Gang-Hua Chen and Songshan (Sam) Huang
This paper aims to contemplate the past development of backpacker tourism research and assess the future development of backpacker tourism research.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contemplate the past development of backpacker tourism research and assess the future development of backpacker tourism research.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors evaluate the research on backpacker tourism in the past in the following three aspects, namely, research themes, research methods and geographical and cultural contexts of research.
Findings
Backpackers and backpacker tourism have been evolving in the past 75 years, just as other groups of travelers and forms of travel have. With the rapid pace of globalization in our time, backpacker tourism and its kinship forms will remain an important international tourism phenomenon, with root reasons in different types of economies and societies. As such, it will remain to be a significant research subject for tourism researchers in the future.
Originality/value
This paper contemplates the past development and assesses the future development of backpacker tourism research.
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Shiwei Wang, Qingxuan Jia, Gang Chen and Dan Liu
This paper aims to present a complete relative pose error model for robot calibration, considering both the relative distance error and the relative rotation error of the robot…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a complete relative pose error model for robot calibration, considering both the relative distance error and the relative rotation error of the robot end-effector, which can improve calibration accuracy.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the relative distance error model and the relative rotation error model of robot calibration are derived by ignoring high-order nonlinear errors, and the two models form into a complete relative pose error model. Besides, mathematical expectation of the nonlinear errors is calculated, indicating that they have little influence on calibration accuracy.
Findings
Comparative experiments have indicated that the proposed complete relative pose error model does better in robot calibration than only the distance error model.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper lies in the derivation of the relative rotation error model, which helps to form a complete relative pose error model for calibration. The proposed method improves calibration accuracy, with avoiding identifying the transformation matrix between the measurement system frame and the robot base frame.
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Dongfeng Li, Zhengzhong Wang, Andrea Da Ronch and Gang Chen
This paper aims to develop an efficient evaluation method to more intuitively and effectively investigate the influence of the wing fuel mass variations because of fuel burn on…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop an efficient evaluation method to more intuitively and effectively investigate the influence of the wing fuel mass variations because of fuel burn on transonic aeroelasticity.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed efficient aeroelastic evaluation method is developed by extending the standard computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)/reduced order model (ROM).
Findings
The results of this paper show that the proposed aeroelastic efficient evaluation method can accurately and efficiently predict the aeroelastic response and flutter boundary when the wing fuel mass vary because of fuel burn. It also shows that the wing fuel mass variations have a significant effect on transonic aeroelasticity; the flutter speed increases as the wing fuel mass decreases. Without rebuilding an expensive, time-consuming CFD-based POD/ROM for each wing fuel mass variation, the computational cost of the proposed method is reduced obviously. It also shows that the computational efficiency improvement grows linearly with the number of model cases.
Practical implications
The paper presents a potentially powerful tool to more intuitively and effectively investigate the influence of the wing fuel mass variation on transonic aeroelasticity, and the results form a theoretical and methodological basis for further research.
Originality/value
The proposed evaluation method makes it a reality to apply the efficient standard CFD-based POD/ROM to investigate the influence of the wing fuel mass variation because of fuel burn on transonic aeroelasticity. The proposed efficient aeroelastic evaluation method, therefore, is ideally suited to deal with the investigation of the influence of wing fuel mass variations on transonic aeroelasticity and may have the potential to reduce the overall cost of aircraft design.
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Juan Shi, Ping Hu, Kin Keung Lai and Gang Chen
As a new communication paradigm, social networking sites (SNS) have boosted information diffusion and viral marketing. Prior researchers have identified various factors affecting…
Abstract
Purpose
As a new communication paradigm, social networking sites (SNS) have boosted information diffusion and viral marketing. Prior researchers have identified various factors affecting information dissemination on SNS. However, they often focus on limited factors and there is a lack of an integrated theoretical framework that explains aspects of relevant factors. Besides, the research on the impacts of relationships on individual retweeting behavior is still controversial. The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework to systematically investigate the determinants of individual dissemination behavior on SNS based on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM). Moreover, the authors also examine the relative importance of those relevant factors.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors randomly selected 1,250 members of Twitter and crawled posts published by each member since he/she created the Twitter account using Twitter API. The authors processed the data to create panel data and tested hypotheses with the panel logit model.
Findings
Factors both on the central route and on the peripheral route of ELM have positive impacts on individual dissemination behavior. Among them, information receiver-related factor and relationships-related factors are the most influential. Contrastingly, source-related factors are the least influential. Furthermore, the authors find that social tie strength mediates almost 50 percent of the effect of value homophily on individual dissemination behavior.
