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Article
Publication date: 5 October 2020

Education and inequality in employment in China and Japan in 2000s: a social network perspective

Ka Yi Fung

This paper attempts to discover whether or not social networks work in the same way in different sectors of the labour market in the same society, using data from the 2008…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper attempts to discover whether or not social networks work in the same way in different sectors of the labour market in the same society, using data from the 2008 Asian Social Survey. Labour markets in some societies are segmented; there are two segments in the labour market, namely, the core sector and the peripheral sector. The practices of each sector differs from the others. Some sectors employ CME labour markets, while others favour LME labour markets (Kanbayashi and Takenoshita, 2014). In other words, we can find both CME and LME labour market in one society.

Design/methodology/approach

Since Granovetter’s (1973) pioneer study, scholars are interested in investigating in what way social network influence our job searching outcomes. However, these researchers have not yet yielded consistent results. Scholars argue that the institutional context of labour market can shape the network impacts on our job search outcome (Chen, 2014; Chua, 2011).

Findings

Surprisingly, this paper finds that there is no room for the use of personal contact in the public sector in both China and Japan. But, mean status is positively related to annual income in the private companies sector in both Japan and China. The significant influences of mean status in the private sectors in both China and Japan reflect the reinforcing of existing social inequality structure. This is because as the status of contact can facilitate respondents' job attainment process, those who are already in higher social status are more likely than those who are in the bottom of the social strata, to get a better job with the help from their network members.

Originality/value

The above findings show us that social network can exert various impacts on people's job searching process even in the same society. This is because it is possible that the labour market are segmented. These segments have very different practices. This difference attributes to the inconsistent findings of network effects on occupational attainment process. Therefore, it is essential to locate which labour market respondents are in, and the features of this labour market. This can help us know more about the use and effectiveness of network in different types of labour markets.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2020-0009
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

  • Labour market
  • Social networks
  • Job search

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Article
Publication date: 2 January 2020

Gender and network effects on occupation: a case study of China

Ka Yi Fung

The purpose of this paper is to ask whether or not social networks can compensate for the disadvantages of being part of an unprivileged group in the job attainment…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ask whether or not social networks can compensate for the disadvantages of being part of an unprivileged group in the job attainment process in urban China, using the 2008 China General Social Survey.

Design/methodology/approach

The author compares the network effects on monthly income of local urban residents and rural migrants.

Findings

First, the results show that social capital exerts no significant effect on monthly income for local residents and rural migrants. Second, having network members who work in state-owned and non-state-owned enterprises helps female rural migrants to obtain higher monthly incomes, compared to those whose network members work only in either state-owned enterprises or non-state-owned enterprises. The same is not true of male rural migrants or local residents.

Originality/value

It can be concluded that a more diversified network may compensate for female rural migrants’ disadvantages, caused by being part of an unprivileged group, in their occupational attainment process.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 40 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2019-0190
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

  • China
  • Gender inequality
  • Social networks
  • Income inequality

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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2014

Production Outsourcing: Perspectives from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Karen Ka-Leung Moon, Fung-Yi Tam, Mei-Mei Lau and Jimmy M.T. Chang

Given the intense international competition brought on by globalisation, an organization's profit is largely determined by how it leverages its internal and external…

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Abstract

Given the intense international competition brought on by globalisation, an organization's profit is largely determined by how it leverages its internal and external resources. This paper studies the production sourcing strategies adopted by the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the clothing industry together with their motivations for outsourcing, adoption of buyer-seller relationships, and satisfaction with their production sourcing performance. A conceptual framework was developed from the literature and tested using a questionnaire survey. Quantitative analysis showed that motivational factors (MFs) can affect an SME's satisfaction with its operational achievement; while host-country and location MFs can affect its strategic achievement. In addition, firms adopting a pure transaction approach seemed to be negatively motivated by the total-cost factor; and those adopting a more diverse sourcing strategy were more likely to be motivated by the corporate factor so as to develop appropriate buyer-seller relationships with vendors, and to be satisfied with their operational performance. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of business networking from the perspectives of SMEs in regard to their pursuit of production sourcing; and demonstrates how clothing SMEs adopt production sourcing strategies to improve their production sourcing performance.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-18-02-2014-B009
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

  • Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
  • Buyer-seller Relationships
  • Motivational Factors
  • Production Sourcing Strategies
  • Sourcing Performance Satisfaction
  • Clothing Industry

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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2004

The Motivations for Sourcing Production Offshore: A Multiple Case Study of Small and Medium-Sized Clothing Firms in Hong Kong

Fung-yi Tam, Ka-leung Moon, Sau-fun Ng and Chi-leung Hui

This paper studies the factors that motivate small and medium-sized clothing firms in Hong Kong to shift their production offshore, and identifies the interrelationships…

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Abstract

This paper studies the factors that motivate small and medium-sized clothing firms in Hong Kong to shift their production offshore, and identifies the interrelationships between these factors and firm-related characteristics, sourcing strategies, and buyer-supplier relationships. Using a multiple case methodology to study ten firms and a two-phase approach to collecting data involving, in-depth interviews and mail questionnaires, the two most important factors motivating the sourcing of production offshore are identified, as follows: (1) cost advantage of, and (2) availability of labour in, the host country. The results also show that industrial sector and firm size are the only firm-related characteristics that have an effect on the factors motivating offshore production. Furthermore, sourcing strategies and buyer-supplier relationships are sometimes influenced by these motivational factors.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-08-02-2004-B011
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

