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1 – 10 of over 1000Geraldine Kennett, Ling Hu, Alex Maritz and He Sun
This study explores the different learning practices of Chinese incubators in Chongqing and Chengdu and delves into how these “learning huddles” influence incubatees' absorptive…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the different learning practices of Chinese incubators in Chongqing and Chengdu and delves into how these “learning huddles” influence incubatees' absorptive capacity (the ability to apply knowledge) to improve their chance of success (sustainable growth).
Design/methodology/approach
This explorative study uses a qualitative case study approach by means of semi-structured interviews with business incubation managers and incubatees across three business incubators in Chengdu and Chongqing. The data are transcribed, coded and analyzed using an analytic map for the explanation of building and reflecting on the theoretical propositions, leading to a further understanding of the “learning huddle” mechanism.
Findings
The study finds that incubatees perceive that their absorptive capacity is increased through vicarious informal learning practices that promote access to networks and thereby builds social capital to improve their likelihood of success.
Research limitations/implications
This study has limitations in sample size and design. The explorative case study approach uses a nonrandom case selection of three incubators in Chongqing and Chengdu and has a limited number of interviewees, which may lack representation of the general Chinese business incubation population and may not sufficiently be generalized beyond the sample itself.
Practical implications
These findings have important implications for business incubation programs. Business incubators that build learning huddles (networks) create a nurturing shared learning environment, which is suitable for incubatees to collectively absorb knowledge at the early stage of their life cycle and improve their likelihood of sustainable growth.
Social implications
Since this study is limited to a Chinese context, it is also hoped that future researchers use the typology of business incubator learning practices to explore cross-culture variables, as these may influence the business incubation operations and performance.
Originality/value
This study adds to the discussion on how collective learning practices facilitate absorptive capacity and build social capital, which in turn improves incubatees' chance of sustainable growth and as such the authors hope that the learning practice's typology and how incubatees determine their success stimulates further research for measuring the likelihood of incubatees sustainable growth.
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Although the data concerning the causes, and more importantly, the magnitude, of the gender‐wage gap arerelatively clear from empirical research in economics and business…
Abstract
Although the data concerning the causes, and more importantly, the magnitude, of the gender‐wage gap arerelatively clear from empirical research in economics and business, significant misconceptions still exist. It is a general belief that a woman will earn significantly less for doing the same work as a man, 75 cents as compared to a man’s dollar. Following a review of the empirical literature describing the causes and magnitude of the gender‐wage gap, an exploration of the portrayal of the gender‐wage gap in management texts seeks to understand how this issue is explained to a student audience. Finally, the managerial implications concerning compensation management in organisations are discussed.
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Cheng Lei, Haiyang Mao, Yudong Yang, Wen Ou, Chenyang Xue, Zong Yao, Anjie Ming, Weibing Wang, Ling Wang, Jiandong Hu and Jijun Xiong
Thermopile infrared (IR) detectors are one of the most important IR devices. Considering that the surface area of conventional four-end-beam (FEB)-based thermopile devices cannot…
Abstract
Purpose
Thermopile infrared (IR) detectors are one of the most important IR devices. Considering that the surface area of conventional four-end-beam (FEB)-based thermopile devices cannot be effectively used and the performance of this type of devices is relatively low, this paper aims to present a double-end-beam (DEB)-based thermopile device with high duty cycle and performance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Numerical analysis was conducted to show the advantages of the DEB-based thermopile devices.
Findings
Structural size of the DEB-based thermopiles may be further scaled down and maintain relatively higher responsivity and detectivity when compared with the FEB-based thermopiles. The authors characterized the thermoelectric properties of the device proposed in this paper, which achieves a responsivity of 1,151.14 V/W, a detectivity of 4.15 × 108 cm Hz1/2/W and a response time of 14.46 ms sensor based on DEB structure.
Orginality/value
The paper proposed a micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) thermopile infrared sensor based on double-end-beam structure.
