Jing Zhu, Xingchen Nan, Adrian Chen Yang Tan and Fen Wu
This study aims to examine manufacturers’ strategic responses to consumer migration from offline to online channels, focusing on how these shifts affect their channel selection…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine manufacturers’ strategic responses to consumer migration from offline to online channels, focusing on how these shifts affect their channel selection and business strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a theoretical framework using a Stackelberg game model to analyze manufacturers’ decision-making processes amid evolving consumer behaviors. It intricately explores the strategic implications across three distinct channel structures: manufacturer direct sales (MD), retailer resale (RR) and retailer agency (RA), focusing on their economic outcomes and market dynamics. This approach is instrumental in decoding the multifaceted nature of channel migration and its impact on manufacturer–retailer relationships in the digital marketplace.
Findings
The research reveals that in MD and RA scenarios, as channel migration intensifies, manufacturers tend to lower both wholesale and online retail prices. Conversely, in the RR scenario, the set wholesale price is intricately linked to the market share, with higher prices set for smaller offline market shares. From a strategic standpoint, MD emerges as the optimal choice for maximizing manufacturer profits, while RA takes precedence when considering the entire supply chain’s profitability, particularly under high commission costs.
Originality/value
This research illuminates the impact of channel migration on manufacturers’ pricing strategies and channel selection. It not only advances the understanding of consumer behavior in multichannel retail environments but also offers practical insights for businesses in effectively managing online and offline channels.
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Cong Gao, Kay-Hooi Keoy and Ai-Fen Lim
The purpose of this study is to investigate the primary determinants influencing the acceptance of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) adoption within Blockchain-enabled…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the primary determinants influencing the acceptance of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) adoption within Blockchain-enabled environments. Further research will examine the impact of GAI adoption on supply chain efficiency (SCE) through the enhancement of Blockchain.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on innovation diffusion theory (IDT), this study used partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to look into the hypotheses. The data were gathered via online questionnaires from employers of Chinese supply chain enterprises that have already integrated Blockchain.
Findings
The findings of this study demonstrate that relative advantages (RAs), compatibility, trialability and observability have a significant positive effect on GAI adoption, while complexity harms GAI adoption. Above all, the GAI adoption has significantly enhanced Blockchain, thus effectively improving SCE.
Practical implications
The outcomes from this study furnish enterprises and organizations with valuable insights to proficiently integrate GAI and Blockchain capability, optimize supply chain management and bolster market competitiveness. Also, this study will help accelerate the successful integration of business processes and attain Sustainability Development Goals 9, industrial growth and industrial diversification.
Originality/value
To the extent of the author’s knowledge, the current status of the GAI study remains largely exploratory, and there is limited empirical evidence on integrating Blockchain capability and GAI. This research bridges the knowledge gap by fully revealing the optimal integration of these two transformative technologies to leverage their potential advantages in supply chain management.
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Ammar Yasir, Xiaojian Hu, Murat Aktan, Pablo Farías and Abdul Rauf
Contemporary changes have occurred in country-level policies and tourists’ intentions in recent years. The role of maintaining a country’s image is trendy in crisis control but…
Abstract
Purpose
Contemporary changes have occurred in country-level policies and tourists’ intentions in recent years. The role of maintaining a country’s image is trendy in crisis control but has not yet been discussed in domestic tourism research. Extending the Stimulus Organism Response model, this study aims to focus on “trustable WOM creation” in China. In addition, it aimed to discover how behavioral changes encourage domestic tourism intention (DTI).
Design/methodology/approach
This study explored the mediating role of DTI and the moderating role of maintenance of country image (MCI) for trustable word of mouth (WOM) creation. Using the snowball sampling technique, a structural equation modeling analysis (Smart PLS-4) was employed to analyze the data of 487 Chinese tourists.
Findings
Findings confirm that behavioral changes positively encourage domestic tourism and discourage international tourism, with significant negative moderation by MCI. MCI has an insignificant positive moderating effect between government-media trust and DTI. Furthermore, DTI positively and directly affects the creation of trustable WOM. In addition, it had a 20% mediation effect (VAF%) between behavioral changes and WOM creation, higher than the rejected mediation effect (12%), in the causal relationship between government-media trust and WOM creation.
