Deshuai Hou, Junnan Yan, Qiong Sun and Ying Chen
Sustainable development requires companies to achieve a long-term balance between the economic, environmental and social spheres in their development process, and is not limited…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainable development requires companies to achieve a long-term balance between the economic, environmental and social spheres in their development process, and is not limited to long-term commercial success. Enhancing corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance plays a critical role in achieving sustainable economic and social development. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the influence of short-selling on corporate ESG performance and unravel the mechanisms involved.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use the data from Chinese A-share listed companies spanning from 2010 to 2021 as the research sample and conduct empirical research using mediating effect model, instrumental variables and difference-in-differences methods.
Findings
The findings suggest that short-selling has a positive impact on ESG performance, thus, contributing to the realization of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and achieving a balanced development of economy, environment and society, rather than only promoting corporate longevity. This can be attributed to short-selling’s ability to strengthen supervision constraints on firms, improve firms’ intrinsic capabilities and promote firms’ green technological innovation. Furthermore, the ESG-enhancing effects of short-selling are contingent upon the internal and external governance levels of the firms. That is, short-selling has a more significant effect on ESG performance enhancement for firms with weaker internal and external governance. The extended analysis finds that concerning firms’ market advantage, the positive impact of short-selling on ESG is more pronounced for firms with weak monopoly power and those facing intense industry competition. In addition, when examining firms’ individual characteristics, the ESG-enhancing effect of short-selling is more potent for nonstate-owned firms, those with a shorter listing history and those facing a heightened risk of resource mismatch.
Practical implications
This study provides theoretical support and empirical evidence from the perspective of short-selling to help boost corporate ESG development and improve corporate contributions to sustainable development. ESG is the concrete projection of sustainable development concept at the firm level. Good ESG performance contributes to the realization of the SDGs by influencing the strategy, operation and management of the enterprise, and promoting the enterprise to more actively create the comprehensive value of the economy, society and environment.
Social implications
The results of this study show that short-selling can significantly enhance corporate ESG performance and strengthen corporate sustainability initiatives, thereby promoting the realization of SDGs at the firm level. These findings carry substantial implications, not only foster the improvement of China’s capital market system but also provide empirical evidence from China for capital market policy-making and sustainable development practices in other emerging markets.
Originality/value
This study not only addresses the gap in studying ESG performance from the perspective of short-selling behavior but also enriches the research on the economic consequences of short-selling and enriches the literature on the determinants of ESG performance.
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Yang Liu, Maomao Chi and Qiong Sun
This study aims to detect consumer sarcasm through inconsistencies in sentiment features between text and images of hotel reviews.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to detect consumer sarcasm through inconsistencies in sentiment features between text and images of hotel reviews.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a model for sarcasm detection based on multimodal deep learning using reviews of three hotel brands collected from two travel platforms, which can identify emotional inconsistencies within a modality and across modalities. Text-image interaction information is explored using graph neural networks (GNN) to detect essential clues in sarcasm sentiment.
Findings
The research results show that the multimodal deep learning model outperforms other baseline models, which can help to understand hotel service evaluation and provide hotel managers with decision-making opinions.
Originality/value
This research can help hoteliers in two ways: detecting service quality and formulating strategies. By selecting reference hotel brands, hoteliers can better assess their level of service quality (optimal resource allocation ensues); therefore, sarcasm detection research is not only beneficial for hotel managers seeking to improve service quality. The multimodal deep learning method introduced in the present study can be replicated in other industries to help travel platforms optimize their products and services.
