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1 – 10 of 22Yun Victoria Chen, Xin Jin, Sarah Gardiner and IpKin Anthony Wong
This study aims to explore the role of social media visual posts (known as foodstagramming) on restaurant visit intention. Drawing on the heuristic–systematic model and normative…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the role of social media visual posts (known as foodstagramming) on restaurant visit intention. Drawing on the heuristic–systematic model and normative focus theory, this research introduces a framework that assesses the effects of key foodstagramming attributes – vicarious expression, aesthetic appeal and post popularity – and the mediating roles of goal relevance and mimicking desire, in the process.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation modelling was performed to test the proposed model using a sample of tourists (n = 377) and residents (n = 341). Multi-group analysis was performed to compare the differences between these groups.
Findings
Results reveal that mimicking desire and goal relevance influence restaurant visit intention; however, mimicking desire has a stronger influence than goal relevance. Little difference was found between the tourist and the resident groups in the proposed relationships, except that vicarious expression positively influences mimicking desire in the tourist group but not in the resident group.
Practical implications
This study guides restauranteurs and social media influencers (foodstagrammers). It shows that consumers value the textual content and aesthetic appeal of photos over the popularity of a post. It also indicates that vicarious expression is more important for tourists than for residents.
Originality/value
This research advances social media marketing literature by proposing a new information processing framework. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first studies to explore the impact of visual post attributes on individual decision-making behaviours through socially acceptable norms.
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Jinyu Wei, Xin Zhang, Yaoxi Liu and Yingmei Jiang
This study aims to propose a cloud platform architecture considering information sharing based on blockchain to realize the security and convenience of enterprise information…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose a cloud platform architecture considering information sharing based on blockchain to realize the security and convenience of enterprise information sharing in the automotive supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
A bilateral matching model considering enterprises information contribution stimulates information sharing and improves the efficiency and quality of supply and demand matching. Three smart contracts are used to complete the information sharing process and match supply and demand in the automotive supply chain.
Findings
The system is tested on the local Ganache private chain, and the decentralized web page is designed based on the architecture prototype.
Originality/value
Solve the problem of information island in automobile supply chain.
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While the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on organizational innovation is increasingly acknowledged, empirical investigations exploring its effect on product innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
While the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on organizational innovation is increasingly acknowledged, empirical investigations exploring its effect on product innovation efficiency, particularly through the lens of knowledge innovation at various modes, remain scarce. This study aims to address this gap by empirically examining the influence of AI application on product innovation efficiency within firms. It further investigates the mediating role of knowledge innovation within the SECI model and the moderating effect of technological perception characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through a questionnaire survey administered to managers in intelligent manufacturing enterprises across China. The proposed hypotheses were tested using the PROCESS macro for SPSS, employing the bootstrapping method to assess mediation and moderation effects.
Findings
Enterprise application of AI significantly influences both knowledge innovation within the SECI model and product innovation efficiency. Knowledge innovation occurring in the socialization and combination modes of the SECI model mediates the relationship between AI application and product innovation efficiency. Perceived ease of use of AI exhibits a contrasting moderating effect on AI-related relationships, while perceived usefulness does not demonstrate a significant moderating effect.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by empirically examining the influence of AI application on product innovation efficiency, mediated by knowledge innovation within the SECI model. Additionally, it explores the nuanced moderating role of AI perception characteristics, highlighting the potential duality of AI technology in driving innovation outcomes. These findings offer valuable insights for managers seeking to leverage AI for enhancing product innovation and knowledge management practices.
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Xu Long, Xianyi Zhao, Kainan Chong, Yutai Su, Kim S. Siow, Zhi Wang, Fengrui Jia and Xin Wan
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the mechanical properties of sintered nanosilver with different porosities at both the mesoscopic and macroscopic scales and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the mechanical properties of sintered nanosilver with different porosities at both the mesoscopic and macroscopic scales and to conduct a multiscale analysis of the porosity effect on the mechanical properties of sintered nanosilver.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper establishes a mesoscopic model for the uniaxial tension of sintered nanosilver and a macroscopic model for chips containing sintered silver layers. Using the finite element method, combined with crystal plasticity theory and unified creep plasticity theory, a multiscale analysis is conducted for the mechanical properties of sintered nanosilver. First, stress distribution characteristics under uniaxial tensile loading for different porosities in sintered nanosilver polycrystal models are analyzed at the mesoscopic scale. Second, at the macroscopic scale, the mechanical performance of sintered nanosilver layers with varying porosities in high-power chip models under cyclic loading is analyzed. Finally, the porosity influence on the damage evolution in sintered nanosilver is summarized, and simulations are conducted to explore the evolution of damage parameters in sintered nanosilver under different porosities.
