Jie Li, Zui Tao and Nadilai Aisihaer
This study investigates whether the visualization of agricultural products influences consumers’ purchase intentions in the context of farmer-assisted livestreaming in China…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates whether the visualization of agricultural products influences consumers’ purchase intentions in the context of farmer-assisted livestreaming in China. Moreover, it explores the moderating effect of packaging functionality and the mediating effect of consumer trust.
Design/methodology/approach
Consumers in China from multiple social media platforms participated in this survey, which yielded 333 valid responses for analysis.
Findings
The results revealed a positive relationship between the video presentation about the agricultural production process and consumers’ purchase intention, which is mediated by consumers’ trust. Meanwhile, packaging functionality moderates the relationship between agricultural product visualization and consumers’ purchase intentions as well as the indirect effect of consumers’ trust.
Originality/value
This study extends the application of the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model to the field of farmer-assisted livestreaming. By building a more detailed model, this study adds to knowledge on the influencing mechanisms of consumers’ purchase intentions in farmer-assisted livestreaming.
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Wei Deng, Wenxin Zhou, Rui Song, Jie Li and Jing Zhang
The rise of digitalization brings new opportunities and challenges to female entrepreneurship (FE). This paper aims to systematically review the intellectual landscape of FE…
Abstract
Purpose
The rise of digitalization brings new opportunities and challenges to female entrepreneurship (FE). This paper aims to systematically review the intellectual landscape of FE research, identifying gaps and proposing future directions.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted on 1,918 highly relevant articles on FE, which were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science up to 2023.
Findings
While cyberfeminism is a rising perspective, the impact of digitalization on FE remains underexplored. Antecedents of FE are predominantly examined at the individual, family, organizational and environmental levels, overlooking team-level factors. Studies predominantly focus on outcomes at a single level and within a country, neglecting FE’s cross-level and cross-national complexity and diversity. The static analysis of mediating mechanisms in existing research fails to capture the dynamic process of FE. Furthermore, contextualization research often isolates family, institutional, social and mixed embeddedness, neglecting the simultaneous multiple contexts in which female entrepreneurs operate.
Originality/value
To bridge gaps in existing literature, this paper introduces an integrated research framework for FE. It suggests future research directions encompassing the impact of digital intelligence, heterogeneity of different groups of female entrepreneurs, the multiple contextual embedded nature of FE, dynamic process mechanisms for FE and cross-cultural comparisons. The proposed framework aims to inspire new insights and contribute to the evolving field of FE research.
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Hui Jie Li and Deqing Tan
The purpose of the study is to investigate strategies for enhancing pollution oversight by local governments while reducing government-enterprise collusion (GEC) levels…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to investigate strategies for enhancing pollution oversight by local governments while reducing government-enterprise collusion (GEC) levels. Additionally, the factors influencing pollution control efforts at incineration plants are explored. Potential approaches to improving them and for effectively reducing waste incineration pollution are suggested.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors examined the most effective methods for mitigating incineration-related pollution and preventing collusion and developed a differential game model involving interactions between local governments and incineration plants. The findings of this work have significant policy implications for central governments worldwide seeking to regulate waste incineration practices.
Findings
The results indicate that, first, elevating environmental assessment standards can incentivize local governments to improve their oversight efforts. Second, collusion between incineration plants and local governments can be deterred by transferring benefits from the plants to the local government, while increased supervision by the central government and the enforcement of penalties for collusion can also mitigate collusion. Third, both central and local governments can bolster their supervisory and penalty mechanisms for instances of excessive pollution, encouraging incineration plants to invest more in pollution control. Finally, when the central government finds it challenging to detect excessive incineration-related pollution, enhancing rewards and penalties at the local government level can be a viable alternative.
Originality/value
This study stands out by considering the dynamic nature of pollutants. A differential game model is constructed which captures the evolving dynamics between local governments and incineration plants, offering insights regarding the prevention of collusion from a dynamic perspective. The findings may provide a valuable reference for governments as they develop and enforce regulations while motivating incineration plants to actively engage in reducing waste-incineration pollution.
