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Virtual reality (VR), as a new type of media technology, significantly improves the audience experience with product presentation in the marketing communication field. The apartment rental market, particularly in China, has no exception in adopting VR technology in its communication strategy. VR usage has been boosted since the outbreak of COVID-19 and has become a widespread application in the global apartment rental market. Although extant studies have analyzed how real estate companies use VR technology to enhance customer experience, few studies have been made to explore the power of VR in apartment rental advertising, particularly in targeting the youth in China market. To fill this research gap, this study aims to figure out how young consumers perceive VR advertising and characteristics of VR used in apartment rental advertisements, and how VR advertising affects young consumers’ intentions to rent an apartment.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021 with 301 Chinese university students aged 18 to 23. All respondents were invited offline and guided to watch one selected rental advertisement with VR technology featuring an apartment of about 50 square meters and then complete a questionnaire.

VR’s media richness in the apartment rental advertising increases its sense of presence perceived by the survey respondents. Both VR’s media richness and sense of presence positively influence respondents’ attitudes toward the advertised apartment. If respondents evaluate the advertised apartment positively, they are more willing to rent the advertised apartment.

The sample size is not large enough to represent all Generation Z consumers in China. The use of the nonprobability sampling method also limits the generalizability of the study results.

To counter the challenges created by COVID-19, apartment rental service providers and apartment owners/landlords are suggested to enhance the application of VR technology to the apartment rental advertisements to grow young consumers’ interest in the advertised apartments and even their renting intention.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first quantitative study to assess young consumers’ responses to VR apartment rental advertising in China.

In the process of Renminbi (RMB) internationalization, the heterogeneity and complexity in knowledge under the multicultural contexts have been considered as important factors that can have profound impacts on the cross-border flow of the RMB currency. Moreover, COVID-19, an exogenous shock, also triggers more in-depth reflection on the relationship between cross-border knowledge management and the financial risk governance. In addition, the needs to effectively respond to global risks and crises prompt the necessity in systematically establishing an effective cross-border knowledge management mechanism and innovatively solidifying the knowledge bases needed for the further internationalization of the RMB.

Based on the analysis on the current status of the RMB internationalization, this paper qualitatively explores some major challenges and difficulties encountered in the process of RMB internationalization from the perspectives of knowledge management and cross-cultural theories. To effectively mitigate these challenges and difficulties, discussions and recommendations centered on three main aspects: cross-cultural management; cognition; and innovation for the further development of the RMB internationalization are also presented in this paper.

Based on the analysis on the cross-border knowledge management and cross-cultural perspectives, this paper identifies three major challenges and difficulties that the RMB internationalization is encountering, including: cultural heterogeneity and its adverse impacts on the communication amongst economic entities; the existence of knowledge iceberg; and the difficulty it presents to cognition and financial innovation. Meanwhile, the authors also present recommendations on the development of the cross-border knowledge management mechanism for furthering the progress of internationalizing the RMB currency.

From the perspective of cross-border knowledge management, this study not only elaborates on the recommendations aimed at further promoting the RMB internationalization but also provides reference and guidance for the state, central banks and commercial banks to play better roles in furthering the RMB internationalization.

This paper creatively integrates the micro knowledge management into the macro process of RMB internationalization, thoroughly discusses two main challenges and difficulties encountered in the process of RMB internationalization from the unique perspective of cross-border knowledge management under the multicultural contexts and provides relevant recommendations for RMB’s further internationalization. This study also enriches the exploration of knowledge management outcome variables and further expands the research field of knowledge management.

This paper aims to provide a new drilling entry board for printed circuit board (PCB) process, superior in heat dissipation, lubrication, water solubility and hole location accuracy, achieving an excellent drilling process.

Using a mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and water-soluble adhesives as hydrosoluble, endothermic and lubricant resins and aluminum foils as baseplates, a series of coated and aluminous entry boards (CABs) for PCB drilling was successfully prepared. The surface appearance of the entry boards was observed clearly by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The endothermic and lubricant effects of the resins applied on the CABs was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and their water solubility was tested in the normal-temperature water (25°C). Moreover, the CABs’ good drilling properties were tested when they were used for PCB drilling.

