Hepu Deng, Sophia Xiaoxia Duan and Feng Luo
Understanding the critical determinants for the adoption of electronic markets (e-markets) is significant for the development of sustainable electronic business. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Understanding the critical determinants for the adoption of electronic markets (e-markets) is significant for the development of sustainable electronic business. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical determinants for the adoption of e-markets in Australian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for electronic business.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive review of the related studies is conducted. That leads to the development of a conceptual model for exploring the critical determinants for the adoption of e-markets in Australian SMEs. Such a model is then tested and validated using structural equation modelling on the survey data collected, leading to the identification of the critical determinants for e-market adoption in Australian SMEs.
Findings
The study reveals that perceived direct benefit, perceived trust, top management support and external pressures are critical for the adoption of e-markets in Australian SMEs. Perceived indirect benefit and organization readiness are insignificant for the adoption of e-markets.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to existing electronic business research by enriching the understanding of the critical determinants for the adoption of e-markets in Australian SMEs. Such a study provides government departments, e-market operators and SMEs with practical guidelines for the better use of e-markets in electronic business.
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Qichang Duan, Mingxuan Mao, Pan Duan and Bei Hu
The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem that the standard particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm has a low success rate when applied to the optimization of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem that the standard particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm has a low success rate when applied to the optimization of multi-dimensional and multi-extreme value functions, the authors would introduce the extended memory factor to the PSO algorithm. Furthermore, the paper aims to improve the convergence rate and precision of basic artificial fish swarm algorithm (FSA), a novel FSA optimized by PSO algorithm with extended memory (PSOEM-FSA) is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
In PSOEM-FSA, the extended memory for PSO is introduced to store each particle’ historical information comprising of recent places, personal best positions and global best positions, and a parameter called extended memory effective factor is employed to describe the importance of extended memory. Then, stability region of its deterministic version in a dynamic environment is analyzed by means of the classic discrete control theory. Furthermore, the extended memory factor is applied to five kinds of behavior pattern for FSA, including swarming, following, remembering, communicating and searching.
Findings
The paper proposes a new intelligent algorithm. On the one hand, this algorithm makes the fish swimming have the characteristics of the speed of inertia; on the other hand, it expands behavior patterns for the fish to choose in the search process and achieves higher accuracy and convergence rate than PSO-FSA, owning to extended memory beneficial to direction and purpose during search. Simulation results verify that these improvements can reduce the blindness of fish search process, improve optimization performance of the algorithm.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack persuasion. In the future study, the authors will conduct more experiments to understand the behavior of PSOEM-FSA. In addition, there are mainly two aspects that the performance of this algorithm could be further improved.
Practical implications
The proposed algorithm can be used to many practical engineering problems such as tracking problems.
Social implications
The authors hope that the PSOEM-FSA can increase a branch of FSA algorithm, and enrich the content of the intelligent algorithms to some extent.
Originality/value
The novel optimized FSA algorithm proposed in this paper improves the convergence speed and searching precision of the ordinary FSA to some degree.
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Jianlei Han, Stewart Jones, Zini Liang, Zheyao Pan and Jing Shi
This paper examines the evolving landscape of accounting and finance research on the Chinese capital market, building on a previous study published at Abacus in 2018.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the evolving landscape of accounting and finance research on the Chinese capital market, building on a previous study published at Abacus in 2018.
Design/methodology/approach
By incorporating data from 1999 to 2023, our analysis offers a detailed examination of shifts in academic focus, methodological advancements and thematic expansions over the last quarter-century.
Findings
The study reveals a substantial increase in accounting and finance publications related to the Chinese capital market in both Tier 1 and Asia-Pacific journals. The dynamic growth of the Chinese capital market during this period reflects profound economic transformations, characterized by technological innovations, sustainability commitments and regulatory reforms.
Originality/value
We conclude that the globally important Chinese capital market has attracted increasing academic attention, significantly advancing the understanding of accounting and finance research in China’s capital market.
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Chunyi Xian, Hessam Vali, Ruwen Tian, Jingjun David Xu and Mehmet Bayram Yildirim
The authors investigate the varying impact of three categories of conflicting consumer reviews (i.e. conflicting opinions on attributes of a product item, conflicting ratings of…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors investigate the varying impact of three categories of conflicting consumer reviews (i.e. conflicting opinions on attributes of a product item, conflicting ratings of an item and the intensity of conflicting reviews of an item) on the potential customers' perceived informativeness, which is expected to affect the perceived correct purchase.
Design/methodology/approach
To test their proposed hypotheses, the authors conducted an experiment using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design for each conflict type comprising two levels (low vs high).
Findings
The results of this study found that conflicting opinions on product attributes can enhance potential customers' perceptions of informativeness and subsequent correct purchase decisions while conflicting ratings and the intensity of conflicting reviews can diminish potential customers' perceptions of informativeness. In addition, conflicting ratings negatively moderate the effect of conflicting attributes on perceived informativeness such that the positive effect of conflicting attributes on perceived informativeness will be less prominent when conflicting ratings are present (vs absent).
