Liying Zhou, Fei Jin, Banggang Wu, Xiaodong Wang, Valerie Lynette Wang and Zhi Chen
This study aims to examine if the participation of live-stream influencers (LSIs) affects tipping frequency on live streaming platforms, and further investigate the mediating and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine if the participation of live-stream influencers (LSIs) affects tipping frequency on live streaming platforms, and further investigate the mediating and moderating mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
Quasi-experiment and difference-in-differences models are used for data analysis. Propensity score matching is used to address potential unobservable endogeneity.
Findings
Real-time live streaming data reveal that LSIs’ participation significantly improves tipping frequency in live streaming rooms. Also, more users are attracted to the live streaming rooms and more users become active in participation. Additionally, the positive impact of LSIs’ participation is enhanced in the live streaming rooms with a greater number of relationship links between users.
Research limitations/implications
The findings clarify the new role of influencers and reveal the mechanisms on how LSIs benefit the platforms.
Practical implications
The findings offer novel insights into implementing influencer marketing to interactive social media platforms, by encouraging influencer participation, user relationship building and influencer network growth.
Originality/value
This study highlights the value of LSIs for interactive social media platforms in terms of organic growth, revenue generation and cost reduction.
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Shenglan Huang, Zhi Chen, Hefu Liu and Liying Zhou
This paper aims to examine the moderating effects of job alternatives and policy support on the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the moderating effects of job alternatives and policy support on the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted in China. The study sample consisted of employees from organizations of different sizes, ownerships and industry types. Finally, 462 valid questionnaires were obtained.
Findings
Cognitive job satisfaction has a stronger negative effect on turnover than affective job satisfaction, and both effects depend on the factors related to ease of movement. Cognitive job satisfaction is more effective when job alternative is low and policy support is high, whereas affective job satisfaction leads to lesser turnover when job alternative is high and policy support is low.
Research limitations/implications
First, the demography of the respondents may have limited the generalizability of our findings. Second, this study has the limitation common to all cross-sectional studies. Third, this study focuses on turnover intention of employees rather than actual turnover rates. Finally, although the authors have identified specific factors related to ease of movement as the moderators by drawing upon the organizational equilibrium theory and current HRM literature, there may be other moderators that can affect the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover.
Practical implications
HRM managers should apply organizational HRM to the local institutional environment, especially to the human resource policies of local governments, which vary significantly across regions in China.
Social implications
HRM managers should be very cautious to approach career development task in China, especially when they have an attitude of whatever works in mature economies will surely work in organizations in Chinese society.
Originality/value
The findings extend previous career development literature that assumes unconditional effects of job satisfaction on turnover intention. With the objective of exploring the effects of conditional factors, the current study explores the special role of job alternatives and policy support in the job satisfaction – turnover relationship in the context of China. Additionally, the findings provide support for the application of organizational equilibrium theory in the context of China.
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Yajun Zhang, Zhuoyan Shao, Jin Zhang, Banggang Wu and Liying Zhou
Facilitated by image retouch tools, social media influencers can digitally enhance their self-image in product recommendation posts. This paper proposes that image enhancement may…
Abstract
Purpose
Facilitated by image retouch tools, social media influencers can digitally enhance their self-image in product recommendation posts. This paper proposes that image enhancement may serve as a cue for the audience to assess the authenticity of the influencer (“true to oneself”), which further affects the influencer's product recommendation effectiveness (i.e. attitudes toward the post and recommended product).
Design/methodology/approach
Experiment 1 examines the effect of image enhancement on consumers' perceived influencer authenticity and product recommendation effectiveness. Experiment 2 considers the moderating role of post type, examining the effects in informational versus storytelling posts.
Findings
Consumers perceived an influencer to be more authentic when the image is not enhanced; in turn, consumers reported more favorable attitudes toward the post and the recommended product upon reading the post. The effects are moderated by post type: the effect of image enhancement (through perceived influencer authenticity) exists in posts using an informational message format but is attenuated for those using a storytelling message format.
Originality/value
This research enriches the literature on authenticity cues by documenting a novel visual cue and contributes to influencer marketing by identifying a nuanced interactive effect between image enhancement and post type on recommendation effectiveness.
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Jin Zhang, Xinmai Li, Banggang Wu, Liying Zhou and Xiang Chen
A critical step in influencer marketing is influencer outreach, where a brand reaches out to an influencer and forms a partnership. Yet little is known about how factors related…
Abstract
Purpose
A critical step in influencer marketing is influencer outreach, where a brand reaches out to an influencer and forms a partnership. Yet little is known about how factors related to this process might influence the outcomes of sponsored posts. To address this gap, the authors investigated whether, how and when the order of influencers' product use and brand outreach (i.e. use/outreach order) affects post persuasiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted three experimental studies. Studies 1 and 2 examined the effect of disclosure type (use-first, outreach-later vs. outreach-first, use-later vs. no disclosure) on consumers' responses to the post. Study 3 investigated the moderating effects of compensation disclosure type.
