Search results
1 – 10 of 65Women’s health is considered a big public health issue, impacting personal well-being, family reproduction, and society’s development. Since the foundation of the People’s…
Abstract
Purpose
Women’s health is considered a big public health issue, impacting personal well-being, family reproduction, and society’s development. Since the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, major improvements in women’s social status and health have been made. However, far less has been achieved with respect to gender equality and women still face health disparities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of health and health care disparities among women and their determinants in China today.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used the Statistical Yearbook of Health and Family Planning 2014, the 2010 Women’s Social Status Survey and 2010 census data from the National Bureau of Statistics to give an overall description of disparity in health care and health outcome facing women.
Findings
Progress in health is not equally shared by the female population, and the differences in women’s health by region and in urban and rural areas are considerable. The existing health disparities are still faced by women in terms of life expectancy, hazardous working environment, and health care services. As to gender differences among the elderly aged 60+, men have better health status compared to women. In addition, women are more financially dependent on other family members for the main source of daily living, reflecting their economic disadvantages.
Originality/value
This study gives a comprehensive and the latest overview of trends of women’s health progress, disparities in health care, and health outcomes both in female population and between genders by using three data sources.
Details
Keywords
Xiaofei Li, Chengfang Liu, Renfu Luo, Linxiu Zhang and Scott Rozelle
The paper aims to discuss whether the younger generation of China's rural labor force is prepared, in terms of education level or labor quality, for the future labor markets under…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to discuss whether the younger generation of China's rural labor force is prepared, in terms of education level or labor quality, for the future labor markets under China's industrial upgrading.
Design/methodology/approach
Using nationally representative survey data, the paper gives detailed discussions on the young rural laborers' education attainments, and their off‐farm employment status including job patterns, working hours, and hourly wage rates. The relationship between education and employment status is analyzed and tested. Through these discussions, an employment challenge is revealed, and some policy implications are made.
Findings
This paper finds that China's young rural laborers are generally poorly educated and mainly unskilled. They work long hours and are low paid. While they lack the labor quality that will be required to meet the industrial upgrading, an employment challenge may face them in the near future. This paper also finds a strong link between education levels and employment status for the young labor force, which implies the possible effect of policies such as improving rural education.
Originality/value
Based on a solid foundation of a national rural household survey, this paper updates the understanding of the education and employment situations of the young rural labor force in contemporary China. The concern about the employment challenges raised in the paper is related to the future of China's rural labor transition and the whole economy.
Details
Keywords
Zongshui Wang, Wei Liu, Zhuo Sun and Hong Zhao
Building on social media and destination brand-related literature, this study aims to explore World Heritage Sites’ (WHSs) brand diffusion and formation process from long-term and…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on social media and destination brand-related literature, this study aims to explore World Heritage Sites’ (WHSs) brand diffusion and formation process from long-term and short-term perspectives, which includes brand diffusion, user-generated content (UGC), opinion leaders and brand events’ impact.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a mixed-method including text mining, keyword analysis and social network analysis to explore the brand formation process of four popular WHSs in Beijing, namely, the Palace Museum, Great Wall, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven and more than 10,000,000 users’ data on Sina Weibo has been implemented to uncover the underlying social media branding mechanism.
Findings
The results show that the number of postings keeps in a stable range in most months, but, in general, there are no common rules for changing trends among the four WHSs; long-term high-frequency keywords related to history and culture account for a higher percentage; different kinds of accounts have varying impacts on information diffusion, in which media accounts lead to a bigger influence. However, more followers do not necessarily mean more interactions and most of the interaction ratio is much lower than 0.01000; brand events facilitate brand dissemination and have an impact on the creation of UGC.
Practical implications
This study is valuable for destination marketers to deeper understand brand diffusion and formation and provides valuable insights for developing effective destination marketing strategies.
Originality/value
Unlike previous studies that only concern a few parts of destination brand formation via social media (e.g. brand diffusion, brand events or opinion leaders’ impact), this study takes a more comprehensive perspective by systematically analyzing the brand formation process of WHSs on social media. By considering both long-term diffusion and short-term representative events, this study provides a more holistic understanding of the branding mechanism.
Details
Keywords
Haozhe Jin, Ruoshuang Wen, Chao Wang and Xiaofei Liu
The purpose of this study is to determine the cavitation flow characteristics of the high-pressure differential control valve. The relationship between cavitation, flow…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the cavitation flow characteristics of the high-pressure differential control valve. The relationship between cavitation, flow coefficient and spool angle is obtained. By analyzing the relationship between different spool angles and energy loss, the energy loss at different spool angles is predicted.