Originality/value
While potential customers are browsing product descriptions, reviews and comments from other purchasers are also playing a role in influencing a potential customer's purchase decision. However, given the different experiences and temperaments of individuals, the subjective remarks and ratings of individuals are sometimes inconsistent or even conflicting, which can lead to confusion among potential customers. The authors categorize the positive or negative effects of the three conflicting reviews based on the two dimensions of ease of capture and product diagnosticity. The findings can help platforms optimize the display of product reviews to help potential customers make more accurate purchase decisions.
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Lijuan Luo, Siqi Duan, Shanshan Shang and Yu Pan
The reviews submitted by users are the foundation of user-generated content (UGC) platforms. However, the rapid growth of users brings the problems of information overload and…
Abstract
Purpose
The reviews submitted by users are the foundation of user-generated content (UGC) platforms. However, the rapid growth of users brings the problems of information overload and spotty content, which makes it necessary for UGC platforms to screen out reviews that are really helpful to users. The authors put forward in this paper the factors influencing review helpfulness voting from the perspective of review characteristics and reviewer characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses 8,953 reviews from 20 movies listed on Douban.com with variables focusing on review characteristics and reviewer characteristics that affect review helpfulness. To verify the six hypotheses proposed in the study, Stata 14 was used to perform tobit regression.
Findings
Findings show that review helpfulness is significantly influenced by the length, valence, timeliness and deviation rating of the reviews. The results also underlie that a review submitted by a reviewer who has more followers and experience is more affected by review characteristics.
Originality/value
Previous literature has discussed the factors that affect the helpfulness of reviews; however, the authors have established a new model that explores more comprehensive review characteristics and the moderating effect reviewer characteristics have on helpfulness. In this empirical research, the authors selected a UGC community in China as the research object. The UGC community may encourage users to write more helpful reviews by highlighting the characteristics of users. Users in return can use this to establish his/her image in the community. Future research can explore more variables related to users.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-05-2020-0186.
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Chaoran Liu, Yufeng Su, Jinzhao Yue, Junjie Wang, Weiwei Xia, Dongxue Li, Wen Wang, Pan Wang and Zhiyong Duan
A self-adaptive piston is designed for the compressional gas cushion press nanoimprint lithography system. It avoids the lube pollution and high wear of traditional piston.
Abstract
Purpose
A self-adaptive piston is designed for the compressional gas cushion press nanoimprint lithography system. It avoids the lube pollution and high wear of traditional piston.
Design/methodology/approach
The self-adaptive piston device consists of symmetrical piston bodies, piston rings and other parts. The two piston bodies are linked by a ball-screw. The locking nut adjusts the distance between two piston bodies to avoid the piston rings from being stuck. The piston rings are placed between two piston bodies.
Findings
The simulation results based on COMSOL indicate that cylinder vibration caused by self-adaptive piston is 15.9 times smaller than the one caused by a traditional piston.
Originality/value
The self-adaptive piston is superior to the traditional piston in decreasing cylinder vibration.
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Matthew Wilson, Jeannette Paschen and Leyland Pitt
Technology is an important force in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as it has the potential to impact entrepreneurial opportunities and processes. This paper explores the emerging…
Abstract
Purpose
Technology is an important force in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as it has the potential to impact entrepreneurial opportunities and processes. This paper explores the emerging technology of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for reverse logistics within the circular economy (CE). It considers key reverse logistics functions and outlines how AI is known to, or has the potential to, impact these functions.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is conceptual and utilizes the literature from entrepreneurship, the CE and reverse logistics to explore the implications of AI for reverse logistics functions.
Findings
AI provides significant benefits across all functions and tasks in the reverse logistics process; however, the various reverse logistics functions and tasks rely on different forms of AI (mechanical, analytical, intuitive).
Research limitations/implications
The paper highlights the importance of technology, and in particular AI, as a key force in the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem and discusses the specific implications of AI for entrepreneurial practice. For researchers, the paper outlines avenues for future research within the entrepreneurship and/or CE domains of the study.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to present a structured discussion of AI's implications for reverse logistics functions and tasks. It addresses a call for more research on AI and its opportunities for the CE and emphasizes the importance of emerging technologies, particularly AI, as an external force within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The paper also outlines avenues for future research on AI in reverse logistics.
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Ying Huang, Ruixiong Chen, Pan Guo and Zhaocheng Duan
This research uses the evolutionary game model theory to explore how to make decisions to maximize their own interests in the process of project claims from the perspective of…
Abstract
Purpose
This research uses the evolutionary game model theory to explore how to make decisions to maximize their own interests in the process of project claims from the perspective of small and medium-sized contractors in the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This study defines the discount factor in the claim process based on the characteristics of construction claims and provides a specific calculation method. The paper analyzes the matching degree between the evolutionary game model and the process of construction claims. Further, the discount factor is introduced to construct an evolutionary game model of engineering claims with the goal of maximizing the contractor’s benefits.
