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1 – 10 of 390
Article
Publication date: 12 July 2021

An Xia Wan, Zhaoqiang Zhong, Chaoyu Zheng, Xuan Zhao and Ehsan Elahi

Based on the perspective of stakeholders, this paper aims to construct the corporate social responsibility (CSR) evaluation system, aiming at encouraging enterprises to actively…

Abstract

Purpose

Based on the perspective of stakeholders, this paper aims to construct the corporate social responsibility (CSR) evaluation system, aiming at encouraging enterprises to actively undertake social responsibility, formulating targeted countermeasures to improve the performance level of social responsibility and realizing its sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from 2014 to 2018 of pharmaceutical companies in China to estimate the CSR system. Based on the analytic hierarchy process, the coefficient of variation uses to determine the weight of each index. Moreover, the cloud model uses for empirical evaluation.

Findings

The results reveal that social responsibility evaluation of pharmaceutical companies is poor to average to good and it maintains a good development trend. The order of the weight of corporate stakeholders is shareholders, employees, consumers, creditors, suppliers and government. The importance of internal stakeholders is higher than that of external stakeholders. The comprehensive cloud evaluation value of the social responsibility evaluation of pharmaceutical companies are “ordinary,” and the effect of comprehensive social responsibility performance is not good.

Originality/value

The current study not only considers the uncertainty of the concept of CSR but also reflects the connection between the randomness of pharmaceutical companies and the ambiguity of CSR. Moreover, this study develops a three-dimensional evaluation of “enterprise-year-indicator” by studying the data of multiple companies in different years. In terms of the modeling concept, the two-way cognition between the connotation and conceptual extension of the cloud model is fully used to realize the uncertainty mapping between the evaluation set and the indicator set.

Article
Publication date: 24 October 2022

Chaoyu Zheng, Benhong Peng, Xuan Zhao, Guo Wei, Anxia Wan and Mu Yue

How to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of public health emergencies (PHEs) is of great practical significance to carry out a scientific and effective risk assessment…

Abstract

Purpose

How to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of public health emergencies (PHEs) is of great practical significance to carry out a scientific and effective risk assessment. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors propose a new approach to identify the CSFs by hesitant fuzzy linguistic set and a Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach. First, a larger group of experts are clustered into three groups according to similarity degree. Then, the weight of each cluster is determined by the maximum consensus method, and the overall direct influence matrix is obtained by clustering with hesitant fuzzy linguistic weighted geometric (HFLWG) operators. Finally, the overall direct influence matrix is transformed into the crisp direct impact matrix by the score function, and 11 CSFs of PHEs are identified by using the extended DEMATEL method.

Findings

In addition, an example of PHEs shows that the approach has good identification applicability. The approach can be used to solve the problems of fuzziness and subjectivity in linguistic assessments, and it can be applied to identify the customer service framework with the linguistic assessments process in emergency management.

Originality/value

This paper extends the above DEMATEL method to study in the hesitant fuzzy linguistic context. This proposed hybrid approach has a wider application in the high-risk area where disasters frequently occur.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 75 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 September 2021

Xuan Zhao, Hancheng Yu, Mingkui Feng and Gang Sun

Robot automatic grasping has important application value in industrial applications. Recent works have explored on the performance of deep learning for robotic grasp detection…

Abstract

Purpose

Robot automatic grasping has important application value in industrial applications. Recent works have explored on the performance of deep learning for robotic grasp detection. They usually use oriented anchor boxes (OABs) as detection prior and achieve better performance than previous works. However, the parameters of their loss belong to different coordinates, this may affect the regression accuracy. This paper aims to propose an oriented regression loss to solve the problem of inconsistency among the loss parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

In the oriented loss, the center coordinates errors between the ground truth grasp rectangle and the predicted grasp rectangle rotate to the vertical and horizontal of the OAB. And then the direction error is used as an orientation factor, combining with the errors of the rotated center coordinates, width and height of the predicted grasp rectangle.

Findings

The proposed oriented regression loss is evaluated on the YOLO-v3 framework to the grasp detection task. It yields state-of-the-art performance with an accuracy of 98.8% and a speed of 71 frames per second with GTX 1080Ti on Cornell datasets.

Originality/value

This paper proposes an oriented loss to improve the regression accuracy of deep learning for grasp detection. The authors apply the proposed deep grasp network to the visual servo intelligent crane. The experimental result indicates that the approach is accurate and robust enough for real-time grasping applications.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 49 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2019

Weihua Liu, Di Wang, Xuan Zhao, Cheng Si and Ou Tang

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influencing factors of new logistics service product design (NLSPD) in China to establish a theoretical framework for the future…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influencing factors of new logistics service product design (NLSPD) in China to establish a theoretical framework for the future development of the logistics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the multi-case study method based on a sample of four Chinese logistics enterprises, in which the authors consider the logistics service maturity (LSM), a distinct characteristic of logistics enterprises.