Design/methodology/approach
A series of numerical simulations were performed to study the cavitation problem of a high-pressure differential control valve using the RNG k–e turbulence model and the Zwart cavitation model. The flow states and energy distribution at different spool angles were analyzed under specific working conditions.
Findings
The cavitation was the weakest when the spool angle was 120° or the outlet pressure was 8 MPa. The pressure and speed fluctuations of the valve in the throttle section were greater than those at other locations. By calculating the entropy production rate, the reason and location of valve energy loss are analyzed. The energy loss near the throttling section accounts for about 92.7% of the total energy loss. According to the calculated energy loss relationship between different regions of the spool angle, the relationship between any spool angle and energy loss in the [80,120] interval is proposed.
Originality/value
This study analyzes the cavitation flow characteristics of the high-pressure differential control valve and provides the law of energy loss in the valve through the analysis method of entropy. The relationship between spool angle and energy loss under cavitation is finally proposed. The research results are expected to provide a theoretical basis for the optimal design of valves.
Details
Keywords
In temporary construction project organizations, general contractors need to strengthen control over subcontractors through such measures as supervision and coordination, and…
Abstract
Purpose
In temporary construction project organizations, general contractors need to strengthen control over subcontractors through such measures as supervision and coordination, and resource sharing. In the management process, the good implementation of relational contracts among the general contractor and subcontractors is affected by the quality of relationship between managers and followers. From the perspective of leader–member exchange (LMX) theory, this study explores the influence of LMX, which reflects the quality of relationship between superiors and subordinates, on relational contracts.
Design/methodology/approach
By combining the longitudinal influence mechanism and organizational background of relational contracts in project organizations, this study constructed a multi-level structural equation model. The hypothesis is tested based on data collected from 213 respondents.
Findings
The findings of this study show that LMX has a positive influence on relational contracts and organizational identification in construction project organizations. Organizational identification has a positive effect on relational contracts and plays a mediating role between LMX and relational contracts. Power distance plays a moderating role on the influence of LMX on organizational identification.
Originality/value
This study explores the influence of LMX on relational contracts from a new perspective, which can help establish a high-quality relation of the general contractor and subcontractors in project organizations and enriches the longitudinal study of relational contracts in project organizations.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to examine how the official discourse of frugality evolved in China between 1979 and 2015.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how the official discourse of frugality evolved in China between 1979 and 2015.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses historical and textual analysis. It divides the Chinese official discourse on frugality between 1979 and 2015 into four periods: 1979-1992, 1993-2002, 2003-2012 and 2013-2015.
Findings
A Chinese official discourse on frugality persisted between 1979 and 2015, even though during the same period, China transformed from a socialist economy of central planning and insufficient supply to a market economy of excessive supply and weak consumer demand. The intensity of this official discourse frequently vacillated, adjusting to both economic and political conditions of the time as part of the larger political-economic contestation between competing ideas and policies.
Originality/value
There have been calls for more studies on how frugality discourses have evolved in international markets, especially in terms of how they are shaped by local historical antecedents and long-standing tensions. Through the Chinese case, this article illuminates why some traditional values persist and obtain a paradoxical co-existence with consumerist ethos in our modern society.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad Rashid, Afidah Abdul Rahim and Mohd Jain Noordin
The purpose of this paper is to study the inhibitive effect of p‐toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA) doped polyaniline on corrosion of copper in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the inhibitive effect of p‐toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA) doped polyaniline on corrosion of copper in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution.
Design/methodology/approach
The electrochemical deposition of polyaniline doped with p‐TSA on pure copper metal was studied potentiodynamically. The electrochemical study of the working electrode was performed at open‐circuit potential, then using potentiodynamic polarization and also with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 0.1 M HCl solution. The p‐TSA doped polymer deposit was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, with the UV‐vis and thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The morphology of the deposited polymer was studied by scanning electron microscopy.
Findings
The results revealed that the p‐TSA self‐doped polymer had better corrosion inhibition efficiency than did the un‐doped polyaniline. It exhibited approximately 88.9 percent inhibition efficiency at 2x10−3 M concentration of p‐TSA, according to charge transfer resistance (Rct) values evaluated from Nyquist plots.
Research limitations/implications
The high dissolution tendency of metal surfaces generally occurs before the electropolymerization potential of the monomer is achieved. It was difficult to electrodeposit the conducting organic polymer on the surface of metal.
