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Article
Publication date: 24 May 2024

Puneet Vatsa, Hongyun Zheng and Wanglin Ma

We analyzed the effects of different combinations of organic soil amendments (OSAs) and chemical fertilizers on agrifood production, focusing on banana yields in China, the…

144

Abstract

Purpose

We analyzed the effects of different combinations of organic soil amendments (OSAs) and chemical fertilizers on agrifood production, focusing on banana yields in China, the second-largest producer of bananas globally.

Design/methodology/approach

We computed these combinations by dividing the expenditures on OSAs by those on chemical fertilizers and called them OSA-CF ratios. First, we classified farmers based on quintiles of expenditures on chemical fertilizers. Then, we studied the association between OSA-CF ratios and banana yields for each quintile. We also considered an alternate specification in which farmers were grouped along the OSA-CF ratio continuum. The first group comprised farmers not using OSAs. Their OSA-CF ratio was zero. Farmers applying low, medium, and high OSA-CF ratios constituted groups two, three, and four; the groups were delineated based on the OSA-CF ratio tertiles, and the associations between tertiles of OSA-CF ratios and banana yields for each quintile were analyzed. The data used in this study were collected by surveying 616 households in three major banana-producing provinces (Guangdong, Hainan, and Yunnan) of China. Standard linear regressions and the two-stage predictor substitution method were employed to complete the analysis.

Findings

There were variations in the effects of OSA-CF ratios on banana yields obtained by farmers iifferent quintiles. For the first and second quintiles, low, medium, and high OSA-CF ratios improved banana yields relative to not using OSAs. For farmers in the first quintile using only chemical fertilizers, applying a low OSA-CF ratio was associated with an improvement of 792 kg/mu in banana yields. For their counterparts in the second quintile, the same transition was associated with a gain of 534 kg/mu. For the fifth quintile, comprising farmers spending 320 yuan/mu or more on chemical fertilizers, applying a high OSA-CF ratio instead of using only chemical fertilizers was associated with a 401 kg/mu decline in banana yields. Even so, for this group, no differences were observed between the yields of farmers not applying OSAs and those using low and medium OSA-CF ratios.

Practical implications

Banana farmers in southern China, using only chemical fertilizers, can improve yields by combining them with OSAs if their chemical fertilizer expenditures are less than 66.67 yuan/mu. Those using only chemical fertilizers and spending between 68 yuan/mu and 300 yuan/mu on them can maintain yields by applying OSAs in conjunction with chemical fertilizers. However, yields may decline for farmers using only chemical fertilizers and spending 320 yuan/mu or more on them if they incorporate OSAs such that the OSA-CF ratio reaches 0.78 or higher. Overall, combining OSAs with chemical fertilizers can improve yields while attenuating the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment. Policymakers should inform farmers of these benefits and accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture through educational and awareness programs.

Originality/value

Farmers apply OSAs such as organic fertilizers and farmyard manure to adjust and remedy soil nutrition to improve farm productivity. However, little is known about how combining OSAs with chemical fertilizers affects banana yields. This study provided the first attempt to explore the associations between OSA-CF ratios and banana yields using cross-sectional data on farming households.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

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Article
Publication date: 1 October 2021

Wanglin Ma, Puneet Vatsa, Xiaoshi Zhou and Hongyun Zheng

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between farmers' happiness and farm productivity, taking maize production in China as an example.

437

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between farmers' happiness and farm productivity, taking maize production in China as an example.

Design/methodology/approach

The conditional mixed process model is employed to account for the endogeneity that inevitably arises in regression models studying happiness and estimate the 2015 China Household Finance Survey data.

Findings

The empirical results show that a higher level of farmers' happiness is associated with higher maize productivity. The marginal return in maize productivity changes unevenly with increments in farmers' self-reported happiness on a five-point Likert scale. Farmers' happiness is positively determined by their age, educational level, farm size, machinery ownership, access to agricultural subsidy and car ownership. Machinery ownership and access to credit are two important factors that improve maize productivity.

Research limitations/implications

The finding suggests that promoting the subjective well-being of farmers is conducive to higher productivity and improved national food security. The results have implications for China and other developing countries aiming for sustainable agricultural development.

Originality/value

Firm-level data show that workers' happiness improves productivity. However, it is still unclear whether farmworkers' happiness affects farm productivity. Thus, this study provides the first empirical analysis of the impact of farmworkers' happiness on farm productivity.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 49 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

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Article
Publication date: 15 September 2020

Junpeng Li, Wanglin Ma, Alan Renwick and Hongyun Zheng

The objective of this study is to estimate the impacts of access to irrigation on farm income, household income and income diversification.

