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1 – 10 of 225Ta-Wei (Daniel) Kao, Hung-Chung Su and Yi-Su Chen
Prior studies on major customer relationships (i.e. embedded ties) focus mostly on the ties between a focal firm and its immediate customers, hindering the understanding of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior studies on major customer relationships (i.e. embedded ties) focus mostly on the ties between a focal firm and its immediate customers, hindering the understanding of the influence of indirect ties (both upstream and downstream) on a focal firm's operational performance. In this study, the authors analyze how a focal firm's upstream and downstream connectedness and network location affect its productive efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing Compustat segment files, the authors constructed large-scale major customer networks covering the period 2007–2013. The authors applied a fixed-effect panel stochastic frontier model to conduct estimation. Moreover, the authors applied an endogenous panel stochastic frontier model to ensure the robustness of the main analysis.
Findings
The authors found that a focal firm's upstream and downstream connectedness both have a positive influence on a firm's productive efficiency, whereas a focal firm's centeredness in the major customer network has a negative influence on productive efficiency. Moreover, it was found that centeredness lessens the positive influences of upstream and downstream connectedness on productive efficiency. The post hoc analysis further confirmed that a focal firm's indirect ties, both upstream and downstream, positively influence a focal firm's productive efficiency.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by evaluating the relative effectiveness of a focal firm's direct and indirect major customer ties, both upstream and downstream. More importantly, this study suggests potential exploitation–exploration trade-offs (i.e. productive efficiency vs. innovation) triggered by a firm's network location.
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Angela Yung Chi Hou, Christopher Hong-Yi Tao, Kyle Zi-Wei Zhou, Arianna Fang Yu Lin, Edward Hung Cheng Su and Ying Chen
In 2022, the International Network for Quality Assurance (QA) Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) published the new guidelines by adding three QA modules in response to the…
Abstract
Purpose
In 2022, the International Network for Quality Assurance (QA) Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) published the new guidelines by adding three QA modules in response to the changing higher education landscape. The paper aims to investigate the transformative focus of quality assurance in higher education globally as well as Asian response to three new QA modules according to the INQAAHE ISGs.
Design/methodology/approach
The research conducted a quantitative approach for data collection. An on-line survey was conducted to perceive QA practices, perceptions toward new emerging QA modules and challenges encountered. In total, there were 26 responses from 18 territories with 22 QA agencies. A total of 13 out of them have a national qualifications framework in place.
Findings
Three are three major findings in the study. First, national policy and criteria and standards in distance education have been developed in the majority of Asian nations. Second, non-signatories of the Tokyo Convention had a higher proportion of having related policies, regulations and criteria in CBHE and distance education. Third, national policies and regulations; and lack of professional staff are two common challenges implementing QA in new types of providers.
Originality/value
The findings are of value for policymakers, QA agencies and universities to advocate the new QA model as a systematic approach in response to changing higher education landscape in the post pandemic era.
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Angela Yung Chi Hou, Arianna Fang Yu Lin, Edward Hung Cheng Su, Ying Chen and Christopher Hill
The 2020 pandemic disrupted traditional student mobility and forced a larger majority of transnational programmes to switch to a virtual or hybrid mode, including joint and double…
Abstract
Purpose
The 2020 pandemic disrupted traditional student mobility and forced a larger majority of transnational programmes to switch to a virtual or hybrid mode, including joint and double degree programmes. Therefore, this study aims to perceive the linkage between quality assurance (QA) and delivery modes of cross-border higher education (CBHE) in Asia before and during the pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
Through an online survey and semi-structured interviews, the process by which top 200 ranked universities in the 2022 QS global ranking responded to QA and qualification issues of joint/dual degree programs in conjunction with delivery modes was explored.
Findings
The study has discovered that most respondents from universities, to some extent, tended to be positive about the effectiveness of hybrid delivery of the joint/dual degree programs, even if they still preferred the physical mode to alternatives. Either “divergence” or “responsiveness” QA modes were not applied appropriately in most joint/dual degree programs of the selected universities during the pandemic. Moreover, a fair, transparent and convergent quality and qualification system should be established to facilitate agility and responsiveness of CBHE.
Originality/value
The findings are of value for policymakers, QA agencies and universities to advocate the new QA model for CBHE as a systematic approach in response to changing higher education landscape in the post-pandemic era.
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Oumayma Tajouri and Lassaad Lakhal
This article examines the direct effect of total quality management (TQM) practices on organizational performance (OP) and innovation (INN), as well as their indirect effect…
Abstract
Purpose
This article examines the direct effect of total quality management (TQM) practices on organizational performance (OP) and innovation (INN), as well as their indirect effect through organizational learning (OL) as a mediating variable. In addition, this survey examines company size as a contextual variable in the relationship between TQM and outcome variables.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual framework is proposed to test causal links between TQM, OP, INN and OL. To empirically test this framework, 110 questionnaires were collected from large Tunisian quality-certified industries, and 167 questionnaires were collected from small and medium-sized industries (SMIs) in order to examine the effect of company size. In this order, a multigroup analysis (MGA) is performed.
