Xiongyong Zhou, Haiyan Lu and Sachin Kumar Mangla
Food sustainability is a world-acknowledged issue that requires urgent integrated solutions at multi-levels. This study aims to explore how food firms can improve their…
Abstract
Purpose
Food sustainability is a world-acknowledged issue that requires urgent integrated solutions at multi-levels. This study aims to explore how food firms can improve their sustainability performance through digital traceability practices, considering the mediating effect of sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) and the moderating effect of supply chain learning (SCL) for the food supply chain therein.
Design/methodology/approach
Hierarchical regression with a moderated mediation model is used to test the proposed hypotheses with a sample of 359 food firms from four provinces in China.
Findings
Digital traceability has a significant positive impact on the three pillars of sustainability performances among food firms. SOI (product innovation, process innovation and organisational innovation) mediates the relationship between digital traceability and sustainability performance. SCL plays moderating roles in the linkage between digital traceability and both product and process innovation, respectively.
Originality/value
This paper contributes as one of the first studies to develop digital traceability practices and their sustainability-related improvements for Chinese food firms; it extends studies on supply chain traceability to a typical emerging market. This finding can support food sustainability practice in terms of where and how to invest in sustainability innovation and how to improve economic, environmental and social performance.
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Haiyan Emma Lu, Andrew Potter, Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues and Helen Walker
The implementation of sustainable supply chain management (SCM) calls for an acknowledgement of uncertainty inherent in complex environment. Confucianist society forms social…
Abstract
Purpose
The implementation of sustainable supply chain management (SCM) calls for an acknowledgement of uncertainty inherent in complex environment. Confucianist society forms social networks in Confucianist society, called guanxi networks, influence economic behaviours and business practices in the workplace. The purpose of this study is to explore how these social networks influence the implementation of sustainable SCM. In doing so, this study aims to critically investigate the constructs of guanxi networks, their impact on flow of supply chain capital and how this leverages the implementation of sustainable SCM.
Design/methodology/approach
Two systematic literature reviews are conducted to understand the constructs of social networks in Confucianist culture and their impacts on the flow of supply chain capitals. The reviews also analyse evidence related to the economic, social and environmental practices to reveal the current state of the literature and research gaps. Propositions and a framework are developed to support future research in this area.
Findings
The constructs of ganqing, renqing, xinren and mianzi in guanxi networks have expanded the contexts of social networks in Western literature. Guanxi networks increase the flow of supply chain capital and generate trust between players, thus enhancing capabilities to implement sustainable SCM. Guanxi networks also create the mechanism of network governance with which to increase sustainable SCM implementation under the institutional logics of sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
The conceptual framework and justification are based on the reviews of current studies in the field. Future empirical study is encouraged to test the propositions, both in Confucianist culture and other countries with culture of social networks.
Originality/value
Social networks are socially constructed concepts. The constructs of guanxi networks revealed in this study have developed the knowledge of Western-based social network theory. Besides, arguments from a social network perspective provide an alternative answer to explain increased behavioural commitment and companies’ investment in sustainable SCM. This study helps practitioners understand the logic of this social norm and to use it to maximise their operation outputs, including sustainable SCM implementation.
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Jerko Ledic Neto, Dalton Francisco Andrade, Hai-Yan Helen Lu, Anna Cecilia Mendonca Amaral Petrassi and Antonio Renato Pereira Moro
This study aimed to develop a psychometrically reliable job satisfaction (JS) measure for university employees, guiding administrative decisions and monitoring satisfaction over…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to develop a psychometrically reliable job satisfaction (JS) measure for university employees, guiding administrative decisions and monitoring satisfaction over time in public universities.
Design/methodology/approach
A JS survey developed by a Brazilian federal university’s sustainability committee containing 58 items across physical, cognitive and organizational domains was longitudinally tested with 1,214 responses collected. The data were analyzed using Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis, employing the Graded Response Model, with tools such as frequency analysis, item characteristic curve, and full-information factor analysis in RStudio. The scale’s criterion validity was also established via expert qualitative interpretation.
Findings
The instrument’s internal consistency was confirmed as the results demonstrated its high reliability with a marginal reliability coefficient of 0.95. Significant findings revealed that recognition and supervisor relationships were key discriminators of JS and that workers began to perceive satisfaction when basic environmental conditions were met.
Research limitations/implications
It is important to mention that the application of this scale is specifically limited to higher education institutions and may not be directly applicable to other educational settings or industry sectors without modifications.