750

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study is to estimate the impacts of access to irrigation on farm income, household income and income diversification.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs an endogenous switching regression (ESR) model to address the selection bias arising from both observed and unobserved factors and analyze cross-sectional data collected from Fujian, Henan and Sichuan provinces in China. The authors use the Simpson index to measure household income diversification. The propensity score matching (PSM) model and control function approach are also used for comparison purpose.

Findings

After controlling for the selection bias, the authors find that access to irrigation has a positive and statistically significant impact on rural incomes and diversification. The treatment effects of access to irrigation are to increase farm income, household income and income diversification by around 14, 10 and 107%, respectively. The positive effects of access to irrigation are confirmed by the estimates of the PSM model and control function approach. Further analysis reveals that the irrigation effects on rural incomes and diversification are heterogeneous between small-scale and large-scale farmers and between male-headed and female-headed households.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings suggest that the government should continue to improve irrigation infrastructure construction in rural China to promote smallholder farmers' water access and at the same time facilitate farmers' access to better agronomic and irrigation information. There exist gender and farm size related income and diversification effects of access to irrigation, and the irrigation access is associated with farm location. Thus, when developing regional irrigation programs consideration needs to be taken of whether the rural farming systems are dominated by male/female household heads and land fragmentation/consolidation issues.

Originality/value

Although a large body of literature has investigated the effects of irrigation development in rural areas, little is known about the impact of access to irrigation on income diversification. The selection bias associated with unobserved heterogeneities is usually neglected in previous studies. This study provides the first attempt by examining the impacts of access to irrigation on rural incomes and diversification, using the ESR model to address both observed and unobserved selection bias.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

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Article
Publication date: 30 April 2021

Hongyun Zheng, Wanglin Ma, Yanzhi Guo and Xiaoshi Zhou

The purpose of this study is to investigate the interactive relationship between non-farm employment and mechanization service expenditure.

843

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the interactive relationship between non-farm employment and mechanization service expenditure.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs an innovative two-stage probit least squares (2SPLS) model to analyze the survey data collected from 1,148 rural households in China. This model not only simultaneously estimates the impact of non-farm employment on mechanization service expenditure and the impact of mechanization service expenditure on non-farm employment, but also addresses endogeneity issues associated with these two activities.

Findings

The empirical results show that non-farm employment and mechanization service expenditure are jointly determined. In particular, the study finds that non-farm employment significantly increases mechanization service expenditure, and vice versa. The results are confirmed by an estimation that captures a dichotomous decision of mechanization service usage. The interactive effects of non-farm employment on mechanization service expenditure are heterogeneous between male and female household heads and among households with different member sizes. Further analyses reveal that (1) mechanization service expenditure increases with increasing non-farm working time; (2) local non-farm employment, rather than provincial non-farm employment, has a larger impact on mechanization service expenditure; and (3) the number of household members employed in non-farm works does not affect mechanization service expenditure significantly.

Originality/value

Although mechanization service markets are rapidly growing in many developing and transition countries, little is known about how service purchasing interacts with farmers' decisions to work in the non-farm sector. This study makes the first attempt by investigating the interactive effects of non-farm employment on mechanization service expenditure in rural China. The findings provide significant evidence for policymakers in China and other countries in their efforts to generate non-farm work opportunities and promote agricultural mechanization, with the aim of boosting rural development and improving farm economic performance.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

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Article
Publication date: 21 March 2023

Hongyun Tian, Shuja Iqbal and Shamim Akhtar

In the competitive business world, companies strive to be innovative, and to do so, they try to implement innovative human resource practices. Therefore, the authors propose an…

548

Abstract

Purpose

In the competitive business world, companies strive to be innovative, and to do so, they try to implement innovative human resource practices. Therefore, the authors propose an association between innovative human resource practice, organizational commitment, innovation performance and transformational leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

This study gathered data from 1,037 small- and medium-sized enterprises and implied partial least square structural equation modeling PLS-SEM using Smart PLS was adopted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal positive direct relationships between innovative human resource practices, organizational commitment and innovation performance. Moreover, organizational commitment positively mediates and transformational leadership significantly and positively moderates the relationship. Companies should use innovative recruitment and selection, performance management, and innovative compensation to enhance organizational commitment and innovation performance. In addition, the optimized organizational commitment aids in strengthening the connection between innovative human resource practices and firms' innovation performance.