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Anne Wan‐Ling Hu and William Ming‐Hone Tsai
This paper adopts a response hierarchy model to examine drivers' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for using mobile digital television (MDTV) while on the move.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper adopts a response hierarchy model to examine drivers' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for using mobile digital television (MDTV) while on the move.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a regional quota sampling method to examine the viewing habits of drivers who have a mobile digital television installed in their vehicles and was carried out in two steps. The first stage had interviews with eight car stereo distributors, and the second stage used a questionnaire to ascertain the viewing habits and content selection of drivers watching TV in their vehicles.
Findings
SEM analysis of a survey of 480 MDTV‐using drivers in Taiwan revealed an enjoyment‐based model of MDTV use since enjoyment has the most significant effect on drivers' affect, intention to use, and use behavior. Perceived ease of use and subjective norms had a lesser effect. The non‐significant effect of concentration and perceived risk imply that while drivers enjoy watching MDTV, they do not believe they switch their primary attention from driving to programs. Since drivers do not think they concentrate on watching MDTV, program content has little chance to induce curiosity and increase viewing time, the real communicative effect of watching TV while driving must be sharply discounted.
Research limitations/implications
The paper focuses exclusively on use of front‐seat MDTV equipment by drivers, and does not attempt to examine MDTV use by other passengers in the same vehicle.
Originality/value
This is the first study that has been undertaken of mobile digital television viewers, and the paper will be useful as a reference for those who are developing the mobile digital television market as they work to understand the needs and viewing habits of their audience.
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Steven H. Appelbaum, Ivan Ulises Soltero and Keith Neville
While research on outcome‐based control systems (and rewards) have been shown to lead to unethical behaviour, the same cannot be said when the research focuses on specific…
Abstract
While research on outcome‐based control systems (and rewards) have been shown to lead to unethical behaviour, the same cannot be said when the research focuses on specific outcome‐based control systems. Both the positive and negative research focused on the effects of moderators on the outcome‐based control system and unethical behaviour link. The relationship was dependent on ethical climate, personality traits, and internal communications. While research yielded a slightly positive result, it was shown that ethical climate was likely a stronger contributor to ethical behaviour. The influence of client fee expectations, the influence of an audit program and unethical auditor behaviour was examined. Further research was necessary to see how people of different ages responded in terms of ethics. While the empirical research did not provide a complete positive link between outcome‐based control systems and unethical behaviour, it did show that the relationship could exist and was dependent often upon other factors, such as the ethical environment of the organisation. The purpose of this article was not to show that outcome‐based control systems are always going to drive employees to behave unethically, but that these systems can lead to unethical behaviour.
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Chunjiang Yang, Qinhai Ma and Ling Hu
The purpose of this paper is first, to overview the current research situation on job embeddedness (JE), including the theoretical underpinning of JE, the definition and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is first, to overview the current research situation on job embeddedness (JE), including the theoretical underpinning of JE, the definition and dimensions of JE, its comparisons with similar constructs, and its global and composite measure; second, to intergrate the unfolding model, JE and image theory to better understand voluntary turnover – and indicate future research directions.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature search covering several separate electronic databases, including ScienceDirect, EBSCO, Kluwer and Emerald, was conducted. Most of the articles can be acquired online from The University of California Riverside. The validity and reliability are compared between global and composite scales. The authors summarized and categorized the findings of current research.
Findings
JE can be differentiated from those similar constructs and measures already in the literature. Almost all of the studies on JE have found that it predicted voluntary turnover better than job attitudes and perceived ease of movement from traditional models of turnover. Along with extended research on it, JE was disaggregated into two major sub‐dimensions, namely, on‐the‐job and off‐the‐job embeddedness, and it has been extended to occupational and career level.
Research limitations/implications
In this paper, the authors use qualitative methods to evaluate the current studies on JE, only. Meta‐analysis, as a reviewing method, should be used in future research on clarifying the relationships between JE and other constructs in organizational behavior.
Originality/value
This research reviews almost all of the studies on JE from 2001 to 2009 and organizes and categorizes them into three kinds: cause, consequence and theoretical extension. The authors also summarize its relationships with other constructs (e.g. turnover, turnover intention, organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behavior) in various settings. Finally, based on discussion, the authors indicate future research directions.