Findings

NLSPD is directly related to the degree of supply–demand matching (SDM) and LSM. Customer demand, service capability and peer competition influence the performance of NLSPD through the SDM degree, whereas LSM moderates these influencing mechanisms. Moreover, the degree of SDM has a positive impact on LSM.

Practical implications

The findings can help the managers of logistics enterprises and practitioners in the logistics industry understand the complexity of NLSPD. First, they should broaden and deepen their service offering to enhance the degree of LSM. Second, they should pay attention to the factors that affect SDM systematically. Finally, it is vital to balance the relationship between LSM and SDM.

Originality/value

NLSPD has become an important tool affecting the competitiveness and sustainability of logistics service enterprises. This is the first paper to propose a theoretical framework for NLSPD that considers the characteristic of the logistics industry. It clarifies the mechanisms of influencing factors, and contributes to the literature by filling the research gap.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2023

Chathuri Gunarathna, Rebecca Yang, Pabasara Wijeratne Mudiyanselage, Gayashan Amarasinghe, Tharushi Samarasinghalage, R.P. Nilmini Weerasinghe, Hongying Zhao, Chaoxiang Zhang, Chengyang Liu, Kaige Wang and Sujan Dev Sureshkumar Jayakumari

Project-based learning is one of the most effective methods of transferring academic knowledge and skills to real-world situations in higher education. However, its effectiveness…

Abstract

Purpose

Project-based learning is one of the most effective methods of transferring academic knowledge and skills to real-world situations in higher education. However, its effectiveness is not much investigated focusing on the students' narrative. This study aims at evaluating the students' experience and perspective on adopting project-based learning in master by research and doctoral programmes for proactive skills development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study evaluates the self-reflection of 10 postgraduate students and their supervisor who have participated in developing a software tool for solar photovoltaics (PV) integrated building envelope design, management and the related education.

Findings

Findings reveal that the students have effectively improved their knowledge on the subject via collaborating with the industry, self-learning/observation, peer learning, problem-solving and teamwork. Dividing the project into student-led tasks has improved the decision-making and leadership skills, risks identification, planning and time management skills. The overall experience has (1) built up confidence in students, (2) enhanced their creativity and critical thinking and (3) improved their proactive skills and context knowledge.

Originality/value

A clear research gap can be seen in exploring the effectiveness of project-based learning for master by research and doctoral programmes, which mainly focus on extensive research. These programmes do not necessarily focus on developing students' proactive skills, which is the main requirement if they intend to work in the construction industry. This paper addresses the above research gap by demonstrating the effectiveness of project-based learning for developing the proactive skills in a research-intensive learning environment.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 July 2010

Xuan Zhao, Run H. Niu and Ignacio Castillo

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the selection of a distribution channel strategy for a non‐profit organization selling products or services to its end customers.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the selection of a distribution channel strategy for a non‐profit organization selling products or services to its end customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Two channel strategies are generally considered: an integrated channel where the non‐profit organization sells its products or services using its own selling departments or branches; and a decentralized channel where the non‐profit organization sells through a for‐profit retailer. The fundamental question is: how should a non‐profit organization select its distribution channel strategy under certain market conditions?

Findings

It was found that selecting a decentralized channel strategy results in an optimal retail price that is higher than that under an integrated channel strategy, which results in lower customer welfare under the decentralized channel. It was also found that a decentralized channel behaves as an integrated fully for‐profit channel. Thus, whether a non‐profit organization should choose an integrated or a decentralized channel when facing competition from an integrated or a decentralized fully for‐profit channel depends on its cost structure and the level of substitutability of the products or services offered by the two channels.

Practical implications

When competing with an integrated fully for‐profit channel, the non‐profit organization is better off using an integrated channel under strong competition or a decentralized channel under weak competition. When competing with a decentralized fully for‐profit channel, the selection is more complicated. It was found that a decentralized channel is the best choice if the price competition factor, where threshold value depends on the cost structure, is large.

Originality/value

Non‐profit organizations have a clear (perhaps increasing) need for distribution centers or retailers in order to reach people who need their products or services. Moreover, it has been reported that the interactions between for‐profit and non‐profit sectors continue to grow, thus increasing the forms of community involvement available to reach people. It is thus clear that additional research is needed to better understand the selection of a distribution channel strategy for a non‐profit organization selling products or services to its end customers, and also the related managerial implications.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 44 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 November 2018

Sultan Alamri

With the rapid development of the indoor spaces positioning technologies such as the radio-frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth and WI-FI, the locations of indoor spatial…

Abstract

Purpose

With the rapid development of the indoor spaces positioning technologies such as the radio-frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth and WI-FI, the locations of indoor spatial objects (static or moving) constitute an important foundation for a variety of applications. However, there are many challenges and limitations associated with the structuring and querying of spatial objects in indoor spaces. The purpose of this study is to address the current trends, limitations and future challenges associated with the structuring and querying of spatial objects in indoor spaces. Also it addresses the related features of indoor spaces such as indoor structures, positioning technologies and others.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the author focuses on understanding the aspects and challenges of spatial database managements in indoor spaces. The author explains the differences between indoor spaces and outdoor spaces. Also examines the issues pertaining to indoor spaces positioning and the impact of different shapes and structures within these spaces. In addition, the author considers the varieties of spatial queries that relate specifically to indoor spaces.

