Jingyi Wang, Run Yuan and Hongwei Shi
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the service quality of university library more accurately and dynamically and improve the service efficiency of library. The paper…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the service quality of university library more accurately and dynamically and improve the service efficiency of library. The paper realizes quantified representation of library service quality and overcomes the shortcoming of the traditional library evaluation system, which does not consider reader’s identity and cannot be evaluated separately. In addition, according to the function configuration of each department of library, a relation between library evaluation parameter and its organization structure is built. According to the evaluation results and the chain of relations, some suggestions for improving library service can be put forward; thus, it can improve the quality of library service and management efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, a four-dimensional (4-D) representation method is put forward to express four kinds of parameters, namely, the category of participants, the number of people evaluated, the rating level and the weight of parameters, which is expressed by chromaticity and a three-dimensional column coordinate space. Considering the existing evaluation methods such as LibQUAL+TM, the content of evaluation parameters, the grade of evaluation parameters and the weight of evaluation parameters are modified. Using the volume and the equivalent number of people under this evaluation system, the evaluation grade can be quantified and the total results can be evaluated quantitatively.
Findings
The evaluation model proposed in this paper is a 4-D system that is based on content parameters to evaluate the number of participants, score segments, evaluation content weights and reader information. It gives full consideration to the good advice of many scholars and combines the actual operation of domestic libraries. The situation effectively integrates successful experience abroad. Both the undergraduate and teacher sampling evaluation results and their analysis in this paper show the accuracy and credibility of the method.
Originality/value
Although the satisfaction index model has a good effect in foreign countries, taking into account that readers of university libraries in China are different from those in foreign countries in the evaluation methods of the tutorial, professional multi-level evaluation will produce greater errors in practical applications. The traditional four-level method based on Chinese education evaluation (excellent, good, pass and fail) has reached consensus among teachers and students in practical application, and it is easy to achieve consistency. Therefore, this paper also adopts four-level evaluation, that is, very satisfied, satisfied, generally satisfied and very dissatisfied. The embedded application will be able to perform dynamic evaluation and thus can be used in China. The evaluation of service quality in university libraries provides an effective new method.
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Jingyi Wang, Yuan Run and Hongwei Shi
In the information commons (IC) space of library, it is very important to recognize the emotional state of users for better playing the role of IC. In view of this point, this…
Abstract
Purpose
In the information commons (IC) space of library, it is very important to recognize the emotional state of users for better playing the role of IC. In view of this point, this paper aims to discuss the human expression of user emotion.
Design/methodology/approach
An emotional state recognition method based on body posture change under video monitoring is proposed. In this method, two parameters are proposed to represent the emotional state of users. Finally, the distribution of users’ overall emotional state is recognized.
Findings
It is found that the change of human posture reflects the emotional state of users to a certain extent. The spatial frequency of the user’s average body position change and per capita body position change can reflect the spatial distribution of individual and body position change, respectively.
Originality/value
The method in this paper can effectively overcome the inaccuracy of manual identification of video monitoring images, especially in the case of a large number of users and effectively help the construction of university library IC space and provide a basis for the setting of environmental parameters.
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Amy Hilland and Stephen Devadoss
Though an undervalued Yuan is not the only factor that contributes to the US bilateral trade deficit with China, it is widely accepted as being one of the leading factors. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Though an undervalued Yuan is not the only factor that contributes to the US bilateral trade deficit with China, it is widely accepted as being one of the leading factors. The heightened debate over the value of the Yuan may lead to “beggar thy neighbour” retaliation. The purpose of this paper is to provide a historical review of the Y/$ exchange rate movements, review the US congressional bills to revalue the Y/$ exchange rate and Chinese Government's reactions, presents a conceptual analysis of the effect of the undervalued Yuan on trade between China, the USA, and competitors, and discuss the arguments for and against revaluation of the Yuan.
Design/methodology/approach
Conceptual analysis graphically illustrates how the undervalued Yuan affects world trade and shows the benefits and losses for various countries.
Findings
Though an undervalued Yuan is not the only factor that contributes to the US bilateral trade deficit with China, it is widely accepted as being one of the leading factors. Due to its effects on production, consumption, and trade, a solution is needed. Although measuring the exact misalignment of the Chinese currency has led to various results, it is generally agreed that the Yuan is undervalued, and the US Congress has been persistent in introducing various bills to tackle the problems arising from the undervalued Yuan. Arguments for and against revaluation has heightened debate which may lead to “beggar thy neighbour” retaliation.
Originality/value
This paper outlines very timely and pretentious trade issues between China and the USA and contributes to the area of research of exchange rate effects on international trade.