Practical implications
WOM creation varies from different behavioral changes, but findings suggest that government-media trust and DTI influenced it significantly. Based on the study findings, the government and media can enhance domestic tourism by maintaining the country’s image. These findings both encourage and control the recovery of tourism.
Originality/value
This study provides a theoretical explanation for tourists' behavioral changes during the pandemic. Moreover, it shows that despite avoiding international tourism due to behavioral changes and government-media trust, MCI moderation with the mediation effect of DTI can create trustable WOM. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to theoretically promote tourism through DTI-induced psychology as a mediator and an organism affect prevailing among Chinese tourists.
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Huda Abdullah, Norshafadzila Mohammad Naim, Kok Seng Shum, Aidil Abdul Hamid, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Vidhya Selvanathan, Wing Fen Yap and Seri Mastura Mustaza
Regular monitoring of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, in wastewater is crucial to ensure the maintenance of public health. Amperometric detection proves to be a fast…
Abstract
Purpose
Regular monitoring of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, in wastewater is crucial to ensure the maintenance of public health. Amperometric detection proves to be a fast, sensitive and economically viable solution for E. coli enumeration. This paper reported a prototype amperometric sensor based on PANI-ZnO-NiO nanocomposite thin films prepared by sol–gel method and irradiated with gamma ray. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sensor performance of PANI-ZnO-NiO nanocomposite thin films to detect E. coli in water.
Design/methodology/approach
The films were varied with different compositions of ZnO and NiO by using the formula PANI-(ZnO)1-x-(NiO)x, with x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8. PANI-ZnO-NiO nanocomposite thin films were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the crystallinity and surface morphology of the films. The sensor performance was conducted using the current–voltage (I-V) measurement by testing the films in clean water and E. coli solution.
Findings
XRD diffractograms show the peaks of ZnO (1 0 0) and NiO (1 0 2). AFM analysis shows the surface roughness, and the grain size of PANI-ZnO-NiO thin films decreases when the concentration ratios of NiO increased. I-V curves show the difference in current flow, where the current in E. coli solution is higher than the clean water.
Originality/value
PANI-(ZnO)1-x-(NiO)x nanocomposite thin film with the highest concentration of ZnO performed the highest sensitivity among the other concentrations, which can be used to indicate the presence of E. coli bacteria in water.
Abhishek Kashyap and Om Ji Shukla
The purpose of this paper is to recognize and prioritize the critical drivers (CDs) essential for establishing a sustainable foxnut supply chain (SFNSC) aligned with the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to recognize and prioritize the critical drivers (CDs) essential for establishing a sustainable foxnut supply chain (SFNSC) aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations. The objective is to make a meaningful contribution to the longevity and well-rounded sustainability of the foxnut industry by scrutinizing pivotal factors that endorse triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability aspect throughout the supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic approach, integrating literature reviews and government reports, identified potential CDs for a sustainable foxnut supply chain. Expert opinions refined the list with the help of fuzzy-Delphi method (FDM), and the final CDs were analyzed with fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (F-DEMATEL) to establish their causal relationships and hierarchical importance.
Findings
The study identifies the top three CDs for a SFNSC: “Branding of the product”, “The Global increase in demand” and “Value addition of the foxnut”. Moreover, “Storage infrastructure”, “Mechanized processing” and “Proper transportation facilities” also contribute to the sustainability of the foxnut supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
The results hold significance for various stakeholders in the foxnut industry, encompassing producers, policymakers and researchers. The identified CDs can guide decision-making and resource allocation to improve the sustainability of the foxnut supply chain. The study's framework and methodology can also be applied to other industries to promote sustainable practices and achieve SDGs.
Originality/value
This study enhances understanding of CDs for an SFNSC. FDM and F-DEMATEL techniques analyze causal relationships and rank key factors. The SFNSC model may help other major foxnut producers to become more sustainable.
