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1 – 10 of 390Huasi Xu, Yidi Liu, Bingqing Song, Xueyan Yin and Xin Li
Drawing on social network and information diffusion theories, the authors study the impact of the structural characteristics of a seller’s local social network on her promotion…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on social network and information diffusion theories, the authors study the impact of the structural characteristics of a seller’s local social network on her promotion effectiveness in social commerce.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors define a local social network as one formed by a focal seller, her directly connected users and all links among these users. Using data from a large social commerce website in China, the authors build econometric models to investigate how the density, grouping and centralization of local social networks affect the number of likes received by products posted by sellers.
Findings
Local social networks with low density, grouping and centralization are associated with more likes on sellers’ posted products. The negative effects of grouping and centralization are reduced when density is high.
Originality/value
The paper deepens the understanding of the determinants of social commerce success from a network structure perspective. In particular, it draws attention to the role of sellers’ local social networks, forming a foundation for future research on social commerce.
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Xue Zhang, Yezheng Liu, Xin Li and Jianshan Sun
Leveraging information technology (IT) to improve the treatment and support of patients is a widely studied topic in healthcare. For chronic diseases, such as diabetes, the use of…
Abstract
Purpose
Leveraging information technology (IT) to improve the treatment and support of patients is a widely studied topic in healthcare. For chronic diseases, such as diabetes, the use of information technology is even more important since its effect extends from a clinic environment to patients’ daily life. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of one widely adopted information technology, the mobile phone, on diabetes treatment, specifically on the complicated process of patients’ health, emotions and compliance.
Design/methodology/approach
We leverage a unique longitudinal dataset on diabetes patients’ health status in rural areas of China to study the problem. We also cross-link the dataset with mobile carrier data to further differentiate mobile phone use to phone calls and network use. To address the endogeneity concerns, we apply PSM and a series of instrument variables.
Findings
We identify clear evidence that mobile phone use can significantly improve patients’ emotions and compliance, where the effect is generally larger on patients in worse health conditions. While mobile phone calls clearly benefit diabetes patients, we do notice that mobile phone network use has a negative moderating effect with patients’ health condition on improving compliance.
Originality/value
This study not only enriches our theoretical understanding of the role of mobile phones in diabetes management, it also shows the economic benefit of promoting patients’ use of mobile phones, which should be considered by medical care providers and medical policymakers.
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Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to disentangle the mechanism linking digital servitization and manufacturing firm performance. The contributions of the service networks and slack resources are analyzed.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a survey of manufacturing firms that have implemented or are implementing digital service projects in China, this paper examines the mediation effect of service networks and the moderated mediation effect of slack resources to capture the role of service networks and slack resources in the relationship between digital servitization and manufacturing firm performance.
Findings
Both basic and advanced digital services can equally contribute to manufacturing firm performance. Service networks mediate the relationship between basic digital servitization and manufacturing firm performance. No moderated mediation effect of slack resources is found, but slack resources negatively moderate the effects of basic digital services on service networks and positively impact service networks.
Originality/value
The mediating mechanism of service networks in the relationship between digital servitization and manufacturing firm performance is theorized, and it is clarified that service networks mediate the association between basic digital services and manufacturing firm performance but not advanced digital services. Additionally, there is no significant difference in performance implications when manufacturing firms provide basic versus advanced digital services, answering the call for research on the various types of digital servitization. This paper also identifies firms’ slack resources as the boundary conditions under which basic digital services influence service networks and the positive impacts of slack resources on service networks, bridging the network literature, organizational slack literature and digitalization literature under the framework of service ecosystem research.
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Jiaji Zhu, Xin Li, Yushi Jiang and Wenju Ma
Promoting the adoption of digital payments by the elderly plays an important role in the development of the digital economy. The purpose of this study is to build an extended…
Abstract
Purpose
Promoting the adoption of digital payments by the elderly plays an important role in the development of the digital economy. The purpose of this study is to build an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) model to predict the elderly's intention to pay for digital services under COVID-19 epidemic constraints.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the extended TPB model, 320 qualified participants were recruited on the network. The structural equation model was tested using the SmartPLS3.3 tool, and the moderation effects were tested through SPSS26 and the Process macro.