Originality/value

Managers should also develop a sense of affiliation and attachment to increase innovation performance. The study contributes empirically to the literature on innovative human resource practices and their effect on organizational commitment and innovation performance.

Details

Employee Relations: The International Journal, vol. 45 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

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Article
Publication date: 8 July 2024

Abraham Kuol, Koorosh Gharehbaghi, Ken Farnes, Kong Fah Tee and Kerry McManus

While efficient design in engineering projects is crucial, this paper aims to examine the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into railway Intelligent…

149

Abstract

Purpose

While efficient design in engineering projects is crucial, this paper aims to examine the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into railway Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The paper provides some key understanding of integrating BIM and ITS to improve the efficiency of railway infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth qualitative analysis of three ITS case studies was conducted to understand BIM’s global impact and benefits in railway infrastructure projects. While case study one investigated the Crossrail (UK), the other two case studies were TUC Rail (Belgium) and the Intercity railway network (Norway).

Findings

The findings include the specific benefits of BIM, regarding the railway infrastructure. The result indicated that BIM benefits were consistently the same across all case studies. Although Case study 1 was the only one that boasts a high reduction in waste and reworks, all of the case studies showed less rework and delays due to BIM. The results indicated that the advantages of BIM for such projects are cost optimization, reduction in waste, rework and lessening delays. Subsequently, this leads to the ease and efficiency with which structures and railways can be built. The outcomes can ultimately assist transportation planners in better planning and managing railway projects.

Practical implications

This study proposes the integration of BIM into railway projects as a part of their ITS. The BIM integration into railway projects as a part of their ITS fits within the overall planning to handover phases. Specifically, the BIM integration improves the design process of typical railway projects. Thus, the most significant advantage of BIM for railway projects is to further improve their design process leading to a higher degree of constructability.

Originality/value

Railway infrastructure performs a major role in economic and regional development. The complexity of railway projects continues to increase as the need for more railway infrastructure is on the rise globally. BIM is proving to be an effective tool for improving the efficiency of railway infrastructure projects. As the utilization of BIM is intensifying, the railway industry can further exploit BIM to improve project delivery adeptness by offering greater collaboration leading to efficient design processes. As a result, the understanding of BIM for horizontal projects such as railway infrastructure on a global scale is a substantial exercise that this research aims to respond to.

Details

Technological Sustainability, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-1312

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Article
Publication date: 6 November 2024

Salam Al Rawashdeh, Mohamed Nasaj and Syed Zamberi Ahmad

This paper aims to influence top management commitment and organisational motivation on small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) adoption of circular economy practices in the…

75

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to influence top management commitment and organisational motivation on small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) adoption of circular economy practices in the United Arab Emirates.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 438 middle- and higher-level managers, owners, directors and chief executive officers of SMEs through an online survey. The theoretical model was tested using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results reveal positive relationships between top management commitment, organisational motivation and circular economy adoption. Furthermore, organisational motivation partially mediates the impact of top management commitment on adoption, highlighting the importance of both direct and indirect influences of leadership.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the emerging discourse on circular economy adoption in emerging markets by offering insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders and SMEs aiming for sustainable growth amidst resource constraints.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

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Article
Publication date: 18 October 2021

Chun Su, Xing Liu and Huan Shao

This paper aims to investigate the influence of over-allocation and under-allocation of family board seats on the corporate investment efficiency.

183

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of over-allocation and under-allocation of family board seats on the corporate investment efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the perspective of altruistic behavior, this paper theoretically analyzes the relationship between the preference of family board seats allocation and corporate investment efficiency, and designs the research. On this basis, we use STATA14.0 as an analysis tool to empirically test the relationship between the preference of family family board seats allocation and corporate investment efficiency, and consider the impact of different governance scenarios.

Findings

This study finds that firms with a higher over-allocation degree of family board seats invest more efficiently, evidenced by significantly suppressed over-investment rather than mitigated under-investment. However, we do not find evidence that the higher degree of under-allocation of family board seats contribute to lower corporate investment efficiency. Additionally, this study finds that the positive relationship between the over-allocation degree of family board seats and corporate investment efficiency is more pronounced for firms with higher separation of cash flow rights and control rights, and weaker regional law system environment. Our mechanism discussion shows that the higher over-allocation level of family board seats contributes to the mitigation of agency costs for family firms by reducing the tendency for non-family boards to vote “against board proposals” and the appropriation behavior of the controlling family, and eventually improving corporate investment efficiency.

