Guoyuan Sang, Jun Zhou and Abdulghani Muthanna
This qualitative study aimed to explore how the school–university partnership (SUP) enhances the elementary teachers' professional development in a school-based setting.
Abstract
Purpose
This qualitative study aimed to explore how the school–university partnership (SUP) enhances the elementary teachers' professional development in a school-based setting.
Design/methodology/approach
By following the qualitative case study methodology, this case study employs semi-structured interviews (the authors designed) with 10 school teachers and administrators. The authors adapted the iterative process analysis (Miles and Huberman, 1984) for compiling, coding, annotating the data and interpreting the interview transcripts. The authors also used the member checking technique that establishes credibility in a qualitative study (Lincoln and Guba, 1985) with six participants.
Findings
The findings suggest that participating in a series of professional learning activities led to the enhancement of teachers' and administrators learning experiences in view of educational theories, action research abilities, teaching efficiency, teaching research capacities and improvement of school guidelines. Further, they reveal that the participants' expectations for future SUP collaborations centred on realizing the sustainability and effectiveness of collaborations, and autonomy of teachers.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the current study include its focus on a single SUP within one school and the reliance on data collected only by interviews during the SUP process. This study offers implications for teacher learning within SUP collaborations. First, schools should consider how to involve and influence all teachers rather than SUP core members only. To this end, authentic professional learning communities need to be constructed. Second, universities should pay much more attention to the professional development of their faculty members towards integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences.
Originality/value
This original study explores practical ways of improving teachers' theoretical and practical teaching practices/experiences through SUP projects, and contributes new knowledge to the teaching professional development of school teachers and administrators.
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Keywords
May Chiun Lo, Abang Azlan Mohamad, Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim and Jun Zhou Thong
This study aims to investigate how over-the-top (OTT) media services affect consumers’ demands for value, convenience, visual experience and their ability to advance media…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how over-the-top (OTT) media services affect consumers’ demands for value, convenience, visual experience and their ability to advance media communications. This study also examines the constructs that impact viewers’ satisfaction and subsequently lead to continuance usage intention of OTT platforms. Using the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model as the theoretical basis, the present study constructs include content quality, accessibility, entertainment, hedonic value, attitude, satisfaction and continuance usage intention of OTT platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
The responses were collected from 1,280 OTT platform users in Malaysia through online questionnaires. This study aimed to examine the perceptions of OTT viewers towards their satisfaction and continuance usage intention of the respective platforms. The study used a quantitative approach, and the relationships among the study constructs were assessed using partial least squares – structural equation modelling.
Findings
The present study found that the content quality and accessibility were significant in determining OTT viewers’ perceived hedonic value and attitude, which subsequently led to their satisfaction and continuance usage intention of OTT platforms. Additionally, it was identified that satisfaction had a substantial influence on viewers’ continuance usage intention of OTT platforms.
Originality/value
This study uses the SOR model to determine the relationships among OTT platform characteristics, hedonic value, attitude, satisfaction and continuance intention.
Details
Keywords
Chee-Hua Chin, Winnie Poh Ming Wong, Tat-Huei Cham, Jun Zhou Thong and Jill Pei-Wah Ling
This study aims to investigate how artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart home devices affect young consumers' requirements for convenience, support, security and monitoring…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart home devices affect young consumers' requirements for convenience, support, security and monitoring, as well as their ability to advance environmental sustainability. This study also examines the variables that impact users' motivation to use AI-powered smart home devices, such as perceived value, ease of use, social presence, identity, technology security and the moderating impact of trust.
Design/methodology/approach
The responses from residents of Sarawak, Malaysia, were collected through online questionnaires. This study aimed to examine the perceptions of millennials and zillennials towards their trust and adoption of AI-powered devices. This study used a quantitative approach, and the relationships among the study constructs were analysed using partial least squares - structural equation modelling.
Findings
The present study found that perceived usefulness, ease of use and social presence were the main motivators among actual and potential users of smart home devices, especially in determining their intentions to use and actual usage. Additionally, there was a moderating effect of trust on the relationship between perceived ease of use, social presence, social identity and intention to use AI-powered devices in smart homes.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine the factors influencing smart technology adoption. This study provided meaningful insights on the development of strategies for the key stakeholders to enhance the adoption and usage of AI-powered smart home devices in Sarawak, one of the promising Borneo states. Additionally, this study contributed to the growing body of knowledge on the associations between technology acceptance model dimensions, intention and actual usage of smart technology, with the moderating impact of trust.
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Chee Hua Chin, Siew Chen Sim, Jun Zhou Thong and Ying Sin Chin
This study aims to address existing gaps in the literature and theories by investigating the influence of responsible leadership traits on employees’ sustainable performance…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to address existing gaps in the literature and theories by investigating the influence of responsible leadership traits on employees’ sustainable performance (E-SuPer) in the Malaysian service sector. Specifically, the authors focus on three key responsible leadership traits: relationship building, relational governance and sharing orientation. Additionally, the authors explore how these traits interact with leader-member exchange (LMX) and whether gender plays a role in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 235 usable responses were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Multi-group analysis (MGA) was employed to examine the moderating impact of gender.
