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The study explores the mechanism between employee demand–ability fit and promotability ratings. Moreover, we examine whether political skill moderates the relationship above.

The present study received 260 effective supervisor-rated questionnaires from various industries in Taiwan.

The results reveal that employee demand–ability fit positively relates to promotability ratings, and task performance mediates the above relationship. In addition, political skill positively moderates the relationship between employee demand–ability fit and task performance.

We used the supervisor rating for our variables to test the hypotheses.

This study aims to empirically investigate how knowledge paradox affects collaboration performance. Knowledge paradox, which arises from the simultaneous need for knowledge sharing and protection, is common in interorganizational collaboration. Using the ambidexterity perspective, this paper aims to reexamine the effect of the knowledge paradox on collaborative performance to explore the moderating roles of structural and contextual ambidexterity.

This study used a sample of 153 firms involved in vertical and horizontal collaboration, collected via questionnaires. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis.

This study demonstrates that the stronger the knowledge paradox is, the higher the potential for value creation. Thus, knowledge paradox has a positive impact on collaborative performance. The functions of structural ambidexterity and contextual ambidexterity strengthen this positive relationship.

This paper not only expands the theoretical application of the knowledge paradox and ambidexterity theory in the context of interorganizational relationships but also provides significant managerial implications. By comprehending the dynamics of the knowledge paradox and the role of ambidexterity, managers can make well-informed decisions to enhance their collaborative performance.

This study aims to prepare an imprinted composite membrane with grafted temperature-sensitive blocks for the efficient adsorption and separation of rhenium(Re) from aqueous solutions.

PVDF resin membrane was used as the substrate, dopamine and chitosan (CS) were used to modify the membrane surface and temperature-sensitive block PDEA was grafted on the membrane surface. Then acrylic acid (AA) and N-methylol acrylamide (N-MAM) were used as the functional monomers, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker and ascorbic acid-hydrogen peroxide (Vc-H₂O₂) as the initiator to obtain the temperature-sensitive ReO4⁻ imprinted composite membranes.

The effect of the preparation process on the performance of CS–Re–TIICM was investigated in detail, and the optimal preparation conditions were as follows: the molar ratios of AA–NH₄ReO₄, N-MAM and EGDMA were 0.13, 0.60 and 1.00, respectively. The optimal temperature and time of the reaction were 40 °C and 24 h. The maximum adsorption capacity of CS–Re–TIICM prepared under optimal conditions was 0.1071 mmol/g, and the separation was 3.90 when MnO4⁻ was used as the interfering ion. The quasi first-order kinetics model and Langmuir model were more suitable to describe the adsorption process.

With the increasing demand for Re, the recovery of Re from Re-containing secondary resources becomes important. This study demonstrated a new material that could be separated and recovered Re in a complex environment, which could effectively alleviate the conflict between the supply and demand of Re.

This contribution provided a new material for the selective separation and purification of ReO4⁻, and the adsorption capacity and separation of CS–Re–TIICM were increased with 1.673 times and 1.219 time compared with other Re adsorbents, respectively. In addition, when it was used for the purification of NH₄ReO₄ crude, the purity was increased from 91.950% to 99.999%.

This paper aims to examine the effects of both transient and chronic loneliness on consumers’ variety-seeking (VS) behavior and to identify the various underlying mechanisms involved.

Four studies were adopted to clarify how transient and chronic loneliness affect consumers’ VS behavior.

Both transient and chronic loneliness promote consumers’ VS behavior. More importantly, the effect of transient loneliness on VS behavior is driven by perceived loss of control, whereas the effect of chronic loneliness on VS behavior is driven by need for uniqueness and sensation-seeking.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to explore the differential roles of transient and chronic loneliness on VS behavior, which may open new avenues for future research. First, future research could investigate moderators that influence the impacts of transient and chronic loneliness on VS behavior. Second, future research could examine different participant populations and use cognitive neuroscience techniques to further verify the differential roles of these two types of loneliness on VS behavior.

This research contributes to marketing practice by providing practical guidance on how to effectively design different marketing strategies to promote VS for consumers with different types of loneliness. For consumers with transient loneliness, marketers can benefit from a concerted focus on improving consumers’ sense of control. Yet, for consumers with chronic loneliness, marketing strategies that improve consumers’ need for uniqueness will be more effective.

This research contributes to the literature on loneliness and consumer behavior, which has largely overlooked the distinct roles of different types of loneliness (i.e. transient vs chronic loneliness) in influencing consumer behavior. Specifically, this paper conducted a comparative analysis of the impacts of transient and chronic loneliness on consumers’ VS behavior and proposed that transient and chronic loneliness promote consumers’ VS behavior through divergent underlying mechanisms.