  • SMEs
  • offshore production
  • sourcing strategies
  • motivations
  • buyer-supplier relationships

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Article
Publication date: 2 January 2018

Music, social media and public pedagogy: indie music in the post-Cantopop epoch

Shuang Wang

Hong Kong’s musical scene is rapidly changing along with the evolving media landscape. The purpose of this paper is to examine the new way of Cantopop production and…

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Abstract

Purpose

Hong Kong’s musical scene is rapidly changing along with the evolving media landscape. The purpose of this paper is to examine the new way of Cantopop production and dissemination in the new media ecosystem. Furthermore, this study calls for a reconceptualization of the process of Cantopop listening and sharing as a form of public pedagogy within the online public space.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the investigation into two of the leading local indie bands Kolor and Supper Moment, this study explores the implications that social media and participatory culture have for these indie bands. In this study, the music content and promotion strategy of the two bands, as well as the role of their online audiences are studied.

Findings

Social media leads to more democratic cultural production and distribution. The strong online audience engagement serves as the foundation for the popularity of the two Cantopop indie bands. In their music practice, the lyrics appear to be in alignment with the goals and interests of the listeners, which gives rise to greater participation by its audiences through social media. Under the context of interactive internet culture, listening and sharing Cantopop can be seen as an educational force, thus reinforcing the values and attitudes.

Originality/value

While many important works have examined various aspects of Cantopop, little attention has been paid to the indie bands. This paper attempts to reveal the recent development of local indie bands as a site under the interactive internet culture. It also gives insights to the significant role of Cantopop played in public pedagogy.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-03-2017-0022
ISSN: 2046-3162

Keywords

  • Social media
  • Cantopop
  • Indie band
  • Participatory culture
  • Public pedagogy

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

International textile and clothing research register

George K. Stylios

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects…

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Abstract

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/09556220410794961
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

  • Clothing and accessories
  • Textile manufacturing processes
  • Technology led strategy

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Article
Publication date: 8 April 2019

Hong Kong in the world: continuities and changes

Kenneth Ka Lok Chan

To fill the gap in the existing literature on the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the purpose of this paper is to critically…

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Abstract

Purpose

To fill the gap in the existing literature on the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the purpose of this paper is to critically reflect upon the continuities and changes of the city’s relations with the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has adopted a generic approach to shed light on the factors behind the evolution of the international status of Hong Kong from a by-product of geopolitics to a global city in its own right, to understand how the city has been perceived by traditional western partners after 1997 and to investigate how China has made use Hong Kong’s international status.

Findings

It has shown that Beijing’s strategy toward Hong Kong has been marred by the inherent tensions between “becoming Chinese” and “remaining global.” The official discourse of functionalism, according to which economic and professional ties are both the most acceptable and therefore the least resisted pathways available for the development of Hong Kong’s external relations, has the opposite effect of expanding Beijing’s control over the city.

Originality/value

In contrast to the HKSAR Government’s belief that Hong Kong will certainly benefit from the emergence of China, the city has found itself on a shorter leash than ever. It has therefore pinpointed the pitfalls of the logic of functionalism which has dominated the existing literature as much as the policy-making process.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-04-2018-0075
ISSN: 2046-3162

Keywords

  • Hong Kong
  • Non-sovereign international actor
  • “One Country
  • Two Systems”
  • China

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Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Navigating Christian and Chaozhou identities: the life and career of Lin Zifeng (1892-1971)

Wing-hin Kam

This paper aims to analyse how both Lin’s birthplace identity and his Christian identity contributed to his fruitful public career and to ascertain which identity became…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse how both Lin’s birthplace identity and his Christian identity contributed to his fruitful public career and to ascertain which identity became the most significant.

Design/methodology/approach

Archival research is the main method used in this paper. The most important archives drawn from are the Daniel Tse Collection in the Special Collection and Archives of the Hong Kong Baptist University Library. Oral history has also been used in this paper to uncover more material that has not yet been discussed in existing scholarly works.

Findings

This paper argues that although Lin’s birthplace identity and social networks helped him to start his business career in Nam Pak Hong and develop into a leader in the local Chaozhou communities, these factors were insufficient to his becoming a respectable member of the Chinese elite in post-war Hong Kong. He became well known not because of his leading position in local Chaozhou communities or any great achievement he had obtained in business but because of his contribution to the development of Christian education. These achievements earned him a reputation as a “Christian educator”. Thus Lin’s Christian identity became more important than his birthplace identity in contributing to his successful public career.

Originality/value

This paper has value in showing how Christian influences interacted with various cultural factors in early Hong Kong. It also offers insights into Lin’s life and motivations as well as the history of the institutions he contributed to/founded. It not only furthers our understanding of the Chinese Christian business elite in early Hong Kong but also provides us with insights when further studying this group of people in other British colonies in Asia.

Details

Social Transformations in Chinese Societies, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/STICS-09-2016-0015
ISSN: 1871-2673

Keywords

  • Chinese Christian business elite
  • Christian identity
  • Lin Zifeng

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