Xia Yang, Jihad Mohammad and Farzana Quoquab
This study aims to predict the effect of cultural distance, perceived risk and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on higher education institutes' students' destination image. In…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to predict the effect of cultural distance, perceived risk and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on higher education institutes' students' destination image. In addition, it examines the mediating role of destination image in relation to students' travel intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was employed to collect data from 200 graduate and postgraduate students. The partial least squares was employed to analyse the hypothesised relationships.
Findings
The results of this study found support for the positive effect of cultural distance and eWOM on destination image. Additionally, the mediating effect of destination image was also supported.
Originality/value
This research confirms the vital role of destination image as an antecedent of students' future intention to visit the destination. Moreover, this study contributes to marketing theory by predicting the critical drivers of higher education students' destination image and discussing their applications in the education sector.
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Xiaojie Xu and Yun Zhang
Forecasts of commodity prices are vital issues to market participants and policy makers. Those of corn are of no exception, considering its strategic importance. In the present…
Abstract
Purpose
Forecasts of commodity prices are vital issues to market participants and policy makers. Those of corn are of no exception, considering its strategic importance. In the present study, the authors assess the forecast problem for the weekly wholesale price index of yellow corn in China during January 1, 2010–January 10, 2020 period.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ the nonlinear auto-regressive neural network as the forecast tool and evaluate forecast performance of different model settings over algorithms, delays, hidden neurons and data splitting ratios in arriving at the final model.
Findings
The final model is relatively simple and leads to accurate and stable results. Particularly, it generates relative root mean square errors of 1.05%, 1.08% and 1.03% for training, validation and testing, respectively.
Originality/value
Through the analysis, the study shows usefulness of the neural network technique for commodity price forecasts. The results might serve as technical forecasts on a standalone basis or be combined with other fundamental forecasts for perspectives of price trends and corresponding policy analysis.
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Oluseye Olugboyega, Itunnu Dorcas Elubode, Godwin Ehis Oseghale and Clinton Aigbavboa
This study investigated the concerns and plans of construction professionals about building information modeling (BIM) implementation, found the acceptable BIM implementation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated the concerns and plans of construction professionals about building information modeling (BIM) implementation, found the acceptable BIM implementation driving forces and strategies for them and developed a prescriptive BIM implementation model to help understand how BIM implementation concerns, intentions, driving forces and strategies are connected.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a positivist paradigm with a hypothetico-deductive research strategy as well as concern-based adoption theory as a conceptual lens to distinguish construction professionals (CPs)' BIM implementation concerns and intentions. This implies that the forces driving BIM implementation intentions and concerns are related to BIM implementation methods and that their concentrations are proportional to the intensity of BIM implementation strategies. A 16-item questionnaire tailored to the operations of CPs was used for data collection. The data collected from respondents were utilized to evaluate the proposed model using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques.
Findings
Findings from the data collected from the respondents revealed that CPs are concerned about the impact of BIM deployment on their time and service quality. Their main purpose was to take drives to learn more about BIM in order to pique their curiosity. Embracing the latest digital technology and beginning self-initiated BIM training are two strategies that would be quite effective in boosting BIM deployment.
Research limitations/implications
The study identifies promising directions for future BIM implementation research and development. The study's findings imply that more theoretically motivated research, rather than just empirical research, is required to refine BIM implementation concerns.
Practical implications
The study has implications for the professional development of CPs as well as understanding the process of implementing BIM change. The study's findings will help to understand the resource system for assessing CPs' needs and concerns and selecting personalized BIM implementation strategies.
Originality/value
Before this study, BIM-related studies had ignored the concerns and goals of the CPs when it came to implementing BIM. Using the CPs' concerns and hopes for BIM implementation, a systemic BIM implementation model was developed that would help and speed up BIM adoption.
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Pham Dinh Long, Nguyen Huynh Mai Tram and Pham Thi Bich Ngoc
The transition from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable energy sources, commonly referred to as the energy transition, is essential for combating climate change…
Abstract
Purpose
The transition from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable energy sources, commonly referred to as the energy transition, is essential for combating climate change. However, comprehensive studies that thoroughly examine the financial mechanisms involved in this process are lacking. Despite the availability of various financial tools, there is a notable absence of extensive research that synthesizes and categorizes these mechanisms into broad groups.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review is used to explore a comprehensive framework for financial mechanisms related to the energy transition and their application across six stages of the process.
Findings
The framework of financial mechanisms for energy transition encompasses these six factors: public financing mechanisms, private financing mechanisms, market-based mechanisms, innovative financing mechanisms, risk mitigation instruments and institutional support and capacity building.
Originality/value
This is the first study that thoroughly reviewed the financial mechanisms involved in the energy transition process.
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Pang Paul Wang, Ruolin Zhang and Qilin Zhang
Intellectual capital (IC) and venture capital (VC) play an important role in enterprise development. While the literature has investigated the relationship between IC and the…
Abstract
Purpose
Intellectual capital (IC) and venture capital (VC) play an important role in enterprise development. While the literature has investigated the relationship between IC and the profitability of companies, the relationship among IC, VC and enterprise value (EV) is still not well understood.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing insights from the literature, we develop a few testable hypotheses about the relationships among IC, VC and EV. Using the panel data of companies listed in the Chinese stock market from 2009 to 2019, we employ fixed-effects regression models to test these hypotheses.
Findings
We find that IC has a significant positive effect on long-term EV. VC is found to have a positive direct effect on long-term EV but has a negative direct effect when its moderating effect with IC is considered. To explain this finding, we develop a simple economic model and provide an over-investment perspective.
Originality/value
We believe this paper can shed light on pro-venture investment policies in China, as well as provide indications for similar policies around the world.
