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The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of corporate social capital and local embeddedness on perceived business performance of Chinese enterprises operating overseas, whose recent growth resulted from the Belt and Road Initiative.

This study reports the results of a sample of 83 Shaanxi outward foreign direct investment (FDI) firms operating in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. In-depth interviews with a few sampled firms are used to develop the survey questionnaire and help interpret the results of statistical analysis.

This study proposes two hypotheses and both are supported by the data. First, corporate social capital is a three-dimensional concept, covering governmental, market and personal sources with each source making an equal, positive effect on perceived overseas performance of the surveyed firms. Second, these firms do better when having developed a higher degree of local embeddedness, a measure on local channels used to obtain information and mobilize resources. While local embeddedness indeed mediates some effect of corporate social capital, both variables have shown direct impact on performance.

Reported findings are from a small sample of 83 firms in an inland Chinese province, and business performance is measured by subjective evaluation rather than economic output.

The practical implication is that a Chinese FDI firm is expected to maintain all three relational channels – governmental, market and interpersonal – because the firm can gain different kinds of information and resources from these sources and each channel is necessary and equally important for the firm’s development. Importantly, it needs a different strategy to maintain and best use each channel. For the Belt and Road Initiative to be effective, China must establish platforms through which enterprises can strengthen and reconfigure their corporate social capital, as well as to cultivate and sustain their local networks in foreign destinations.

This paper aims to report a novel preparation method of ZnO particles with different structures and their photocatalytic activity.

ZnO powders are prepared by a facile, economical and environment-friendly aqueous solution route. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra are used to characterize the products. Photocatalytic activity of the samples is evaluated by degradation of organic pollutant pentachlorophenol under UV-vis irradiation.

It is found that three-dimensional ZnO hierarchical structures can be prepared via aqueous solution route without using any template or structure-directing agent, and the alkalinity of reaction solution is the key factor. All the as-prepared ZnO products have good catalytic activity under UV-vis light irradiation.

This report presents a simple method for the preparation of ZnO particles with excellent photocatalytic activity. Experimental results could provide useful reference for the treatment of chlorophenols in the future.

This study aims to investigate how the public formed their need for information in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. Exploring the formation of information needs can reveal why the public's information needs differ and provide insights on targeted information service during health crises at an essential level.

The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 46 participants and analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Concepts, sub-categories and categories were developed, and a model was built to examine how the public formed the need for information about the pandemic.

The authors found that participants were stimulated by information asymmetry, severity of the pandemic and regulations to control the pandemic, which triggered their perceptions of information credibility, threat and social approval. After the participants perceived that there was a threat, it activated their basic needs and they actively formed the need for information based on cognitive activities. Moreover, information delivered by different senders resulted in a passive need for information. Participants' individual traits also influenced their perceptions after being stimulated.

Long-term follow-up research is needed to help researchers identify more detailed perspectives and do comparative studies. Besides, this study conducted interviews through WeChat voice calls and telephone calls, and might be limited compared with face-to-face interviews.

The findings of this study provide theoretical contributions to the information needs research and practical implications for information services and public health management.

There is little systematic research on how the public formed information needs in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.

This paper aims to report the conductivity measurement of ten different surfactant-free microemulsions (SFMEs)

The variations of electrical conductivity as a function of water volume fraction are examined at one constant alcohol (or DMF, ethyl lactate, γ-valerolactone)/water, alcohol (or DMF, ethyl lactate, γ-valerolactone)/oil volume ratios for each sample.

Most of the results are consistent with percolation character. The conductive mechanism of these SFMEs is discussed by the percolation model, and it is found that it might be described with the static percolation model below the percolation threshold.

Our report gives a systematic research on the percolation mechanism of as many species of SFMEs as possible by the theoretical models

This paper aims to report a novel preparation method of titanium dioxide (TiO₂)/zinc oxide (ZnO) composites with different mole ratios of TiO₂:ZnO and their photocatalytic activity.

