Ruizhi Yuan, Ruolan Chen, Bo Huang and Anna Min Du
Drawing on the co-creation literature and self-determination theory, this study takes a broader organisational perspective linking employees’ motivational antecedents (corporate…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the co-creation literature and self-determination theory, this study takes a broader organisational perspective linking employees’ motivational antecedents (corporate brand socialization, employee brand identification and impression management) and employee-based brand co-creation (EBBC), with three employee-level outcomes: sales performance, employee resilience and adaptive selling. We therefore bridge the complex nexus between employees and organisational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data of 313 employees across industries and different-sized business-to-business (B2B) companies in China were collected. We used AMOS 21 to carry out structural equation modelling (SEM) for testing the main hypotheses.
Findings
The results reveal that EBBC is driven by external, internal and self-related motivations and leads to an increase in the three employee performance-related outcomes. The results further indicate that employees’ social media usage exerts contrasting moderating effects for each of the three motivational antecedents: While it strengthens the effect of employee identification on EBBC, it weakens the effect of corporate brand socialization on EBBC and exerts no effect on the relationship between impression management and EBBC.
Practical implications
This study confirms the effectiveness of EBBC in improving performance outcomes for B2B employees, particularly sales performance, resilience and job satisfaction, all of which are crucial for employee success. On the basis of our findings, in terms of employee satisfaction and performance, and in addition to conventional strategies and incentives, B2B organisations should encourage employee co-creation activities as outlined above, since such activities tend to impact these outcomes positively.
Originality/value
This study features and substantiates the self-related goal initiatives in EBBC, such as developing a sense of self-promotion desires and uncovers a moderator of the relationships between motivational antecedents and EBBC. These findings highlight the managerial relevance of specific motivational and psychological pathways in building employee brand co-creation behaviours, employee outcomes and organisational performance via employee sales.
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Bing Zhang, Cui Wang, Xuan Ze Ren and Bo Xia
The construction industry has been investigating “where Henry Ford is in the industry system.” Given that listed construction enterprises are the backbone of the promotion of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry has been investigating “where Henry Ford is in the industry system.” Given that listed construction enterprises are the backbone of the promotion of the high-quality development of the industry, their research and innovation are of considerable importance. This study aims to comprehensively assess the research and development (R&D) status quo and trends within various types of construction enterprises in order to identify effective strategies to enhance R&D efficiency in the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the data won from annual reports and the CSMAR database for the period 2016–2020, this study examines 104 listed construction enterprises in China. By applying both the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method and the Malmquist productivity index, this research compares and analyzes the static and dynamic differences in R&D efficiency across different types of construction enterprises.
Findings
Results suggest that the magnitude of change in the Malmquist decomposition index of 104 listed construction enterprises gradually narrowed, but the comprehensive technological level remained relatively low. Although state-owned enterprises had an advantage in scale efficiency, meaning they could maximize output with given inputs, their technological progress efficiency, also known as the degree of technological innovation, was significantly lower than that of private enterprises. As one finding, state-owned enterprises in comparison with private enterprises experience significant R&D inefficiency. It represents the main cause of their low degree of technological innovation and efficiency.
Originality/value
This study assesses the R&D efficiency of listed construction enterprises in China from the perspective of different market segments, state-owned and private enterprises and suggests approaches to improve strategies for various corporate types. Thus, the study’s new findings contribute to addressing the challenge of low R&D levels in the construction industry in the fields of engineering, construction and architectural management.
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Xiaotong Li and Wei Su
The study aims to measure the contribution rate of scientific and technological progress of Shaanxi province and find out the main driving force of its economic development, which…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to measure the contribution rate of scientific and technological progress of Shaanxi province and find out the main driving force of its economic development, which has important reference significance for formulating and implementing the economic and social development strategy of Shaanxi Province and other regions.
Design/methodology/approach
By comparing and referring to the advantages and disadvantages of existing research methods, this paper combined C-D production function and Solow residual method to calculate the elastic coefficient through neural network algorithm, and then calculated the contribution rate of technological innovation to economic growth in Shaanxi province as a whole and in various regions, analyzed and put forward reasonable suggestions.