Findings

Most of the research on data management in indoor spaces does not consider the issues and the challenges associated with indoor positioning such as the overlapping of Wi-Fi. The future trend of the indoor spaces includes included different shapes of indoors beside the current 2D indoor spaces on which the majority of the data structures and query processing for spatial objects have focused on. The diversities of the indoor environments features such as directed floors, multi-floors cases should be considered and studied. Furthermore, indoor environments include many special queries besides the common ones queries that used in outdoor spaces such as KNN, range and temporal queries. These special queries need to be considered in data management and querying of indoor environments.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper successfully addresses the current trends, limitations and future challenges associated with the structuring and querying of spatial objects in indoor spaces.

Details

International Journal of Web Information Systems, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1744-0084

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 July 2023

Nicola Cobelli and Emanuele Blasioli

The purpose of this study is to introduce new tools to develop a more precise and focused bibliometric analysis on the field of digitalization in healthcare management…

1062

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce new tools to develop a more precise and focused bibliometric analysis on the field of digitalization in healthcare management. Furthermore, this study aims to provide an overview of the existing resources in healthcare management and education and other developing interdisciplinary fields.

Design/methodology/approach

This work uses bibliometric analysis to conduct a comprehensive review to map the use of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) research models in healthcare academic studies. Bibliometric studies are considered an important tool to evaluate research studies and to gain a comprehensive view of the state of the art.

Findings

Although UTAUT dates to 2003, our bibliometric analysis reveals that only since 2016 has the model, together with UTAUT2 (2012), had relevant application in the literature. Nonetheless, studies have shown that UTAUT and UTAUT2 are particularly suitable for understanding the reasons that underlie the adoption and non-adoption choices of eHealth services. Further, this study highlights the lack of a multidisciplinary approach in the implementation of eHealth services. Equally significant is the fact that many studies have focused on the acceptance and the adoption of eHealth services by end users, whereas very few have focused on the level of acceptance of healthcare professionals.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to conduct a bibliometric analysis of technology acceptance and adoption by using advanced tools that were conceived specifically for this purpose. In addition, the examination was not limited to a certain era and aimed to give a worldwide overview of eHealth service acceptance and adoption.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 35 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 November 2020

Shuguang Zhao and Xuan Wu

“Fostered idols” refer to entertainment idols and young stars-in-the-making who begin their careers as amateurs. Today, the fostered idol model has become increasingly popular in…

3572

Abstract

Purpose

“Fostered idols” refer to entertainment idols and young stars-in-the-making who begin their careers as amateurs. Today, the fostered idol model has become increasingly popular in China, and fans demonstrate incredible consumption power. Despite the booming market, little is known about this phenomenon. Therefore, this study aims to explore fans’ motivations and consumption practices from the consumer’s perspective within the framework of self-determination theory.

Design/methodology/approach

In all 20 in-depth interviews with fostered idol fans were conducted through online phone calls. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and subsequently analysed using a grounded approach.

Findings

The results indicate that fans’ consumption practices are motivated both intrinsically and extrinsically. Intrinsic motivation includes sensory pleasure while extrinsic motivations are composed of a sense of being needed and a sense of success. Extrinsic motivations play a dominant role and reflect the needs of relatedness and competence. Additionally, consumption practices are found to be consistent with motivations.

Research limitations/implications

The results show the crucial role of psychological satisfaction experienced by fans in the consumption of the fostered idol and highlight the importance of a relatedness- and competence-supportive environment to secure fans’ persistent consumption and loyalty.

Originality/value

This study focuses on fans of fostered idols that has not been explored in existing studies and offers valuable insights regarding the similarities and differences between fan consumption in China and other Asian countries. The results will inform marketing practitioners for the development of effective strategies and business decisions.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. 38 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2011

Jia Beisi and Jiang Yingying

Although an important facet of modernist architecture in which function plays a prominent role, building flexibility is not entirely a new concept. Its relevance transcends…

Abstract

Although an important facet of modernist architecture in which function plays a prominent role, building flexibility is not entirely a new concept. Its relevance transcends generations, allowing space and structure to evolve through time. This paper investigates the relationship among main building structures, infill elements, and space by studying examples in ancient Chinese architecture. It reveals the role of building owners, users, and craftsmen from a survey of historical documentation. In studying these examples, it is concluded that craftsmen in ancient China were involved not only during the construction phase but throughout the period of use as well. Thus, in select cases, the relationship between craftsmen and owners or users had been preserved for generations. Finally, this paper suggests potential strategies for the building industry and technology in the move towards sustainable development.

Details

Open House International, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

1 – 10 of 390