Findings
The results showed that the three dimensions of TPB theory, the basic elements (perceived value and perceived risk), and the external environment (COVID-19 pandemic) were important factors that influence the elderly users' intention to adopt digital payments. Further research found that motivation factors (personal innovativeness, intergenerational support, and social support) can positively moderate these effects.
Research limitations/implications
The results of the study provide a further explanation for understanding the willingness of elderly people to adopt digital payments during the COVID-19 pandemic and bring inspiration to system developers and social managers to reduce the risk of COVID-19 pandemic and increase the share of digital payments for this category.
Originality/value
This paper used the extended TPB theory to construct a fundamental environmental motivation (FEM) framework for understanding the main influencing factors of elderly users' intention to adopt digital payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Taotao Deng, Ting Dan and Weishu Zhao
High-speed railway (HSR) substantially affects tourism development, but this impact remains somewhat controversial. This study aims to explore the HSR–tourism nexus from the…
Abstract
Purpose
High-speed railway (HSR) substantially affects tourism development, but this impact remains somewhat controversial. This study aims to explore the HSR–tourism nexus from the perspective of Chinese local governance. In the context of promotion tournament model in China, this study attempts to explain such controversy by including local leaders.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a data set from 25 cities in China’s Yangtze River Delta region during 2005–2019, this study uses a panel data regression model to examine local leaders’ moderating role in the HSR–tourism nexus.
Findings
The tenure of local leaders has a significant moderating role in the impact of HSR implementation on tourism development. Furthermore, a shorter leaders’ tenure strengthens the boost to tourism development from HSR service.
Originality/value
This paper enriches theoretical framework of leaders’ tournament theory. In addition, this study provides a new perspective to understand the HSR–tourism nexus better. This study identifies the moderating role of local leaders in the HSR–tourism nexus and expands the mechanism research of HSR–tourism nexus, which helps to explain the controversy of the HSR–tourism nexus.
目的
高速铁路(HSR)对旅游业的发展有很大的影响, 但这种影响仍有一定的争议性。本研究从中国地方治理的角度探讨了高铁-旅游之间的关系。在中国晋升锦标赛模式的背景下, 本研究试图通过将地方领导纳入其中来解释这种争论。
研究方法
基于2005-2019年中国长江三角地区25个城市的数据集, 我们利用面板数据回归模型来研究地方官员在高铁-旅游关系中的调节作用。
研究结果
地方官员的任期在高铁开通对旅游业发展的影响中起着重要的调节作用。此外, 较短的官员任期会加强高铁连通对旅游业发展的促进作用。
原创性/价值
本文丰富了官员锦标赛理论的理论框架。此外, 我们的研究为更好地理解高铁与旅游的关系提供了一个新的视角。我们确定了地方领导人在高铁-旅游关系中的调节作用, 拓展了高铁-旅游关系的机制研究, 有助于解释高铁-旅游关系的争论。
Propósito
El tren de alta velocidad (TAV) afecta sustancialmente al desarrollo del turismo, pero este impacto sigue siendo algo controvertido. Este estudio explora el nexo entre el TAV y el turismo desde la perspectiva de la gobernanza local china. En el contexto del modelo de torneo de promoción en China, este estudio intenta explicar dicha controversia incluyendo a los líderes locales.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Basándonos en un conjunto de datos de 25 ciudades de la región china del delta del río Yangtze durante el periodo 2005-2019, utilizamos un modelo de regresión de datos de panel para examinar el papel moderador de los líderes locales en el nexo entre el TAV y el turismo.
Resultados
El mandato de los líderes locales tiene un papel moderador significativo en el impacto de la implementación del TAV en el desarrollo del turismo. Además, un mandato más corto de los líderes refuerza el impulso al desarrollo turístico del servicio de TAV.