Originality/value
The authors are the first to directly apply ELM to examine individual dissemination behavior on SNS. By integrating factors into the two information processing routes, They incorporate relevant factors into the model and systematically analyze their impacts on individual retweeting behavior on SNS. The research offers at least one explanation for the contradictory findings about the effect of homophily on individual sharing behavior in previous research. The authors propose new variables that gauge topical relevance and interpersonal value homophily on SNS.
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Gang Chen, Luke L. Mao, Nathan David Pifer and James J. Zhang
This study investigated the effectiveness and applicability of China’s innovation-driven policies on encouraging sports firms to invest in research and development (R&D…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated the effectiveness and applicability of China’s innovation-driven policies on encouraging sports firms to invest in research and development (R&D) activities.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a series of multiple linear regression models, this study examined the direct and interaction effects of innovation-driven polices and firm characteristics on R&D investment for sport firms listed on the New Third Board in China.
Findings
Results showed that financing constraints and certification as a high-tech enterprise were not themselves significant predictors of R&D investment; instead, the number of R&D staff and a firm's total assets were identified as key internal factors predicting the level of a firm's R&D investment. Other effective policy tools for stimulating Chinese sport firms' R&D investments included pre-tax deductions of R&D expenses, government R&D subsidies and income tax relief for high-tech enterprises, although their effects were heterogeneous.
Research limitations/implications
This study observes a new theoretical discovery that when the financing constraints do not limit R&D investment, innovation-driven strategies remain effective tools to stimulate the R&D investment of sports firms.
Practical implications
The findings provided practical guidance for both government–industry policymakers and sport business managers to prioritize the identified areas of significance when promoting R&D.
Originality/value
First, this study focused on sport firms, which constitute a quickly growing industrial sector in China. The findings offered important insights for the government as well as corporate management with regard to promoting new industries and new enterprises. Second, this paper analyzed the effects of three special innovation-driven policies on R&D investment and explored enterprise innovation development in more detail. Third, this paper discussed not only the effects of innovation-driven policies on R&D investment but also the heterogeneity of their effects. The related conclusions could help improve the development, implementation and assessment of innovation-driven policies.
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Abdul Waheed Siyal, Hongzhuan Chen, Gang Chen, Muhammad Mujahid Memon and Zainab Binte
Mobile taxi booking apps (MTB) have revolutionalized the transportation industry. As taxis can be hired via smartphones, irrespective of any time or place, the business platform…
Abstract
Purpose
Mobile taxi booking apps (MTB) have revolutionalized the transportation industry. As taxis can be hired via smartphones, irrespective of any time or place, the business platform for taxi service has completely changed. Now customers are saved from the hassle of going to the designated taxi stands or waiting along the roadside. But, the long-term sustainability of this service depends on its continued use. Therefore, this study aims to explore factors that hedonically incline people toward continuance of MTB. To achieve the purpose, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was extended with mediation effects of hedonic motivation.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from existing users of MTB and analyzed through structural equation modeling and revalidated via artificial neural networks.
Findings
The statistical results show that the main factors of UTAUT substantially create hedonic motivation to use the apps and significantly mediate their effects on behavioral intention to continue using MTB. However, mediation between social influence and continuity intent was not statistically supported. The findings represent important contributions to the extended UTAUT.
Practical implications
This study adds value to the theoretical horizon and also presents M-taxi companies with useful and pertinent plans for efficient designing and effective implementation of MTB. Moreover, limitations and suggestions for future researchers are also discussed.
Originality/value
This study extends UTAUT with the mediating role of hedonic motivation to predict continued use of MTB, which further initiates the applicability of UTAUT in a new setting and a new perspective (post adoption). This, in turn, significantly expands theory by using hedonic motivation as an important attribute that could mediate impact of all main antecedents to shape customers loyalty toward system use.
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Wang Yu, Gang Chen, Haiyan Yang and Sisi Li
A series of sulfate-based Gemini anionic surfactants were synthesized via etherification, ring opening and sulfation reactions using epichlorohydrin, fatty alcohol, ethylene…
Abstract
Purpose
A series of sulfate-based Gemini anionic surfactants were synthesized via etherification, ring opening and sulfation reactions using epichlorohydrin, fatty alcohol, ethylene glycol and chlorosulfonic acid as the main raw materials. Orthogonal experiments for 1,8-bisalkoxymethylene-3,6-dioxin-1,8-octane disulfate were performed on the sulfation reaction to determine the optimal reaction conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
A series of sulfate-based Gemini anionic surfactants were synthesized via etherification, ring opening and sulfation reactions using epichlorohydrin, fatty alcohol, ethylene glycol and chlorosulfonic acid as the main raw materials. Orthogonal experiments for 1,8-bisalkoxymethylene-3,6-dioxin-1,8-octane disulfate were performed on the sulfation reaction to determine the optimal reaction conditions. The structures of the intermediate and final products were characterized by FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis), 1H-NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) methods. The thermal performance of surfactants was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermogravimetric results showed that the sulfate-based Gemini surfactants had good heat resistance (the thermal decomposition temperature of which was in the range of 140∼170?). The Krafft point, surface tension, foaming, Hydrophile–Lipophile Balance Number (HLB), emulsifying, wetting, and lime-soap dispersing performance were measured by visual observation, hanging drop method, aqueous surfactant solution method and Borghetti–Bergman method, respectively. The results have shown that all the sulfate-based Gemini surfactants had good water solubility and lime-soap dispersing ability. When spacer group was -(CH2)2-, with the increase of the carbon chain length from C12 to C14, the micellar concentration critical micelle concentration and surface tension (CMC) gradually increased from 8.25 × 10–4 mol/L to 8.75 × 10–4 mol/L and 27.5 mN/m to 30.9 mN/m, respectively. Also, the sulfate-based Gemini surfactants with the different length of the spacer group had a different effect on their performance on foaming properties and foam properties, HLB and emulsifying ability and wetting ability.