Findings
Using the structural equation modeling technique, seven hypotheses are investigated. The results reveal that TQM has a direct and significant positive effect on OP and INN. Data analysis shows that there is a significant positive effect between TQM and OL, while OL positively influences OP and INN. Furthermore, the results illustrate a mediating effect of OL between TQM and OP and INN. The results reveal that large industries and SMIs show significant differences in the relationship, including the conceptual model.
Practical implications
The conceptual framework can be used by practitioners for effective implementation of TQM practices to simultaneously improve operational performance, quality performance and INN. This study also focuses on the role of OL in large-scale industries.
Originality/value
While the relationships between TQM, INN and OP have been examined separately in previous studies, this study examines the relationship between these variables in a unique model in Tunisian industries, including OL as a mediating variable. In addition, it is one of the few studies that considers firm size as a contextual variable and provides an analysis of its effect on the relationships between these variables. This study presents new data and empirical insights into the relationship between these variables.
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Donia Aloui and Abderrazek Ben Maatoug
Over the last few years, the European Central Bank (ECB) has adopted unconventional monetary policies. These measures aim to boost economic growth and increase inflation through…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the last few years, the European Central Bank (ECB) has adopted unconventional monetary policies. These measures aim to boost economic growth and increase inflation through the bond market. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the ECB’s quantitative easing (QE) on the investor’s behavior in the stock market.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors theoretically identify the transmission channels of the QE shocks to the stock market. Then, the authors empirically assess the financial market’s responses to QE shocks in a data-rich environment using a factor augmented VAR (FAVAR).
Findings
The results show that the ECB’s unconventional monetary policy positively affects the stock market. A QE shock leads to an increase in stock prices and a drop in the realized volatility and the implied risk premium. The authors also suggest that the ECB’s QE is transmitted to the stock market through five main channels: the liquidity, the expectation, the portfolio reallocation, the interest rates and the risk premium channels.
Practical implications
The findings help to better understand the behavior of stock market assets in a data-rich economic context and guide investors and policymakers in the presence of unconventional monetary tools. For instance, decision-makers and investors should consider the short-term effect of the QE interventions and the changing behavior of the financial actors over time. In addition, high stock market returns can increase risk appetite. This can lead investors to underestimate the market risk. Decision-makers and market participants should take into consideration the impact of the large injection of money through the QE, which may raise the risk of a speculative bubble in the financial market.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that incorporates a theoretical and empirical analysis to explore QE transmission to the stock market in the European context. Unlike previous studies, the authors use the shadow rate proposed by Wu and Xia (2017) to quantify the effect of the ECB’s QE in a data-rich environment. The authors also include two key risk indicators – the stock market risk premium and the realized volatility – to capture investors’ behavior in the stock market following QE shocks.
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Liang Hong and Siti Rohaida Mohamed Zainal
Researcher agreed that job performance has a positive effect on productivity as well as an organisation’s efficiency. Thus, this study aims to investigate the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
Researcher agreed that job performance has a positive effect on productivity as well as an organisation’s efficiency. Thus, this study aims to investigate the impact of mindfulness skill, inclusive leadership (IL), employee work engagement and self-compassion on the overall job performance of secondary school teachers in Hong Kong. It then evaluates the mediating effect of employee work engagement between the relationships of mindfulness skill, IL and job performance, as well as the moderate effect of self-compassion between the relationships of mindfulness skill, IL and employee work engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample comprised 263 teachers working from three secondary schools in Sha Tin, Hong Kong. The data was then analysed using Smart PLS version 4.0.9.
Findings
The results showed significant positive relationships between mindfulness skill and IL towards employee work engagement and between employee work engagement and job performance; meanwhile, there emerged a significant effect on the relationship between mindfulness skill and IL towards job performance. Furthermore, this research has confirmed that self-compassion did not moderate the relationship between mindfulness skill, IL and employee work engagement, but employee work engagement plays a mediating effect on the relationship between mindfulness skill, IL and job performance.
Originality/value
This research has helped to fill the literature gap by examining the mediating roles of employee work engagement and mediator role of self-compassion in the integrated relationship of multi-factor and job performance. Examining the mediating role of employee work engagement has helped to enhance the understanding of the underlying principle of the indirect influence of mindfulness skill, IL and job performance. The result of this research shows that self-compassion plays a vital role in influencing the employees’ work engagement. Hence, it is important that companies design human resource management policy that enables self-compassion to be used as a consideration psychological-related strategy when structing organisation or teams. It is also crucial for top management and policymakers to define and communicate the organisation’s operating principle, value and goals.
