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1 – 10 of 10Swee Hoon Ang, Siew Meng Leong and Wei Lin Tey
An experiment was conducted in which level of claim (plausible versus implausible), claim type (tensile versus objective), and brand familiarity were manipulated to determine…
Abstract
An experiment was conducted in which level of claim (plausible versus implausible), claim type (tensile versus objective), and brand familiarity were manipulated to determine consumer responses to sale ads. Conducted in an Asian setting using percentage instead of dollar value price reductions, the results replicated and extended past findings in the pricing literature. Specifically, implausible claims that purported exaggerated savings led to greater discounting, higher perceived price reduction, higher perceived offer value, and higher shopping intention than those with plausible price reductions. Objective price claims that state the exact amount of reduction generally elicited more favorable responses than tensile claims of the “save up to ____ percent” genre. When the price reductions were implausible, tensile claims resulted in higher discounting, lower perceived price reduction, and lower perceived offer value than did objective claims. Finally, greater brand familiarity resulted in higher claim discounting and lower perceived price reduction when the claims were implausible rather than plausible. Theoretical and managerial implications are furnished together with directions for future research.
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Shweta Suri, Deepika Kathuria, Anusha Mishra and Rajan Sharma
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the biological activities of low-calorie natural sweetener, i.e. monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii), which are associated with its…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the biological activities of low-calorie natural sweetener, i.e. monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii), which are associated with its bioactive constituents.
Design/methodology/approach
Recent investigations focused on biochemical characterization and nutraceutical potential of monk fruit (traditional Chinese perennial vine) have been critically reviewed. Also, the safety and influence of monk fruit on organoleptic characteristics of prepared food products have been documented.
Findings
Biochemistry of monk fruit revealed that mogrosides are the principal compounds responsible for the high-intensity sweetness in the monk fruit. The fruit induces several biological activities including anti-oxidative effect, hypoglycemic response, anti-allergic properties, anti-carcinogenic and anti-tissue damage activities. Attributing to great potential as a bio-functional sweetener in food products, monk fruit extract has been approved as Generally Regarded as Safe.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the biological potential of monk fruit opening the doors to future investigations for its utilization in products of commercial importance including food and pharmaceutical preparations.
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Ishita Batra, Megha Gupta and Sanjay Dhir
The last two decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the body of research on the theoretical perspective of the performance of international joint ventures (IJVs)…
Abstract
Purpose
The last two decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the body of research on the theoretical perspective of the performance of international joint ventures (IJVs). However, the evidence on the antecedents of IJVs performance is inconsistent. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the quantitative studies on the antecedents of the performance of IJVs to identify the research gaps in this area and to prepare a future research agenda using the theory, context, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Meta-Analysis review is conducted on 97 papers from A*, A and B category journals from the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) Journal Quality List.
Findings
The results reveal the homogeneity in antecedents such as administrative distance, BOD (board of directors) involvement, resource interdependency, flexibility, learning, competitive overlap, cultural distance, R&D (research and development) intensity, contract, relatedness, the existence of a local IJVs partner, trust, operational experience, partners capability, size asymmetry, goal congruency, capital adequacy, economic distance and heterogeneity in the antecedents such as equity ownership, commitment, control, cooperation and conflict are heterogeneous.
Originality/value
This review seeks to provide deeper insights, which help us to contribute toward the development of the research field of antecedents of the performance of IJVs. The authors have synthesized 97 independent samples with a total sample size of 52,268.
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Filzah Md Isa, Shaista Noor, Nik Maheran Nik Mohammad and Mohd Muttaqin Mohd Adnan
The ageing population is a rising issue worldwide, including in Malaysia, which leads to an increase in older people compared to children. Malaysia is a relatively “younger”…
Abstract
Purpose
The ageing population is a rising issue worldwide, including in Malaysia, which leads to an increase in older people compared to children. Malaysia is a relatively “younger” country compared to its Asian counterparts such as Japan and China. The demographic projections by the Department of Statistics of Malaysia state that by 2035 approximately 15% of its population would be above 60 years old. The powerful demographic trend of the ageing of the Malaysian population has consequences for the entire society and its economy. One of the biggest challenges for the Malaysian Government is to provide adequate facilities to the elderly in terms of care and support. For this purpose, around 365 registered and various unregistered centres are working throughout Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. The government, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and various religious organisations run these centres. These centres provide residential and health-care services to elderlies, whereas the centre’s operators face multiple challenges in the overall operation of the centre. The purpose of this study to highlight the leadership and decision making challenges among elderly care centre operators.