Originality/value
Although numerous measures and scales have been developed to assess JS, one elaborated by using IRT in a public university environment was lacking. Due to shifting dynamics in the workplace, traditional measurement of JS has proven inadequate, necessitating a more precise, accessible and updated tool. The developed scale allows precisely targeted interventions to improve JS and can be reapplied to evaluate their effectiveness. This research thus contributes a valuable tool for academic organizational psychology, enhancing the understanding of the measurement of JS.
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Bahjat Fatima, Huma Ramzan and Sohail Asghar
The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the state-of-the-art session identification techniques used in web usage mining (WUM) process in terms of their limitations…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the state-of-the-art session identification techniques used in web usage mining (WUM) process in terms of their limitations, features, and methodologies.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, systematic literature review has been conducted using review protocol approach. The methodology consisted of a comprehensive search for relevant literature over the period of 2005-2015, using four online database repositories (i.e. IEEE, Springer, ACM Digital Library, and ScienceDirect).
Findings
The findings revealed that this research area is still immature and existing literature lacks the critical review of recent session identification techniques used in WUM process.
Originality/value
The contribution of this study is to provide a structured overview of the research developments, to critically review the existing session identification techniques, highlight their limitations and associated challenges and identify areas where further improvements are required so as to complement the performance of existing techniques.
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Wenqi Han, Andreas Hellmann and Meiting Lu
This study conducts an empirical examination of auditors’ interpretation of selected key uncertainty expressions, namely virtually certain, probable and unlikely, included in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study conducts an empirical examination of auditors’ interpretation of selected key uncertainty expressions, namely virtually certain, probable and unlikely, included in accounting standards.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a survey research method to examine the impact of gender difference on the interpretation of uncertainty expressions. Professional auditors in China were selected to examine whether gender difference influences the interpretation of uncertainty expressions.
Findings
The results show that female auditors are likely to interpret positive or negative uncertainty expressions more conservatively than male auditors. The extent of conservatism is higher when female auditors are interpreting in-context expressions. The results remain similar after controlling for additional variables, such as education and work experience, which possibly affect the interpretation of probability expressions.
Originality/value
The results of this study suggest that gender difference can affect the numerical thresholds that auditors’ assign to uncertainty expressions. This may lead to different application of professional judgments between male and female auditors. It also provides important implications to regulators and practitioners on the quality of financial reporting and auditing across organizations within and across countries.
Haiyan Song, Hongrun Wu and Hanyuan Zhang
This study aims to investigate low-carbon footprint travel choices, considering both destination attributes and climate change perceptions, and examine the impacts of nudging (a…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate low-carbon footprint travel choices, considering both destination attributes and climate change perceptions, and examine the impacts of nudging (a communication tool to alter individuals’ choices in a predictable way) on tourists’ preferences for carbon mitigation in destinations.
Design/methodology/approach
A discrete choice experiment questionnaire was administered to a sample of 958 Hong Kong respondents. Hybrid choice modeling was used to examine the respondents’ preferences for destination attributes and to explain preference heterogeneity using tourists’ climate change perceptions. The respondents’ willingness to pay for the destination attributes was also calculated to measure the monetary value of the attributes.
Findings
Destination type, carbon emissions and travel cost had significant effects on tourists’ choices of destination. Nudging increased tourists’ preference for low-carbon footprint choices. Tourists with higher climate change perceptions were more likely than others to select low-carbon destinations with carbon offset projects.
Practical implications
The findings of this study provide an impetus for destination management organizations to support local carbon offset projects, implement policies that mitigate carbon emissions and develop sustainable tourism to fulfill tourists’ demand for low-carbon footprint travel choices. Based on the findings, policymakers could promote sustainable tourism by publishing relevant climate change information on social media.
Originality/value
This study addressed a gap in the literature on tourist travel choice by considering carbon emission-related attributes and climate change perceptions and by confirming the role of nudging in increasing the choice of low-carbon destinations.
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The aim of this paper is to provide a narrative review of previous research on tourism demand modelling and forecasting and potential future developments.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide a narrative review of previous research on tourism demand modelling and forecasting and potential future developments.
Design/methodology/approach
A narrative approach is taken in this review of the current body of knowledge.
Findings
Significant methodological advancements in tourism demand modelling and forecasting over the past two decades are identified.
Originality/value
The distinct characteristics of the various methods applied in the field are summarised and a research agenda for future investigations is proposed.
目的
本文旨在对先前关于旅游需求建模和预测的研究进行叙述性回顾并对未来潜在发展进行展望。
设计/方法
本文采用叙述性回顾方法对当前知识体系进行了评论。
研究结果
本文确认了过去二十年旅游需求建模和预测方法论方面的重要进展。
独创性
本文总结了该领域应用的各种方法的独特特征, 并对未来研究提出了建议。
Objetivo
El objetivo de este documento es ofrecer una revisión narrativa de la investigación previa sobre modelización y previsión de la demanda turística y los posibles desarrollos futuros.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
En esta revisión del marco actual de conocimientos sobre modelización y previsión de la demanda turística y los posibles desarrollos futuros,se adopta un enfoque narrativo.
