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1 – 10 of 208Maw-Shin Hsu, Yung-Lung Lai and Feng-Jhy Lin
The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the formation of industrial clusters on the obtainment of professional human resources, to verify the impact of human…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the formation of industrial clusters on the obtainment of professional human resources, to verify the impact of human resources on clustering relationships and firm’s performance and to understand whether the formation of clusters can contribute to the obtainment of professional human resources and the improvement of competitiveness of enterprises. It was expected that solutions could be found to make new contributions through the verification of special economic zones (SEZs).
Design/methodology/approach
Using manufacturers in Taiwan’s SEZs as the subjects, this study explored the impact on the obtainment of professional human resources after the formation of industrial clusters in SEZs, through conducting and empirical study with a questionnaire survey.
Findings
The professional human resources are the essential factor for the formation of industrial clusters and the improvement of competitiveness. This study also confirmed that industries can have professional human resources by industrial clustering and that this will produce a positive impact on the enterprise clustering relationships, which can also have a positive impact on firm’s performance and can enhance the enterprise’s competitive advantage.
Practical implications
Industrial clustering is the key factor to attract professional human resources; industrial clusters can enhance firm’s performance; and professional human resources affect firm’s performance of enterprises.
Originality/value
No study has discussed the topic of clusters from the perspective of SEZs also including six export processing zone (EPZ) parks in Taiwan. This study discussed the topic using theories relating to clustering and human resources. The formation of industrial clusters can result in higher competitiveness in the face of the global market. The EPZ industrial cluster provides an excellent investment environment. Coupled with one-stop express services and geographic advantage, the land-use rate is up to 97 per cent and the per hectare output value amounts to NTD 3.2 billion, setting a successful example of an industrial cluster.
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Su‐Hsin Lee, Shu‐Chen Chang, Jing‐Shoung Hou and Chung‐Hsien Lin
The paper aims to differentiate the differences of both night market experience and image between temporary residents and foreign visitors in Taiwan and to explore the…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to differentiate the differences of both night market experience and image between temporary residents and foreign visitors in Taiwan and to explore the relationship between experience and image.
Design/methodology/approach
Night market experiences comprise the dimensions of Schmitt's experiential marketing theory and night market image is analyzed by exploratory factor analysis. This research probes the socio‐demographics differences of experience and image between temporary residents and foreign visitors. Canonical analysis explores the experience‐image relationships.
Findings
Some socio‐demographics have relativity differences in night market experiences and images. Visitors have stronger thinking experience than temporary residents. Temporary residents have stronger image in atmosphere, while foreign visitors have general stronger images than temporary residents. Canonical analysis shows that visitors have stronger relationships between experience and image than temporary residents.
Practical implications
Marketing organizations must develop marketing strategies specific to cultural background and the length of residence of its specific visitors.
Originality/value
The paper provides the evidence showing that familiarity and novelty‐seeking would be of particular importance to examine whether experience and image are equally applicable to the various foreign visitors.
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Hsien Tang Lin, Chia Feng Lin and Shyan Ming Yuan
The purpose of this article is to present a guiding system with enhanced functionality based upon radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to promote a user friendly…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to present a guiding system with enhanced functionality based upon radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to promote a user friendly experience.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a user survey, the paper provides a guiding system using RFID with blog platform for further interaction. An example of this technology was built into a gallery at a college in Taiwan.
Findings
This guiding system is defined as pull type because users actively pull the relevant information using RFID readers. With such functionalities, users have the opportunity to acquire information, using a mobile device, about a specific object in a context‐aware manner. In addition, users can share ideas and comments related to the object on blogs with others who had visited or will visit the object or site. The user survey results showed that visitors seldom met the artists at an exhibition of their works, but desired to discuss and shares comments with them and other visitors. The proposed system addressees this need with a blog, and the user satisfaction survey confirmed that the proposed system met the requirements.
Originality/value
The paper provides a guiding system to enhancing user experience by RFID and blog. The system also builds a channel between the creators of the artworks and others.
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This paper seeks to examine the case of the multi‐period optimisation problem where decisions are obtained from a finite horizon model and will be implemented in a situation in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to examine the case of the multi‐period optimisation problem where decisions are obtained from a finite horizon model and will be implemented in a situation in which the system will operate indefinitely.
Design/methodology/approach
The production planning problem is addressed in which the quantity of the product required (demand) in future periods is being forcast, from which one must decide when and how much to produce.
Findings
Finds that a regeneration set is key for finding forecast horizon (FH) and decision horizon (DH) in the dynamic lot size model (DLSM). A regeneration set contains the optimal regeneration points in some conceivable future horizon.
Originality/value
This paper extends the research on horizons which has accumulated in the literature over the last 40 years.
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Fang-Yi Lo and Ricky Tan
One important strategy Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) employ to compete in the global market is to engage in foreign investment, but firms must know how they can perform better…
Abstract
Purpose
One important strategy Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) employ to compete in the global market is to engage in foreign investment, but firms must know how they can perform better in the host country market. International subsidiaries’ performances play a chief role for MNEs’ globalization strategy. The purpose of this paper is to construct multi-level research with parent-level data at the higher level and subsidiary-level data at the lower level.