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Wilson K.S. Leung, Sally P.M. Law, Man Lai Cheung, Man Kit Chang, Chung-Yin Lai and Na Liu
There are two main objectives in this study. First, we aim to develop a set of constructs for health task management support (HTMS) features to evaluate which health-related tasks…
Abstract
Purpose
There are two main objectives in this study. First, we aim to develop a set of constructs for health task management support (HTMS) features to evaluate which health-related tasks are supported by mobile health application (mHealth app) functions. Second, drawing on innovation resistance theory (IRT), we examine the impacts of the newly developed HTMS dimensions on perceived usefulness, alongside other barrier factors contributing to technology anxiety.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a mixed-method research design, this research seeks to develop new measurement scales that reflect how mHealth apps support older adults’ health-related needs based on interviews. Subsequently, data were collected from older adults and exploratory factor analysis was used to confirm the validity of the new scales. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze survey data from 602 older adults.
Findings
The PLS-SEM results indicated that medical management task support, dietary task support, and exercise task support were positively associated with perceived usefulness, while perceived complexity and dispositional resistance to change were identified as antecedents of technology anxiety. Perceived usefulness and technology anxiety were found to positively and negatively influence adoption intention, respectively.
Originality/value
This study enriches the information systems literature by developing a multidimensional construct that delineates how older adults’ health-related needs can be supported by features of mHealth apps. Drawing on IRT, we complement the existing literature on resistance to innovation by systematically examining the impact of five types of barriers on technology anxiety.
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Malak Hamade, Khaled Hussainey and Khaldoon Albitar
This systematic review aims to comprehensively explore the existing literature on the use of corporate communication within the realm of social media.
Abstract
Purpose
This systematic review aims to comprehensively explore the existing literature on the use of corporate communication within the realm of social media.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 136 peer-reviewed journal articles are explored and analysed using both performance and bibliometric analysis.
Findings
This review identifies five main findings: (1) trends in corporate social media research that highlight the growth trajectory of research on social media use for corporate disclosure, (2) geographical coverage of studies indicating the concentration of research in certain regions, such as the USA, followed by China and the UK, with notable gaps in others, such as developing countries, (3) theoretical frameworks employed demonstrate that various theoretical frameworks are utilized, although a significant portion of the studies do not specify any theoretical underpinning, (4) social media platforms studied, confirming Twitter to be the most studied channel followed by Facebook and (5) thematic analysis of articles on disclosure type that categorized the articles using bibliometric analysis into five themes of disclosure: general disclosure, corporate social responsibility-related information, financial information, CEO announcements and strategic news communication. A subsequent cross-theme analysis classifies disclosure determinants and consequences of corporate social media usage.
Originality/value
Through a comprehensive and systematic analysis of existing research, this review offers novel insights into the current state of corporate communication on social media. It consolidates current knowledge, highlights under-explored areas in the existing literature and proposes new directions and potential avenues for future research.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate cutting-edge coagulant materials and procedures for the removal of harmful microplastics from the water.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate cutting-edge coagulant materials and procedures for the removal of harmful microplastics from the water.
Design/methodology/approach
Traditional methods of removing microplastics from water bodies, like filtration, face limitations due to the small sizes involved. Hence, coagulation and flocculation emerge as essential strategies to enhance filtration efficacy. This paper summarizes recent research on coagulant materials, including novel hybrids, for water purification. It also looks at the most recent improvements in coagulation and flocculation processes, as well as the factors that influence their efficiency.
Findings
This paper highlights recent research on coagulant materials, including novel hybrids, used in water purification. It also examines the most recent advancements in coagulation and flocculation procedures, as well as the elements influencing their effectiveness.
Originality/value
The environmental threat posed by plastics, especially in their non-naturally degradable forms, such as microplastics, has reached alarming proportions. These minute particles pervade our air, soil and water bodies, driven by various factors and sources. Their diminutive size, whether in micro or nano form, renders them ingestible by marine and freshwater organisms, as well as humans, posing significant health risks. Traditional methods of water cleaning are not effective in dealing with very small-sized plastics and hence this paper summarizes recent research on coagulant materials, including various novel hybrids, for water purification from tiny microplastics in detail.