Findings
The results show that the economic growth is mainly depends on capital investment, and the contribution rate of technological innovation to economic growth is low and fluctuates greatly. In the future, each region of Shaanxi should improve the ability of technological innovation to speed up the economic transformation to the intensive type.
Originality/value
To make the technological innovation in Shaanxi province and other regions play a more significant role in promoting economic growth and accelerate the productivity and economic transformation of Shaanxi Province, the following suggestions are put forward, strengthen the coordinated development of innovation and economy in all regions of Shaanxi. Second, this paper need to give full play to the role of policy support and incentives. Third, this paper need to improve the market system and vigorously support enterprise innovation. Fourth, use new and high technology to transform and upgrade industrial technology. Fifth, this paper need to speed up the development of high-quality personnel.
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Nisreen Abd ALrhman Aljaafreh, Carmen De-Pablos-Heredero and Alicia Orea-Giner
This study explores the crucial role of competitive intelligence (CI) in the tourism sector’s strategic decision-making. CI has significantly transformed the tourism sector…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the crucial role of competitive intelligence (CI) in the tourism sector’s strategic decision-making. CI has significantly transformed the tourism sector through new insights and sophistication in data analysis and strategic planning. The rise in tourism-related competition, due to new destinations, varied tourist preferences and sustainability emphasis, makes competitive intelligence essential for understanding future market trends and making informed strategic choices.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilising PRISMA techniques for bibliometric analysis, the study examines literature from 1998 to 2023 (WoS), focusing on service innovation, customer experience management and sustainable strategies. It presents an analysis of the evolution of CI in tourism, its impact, influential works and future research directions.
Findings
Findings show that the multidisciplinary nature of CI in tourism is further evidenced by studies on quality cues, travellers’ information needs and the utilisation of big data. Future studies need to understand both global trends and regional specifics, as shown in investigations of spatial-temporal tourism dynamics.
Originality/value
This study represents a novel contribution to the field of tourism research by offering a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CI literature from 1998 to 2023. It uniquely integrates service innovation, customer experience management and sustainable strategies within the context of CI, highlighting its multidisciplinary impacts and evolution. These insights collectively emphasise the need for future innovation and a comprehensive understanding of the global-local nexus to inform future tourism research and practice.
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Qingyu Shi, Jingyu Yu, Lifei Zhang, Jingfeng Wang and Guowei Cheng
The construction industry has experienced an irreversible digital transformation to smart construction. Many countries have published supporting policies to encourage the…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry has experienced an irreversible digital transformation to smart construction. Many countries have published supporting policies to encourage the development of smart construction. However, there is no universally valid approach. This paper thus aims to evaluate smart construction policies issued by 24 pilot cities in China and identify applicable policy tools and their impact.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper collected 33 governmental documents on smart construction through the official websites in China. Different policy tools were classified into supply-side, demand-side and environment-side categories. The supporting policies of smart construction development in pilot cities were quantitatively evaluated by using a policy modeling consistency index (PMC-index) model.
Findings
Supply-type and environment-type policy instruments were used more frequently than demand-type policies in 24 pilot cities. Most of the 24 pilot cities had an evaluation of PMC-index over 8, realizing the consistency of smart construction policies. Eight pilot cities had an evaluation of PMC-index of 6–7.99, realizing acceptable consistency. Only Foshan City has an evaluation of PMC-index below 4, which may reflect a poor consistency of policy implementation. The paper proposes consistencies of smart construction policies of 24 pilot cities and valid policy instruments, including the presale of commercial residential buildings, additional bonus points in the tendering process and cooperating with multiple departments when promoting smart construction.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to expanding policy evaluation studies in the smart construction field and provides concrete suggestions for policymakers to formulate more effective and specific policies and strategies for the development of smart construction.
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Sina Ahmadi Kaliji, Seyed Mojtaba Mojaverian, Hamid Amirnejad and Maurizio Canavari
The authors propose a dairy bundle, integrating strategies to jointly maximise producer revenue and consumer utility according to the latter's preferences.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors propose a dairy bundle, integrating strategies to jointly maximise producer revenue and consumer utility according to the latter's preferences.