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Mauro Dini, Ilaria Curina, Barbara Francioni, Sabrina Hegner and Marco Cioppi
The study aims to analyze the relationship between tourists' satisfaction and their sense of belonging in a specific cultural destination by also investigating the moderating role…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to analyze the relationship between tourists' satisfaction and their sense of belonging in a specific cultural destination by also investigating the moderating role of their on-site involvement, both offline (on-site activities at the destination) and online (social media activities). A further objective lies in exploring the relationship between tourists' sense of belonging and their adoption of environmentally responsible behavior while at the destination. Finally, the paper attempts to determine whether said behavior can predict tourists' pro-environmental behavior and recommendation intention.
Design/methodology/approach
To reach these objectives, a survey and a structural equation model, based on a sample of 647 visitors of an important world Heritage site UNESCO (i.e. Urbino), have been adopted.
Findings
Findings reveal a positive influence of sense of belonging on satisfaction and environmentally responsible behavior, which, in turn, influences pro-environmental behavior and Recommendation intention, thus triggering a virtuous process in the tourists' formation as responsible and loyal travelers. Moreover, results underline how the relationship between satisfaction and sense of belonging is significantly strengthened when tourists' on-site activity involvement increases. Conversely, the moderating role of social media involvement is not supported.
Practical implications
The present study offers important implications for different actors in the tourism sector, such as policy makers, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and tourism operators.
Social implications
The present study explores the role of social media involvement, specifically during the tourist's holiday.
Originality/value
This study enriches the empirical evidence in the cultural tourism through an analysis focused on the tourists' perspective, especially by investigating the relationship between satisfaction and emotional constructs (i.e. sense of belonging) that are able to bring environmental and loyalty benefits to the destination. Moreover, although existing research has highlighted the positive influence of the tourists' involvement on their experience, there is a paucity of studies jointly analyzing the on-site and online activities in the sustainability field.
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Shih-Shuo Yeh, Aliana Man Wai Leong, Chien-Wen Hung and Tzung-Cheng Huan
This tourism study delves into the universal impact of authenticity on tourists' preferences. This study aims to enhance understanding and present a model delineating…
Abstract
Purpose
This tourism study delves into the universal impact of authenticity on tourists' preferences. This study aims to enhance understanding and present a model delineating authenticity's intricate relationship with behavioral intention, involvement and nostalgia.
Design/methodology/approach
The research entails administering a sample survey to travelers located in the departure lounge of Macau International Airport. Ultimately, 499 fully completed questionnaires are obtained through convenience sampling. The analysis of the collected data incorporates an innovative method, using a quadratic model.
Findings
Results undeniably validate that a destination's perceived authenticity significantly influences tourists' intentions, engagement and nostalgic sentiments. Findings strongly support the assertion that this authenticity demonstrates a nonlinear pattern in its association with behavioral intention, involvement and nostalgia.
Originality/value
Through quantitative analysis and interpretation, this study has advanced the comprehension of the interplay between authenticity and tourism. It introduces a novel perspective that adds depth to the broader understanding in this domain. This foundational research is crucial for acknowledging the unique contributions made by this study to the fields of tourism and authenticity.
目的
这项旅游研究深入探讨了真实性对游客偏好的普遍影响。它旨在增强理解并提出一个模型来描述真实性与行为意图、参与和怀旧之间的复杂关系。
设计/方法/步骤
该研究需要对位于澳门国际机场候机室的旅客进行抽样调查。最终通过便利抽样获得完整填写的问卷499份。对收集的数据的分析采用了一种创新方法, 利用二次方模型。
研究结果
结果无可否认地证实, 目的地的感知真实性会显着影响游客的意图、参与度和怀旧情绪。研究结果有力地支持了这一主张, 即这种真实性在其与行为意图、参与和怀旧的关联中表现出一种非线性模式。
独创性/价值
通过定量分析和解释, 这项研究增进了我们对真实性与旅游之间的回应的理解。它引入了一种新颖的视角, 加深了我们对这一领域更广泛的理解。这一基础研究为承认本研究对旅游和真实性领域做出了独特贡献。
Objetivo
Este estudio turístico profundiza en el impacto universal de la autenticidad en las preferencias de los turistas. Pretende mejorar la comprensión y presentar un modelo que delinee la intrincada relación de la autenticidad con la intención conductual, la implicación y la nostalgia.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
La investigación consistió en administrar una encuesta por muestreo a los viajeros situados en la sala de embarque del Aeropuerto Internacional de Macao. Finalmente, se obtuvieron 499 cuestionarios totalmente cumplimentados mediante un muestreo de conveniencia. El análisis de los datos recogidos incorpora un método innovador, utilizando un modelo cuadrático.