Design/methodology/approach
The result highlights that both men and women operators face leadership and decision-making challenges for centre management. Regarding decision-making, women are experiencing more failures in proper decision-making than men. However, women operators are keen to learn from failures for appropriate decision-making.
Findings
The result highlights that both men and women operators face leadership and decision-making challenges for centre management. Regarding decision-making, women are experiencing more failures in proper decision-making than men. However, women operators are keen to learn from failures for appropriate decision-making. The present study will help the new operators to persevere in their business ventures, and policymakers look into the best supports to enhance elderly care centre operator’s success.
Originality/value
The present study will help the new operators to persevere in their business ventures, and policymakers look into the best supports to enhance elderly care centre operator’s success.
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Abdul Wahab Hashmi, Harlal Singh Mali and Anoj Meena
The purpose of this paper is to study the functionality of additively manufactured (AM) parts, mainly depending on their dimensional accuracy and surface finish. However, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the functionality of additively manufactured (AM) parts, mainly depending on their dimensional accuracy and surface finish. However, the products manufactured using AM usually suffer from defects like roughness or uneven surfaces. This paper discusses the various surface quality improvement techniques, including how to reduce surface defects, surface roughness and dimensional accuracy of AM parts.
Design/methodology/approach
There are many different types of popular AM methods. Unfortunately, these AM methods are susceptible to different kinds of surface defects in the product. As a result, pre- and postprocessing efforts and control of various AM process parameters are needed to improve the surface quality and reduce surface roughness.
Findings
In this paper, the various surface quality improvement methods are categorized based on the type of materials, working principles of AM and types of finishing processes. They have been divided into chemical, thermal, mechanical and hybrid-based categories.
Research limitations/implications
The review has evaluated the possibility of various surface finishing methods for enhancing the surface quality of AM parts. It has also discussed the research perspective of these methods for surface finishing of AM parts at micro- to nanolevel surface roughness and better dimensional accuracy.
Originality/value
This paper represents a comprehensive review of surface quality improvement methods for both metals and polymer-based AM parts.
Graphical abstract of surface quality improvement methods
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Dewen Sun, Pingping Hou, Bo Li, Hao Yin and Qianping Ran
The purpose of this study is to prepare a polydopamine (PDA)–palygorskite (Pal) hybrid-reinforced epoxy coating with high adhesion strength on wet concrete surface.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to prepare a polydopamine (PDA)–palygorskite (Pal) hybrid-reinforced epoxy coating with high adhesion strength on wet concrete surface.
Design/methodology/approach
One synthetic step was adopted to prepare novel PDA–Pal hybrid epoxy coating. The process and product were analyzed and confirmed by FIRT, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The mass fraction of PDA–Pal hybrid affecting the adhesion strength of epoxy coating was analyzed and confirmed by pull-off test.
Findings
PDA–Pal hybrid mass fractions of 0, 1, 3 and 5 were added to the coatings. For a 5 Wt.% PDA–Pal hybrid content, the adhesive strengths on the saturated or underwater concrete surfaces increased to 4.0 and 2.5 MPa, respectively. In addition, the tensile mechanical property of the epoxy coating improved significantly after PDA–Pal addition.
Practical implications
This new epoxy coating hybrid by PDA–Pal could be applied as a concrete protective layer near water or in wet or damp environments.
Originality/value
Introduction of PDA–Pal hybrid to prepare epoxy coating with high adhesion strength on wet concrete surface has not been systematically studied previously.
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João Maranha, Paulo Jorge Nascimento, Tomaz Alexandre Calcerano, Cristóvão Silva, Stefanie Mueller and Samuel Moniz
This study provides an up-to-date review of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and guidance for selecting the most appropriate ones for specific applications, taking into…
Abstract
Purpose
This study provides an up-to-date review of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and guidance for selecting the most appropriate ones for specific applications, taking into account the main features, strengths, and limitations of the existing options.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review on AM technologies was conducted to assess the current state-of-the-art. This was followed by a closer examination of different AM machines to gain a deeper insight into their main features and operational characteristics. The conclusions and data gathered were used to formulate a classification and decision-support framework.