研究目的
本研究通过分析酒店评论文本和图像之间情感特征的不一致性来检测消费者的讽刺。
研究方法
本文提出了一种基于多模态深度学习的讽刺检测模型, 使用从两个旅行平台收集的三个酒店品牌的评论, 该模型能够识别模态内部和模态之间的情感不一致性。利用图神经网络(GNN)探索文本-图像交互信息, 以检测讽刺情感中的关键线索。
研究发现
研究结果显示, 多模态深度学习模型优于其他基线模型, 这有助于理解酒店服务评估, 并为酒店经理提供决策建议。
研究创新
该研究可以在两方面帮助酒店业者:检测服务质量和制定策略。通过选择参考酒店品牌, 酒店业者可以更好地评估其服务质量水平(随之而来的是最佳资源分配), 因此, 讽刺检测研究不仅有助于寻求提高服务质量的酒店经理。本研究介绍的多模态深度学习方法可以在其他行业复制, 帮助旅行平台优化其产品和服务。
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Haixia Wang, Yuliang Wang, Yaozong Sun, Qiong Pu and Xiao Lu
Because of the inconvenience and inflexibility of the laser controller, the applied range of optogenetics is limited. This paper aims to present the design of a portable…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the inconvenience and inflexibility of the laser controller, the applied range of optogenetics is limited. This paper aims to present the design of a portable remote-controlled laser controller system, including the remote-controlled system and the laser stimulator.
Design/methodology/approach
The remote-controlled system is handheld, which can wirelessly adjust the power and the emitting frequency of the laser by utilizing the ZigBee module.
Findings
The laser stimulator can be mounted on the animal as it is light weight (35 g) and small in size (40 × 40 × 20 mm), and its power and frequency can be appropriately adjusted by changing the current amplitude and duty radio. In the end, the experiments verify the reliability and effectiveness of the laser controller.
Originality/value
In virtue of the modular design of the driven circuit and the reasonable layout, the whole system has the advantages of small volume, convenient control and high stability, which provide the convenience for the development of portable optogenetics animal robot experiment and has broad market prospects.
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Qiwei Zhou, Qiong Wu, Yuyuan Sun and Kathryn Cormican
Shared leadership has received significant empirical and theoretical attention in the project management literature. However, a dearth of studies reveals how shared leadership…
Abstract
Purpose
Shared leadership has received significant empirical and theoretical attention in the project management literature. However, a dearth of studies reveals how shared leadership promotes project performance. Drawing on the theory of conservation of resources, this research proposes a serial mediation model that investigates the relationship between shared leadership and project performance through team failure learning and team resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
A field study was conducted that surveyed 79 project teams in various industries (comprising 380 project team members and 79 project managers) using a multisource, time-lagged survey design.
Findings
Our findings show that shared leadership has a positive impact on project performance. More importantly, team failure learning and team resilience play sequential mediating roles in the relationship between shared leadership and project performance.
Practical implications
This research offers new ways for project managers to manage project performance effectively. Project managers are encouraged to recognize the benefits of shared leadership. To do this, they should facilitate team failure learning and improve team resilience, which serves to boost project performance.
Originality/value
This research provides a novel perspective on how shared leadership influences project performance. To the best of our knowledge, we are among the first to explore the serial mediating effects of team failure learning and team resilience on the relationship between shared leadership and project performance.
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Zhaopeng Wang, Yi Wang, Bowei Zhang, Zhan Zhang, Kui Xiao, Junsheng Wu, Qiong Yao, Guojia Ma and Gang Sun
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the potential of hydrogen (pH) and dissolved oxygen in artificial seawater on the passivation behavior of 316L…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the potential of hydrogen (pH) and dissolved oxygen in artificial seawater on the passivation behavior of 316L stainless steel.
Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion behavior was studied by using electrochemical measurements such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization curve. The passive films were characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Findings
The polarization resistance of the passive film decreases as the pH value drops ascribed to the formation of much more point defects. The donor carrier concentration (ND) in the passive film formed in the deaerated condition is lower than that in aerated conditions. Nevertheless, this phenomenon is the opposite when the pH value is 1 due to the significant decrease of Fe oxides/hydroxides coupled with the stable content of Cr oxides/hydroxides species. In addition, the compositional variation of the passive film also leads to the changes of its semiconductor properties from N-type to bipolar type.