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Meysam Azimian, Mahdi Karbasian, Karim Atashgar and Golam Kabir
This paper addresses special reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) strategies for one-shot devices by providing fuzzy inferences system with the assumption that, to data, there…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper addresses special reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) strategies for one-shot devices by providing fuzzy inferences system with the assumption that, to data, there is no data available on their maintenance. As far as one-shot devices are concerned, the relevant data is inadequate.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, a fuzzy expert system is proposed to effectively select RCM strategies for one-shot devices. In this research: (1) a human expert team is provided, (2) spatial RCM strategies for one-shot devices and parameters bearing upon those strategies are determined, (3) the verbal variables of the expert team are transformed into fuzzy sets, (4) the relationship between parameters and strategies are designed whereupon a model is developed by MATLAB software, (5) Finally, the model is applied to a real-life one-shot system.
Findings
The finding of this study indicates that the proposed fuzzy expert system can determine the parameters affecting the choice of the appropriate one-shot RCM strategies, and a fuzzy inference system can help for effective decision making.
Originality/value
The developed model can be used as a fast and reliable method for determining an appropriate one-shot RCM strategy, whose results can be relied upon with a suitable approximation in respect of the behavior test. To the best authors’ knowledge, this problem is not addressed yet.
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Mingyao Hu, Fang Huang, Hanping Hou, Yong Chen and Larissa Bulysheva
Fast-growing online retail market provides convenience for customers. But it makes competition among online retailers fiercer as well. Online retailers need to improve online…
Abstract
Purpose
Fast-growing online retail market provides convenience for customers. But it makes competition among online retailers fiercer as well. Online retailers need to improve online shoppers’ satisfaction level for the purpose of keeping their loyalty. As an important component in online retail market, logistics service affects online shoppers’ satisfaction level. By applying expectation confirmation theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore how customized logistics services (CLS) influences online shoppers’ satisfaction level and whether the relationship between them is moderated by product type.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from Tmall.com, the biggest online retail market in China. Exploratory factor analysis and two-way ANOVA were conducted to analyze the data.
Findings
The results indicate that CLS positively impacts online shoppers’ satisfaction level. But product type does not have moderate effect on the relationship between CLS and online shoppers’ satisfaction level.
Practical implications
Online retail market grows fast. As the number of retailers keeps increasing, competition in this market becomes fiercer. In order to attract new shoppers and increase shoppers’ loyalty, online retailers must make shopper satisfied with their purchase. CLS positively impacts online shoppers’ satisfaction level, online retailers should offer shoppers CLS.
Originality/value
This study examines how customized logistics influences customer satisfaction, and extends literatures related to online customer satisfaction by integrating the factor CLS and opens the way for other studies related to logistics service customization. Furthermore, this study discusses how IoT will improve online retailers’ abilities in providing CLS.
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Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
Now that shopping online is normal rather than being a minority activity, and that users include people of disparate ages, incomes and technical experience, the focus should be on the customer rather than the technology. As websites become better and better, easier to use and offer believable assurances that your payment details are safe in their hands, so the necessity for differentiation increases.
Practical implications
Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
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Manoj Edward and Sunil Sahadev
The study attempts to chart out the role of switching costs in the interrelationships between perceived value, perceived service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer…
Abstract
Purpose
The study attempts to chart out the role of switching costs in the interrelationships between perceived value, perceived service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer retention. The mediating role of switching costs as well as its direct impact is explored among customers of mobile telephone service providers in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The conceptual model is developed based on the existing literature and then the model is validated through the analysis of data collected from customers of mobile services in India.
Findings
The mediating role of switching costs is found to have adequate statistical support and the other direct linkages are also found to be valid. The findings suggest that service firms may benefit from pursuing a combined strategy of increasing customer satisfaction and switching costs both independently and in tandem, depending upon the product‐market characteristics.
Originality/value
The study extends the knowledge about customer retention by bringing in switching costs as a part of the network of relationship involving perceived value, perceived service quality, and customer satisfaction.
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