This paper focuses on how the producer inspires his cooperative research partner to reduce carbon emission, by developing a menu of incentive contracts both in research and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper focuses on how the producer inspires his cooperative research partner to reduce carbon emission, by developing a menu of incentive contracts both in research and development (R&D) stage and recycling stage.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed mechanism combines the researcher with the producer in a two-staged closed-loop system. Based on the concept that the producer takes the environmental responsibility, this paper designs a dynamically updating contract for the producer to encourage low-carbon efforts. Meanwhile, the producer offers a menu of contracts against the asymmetric information, that is, the R&D partner owns private information on his low-carbon R&D capability. According to incentive mechanism, the researcher decides whether to tell the truth and how much effort she would exert in R&D and recycling stages.
Findings
Discriminating between different types of researchers hurts the producer’s profit. But the updated screening contract can inspire researchers to tell the truth and is beneficial in reducing carbon emissions in the two stages. The results give the optimal solutions of the incentive mechanism. The low-type researcher only obtains reservation profit, whereas the high-type is given more to induce the information.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a strategy of updating the contract factors for avoiding adverse selection and moral hazard. Considering the environmental responsibility of waste products, the producer would like to encourage low-carbon designs among the R&D partners in a closed-loop supply chain.
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Zhangxiang Zhu and Kening Yang
Virtual communities are useful sources of travel information for tourists. To better promote the sustainable development of virtual communities and provide theoretical guidance…
Abstract
Purpose
Virtual communities are useful sources of travel information for tourists. To better promote the sustainable development of virtual communities and provide theoretical guidance, this study aims to explore how the cognitive load generated by tourists in the information-seeking process facilitates the formation of their continuance intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Built on the cognitive load theory and flow theory, this study investigates the formation mechanism of virtual community users’ continuance intention to seek travel information. A total of 328 valid questionnaires were collected and used for hypothesis testing.
Findings
The results show that perceived usefulness, perceived information consistency and prior experience positively affect continuance intention. Concentration and time distortion have significant effects on continuance intention. Moreover, concentration and time distortion mediate between prior experience and continuance intention.
Originality/value
This study clarifies the formation mechanism of virtual community users’ continuance intention of travel information seeking from a new perspective. The conclusions enrich the research on consumer behavior in the information search field and provide a reference for virtual communities.
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Zhangxiang Zhu, Zihui Peng and Kening Yang
This study explores the factors that promote university teachers' switching intention from a traditional classroom to a smart classroom based on the push–pull–mooring (PPM…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the factors that promote university teachers' switching intention from a traditional classroom to a smart classroom based on the push–pull–mooring (PPM) framework to enrich the theoretical research on the smart classroom and provide a reference for smart classroom promotion.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed conceptual framework was developed from a comprehensive review of the related literature. This study tested and validated the proposed framework using a partial least square structural equation model based on 269 valid questionnaires.
Findings
(1) Perceived inefficiency, inquiry-based learning, future expectation and technical self-efficacy had significant effects on switching intention, while low participation, perceived usefulness and habit had no significant effects on university teachers’ switching intention in the smart classroom. (2) In the process of decision-making, the course category significantly moderates the impact of perceived inefficiency and technical self-efficacy on switching intention, while the user experience of smart classrooms significantly moderates the impact of perceived inefficiency on switching intention.
Originality/value
This study explains university teachers' switching intention from a traditional classroom to the smart classroom, which enriches the application area of the PPM framework.
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Hendrik P. van Dalen and Kène Henkens
The purpose of this paper is to see whether attitudes toward older workers by managers change over time and what might explain development over time.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to see whether attitudes toward older workers by managers change over time and what might explain development over time.
Design/methodology/approach
A unique panel study of Dutch managers is used to track the development of their attitudes toward older workers over time (2010–2013) by focusing on a set of qualities of older workers aged 50 and older. A conditional change model is used to explain the variation in changes by focusing on characteristics of the manager (age, education, gender, tenure and contact with older workers) and of the firm (composition staff, type of work and sector, size).
Findings
Managers have significantly adjusted their views on the so-called “soft skills” of older workers, like reliability and loyalty. Attitudes toward “hard skills” – like physical stamina, new tech skills and willingness to train – have not changed. Important drivers behind these changes are the age of the manager – the older the manager, the more likely a positive change in attitude toward older workers can be observed – and the change in the quality of contact with older workers. A deterioration of the managers’ relationship with older workers tends to correspond with a decline in their assessment of soft and hard skills.
Social implications
Attitudes are not very susceptible to change but this study shows that a significant change can be expected simply from the fact that managers age: older managers tend to have a more positive assessment of the hard and soft skills of older workers than young managers.
