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1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 1 October 2005

Ray Marks

The first aim of this review article is to systematically summarise, synthesise, and critically evaluate the research base concerning the use of two art forms, namely, dance‐based…

2129

Abstract

Purpose

The first aim of this review article is to systematically summarise, synthesise, and critically evaluate the research base concerning the use of two art forms, namely, dance‐based exercises and Tai Chi, as applied to people with arthritis (a chronic condition that results in considerable disability and, particularly in later life, severely impacts the life quality of the individual with this condition). A second is to provide directives for health educators who work or are likely to work with this population in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The material specifically focuses on examining the efficacy of dance therapy and Tai Chi as intervention strategies for minimising arthritis disability and dependence and improving life quality. The paper includes a review of all relevant articles published in the English language on the topic.

Findings

Collectively, these data reveal that dance‐based exercises and Tai Chi – practiced widely in China for many centuries as an art form, as well as a religious ritual, relaxation technique, exercise, and self‐defence method – may be very useful rehabilitation strategies for people with different forms of arthritis.

Originality/value

While more research is indicated, health educators working with people who have chronic arthritis can safely recommend these two forms of exercise to most people with arthritis with the expectation that both will heighten the life quality of the individual with this condition.

Details

Health Education, vol. 105 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-4283

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 June 2016

Deborah Elizabeth Swain and James Earl Lightfoot

The purpose of this paper is to show how Tai Chi (or T’ai Chi ch’uan) philosophy might be used in global project development. Collected case studies support a Tai Chi-based…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how Tai Chi (or T’ai Chi ch’uan) philosophy might be used in global project development. Collected case studies support a Tai Chi-based framework for global project teams to reduce stress and improve decision making through exercises, storytelling, and martial arts practices. The authors first proposed a model or procedural framework based on experiential knowledge from practicing Tai Chi while managing projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyzing case studies from knowledge managers, project managers, and executive leaders, the researchers collected data on applying the framework from a retrospective case study and from two observational case studies during project development. Tai Chi-based communications and exercises were shown to support critical thinking, knowledge sharing, and problem solving. The proposed framework and four-step procedure build on a global perspective to cultural awareness, creativity, and motivation as well as specific Tai Chi-based tactics, techniques, and operations for knowledge management. This preliminary study looks at improving collaboration in a competitive environment while supporting health, wellness, and work-life enjoyment.

Findings

Early research results suggest that teams and individuals working on projects and practicing Tai Chi might develop more cohesive strategies and improve soft skills during their integration of Eastern and Western philosophies.

Research limitations/implications

Used case studies methodology, which provided examples of using Tai Chi during projects. Qualitative data used to develop the proposed framework. Also, interviews and discussion reviews conducted for additional validation collected on framework.

Practical implications

It is a pioneering, preliminary study. Future research with outcomes-based data from project managers using Tai Chi recommended.

Originality/value

The integration of Eastern and Western philosophies into a framework for team project and knowledge management was shown to support cohesive strategies, improve soft skills, and strengthen decision making.

Details

International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8378

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1998

William J. Lundstrom, Oscar W. Lee and D. Steven White

Considers the factors which influence Taiwanese decisions to buy Japanese or US refrigerators, basing the conclusions on the results of a survey of 586 respondents drawn from…

1648

Abstract

Considers the factors which influence Taiwanese decisions to buy Japanese or US refrigerators, basing the conclusions on the results of a survey of 586 respondents drawn from Taiwan’s four largest cities – Taipei, Kaoshiung, Taichung and Tainan. Describes how the questionnaires were constructed and pretested, and explains how the data was recorded (using a 5‐point Likert‐type scale) and analysed (using factor analysis and t‐tests). Tests particularly for cultural values of the Chinese, consumer ethnocentrism, openness to foreign culture, country image, and consumer sophistication. Finds that, despite the longer presence of Japanese goods in Taiwan, Japan’s proximity to Taiwan, and more cultural similarities between the Japanese and Taiwanese, Taiwanese consumers rate the USA’s country image factor higher than Japan’s, with consequent implications regarding intention to buy US goods. Recommends that US marketers build on their advantageous country image when they promote US appliances in foreign markets. Cautions against making too much of this snapshot data but concedes that further research into different foreign markets, different appliances, and with a longitudinal approach, would ascertain if findings are consistent with this survey, which has obvious benefits as new markets, such as China and India, open up to western goods and appliances.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 26 January 2023

Farzana Quoquab, Maizaitulaidawati Md Husin, Rohaida Basiruddin and Abdul Hamid Mohamed

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical healthcare system that encompasses acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, herbal medicine, diet, tui na massage, and…

Abstract

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical healthcare system that encompasses acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, herbal medicine, diet, tui na massage, and exercises (tai chi and qigong) among other traditional therapies. It uses herbs and natural resources to produce the traditional medicines and focuses on maintaining the balance between body and mind. As such, many aspects of TCM can be considered as green and sustainable. While there is market demand for TCM in some countries and among some communities, some others are still not aware of TCM. Moreover, there are fewer discussions in the academic platforms on TCM. This case highlights the scenario of TCM based on Malaysia’s perspective and discusses its challenges and prospects.

