Abstract
Purpose
Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the purpose of this study is to provide a well-supported explanation of how rural college students (RCS)’ entrepreneurial learning experiences (ELE) affect their returning home entrepreneurial intention (RHEI) through the three antecedents of TPB (Personal attitudes, PA; Subjective norms, SN and Perceived behavioral control, PBC).
Design/methodology/approach
An extension of the TPB was proposed, including the additional constructs of entrepreneurial learning experiences(ELE). Data were collected from a sample of 986 rural college students from ten universities and colleges located in China using a survey questionnaire. SEM was used to test the hypotheses and the relationships between variables.
Findings
RCS’ ELE significantly and positively influences the formation of their RHEI through the mediating effect of PBC. In addition, the three antecedents of TPB have direct and significant impact on RHEI, and PA, PBC indirectly mediate the relation between SN and RHEI.
Practical implications
The results of this study have implications for entrepreneurship educators and policymakers by promoting RCS’ RHEI through optimize the content and methods of entrepreneurship education from the perspective of students learning, and strengthening publicity for rural entrepreneurship, increase support for returning home entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
The role of ELE in forming RCS' RHEI has been underestimated by previous studies. This study combines the push-pull theory with TPB to explore the formation mechanism of RCS’ RHEI, and helps to understand the role of ELE in shaping RHEI through the development of an extended TPB intention-based model.
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Peiran Gao, Jinlong Zhang, Yeming Gong and Haitao Li
The purpose of this research is to investigate how critical managerial IT capabilities, such as IT business spanning capability, interact with two pivotal types of technical IT…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to investigate how critical managerial IT capabilities, such as IT business spanning capability, interact with two pivotal types of technical IT capabilities (i.e. IT flexibility and IT integration) to affect organizational agility. Especially, the authors mainly examine a positive synergy or complementary relationship between IT business spanning capability and IT flexibility and a negative synergy or substitution relationship between IT business spanning capability and IT integration.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors develop a research model that integrates IT flexibility, IT integration, IT business spanning capability and organizational agility. Based on a matched-pair, cross-sectional field survey of IT and business managers, they use partial least squares (PLS) to analyze this research model.
Findings
IT flexibility and IT integration have been empirically proven to be positively associated with organizational agility. Furthermore, the research results indicate a positive synergy or complementary relationship between IT business spanning capability and IT flexibility, whereas they indicate a negative synergy or substitution relationship between IT business spanning capability and IT integration with regard to organizational agility. This finding demonstrates that IT business spanning capability can differentially influence organizational agility depending on its interaction with specific technical IT capability types. In addition, the effects of IT flexibility on organizational agility are high, whereas the effectiveness of IT integration decreases in the presence of high IT business spanning capability. Each type of technical IT capability displays different effectiveness under high IT business spanning capability. Thus, appropriate technical IT capability types should be carefully deployed, and highly effective technical IT capability types, such as IT flexibility, should be prioritized under high levels of IT business spanning capability.
Originality/value
This research highlights the joint effects of IT business spanning capability and two pivotal types of technical IT capabilities (i.e. IT flexibility and IT integration) on organizational agility, ultimately contributing to OM theories and practices.
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Dang Luo, Haitao Li and Qicun Qian
The purpose of this paper is to construct a key factors selection approach for a class of small-sample multi-factor cross-sectional data analysis (SMCDA) problem, which is very…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to construct a key factors selection approach for a class of small-sample multi-factor cross-sectional data analysis (SMCDA) problem, which is very common in productive practice and scientific research, such as coal-bed methane (CBM) content analysis, civil aircraft cost analysis, etc. Key factors selection is an important basic work for SMCDA problem; the proposed method is constructed to improve the accuracy and explanatory of the selected key factors.
Design/methodology/approach
Using grey system theory to solve SMCDA problem is more reasonable under few data and poor information. Therefore, this paper constructs a grey incidence analysis (GIA) model with rate of change to select the key factors of an SMCDA problem. The basic idea of the proposed method is to simulate time series by randomly sorting the selected samples, and to calculate the degree of grey incidence with rate of change by loop iterative algorithm, then to construct the degree matrix of grey incidence with rate of change, and finally by which, to utilise quantitative and qualitative analysis methods to select the key factors.
Findings
The experimental analysis of application cases demonstrates that the key factors of system’s characteristic can be successfully screened out by the proposed method, the results are consistent with actual conditions, and they have a clearer meaning and a better interpretability.
Practical implications
The method proposed in this paper could be utilised to select key factors for such a class of SMCDA problem, which has fewer observation samples (small-sample), which is influenced by a number of factors (multi-factor) and whose observation samples are placed randomly rather than by time (cross-sectional data). Taking the key influence factors of CBM content and the key driving factors of the vulnerability of agricultural drought in Henan as examples, the results proved the feasibility and superiority of this proposed method.