TiO₂/ZnO composites are prepared by a facile route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and ultra-violet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) are used to characterize the products. Photocatalytic activity of the samples is evaluated by degradation of persistent organic pollutant pentachlorophenol under ultra-violet (UV) irradiation.

It is found that all the as-prepared TiO₂/ZnO composites not only have good catalytic activity under UV light irradiation, but also have excellent circulation stability. The optimal mole ratio of TiO₂:ZnO is 0.75:1.

This report presents a simple and rapid method for the preparation of TiO₂/ZnO composites with excellent photocatalytic activity. Experimental results could provide useful reference for the treatment of chlorophenols in the future.

Using only zinc nitrate, ferric nitrate and sodium hydroxide as reactants, rod-like and flower-like α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites were prepared via a simple and rapid solution route by controlling the composition of precursor solution. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS). Photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites was evaluated by degradation of methyl orange (MO) under simulated solar light. The results indicated that both α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites possess higher photocatalytic activity than commercial P25 TiO₂. In addition, possible reasons why α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites have excellent photocatalytic performance were discussed.

This study proposes an extension of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model to understand international travellers' intentions to visit Spain. This study aims to compare whether the predictive variables of the intention to travel differ depending on nationality. The extension includes: perceived risk, loyalty to the destination, past travel experience, public opinion climate and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM).

A multiple-indicator, multiple-cause (MIMIC) model was developed as a structural equational model to predict the 1,978 participants' intention to travel. The structural model was used to determine the theoretical model for the total sample and by nationality (Germans, Britons and those from other European countries).

The extended models fitted the data well, explaining 64%–68% of the total variance, while differences depending on tourist nationality were also found. The MIMIC model indicated that German people's intention to travel to a holiday destination was influenced by their perception of risk, eWOM and loyalty to the country. In the British group, only the TPB variables were relevant. For those of other European nationalities, loyalty and eWOM were also significant. Travel experience, used as a variable in previous studies, was shown not to be significant. Overall, these results offer insights into how people from diverse countries and cultures embrace the aforementioned constructs when making travel decisions.

This study also has practical implications for policymakers in holiday tourism destinations, such as Spain. In particular, this study provides a better understanding of Britons' and Germans' travel intentions and could be beneficial for guiding policies for the recovery of the tourism industry in major tourism destinations.

Previous studies have applied various extended TPBs to one specific country or made comparisons between Asian countries. This study’s proposal makes a comparison of the variables used to predict the intention to visit a holiday destination among the European countries.

本研究提出了计划行为理论 (TPB) 模型的扩展, 以了解国际旅行者访问西班牙的意图。目的是比较旅行意图的预测变量是否因国籍而异。扩展包括：感知风险、对目的地的忠诚度、过去的旅行经历、舆论氛围和电子口碑（eWOM）。

开发了一个多指标、多原因 (MIMIC) 模型作为结构方程模型来预测 1,978 名参与者的旅行意图。结构模型用于确定总样本和国籍（德国人、英国人和来自其他欧洲国家的人）的理论模型。

扩展模型很好地拟合了数据, 解释了总方差的 64%–68%, 同时还发现了取决于旅游国籍的差异。 MIMIC 模型表明, 德国人前往度假目的地的意愿受到他们对风险、eWOM 和对国家忠诚度的认知的影响。在英国组中, 只有 TPB 变量是相关的。对于其他欧洲国家的人来说, 忠诚度和 eWOM 也很重要。旅行经验, 在以前的研究中用作变量, 被证明并不重要。总体而言, 这些结果提供了有关来自不同国家和文化的人们在做出旅行决定时如何接受上述结构的见解。

以前的研究已经将各种扩展的 TPB 应用于一个特定的国家或在亚洲国家之间进行了比较。我们的建议对用于预测欧洲国家旅游目的地意图的变量进行了比较。

Este estudio propone una extensión del modelo de la teoría del comportamiento planificado (TPB) para comprender las intenciones de visitar España de los viajeros internacionales. El objetivo es comparar si las variables que predicen la intención de viajar difieren según la nacionalidad. Esta extensión del modelo incluye variables como: riesgo percibido, lealtad al destino, experiencia de viaje anterior, clima de la opinión pública y el boca a boca electrónico (eWOM).

