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1 – 4 of 4Jia-Min Peng, Xin-Hua Guan and Tzung-Cheng Huan
This study aims to explore the concept of frontline employee’s brand sabotage behaviour (BSB) and the influencing factors of BSB in the hotels and their partner travel agencies…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the concept of frontline employee’s brand sabotage behaviour (BSB) and the influencing factors of BSB in the hotels and their partner travel agencies from the perspective of perceived justice and establishes a moderating mechanism based on emotional resource supplementation.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper developed a measurement scale of BSB through interviews with hotel employees and multiple rounds of questionnaire surveys in Study 1 and tested the research model and hypotheses using a structural equation model analysis in Study 2.
Findings
The results of multiple rounds of surveys indicate that a positive perception of procedural justice helps to restrain employees from implementing BSB but the employee’s perceived customer injustice can directly stimulate not only the BSB but also reduce employees’ perception of the level of procedural justice. However, when employees’ self-efficacy for emotional regulation is higher, the positive relationship between customer injustice and BSB and the negative impact on procedural justice is weakened.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that managers should implement practices to suppress BSB by actively managing the service interaction process and reduce the instances of unjust customer behaviours, while preventing employees from sabotaging brands at both organizational and employee levels by promoting organizational procedural justice and employees’ self-efficacy for emotional regulation.
Originality/value
The research results enrich the discussion on the integration of resources in the process of value co-creation and the common sabotage of brand value caused by resource abuse. Further, this study also supplements and perfects the theory of service brand management.
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Jin-Hong Gong, Li-Shan Xie, Jia-Min Peng and Xin-Hua Guan
The purpose of this paper is to explore integrity issues for travel services in China using the framework of a stress and coping model to focus on customers’ perceived unfairness…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore integrity issues for travel services in China using the framework of a stress and coping model to focus on customers’ perceived unfairness, responsibility attribution and their negative emotions.
Design/methodology/approach
A content analysis of 80 online customer complaints provides a brief profile of these integrity issues.
Findings
Integrity issues frequently appear during service delivery and are primarily rooted in the unethical behavior of travel service employees or partners. Service contracts and fairness are used by customers as standards to evaluate harm caused by integrity issues. Customers attribute responsibility for these issues to the travel agency or tour operator, and not their employees. Finally, customers feel angry and disappointed when they experience an integrity issue and sometimes feel helpless.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies can collect data by multiple means and further examine the correlations between customers’ cognitive appraisals, negative emotions and relationship outcomes in the context of integrity violation.
Practical implications
Integrity management in travel services should be integrated with service management and promise management. Travel agencies must take immediate actions to reduce the negative influences of integrity issues. Moreover, the tourism sector in China should make efforts to control integrity problems at the industry level.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the prior model of trust violation by investigating the trigger events of integrity violation and emphasizing the roles of customers’ perceived unfairness and negative emotions.
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Kesheng Lin, Jie Liu, Jia-Min Wu, Yunlong Sun, Feng Li, Yan Zhou and Yusheng Shi
The main cause of aseptic inflammation after an in vivo implantation is that Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and Poly(D-lactide) have a slower degradation and absorption rate, while…
Abstract
Purpose
The main cause of aseptic inflammation after an in vivo implantation is that Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and Poly(D-lactide) have a slower degradation and absorption rate, while Poly(D, L-lactide) (PDLLA) has a much faster degradation rate than PLLA because of its amorphous structure. Also, the hydrolyzate of Hydroxyapatite (HA) is alkaline, which can neutralize local tissue peracid caused by hydrolysis of Polylactic acid.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the selective laser sintering (SLS) technique was chosen to prepare bone scaffolds using nano-HA/PDLLA composite microspheres, which were prepared by the solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) method. First, the SLS parameters range of bulk was determined by the result of a single-layer experiment and the optimized parameters were then obtained by the orthogonal experiment. The tensile property, hydrophobicity, biocompatibility, biological toxicity and in vitro degradation of the samples with optimized SLS parameters were characterized.
Findings
As a result, the samples showed a lower tensile strength because of the many holes in their interior, which was conducive to better cell adhesion and nutrient transport. In addition, the samples retained their inherent properties after SLS and the hydrophobicity was improved after adding nano-HA because of the OH group. Furthermore, the samples showed good biocompatibility with the large number of cells adhering to the material through pseudopods and there was no significant difference between the pure PDLLA and 10% HA/PDLLA in terms of biological toxicity. Finally, the degradation rate of the composites could be tailored by the amount of nano-HA.
Originality/value
This study combined the S/O/W and SLS technique and provides a theoretical future basis for the preparation of drug-loaded microsphere scaffolds through SLS using HA/PDLLA composites.
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Min Jia and Timothy Heath
This paper aims to examine the trends among the elderly population in China about residential preferences and policy applications, as the elderly is a rapidly expanding…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the trends among the elderly population in China about residential preferences and policy applications, as the elderly is a rapidly expanding demographic group that has increasing and diversifying inclinations for demanding the residential facilities for the elderly (RFEs) now and in the foreseeable future.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a review of the existing literature and policies, a model is conceptualised for understanding the demands of the elderly. Their needs for functional supportiveness and richness of residential resources in RFEs are then categorised into focal groups.
Findings
The Chinese elderly’s demand for specialised residential facilities is under a shift from seeking deficit relief to pursuing personal choices. It is suggested that there will be a continuing demand for affordable RFEs from a number of key focal groups, including: the functionally impaired; marginally housed; socially isolated; and the elderly requiring social relief. In addition, retirement housing in China is likely to be more affordable for the next elderly generation. However, the immature social welfare system and low average income level of the current elderly generation means that the Chinese Government has tough decisions to make about service priorities.
Practical implications
Policy and investment priorities may have to be inclusive of those who demand social relief (free-of-charge) and affordable professional long-term care in RFEs, whereas the rest of the demand could be released by growth in the development of community- and home-based service systems.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to identify the diversifying demands of age-exclusive living facilities for the elderly that deserve priorities in China. The results can inform and guide future policy and project investment in China.
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