Details

Sustainability and Social Marketing Issues in Asia
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-845-6

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 August 2019

Zheng Fan, Xiner Tong, Peihua Fan and Qingli Fan

This study aims to build an indigenous Chinese management model based on Chinese culture.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to build an indigenous Chinese management model based on Chinese culture.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts new institutionalism as its theoretical foundation, examines the core values of Chinese civilization in retrospect and identifies the key features of a Chinese management model. In this study, the authors develop a “glacier model” and test its reliability with the Haier Group.

Findings

This study proposes a new definition for a management model: a knowledge system based on institutional civilization that reflects management theory and practice. It analyzes the institutional environment of Chinese civilization: the recessive bottom-most layers are CBTLG (Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, legalism and Guan theory) and MDSX (Mao Zedong thought, Deng Xiaoping theory, scientific thoughts of development and Xi Jinping thought), the dominant principles are “Socialism and Mixed Economy” and the core values of Chinese culture compose the layer between them. This study concludes that the distinguishing features of Chinese management are harmonious management, the order-diversity pattern and Tai Chi management.

Research limitations/implications

This paper only discussed the management model of China. Based on the conclusions of this paper, in the future, researchers comparative studies on Chinese management and other countries’ management models with glacier model. By so doing, people can have a more comprehensive understanding of management models of different cultures.

Practical implications

The management characteristics contained in Chinese culture can provide more abundant knowledge for understanding current organizational management issues. A better understanding of the characteristics of a Chinese management model based on Chinese civilization is conducive to foreign investment or cross-cultural cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises.

Originality/value

This study provides a new perspective in studying Chinese management. The theoretical values of the glacier model are as follows: it is rooted in a Chinese management context; it makes up for the insufficiency in the current study of institutionalism; and it guides cross-cultural communication and management. The authors hope that the study attracts the attention of more scholars. Any civilization of any region or country can construct its own management model using the frame of the glacier model.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 April 2021

Dangzhi Zhao and Andreas Strotmann

Wikipedia has the lofty goal of compiling all human knowledge. The purpose of the present study is to map the structure of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) knowledge domain…

Abstract

Purpose

Wikipedia has the lofty goal of compiling all human knowledge. The purpose of the present study is to map the structure of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) knowledge domain on Wikipedia, to identify patterns of knowledge representation on Wikipedia and to test the applicability of author bibliographic coupling analysis, an effective method for mapping knowledge domains represented in published scholarly documents, for Wikipedia data.

Design/methodology/approach

We adapted and followed the well-established procedures and techniques for author bibliographic coupling analysis (ABCA). Instead of bibliographic data from a citation database, we used all articles on TCM downloaded from the English version of Wikipedia as our dataset. An author bibliographic coupling network was calculated and then factor analyzed using SPSS. Factor analysis results were visualized. Factors were labeled upon manual examination of articles that authors who load primarily in each factor have significantly contributed references to. Clear factors were interpreted as topics.

Findings

Seven TCM topic areas are represented on Wikipedia, among which Acupuncture-related practices, Falun Gong and Herbal Medicine attracted the most significant contributors to TCM. Acupuncture and Qi Gong have the most connections to the TCM knowledge domain and also serve as bridges for other topics to connect to the domain. Herbal medicine is weakly linked to and non-herbal medicine is isolated from the rest of the TCM knowledge domain. It appears that specific topics are represented well on Wikipedia but their conceptual connections are not. ABCA is effective for mapping knowledge domains on Wikipedia but document-based bibliographic coupling analysis is not.

Originality/value

Given the prominent position of Wikipedia for both information users and for researchers on knowledge organization and information retrieval, it is important to study how well knowledge is represented and structured on Wikipedia. Such studies appear largely missing although studies from different perspectives both about Wikipedia and using Wikipedia as data are abundant. Author bibliographic coupling analysis is effective for mapping knowledge domains represented in published scholarly documents but has never been applied to mapping knowledge domains represented on Wikipedia.

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2017

Teresa Wai Chi Tai, Jee Young Lee and Sherry I. Bame

In Spring 2015, Texas experienced record-breaking floods, causing deaths, injuries, and widespread property and infrastructure damage. However, little is known about those who…

Abstract

Purpose

In Spring 2015, Texas experienced record-breaking floods, causing deaths, injuries, and widespread property and infrastructure damage. However, little is known about those who encountered access barriers to disaster support in Texas. The purpose of this paper is to examine the unmet disaster-related needs from 2-1-1 calls during evacuation, flooding, and early recovery phases.