Originalidad/Valor
Este trabajo enriquece el marco teórico de la teoría del torneo de líderes. Además, nuestro estudio proporciona una nueva perspectiva para entender mejor el nexo entre el TAV y el turismo. Identificamos el papel moderador de los líderes locales en el nexo TAV-Turismo y ampliamos la investigación del mecanismo de dicho nexo, lo que ayuda a explicar la controversia del nexo.
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Qi Yao, Chao Hu and Jianjian Du
To provide theoretical guidance on improving luxury brands’ marketing performance, this study aims to examine the impact mechanism and boundary conditions of luxury brand buyers’…
Abstract
Purpose
To provide theoretical guidance on improving luxury brands’ marketing performance, this study aims to examine the impact mechanism and boundary conditions of luxury brand buyers’ consumption resources on observers’ brand attitudes from the perspective of consumers’ power distance beliefs (PDBs).
Design/methodology/approach
Four experimental studies were conducted. Study 1 examined the influence of the interaction of consumption resources and PDBs on luxury brand attitudes; Study 2 examined the mediating role of prestige perception. Study 3 excluded alternative explanations of (dis)association motivation and envy. Finally, Study 4 examined the moderating effect of brand relationship norms.
Findings
Consumers with low PDBs had lower attitudes towards luxury brands when consumption resources were acquired through luck (rather than effort). However, no significant difference in luxury brand attitudes was found between these two consumer groups when PDBs were high. Consumers’ perceptions of prestige played a mediating role in the main effect, whereas brand relationship norms moderated the main effect.
Originality/value
First, this study reveals the unique role of PDBs in shaping consumer attitudes towards luxury brands. Second, it uses consumption resources as a signal for luxury consumption and identifies a way to influence consumers’ attitudes towards luxury brands, namely, their perceptions of prestige. Third, it uncovers the influence of consumers’ brand relationship norms on the formation of luxury brand attitudes.
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Jiayuan Yan, Xiaoliang Zhang and Yanming Wang
As a high-performance engineering plastic, polyimide (PI) is widely used in the aerospace, electronics and automotive industries. This paper aims to review the latest progress in…
Abstract
Purpose
As a high-performance engineering plastic, polyimide (PI) is widely used in the aerospace, electronics and automotive industries. This paper aims to review the latest progress in the tribological properties of PI-based composites, especially the effects of nanofiller selection, composite structure design and material modification on the tribological and mechanical properties of PI-matrix composites.
Design/methodology/approach
The preparation technology of PI and its composites is introduced and the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon fibers (CFs), graphene and its derivatives on the mechanical and tribological properties of PI-based composites are discussed. The effects of different nanofillers on tensile strength, tensile modulus, coefficient of friction and wear rate of PI-based composites are compared.
Findings
CNTs can serve as the strengthening and lubricating phase of PI, whereas CFs can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the matrix. Two-dimensional graphene and its derivatives have a high modulus of elasticity and self-lubricating properties, making them ideal nanofillers to improve the lubrication performance of PI. In addition, copolymerization can improve the fracture toughness and impact resistance of PI, thereby enhancing its mechanical properties.
Originality/value
The mechanical and tribological properties of PI matrix composites vary depending on the nanofiller. Compared with nanofibers and nanoparticles, layered reinforcements can better improve the friction properties of PI composites. The synergistic effect of different composite fillers will become an important research system in the field of tribology in the future.
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Lin Yang, Jiaming Lou, Junuo Zhou, Xianbo Zhao and Zhou Jiang
With multiple-related organizations, worldwide infections, deep economic recession and public disorder, and large consumption amount of anti-epidemic resources, the coronavirus…
Abstract
Purpose
With multiple-related organizations, worldwide infections, deep economic recession and public disorder, and large consumption amount of anti-epidemic resources, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been defined as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Nowadays, Wuhan has recovered from the pandemic disaster and reentered normalization. The purposes of this study are to (1) summarize organization collaboration patterns, successful experience and latent defects under across-stage evolution of Wuhan's cooperation governance mode against the pandemic, and on the basis, (2) reveal how the COVID-19 development trends and organizations' collaborative behaviors affected each other.
