Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the role of network in affecting private firms’ internationalization decision. Specifically, it investigates the way that business ties, political ties and status influence an internationalization decision.
Design/methodology/approach
On the basis of the survey data collected from Chinese private firms, this study distinguishes business ties from political ties and introduces network status. Binary logistic regression is used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Results show that private firms that have business ties are more likely to internationalize, whereas private firms that have political ties are less likely to internationalize. High-status private firms are more likely to internationalize. Political ties negatively moderate the relationship between business ties and internationalization. High-status firms with political ties are more likely to internationalize.
Originality/value
This study provides theoretical and practical contributions. Results complement previous research on social networks in the context of Chinese private firms and have implications for managers who exert effort to internationalize their firms.
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Rather than focussing on dyadic distributor–supplier relationships, this study aims to examine whether the difference in transaction-specific investments (TSIs) between rival…
Abstract
Purpose
Rather than focussing on dyadic distributor–supplier relationships, this study aims to examine whether the difference in transaction-specific investments (TSIs) between rival suppliers in a supplier–distributor–supplier triad influences whether distributors expropriate or maintain their supplier’s TSIs.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on triadic data from 276 questionnaires that address both the supplier–distributor relationship and the rival supplier–distributor relationship, a moderated regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Five out of six hypotheses are supported by the empirical test. The results show that the supplier’s TSIs increase the distributor’s opportunistic behaviour and reduce cooperation when the distributor perceives that the supplier’s TSIs are lower than those of a rival supplier. In contrast, when the distributor perceives that the supplier’s TSIs are higher than those of a competitor, the supplier’s TSIs do not improve cooperation and can shift the link between the supplier’s TSIs and the distributor’s opportunism from being positive to negative.
Practical implications
The findings have implications for the top managers of supplier firms embedded in distribution networks. This study suggests that the competitor’s TSIs can be regarded as an indicator of the supplier’s relationship with the distributor. By keeping an eye on their competitors’ TSIs, the top managers of suppliers can predict the likelihood of distributors’ opportunistic and cooperative behaviour and make efforts to improve their position by adjusting their own firm’s TSIs. Furthermore, this information can help suppliers decide on their investment strategies and maintain stable and healthy relationships.
Originality/value
This study 1) examines the effect of TSIs using a triadic framework and triadic data and demonstrates that how a distributor responds to a supplier’s TSIs, with either opportunism or cooperation, depends on the relative level of those TSIs in focal and competitive relationships; and 2) reveals the expropriation effects and restraint effects of TSIs by drawing on prospect theory. This finding indicates the dynamics of TSIs in a triadic relationship.
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Mingzhi Hu, Jiaqi Liu and Xue Wang
Individuals who spend a large percentage of their incomes on consumption are perceived to prefer risks. Since entrepreneurs are well recognized as risk-takers, this chapter…
Abstract
Individuals who spend a large percentage of their incomes on consumption are perceived to prefer risks. Since entrepreneurs are well recognized as risk-takers, this chapter investigates whether consumption propensity is associated with entrepreneurship. Using micro-level data from Chinese Household Income Project, we find that households with a higher income–consumption ratio on average have a higher preference for risk-seeking, while they have a lower probability to be entrepreneurs. However, households who have higher consumption–income ratio and are in the top 10% of the wealth distribution are more likely to embark on entrepreneurship. In addition, we find that in-system connection (relationship with government-related units) decreases the likelihood of starting new business, while out-system connection (relationship with market units) increases it. These findings suggest that in an imperfect financial market, start-up finance and connections play important roles for entrepreneurship.
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Xixian Peng, Jiaqi Ren and Yutong Guo
E-commerce live streaming (ELS) has become a new and important shopping channel. Although previous studies have provided insightful findings on how to engage consumers in ELS…
Abstract
Purpose
E-commerce live streaming (ELS) has become a new and important shopping channel. Although previous studies have provided insightful findings on how to engage consumers in ELS, limited effort has been made to explore the role of factors of live streaming rooms. Based on the literature on space perception and the retail environment, this study aims to develop a theoretical model to examine how perceived distance and perceived depth affect consumers' affective and cognitive perceptions and then further impact product attitude in ELS.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected 414 valid survey responses to test the proposed research model. Survey data were analyzed using partial least squares (PLS)-structural equation modeling. The PLS Multi-Group analysis (PLS-MGA) was used to test the consistency of the research model across different product types and watching durations.