Design/methodology/approach

The 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network’s caller database was used to identify real time, non-emergency, unmet disaster-related caller needs longitudinally. The two-month study period included a baseline week before flashflood (05/01/2015) into early recovery (06/30/2015). Caller unmet needs were categorized and graphed by type daily throughout the study period.

Findings

Of the 4,880 disaster-related 2-1-1 calls from Texas’ 254 counties, 1,183 callers needed housing help, compared to 442 utilities, 409 food and 109 medically related assistance. Total calls quickly peaked at 405 calls/day during Memorial Day weekend when Greater Houston flooded. Despite total calls decreasing gradually during recovery, they remained four times higher than baseline. Unmet needs varied by type, especially during early recovery. Housing, food, and medical unmet needs surged when Houston flooded. Although medical calls were lowest volume than other basic needs, demand for medical assistance had a higher threshold throughout early recovery.

Practical implications

Examination of unmet needs over disaster phases identified longitudinal patterns of demand and effectiveness of disaster management efforts.

Originality/value

Using real-time 2-1-1 data to monitor types of unmet demand is valuable to tailor timely and effective disaster support, reduce access barriers, and allocate disaster support services and supplies to the vulnerable communities.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 26 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2017

Cheng-Chi Tai, Wei-Cheng Wang and Yuan-Jui Hsu

This study aims to establish a dynamic process model of an electromagnetic thermotherapy system (ETS) to predict the temperature of a thermotherapy needle.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to establish a dynamic process model of an electromagnetic thermotherapy system (ETS) to predict the temperature of a thermotherapy needle.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is used for real-time predicting the static and dynamic responses of temperature and can therefore provide a valuable analysis for system monitoring.

Findings

The electromagnetic thermotherapy process is a nonlinear problem in which the system identification is implemented by a neural network identifier. It can simulate the input/output relationship of a real system with an excellent approximation ability to uncertain nonlinear system. A system identifier for an ETS is analyzed and selected with recurrent neural networks models to deal with various treatment processes.

Originality/value

The Elman neural network (ENN) prediction model on ETS proposed in this study is an easy and feasible method. Comparing two situations of inputs with more and fewer data, both are trained to present low mean squared error, and the temperature response error appears within 15 per cent. The ENN, with the advantages of simple design and stable efficacy, is useful for establishing the temperature prediction model to ensure the security in the thermotherapy.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 36 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 December 2023

Kai Wang, Chi-Feng Tai and Han-fen Hu

Focusing on the social influence processes in the context of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), this study aims to investigate the nomological network of…

Abstract

Purpose

Focusing on the social influence processes in the context of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), this study aims to investigate the nomological network of social influence factors, a topic seldom explicitly articulated in the literature in this unique context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a mixed-methods approach to develop and test a context-specific model of social influence processes in MMORPGs. First, the authors conducted qualitative interviews with MMORPG players to identify the drivers shaping players' perceptions of social influences. Second, the authors formulated and tested a research model with quantitative data collected from 450 respondents of an online survey.

Findings

Through the qualitative study, the authors identify leader enthusiasm, social support and social presence as the critical drivers of social influence factors. The result of the quantitative study validates the influences of the critical drivers and demonstrates the impact of social influences on MMORPG players' we-intention to continue playing games.

Originality/value

This research extends the social influence theory by identifying contextualized drivers that shape MMORPG players' perception of social influences determining their we-intention to continue playing games. MMORPG service providers can draw on these drivers to leverage social influences to increase players' we-intention of continuance.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 May 2010

Zude Ye and Maurice Yolles

Taoist thought is not easily penetrable for Westerners, though it has growing importance with the globalisation of Chinese commerce. The purpose of this paper is to explore some…

Abstract

Purpose

Taoist thought is not easily penetrable for Westerners, though it has growing importance with the globalisation of Chinese commerce. The purpose of this paper is to explore some aspects of Chinese and Taoist thought, and how they can be expressed in cybernetic terms, using a knowledge cybernetics (KC) schema.

Design/methodology/approach

KC operates through metaphor the role of which is considered with respect to its application to the specific area of urban landscaping.

Findings

A new methodological approach is indicated that is capable of linking Western landscape theory with Taoist feng shui. The traditional approach to critical planning has been in principle enhanced through the idea of landscape canonical harmony that comes from Taoist feng shui. It is also shown that the activity phases in urban landscape design are ontologically different, and use distinct types of energy measures.

Research limitations/implications

The research uses KC as a vehicle for the development of a landscaping methodology that draws on both traditional Western and Chinese Taoist approaches. It requires application to real situations to draw out its practical capacities.

Practical implications

This is apparently the first time that a synergy between Western and Chinese approaches to landscape design and development has been attempted that results in the proposal of a complete methodology.

Originality/value

The successful use of this methodology could demonstrate that Western and Chinese approaches to landscape design are relatable.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000