Originality/value
Most of the existing GIA models mainly focus on these classes of issues with time series data or panel data. However, few GIA models take SMCDA problem as the research object. In this paper, the authors develop the GIA model with rate of change according to the characteristics of SMCDA problem, and present some properties and application suggestions of the proposed method.
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Haitao Li, Chunchi Wu and Jian Shi
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effects of liquidity on corporate bond spreads.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effects of liquidity on corporate bond spreads.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic liquidity factor extracted from the yield spreads between on- and off-the-run Treasury issues as a state variable, the authors jointly estimate the default and liquidity spreads from corporate bond prices.
Findings
The authors find that the liquidity factor is strongly related to conventional liquidity measures such as bid-ask spread, volume, order imbalance, and depth. Empirical evidence shows that the liquidity component of corporate bond yield spreads is sizable and increases with maturity and credit risk. On average the liquidity spread accounts for about 25 percent of the spread for investment-grade bonds and one-third of the spread for speculative-grade bonds.
Research limitations/implications
The results show that a significant part of corporate bond spreads are due to liquidity, which implies that it is not necessary for credit risk to explain the entire corporate bond spread.
Practical implications
The results show that returns from investments in corporate bonds represent compensations for bearing both credit and liquidity risks.
Originality/value
It is a novel approach to extract a liquidity factor from on- and off-the-run Treasury issues and use it to disentangle liquidity and credit spreads for corporate bonds.
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Keywords
Mahmood Al-khassaweneh and Omar AlShorman
In the big data era, image compression is of significant importance in today’s world. Importantly, compression of large sized images is required for everyday tasks; including…
Abstract
In the big data era, image compression is of significant importance in today’s world. Importantly, compression of large sized images is required for everyday tasks; including electronic data communications and internet transactions. However, two important measures should be considered for any compression algorithm: the compression factor and the quality of the decompressed image. In this paper, we use Frei-Chen bases technique and the Modified Run Length Encoding (RLE) to compress images. The Frei-Chen bases technique is applied at the first stage in which the average subspace is applied to each 3 × 3 block. Those blocks with the highest energy are replaced by a single value that represents the average value of the pixels in the corresponding block. Even though Frei-Chen bases technique provides lossy compression, it maintains the main characteristics of the image. Additionally, the Frei-Chen bases technique enhances the compression factor, making it advantageous to use. In the second stage, RLE is applied to further increase the compression factor. The goal of using RLE is to enhance the compression factor without adding any distortion to the resultant decompressed image. Integrating RLE with Frei-Chen bases technique, as described in the proposed algorithm, ensures high quality decompressed images and high compression rate. The results of the proposed algorithms are shown to be comparable in quality and performance with other existing methods.
Details
Keywords
Chinese consumers’ cross-border internet shopping, so called “haitao” is an emerging popular trend in China. Haitao can be understood as service innovation process because it…
Abstract
Purpose
Chinese consumers’ cross-border internet shopping, so called “haitao” is an emerging popular trend in China. Haitao can be understood as service innovation process because it creates new market spaces and provides differentiated values for Chinese customers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study aims to explore the service innovation strategies and success factors of haitao business in the Chinese market. The authors selected two successful haitao sites of Amazon.cn and Gmarket.co.kr, as representatives of a global player and a niche player, and conducted a comparative case study to analyze their service innovation strategies and key success factors.
Findings
This comparative case analysis based on value chain framework revealed some common success factors such as trust, advanced system and alliances as well as their service innovation efforts. Amazon has advantages such as efficient logistics system and global sourcing, whereas Gmarket has advantages such as product category, sales promotions, and payment system.
Originality/value
This study provides some implications for managers with localization, alliances and platform strategies.
Details
Keywords
Haitao Wu, Wenyan Zhong, Botao Zhong, Heng Li, Jiadong Guo and Imran Mehmood
Blockchain has the potential to facilitate a paradigm shift in the construction industry toward effectiveness, transparency and collaboration. However, there is currently a…
Abstract
Purpose
Blockchain has the potential to facilitate a paradigm shift in the construction industry toward effectiveness, transparency and collaboration. However, there is currently a paucity of empirical evidence from real-world construction projects. This study aims to systematically review blockchain adoption barriers, investigate critical ones and propose corresponding solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
An integrated method was adopted in this research based on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) theory and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach. Blockchain adoption barriers were first presented using the TOE framework. Then, key barriers were identified based on the importance and causality analysis in the fuzzy DEMATEL. Several suggestions were proposed to facilitate blockchain diffusion from the standpoints of the government, the industry and construction organizations.
Findings
The results highlighted seven key barriers. Specifically, the construction industry is more concerned with environmental barriers, such as policy uncertainties (E2) and technology maturity (E3), while most technical barriers are causal factors, such as “interoperability (T4)” and “smart contracts' security (T2)”.
Practical implications
This study contributes to a better understanding of the problem associated with blockchain implementation and provides policymakers with recommendations.