Resultados
Los resultados validan sin lugar a duda que la autenticidad percibida de un destino influye significativamente en las intenciones, la implicación y los sentimientos nostálgicos de los turistas. Los hallazgos apoyan firmemente la afirmación de que esta autenticidad demuestra un patrón no lineal en su asociación con la intención conductual, la implicación y la nostalgia.
Originalidad/valor
Mediante el análisis cuantitativo y la interpretación, este estudio ha hecho avanzar nuestra comprensión de la interacción entre autenticidad y turismo. Introduce una perspectiva novedosa que añade profundidad a nuestra comprensión más amplia en este ámbito. Esta investigación fundacional es crucial para reconocer las contribuciones únicas de este estudio a los campos del turismo y la autenticidad.
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Jeong Hyun Kim, Jungkeun Kim, Seongseop (Sam) Kim and Tadesse Bekele Hailu
This paper aims to investigate travelers’ intentions to use ChatGPT and the influential factors affecting their decision-making.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate travelers’ intentions to use ChatGPT and the influential factors affecting their decision-making.
Design/methodology/approach
Four studies were conducted to test three hypotheses. Four groups of respondents totaling 593 (Study 1), 337 (Study 2), 374 (Study 3) and 385 (Study 4) survey participants were used for data analyses.
Findings
Overall, the findings confirmed the impacts of technology usage experience and ChatGPT’s mistakes and provided additional information on travelers’ intentions to use ChatGPT. The four hypotheses were supported.
Originality/value
The findings can help researchers and industry to understand travelers’ intentions to use ChatGPT and their responses to its functions.
研究目的
这项研究调查了旅行者使用ChatGPT的意图, 以及影响其决策的重要因素。
设计/方法/步骤
通过进行四项研究来验证三个假设。四组受访者总共593名(研究1)、337名(研究2)、374名(研究3)和385名(研究4)参与了数据分析。
研究结果
总体而言, 研究结果证实了技术使用经验的影响、ChatGPT的错误并提供了有关旅行者使用ChatGPT意图的更多信息。四个假设均得到了支持。
独创性/价值
研究结果可以帮助研究人员和业界了解旅行者使用ChatGPT的意图, 以及他们对其功能的反应。
Objetivo
Este trabajo investiga la intención de los viajeros en el uso de ChatGPT y su influencia en el proceso de decisión de viaje de los viajeros.
Diseño/Metodología/Enfoque
Se han desarrollado cuatro estudios para probar tres hipótesis. Cuatro grupos de participantes: 593 (Estudio 1), 337 (Estudio 2), 374 (Estudio 3), y 385 (Estudio 4) participantes respondieron la encuesta y sus respuestas utilizadas para el análisis de datos.
Resultados
En resumen, los resultados confirman el impacto de la experiencia de uso de la tecnología, los errores de ChatGPT, proveyendo información adicional sobre la intención de uso de ChatGPT por los viajeros. Las cuatro hipótesis de investigación fueron aceptadas.
Originalidad/Importancia
Los resultados pueden ser útiles para la academia y la industria sobre la comprensión en la intención de uso de ChatGPT, tanto por los viajeros, como sus respuestas sobre su función.
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Yu-Sheng Su, Wen-Ling Tseng, Hung-Wei Cheng and Chin-Feng Lai
To support achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), we integrated science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and extended reality technologies into an artificial…
Abstract
Purpose
To support achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), we integrated science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and extended reality technologies into an artificial intelligence (AI) learning activity. We developed Feature City to facilitate students' learning of AI concepts. This study aimed to explore students' learning outcomes and behaviors when using Feature City.
Design/methodology/approach
Junior high school students were the subjects who used Feature City in an AI learning activity. The learning activity consisted of 90-min sessions once per week for five weeks. Before the learning activity, the teacher clarified the learning objectives and administered a pretest. The teacher then instructed the students on the features, supervised learning and unsupervised learning units. After the learning activity, the teacher conducted a posttest. We analyzed the students' prior knowledge and learning performance by evaluating their pretest and posttest results and observing their learning behaviors in the AI learning activity.
Findings
(1) Students used Feature City to learn AI concepts to improve their learning outcomes. (2) Female students learned more effectively with Feature City than male students. (3) Male students were more likely than female students to complete the learning tasks in Feature City the first time they used it.
Originality/value
Within SDGs, this study used STEM and extended reality technologies to develop Feature City to engage students in learning about AI. The study examined how much Feature City improved students' learning outcomes and explored the differences in their learning outcomes and behaviors. The results showed that students' use of Feature City helped to improve their learning outcomes. Female students achieved better learning outcomes than their male counterparts. Male students initially exhibited a behavioral pattern of seeking clarification and error analysis when learning AI education, more so than their female counterparts. The findings can help teachers adjust AI education appropriately to match the tutorial content with students' AI learning needs.
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