Findings
The results of this study show that in the situation (C*d1-nC1*d1>0, v2-v1-g>0) and (C*d1-nC1*d1>0, v2-v1-g<0), the contractor claim decision-making strategy is a truthful claim, while in the situation (C*d1-nC1*d1<0, v2-v1-g>0) and (C*d1-nC1*d1<0, v2-v1-g<0), the contractor claim decision-making strategy is a high-price claim. The discount factor will affect the decision-making rate. It is noted that the fines and the explicit costs received during the contractor’s high-priced claim process exhibit a positive correlation with the rate of truthful claim decision-making by contractors. Meanwhile, the final revenue of high-priced claims by contractors shows a positive correlation with the rate of high-priced claim decision-making by the sensitivity analysis.
Research limitations/implications
The author simulates the process of solving the actual claim problem through the evolutionary game model in engineering claims. It is hoped that researchers will collect empirical cases and compare the actual case solutions with the model solutions to further revise the model in future studies, an evolutionary game model of engineering claim decision-making with interference factors can be constructed to analyze the evolutionary stability. Secondly, the single factor sensitivity analysis of individual parameters is carried out in this paper, and the influence of multiple factors on claim decisions can be further analyzed in the later research.
Practical implications
The analysis of the claim process based on the evolutionary game model is conducive to the contractor’s rapid claim decision-making. The introduction of the discount factor to analyze the claim process is more conducive to the accuracy of the contractor’s claim decision.
Originality/value
The proposed model provides a supplement to the existing studies on dynamic construction claim decision-making. The claim decision is conducive to controling cost for the contractor, improving the contractor’s management level and developing a healthy construction market.
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Shaozhuang Ma, Xuehu Xu, Virginia Trigo and Nelson J.C. Ramalho
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to develop and test theory on how commitment human resource (HR) practices affect hospital professionals’ job satisfaction that…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to develop and test theory on how commitment human resource (HR) practices affect hospital professionals’ job satisfaction that motivates them to generate desirable patient care and subsequently improve doctor-patient relationships (DPR) and second, to examine how commitment HR practices influence hospital managers and clinicians in different ways.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a cross-sectional survey, the authors collected data from 508 clinicians and hospital managers from 33 tertiary public hospitals in China. Structural equation model was employed to test the relationships of the variables in the study.
Findings
Commitment HR practices positively affect the job satisfaction of the healthcare professionals surveyed and a positive relationship is perceived between job satisfaction and DPR. Overall, the model shows a reversal on the strongest path linking job satisfaction and DPR whereby managers’ main association operates through extrinsic job satisfaction while for clinicians it occurs through intrinsic satisfaction only.
Practical implications
DPR might be improved by applying commitment HR practices to increase healthcare professional’s intrinsic and extrinsic satisfaction. In addition, while recognizing the importance of compensation and benefits to address the underpayment issue of Chinese healthcare professionals, empowerment and autonomy in work, and the use of subjects’ expertise and skills may serve as stronger motivators for clinicians rather than hard economic incentives in achieving DPR improvements.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the small but growing body of research on human resource management (HRM) in the healthcare sector with new evidence supporting the link between commitment HR practice and work attitudes, as well as work attitudes and patient care from the perspective of clinicians and hospital managers. This study represents an initial attempt to examine the associations among commitment HR practices, job satisfaction and DPR in the Chinese healthcare sector. The findings provide evidence to support the value of commitment HR practices in Chinese hospital context, and demonstrate the importance of effective HRM in improving both hospital managers and clinicians’ work attitudes.
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Roisin Mullins, Yanqing Duan and David Hamblin
Interviews, questionnaires and focus groups were conducted to determine the training needs of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in relation to the Internet, e‐commerce…
Abstract
Interviews, questionnaires and focus groups were conducted to determine the training needs of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in relation to the Internet, e‐commerce and electronic data interchange (EDI) in the UK, Poland, Slovak Republic, Germany and Portugal. The main findings indicated that there is a lack of skills and knowledge regarding use and implementation of these information and communication technologies (ICTs), and managers require training in both the business and technical issues associated with these ICTs. As a result of these studies, a Web‐based intelligent training system (WITS) has been developed. The aim of the system is to provide awareness in how to implement the Internet, e‐commerce and EDI into business processes. The WITS system aims to address the needs of SMEs by providing computer‐assisted instruction on the main elements identified for e‐commerce success. This paper describes the rationale for the structure of the WITS system, the means by which the content was classified into modules in the training system, the level of information provided, and the type of interface guidelines used to improve usability of the system.