Originality/value
This paper shows the variation of polarization resistance, corrosion potential, passive film composition and semiconductor properties with the pH value and dissolved oxygen. The results can serve as references to the further study on crevice corrosion of 316L in seawater.
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Bojun Hou, Jin Hong, Qiong Chen, Xing Shi and Yu Zhou
It is widely accepted that enterprises obtaining academic discoveries through R&D collaboration improve their innovation performance. However, it is not necessarily true in…
Abstract
Purpose
It is widely accepted that enterprises obtaining academic discoveries through R&D collaboration improve their innovation performance. However, it is not necessarily true in emerging economies, such as China and post-socialist countries in Europe. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by investigating how R&D collaboration between industry and academia (i.e. universities and research institutes) affects the industrial innovation performance; and whether and how intermediaries moderate their relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper constructs the research model according to the knowledge production function, and the pooled ordinary least square regression is used to verify our hypotheses.
Findings
Evidence from a sample of Chinese industrial enterprises in thirty provinces spanning from 2009 to 2014 suggests that R&D collaboration with research institutes (CWR) is positively related to innovation output, while R&D collaboration with universities (CWU) exerts negative effect on innovation output measured by sales revenue of new product (NPSR). The significant moderating role of technology transfer institutions is confirmed in the negative relationship between CWU and NPSR.
Originality/value
This paper empirically examines the moderating role of intermediary organisations in academia–industry cooperation and industrial innovation, and has practical implications for the government to formulate policies to improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation between academic and industrial sectors. These results vary in inland and coastal areas, which suggest the policy makers to formulate policies according to local conditions not only in China but also in other countries, like European countries.
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Qiong Jia, Yang Lei, Yue Guo and Xiaotong Li
This study explores the factors influencing the value of enterprise social media (ESM) from the perspective of compatibility. Establishing a theoretical model based on…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the factors influencing the value of enterprise social media (ESM) from the perspective of compatibility. Establishing a theoretical model based on compatibility theory, the authors examine the effects of two dimensions of compatibility and the mediating effects of employees' intrinsic motivations. ESM is an important tool that helps companies to enhance knowledge sharing and cross-department collaboration. Thus, it is important to understand factors that can facilitate the role of ESM in improving enterprise operating performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a survey among 353 users of a leading ESM platform and empirically investigated how compatibility influences ESM value through employees' intrinsic motivations. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to study the relationship among compatibility, employees' intrinsic motivations and ESM value.
Findings
The empirical research results indicate that compatibility of self-interest with group interest influences the value of ESM, and intrinsic motivations toward collaboration and toward knowledge management partially mediate the effects of the two dimensions of compatibility on ESM value.
Research limitations/implications
First, the empirical analysis relies on data from surveying employees of Chinese companies. Therefore, one direction for future research is to reexamine the model using data from other countries. Second, the effects of compatibility identified in the study may vary among different ESM platforms. In addition, the findings may change for organizations having different sizes.
Practical implications
This finding suggests that managers should pay close attention to potential conflicts of interest when implementing ESM to enhance group communication and collaboration. This study also highlights the importance of compatibility of new working processes with experience in practice. In addition, intrinsic motivations towards both cooperation and knowledge management in ESM are important factors influencing the value creation of ESM. Therefore, to cultivate employees' intrinsic motivation, managers and organizations need to facilitate the formation of a collaborative atmosphere and habits of cooperative adoption.
Originality/value
Although previous studies show that compatibility is a strong belief salient to technology acceptance and continuance usage behavior, the operational definition of compatibility developed by prior studies has generally been limited to the technology perspective and the individual level. However, the primary benefit of ESM is enabling online team collaboration and knowledge sharing across various departments. Thus, the level of compatibility between employees' self-interests and group interests may influence their intrinsic motivations toward ESM usage. From this perspective of individual–group interest conflicts, the authors propose a conceptual research model based on the theory of compatibility in innovation diffusion.