Findings
In the mesoscopic model, the presence of mesoscale voids affects the stress distribution in sintered nanosilver subjected to tensile loading. Sintered nanosilver with lower porosity exhibits higher tensile strength. In the macroscopic model, sintered nanosilver layers with lower porosity correspond to a more uniform stress distribution, whereas higher porosity leads to faster accumulation of plastic strain in the sintered layer. During chip packaging processes, improving processes to reduce the porosity of sintered layers can delay the initiation of damage and the propagation of cracks in sintered nanosilver.
Practical implications
During chip packaging processes, improving processes to reduce the porosity of sintered layers can delay the initiation of damage and the propagation of cracks in sintered nanosilver.
Originality/value
This paper innovatively uses a mesoscopic crystal plasticity constitutive model and a macroscopic unified creep plasticity constitutive model to analyze the mechanical behavior of sintered nanosilver with different porosities. It comprehensively investigates and explains the influence of porosity on the mechanical performance of sintered nanosilver across multiple scales.
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Xin Qi, Xinlei Lv, Zhigang Li, Chunbaixue Yang, Haoran Li and Angelika Ploeger
Understanding young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior in the fresh food e-commerce platforms (FFEP) is crucial for expanding the global environmental product market. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Understanding young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior in the fresh food e-commerce platforms (FFEP) is crucial for expanding the global environmental product market. The study aims to investigate how specific characteristics of platforms and organic food information impact young adults’ perceived value, leading to their subsequent purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Around 535 valid responses were collected through an online survey and then analyzed applying a two-stage structural equation model (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) approach.
Findings
Results of this research show that platform characteristics (including system quality and evaluation system) and product information characteristics (including organic label, ingredient information and traceability information) significantly affect young adults’ perceived utilitarian and hedonic value. The platform’s service quality has a strong effect on their perceptions of hedonic value, while the delivery system strongly influences their utilitarian value. Moreover, the perceived value, as a crucial mediator, plays a significant role in moderating the influence of platform and product information characteristics on the purchase intentions of young consumers regarding organic food.
Originality/value
Previous research has overlooked the credence attributes of organic food and particularities of online purchasing, focusing instead on general platform and product characteristics. This study addresses this gap by proposing a more appropriate model that integrates the characteristics of both the platform and product information. This offers theoretical and managerial implications for effectively stimulating organic food consumption among young adults in online environments.
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Narendra Gariya, Amir Shaikh, Anzar Ahmad, Kapil Sharma and Ashwini Sharma
Supply chain management (SCM) has evolved to fulfill the demands of the dynamic global business environment. The development of the Internet of Things (IoT), which offers…
Abstract
Supply chain management (SCM) has evolved to fulfill the demands of the dynamic global business environment. The development of the Internet of Things (IoT), which offers unmatched connectivity and real-time data insights, has further transformed SCM. This chapter provides an overview of SCM development and its integration with IoTs. This integration led to improved inventory control, supply chain optimization (SCO), and visibility which further enhances the conventional SCM and provides benefits, such as more accurate real-time tracking and monitoring, improved data analytics, more efficient logistics and transportation management, and reduced costs and wastages. However, despite these benefits, there are various associated challenges and concerns, like privacy and data security, compatibility and interoperability, implementation costs, returns on investment, trained workforce, and training requirements, which are required to be addressed. Additionally, the outcomes of this study and managerial implications are provided along with the future research scope. Overall, this chapter provides valuable insight into the transformative potential of IoT in SCM and practical suggestions on how managers can successfully navigate difficulties and get benefits from the IoT-SCM integration. Organizations can enhance their supply chain operations, efficiency, and innovation by actively confronting challenges and taking advantage of the opportunities provided by IoT technologies. This will ultimately result in the delivery of greater value to both stakeholders and customers.
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Sandy Harianto and Janto Haman
The purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of politically-connected boards (PCBs) on over-(under-)investment in labor. We also examine the impacts of the supervisory…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of politically-connected boards (PCBs) on over-(under-)investment in labor. We also examine the impacts of the supervisory board (SB)’s optimal tenure on the association between PCBs and over-investment in labor.
Design/methodology/approach
We constructed the proxy for PCBs using a dummy variable set to 1 (one) if a firm has politically-connected boards and zero (0) otherwise. For the robustness check, we used the number of politically-connected members on the boards as the proxy for PCBs.
Findings
We find that the presence of PCBs reduces over-investment in labor. Consistent with our prediction, we found no significant association between PCBs and under-investment in labor. We also find that the SB with optimal tenure strengthens the negative association between PCBs and over-investment in labor. In our channel analysis, we find that the presence of PCB mitigates over-investment in labor through a higher dividend payout ratio.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the unavailability of data in firms’ annual reports regarding the number of poorly-skilled and highly skilled employees, we were not able to examine the effect of low-skilled and high-skilled employees on over-investment in labor. Also, we were not able to examine over-(under-)investment in labor by drawing a distinction between general (generalist) and firm-specific human capital (specialist) as suggested by Sevcenko, Wu, and Kacperczyk (2022). Generally, it is more difficult for managers to hire highly-skilled employees, specialists in particular, thereby driving the choice of either over- or under-investing in the labor forces. In addition, in the firms’ annual reports, there is no information regarding temporary employees. Therefore, if and when such data become available, this would provide another avenue for future research.