Findings
The results revealed that when the influencer used the product before (vs. after) being contacted by the brand, consumers had more favorable attitudes about the product and greater purchase intention upon reading the sponsored posts; perceived information diagnosticity mediated this effect. However, this tendency was mitigated if the influencer disclosed the specific monetary payment from the brand.
Originality/value
This research advances understanding of sponsorship disclosure and provides a way to manage its impact on message persuasiveness.
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Abstract
Purpose
Current virtual simulation platforms provide various tools to generate non-immersive simulation processes purposefully in different domains. The generated simulation processes are adopted for analysis, presentation, demonstration and verification. In the virtual maintenance domain, this intuitive and visual method has benefitted product maintainability design and improvement. Generating an ideal and reasonable non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation is always time-consuming because of the complicated human operations and logical relationships involved. This study aims to propose a semiautomatic approach to increase efficiency in non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology analyzes the general catalogs of common maintenance tasks and explores the corresponding secondary development approaches of simulation tools that can achieve motion simulation in virtual environments, by focusing on the diversity, complexity and uncertainty in non-immersive virtual simulation process generation. Afterward, a single virtual human motion can be generated by controlling the parameters and indices of the simulation tools. Subsequently, all of the generated single motions are connected logically to simulate the entire maintenance process.
Findings
Instead of selecting various tools, such as that in a traditional method, the proposed methodology analyzes and integrates the necessary basic parameters considering the characteristics of virtual maintenance simulation for a target maintenance activity.
Originality/value
The user can control the predefined parameters to generate the simulation combining several other simple operations in virtual environments. Consequently, the methodology decreases simulation tool selection and logic consideration and increases efficiency to a certain extent in non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation generation.
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Yangwei Wang, Peilun Lv, Jian Li, Liying Yu, Guodong Yuan and Yanling Guo
This paper aims to propose a suitable atomizing solidification chitosan (CS) gel liquid extrusion molding technology for the three dimensional (3D) printing method, and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a suitable atomizing solidification chitosan (CS) gel liquid extrusion molding technology for the three dimensional (3D) printing method, and experiments verify the feasibility of this method.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper mainly uses experimental means, combined with theoretical research. The preparation method, solidification forming method and 3D printing method of CS gel solution were studied. The CS gel printing mechanism and printing error sources are analyzed on the basis of the CS gel ink printing results, printing performance with different ratios of components by constructing a gel print prototype, experiments evaluating the CS gel printing technology and the effects of the process parameters on the scaffold formation.
Findings
CS printing ink was prepared; the optimal formula was found; the 3 D printing experiment of CS was completed; the optimal printing parameters were obtained; and the reliability of the forming prototype, printing ink and gel printing process was verified, which allowed for the possibility to apply the 3 D printing technology to the manufacturing of a CS gel structure.
Originality/value
This study can provide theoretical and technical support for the potential application of CS 3 D printed gels in tissue engineering.
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Wenyao Niu, Yuan Rong and Liying Yu
The purpose of this study is to establish a synthetic group decision framework based on the Pythagorean fuzzy (PF) set to select the optimal medicine cold chain logistics provider…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to establish a synthetic group decision framework based on the Pythagorean fuzzy (PF) set to select the optimal medicine cold chain logistics provider (MCCLP). Fierce market competition makes enterprises must constantly improve every link in the process of enterprise sustainable development. The evaluation of MCCLP in pharmaceutical enterprises is an important link to enhance the comprehensive competitiveness. Because of the fuzziness of expert cognition and the complexity of the decision procedure, PF set can effectively handle the uncertainty and ambiguity in the process of multi-criteria group decision decision-making (MCGDM).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper develops an integrated group decision framework through combining the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique and combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) approach to select a satisfactory MCCLP within PF circumstances. First, the PF set is used to process the ambiguity and uncertainty of the cognition ability of experts. Second, a novel PF knowledge measure is propounded to measure the vagueness of the PF set. Third, a comprehensive criterion weight determination technique is developed through aggregating subjective weights attained utilizing the PF DEMATEL approach and objective weight deduced by knowledge measure method. Furthermore, an integrated MCGDM approach based on synthetic weight and CoCoSo method is constructed.
Findings
The outcomes of sensibility analysis and comparison investigation show that the suggested decision framework can help decision experts to choose a satisfactory MCCLP scientifically and reasonably. Accordingly, the propounded comprehensive decision framework can be recommended to enterprises and organizations to assess the MCCLP for their improvement of core competitiveness.
