Lee Yen Chaw and Chun Meng Tang
This study intends to examine whether the reasons learners like or dislike a learning environment can help explain the differences in the characteristics of the learner and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study intends to examine whether the reasons learners like or dislike a learning environment can help explain the differences in the characteristics of the learner and whether learner characteristics can influence a learner's preference for a learning environment.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design. The study first conducted focus groups with university students to uncover their learner characteristics by examining the reasons they liked or disliked a learning environment. This was followed by a questionnaire survey to explore how these learner characteristics influenced learner inclination for a learning environment. The survey data were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (partial least squares structural equation modelling).
Findings
The findings showed that two types of learner characteristics, i.e. online learner characteristics and classroom learner characteristics, significantly affected learner inclination for a learning environment. Analyses also indicated that learner demographics had no major moderating effect between learner characteristics and learner inclination for a learning environment.
Practical implications
The findings can be useful for education institutions, learning designers and academics to design engaging learning activities to better support different learning needs.
Originality/value
This study makes a novel attempt to distinguish learner characteristics based on the reasons learners like or dislike a learning environment and establishes that individual learners' characteristics play a role in influencing their preference for a specific learning environment.
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Lee Yen Chaw, Chun Meng Tang and Muhammad Ali
As the competition to retain current and attract new mobile payment app users intensifies, meeting users’ needs has become fundamental for mobile payment app service providers to…
Abstract
Purpose
As the competition to retain current and attract new mobile payment app users intensifies, meeting users’ needs has become fundamental for mobile payment app service providers to stay competitive. This study aims to investigate the relationship between users’ needs, users’ attitude towards mobile payment apps and users’ continuance intention to use mobile payment apps.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design, this study first conducted three focus groups in the qualitative phase to investigate issues or concerns faced by current users of mobile payment apps. The study then conducted an online questionnaire survey in the quantitative phase to collect responses from users of mobile payment apps. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse 110 valid responses.
Findings
Findings show that usefulness (modelled as a second-order reflective construct consisting of three first-order reflective constructs, i.e. ease of use, acceptability and responsiveness), traceability and security had a statistically significant relationship with attitude towards mobile payment apps (which in turn had a statistically significant relationship with continuance intention to use mobile payment apps). It was also found that attitude towards mobile payment mediated the relationships between usefulness, traceability and security; and continuance intention to use mobile payment apps.
Practical implications
The findings of this study can help mobile payment app service providers and developers design apps that offer the functions and features that their users need.
Originality/value
Although some recent studies have investigated the adoption of mobile payments in the Malaysian context, few of these studies examined current users’ continuance intention to use mobile payment apps.
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Govindan Marthandan and Chun Meng Tang
To justify an increase in information technology (IT) spending and to understand utilization of limited organizational resources on IT, the correlation between IT and business…
Abstract
Purpose
To justify an increase in information technology (IT) spending and to understand utilization of limited organizational resources on IT, the correlation between IT and business performance has been of great interest to business managers. However, business managers face issues and challenges in finding out how and to what extent IT is able to deliver the intended benefits. The purpose of this paper is to examine IT evaluation issues and challenges faced by information systems (IS) researchers, IS specialists, and business managers.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper begins by reviewing the disparate discussions in past literature on IT evaluation issues and challenges. It then provides a synthesis of the disparate discussions by identifying eight issues and challenges in IT evaluation.
Findings
The eight issues and challenges identified are: evaluation scope, evaluation timing, unit of analysis, level of analysis, different perspectives, different dimensions, different measures, and underpinning theoretical frameworks. It concludes with some suggestions on ways to improve IT evaluation practices.
Originality/value
This paper posits that before a pragmatic IT evaluation approach can be developed, it is necessary to first understand the issues and challenges faced by IS researchers, IS specialists, and business managers in IT evaluation. Having identified the eight issues and challenges, this paper provides pointers on what needs to be considered when conducting IT evaluation.