Findings
The results suggest that environmental factors of a live streaming room (i.e. perceived distance and perceived depth) can impact consumers' attitudes toward the product in the live streaming via both cognitive and affective routes. These effects keep consistent across different product types and watching durations.
Originality/value
The paper focuses on the environmental perspective, which is unexplored in previous literature on ELS. It highlights the importance of the space design of live streaming rooms.
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Kaimeng Zhang, Zhongxin Ni and Zhouyan Lu
This research paper aims to investigate the critical factors influencing the live commerce industry and their implications for Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and brands.
Abstract
Purpose
This research paper aims to investigate the critical factors influencing the live commerce industry and their implications for Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and brands.
Design/methodology/approach
The study comprehensively reviews previous research, develops relevant hypotheses and utilizes personal information from 66 anchors, along with data from 23,000 product links obtained from the backends of live commerce platforms.
Findings
The study emphasizes that KOLs with higher traffic significantly influence Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV). Intriguingly, KOLs with lower traffic levels exhibit a more pronounced effect on Return on Investment (ROI), highlighting their significance in driving profitability. Furthermore, the study explores the correlation between KOL hashtags and GMV/ROI and the intricate relationship between product types and KOL hashtags.
Practical implications
The findings significantly enhance the understanding of live shopping behavior and provide valuable insights for business management strategies. Practitioners can leverage this empirical evidence to make informed decisions, utilizing extensive data samples of KOLs and brands.
Originality/value
This research contributes unique insights into the live-streaming commerce industry using backend data from Live Streaming E-commerce platforms. The findings are more accurate based on market data than previous studies that relied on platform reviews or questionnaires. Additionally, this paper investigates the impact of KOLs on the performance of live e-commerce from three perspectives: GMV, ROI and hot-selling products.
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Yunyun Yu, Jiaqi Chen, Fuad Mehraliyev, Sike Hu, Shengbin Wang and Jun Liu
Although the importance and variety of emotions have been emphasized in existing literature, studies on discrete emotions remain limited. This study aims to propose a method for…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the importance and variety of emotions have been emphasized in existing literature, studies on discrete emotions remain limited. This study aims to propose a method for more precise recognition and calculation of emotions in massive amounts of online data on attraction visitor experiences and behaviour, by using discrete emotion theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Using HowNet’s word similarity calculation technique, this study integrated multiple generic dictionaries, including the sentiment vocabulary ontology database of the Dalian University of Technology, the National Taiwan University Sentiment Dictionary and the Boson Dictionary. Word2vec algorithm filters emotion words unique to hospitality and tourism in 1,596,398 texts from Sogou News, Wikipedia and Ctrip reviews about attractions, and 1,765,691 reviews about attractions in China.
Findings
The discrete sentiment dictionary developed in this study outperformed the original dictionary in identifying and calculating emotions, with a total vocabulary extension of 12.07%, demonstrating its applicability to tourism.
Research limitations/implications
The developed new dictionary can be used by researchers and managers alike to quickly and accurately evaluate products and services based on online visitor reviews.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to construct a sentiment dictionary based on discrete emotion theory applicable to hospitality and tourism in the Chinese context. This study extended the applicability of affective psychology to hospitality and tourism using discrete emotion theory. Moreover, the study offers a methodological framework for developing a domain-specific sentiment dictionary, potentially applicable to other domains in hospitality.
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Xin Liu, Chenghu Zhang and Jiaqi Wu
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influencing mechanism of consumers' continuous purchase intention toward the subscriber-based knowledge payment platforms (SBKPPs).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influencing mechanism of consumers' continuous purchase intention toward the subscriber-based knowledge payment platforms (SBKPPs).
Design/methodology/approach
This study obtained 226 valid samples through questionnaire surveys and used partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methods to elucidate the complex causal patterns of consumers' continuous purchase intention toward the SBKPPs.
Findings
The findings revealed that perceived utilitarian value, perceived hedonic value and perceived social value directly affected consumers' continuous purchase intention, while content quality and service quality indirectly affected consumers' continuous purchase intention. In addition, this study also demonstrated that all factors must be combined to play a role, and there exist four configurations resulting in consumers' continuous purchase intention toward the SBKPPs.