Practical implications
Our study offers several practical implications and insights to stakeholders (e.g. insiders or management, shareholders, investors, analysts and creditors) in the following ways. First, our study highlights significant differences between capital investment and labor investment. For instance, labor investment is considered an expense rather than an asset (Wyatt, 2008) because, although such investment is human capital and is not recognized on the firm’s balance sheet (Boon et al., 2017). In addition, labor investment is characterized by: its flexibility which enables firms to make frequent adjustments (Hamermesh, 1995; Dixit & Pindyck, 2012; Aksin et al., 2015), its non-homogeneity since every employee is unique (Luo et al., 2020), its direct impact on morale and productivity of a firm (Azadegan et al., 2013; Mishina et al., 2004; Tatikonda et al., 2013), and its financial outlay which affects the ongoing cash flows of a firm (Sualihu et al., 2021; Khedmati et al., 2020; Merz & Yashiv, 2007). Second, our findings reveal that the presence of PCBs could help to reduce over-investment in labor. However, if managers of a firm choose to under-invest in labor in order to obtain better profit in the short-term through cost saving, they should be aware of the potential consequences of facing a financial loss when a new business opportunity suddenly arises which requires a larger labor force. Third, our findings help stakeholders to re-focus on the labor investment. This is crucial due to the fact that labor investment is often neglected by those stakeholders because the expenditure of labor investment is not recognized on the firm’s balance sheet as an asset. Instead, it is written off as an expense in the firm’s income statement. Fourth, our findings also provide insightful information to stakeholders, suggesting that an SB with optimal tenure is more committed to a firm, and this factor plays an important role in strengthening the negative association between PCBs and over-investment in labor.
Social implications
First, our findings provide a valuable understanding of the effects of PCBs on over-(under-)investment in labor. Stakeholders could use information disclosed in the financial statements of a publicly-listed firm to determine the extent of the firm’s investment in labor and PCBs, and compare this information with similar firms in the same industry sector. Second, our findings give a better understanding of the association between investment in labor and political connections , which are human and social capital that could determine the long-term survival and success of a firm. Third, for shareholders, the appointment of board members with political connections is an important strategic decision to build political capital, which is likely to have a long-term impact on the financial performance of a firm; therefore, it requires thoughtful consultation with firm insiders.
Originality/value
Our findings highlight the role of PCBs in reducing over-investment in labor. These findings are significant because both investment in labor and political connections as human and social capital can play an important role in determining the long-term survival and success of a firm.
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Abdul Jelil Abukari, Wenyuan Li, Abdul Rasheed Akeji Alhassan Alolo, Pomegbe Wisdom Wise Kwabla, Ingrid Ruth Epezagne Assamala and Ibrahim Sulemana
The study constructs a novel theoretical model based on resource orchestration theory and examines it using data from Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Abstract
Purpose
The study constructs a novel theoretical model based on resource orchestration theory and examines it using data from Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Entrepreneurial bricolage (EB) represents a creative mechanism by which SMEs navigate resource challenges to become competitive. The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between EB to both innovation performance and firm performance among manufacturing SMEs in Ghana. In addition, we also examine the mediating role of polychronicity in the relationship between EB, innovation performance and firm performance.
Findings
The results suggest that EB positively and significantly influences both innovation performance and firm performance. Furthermore, polychronicity partially mediates the relationship between EB and innovation performance and between EB and firm performance.
Originality/value
This study enhances our understanding of the conditions under which EB may facilitate the attainment of innovation and firm performance among manufacturing SMEs. These findings also proffer practical and managerial implications for managing SMEs under resource constraints.
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Tan Tan, Grant Mills, Xiaolin Ma and Eleni Papadonikolaki
Off-Site Construction (OSC) has received much government and public attention during and after COVID. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an initiative discussed widely to…
Abstract
Purpose
Off-Site Construction (OSC) has received much government and public attention during and after COVID. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an initiative discussed widely to promote OSC implementation. Although many policy promotions have been published, there are many challenges to implementing BIM and OSC in real life and questions of whether they really offer value to healthcare design professionals. This research aims to investigate BIM and OSC to understand their commonalities and differences of challenges by collecting empirical evidence from China’s healthcare construction.
Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory research adopted a mixed method with a questionnaire survey and interviews. A total of 261 questionnaires were received (with 183 valid), followed by 31 semi-structured interviews.