Design/methodology/approach
Detailed content analysis of online news reports covering COVID-19 prevention and control measures on the website of Wuhan Municipal Government was adopted to identify organizations and their mutual collaborative interrelationships. Four complex network (CN) models of organization collaboration representing the outbreak, preliminary control, recession and normalization stages, respectively, were established then. Time-span-based dynamic parameter analyses of the proposed networks, comprising network cohesiveness analysis and node centrality analysis, were undertaken to indicate changes of global and local characteristics in networks.
Findings
First, the definite collaborative status of Wuhan Headquarters for Pandemic Prevention and Control (WHPPC) has persisted throughout the period. Medical institutions and some other administrations were the most crucial participants collaborating with the WHPPC. Construction-industry organizations altered pandemic development trends twice to make the situation controllable. Media, large-scale enterprises, etc. set about underscoring themselves contributions since the third stage. Grassroots cadres and healthcare force, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), financial institutions, etc. were essential collaborated objects. Second, four evolution mechanisms of organization collaboration responding to the COVID-19 in Wuhan has been proposed.
Research limitations/implications
First, universality of Wuhan-style governance experience may be affected. Second, the stage-dividing process may not be the most appropriate. Then, data source was single and link characteristics were not considered when modeling.
Practical implications
This study may offer beneficial action guidelines to governmental agencies, the society force, media, construction-industry organizations and the market in other countries or regions suffering from COVID-19. Other organizations involved could also learn from the concluded organizations' contributions and four evolution mechanisms to find improvement directions.
Originality/value
This study adds to the current theoretical knowledge body by verifying the feasibility and effectiveness of investigating cooperation governance in public emergencies from the perspectives of analyzing the across-stage organization collaboration CNs.
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Yassin Denis Bouzzine and Rainer Lueg
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize how past corporate social responsibility (CSR) affects the occurrence of organizational misconduct by the means of moral licensing.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize how past corporate social responsibility (CSR) affects the occurrence of organizational misconduct by the means of moral licensing.
Design/methodology/approach
To this end, the authors conduct a conceptual review and develop a framework illustrating how moral credits and moral credentials (moral licensing) may institutionalize irresponsibility and lead to subsequent misconduct.
Findings
The authors propose a conceptual framework that describes the relationship between past CSR and organizational misconduct by the means of moral licensing. Based on initial literature-based findings, this paper provides confirmatory evidence for the authors’ framework and illustrates that past CSR might be used as a moral licensing tool that eventually fosters the occurrence of organizational misconduct.
Research limitations/implications
The authors propose future researchers account for the moral licensing effect when examining the antecedents of misconduct and explore the potential moderators of this effect.
Practical implications
The authors recommend that organizations establish management control systems that specifically address the issue of moral licensing when evaluating CSR initiatives. The authors also propose that organizations should adhere to a consistent CSR strategy that potentially fosters the selection of moral leaders who are not prone to moral licensing.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to connect corporate social responsibility, moral licensing and organizational misconduct from a conceptual perspective.
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Meigui Yin, Lei Zhang and Longxiang Huang
The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of surface salt spray duration on the fretting wear and electrochemical corrosion behaviors of Inconel 690 alloy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of surface salt spray duration on the fretting wear and electrochemical corrosion behaviors of Inconel 690 alloy.
Design/methodology/approach
A high-temperature steam generator was applied to salt spray test samples, a fretting wear rig was used to realize the damage behavior tests, an electrochemical workstation was applied to analysis the changes of each sample’s corrosion dynamic response before and after fretting wear.
Findings
The thickness of the oxide film that formed on sample surface was increased with the salt spray duration, and somewhat it could act as lubrication during the fretting wear process; however, the corrosive chloride would accelerate the fretting mechanical damage behavior.
Originality/value
In a salt steam spray condition, the fretting tribo-corrosion behaviors of Inconel 690 alloy surface was studied.
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