Design/methodology/approach
An algorithm based on a nested logit model identifies the bundle maximising producer revenue based on factors affecting consumer purchase behaviour. The data are drawn from a mall-intercept survey administered in Iran, with consumers stating a hypothetical choice among a comprehensive set of dairy products.
Findings
Demographic characteristics and marketing mix elements significantly affect consumers' preferences. An algorithm based on the estimated dissimilarity parameter determines the best bundle of dairy products, simultaneously obtaining the highest utility and the highest expected revenue.
Originality/value
Consumer preference and maximum producer or retail seller income are considered simultaneously. The bundling promotion strategy is widely used for food offerings and fresh foods and can be extended to other products.
研究目的
我們擬根據消費者偏好,提出一個整合了多個策略的捆綁包,以使生產製作者得到最高的收入和最佳的消費者效用。
研究設計/方法/理念
研究人員根據巢式Logit 模型的演算法確認了一個捆綁包,以使生產製作者能得到最高的收入,而這均建基於會影響消費者購買行為的各個因素。有關的數據取自於伊朗的商場內進行的攔截調查,而回應的消費者須假想他們從一整套乳製品中選擇他們會購買的產品。
研究結果
研究結果顯示,人口特徵和市場營銷組合元素均會顯著地影響消費者的偏好,一個基於估算的相異性參數而建立的演算法可確認最佳的乳製品捆綁包,這演算法同時也可取得最佳的裨益和最高的預期收入。
研究的原創性/價值
於本研究中,研究人員同時考慮消費者的偏好和生產製作者或零售賣家的最高收入。捆綁式的促銷策略在食物供品和新鮮食品方面被廣泛使用,這策略可擴展至其他產品。
關鍵詞
乳製品捆綁包、消費者偏好、最佳化演算法、巢式Logit 模型.
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Bo Huang, Jing Dai and Jia Jia Lim
Blockchain-based traceability labels is increasingly adopted in supply chain, yet there is little empirical research to examine effectiveness from consumer perspective. Can…
Abstract
Purpose
Blockchain-based traceability labels is increasingly adopted in supply chain, yet there is little empirical research to examine effectiveness from consumer perspective. Can blockchain technology motivate consumers to purchase sustainable products? Drawing on signaling theory, this paper answers this question by comparing the effect of blockchain-based traceability labels with certification-based labels on consumer purchase intention of sustainable products. We further investigate consumers’ perception of sustainability level as a mediating variable and social enterprise as a boundary condition.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses three online between-subject experiments with a total of 750 participants. The proposed hypotheses are tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) as well as mediation analysis based on PROCESS macro.
Findings
The results suggest that (1) blockchain-based traceability labels lead to greater consumer purchase intention of sustainable products than certification-based labels; (2) such a positive effect of blockchain-based traceability labels occurs as consumers perceive a higher sustainability level; (3) however, the effect is attenuated when the company is a social enterprise.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the operations and supply chain management (OSCM) literature by studying the effectiveness of blockchain-based traceability labels from the overlooked yet emerging perspective of consumers. We provide a theoretical explanation and empirical evidence of how blockchain-based traceability labels influence consumer purchase intention during sustainable consumption compared with certification-based labels. We thus additionally contribute to the extant research on the intersection of blockchain and sustainability. Moreover, the incorporation of social enterprise as a moderator enriches the application of signaling theory on the context of sustainability signaling.
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Yunhai Liu, Penghui Xu, Xiaohua Zhu, Ligao Liu, Bo Li and Qingquan Li
Two friction models of Fe-Fe and Diamond-like carbon (DLC)-Fe were established by molecular dynamics (MD) method to simulate the friction behavior of traditional fracturing pump…
Abstract
Purpose
Two friction models of Fe-Fe and Diamond-like carbon (DLC)-Fe were established by molecular dynamics (MD) method to simulate the friction behavior of traditional fracturing pump plunger and new DLC plunger from atomic scale. This paper aims to investigate the effects of temperature and load on the friction behavior between sealed nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and DLC films.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, MD method is used to investigate the friction behavior and mechanism of DLC film on plungers and sealing NBR based on Fe-Fe system and DLC-Fe system.