Due to increasing interest in sustainability, consumers prioritize environmentally friendly consumption across various service sectors. This study aims to examine how environment-related attributes of food delivery services affect customer behavior. Specifically, the authors use the stimulus-organism-response framework to explore how environmentally friendly food packages correlate with customers’ environmental support and patronage behavior.

The authors collected data from US food delivery service customers. To test the hypotheses, the authors used partial least squares structural equation modeling.

The authors find that customers’ perceptions of the environmental friendliness of food packages influence their satisfaction and trust, which in turn affect their environmental support and patronage behaviors. Also, customers’ trust and satisfaction mediate the relationship between their food consumption experience and its outcomes. The authors further explore demographic factors that influence the proposed relationships.

Due to the popularity of food delivery services, this study has theoretical and practical implications for restaurant service providers and highlights the potential of environmentally friendly packaging to increase both environmental support and loyal behavior.

This study aims to shed new light on the effect of gift packaging shape, specifically the distinction between horizontal and vertical orientations, on the face consciousness of both gift givers and recipients. The underlying mechanism of the main effect is examined, focusing on the perception of social status symbols. In addition, downstream outcome variables were included in the study to explore the effects of gift package shape on willingness to buy (WTB) and word-of-mouth (WOM) in the giver and receiver contexts, respectively. Furthermore, these effects were repeatedly verified in both China and the USA, revealing the significance of cultural differences. The study also investigated the moderating effects of an individual’s power state (low or high power) on the giver’s face consciousness.

Six studies were conducted to address the research objectives. Study 1 compared the gift givers’ face consciousness of a gift when presented with vertical package shapes versus horizontal. Subsequently, Study 2 investigated whether consumers’ perception of social status symbols mediates the effect of gift package shape on gift givers’ face consciousness. Study 3a expanded the conceptual model to include the downstream outcome variable of WTB in the context of gift-giving. Study 3b was validated with American participants, revealing the influence of cultural background differences on face consciousness. Study 4 introduced a gift-receiving context to investigate the chain-mediated effects of gift package shapes on consumer WOM. Lastly, Study 5 critically examined the boundary effect of personal power states on the interaction between the gift givers’ face consciousness and WTB.

The results indicate that gift givers and recipients attribute higher face consciousness to gifts with vertical package shapes compared to horizontal ones. In addition, consumers’ perception of gifts as status symbols was the underlying mechanism driving the impact of gift packaging shape on face consciousness. Furthermore, the face consciousness for gift packages of vertical shape was enhanced when people were in lower-power states as opposed to higher-power states, subsequently leading to an increase in the WTB.

The research is limited to an online virtual brand study; future field studies could be conducted to enhance the authenticity of the participants’ gift-giving experience and the overall external validity of the studies. In addition, gender-based stereotypes and the relationship between the giver and the receiver (transactional or intimate) may also influence the relationship between gift package shapes and face consciousness.

The practical implications of this research focus on three points. First, gift brand managers should strategically employ vertical package shapes to signal high-end attributes and evoke face consciousness among consumers, aligning with the psychology of both givers and recipients. Second, managers must consider consumers’ power states in gift-giving scenarios, tailoring packaging recommendations to the dynamics between givers and recipients to maximize market share. Last, cultural differences in face consciousness, particularly between Asian and Western cultures, necessitate that managers adapt packaging designs to respect and enhance the social status of both givers and recipients in culturally sensitive ways. These findings underscore the importance of understanding and integrating consumer psychology, power dynamics, and cultural nuances into gift packaging strategies to boost market share.

The research contributes to understanding the impact of gift packaging shape on the perception of face consciousness among both gift givers and recipients. It highlights the mediating role of social status symbols and extends its scope by examining downstream effects such as WTB and WOM. It explores individual power states as a moderating factor, revealing how personal dynamics influence perceptions of face-saving consciousness. Also, the cross-cultural validation of these effects in China and the USA underscores the importance of considering cultural differences.

Drawing upon the needs–supplies fit theory, this study aims to examine how the expected and perceived algorithmic autonomy support (AAS) influences platform workers’ work stress and incivility, with a focus on the moderating role of self-direction.

Using data collected from 422 platform workers in China through multiple waves, the model is tested through polynomial regression and response surface analysis.

The results indicate that a mismatch between expected and perceived AAS is associated with higher levels of incivility among platform workers, and this relationship is mediated by work stress. These findings are particularly salient when self-direction is emphasized.