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Ayesha Nusrat, Zhang Zongming, Jie Li and Farhan Muhammad Muneeb
This study examines the impact of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) on Chinese micro and small family businesses’ (MSFBs) innovativeness. Drawing on the resource-based view, this…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the impact of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) on Chinese micro and small family businesses’ (MSFBs) innovativeness. Drawing on the resource-based view, this research study further explores the intermediary roles of proactive personality (PP) and affective commitment (AC) between ELs’ and MSFBs’ innovativeness. Besides this, the present work proposes a novel contingency impact of big data-powered artificial intelligence (BDAI) between EL, PP and AC, which indirectly spurs MSFBs’ innovativeness.
Design/methodology/approach
This study proposed a moderated mediation model using multi-wave, multi-source, time-lagged datasets of 380 employees from 190 Chinese MSFBs. We tested our hypotheses using structural equation modeling through the PLS technique.
Findings
The findings reveal a significant impact of EL on MSFB innovativeness, underscoring the pivotal intermediary roles of EL in driving MSFB innovativeness. Furthermore, BDAI emerges as a critical contingency factor, amplifying the effects of EL on both PP and AC to spur MSFBs’ innovativeness.
Practical implications
Our research offers several practical implications for Chinese MSFBs aiming to enhance innovativeness and competitive advantage. Firstly, understanding the direct impact of EL on MSFBs’ innovativeness provides valuable guidance for MSFB leaders. Secondly, recognizing the mediating roles of PP and AC underscores the importance of human and social capital in driving innovation within Chinese MSFBs. Thirdly, leveraging BDAI as a contingency factor can further augment the effects of EL on both PP and AC, thereby enhancing innovation outcomes. Thus, managers can capitalize on BDAI to gain actionable insights to increase MSFBs’ innovativeness.
Originality/value
This study enlightened how EL can develop MSFBs innovativeness through PP and AC. Our findings reveal that MSFBs can increase their innovation by leveraging PP and AC, leading to higher proactive provision in employees’ behavior. Subsequently, our results synchronized the exploration of BDAI as a novel insight for MSFB innovativeness. This shed light on a highly notable contribution to understanding BDAI to benefit MSFBs, acting as a critical contingency between EL, PP and AC.
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Linjie Dong, Renfei Zhang, Xiaohan Liu, Jie Li, Xingsong Wang and Tian Mengqian
Regular cable trench inspection is crucial, and robotics automation provides an efficient and safer alternative to manual labor. However, existing robots have limited capabilities…
Abstract
Purpose
Regular cable trench inspection is crucial, and robotics automation provides an efficient and safer alternative to manual labor. However, existing robots have limited capabilities in traversing obstacles and lack a mechanical arm for detecting cables and equipment. This study aims to develop an intelligent robot for cable trench inspection, enhancing obstacle-crossing abilities and incorporating a mechanical arm for inspection tasks.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents an intelligent robot for cable trench inspection, featuring a six-degree-of-freedom mechanical arm mounted on a six-track chassis with four flippers. The robot's climbing and obstacle-crossing stability, as well as the motion range of the mechanical arm, are analyzed. The positioning, navigation and remote monitoring systems are developed. Experiments, including climbing and obstacle-crossing performance tests, along with navigation and positioning system tests, are conducted. Finally, the robot's practicability is verified through field testing.
Findings
Equipped with flipper tracks, the cable trench inspection robot can traverse obstacles up to 30 cm high and maintain stable locomotion on 30° slopes. Its navigation system enables autonomous operation, while the mechanical arm performs cable current detection tasks. The remote monitoring system provides comprehensive control of the robot and environmental parameter monitoring in cable trenches.
Originality/value
The front and rear flipper tracks enhance the robot's ability to traverse obstacles in cable trenches. The mechanical arm addresses cable current and equipment contact detection issues. The navigation and remote monitoring systems improve the robot's autonomous operation and environmental monitoring capabilities. Implementing this robot can advance the automation and intelligence of cable trench inspections.