Design/methodology/approach
This study helps capture the rapid growing trend in emerging markets and uses a sample of Taiwanese enterprises and their subsidiaries in China. The data come from the Taiwan Economic Journal database. Precisely, the authors obtain 711 Taiwanese MNEs and 4,458 of their subsidiaries in China.
Findings
This study finds among the parent company’s attributes that firm size, firm total performance, depth of internationalization and foreign shareholding have significant impacts on subsidiary performance, while within the subsidiary’s attributes, subsidiary size, subsidiary-owned capital and total investment fund significantly affect subsidiary performance.
Originality/value
In order to capture subsidiary performance, this study uses a multi-level analysis approach with the Hierarchical Linear Model statistic method to separate parent company attributes and subsidiary-owned attributes as two distinct levels. This method fills the gap in the literature by analyzing subsidiary performance and clarifying that foreign direct investment is a multi-level phenomenon that cannot be analyzed using a one-level analysis method.
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Pei-Ju Wu, Liang-Tay Lin and Chi-Chang Huang
High-quality cold-chain logistics are key to effectively managing the quality of temperature-sensitive foods. Hence, this study investigates the service quality of such logistics…
Abstract
Purpose
High-quality cold-chain logistics are key to effectively managing the quality of temperature-sensitive foods. Hence, this study investigates the service quality of such logistics, using a real-life case of temperature-sensitive milk delivery.
Design/methodology/approach
This study focuses on developing business analytics for quality control in cold-chain perishable-food logistics, grounded in normal accident theory and stakeholder theory, and tests them using real-world data.
Findings
The empirical business-analytics results indicate that cargo locations, logistics status and delivery times are the essential factors that influence the quality of temperature-sensitive milk.
Research limitations/implications
This study confirms that a combination of normal accident theory and stakeholder theory can be usefully applied to the development of strategies for managing perishable-food logistics. As such, its proposed business analytics provide a fresh foundation for research on logistics quality management.
Practical implications
The balance between efficiency and service quality in a logistics system should be assessed carefully, and logistics companies should collaborate with their stakeholders and can help to mitigate potential cold-chain risks.
Originality/value
This pioneering analytical study explores the essential quality issues that confront cold chains and demonstrates how to extract vital insights from temperature-sensitive food logistics monitoring data. As such, it represents a noteworthy contribution to the field of logistics quality management.
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Chen-Yu Lin, Yu-Chuang Chao and Tzy-Wen Tang
Despite the evident and dramatic increase in smartphone usage worldwide, some consumers continue to use traditional mobile phones. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the evident and dramatic increase in smartphone usage worldwide, some consumers continue to use traditional mobile phones. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the behavioral intentions of these laggard and non-smartphone users.
Design/methodology/approach
This current study examines the effects of consumer demographics, psychographics, and smartphone characteristics on the intentions of non-smartphone consumers to switch or resist the use of smartphones. Data were collected using a convenience sample of non-smartphone users in Taiwan. The proposed model is tested using the consistent partial least squares (PLSc) path modeling technique.
Findings
PLSc results indicate that consumer psychographics and smartphone characteristics play more important roles than consumer demographics. Specifically, price consciousness, nostalgia, and perceived ease of use are good predictors of intention to switch, whereas perceived usefulness and ease of use are strong predictors of the intention to resist smartphone adoption.
Practical implications
The results of this study have implications for mobile phone vendors and mobile manufacturers who target non-smartphone users or laggard adopters.
Originality/value
This study is among the few that focus on non-smartphone users’ perceptions of smartphones. Hence, this empirical study could contribute to the development and testing of theories related to the smartphone adoption process.
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Chern‐Sheng Lin, Yung‐Yen Su, Hung‐Jung Shei, Chuen‐Lin Tien and An‐Tsung Lu
The purpose of this paper is to present an automatic inspection and control method for a reagent rapid test strip production system, with image processing techniques.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an automatic inspection and control method for a reagent rapid test strip production system, with image processing techniques.
Design/methodology/approach
Fluorescence, color arrangement and combination matching with the database were used to identify the responses of biochemicals. The position accuracy and insufflation consistency between the control line and test line on a reagent rapid test strip will be analyzed from the image after series processing.
Findings
The system can identify failed products and regulate production conditions to insure that the quality standard is maintained. The idea edges of the control line and test line are the boundary at which a significant change occurs in the surface reflectance and illumination of the viewer. But the change of the real boundary of the test line may be insufficient for identification.
Research limitations/implications
As the illumination of biological reagent images cannot be measured precisely in the production process, and the intensity of the background light source is difficult to control, there are always significant errors in the production process. If the environment at sampling could be precisely controlled, the accuracy of the system could be enhanced.
Originality/value
This study developed software architecture for a biological reagent production and inspection system. Future studies will focus on the implementation of testing, and improvement of the system, so that it can be applied to medical systems for the benefit of all patients.
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