Findings
In view of the important role of the spacer group and the general use of anionic surfactants in oil fields, this article considers the preparation of a series of sulfate-based Gemini surfactants by changing the spacer group and the chain length of the hydrophobic group and evaluating their surface activity, and finally its Kraffi, on the foam properties, HLB value, emulsifying performance, lime soap dispersing ability etc.
Originality/value
Sulfate-based Gemini surfactants have broad application prospects in the fields of oil and gas exploitation, environmental protection, chemistry and daily chemical industry and so on.
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This paper aims to examine the effect of innovation-driven polices on innovation efficiency of sport firms listed on the new Third Board in China.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the effect of innovation-driven polices on innovation efficiency of sport firms listed on the new Third Board in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Firm innovation efficiency, including comprehensive innovation efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale innovation efficiency were calculated by using data envelopment analysis (DEA) models. The input variables and output variable in the DEA model were selected through correlation analysis. The effects of several innovation-driven policies on the innovation efficiency of sport firms were analyzed by a series of multiple regression analyses.
Findings
Regarding the innovation efficiency evaluation of sport firms, total research and development (R&D) investment and total R&D staff are two suitable input variables, and total profit, sales revenue and new effective patent are three suitable output variables. Income tax relief for high-tech enterprise has a positive effect on comprehensive innovation efficiency and pure technical efficiency, and governmental subsidies have a negative effect on comprehensive innovation efficiency and pure technical efficiency. However, pretax deduction of R&D expenses does not have a significant effect on comprehensive innovation efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale innovation efficiency, and income tax relief for high-tech enterprise and pretax deduction of R&D expenses also have no effect on scale innovation efficiency. For a large-scale sport firm, the negative effect of “governmental subsidies” and the positive effect of “income tax relief for high-tech enterprise” on its pure technical efficiency are more significant. For a sport firm with more R&D staff, governmental subsides and “income tax relief for high-tech enterprise” have more positive effect on its innovation efficiency.
Practical implications
The study findings could potentially provide practical guidance to both managers and government-industry policymakers in the sports industry.
Originality/value
Firstly, this paper focused on Chinese sport firms from a rising industry in a developing country (China). The related conclusions are conducive to the governmental management of new industries and the innovation management of new enterprises. Second, this paper analyzed the effect of three special innovation-driven policies on three types of innovation efficiency and explored enterprise innovation development in more detail. Third, this paper not only discusses the effect of innovation-driven policies on innovation efficiency, but also the heterogeneity of their effects.
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Fu Yang, Gang Chen, Qiuling Yang and Xin Huang
This study supposes to provide new insights into the role of leader behaviors in motivating employees by examining how and when spiritual leadership and contingent reward…
Abstract
Purpose
This study supposes to provide new insights into the role of leader behaviors in motivating employees by examining how and when spiritual leadership and contingent reward leadership facilitate employee vigor at work.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing from self-determination theory (SDT), the current study proposes that spiritual leadership intrinsically motivates employees, whereas contingent reward leadership extrinsically motivates employees – both of which subsequently improve employee vigor at work. The theoretical model was tested through a sample of 191 employees collected across three time points in China.
Findings
Results revealed that spiritual leadership positively facilitates employee vigor at work through enhancing their work enjoyment, and employees' need for achievement can amplify the effects of spiritual leadership. In addition, employees' performance-reward expectancy transmits the effects of contingent reward leadership on employee vigor at work, and leaders' performance expectations play a key role in strengthening the positive influences of contingent reward leadership.
Originality/value
Based on SDT, this study provides a comprehensive explanation of how and when two patterns of leader behaviors affect employee vigor at work. Therefore, the authors provide significant insights for leadership and work design in human resource management.