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Xiaojing Ma, Jie Li, Jun Zhao and Jiliang Chen
Aerodynamics plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of race cars. Due to the low ride height, the aerodynamic components of race cars are affected by ground effects…
Abstract
Purpose
Aerodynamics plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of race cars. Due to the low ride height, the aerodynamic components of race cars are affected by ground effects. The changes in pitch and roll attitudes during the car’s movement impact its ride height. This study aims to analyze the aerodynamic characteristics of race cars under specific pitch and roll attitudes to understand the underlying aerodynamic mechanisms. This paper focuses on the aerodynamic characteristics of racing cars under variations in body posture associated with different vehicle ride heights. It examines not only the force and pressure distribution resulting from changes in the overall vehicle posture but also the flow field behavior of both surface flow and off‑body flow. Analyzing individual components reveals the impact of the front wing on the overall aerodynamic performance and aerodynamic balance of the racing car under these posture variations.
Design/methodology/approach
The grid strategy for the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method was established under baseline conditions and compared with the results from wind tunnel experiments. The CFD approach was further employed to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of the racing car under varying body postures associated with different vehicle ride heights. Emphasis is placed on the overall aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and the various components’ influence on the changing trends of aerodynamic forces. By considering the surface pressure distribution of the car, the primary reasons behind the changes in aerodynamic forces for each component are investigated. In addition, the surface flow and detached flow (wake and vortex distributions) of the car were observed to gain insights into the overall flow field behavior under different attitudes.
Findings
The findings indicate that both pitch and roll attitudes result in a considerable loss of downforce on the front wing compared with other components, thereby affecting the overall downforce and aerodynamic balance of the vehicle.
Originality/value
This paper focuses on the aerodynamic characteristics of racing cars under variations in body posture associated with different vehicle ride heights. It examines not only the force and pressure distribution resulting from changes in the overall vehicle posture but also the flow field behavior of both surface flow and off-body flow. Analyzing individual components reveals the impact of the front wing on the overall aerodynamic performance and aerodynamic balance of the racing car under these posture variations.
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Rhetorical figures are frequently used in English-Chinese advertisement translation, but their impact on consumers is an under-studied issue. This research aims to explore Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose
Rhetorical figures are frequently used in English-Chinese advertisement translation, but their impact on consumers is an under-studied issue. This research aims to explore Chinese consumers’ perception of two categories of rhetorical figures in bilingual advertising, namely schemes and tropes, via an eye-tracking experiment.
Design/methodology/approach
It takes rhyme and antithesis as representative examples of schemes and takes metaphor as an example of tropes. Eighty-six native Chinese speakers with satisfactory English proficiency participated in the experiment. Thirty English slogans without rhetorical figures were selected for the experiment. Two parallel Chinese versions were prepared, one with rhetorical figures and the other without. Participants were randomly assigned to read the English version and one Chinese version.
Findings
Data analyses show that the translations with rhetorical figures generally involve higher fixation duration or count, smaller saccade amplitude and higher subjective ratings. In particular, the impact of metaphor is more prominent than that of rhymes and antitheses. Still, English texts receive higher ratings than Chinese translations except for cases where metaphors are used in translations.
Practical implications
The results suggest that incorporating rhetorical figures particularly tropes into Chinese translations is effective in increasing Chinese consumers’ attention and processing depth and to present English advertisements together with Chinese translations can be helpful for affecting their attitude.
Originality/value
It applies the eye-tracking approach to explore Chinese consumers’ perception of rhetorical figures. It provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of tropes.