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Meng-Hsiun Tsai and Ya-Chun Tang
The purpose of this paper is to present the design and implementation of a blended problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model and corresponding teaching materials for a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the design and implementation of a blended problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model and corresponding teaching materials for a university-level bioinformatics course. The effects of this teaching model on student performance in terms of problem solving and learning attitudes were investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Students in both groups completed assessments of problem-solving attitudes and learning attitudes both one week both before and after experimental instruction. Collected data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA. Group discussions and student interviews were recorded and treated as part of the data analysis.
Findings
The study produced the following findings: the experimental group was found to perform better than the control group in terms of learning attitudes, but the results were not statistically significant; the experimental group was found to outperform the control group in terms of problem-solving attitudes, and the difference was statistically significant; lesson plan contents need to be designed based on problem-based learning theory, and reflect real-world conditions; participants in the experimental group approved of the blended PBL and group discussion approach.
Originality/value
Results are expected to provide a useful reference for educators and researchers. These findings can be applied to relevant instructional fields to enhance learner motivation and engagement, thus improving learning outcomes.
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Jinkyung Jenny Kim, Nancy Grace Baah, Seongseop (Sam) Kim, Heesup Han, Bo Meng and Xiaoting Chi
This study aims to determine the distinctive attributes of pet-friendly hotels, examine the importance versus the performance of each attribute, and test the effect of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the distinctive attributes of pet-friendly hotels, examine the importance versus the performance of each attribute, and test the effect of the performance of attributes on customer behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
This research applied qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the unique attributes of pet-friendly hotels. The importance-performance analysis was used to investigate how customers perceive the importance and the performance of each attribute, and regression analysis was used to examine how the performance of attributes influences customer behavior.
Findings
This study identified six distinctive attributes of pet-friendly hotels. Furthermore, the findings underlined the significance of pet-related activity support for pet-friendly hotel selections, and addressed an urgent need for the improvement of pet-friendly safety measures. Last, results showed the salient effect of pet-related activity support on visit and word-of-mouth intentions, and the strong influence of pet-centric facilities and services on willingness to pay premiums for pet-friendly hotels.
Practical implications
The findings provided useful insights into how hotel companies could effectively position themselves as pet-friendly from customers’ perspectives.
Originality/value
This research is among the first to determine distinctive attributes and adopt importance-performance analysis in pet-friendly hotel context.
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Shao-Li Han, Meng-Lin Cai, Hui-Hong Yang, Yun-Chen Yang and Min-Chun Pan
This study aims to leverage inertial sensors via a walk test to associate kinematic variables with functional assessment results among walkable subjects with chronic stroke.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to leverage inertial sensors via a walk test to associate kinematic variables with functional assessment results among walkable subjects with chronic stroke.
Design/methodology/approach
Adults with first-ever stroke survivors were recruited for this study. First, functional assessments were obtained by using Fugl–Meyer Assessment for lower extremity and Berg balance scales. A self-assembled inertial measurement system obtained walking variables from a walk test after being deployed on subjects’ affected limbs and lower back. The average walking speeds, average range of motion in the affected limbs and a new gait symmetry index were computed and correlated with the two functional assessment scales using Spearman’s rank correlation test.
Findings
The average walking speeds were moderately correlated with both Fugl–Meyer assessment scales (γ = 0.62, p < 0.01, n = 23) and Berg balance scales (γ = 0.68, p < 0.01, n = 23). After being modified by the subjects’ height, the new gait symmetry index revealed moderate negative correlations with the Fugl–Meyer assessment scales (γ = −0.51, p < 0.05) and Berg balance scales (γ = −0.52, p < 0.05). The other kinematics failed to correlate well with the functional scales.
Practical implications
Neuromotor and functional assessment results from inertial sensors can facilitate their application in telemonitoring and telerehabilitation.
Originality/value
The average walking speeds and modified gait symmetry index are valuable parameters for inertial sensors in clinical research to deduce neuromotor and functional assessment results. In addition, the lower back is the optimal location for the inertial sensors.