Originality/value
MCCLP selection is not only momentous for pharmaceutical enterprises to improve transportation quality and ensure medicine safety but also provides a strong guarantee for enterprises to improve their core competitiveness. Nevertheless, enterprises face certain challenges due to the uncertainty of the assessment environment as well as human cognition in the process of choosing a satisfactory MCCLP. PF set possesses a formidable capability to address the uncertainty and imprecision information in the process of MCGDM. Therefore, pharmaceutical enterprises can implement the proposed method to evaluate the suppliers to further improve the comprehensive profit of enterprises.
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Ying Li, Ke Yang, Jin Chen, Sumeet Gupta and Feiyang Ning
Drawing upon the Elaboration Likelihood Model, the purpose of this paper is to examine how the characteristics of social media moderate the effect of a firm’s apology on the…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing upon the Elaboration Likelihood Model, the purpose of this paper is to examine how the characteristics of social media moderate the effect of a firm’s apology on the attitude of its customers.
Design/methodology/approach
An online experiment including 360 active users of internet was employed to test the research model.
Findings
Results revealed that an after-crisis apology and firm reputation both have a positive effect on after-crisis user attitude toward the firm. Furthermore, the positive effect of apology becomes stronger as online media interactivity increases, whereas the positive effect of reputation becomes weaker.
Research limitations/implications
This study included only one important characteristic of social media, and experimental scenarios were limited to car recall crisis. Considering that social media has so many platforms that may have different kinds of interactivity, further studies can be conducted to figure out the most suitable social media for firms to deal with an online crisis.
Practical implications
The results inform managers of the importance of after-crisis apology and firm reputation. It is worthwhile for managers to find out the levels of online media interactivity at which users focus on apology and reputation and accordingly conduct an effective online crisis management response strategy.
Originality/value
This study extends the literature on online crisis management and the literature on ELM by highlighting the role of online media interactivity in influencing the persuasive effectiveness of firm’s crisis response in the context of social media.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyze the reliability and validity of doctoral candidates’ innovative personality model.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the reliability and validity of doctoral candidates’ innovative personality model.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on doctoral candidates’ innovative personality model, this study took the best correlation and the worst correlation into account to predict and demonstrate their innovative ability tendencies. Matlab R2016a, a program of software programming, was used to calculate the contribution degree of each personality factor of doctoral candidates to their innovative ability tendencies.
Findings
The reliability and validity of doctoral candidates’ innovative personality model based on grey target theory have been verified, and the prediction for doctoral candidates’ innovative ability tendencies can be realized on the basis of this model.
Practical implications
Scientific and reasonable doctoral candidates’ innovative personality model can play a good guiding role, and its research results have certain practical significance for selecting innovative doctoral candidates, ensuring the training quality of doctoral candidates and cultivating the innovative ability of doctoral candidates. It can be promoted and applied on the basis of its trial operation in Jiangsu.
Originality/value
With regard to the relative degree of the influence of doctoral candidates’ individual personality factors, previous researchers seldom carried out the quantitative research. In this paper, the author sought a quantitative method to describe the degree of such influence and constructed the doctoral candidates’ innovative personality model based on grey target decision making. This study took the positive and negative off-target distance into account and demonstrated the rationality and validity of doctoral candidates’ innovative personality model.
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Vitus Mwinteribo Tabie, Chong Li, Wang Saifu, Jianwei Li and Xiaojing Xu
This paper aims to present a broad review of near-a titanium alloys for high-temperature applications.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a broad review of near-a titanium alloys for high-temperature applications.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a brief introduction of titanium (Ti) alloys, this paper considers the near-α group of Ti alloys, which are the most popular high-temperature Ti alloys developed for a high-temperature application, particularly in compressor disc and blades in aero-engines. The paper is relied on literature within the past decade to discuss phase stability and microstructural effect of alloying elements, plastic deformation and reinforcements used in the development of these alloys.
Findings
The near-a Ti alloys show high potential for high-temperature applications, and many researchers have explored the incorporation of TiC, TiB SiC, Y2O3, La2O3 and Al2O3 reinforcements for improved mechanical properties. Rolling, extrusion, forging and some severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques, as well as heat treatment methods, have also been explored extensively. There is, however, a paucity of information on SiC, Y2O3 and carbon nanotube reinforcements and their combinations for improved mechanical properties. Information on some SPD techniques such as cyclic extrusion compression, multiaxial compression/forging and repeated corrugation and straightening for this class of alloys is also limited.
Originality/value
This paper provides a topical, technical insight into developments in near-a Ti alloys using literature from within the past decade. It also outlines the future developments of this class of Ti alloys.