This study suggests that a universally high level of AAS may not necessarily reduce workers’ stress and incivility. Instead, it is important for platforms to ensure that their workers’ expectations of autonomy support are met and for workers to be given the space to exercise self-direction.

Previous studies have highlighted the need to pay attention to workers in mobile and ambiguous environments, and this study adds to this literature by focusing specifically on platform organizations and workplaces. This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between AAS, work stress and platform workers’ incivility.

Transparency is one of the finest characteristics of blockchain technology. As blockchain’s technical enablers are traceable and irreversible, transparency allows for more confidence in the system. This study aims to apply and extend the theoretical model of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) by empirically investigating the factors (performance expectancy, price value, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, habit, social influence and effort expectancy) that influence users’ perceived transparency of blockchain-as-a-service for e-voting and its effect on adoption intention; to investigate the mediating effect of perceived blockchain transparency on the relationship between UTAUT2 antecedents and intention to use blockchain-based e-voting technology; and to investigate Generations Z and Y’s perceptions of how blockchain technology can be implemented to the current e-voting system.

The authors primarily used the MTurk crowdsourcing platform to host their online survey and collected 251 valid responses from their targeted participants, which the authors analyzed using Smart PLS 4.0.

The findings revealed that users’ perceived expectancy, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, habit and price value positively influence the perceived transparency of blockchain-as-a-service for e-voting. This, in turn, positively influences adoption intention. In addition, users’ perceived transparency positively mediates the relationship between UTAUT2 factors (perceived expectancy, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, habit and price value) and the adoption intention of blockchain-based e-voting.

By empirically investigating the factors that enhance users’ perceived transparency of blockchain-as-a-service for e-voting, this study contributes to the UTAUT2 model literature. It also investigates the impact of this perceived transparency on the adoption intention and illustrates its mediating role in the UTAUT2 model through a segmentation approach. Finally, the authors address the significant implications of the findings, including how their research contributes to the transparency literature by emphasizing the significance of transparency in blockchain technology.

Purpose: This study investigates the relationships between environmentally conscious behaviours and intentions among the Romanian population, focusing on the interplay between disposition towards supplementary payment for eco-friendly products (DSPEP), intention for purchasing green products (IPGP), environmentally aware behaviours (EAB), and anticipated eco-behaviour intention (AEI).

Methodology: Questionnaire, the participants being selected using a convenience sampling method, taken from the population of Romania in the period 2021–2022, and the final sample being formed from the answers of 759 participants. Data were analysed using SPSS Process Model 6, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), correlation analysis, and mediation analysis.

Findings: Pearson’s correlation coefficients revealed significant positive associations among DSPEP, IPGP, EAB, and AEI, indicating that individuals with a higher disposition towards eco-friendly products are more likely to have stronger intentions and behaviours related to environmental conservation. Mediation analysis further elucidated the mediating roles of EAB and AEI in the relationship between DSPEP and IPGP. Specifically, AEI exerted both direct and indirect effects on DSPEP, with EAB and IPGP acting as significant mediators.

Implications: Implications for policymakers and marketers seeking to develop interventions and strategies to foster environmental conservation efforts and promote eco-friendly consumption behaviours.

Limitations: The provision of empirical evidence only from the Romanian population. The sampling method and the cross-sectional nature of the data generate methodological limitations, which limit the generalisation and inference of causality of the findings.

Future Research: Research can be extended to validate these findings in different cultural contexts and explore additional factors influencing environmentally conscious behaviours and intentions.

The main purpose of the study is to identify the differences and similarities in the communication between B2B participants in cross-cultural environments.

The research methods used in the study are two-fold: the literature analysis is complemented by primary qualitative research conducted in small- and medium-sized enterprises operating in Poland and doing business internationally. The research was focused on two culturally different markets: China and the United States. In the empirical research, the authors used one of the qualitative methods – Individual Depth Interview (IDI).

General findings showed that the strongest influence of culture was identified among older (+50 years old) business partners. The younger ones are eager to adapt and try to understand others' viewpoints. The research results may be used in creating business communication models in the countries researched for companies that plan to enter both American and Chinese markets.

The results of the study may have useful applied managerial value and be used in cooperation between SMEs' B2B business partners, not only from Poland but also from the whole region of Central and Eastern Europe and the United States and China.

The findings may help to understand and communicate with culturally different social groups such as co-workers, students, teachers, etc.

The research presented in the paper covers the gap in the literature because it relates to some new factors (like cultural heritage, age and type of industry) which determine the effectiveness of personal business communication between partners in the international marketplace.