Meiwei Koay, Hui Yin Fan and Clemente Michael Vui Ling Wong
Malaysian rice wines (tapai) manufactured in small-scale industries are usually formulated based on personal experiences under minimally controlled conditions for generations…
Abstract
Purpose
Malaysian rice wines (tapai) manufactured in small-scale industries are usually formulated based on personal experiences under minimally controlled conditions for generations, especially in Sabah, one of the East Malaysian states. However, the quality and safety of rice wines were receiving increased attention to ensure better quality control, particularly those produced on an industrial scale. Therefore, this research aims to determine the fermentation dynamics and consumers’ acceptance of Malaysian rice wines produced using different sasad (a local term for starter culture from Sabah).
Design/methodology/approach
The physicochemical [total soluble solids (TSS), alcohol content, total titratable acidity (TTA) and pH] and microbiological [total yeast and mould count (TYMC) and total lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count] changes in Malaysian rice wines were determined to better understand the fermentation process for future process optimisation. Additionally, sensory evaluations were conducted to determine the consumers’ preferences for the rice wines.
Findings
The overall fermentation dynamics of rice wines exhibited similar trends with slight variations between the samples, demonstrating the effect of microbial compositions of sasad on the quality of final rice wines. Additionally, consumer acceptance tests showed that rice wines with darker shades of yellow and a stronger alcoholic aroma were preferable.
Originality/value
This is the first research that provides important insights into both the fermentation dynamics and consumers’ acceptance of Malaysian traditional rice wines, enriching the rice wine literature from the academic perspective and contributing to the production of safe and high-quality rice wines.
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Zi Hui Yin and Chang Hwan Choi
A wide urban–rural income gap exists in China despite the implementation of pro-rural policies. Additionally, with the proliferation of the internet and information technology…
Abstract
Purpose
A wide urban–rural income gap exists in China despite the implementation of pro-rural policies. Additionally, with the proliferation of the internet and information technology, the promotion effect of e-commerce on the economy has become apparent. Accordingly, China has been actively encouraging rural households to participate in e-commerce activities. This study aims to examine the effect of e-commerce on the urban–rural income gap.
Design/methodology/approach
In the study, linear and panel threshold models were applied to provincial-level panel data from 2002 to 2018.
Findings
The results of the linear model show that e-commerce contributes to narrowing the urban–rural income gap. Moreover, the panel threshold model results show that the narrowing effect exists in regions where the e-commerce intensity is at a medium-to-high level and urbanization is at a relatively low level; otherwise, e-commerce has no effect. In addition, in regions with a relatively high level of public expenditure and education, the income-gap-narrowing effect of e-commerce is more than double.
Practical implications
The urban–rural income gap can be reduced by promoting e-commerce and reducing the urban–rural divide in e-commerce use.
Originality/value
To determine how varying levels of e-commerce development affect the urban–rural income gap across regions, the study proposes four key causes of the digital divide in e-commerce: e-commerce intensity, public expenditure level, urbanization level and education level and applies the variables as threshold variables to examine the non-linear effect of e-commerce on the income gap.
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Utilizing a paradox perspective, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the leadership-followership dynamic in foreign firms in China, specifically, the extent to which Yin…
Abstract
Purpose
Utilizing a paradox perspective, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the leadership-followership dynamic in foreign firms in China, specifically, the extent to which Yin-Yang leadership behaviors of Japanese expatriates and cosmopolitanism of Chinese employees influence employee commitment.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through an online survey of Chinese employees who directly report to a Japanese supervisor in a Japanese subsidiary in China. Based on responses from 97 Chinese employees in three Japanese subsidiaries in China, the authors test if their cosmopolitan orientation and perceived Yin-Yang leadership behaviors of Japanese supervisors are related to employee commitment.
Findings
Yin-Yang leadership and cosmopolitan followership have a positive effect on employee commitment. Further, cosmopolitanism moderates the link between Yin-Yang leadership and employee commitment such that the follower’s cosmopolitanism compensates for lower levels of Yin-Yang leadership, especially a relative lack of Yin leadership behaviors.