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Hebah Mohammad Aljabali, Rami H. Haddad and Laith H. Gharaibeh
The durability of concrete beams (150 × 250 × 1,600 mm3) strengthened using creative profiles with near-surface mounted (NSM) CFRP ropes under severe sulfate cyclic conditions was…
Abstract
Purpose
The durability of concrete beams (150 × 250 × 1,600 mm3) strengthened using creative profiles with near-surface mounted (NSM) CFRP ropes under severe sulfate cyclic conditions was experimentally investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Parabolic and straight profiles of NSM-CFRP ropes were implemented without and with internal vertical and lateral dowelings using the CFRP ropes. Another group of concrete beams was repaired using similar schemes after being exposed to sulfate damage. The mechanical response of virgin (control), and sulfate damaged beams as well as of those retrofitted before and after exposure to sulfates, was evaluated under a four-point loading setup.
Findings
Mechanical evaluation of concrete indicated an increase in concrete’s brittleness and a decrease in its compressive strength by 21%. The beams strengthened using proposed configurations before being exposed to severe sulfate attack showed reductions in load capacity, displacement ductility and toughness of up to 24, 22 and 53%, respectively, yet an increase in stiffness of up to 16% compared to counterpart virgin-strengthened beams. The implantation of vertical and lateral dowels helped maintain the load capacity and improve the stiffness and displacement ductility for former beams by as much as 35 and 16%, respectively. In contrast, beams exposed to the same stage of sulfate treatment and then repaired with a parabolic profile (with and without vertical dowels) attained or surpassed the mechanical performance of relevantly strengthened and then sulfate-treated ones. The adopted retrofitting configurations did not alter the ductile flexural failure mode observed for virgin and sulfate-damaged beams.
Research limitations/implications
Concrete beams were strengthened and then subjected to sulfate attack in the absence of actual loading, which is not the case in the field.
Practical implications
Encouraging the use of the proposed repair configuration with CFRP ropes for concrete elements subjected to severe sulfate attack.
Social implications
The repair proposed may help maintain the integrity of marine structures for a long time to save on municipal spending on repair issues.
Originality/value
Limited work (if none) on the evaluation of repair durability of concrete flexural elements under sulfate severe condition was reported.
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İsmail Cengiz Yılmaz and Hamdi Tekin
Migration is on the rise due to globalization and human mobility. This has led to increased impacts that have affected many industries, including the construction industry. A…
Abstract
Purpose
Migration is on the rise due to globalization and human mobility. This has led to increased impacts that have affected many industries, including the construction industry. A large number of migrants are employed in the construction sector, and employers are challenged to make sure all employees are properly integrated to meet the demands needed for construction projects. This article addresses key differences between migrant and native workers to help hiring departments in the construction industry analyse workers' attitudes based on cultural and motivational factors to have the workforce they need to succeed.
Design/methodology/approach
The research used both quantitative and qualitative surveys. A two-part questionnaire, designed through a comprehensive literature review, was carried out to identify key differences between native and migrant workers. The data were obtained and then analysed using different statistical approaches, including factor analysis protocol, factor structure model, reliability analysis, relative importance index and nonparametric test analysis. A semi-structured interview was then conducted to discuss all the findings.
Findings
The study indicated that migrant workers, compared to natives, tend to give more importance to their working environment, particularly accommodation, work safety and relations with teammates. Also, migrants typically take a socialistic approach instead of an individual approach while at work and reveal an extensive range of behaviours based on a sense of belonging. It might be more important for migrants to have a place in society, to have a settled life and to be integrated into an established order than to improve their rights and benefits. On the other hand, the study argued that native workers tend to prioritize their benefits at work, such as regular payments for overtime and insurance premiums. Their behaviours might carry a more neutral and individual attitude as well as specific cultural traces.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to a sample of participants in the Turkish construction sector. Further research based on more cultural models and motivational factors with a larger group of respondents from different countries could offer better results. The results of the study might not apply to a broad context due to many other factors that affect worker behaviours, such as geography, cultural structures and working conditions. Despite these drawbacks, the present paper may help employers and other stakeholders understand the best way to incorporate migrants into the construction industry.
Originality/value
This research is very important for the construction industry in various countries that are currently employing thousands of migrants. Being able to address the key differences between migrants and native workers based on cultural and motivational factors might help with engagement and create a level of harmony in the field for greater productivity.