Originality/value
This paper offers novel insights into the question whether stereotypes of managers change over time.
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Kène Henkens and Monique Leenders
The central theme of this article is early retirement intentions and burnout among older workers. The paper aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the burnout…
Abstract
Purpose
The central theme of this article is early retirement intentions and burnout among older workers. The paper aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the burnout dimensions exhaustion, cynicism and competence and retirement intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were taken from a survey held among Dutch older workers (50+) and their spouses (n=2,892).
Findings
The results show that a high workload, heavy physical work, lack of challenge, autonomy and social support from colleagues and managers are related to burnout complaints, although in a different way for the three dimensions. The results show that besides the effect of burnout, retirement intentions are related to the level of marital quality. Older workers who report a higher level of marital quality report a stronger intention to retire. Burnout and retirement intentions are related, but appear to have partly different predictors. While burnout can generally be explained by the work environment, non‐work related factors enhance the understanding of retirement intentions.
Originality/value
This study shows that actual retirement is often preceded by feelings of burnout, in particular a mental detachment from work and feelings of exhaustion.
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Jianyu Zhao, Anzhi Bai, Xi Xi, Yining Huang and Shanshan Wang
Malicious attacks extremely traumatize knowledge networks due to increasing interdependence among knowledge elements. Therefore, exposing the damage of malicious attacks to…
Abstract
Purpose
Malicious attacks extremely traumatize knowledge networks due to increasing interdependence among knowledge elements. Therefore, exposing the damage of malicious attacks to knowledge networks has important theoretical and practical significance. Despite the insights being offered by the growing research stream, few studies discuss the diverse responses of knowledge networks’ robustness to different target-attacks, and the authors lack sufficient knowledge of which forms of malicious attacks constitute greater disaster when knowledge networks evolve to different stages. Given the irreversible consequences of malicious attacks on knowledge networks, this paper aims to examine the impacts of different malicious attacks on the robustness of knowledge networks.
Design/methodology/approach
On the basic of dividing malicious attacks into six forms, the authors incorporate two important aspects of robustness of knowledge networks – structure and function – in a research framework, and use maximal connected sub-graphs and network efficiency, respectively, to measure structural and functional robustness. Furthermore, the authors conceptualize knowledge as a multi-dimensional structure to reflect the heterogeneous nature of knowledge elements, and design the fundamental rules of simulation. NetLogo is used to simulate the features of knowledge networks and their changes of robustness as they face different malicious attacks.
Findings
First, knowledge networks gradually form more associative integrated structures with evolutionary progress. Second, various properties of knowledge elements play diverse roles in mitigating damage from malicious attacks. Recalculated-degree-based attacks cause greater damage than degree-based attacks, and structure of knowledge networks has higher resilience against ability than function. Third, structural robustness is mainly affected by the potential combinatorial value of high-degree knowledge elements, and the combinatorial potential of high-out-degree knowledge elements. Forth, the number of high in-degree knowledge elements with heterogeneous contents, and the inverted U-sharp effect contributed by high out-degree knowledge elements are the main influencers of functional robustness.
Research limitations/implications
The authors use the frontier method to expose the detriments of malicious attacks both to structural and functional robustness in each evolutionary stage, and the authors reveal the relationship and effects of knowledge-based connections and knowledge combinatorial opportunities that contribute to maintaining them. Furthermore, the authors identify latent critical factors that may improve the structural and functional robustness of knowledge networks.
Originality/value
First, from the dynamic evolutionary perspective, the authors systematically examine structural and functional robustness to reveal the roles of the properties of knowledge element, and knowledge associations to maintain the robustness of knowledge networks. Second, the authors compare the damage of six forms of malicious attacks to identify the reasons for increased robustness vulnerability. Third, the authors construct the stock, power, expertise knowledge structure to overcome the difficulty of knowledge conceptualization. The results respond to multiple calls from different studies and extend the literature in multiple research domains.
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Hendrik P. van Dalen, Kène Henkens, Wilma Henderikse and Joop Schippers
This paper aims to examine whether employers' opinions and expectations regarding workers' retirement age are in line with the ideas of the EU‐Member States' governments to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine whether employers' opinions and expectations regarding workers' retirement age are in line with the ideas of the EU‐Member States' governments to increase the participation of older workers and to postpone the transition from paid work into retirement at the end of the labour market career.
Design/methodology/approach
A comparative survey was used among employers from five European countries: Greece, Hungary, Spain, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Findings
The authors found that most employers are reluctant in supporting later retirement. Part of this reluctance is the result of the perception that an ageing work force is a burden rather than a boom to organizations.