Findings
The findings indicate the building blocks of the selection process for AM technologies. Furthermore, this work shows the suitability of the existing AM technologies for specific cases and points to opportunities for technological and decision-support improvements. Lastly, more standardization in AM would be beneficial for future research.
Practical implications
The proposed framework offers valuable support for decision-makers to select the most suitable AM technologies, as demonstrated through practical examples of its utilization. In addition, it can help researchers identify the limitations of AM by pinpointing applications where existing technologies fail to meet the requirements.
Originality/value
The study offers a novel classification and decision-support framework for selecting AM technologies, incorporating machine characteristics, process features, physical properties of printed parts, and costs as key features to evaluate the potential of AM. Additionally, it provides a deeper understanding of these features as well as the potential opportunities for AM and its impact on various industries.
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The theoretical findings serve as a foundation for further research into understanding sulfide-based solid-state electrolytes, ultimately advancing the progress of all-solid-state…
Abstract
Purpose
The theoretical findings serve as a foundation for further research into understanding sulfide-based solid-state electrolytes, ultimately advancing the progress of all-solid-state batteries.
Design/methodology/approach
The electronic properties of Li7P3S11 are thoroughly explored through first-principles calculations.
Findings
This investigation encompasses the intricate atom-dominated valence and conduction bands, spatial charge density distribution and the breakdown of atom and orbital contributions to van Hove singularities. Additionally, the compound’s wide and discrete energy spectra reflect the substantial variations in bond lengths and its highly anisotropic geometric structure. The complex and nonuniform chemical environment indicates the presence of intricate hopping integrals.
Originality/value
This study provides valuable insights into the critical multiorbital hybridizations occurring in the Li-S and P-S chemical bonds. To validate the theoretical predictions, experimental techniques can be employed. By combining theoretical predictions with experimental data, a comprehensive understanding of the geometric and electronic characteristics of Li7P3S11 can be achieved.
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Paulo Duarte, Susana Silva, Wilian Ramalho Feitosa and Rui Sebastião
Considering the importance of financial literacy (FL) in people’s lives the goal of this study aims to assess the level of FL of young Portuguese students, addressing the impact…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering the importance of financial literacy (FL) in people’s lives the goal of this study aims to assess the level of FL of young Portuguese students, addressing the impact of the level of education on the FL of college students.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from a non-probabilistic sample of 185 students attending higher education bachelor’s and master’s degrees courses in Economics, Management and Marketing was collected between February 25 and March 23, 2019, using an online questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using IBM SPSS 25 to analyze the data.
Findings
The findings show that the level of the degree (bachelor’s or master’s degree) and the academic background of the individual’s parents have a positive impact on FL. Moreover, among individuals with a high level of FL, gender and professional situation are additional predictors. Furthermore, the authors observed that the level of FL of Portuguese students attending higher education is overall low, especially in terms of their knowledge of the main financial concepts, which may call for public policies to be implemented so that to reduce this vulnerability.
Research limitations/implications
Among limitations is the limited sample collected, restricted to a particular target, Portuguese students attending business-related courses such as Economics, Management and Marketing, either studying for a master’s or bachelor’s degree. This issue restricts the generalization of the overall findings to other students studying different fields. Future studies can collect a random and representative sample.
Practical implications
This study test can be replicated to generate a diagnosis in any region or country, identifying how financially literate the region under analysis is. Also, this can be done to verify the evolution of FL after educational interventions.
Social implications
FL is an important competence. In fact, youngsters in the whole world have been suffering from a lack of financial knowledge (FK), and some characteristics of them can push them into indebtedness, and, even bankruptcy, such as a higher level of status consumption, the tendency to have an attitude of self-appraisal, to be self-centered, to seek instant gratification. This study helps to lead to a better understanding of this phenomenon.
Originality/value
Addressing college students attending different levels is an add-on to the existing body of literature. This paper contributes to study differences in FL between college and master students, enlightening and evaluating the role of scholarship maturity on financial education. Furthermore, some of the findings challenge the extant knowledge regarding the influence of professional experience, gender and age on the level of FK that students have. Finally, the current approach is innovative as it addresses FK, FL and numeracy in the same study.
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