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Ruopiao Zhang and Carlos Noronha
Drawing upon resource-based view (RBV) and attribution theoretical lenses, this chapter provides a paradigm for examining the interplay among environmental investment towards…
Abstract
Drawing upon resource-based view (RBV) and attribution theoretical lenses, this chapter provides a paradigm for examining the interplay among environmental investment towards green innovation, environmental disclosure as well as firm performance using the structural equation modelling (SEM) methodology. This chapter demonstrate a growing environmental awareness among stakeholders of the relevance of environmental performance to share value. It is also suggested that the mediating power of environmental disclosure between environmental investment and firm value as well as incremental goodwill is crucial. The findings of this chapter provide critical implications for several stakeholders that if environmental performance is hypothesised to affect the firm's value, companies may take proactive measures to avert potential environmental-related violations. Besides, investors may trade based on the evidence as to how firm value and its goodwill from acquisition will be affected by news of its environmental performance.
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This paper is a study of the current trends and conditions of electronic resources for Chinese studies, based on a recent survey on the Internet of 29 Chinese libraries in North…
Abstract
This paper is a study of the current trends and conditions of electronic resources for Chinese studies, based on a recent survey on the Internet of 29 Chinese libraries in North America and eight Chinese libraries in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The survey discussed current electronic resources for Chinese studies, with a union list of major Chinese language databases currently used in libraries in Asia and the US. Current views on the use and development of electronic resources for Chinese studies were summarised.
Chun Zhu, Kaixuan Liu, Ruolin Wang, Jianping Wang, Pascal Bruniaux and Xianyi Zeng
The purpose of this paper is to build a mathematical model of men’s wear prototype, so that the computer can draw men’s wear prototype automatically.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to build a mathematical model of men’s wear prototype, so that the computer can draw men’s wear prototype automatically.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the bust line, front and back center line, waist line, side seam, front chest width and back width line in the coordinate system are expressed by equations. Then, a parabola is used to establish a neckline curve, a linear equation is used to establish a shoulder oblique line, and a double ellipse is superposed to construct the armhole arc. Finally, all the garment prototype curves are built mathematical models.
Findings
The result shows that every curve of garment prototype can be expressed approximately by mathematical model.
Originality/value
This research lays the foundation for the automation and intelligence of garment pattern-making.
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Chun‐lin Zhang, Yong Zhang, Fang‐cong Wang, Ying Wei, Xiao‐yun Jia and Su Liu
The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of on device performance by selectively annealing ITO substrates and TPD:PVK layers of the OLED at different temperatures with a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of on device performance by selectively annealing ITO substrates and TPD:PVK layers of the OLED at different temperatures with a certain annealing time.
Design/methodology/approach
Thermal annealing was carried out on the ITO anode at different temperatures (150, 350, 500°C) with a constant time (100 min); but also before the deposition of the tris(8‐hydroxyquinolato) aluminum (Alq3) layer, at the same time, thermal treatment was carried out on the hole transporting layers (TPD:PVK layers) at different temperatures (70, 90, 110°C), and the annealing time was 30 min. We fabricated a novel device with the structure of Al/LiF/Alq3/TPD:PVK/NiO/ITO/Glass, and tested the sheet resistance, SEM and XRD of ITO anode after annealing, at the same we also tested the I‐V, L‐V and current efficiency characteristics of OLED.
Findings
When the TPD:PVK layers were annealed at 90°C with 30 min annealing time and ITO substrates were annealed at 350°C with a constant annealing time (100 min), we find that the OLED shows obvious performance improvement, which is attributable to the fact that annealing reduces defects and improves the interface structures of organics and organic/ITO interface. On the other hand, an annealing TPD:PVK layers would slow and even impede the transport of holes, and finally leads to more balanced electron and hole injection processes.
Originality/value
The paper shows that the annealing method can be used to prepare high‐performance organic light‐emitting device.