Se desarrolló un modelo de indicadores y causas múltiples (MIMIC) como modelo de ecuaciones estructurales para predecir la intención de viajar de los 1978 participantes. El modelo estructural se utilizó para comprobar el modelo teórico para la muestra total y por nacionalidades (alemanes, británicos y otros países europeos).

Los modelos ampliados propuestos se ajustaron bien a los datos, explicando entre el 64% y el 68% de la varianza total, si bien se encontraron diferencias en función de la nacionalidad del turista. El modelo MIMIC indicó que la intención de los alemanes de viajar a un destino de vacaciones estaba influenciada por su percepción de riesgo, el eWOM y la lealtad a España. En el grupo británico, solo las variables TPB resultaron relevantes. Para el grupo de otras nacionalidades europeas, la lealtad y el eWOM también fueron significativas. Sin embargo, la experiencia de viaje, utilizada en estudios previos, se mostró no significativa en todos los grupos. En general, estos resultados ofrecen información sobre cómo las personas de diversos países y culturas adoptan los constructos antes mencionados cuando toman decisiones de viaje.

Estudios previos han aplicado varios TPB extendidos a un país específico o han comparado los resultados entre países asiáticos. Nuestra propuesta hace una comparación de las variables utilizadas para predecir la intención de visitar un destino vacacional entre países europeos.

A transportation connectivity strategy is a crucial part of an adaptive, congruent and sustainable tourism transportation system and is of concern to countries focusing on growing their tourism economy. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the relationship between transportation connectivity and the tourism economy through a configuration analysis.

This study uses fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis on a sample of 153 cities in China to provide an understanding of the impacts of transportation connectivity strategies, with the co-effecting factors of socio-economic status, tourism resource endowment and hospitality capacity, on the development of regional tourism economies.

There are multiple paths that lead to regional tourism economic development (a high level of tourist arrivals or a high level of tourism revenue). High-speed rail can play a supportive role, while air travel or traditional rail remains central to the tourism economy. Socio-economic status (i.e. city size and city gross domestic product) and hospitality capacity are identified as crucial influencers for the development of the tourism economy.

This study confirms the validity of deploying configuration analysis (based on the equifinality theory) to establish the relationship between transportation and the tourism economy. The finding of more than one configuration led to a new consensus on how multiple factors influence the tourism economy.

Suggestions on transportation connectivity strategies for different regions are provided.

This study demonstrates the need to place greater emphasis on configurations that lead to tourism economy development instead of the effect of a single transportation mode.

摘要

交通连接策略, 作为打造具备适应性、一致性、可持续性的旅游交通系统的重要环节, 被重视旅游经济增长的国家密切关注。组态分析有助于更好地理解交通连接与旅游经济之间的关系。

本研究以中国的153个城市为样本, 使用模糊集定性比较分析方法（fsQCA）, 研究交通连接策略、社会经济水平、旅游资源禀赋、酒店接待能力等协同因素对区域旅游经济发展的影响。

有多种组态可以导致区域旅游经济的发展（表现为高水平的游客人数或高水平的旅游收入）。航空旅行或传统铁路仍然是影响旅游经济发展的核心条件, 而高铁可以发挥支持作用。社会经济水平(即城市规模和城市生产总值)和酒店接待能力被认为是影响旅游经济发展的关键因素。

本研究证实了应用组态分析（基于等效性理论）建立交通连接策略与旅游经济之间关系的有效性。不唯一的多组态的发现会推动关于多种因素如何影响旅游经济的新共识形成。

本研究针对不同地区提出交通连通策略的建议。

本研究表明, 比起考虑单一交通方式产生的影响, 探索旅游经济发展需要更加重视多种交通连接策略的配置。

Abstracto

Una estrategia de conectividad del transporte es una parte crucial de un sistema de transporte turístico adaptable, congruente y sostenible, y es de interés para los países que se centran en el crecimiento de su economía turística. Un análisis de la configuración puede ayudar a comprender mejor la relación entre la conectividad del transporte y la economía del turismo.