Originality/value
Identified TOE barriers lay the groundwork for theoretical observations to comprehend the blockchain adoption problem. This research also applied the fuzzy method to blockchain adoption barrier analysis, which can reduce the uncertainty and subjectivity in expert evaluations with a small sample.
Details
Keywords
Yali Han, Shunyu Liu, Jiachen Chang, Han Sun, Shenyan Li, Haitao Gao and Zhuangzhuang Jin
This paper aims to propose a novel system design and control algorithm of lower limb exoskeleton, which provides walking assistance and load sharing for the wearer.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a novel system design and control algorithm of lower limb exoskeleton, which provides walking assistance and load sharing for the wearer.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the valve-controlled asymmetrical hydraulic cylinder is selected for driving the hip and knee joint of exoskeleton. Pressure shoe is developed that purpose on detecting changes in plantar force, and a fuzzy recognition algorithm using plantar pressure is proposed. Dynamic model of the exoskeleton is established, and the sliding mode control is developed to implement the position tracking of exoskeleton. A series of prototype experiments including benchtop test, full assistance, partial assistance and loaded walking experiments are set up to verify the tracking performance and power-assisted effect of the proposed exoskeleton.
Findings
The control performance of PID control and sliding mode control are compared. The experimental data shows the tracking trajectories and tracking errors of sliding mode control and demonstrate its good robustness to nonlinearities. sEMG of the gastrocnemius muscle tends to be significantly weakened during assisted walking.
Originality/value
In this paper, a structure that the knee joint and hip joint driven by the valve-controlled asymmetrical cylinder is used to provide walking assistance for the wearer. The sliding mode control is proposed to deal with the nonlinearities during joint rotation and fluids. It shows great robustness and frequency adaptability through experiments under different motion frequencies and assistance modes. The design and control method of exoskeleton is a good attempt, which takes positive impacts on the productivity or quality of the life of wearers.
Details
Keywords
Enbo Li, Haibo Feng, Yanwu Zhai, Zhou Haitao, Li Xu and Yili Fu
One of the development trends of robots is to enable robots to have the ability of anthropomorphic manipulation. Grasping is the first step of manipulation. For mobile manipulator…
Abstract
Purpose
One of the development trends of robots is to enable robots to have the ability of anthropomorphic manipulation. Grasping is the first step of manipulation. For mobile manipulator robots, grasping a target during the movement process is extremely challenging, which requires the robots to make rapid motion planning for arms under uncertain dynamic disturbances. However, there are many situations require robots to grasp a target quickly while they move, such as emergency rescue. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for target dynamic grasping during the movement of a robot.
Design/methodology/approach
An off-line learning from demonstrations method is applied to learn a basic reach model for arm and a motion model for fingers. An on-line dynamic adjustment method of arm speed for active and passive grasping mode is designed.
Findings
The experimental results of the robot movement on flat, slope and speed bumps ground show that the proposed method can effectively solve the problem of fast planning under uncertain disturbances caused by robot movement. The method performs well in the task of target dynamic grasping during the robot movement.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is to propose a method to solve the problem of rapid motion planning of the robot arm under uncertain disturbances while the robot is grasping a target in the process of robot movement. The proposed method significantly improves the grasping efficiency of the robot in emergency situations. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively solve the problem.
Details
Keywords
Wen Zhan, Shengpeng Zhan, HaiTao Duan, Xinxiang Li, Jian Li, Bingxue Cheng and Chengqing Yuan
This paper aims to study the thermal oxidation performance of antioxidant additives in ester base oils deeply.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the thermal oxidation performance of antioxidant additives in ester base oils deeply.
Design/methodology/approach
ReaxFF molecular dynamics was used to simulate the thermal oxidation process of butyl octyl diphenylamine and octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoate as two antioxidant additives act on the Trimethylolpropane trioleate (TMPTO) base oil. Meanwhile, combining with the infrared spectroscopy characterization results of the thermal oxidation test, this paper provides theoretical support for the development of high-performance synthetic lubricants and their antioxidant additives.
Findings
The results show that butyl octyldiphenylamine easily removes the hydrogen atom on the secondary amine, which promotes the formation of more long carbon chain diene radicals or polyene hydroperoxides from TMPTO. Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoate could easily decompose into octadecyl hydroperoxide and 2,6-di-tert-butyl 4-propionylphenol, which could convert into 2-tert-butyl-4-peroxyethyl-6-hydroperoxy-tert-butylphenol in the middle of the thermal oxidation reaction, prompting TMPTO to form more short-chain alkenyl and olefin hydroperoxide or other oxide.
Originality/value
The main change characteristics of base oil molecules are the first thermal decomposition to form oleic acid groups and ethane cyclopropane methyl oleate. Under the action of butyl octyldiphenylamine and octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoate, the deep oxidation and decomposition reaction are slowed down.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2020-0037/