Originality/value

This paper examines the relationship between the preference of family board seats allocation and corporate investment efficiency from the perspective of altruistic behavior. Unlike previous studies, this paper distinguishes the governance effects arising from over-allocation and under-allocation of family board seats. Additionally, different governance scenarios are incorporated into the decision-making mechanism of the board of family firms, and the influences of the divergence of cash-flow and control rights and a weaker regional law system on the governance effect of the preference of family board seat allocation are analyzed.

Details

Nankai Business Review International, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8749

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Article
Publication date: 19 July 2024

Xinran Yang, Junhui Du, Hongshuo Chen, Chuanjin Cui, Haibin Liu and Xuechao Zhang

Field-effect transistor (FET) has excellent electronic properties and inherent signal amplification, and with the development of nanomaterials technology, FET biosensors with…

63

Abstract

Purpose

Field-effect transistor (FET) has excellent electronic properties and inherent signal amplification, and with the development of nanomaterials technology, FET biosensors with nanomaterials as channels play an important role in the field of heavy metal ion detection. This paper aims to review the research progress of silicon nanowire, graphene and carbon nanotube field-effect tube biosensors for heavy metal ion detection, so as to provide technical support and practical experience for the application and promotion of FET.

Design/methodology/approach

The article introduces the structure and principle of three kinds of FET with three kinds of nanomaterials, namely, silicon nanowires, graphene and carbon nanotubes, as the channels, and lists examples of the detection of common heavy metal ions by the three kinds of FET sensors in recent years. The article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of the three sensors, puts forward measures to improve the performance of the FET and looks forward to its future development direction.

Findings

Compared with conventional instrumental analytical methods, FETs prepared using nanomaterials as channels have the advantages of fast response speed, high sensitivity and good selectivity, among which the diversified processing methods of graphene, the multi-heavy metal ions detection of silicon nanowires and the very low detection limit and wider detection range of carbon nanotubes have made them one of the most promising detection tools in the field of heavy metal ions detection. Of course, through in-depth analysis, this type of sensor has certain limitations, such as high cost and strict process requirements, which are yet to be solved.

Originality/value

This paper elaborates on the detection principle and classification of field-effect tube, investigates and researches the application status of three kinds of FET biosensors in the detection of common heavy metal ions. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three sensors in practical applications, the paper focuses on the feasibility of improvement measures, looks forward to the development trend in the field of heavy metal detection and ultimately promotes the application of field-effect tube development technology to continue to progress, so that its performance continues to improve and the application field is constantly expanding.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 44 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

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Article
Publication date: 23 September 2024

Nadia Abdelhamid Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed and Safia Bano

Digital technology (DT) is a massive and robust tool for organizational success. This paper aims to examine the roles of digitalization and digital innovation (DI) in developing…

94

Abstract

Purpose

Digital technology (DT) is a massive and robust tool for organizational success. This paper aims to examine the roles of digitalization and digital innovation (DI) in developing the capability of a digital economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a cross-sectional study to collect the data from the managers of Egyptian SME manufacturing firms. This study utilized 322 samples.

Findings

From applying the structural equation model (SEM), this study’s findings show that digital capability (DC) and digital orientation (DO) exert a positive effect on the firm’s digital economy capability (DEC). In addition, DC has a positive impact on DI. In contrast, digital technology self-efficacy (DTSE) negatively predicts DEC. This study’s results also confirm DO’s negative effect on DI. The DTSE is a positive enabler of DI that has also positively affected the DEC. The mediating results demonstrate that DI reinforces the positive connection between DO and DEC. On the other hand, DI does not mediate the connection between DO and DEC and between DTSE and DEC.

Practical implications

This study’s outcomes support policymakers and manufacturing organizations in employing DT to improve DEC and, thereby, develop firm performance and success. The study’s findings also encourage organizations to invest in bringing about a digital culture within them. Finally, by developing DT and DI, firms can nurture a conducive culture of creativity and forward-thinking.

Originality/value

This study directly overcomes the need for an integrated framework of all DI, DTSE, DO, DC and DEC. Furthermore, DI’s mediating contribution between DC and DEC, between DO and DEC and between DTSE and DEC adds fresh insights to the existing literature.

Details

Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-5038

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