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Xin Feng, Yimeng Zhao, Linan Zhang and Xueli Zhang
The rapid development of information technology, epitomized by AIGC and the metaverse, presents unprecedented challenges to techno-ethics, exposing society to significant risks…
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid development of information technology, epitomized by AIGC and the metaverse, presents unprecedented challenges to techno-ethics, exposing society to significant risks and uncertainties. A systematic investigation and discussion of the construction of techno-ethical order become crucial under the paradigm of risk society theory. The selection of conditions and pathways for constructing a techno-ethical order under the risk society theory paradigm becomes an unavoidable and vital issue.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on risk society theory, this study employs scientometrics and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to empirically analyze the key factors and conditional pathways in the construction of techno-ethical order. Initially, a quantitative analysis is conducted on 1,490 thematic literature retrieved from CNKI and WoS to identify the hot topics and core concepts in techno-ethical research. Subsequently, QCA configuration analysis is applied to calculate eight evaluation indicators and their weights from the perspectives of government, society and individuals. Finally, the study explores the mechanisms of the impact of these indicators’ weights on the construction of techno-ethical order.
Findings
The analysis of factor weights and pathways indicates that the selection of pathways for constructing techno-ethical order is influenced both by the inherent development patterns of technology and societal systems and cultural values. Literature metrics analysis reveals an overall trend of sustained growth in techno-ethical research, indicating an unprecedented prosperity in this field. Alongside technological advancements, keywords related to “artificial intelligence” play a crucial role in current techno-ethical research. Configuration analysis demonstrates that conditional variables from the dimensions of government, society and individuals form a configuration pathway, influencing and synergistically impacting the overall level of techno-ethical order construction. Attention should be given to the mutual constraints and synergistic effects of factors related to technological development, societal systems and cultural values.
Originality/value
This study, grounded in the risk society theory paradigm, quantitatively explores the key factors and pathways of techno-ethical order construction in academic texts, expanding new perspectives, providing novel insights, establishing innovative methodologies and extending new boundaries in the field. Further enrichment of the dataset and in-depth discussions are warranted for continued advancement.
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Amer Jazairy, Emil Persson, Mazen Brho, Robin von Haartman and Per Hilletofth
This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of the interdisciplinary literature on drones in last-mile delivery (LMD) to extrapolate pertinent insights from and into…
Abstract
Purpose
This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of the interdisciplinary literature on drones in last-mile delivery (LMD) to extrapolate pertinent insights from and into the logistics management field.
Design/methodology/approach
Rooting their analytical categories in the LMD literature, the authors performed a deductive, theory refinement SLR on 307 interdisciplinary journal articles published during 2015–2022 to integrate this emergent phenomenon into the field.
Findings
The authors derived the potentials, challenges and solutions of drone deliveries in relation to 12 LMD criteria dispersed across four stakeholder groups: senders, receivers, regulators and societies. Relationships between these criteria were also identified.
Research limitations/implications
This review contributes to logistics management by offering a current, nuanced and multifaceted discussion of drones' potential to improve the LMD process together with the challenges and solutions involved.
Practical implications
The authors provide logistics managers with a holistic roadmap to help them make informed decisions about adopting drones in their delivery systems. Regulators and society members also gain insights into the prospects, requirements and repercussions of drone deliveries.
Originality/value
This is one of the first SLRs on drone applications in LMD from a logistics management perspective.
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This study quantitatively examines the relationship between economic fluctuations and government budget size in the context of China’s fiscal decentralization, drawing inspiration…
Abstract
Purpose
This study quantitatively examines the relationship between economic fluctuations and government budget size in the context of China’s fiscal decentralization, drawing inspiration from theoretical predictions of the Keynesian view and empirical studies on other economies.
Design/methodology/approach
The panel comprises 31 provinces or equivalents in mainland China, spanning from 1994 to 2019. Diverse estimation strategies including two-way fixed effect regression, the generalized method of moments (GMM) and threshold regressions are, utilized.
Findings
The results suggest that under the “tax-assignment system”, neither the central government’s fiscal transfers nor the provincial budgetary revenues or expenditures help reduce economic volatility. Surprisingly, some regression outcomes suggest that government size measures destabilize business cycles.
Originality/value
While the study does not provide supportive evidence for the stabilizing effect of public budgets in Chinese provinces, it promotes a rethinking of the government’s intricate role in macroeconomic stabilization in the context of China’s fiscal decentralization.