwise transitional core fiber, and integrated with the swept source OCT system. Since our device is feasible to provide both the position information inside the cornea as well as air injection, it enables the accurate management of bubble formation during DALK. Our results show that real-time feedback of needle end position was intuitionally visualized and fast enough to adjust the location of the needle. Through our research, we realized that position-guided needle combined with M-mode OCT is a very efficient and promising surgical tool, which also to enhance the accuracy and stability of DALK

Design of the VISTA-ITL Test Facility for an Integral Type Reactor of SMART and a Post-Test Simulation of a SBLOCA Test

To validate the performance and safety of an integral type reactor of SMART, a thermal-hydraulic integral effect test facility, VISTA-ITL, is introduced with a discussion of its scientific design characteristics. The VISTA-ITL was used extensively to assess the safety and performance of the SMART design, especially for its passive safety system such as a passive residual heat removal system, and to validate various thermal-hydraulic analysis codes. The VISTA-ITL program includes several tests on the SBLOCA, CLOF, and PRHRS performances to support a verification of the SMART design and contribute to the SMART design licensing by providing proper test data for validating the system analysis codes. A typical scenario of SBLOCA was analyzed using the MARS-KS code to assess the thermal-hydraulic similarity between the SMART design and the VISTA-ITL facility, and a posttest simulation on a SBLOCA test for the shutdown cooling system line break has been performed with the MARS-KS code to assess its simulation capability for the SBLOCA scenario of the SMART design. The SBLOCA scenario in the SMART design was well reproduced using the VISTA-ITL facility, and the measured thermal-hydraulic data were properly simulated with the MARS-KS code

A Study on the Hot Spot Temperature in 154kV Power Transformers

Abstract -The life of a power transformer is dependent on the life of the cellulose paper, which influenced by the hot spot temperature. Thus, the determination of the cellulose paper's life requires identifying the hot spot temperature of the transformer. Currently, however, the power transformer uses a heat run test is used in the factory test to measure top liquid temperature rise and average winding temperature rise, which is specified in its specification. The hot spot temperature is calculated by the winding resistance detected during the heat run test. This paper measures the hot spot temperature in the single-phase, 154kV, 15/20MVA power transformer by the optical fiber sensors and compares the value with the hot spot temperature calculated by the conventional heat run test in the factory test. To measure the hot spot temperature, ten optical fiber sensors were installed on both the high and low voltage winding; and the temperature distribution during the heat run test, three thermocouples were installed. The hot spot temperature shown in the heat run test was 92.6℃ on the low voltage winding. However, the hot spot temperature as measured by the optical fiber sensor appeared between turn 2 and turn 3 on the upper side of the low voltage winding, recording 105.9℃. The hot spot temperature of the low voltage winding as measured by the optical fiber sensor was 13.3℃ higher than the hot spot temperature calculated by the heat run test. Therefore, the hot spot factor (H) in IEC 60076-2 appeared to be 2.0

Vascular Protective Role of Samul-Tang in HUVECs: Involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 and NO

Samul-Tang (Si-Wu-Tang, SMT), composed of four medicinal herbs, is a well-known herbal formula treating hematological disorder or gynecologic disease. However, vascular protective effects of SMT and its molecular mechanisms on the vascular endothelium, known as the central spot of vascular inflammatory process, are not reported. The aim of this study was to investigate vascular protective effects of SMT water extract in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Water extract of SMT was prepared and identified by HPLC-PDA analysis. Expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were determined by western blot. Nuclear localization of NF-κB and Nrf2 was visualized by immunofluorescence and DNA binding activity of NF-κB was measured. ROS production, HL-60 monocyte adhesion, and intracellular nitric oxide (NO) were also measured using a fluorescent indicator. SMT suppressed NF-κB translocation and activation as well as expression of CAMs, monocyte adhesion, and ROS production induced by TNF-α in HUVECs. SMT treated HUVECs showed upregulation of HO-1 and NO which are responsible for vascular protective action. Our study suggests that SMT, a traditionally used herbal formula, protects the vascular endothelium from inflammation and might be used as a promising vascular protective drug

Effects of Hyul-Bu-Chuke-Tang on Erythrocyte Deformability and Cerebrovascular CO2 Reactivity in Normal Subjects

Aim. Hyul-bu-chuke-tang (HCEt) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine that is used for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disorders. We investigated the acute effects of HCEt on erythrocyte deformability and cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity (CVR) in healthy male subjects. Materials and Methods. We examined erythrocyte deformability in an HCEt group (n = 14) and a control group (n = 10). CVR was measured using hyperventilation-induced CO2 reactivity of the middle cerebral artery and transcranial Doppler (TCD) in the HCEt group (n = 11). A historical control group (n = 10) of CVR measurements was also created from our previous study. All measurements were performed prior to and 1, 2, and 3 hours after HCEt administration. Results. HCEt significantly improved erythrocyte deformability 1 hour after administration compared to the control group (2.9 ± 1.1% versus −0.6 ± 1.0%, P = 0.034). HCEt significantly improved the CVR 2 hours after administration compared to the historical control group (9.1 ± 4.0% versus −8.1 ± 4.1%, P = 0.007). The mean blood pressure and pulse rate did not vary from baseline values in either group. Conclusions. We demonstrated that HCEt improved erythrocyte deformability and CVR. Our findings suggest that an improvement in erythrocyte deformability contributes to HCEt's effect on cerebral microcirculation

Fibroblastic Type Osteosarcoma of the Ulna: a Case Report of a Tumor in a Rare Location with Atypical Imaging Findings

The ulna is a rare site of origin for osteosarcoma, and purely osteolytic osteosarcomas are uncommonly noted on conventional radiographs. We present a patient with a lytic lesion of the distal ulna for which imaging findings suggested an aneurysmal bone cyst. The lesion was histologically confirmed to be a fibroblastic osteosarcoma

A Case of Cushing's Syndrome Presenting as Endometrial Hyperplasia

We describe here the case of a 39-year-old woman with a cortisol-producing adrenal adenoma and she presented with endometrial hyperplasia and hypertension without the specific characteristics of Cushing's syndrome. The patient had consulted a gynecologist for menometrorrhagia 2 years prior to her referral and she was diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia and hypertension. Her blood pressure and the endometrial lesion were refractory despite taking multiple antihypertensives and repetitive dilation and curettage and progestin treatment. On admission, the clinical examination revealed mild central obesity (a body mass index of 22.9 kg/m2, a waist circumference of 85 cm and a hip circumference of 94cm), but there was no hirsutism and myopathy. She showed impaired glucose tolerance on an oral glucose tolerance test. The biochemical hypercortisolemia together with the prolactin and androgen levels were evaluated to explore the cause of her anovulation. Adrenal Cushing's syndrome was confirmed on the basis of the elevated urinary free cortisol (454 µg/24h, normal range: 20-70) with a suppressed ACTH level (2.0 pg/mL, normal range: 6.0-76.0) and the loss of circadian cortisol secretion. A CT scan revealed a 3.1 cm, hyperechoic, well-marginated mass in the left adrenal gland. Ten months post-adrenalectomy, the patient had unintentionally lost 9 kg of body weight, had regained a regular menstrual cycle and had normal thickness of her endometrium