Este estudio utiliza el análisis comparativo cualitativo de conjuntos difusos (fsQCA) en una muestra de 153 ciudades de China para proporcionar una comprensión de los impactos de las estrategias de conectividad del transporte, con los factores coadyuvantes de la situación socioeconómica, la dotación de recursos turísticos y la capacidad de hospitalidad, en el desarrollo de las economías turísticas regionales.

Existen múltiples vías que conducen al desarrollo económico del turismo regional (un alto nivel de llegadas de turistas o un alto nivel de ingresos por turismo). El ferrocarril de alta velocidad puede desempeñar un papel de apoyo, mientras que el transporte aéreo o el ferrocarril tradicional siguen siendo fundamentales para la economía turística. El estatus socioeconómico (es decir, el tamaño de la ciudad y el PIB de la ciudad) y la capacidad de hospitalidad se identifican como factores de influencia cruciales para el desarrollo de la economía del turismo.

Este estudio confirma la validez de utilizar el análisis de configuración (basado en la teoría de la equifinalidad) para establecer la relación entre el transporte y la economía del turismo. El hallazgo de más de una configuración condujo a un nuevo consenso sobre cómo influyen los múltiples factores en la economía del turismo.

Se proporciona una tipología de estrategias de conectividad del transporte para diferentes regiones.

Este estudio demuestra la necesidad de poner mayor énfasis en las configuraciones que conducen al desarrollo de la economía turística en lugar del efecto de un único modo de transporte.

Repeat customers play an important role in the restaurant sector. Previous studies have confirmed the positive effect of managerial responses on customer relationship management. However, the practice of managerial response strategies toward repeat customers in the restaurant sector remains unclear. This study aims to explore how social influence and the revisit intention of customers affect the responding behavior of restaurant managers.

This study collects information of 251,944 customer reviews and managerial responses from 1,272 restaurants on Yelp (a leading restaurant review website around the world) and builds four econometric models (with restaurant and month fixed effects) to test the hypotheses empirically.

The empirical results show that restaurant managers are less likely to respond to reviews posted by repeat customers (10% lower than that of new customers). This effect is moderated by customer social influence, which entails that repeat customers with great social influence are more likely to receive managerial responses. Moreover, reviews from repeat customers who have had a longer time since their last consumption are also more likely to receive managerial responses.

The results present implications for restaurant managers in business practice regarding managerial response. Managers should take advantage of platform designs and tools (i.e. customer relationship management programs to keep track of repeat customers) to locate repeat customers and avoid the potential negative effects caused by their selected response strategies.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first attempts to examine empirically how restaurant managers respond to reviews generated by repeat customers in real business practice and reveals what drives such activities from the perspectives of social influence and revisit intention.

This paper aims to investigate the links between daily review sentiment and the hotel performance measures of occupancy rate (OR), average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR).

The authors conducted review sentiment analyses in three moments (−1, −7 and −14 days) before arrival time using a data set of budget hotel performance and online reviews. The aim was to identify the effect of review sentiment in the budget hotel market on the three performance metrics.

Daily sentiment positively affects ADR and negatively affects OR and RevPAR, but only up to a certain threshold, after which the trend reverses. Prices increase with the level of sentiment, and high prices lead to low OR and RevPAR only when the sentiment scores are low. When they are high, they are associated with low rates, which lead to high OR and RevPAR.

Daily review sentiment can be viewed as a valuable “barometer” indicating a hotel’s daily operational effectiveness. Daily sentiment can thus allow hotel managers to adjust their dynamic pricing strategies more accurately.

This study identifies daily sentiment as an alternative predictor of hotel performance. In addition to the roles of valence and volume in the decision-making process, the authors found that daily review sentiment can be an “in-the-moment” factor with a high impact, encouraging consumers to complete their transactions. This study suggests that aggregated measures such as the total number of reviews and overall ratings of the hotel should not be the sole consideration in reputation management.