Originality/value
This study shows that there still is a discrepancy between the aims formulated at the level of the European Union and member state countries with respect to stimulating the labour force participation of older workers and the attitudes of individual employers. In particular, the fact that employers perceive alternative solutions to the challenges of an ageing and shrinking workforce, other than delaying retirement, suggests that most employers will not be a major driving force for extending the working life.
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Kene Li and Yunong Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to present the design and implementation of a zero‐initial‐velocity self‐motion scheme on a six degrees of freedom (six‐DOF) planar robot manipulator.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the design and implementation of a zero‐initial‐velocity self‐motion scheme on a six degrees of freedom (six‐DOF) planar robot manipulator.
Design/methodology/approach
In view of the existence of physical limits in an actual robot manipulator, both joint‐angle limits and joint‐velocity limits are initially incorporated into the proposed self‐motion scheme for practical purposes. The proposed self‐motion scheme is then reformulated as a quadratic program (QP) and resolved at the joint‐velocity level. By combining the zero‐initial‐velocity constraint, the resultant QP can prevent the occurrence of a large initial joint velocity. Finally, based on the conversion technique of QP to a linear variational inequality, a numerical computing algorithm is presented to solve the QP and the corresponding self‐motion scheme.
Findings
The proposed zero‐initial‐velocity self‐motion scheme eliminates the phenomenon of the abrupt and drastic increase in joint velocity at the beginning of the self‐motion task execution. Simulative and experimental results based on a practical six‐DOF planar robot manipulator further verify the realizability, effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed self‐motion scheme. Based on the simulative results, the joint angle and the joint velocity meet the joint physical constraints.
Practical implications
The paper provides effective methods for handling the physical limits, the design of zero‐initial velocity, and the conversion from joint angle and joint velocity to motor‐driving pulses. Thus, the effective and safe self‐motion control of a manipulator is realized.
Originality/value
The paper describes the design and implementation of a zero‐initial‐velocity self‐motion scheme.
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Chanjira Pengcharoen and Kenneth S. Shultz
Population aging, and changes in labor force participation among older adults, will have tremendous impacts on the aging workforce. Thus it is imperative that the factors that…
Abstract
Purpose
Population aging, and changes in labor force participation among older adults, will have tremendous impacts on the aging workforce. Thus it is imperative that the factors that influence whether older workers will continue in their career employment, engage in bridge employment, or fully retire, should be understood better. This paper aims to focus on these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present study longitudinal data for 2,869 older workers from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data set in the USA were used to examine the influence of demographic (e.g. income), nonwork related factors (e.g. marital satisfaction), and work related factors (e.g. job involvement) on late‐life employment decisions over a ten year period from 1992 to 2002.
Findings
The results indicate a wide variety of factors impact employment decisions later in life. Specifically, it was found that work related factors of job involvement and schedule flexibility, as well as the nonwork related factors of certainty of retirement plans, attitudes toward retirement, and job seeking self‐efficacy all distinguished the various employment statuses (e.g. completely retired, partly retirement, and not retired at all) of older workers over a ten year period.
Originality/value
This study shows that both individuals and organizations need to examine a wide variety of factors when examining bridge employment decisions at the end of workers' careers. While most studies of bridge employment use cross‐sectional data, this paper uses longitudinal data to examine actual bridge employment decisions, rather that prospective desires or potentially faulty after‐the‐fact retrospective accounts.
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Kasia Karpinska, Kene Henkens and Joop Schippers
This study aims to investigate the role of managers in the re-employment of early retirees and focuses on the effect of managers' age norms and stereotypes on managers' employment…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the role of managers in the re-employment of early retirees and focuses on the effect of managers' age norms and stereotypes on managers' employment decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
A combination of a factorial study and a survey was conducted. First, information on the age norms and stereotypes was collected. Secondly, profiles of hypothetical retired job applicants were presented to the employers, who were asked to make a specific hiring decision. The information collected during both studies was combined in the analysis and multilevel models were estimated.
Findings
The results indicate that higher age norms (defined as age at which somebody is believed to be unable to work for 20 hours a week or more) result in a higher propensity to hire an early retiree. Stereotypes, by contrast, do not influence managers' decisions. Early retirees' chances for re-employment are also related to their own circumstances (physical appearance and relevant experience) and organisational forces, as they are hired when organisations face labour force shortages.
Research limitations/implications
With the use of vignettes study the authors deal with a hypothetical hiring situation.
Originality/value
Although the effect of attitudes has been often suggested, not much empirical evidence has been presented to support this notion. This study estimates the effect of age norms and stereotypes on hiring decision.