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Xingwei Li, Jingru Li, Jinrong He, Yicheng Huang, Xiang Liu, Jiachi Dai and Qiong Shen
The surging market demand for green construction materials has brought opportunities for construction materials enterprises' greenwashing behavior (GWB). This study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
The surging market demand for green construction materials has brought opportunities for construction materials enterprises' greenwashing behavior (GWB). This study aims to establish the causal relationship among the influencing factors of GWB and reveal the key influencing factors from the perspective of Chinese construction materials enterprises under multi-agent interactions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on stakeholder theory, resource-based theory and the green development behavior and performance of industrial enterprises (GDBP-IE). First, with the literature analysis, an index framework of the influencing factors of enterprises' GWB was constructed from five dimensions (including 15 factors): environmental regulation, public scrutiny, market environment, corporate resources and corporate green development (GD) performance. Second, the interactive relationship among influencing factors was obtained by a questionnaire survey. Finally, the data are processed and analyzed with the grey-DEMATEL (Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method.
Findings
Among the factors, corporate information transparency has the greatest impact on the other factors, and consumer green preferences are most influenced by others. The most critical and important factor is the corporate social performance factor. In China, corporate social performance, corporate information transparency, corporate size and media supervision are the key factors influencing the GWB of construction materials enterprises.
Originality/value
This study provides a new perspective on the literature related to GWB by considering multi-agent interactions and extends the evidence from the construction materials industry for research on the drivers or influencing factors of enterprises' bad environmental behavior. Furthermore, it adds insights from China for further research on the governance strategies of GWB in other countries.
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Mohammad Tariqul Islam, Md. Shamim Talukder, Abul Khayer and A.K.M. Najmul Islam
Open government data (OGD) is a comparatively new field in e-government and the factors influencing its continuance use by citizens have not been extensively explored. A better…
Abstract
Purpose
Open government data (OGD) is a comparatively new field in e-government and the factors influencing its continuance use by citizens have not been extensively explored. A better understanding of these factors can help the government to articulate strategies and policies that can advance the acceptance and use of OGD technologies. Thus, this paper aims to empirically determine the predictors influencing the continuance usage intention of OGD technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an empirical investigation among 370 respondents in Bangladesh, a developing country, the paper applied path analysis using the structural equation modeling approach. The unified theory of acceptance and use of the technology model is integrated with the information system continuance model to investigate the continuance usage intention of OGD technologies.
Findings
The outcomes of this study reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions (FC) directly affect users’ satisfaction (SAT). In addition, SAT and FC were found statistically significant toward continuance usage intention of OGD technologies.
Practical implications
The findings of this study suggest policymaker and OGD providers to formulate or modify their strategies to retain the existing OGD users and stimulate persistence usage.
Social implications
Facilitating long-term use by citizens would increase their engagement and they might derive value from the OGD platforms. Concurrently, the government’s objective of ensuring increased future use of OGD technologies would be better realized.
Originality/value
The novelty of this study lies in the fact that it addresses a previously overlooked area of open data research, namely, the acceptance and use of open data technologies and ways to stimulate it. This study has contributed to the existing but limited literature on continuance usage intention of OGD technologies in the context of a developing country.
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Jing Hu, Qiong-Ying Lv, Xin-Ming Zhang, Zeng-Yan Wei and Hai Long Li
This paper aims to present ball bearings with a composite structure based on the bionics principle and shows the comparison between five types of different structures.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present ball bearings with a composite structure based on the bionics principle and shows the comparison between five types of different structures.
Design/methodology/approach
By means of the finite element method, the stress and other parameters between different structures are compared and verified. Finally, the comprehensive parameters of different structures are evaluated by the analytic hierarchy process method.
Findings
The evaluation of the comprehensive parameters of five types of structures is shown here.
Originality/value
The value of this paper is calculated and compared to the parameters of five types of different structures, and the parameter score evaluation of each structure is given. Different structures can be selected according to different parameter requirements, which to provide a theoretical basis for the design of ball bearings.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon10.1108/ILT-10-2019-0413