Findings
This research reveals that although both OSC and BIM face similar adoption challenges and suspicious attitudes in real-life projects, their challenges’ connotations and reasons are different. OSC faces scepticism for its customisation costs and technical constraints, while BIM is seen as limited in utility and complex to integrate. Highlighting these as socio-technical challenges, the research advocates for an integrated framework to effectively implement OSC and BIM, addressing both technical and collaborative needs in healthcare construction.
Originality/value
This research examines OSC and BIM within the context of healthcare construction, a focus that is relatively underexplored. The research provides a juxtaposition of the perceived and practical challenges of adopting these technologies, revealing a gap between the industry’s expectations and the current capabilities of OSC and BIM, thereby contributing to the development of modern methods of design in healthcare.
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Jianhui Mao, Bo Yu and Chao Guan
Explore the impact of Party organization embedding on firm green governance.
Abstract
Purpose
Explore the impact of Party organization embedding on firm green governance.
Design/methodology/approach
The regression analysis method.
Findings
The findings show that Party organization embedding significantly enhances the green governance effects of firms, with this effect being more pronounced in environments with high-quality internal control. Moreover, the study reveals that Party organization embedding facilitates green governance through mechanisms such as reducing agency costs and optimizing management decisions. Agency costs have a negative transmission effect, while management decisions have a positive transmission effect, with the quality of internal control playing a crucial moderating role.
Research limitations/implications
Most existing studies on firm green governance have focused on aspects such as the heterogeneity of management teams (Liu, 2019; Wu et al., 2019), executive green cognition (Fineman and Clarke, 1996; Huang and Wei, 2023), organizational structure and the involvement of controlling families (Bertrand and Schoar, 2006; Symeou et al., 2019), with limited attention to the unique role of Party organizations’ incentive and restraint mechanisms, supervisory power and management functions in firm green governance. Additionally, while scholars have examined the impact of political embedding in firms, including Party organization embedding as a specific form of political embedding, and find that it affects various aspects of business performance (Chang and Wong, 2004; Gu and Yang, 2023), governance quality (Li et al., 2020; Huang and Yang, 2024), agency costs (Qian, 2000; Wang and Ma, 2014), excessive management compensation (Chang and Wong, 2004; Chen et al., 2014), social externalities and audit needs (Faccio, 2006; Cheng, 2022), there is still insufficient discussion on how Party organization embedding promotes firm green governance. Particularly in the context of China’s unique system and using Chinese data, there is a need for more in-depth research on the impact of Party organization embedding on firm green governance. This paper addresses this research gap by empirical analysis.
Practical implications
Overall, this study has significant theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it enriches the literature on Party organization embedding and firm green governance, filling a gap in the intersection research of firm governance and green governance. Practically, on the one hand, this paper’s findings demonstrate that the involvement of Party organizations in firm governance plays a significant role in enhancing green governance. This supports the modernization of firm governance in China, establishes a micro-level foundation for achieving the strategic goals of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” and offers empirically-backed insights into green transformation for policymakers. The research also provides practical policy recommendations for strengthening Party building efforts within firms and optimizing government-business relations, thereby facilitating the deep integration of Party building with business operations. On the other hand, this study highlights that the unique feature of China’s corporate governance system, Party organization embedding, can effectively enhance green governance. This offers empirical support for leveraging the strengths of China’s firm governance model and provides valuable governance strategies for firms in other countries and regions to improve their green governance practices.
Social implications
This study’s social implications are significant as it highlights the broader societal benefits that arise from integrating Party organization involvement into firm governance structures, especially within the context of green governance. By improving the green governance practices of firms, Party organization embedding helps to address pressing environmental issues such as pollution, carbon emissions and resource depletion, which ultimately contributes to healthier living environments and a more sustainable society. The emphasis on green governance supports China’s national strategy for sustainable development and demonstrates a governance model that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship. Additionally, the study underscores the role of Party organizations in fostering social responsibility, equity and cohesion by ensuring that firm decision-making aligns with both economic and social welfare goals. This model of governance provides a framework that can serve as a reference for other countries and regions looking to enhance environmental protection efforts while maintaining social stability and economic progress.
Originality/value
This study offers original insights by exploring the distinctive role of Party organization embedding in enhancing firm green governance within the unique context of China’s political and economic systems. Unlike previous research, which has primarily focused on conventional governance structures, this paper delves into the underexplored area of how Party organizations influence firm-level green governance. By examining the direct and indirect effects of Party organization embedding, this study expands current understanding of corporate governance models that integrate political structures, providing a novel perspective on how firms can achieve both economic and environmental objectives. The findings not only contribute to the literature on green governance but also present a valuable model for emerging economies that are pursuing sustainable development. This research thus provides a meaningful addition to the dialogue on corporate governance innovation and environmental responsibility.
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