Findings
The results show that the friction coefficient of DLC-Fe system exhibits a downward trend with increasing load and temperature. And even achieve a superlubricity state of 0.005 when the load is 1 GPa. Further research revealed that the low interaction energy between DLC and NBR promoted the proportion of atoms with larger shear strain in NBR matrix and the lower Fe layer in DLC-Fe system to be much lower than that in Fe-Fe system. In addition, the application of DLC film can effectively inhibit the temperature rise of friction interface, but will occur relatively large peak velocity.
Originality/value
In this paper, two MD models were established to simulate the friction behavior between fracturing pump plunger and sealing rubber. Through the analysis of mean square displacement, atomic temperature, velocity and Interaction energy, it can be seen that the application of DLC film has a positive effect on reducing the friction of NBR.
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Wanxin Li, Fangfang An, Dawu Shu, Zengshuai Lian, Bo Han and Shaolei Cao
This study aims to elucidate the dyeing kinetics and thermodynamic relationships of CI Reactive Red 24 (RR24) on cotton fabrics, achieve the recycling of inorganic salts and water…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to elucidate the dyeing kinetics and thermodynamic relationships of CI Reactive Red 24 (RR24) on cotton fabrics, achieve the recycling of inorganic salts and water resources and obtain comprehensive data on color parameters, fastness and other characteristics of fabrics dyed with the recycled dyeing residual wastewater.
Design/methodology/approach
The dyeing wastewater obtained through advanced oxidation technology was used as a medium for dyeing cotton fabrics with RR24. The absorbance value of the dyeing residue served as an evaluation index, and the relevant kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated based on this absorbance. The color parameters and fastness of the fabric samples were measured to compare the performance of different dyeing media.
Findings
Dyeing cotton with RR24 in both media follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. When dyeing with wastewater media, the dye adsorption in the first 45 min increased by 0.082–1.29 g/kg compared with conventional dyeing. Furthermore, the half-dyeing time was shortened by 4.19–11.99 min and the equilibrium adsorption amount was reduced by 0.277–0.302 g/kg. The adsorption of RR24 on cotton fabrics conformed to the Freundlich model. Fabrics dyed using recycled wastewater exhibit a deeper color, with reduced red light and enhanced blue light, resulting in an overall deeper apparent color.
Originality/value
These dyeing kinetics and thermodynamic properties are beneficial for comprehending and interpreting the dyeing performance and behavior of reactive dyes in dyeing wastewater. They lay a theoretical foundation for the treatment and recycling of dyeing wastewater.
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Xin-Yi Wang, Bo Chen and Na Hou
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of political relations on trade in strategic emerging industries (SEIs) in the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) associated…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of political relations on trade in strategic emerging industries (SEIs) in the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) associated countries. This investigation encompasses not only from the perspective of bilateral political relations but also the political intervention of third parties.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs the temporal exponential random graphmodel to analyze the dynamic structure and influencing factor of SEIs trade network among 150 BRI-associated countries from 2015 to 2020.
Findings
The results indicate that the trade of SEIs in the BRI-associated countries exhibits a pattern of concentrated exporters and decentralized importers. Amicable bilateral political relations foster trade cooperations in SEIs, while political pressure from the United States has the opposite effect. Furthermore, compared with the influence of third parties, the BRI has created a more robust trade environment characterized by political mutual trust.
Practical implications
BRI-associated countries should strengthen their political communication, and endeavor to transform political consensus and shared vision into concrete collaborative projects, while mitigating geopolitical uncertainties through a sound risk evaluation system. Moreover, they should establish a more transparent and consistent consultation mechanism and leverage the BRI trade network to foster balanced and mutually beneficial partnerships that minimize rivalry and dependence on a single market.
Originality/value
This study goes beyond observed trade cost and incorporates the political factor into the determinants of the BRI trade, thereby expanding the theoretical boundaries of existing BRI research. Also, this study employs bilateral trade data to construct SEIs trade networks (SEITNs) along the BRI route. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic determinates of the SEITNs will provide valuable practical guidance for enhancing and expanding trade and cooperation among BRI-associated countries.