The SEM analysis showed that the surfaces of the resin layers coated on the CABs whose coating thicknesses were less than 80 μm were smoother and flatter, which could improve hole location accuracy and reduce drill breakage ratio. By virtue of DSC, the endothermic and lubricant effects of the CABs were proven. The fusion of PEG in the resin layers could absorb the heat produced by drilling, restrain the temperature of the drill bit and hole rising and lubricate the drill bit efficiently when a hole was being drilled, which could achieve high-quality holes with good production efficiency. The water-soluble test showed that the prepared CABs had excellent water solubility at normal temperature, enabling the resin left on the hole walls and in the flute of the drill bit to be washed away easily and thereby improving the drilling efficiency and quality. The drilling tests showed that the increase in the thickness of the CABs’ coating could improve the hole location accuracy and alleviate the bit wear. In addition, the suitable coating thickness could ensure the firm adhering of the resin coating the aluminum foil, effectively avoid drill intertwist and prevent the resin debris from blocking the drilled holes on the surface of the entry board, which could hinder chip removal, resulting in poor hole wall quality and drill breakage.

This paper has a remarkably high industrial practicality in the PCB manufacture process.

Modeling and analysis of dimensional variation propagation is a crucial support technology for variation reduction, product/process design evaluation and recognition of variation source. However, owing to the multi-deviation (i.e. part deviations and fixture deviations) and multi-interaction (i.e. part-to-part interaction, part-to-fixture interaction and station-to-station interaction) in assembly processes, it is difficult for designers to describe or understand the variation propagation (or accumulation) mechanism clearly. The purpose of this paper is to propose a variation propagation modeling and analysis (VPMA) method based on multiple constraints aiming at a single station.

Initially, part-to-part constraints (PPCs) and part-to-fixture constraints (PFCs) are applied for the multi-interaction of assembly, and multiple constraints graph (MCG) model is proposed for expressing PPCs, PFCs, parts, as well as the variation propagation relation among them. Then, locating points (LPs) are adopted for representing the deviations in constraints, and formulas for calculating the deviations of LPs are derived. On that basis, a linearized relation between LPs’ deviations and part’s locating deviations is derived. Finally, a wing box is presented to validate the proposed method, and the results indicate the methodology’s feasibility.

MCG is an effective tool for dimensional VPMA, which is shown as an example of this paper.

Functions of geometric constraints in dimensional variation propagation are revealed, and MCG is proposed to formulize dimensional variation propagation.

Moral hazard and adverse selection often exist in asymmetric information environment. In this paper, quality investment decision problem is studied under moral hazard. A basic model for quality investment level decision is developed with the supplier as a principal and the buyer as an agent. And then we regard the supplier and the buyer’s rational limitations to set up a model when the buyer’s quality evaluation and processing activities are hidden. The model is optimized and the results under different backgrounds are discussed and compared. Results show that the buyer’s quality evaluation level and processing level are mostly influenced by the supplier’s quality assurance payment. Both the supplier and the buyer choose different quality investment levels under moral hazard because of the supplier’s payment to the buyer in case of internal failure and external failure.

The purpose of this study was to characterise the physiochemical properties of selected exotic seasonal tropical fruits available in Singapore.

A total of 11 seasonal tropical fruits including cempedak, chiku, custard apple, jackfruit, longkong, mangosteen, red jambu, pearl jambu, rambutan, salak and starfruit were analyzed for their sugars, organic acids and free phenolic acids composition using liquid chromatographic methods. Total phenolic content (free and bound), total soluble solids and pH were determined using Folin‐Ciocalteu method, refractometer and pH meter, respectively.