Research limitations/implications
The results can help researchers and practitioners better understand the causal patterns of consumers' continuous purchase intention toward the SBKPPs.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the knowledge payment literature by investigating consumers' continuous purchase intention toward the SBKPPs. This study also provides practical enlightenment for the SBKPPs' marketing.
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Ruilian Han, Lu An, Wei Zhou and Gang Li
Social media platforms (SMPs) are pivotal in information dissemination and molding public opinion. Various platforms exhibit differences and characteristics. It is necessary to…
Abstract
Purpose
Social media platforms (SMPs) are pivotal in information dissemination and molding public opinion. Various platforms exhibit differences and characteristics. It is necessary to compare and analyze the roles played by different platforms in the evolution of public events.
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops a framework to evaluate the role of SMPs at different stages of public events. To calculate some of these indicators, the GPT-AP-TextRank topic model is constructed. The study further analyzes the correlation between indicators at different stages and SMP’s role and compares SMP’s different roles among the four stages.
Findings
The results reveal significant disparities in the role of different SMPs during public events. Weibo demonstrates notable performance during the outbreak, spread and recession stages of the event, exhibiting a strong influence on public event evolution. Bilibili, Douban, Zhihu and Baidu Tieba show relatively ordinary roles. In addition, compared to the spread stage, SMPs exhibit a stronger ability to influence event redirection in the initial stage, which is different from the original assumption of the study.
Practical implications
The findings expose the powerful roles of SMPs in event evolution, providing valuable insights for enhancing public event governance.
Originality/value
This study proposes an evaluation method for SMPs’ role and introduces a novel GPT-AP-TextRank topic generation model for the indicator calculation.
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Wensheng Li, Yiding Zhang, Yanwei Xu, Guangming Jiao, Dunwen Zuo, Wenting Lu, Quanshi Cheng, Jiaqi Yu and Yajun Chen
This study aims to investigate the effect of post-treatment on anti-corrosion performance of Al coating on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) fastener.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of post-treatment on anti-corrosion performance of Al coating on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) fastener.
Design/methodology/approach
The Al coatings with different layer structures were prepared on TC4 by middle-frequency and direct-current combined magnetron sputtering. The cross-sectional morphology and surface roughness of coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical method. The monolayer coating was post-treated by Alodine chemical conversion, Ar+ bombardment and a combination of two methods above.
Findings
The results show that the interfaces in bilayer and trilayer coatings reduce the defects. Ar+ bombardment reduces the corrosion current density, and Alodine chemical conversion leads to a higher pitting corrosion potential. The combined post-treatment has the highest polarization resistance.
Originality/value
The corrosion resistance of the Al coating is enhanced as the layer quantity increases. The combination of two post-treatments, Ar+ bombardment and Alodine chemical conversion, could achieve an overall improvement in corrosion resistance of Al coating.
Details
Keywords
Ming Gao, Anhui Pan, Yi Huang, Jiaqi Wang, Yan Zhang, Xiao Xie, Huanre Han and Yinghua Jia
The type 120 emergency valve is an essential braking component of railway freight trains, but corresponding diaphragms consisting of natural rubber (NR) and chloroprene rubber…
Abstract
Purpose
The type 120 emergency valve is an essential braking component of railway freight trains, but corresponding diaphragms consisting of natural rubber (NR) and chloroprene rubber (CR) exhibit insufficient aging resistance and low-temperature resistance, respectively. In order to develop type 120 emergency valve rubber diaphragms with long-life and high-performance, low-temperatureresistant CR and NR were processed.
Design/methodology/approach
The physical properties of the low-temperature-resistant CR and NR were tested by low-temperature stretching, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Single-valve and single-vehicle tests of type 120 emergency valves were carried out for emergency diaphragms consisting of NR and CR.
Findings
The low-temperature-resistant CR and NR exhibited excellent physical properties. The elasticity and low-temperature resistance of NR were superior to those of CR, whereas the mechanical properties of the two rubbers were similar in the temperature range of 0 °C–150 °C. The NR and CR emergency diaphragms met the requirements of the single-valve test. In the low-temperature single-vehicle test, only the low-temperature sensitivity test of the NR emergency diaphragm met the requirements.
Originality/value
The innovation of this study is that it provides valuable data and experience for future development of type 120 valve rubber diaphragms.