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Bingzi Jin and Xiaojie Xu
Agriculture commodity price forecasts have long been important for a variety of market players. The study we conducted aims to address this difficulty by examining the weekly…
Abstract
Purpose
Agriculture commodity price forecasts have long been important for a variety of market players. The study we conducted aims to address this difficulty by examining the weekly wholesale price index of green grams in the Chinese market. The index covers a ten-year period, from January 1, 2010, to January 3, 2020, and has significant economic implications.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to address the nonlinear patterns present in the price time series, we investigate the nonlinear auto-regressive neural network as the forecast model. This modeling technique is able to combine a variety of basic nonlinear functions to approximate more complex nonlinear characteristics. Specifically, we examine prediction performance that corresponds to several configurations across data splitting ratios, hidden neuron and delay counts, and model estimation approaches.
Findings
Our model turns out to be rather simple and yields forecasts with good stability and accuracy. Relative root mean square errors throughout training, validation and testing are specifically 4.34, 4.71 and 3.98%, respectively. The results of benchmark research show that the neural network produces statistically considerably better performance when compared to other machine learning models and classic time-series econometric methods.
Originality/value
Utilizing our findings as independent technical price forecasts would be one use. Alternatively, policy research and fresh insights into price patterns might be achieved by combining them with other (basic) prediction outputs.
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The efficiency of each of an organization’s individual workers determines its effectiveness. The study aims to explore the relationship between human resource management (HRM…
Abstract
Purpose
The efficiency of each of an organization’s individual workers determines its effectiveness. The study aims to explore the relationship between human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational effectiveness with employee performance as a mediating variable.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 800 police officers in the Greater Accra and Tema regions. The data were supported by the hypothesized relationship. Construct reliability and validity was established through confirmatory factor analysis. The proposed model and hypotheses were evaluated using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results show that career planning and employee performance were significantly related. Self-managed teams and employee performance were shown to be nonsignificantly related. Similarly, performance management and employee performance were shown to be nonsignificantly related. Employee performance significantly influenced organizational effectiveness. The results further indicate that employee performance mediates the relationship between HRM practices and organizational effectiveness.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of the findings will be constrained due to the research’s police service focus and cross-sectional data.
Practical implications
The study’s findings will serve as valuable pointers for the police administration in the adoption, design and implementation of well-articulated and proactive HRM practices to improve the abilities, skills, knowledge and motivation of officer’s to inordinately enhance the effectiveness of the service.
Originality/value
By evidencing empirically that employee performance mediates the relationship between HRM practice and organizational effectiveness, the study extends the literature.
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Radwan Alkebsee, Ahsan Habib and Junyan Li
This paper aims to examine the association between green innovation and the cost of equity in China. This study relies on the investors’ base perspective and shareholders’…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the association between green innovation and the cost of equity in China. This study relies on the investors’ base perspective and shareholders’ perceived risk perspective to investigate the relation between green innovation and the cost of equity in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses firm-fixed effect regression for a sample of Chinese public companies for the period 2008–2018.
Findings
The authors find a negative relationship between green innovation and the cost of equity capital. This negative association is found to be more pronounced for less financially constrained firms, during periods of high economic policy uncertainty, and for firms with a strong internal control environment. Finally, the paper shows that the negative association became more pronounced after the passage of the Environmental Protection Law of China in 2012. The results remain robust to possible endogeneity concerns.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the green innovation literature by documenting that shareholders favorably view firms implementing green innovation policies. The study also has policy implications for Chinese regulators in improving the green credit policy.
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This study explores the characteristics of high-speed rail (HSR) and air transportation networks in China based on the weighted complex network approach. Previous related studies…
Abstract
This study explores the characteristics of high-speed rail (HSR) and air transportation networks in China based on the weighted complex network approach. Previous related studies have largely implemented unweighted (binary) network analysis, or have constructed a weighted network, limited by unweighted centrality measures. This study applies weighted centrality measures (mean association [MA], triangle betweenness centrality [TBC], and weighted harmonic centrality [WHC]) to represent traffic dynamics in HSR and air transportation weighted networks, where nodes represent cities and links represent passenger traffic. The spatial distribution of centrality results is visualized by using ArcGIS 10.2. Moreover, we analyze the network robustness of HSR, air transportation, and multimodal networks by measuring weighted efficiency (WE) subjected to the highest weighted centrality node attacks. In the HSR network, centrality results show that cities with a higher MA are concentrated in the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta; cities with a higher TBC are mostly provincial capitals or regional centers; and cities with a higher WHC are grouped in eastern and central regions. Furthermore, spatial differentiation of centrality results is found between HSR and air transportation networks. There is a little bit of difference in eastern cities; cities in the central region have complementary roles in HSR and air transportation networks, but air transport is still dominant in western cities. The robustness analysis results show that the multimodal network, which includes both airports and high-speed rail stations, has the best connectivity and shows robustness.
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Lin Li, Jiushan Wang and Shilu Xiao
The aim of this work is to research and design an expert diagnosis system for rail vehicle driven by data mechanism models.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this work is to research and design an expert diagnosis system for rail vehicle driven by data mechanism models.
Design/methodology/approach
The expert diagnosis system utilizes statistical and deep learning methods to model the real-time status and historical data features of rail vehicle. Based on data mechanism models, it predicts the lifespan of key components, evaluates the health status of the vehicle and achieves intelligent monitoring and diagnosis of rail vehicle.
Findings
The actual operation effect of this system shows that it has improved the intelligent level of the rail vehicle monitoring system, which helps operators to monitor the operation of vehicle online, predict potential risks and faults of vehicle and ensure the smooth and safe operation of vehicle.
Originality/value
This system improves the efficiency of rail vehicle operation, scheduling and maintenance through intelligent monitoring and diagnosis of rail vehicle.