Practical implications
Some organic conducting polymers are toxic and hazardous from the environmental viewpoint. The electrochemical deposition of p‐TSA doped polyaniline is impractical for larger structures.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates that p‐TSA doped polyaniline is environmentally benign and can be used for the protection of copper metal as a cathodic inhibitor.
Details
Keywords
Fanbo Meng, Yixuan Liu, Xiaofei Zhang and Libo Liu
Effectively engaging patients is critical for the sustainable development of online health communities (OHCs). Although physicians’ general knowledge-sharing, which is free to the…
Abstract
Purpose
Effectively engaging patients is critical for the sustainable development of online health communities (OHCs). Although physicians’ general knowledge-sharing, which is free to the public, represents essential resources of OHCs that have been shown to promote patient engagement, little is known about whether such knowledge-sharing can backfire when superfluous knowledge-sharing is perceived as overwhelming and anxiety-provoking. Thus, this study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of general knowledge-sharing in OHCs by exploring the spillover effects of the depth and breadth of general knowledge-sharing on patient engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model is established based on a knowledge-based view and the literature on knowledge-sharing in OHCs. Then the authors test the research model and associated hypotheses with objective data from a leading OHC.
Findings
Although counterintuitive, the findings revealed an inverted U-shape relationship between general knowledge-sharing (depth and breadth of knowledge-sharing) and patient engagement that is positively associated with physicians’ number of patients. Specifically, the positive effects of depth and breadth of general knowledge-sharing increase and then decrease as the quantity of general knowledge-sharing grows. In addition, physicians’ offline and online professional status negatively moderated these curvilinear relationships.
Originality/value
This study further enriches the literature on knowledge-sharing and the operations of OHCs from a novel perspective while also offering significant specific implications for OHCs practitioners.
Details
Keywords
Xuan Tai Mai, Thu Thi Trinh and Chris Ryan
Food delivery apps (FDAs) have rapidly developed due to mobile technologies, changes in modern consumption and increased online use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Food delivery apps (FDAs) have rapidly developed due to mobile technologies, changes in modern consumption and increased online use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the platforms are struggling to build a stable customer base and make a profit. This study combined tech-driven motivators in an information system success model (ISSM) and emotional attachment operated by affect transfer theory (ATT) to explain why people might continue to use an FDA.
Design/methodology/approach
An online quantitative cross-sectional survey was carried out via the Prolific platform. Data were collected from 416 FDA users and analyzed to test the hypotheses using the partial least squares based structural equation modeling.
Findings
The study found that system quality, information quality and emotional attachment directly influence the continued use of FDA. Moreover, the results suggest that perceived social interactivity and perceived playfulness are significant antecedents of emotional attachment.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study enrich the current literature on continuance intention in online food delivery services by integrating the technology- and affective-based factors. The findings also provide various practical implications for app designers and marketers to foster an emotional bond with users, resulting in high retention rate.
Originality/value
The study proposes the integrated framework of ISSM and ATT for enhancing understanding of consumer behaviors in the post-adoption stage for FDA.
Details
Keywords
Xudong Chen, Na Hu, Xue Wang and Xiaofei Tang
The purpose of this study is to examine whether corporate tax avoidance behavior increases firm value in Chinese context. A large number of studies conduct their designs on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine whether corporate tax avoidance behavior increases firm value in Chinese context. A large number of studies conduct their designs on the consumption that tax avoidance represents wealth transfer from government to enterprises and therefore enhances firm value. This study argues that, contrast to developed countries, tax avoidance does not necessarily add value to opaque Chinese firms relative to transparent counterparts due to higher agency costs.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a large sample of Chinese listed-firms data for the period 2001-2009 and fixed effects regression model, this study examines the relation between tax avoidance and firm value. A series of robustness checks are conducted to alleviate the concern of endogeneity.
Findings
The authors find that tax avoidance behavior increases agency costs and reduces firm value. The authors further find that information transparency interacts with corporate tax avoidance, moderating the relation between tax avoidance and firm value. Investors in China react negatively to corporate tax avoidance behavior, but this negative reaction could be mitigated by information transparency. The results are robust to a series of alternative treatments, including varied measures, first-order differential approach and 2SLS.
Originality/value
The results suggest that tax avoidance does not necessarily increase firm value, part of gains are encroached by self-serving managers. Moreover, investors in China downplay the significance of tax avoidance, although corporate information transparency could soften their negative tone.
Details