Resultados
Se identifican avances metodológicos significativos en la modelización y previsión de la demanda turística en las dos últimas décadas.
Originalidad
Se resumen las características propias de los diversos métodos aplicados en este campo y se propone una agenda de investigación para futuros trabajos.
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Haiyan Ge, Xintian Liu, Yu Fang, Haijie Wang, Xu Wang and Minghui Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to introduce error ellipse into the bootstrap method to improve the reliability of small samples and the credibility of the S-N curve.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce error ellipse into the bootstrap method to improve the reliability of small samples and the credibility of the S-N curve.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the bootstrap method and the reliability of the original samples, two error ellipse models are proposed. The error ellipse model reasonably predicts that the discrete law of expanded virtual samples obeys two-dimensional normal distribution.
Findings
By comparing parameters obtained by the bootstrap method, improved bootstrap method (normal distribution) and error ellipse methods, it is found that the error ellipse method achieves the expansion of sampling range and shortens the confidence interval, which improves the accuracy of the estimation of parameters with small samples. Through case analysis, it is proved that the tangent error ellipse method is feasible, and the series of S-N curves is reasonable by the tangent error ellipse method.
Originality/value
The error ellipse methods can lay a technical foundation for life prediction of products and have a progressive significance for the quality evaluation of products.
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Won Fy Lee, William C. Gartner, Haiyan Song, Byron Marlowe, Jong Woo Choi and Bolormaa Jamiyansuren
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of extrinsic cues on wine consumer’s willingness to pay (WTP) based on a blind tasting experiment conducted in Hong Kong.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of extrinsic cues on wine consumer’s willingness to pay (WTP) based on a blind tasting experiment conducted in Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data from a three-stage blind wine tasting experiment, the authors examine how an average consumer’s WTP for a bottle of wine changes as a result of knowing prior to tasting extrinsic information such as the country of origin or grape variety of an otherwise identical product.
Findings
The findings of this study align with previous research that finds subjective utility experienced by tasters can be significantly influenced by the belief or information given prior to the tasting. Sub-group analysis using a stratified sample based on the frequency of wine consumption and the wine taster’s prior experience with wine (grouped into expert and novice categories) suggests that it is the novice consumers that have a stronger response to the pre-tasting knowledge when evaluating wine. Experienced wine consumers, on the other hand, do not seem to respond strongly to the pre-tasting knowledge of the extrinsic attributes in their evaluation of wine.
Originality/value
The studies of taste preference and role of extrinsic characteristics in wine evaluation and consumption in the rapidly growing Asian market is increasingly important for the wine industry. The evidence from this study suggests the importance for producers and marketers to consider consumer heterogeneity and product differentiation when pricing and distributing their wine.
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Yitong Yu, Shi Xu, Gang Li and Haiyan Kong
This paper aims to provide researchers and practitioners with an understanding of abusive supervision in the context of hospitality. It seeks to conduct a comprehensive review of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide researchers and practitioners with an understanding of abusive supervision in the context of hospitality. It seeks to conduct a comprehensive review of the area and offer recommendations for future research by exploring the antecedents, consequences, mechanisms and designs of research on abusive supervision.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis was conducted to review and analyze studies on abusive supervision in the context of hospitality. Previous studies were searched in the EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar electronic databases.
Findings
In total, 36 referred articles related to abusive supervision in hospitality were reviewed across four key areas, namely, antecedents, consequences, mechanisms and research design. After reviewing the research on abusive supervision in the context of hospitality, this paper offers future research directions with respect to research focus and research design.
Research limitations/implications
This paper only included English articles from peer-reviewed journals on abusive supervision. The number of reviewed articles was relatively small. This limitation may have arisen because abusive supervision is a new research field and is still a sensitive topic.
Practical implications
The results of this study may encourage managers to minimize or even halt abusive supervision. From an organizational perspective, formal policies may be developed to regularize supervisors’ behavior. In turn, employees could use this paper to learn further about abusive behavior and how to handle it effectively.
Social implications
The review highlighted the negative consequences of abusive supervision. Managers should urgently realize the seriousness of abusive supervision and develop effective policies to minimize its negative effect.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the emerging literature on abusive supervision in the context of hospitality by identifying key research trends and framing the outlines of empirical studies. It identifies research gaps, and as the first review of abusive supervision in hospitality, it may encourage researchers to explore the topic on the basis of the characteristics of the sector and offer suggestions for future research.