Research limitations/implications
Results suggest that Yin-Yang leadership and cosmopolitan followership work together as a two-way street of cultural adaptability to build employee commitment, highlighting the interplay between leadership and followership in multinational enterprises. Future research should attempt to further refine the Yin-Yang leadership construct, and to gain a larger sample representing multiple expatriate nationalities to corroborate the relationships found in this study.
Originality/value
The study applies a context-based approach to developing culturally relevant leadership, through analyzing both the emic and etic concepts of culture in China. In doing so, the authors extend the application of paradox theories to the cross-cultural leadership literature utilizing the Yin-Yang principle, which is particularly relevant in societal contexts where rapid and dramatic change brings to the fore competing values, needs and employee preferences.
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Tin Nok Leung, Yin Ming Hui, Canon K.L. Luk, Dickson K.W. Chiu and Kevin K.W. Ho
This study analyses the advantages and weaknesses of using Facebook to aid the learning of Japanese as a foreign language.
Abstract
Purpose
This study analyses the advantages and weaknesses of using Facebook to aid the learning of Japanese as a foreign language.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from 100 Hong Kong Japanese language learners (who are generally fluent in Chinese and English), ranging from total amateur to advanced learners (Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) qualified at different levels).
Findings
The authors' results suggest that the advantages of using Facebook to help learn Japanese include: (1) serving as a free-of-charge, casual, and convenient learning platform; (2) enriching learners' knowledge beyond the language learning and (3) encouraging interactive and collaborative learning with other users for practicing the language. However, the low credibility and unstructured educational materials posted on Facebook and being easily distracted by other Facebook feeds are the major weaknesses of learning a language through Facebook. Furthermore, the authors' result shows that Facebook is especially effective for Japanese learning when learners fall into either one of the following groups: young, female, or intermediate (N2/3) learners.
Originality/value
Scant studies focus on the aid of learning Japanese via Facebook, especially Hong Kong learners' perceptions, or generally in the East. Therefore, this study aims to fill this research gap. The authors' findings will facilitate the students, teachers, and language institutions from Hong Kong and other countries to improve the students' effectiveness in learning and teaching Japanese.
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Three types of industrial buyer-seller relational process models are available: joining theory, stage theory, and state theory. However, historically, these models have developed…
Abstract
Three types of industrial buyer-seller relational process models are available: joining theory, stage theory, and state theory. However, historically, these models have developed based on the knowledge and cultural context of the Western world. Several researchers note that national culture may have an impact on international industrial buyer-seller relationships. Including culture in the models is highly important, especially as the business environment is increasingly more global and different countries have different business cultures. The goal of this paper is to define the most suitable industrial buyer-seller relational process models for describing relationships in various contexts. The paper includes a through literature review and a single case study in order to reach this objective. A new state theory model evolved during the research. It consists of two beginning states: searching and starting; four purely middles states: constant/static, decline, growth, and troubled; and a purely end state: termination. The state of dormant/inert is both a middle state and an end state, that is, when the relational actors are not in contact does not mean that the relationship has ended, but instead, for example, new legislation may have been implemented, which requires the actors to evaluate their relationship and its future. A relationship goes through the two beginning states in the order mentioned above, but after that, any state may occur.
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Fan Zhang, Junqi Shen, Shengsun Hu, Hui Geng and Shunxing Wang
A 3D finite element (FE) model based on the double ellipsoidal heat source was developed to investigate the evolution of temperature and stress fields during the multilayer and…
Abstract
Purpose
A 3D finite element (FE) model based on the double ellipsoidal heat source was developed to investigate the evolution of temperature and stress fields during the multilayer and multi-pass wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process. This paper aims to investigate the evolution of temperature and stress fields during the multilayer and multi-pass wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process by developing a 3D finite element (FE) model based on the double ellipsoidal heat source.
Design/methodology/approach
Experimental thermal cycle curves and residual stresses were obtained by thermocouples and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The validity of the model was verified by the corresponding experimental results.
Findings
The deposition process of the upper pass led to the partial remelting of the lower deposited pass. The thermal process of the current-deposited pass alleviated the stress concentration in the previous-formed passes. A more uniform temperature distribution could be obtained by using the reciprocating deposition path. Compared to the reciprocating deposition path, the peak values of the transverse and longitudinal tensile residual stresses of the deposited sample under the unidirectional deposition path were reduced by 15 MPa and increased by 13 MPa, respectively. The heat conduction in the deposited passes could be improved by extending the inter-pass cooling time appropriately. With an increase in the inter-pass cooling time, the longitudinal residual stress in the middle region of sample along longitudinal and transverse directions showed increase and decrease–increase trends, respectively, while the transverse residual stress exhibited decrease trend.