Findings
The results showed that both relationship building and relational governance significantly affect E-SuPer among organisations in the service industry. LMX was found to be a significant moderating condition influencing the association between responsible leaders’ sharing orientation and E-SuPer. Interestingly, the MGA results suggest that the effect on male employees was greater than on female employees across the relationships examined. The findings suggest that responsible leadership traits are essential for sustainable employee performance, but there is room for improvement in how these traits are perceived by female employees.
Social implications
The present study contributes to gender equality agenda, supports the sustainable development goals, adds to the growing body of knowledge on the relationship between responsible leadership traits and E-SuPer within one of the most important economic sectors in Malaysia and sheds lights on the moderating effect of LMX.
Originality/value
This study investigates how responsible leadership traits affect E-SuPer in the service industry, particularly among male and female employees. Moreover, this study is one of the early investigations into the significance of responsible leadership within Malaysian service sector and offers valuable information for industry actors to improve their management approaches.
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Keywords
Xiaoliang Tang, Jun Zhou, Guangjian Jian, Qingzhu Deng, Wen Zhao, Shaolan Mo, Zuxin She, Yong Zhong, Lun Huang, Chang Shu, Maolin Pan and Zhongwei Wang
The objective of this study is to use non-destructive testing of corrosion on coated aluminium alloys using differential eddy current detection (DECD), with the aim of elucidating…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to use non-destructive testing of corrosion on coated aluminium alloys using differential eddy current detection (DECD), with the aim of elucidating the relationship between the characteristics of corrosion defects and the detection signal.
Design/methodology/approach
Pitting corrosion defects of varying geometrical dimensions were fabricated on the surface of aluminium alloy plates, and their impedance signals were detected using DECD to investigate the influence of defect diameter, depth, corrosion products and coating thickness on the detection signals. Furthermore, finite element analysis was used to ascertain the eddy current distributions and detection signals under different parameters.
Findings
The size of the defect is positively correlated with the strength of the detection signal, with the defect affecting the latter by modifying the distribution and magnitude of the eddy current. An increase in the diameter and depth of corrosion defects will enhance the eddy current detection (ECD) signal. The presence of corrosion products in the corrosion defects has no significant effect on the eddy current signal. The presence of a coating results in a decrease in the ECD signal, with the magnitude of this decrease increasing with the thickness of the coating.
Originality/value
The objective is to provide experimental and theoretical references for the design of eddy current non-destructive testing equipment and eddy current testing applications.
Details
Keywords
Zheng-Xin Wang, Ji-Min Wu, Chao-Jun Zhou and Qin Li
Seasonal fluctuation interference often affects the relational analysis of economic time series. The main purpose of this paper is to propose a new grey relational model for…
Abstract
Purpose
Seasonal fluctuation interference often affects the relational analysis of economic time series. The main purpose of this paper is to propose a new grey relational model for relational analysis of seasonal time series and apply it to identify and eliminate the influence of seasonal fluctuation of retail sales of consumer goods in China.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the whole quarterly time series is divided into four groups by data grouping method. Each group only contains the time series data in the same quarter. Then, the new series of four-quarters are used to establish the grey correlation model and calculate its correlation coefficient. Finally, the correlation degree of factors in each group of data was calculated and sorted to determine its importance.
Findings
The data grouping method can effectively reflect the correlation between time series in different quarters and eliminate the influence of seasonal fluctuation.
Practical implications
In this paper, the main factors influencing the quarterly fluctuations of retail sales of consumer goods in China are explored by using the grouped grey correlation model. The results show that the main factors are different from quarter to quarter: in the first quarter, the main factors are money supply, tax and per capita disposable income of rural residents. In the second quarter are money supply, fiscal expenditure and tax. In the third quarter are money supply, fiscal expenditure and per capita disposable income of rural residents. In the fourth quarter are money supply, fiscal expenditure and tax.
Originality/value
This paper successfully realizes the application of grey relational model in quarterly time series and extends the applicable scope of grey relational model.
Details
Keywords
Xu Zhang, Mingling Zhai, Yanyan Wang, Yulei Gao, Haoliang Zhao, Xiang Zhou and Jun Gao
In order to verify the feasibility of different techniques, this chapter further studies the adaptability of two massive straw biomass applications in rural areas in China.
Abstract
Purpose
In order to verify the feasibility of different techniques, this chapter further studies the adaptability of two massive straw biomass applications in rural areas in China.
Methodology/approach
The methods of assessing biomass power generation project with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), survey and field test of one biogas station, and game-theoretic analysis are adopted.