Fructose, glucose and sucrose were the main sugars in all the fruits. Cempedak had the highest sucrose concentration, while custard apple had the highest content of fructose and glucose. Malic and citric acids were the major organic acids in most of the fruits, except for pearl jambu and red jambu where succinic acid was the dominant acid. The total phenolic content varied from 122.94 to 712.20 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg fresh weight (FW). Ferulic (0.631 mg/kg) and sinapic acids (1.506 mg/kg) were the predominant free phenolic acids in custard apple, while caffeic acid was the main free phenolic acid in jackfruit, salak and starfruit.

The paper demonstrates that the physiochemical characteristics of the 11 tropical fruits varied markedly, which is responsible for the differential flavour and stability. The findings are useful for epidemiological research and predicting the degree of ripeness, stability and post‐harvest processing required for these fruits.

To enhance an entrepreneur's business network through the integration of the social network concepts and design principles of virtual communities.

This study documents the design and initial deployment of a virtual community case, Innovation Information Infrastructure, based on social network concepts.

Basic design principles, deployment strategy, and future directions for social network‐based virtual communities are presented.

Because of resource and time constraints, only basic content service, communication tools, and transaction functions were implemented in the initial deployment. Future extensions of this study may include development of a personalized and intelligent information retrieval system utilizing data mining techniques, development of advanced communication features to promote active participation, and creation of automatic social network‐tracking tools to monitor an individual's network evolution.

Sample designs are provided for researchers who are interested in conducting a similar study.

This study serves as a starting‐point for how theories from social network and virtual community research streams can be applied in creating a virtual community that facilitates transformation of knowledge into products and services, which in turn lead to greater economic prosperity.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the potential of papaya juice fermentation and to evaluate the kinetic changes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during fermentation by three commercial wine yeasts.

Laboratory‐scale fermentations were carried out in papaya juice using three commercial wine yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus strains EC‐1118 and R2, and S. cerevisiae MERIT.ferm. Brix, pH, optical density and yeast cell count were determined during fermentation. VOCs were analysed by headspace‐solid phase microextraction with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry‐flame ionization detector (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS/FID).

During fermentation, the three wine yeasts grew actively and showed similar growth patterns. Changes in Brix and pH were similar among the three yeasts. A range of VOCs were produced during fermentation including fatty acids, alcohols, acetaldehyde, esters and acetoin. Esters were the most abundant VOCs produced. Some VOCs indigenous to the papaya juice such as benzaldehyde, β‐damascenone and benzyl isothiocyanate were consumed during fermentation. Some VOCs increased initially, and then decreased during fermentation. Overall, the profiles of VOC changes during fermentation were similar among the three yeasts with some differences observed.

The paper suggests that papaya fermentation with S. cerevisiae yeasts are likely to result in papaya wine with similar flavours. New approaches are required to produce papaya wine with distinct flavours and to enable differentiation of papaya wines by exploiting non‐Saccharomyces yeasts in conjunction with Saccharomyces yeasts and/or by adding selected nitrogen sources.

This study proposes a model of online purchase intentions. Four exogenous constructs – namely, personal awareness of security, personal innovativeness, perceived ease of purchasing, and perceived usefulness – have not only direct influences on attitudes and online purchase intentions, but also have indirect influences on online purchase intentions through the mediation of attitudes.

Data were collected via questionnaires from customers of the leading internet service provider (ISP) in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the model.

The influences of personal innovativeness and perceived usefulness on attitudes and online purchase intentions are similar for males and females. The influences of personal awareness of security on both attitudes and online purchase intentions are strong for males, while no such effects exist for females. The influences of perceived ease of purchasing on both attitudes and online purchase intentions are stronger for females than for males.

There are several limitations. For example, there may exist common method variance, and the generalisability of the findings might be limited. Besides, this study is using only one product category, and customers' online purchase intentions may be only partially reflected due to the investigation of self‐reports.

By learning gender differences, e‐tailers and advertisers can better target right consumers and consequently foster more positive attitudes and online purchase intentions.

This study presents a thorough understanding on a model of online purchase intentions, and how gender moderates several paths of the model.