Originality/value
This study enhances the understanding of temperature and stress fields evolution during the multilayer and multi-pass cold metal transfer-WAAM processes of magnesium alloy and provides the reference for parameter optimization.
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Purpose – This chapter aims to construct a scientific microworld to explain the management strategy of yang-ru yin-fa (Confucianism in public and Legalism in private) in Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose – This chapter aims to construct a scientific microworld to explain the management strategy of yang-ru yin-fa (Confucianism in public and Legalism in private) in Chinese organizations by an emic approach of indigenous psychology.
Design/Methodology/Approach – In consideration of the difficulties faced by either an imposed etic approach or a derived etic approach, this chapter advocates for an emic approach that argues that, in order to understand the specific features of organizational dynamics in China, it is necessary for us to construct an objective system of knowledge (epistemology) on the basis of Chinese cultural values (ontology), which can be examined by methods of social sciences (methodology).
Findings – Based on the theoretical model of Face and Favor, a conceptual scheme was proposed to highlight the contrast between Confucianism and Legalism in traditional as well as contemporary Chinese society. Findings of pervious empirical researches on two types of guanxi, along with two types of official and ethical leadership in Chinese organizations were reviewed to demonstrate the usage of yin/yang balance in strategic management.
Originality/Value – Taking the discourse of this chapter as an example, it is expected that the author's approach may initiate a scientific revolution against the Western paradigms of psychology that had been constructed on the presumption of individualism (Evenden & Sandstrom, 2011; Hwang, 2012).
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Yin Shi, Liping Ding, Chenchen He, Fan Zhang, Zumeng Zhang and Qiyao Dai
This study aims to analyze those factors affecting the rural resident’s willingness to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) which is important for accelerating the popularization of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze those factors affecting the rural resident’s willingness to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) which is important for accelerating the popularization of clean energy in China.
Design/methodology/approach
This study contained a sample of 653 households in 8 provinces/regions by stratified, and random sampling in rural China. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis techniques have been used for analytical purposes.
Findings
The empirical results indicate that financial incentive and social interaction have positive effects on rural residents’ adoption willingness, while village leaders’ engagement can indirectly influence their adoption willingness through social interaction and residents’ cognition.
Research limitations/implications
This study mainly considers external and internal factors but ignores the effect of technical factors. In addition, the samples are just selected from the residents who have adopted solar PV.
Practical implications
This study is expected to be useful for the government, regulators, village leaders, village leaders and other institutions.
Originality/value
This study conducts a systematic analysis and clarifies the relationship between factors (external and internal) and rural residents’ adoption willingness. The village leaders’ engagement is first added to the conceptual model as an external factor, which is very essential in rural residents’ adoption in China.
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Hui-Wen Vivian Tang and Mu-Shang Yin
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the application of optimal globalization grey relational analysis (GGRA) as a workable decision-making tool to prioritize emotional…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the application of optimal globalization grey relational analysis (GGRA) as a workable decision-making tool to prioritize emotional intelligence (EI) training needs of specific groups of academic leaders.
Design/methodology/approach
The study involved administrating the emotional skills assessment process to 50 academic leaders in the USA and 50 in Taiwan. Optimal GGRA was utilized to prioritize EI training needs of the two distinct groups of academic leaders.
Findings
Results of the optimal GGRA suggest that context-specific EI interventions focusing on enhancing weak areas of emotional competency are made possible through optimal globalization grey analysis.
Practical implications
Optimal GGRA is introduced as a valid decision-making technique for planning effective EI interventions. The results have implications for designing training courses targeting on enhancing weak areas of emotional competency.
Originality/value
The utility of optimal GGRA as a decision-making tool to prioritizing training needs for the two cultural groups of academic leaders in the study aims at going beyond the narrow psychometric perspectives of measurements on leadership potentials and reaching out to practical approaches to leadership development and training.