Findings
The following conclusions can be drawn: The air pollution costs account for more than 60% of the total environmental cost, followed by depreciation expense and maintenance fee of 18%, compared to that of biomass power generation at 0.01711 CNY/kWh. The adopted greenhouse sunlight technology of Solar Biogas Plant in Xuzhou, China, raises the inside average temperature by 11.0 °C higher than outside and keeps the pool temperature above 16 °C in winter, ensuring a gas productivity of biogas project in winter up to 0.5–0.7 m3/m3 by volume. This chapter also analyzes the information cost incurred by asymmetric information in biomass power generation via game theory method and illustrates the information structure with game results. It provides not only a foundation for the policy research in promoting straw power generation but also theoretical framework to solve the problem of straw collection.
Social implications
These studies will propose solutions to relevant problems arisen in the running process.
Originality/value
These studies are all based on real cases, field research, and appropriate theoretical analyses, so, they can reduce the relevant costs and promote the application of relevant technologies.
Details
Keywords
Xiaoling Hu, Leeva Li, Charlene Xie and Jun Zhou
This research is designed to explore Chinese customers' wine purchasing behaviours and to investigate the effect of country‐of‐origin (COO) information on their wine evaluations.
Abstract
Purpose
This research is designed to explore Chinese customers' wine purchasing behaviours and to investigate the effect of country‐of‐origin (COO) information on their wine evaluations.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the shopping malls both in Shanghai and Hangzhou, China, using the systematic sampling method. A total 148 usable questionnaires were returned and analysed by SPSS.
Findings
The results confirmed that Chinese customers consider COO as the most important factor in their wine evaluation when a single‐cue approach is applied. When a multi‐cue approach is used however the results showed that there was no significant difference in the importance in COO and price as indicators. This research also revealed some salient characteristics of Chinese consumers buying behaviour associated with Chinese culture. When the Chinese are evaluating wine for gift giving and consuming wine in public, they tend to attach more importance to COO than to other variables and are more likely to purchase foreign or imported wine instead of domestic brands.
Research limitations/implications
Only respondents from Shanghai and Hangzhou were chosen, limiting the representativeness of the sample. Future research will be benefited from increased sample size from different geographical regions and by examining the relationship between the consumer demographic characteristics and the COO effects.
Originality/value
The results from this study stand in contrast to previous studies relating to the role of COO in product evaluation. It illustrates the importance of culture in relation to COO.
Details
Keywords
Jun Zhou and Yueqing Yu
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel and accurate coordination control method of dual‐arm modular robot based on position feedback using 3D motion measurement system �…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel and accurate coordination control method of dual‐arm modular robot based on position feedback using 3D motion measurement system – Optotrak3020. The end‐position accuracy of dual‐arm modular robot can be improved obviously.
Design/methodology/approach
By means of Optotrak3020, the actual end‐position of dual‐arm modular robot is acquired and then returned to the robotic controllers, so the corresponding position error compensation is implemented. Through a 3D simulation and experiment of dual‐arm modular robot for tracking a trajectory of plane right triangle, the feasibility and validity of this control strategy are verified.
Findings
The coordination control of dual‐arm modular robot based on position feedback can be accomplished by means of Optotrak3020. The dual‐arm modular robot can accurately accomplish the task of positioning or tracking a reference trajectory.
Practical implications
This real‐time position feedback control method with high control accuracy can be implemented on a PowerCube dual‐arm modular robot system. This method also can be applied to other dual‐arm robot systems, such as mobile robot with dual‐arm, humanoid robot.
Originality/value
The coordination control method of dual‐arm modular robot is presented based on end‐position feedback using Optotrak3020 motion measurement system. The platforms of simulation, communication and experiment are developed, respectively.
Details
Keywords
Dong Wu, Xiao‐bo Wu and Hao‐jun Zhou
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between international expansion and firm performance in an emerging market.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between international expansion and firm performance in an emerging market.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper firstly explores the relationship between internationalization and firm performance, then investigates the roles of diversification, and examines how diversification moderates the relationship between internationalization and firm performance. For this purpose, panel data on 318 Chinese listed manufacturing firms during the period 1999‐2008 were utilized. Three groups of samples of high, medium and low levels of diversified manufacturing firms were obtained. Statistical techniques of fixed‐effects panel data model yielded an interesting pattern of findings. On the basis of these results, the paper then discusses the implications for the international expansion of Chinese firms.
Findings
At high and low levels of internationalization, internationalization is negatively associated with firm performance, but at medium levels of internationalization, greater internationalization is accompanied by higher performance. Product diversification negatively moderates the relationship between internationalization and performance. As product diversification increases, the relationship between internationalization and performance changes from a horizontal S‐curve in firms with low levels of diversification to a U‐curve in moderately diversified firms and eventually to an equilibrium level in highly diversified firms. The initial stage of the horizontal S‐curve of internationalization and performance declines markedly in Chinese manufacturing firms as a whole, therefore it is by no means easy for Chinese firms to undertake internationalization.
Research limitations/implications
These findings do suggest that managers need to take a long‐term view of internationalization and make a commitment to internationalization.
Originality/value
This is the first paper of its kind to empirically validate the relationship between internationalization, firm performance and diversification in China. It is intended to make a contribution to theoretical research on international business in an emerging market.