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In the past 10 years, the scale of running events in China has increased dramatically, and the forms of running events have also become rich and diverse. Running is not only a…
Abstract
In the past 10 years, the scale of running events in China has increased dramatically, and the forms of running events have also become rich and diverse. Running is not only a social phenomenon but also a historical and cultural phenomenon as an organic part of human culture with its own sociological values in China. This chapter offers insight into the development of Chinese running culture and how this has emerged from ancient and modern Chinese running cultures based on Foucault's disciplinary power theory, biopower and the technologies of the self. This chapter argues that running culture in China constructs the subjectivity of the Chinese runners under the joint action of the technologies of power and the technologies of the self. The findings acknowledge how Chinese Runners present and express themselves by showing a ‘sense of presence’. Runners illustrate the implicit or explicit meaning and value of a particular way of life through running. Runners regard running as the technology of the self for self-expression and self-creation so that individuals can control their bodies and soul, thoughts, behaviours and ways of existence. Emerging technologies of power provide possibilities for the production of running culture in China, and the current policy under the technologies of power meets the needs of runners. In Chinese running culture, power was not oppressive but productive.
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Korhan Gokmenoglu and Siamand Hesami
Real estate and stocks are two major asset types in an investor’s portfolio. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between these two markets to provide a…
Abstract
Purpose
Real estate and stocks are two major asset types in an investor’s portfolio. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between these two markets to provide a valuable insight into the process of portfolio optimization and security selection.
Design/methodology/approach
This study examines the long-run relationship between residential real estate prices and stock market index in the case of Germany for the period of 2005-2017 by applying time series econometrics techniques. To this aim, this study uses Hedonic House Price Index as a proxy for real estate prices and DAX30 as a proxy for stock prices. Moreover, three additional variables, namely, consumer confidence, credit availability and supply of mortgage loans, are incorporated as control variables to assess the robustness of the results.
Findings
Obtained empirical results indicate a long-run relationship between stock prices and real estate prices which suggests that in long-run, there is no diversification benefit from allocating stock and real estate assets in a portfolio. This finding is especially important for long-term investors such as pension funds.
Originality/value
To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study that empirically investigates the relationship between the real estate market and stock prices using the Hedonic Price Index for the case of Germany.
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Chunjiao Jiang and Pengcheng Mao
The purpose of this paper is to examine how Si-shu, a traditional form of local, private education grounded in classical instruction, responded to the rapid modernization of…
Abstract
Purpose:
The purpose of this paper is to examine how Si-shu, a traditional form of local, private education grounded in classical instruction, responded to the rapid modernization of education during the late Qing dynasty and early Republic of China and to explain why these schools, once extraordinarily adaptable, finally disappeared.
Design/methodology/approach:
The authors have examined both primary and secondary sources, including government reports, education yearbooks, professional annals, public archives, and published research to analyze the social, political and institutional changes that reshaped Si-shu in the context of China's late-19th- and early-20th-century educational modernization.
Findings:
Si-shu went through four stages of institutional change during the last century. First, they faced increased competition from new-style (westernized) schools during the late Qing dynasty. Second, they engaged in a process of intense self-reform, particularly after the Xinhai Revolution of 1911. Third, they were marginalized by the new educational systems of the Republic of China, especially the Renxu School System of 1922 and the Wuchen School System of 1928. Finally, after the foundation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, they were considered remnants of feudal culture and forcibly replaced by modern schools.
Originality/value:
This paper brings hitherto unexplored Chinese sources to an English-speaking audience in an effort to shed new light on the history of traditional Chinese education. The fate of Si-shu was part of the larger modernization of Chinese education – a development that had both advantages and disadvantages.
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Barbara Krug and Hans Hendrischke
Based on fieldwork in Zhejiang 2000/01, the paper analyses the processes and mechanisms that shape China’s new private sector. The paper argues that the development of the private…
Abstract
Based on fieldwork in Zhejiang 2000/01, the paper analyses the processes and mechanisms that shape China’s new private sector. The paper argues that the development of the private sector is characterised by the on‐going interaction between local jurisdictions, networks and entrepreneurs. The search for and protection of private property rights can be singled out as the most crucial factor for explaining the establishment and organisational form of firms. The empirical study can also help to explain why the family is no longer at the core of private firms, offering too small a resource base, and too little access to asset protecting networks.
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Many old coal‐mining corporations in East China were previously flatlands and farmlands in a dominant position. After mining, the agricultural ecosystem deteriorated severely, and…
Abstract
Many old coal‐mining corporations in East China were previously flatlands and farmlands in a dominant position. After mining, the agricultural ecosystem deteriorated severely, and problems such as farmlands subsiding, bridges and culverts breaking, farmhouses damaged by crevices and so on, can be observed everywhere. Agricultural ecosystem rehabilitation (AER) becomes an important issue for sustainable development in this area because land subsidence impacts on agricultural production, and farmers who lose prime lands become an unstable factor with regard to social stability. In this paper the Xuzhou coal mine area is analyzed as an example. This paper poses the engineering reclamation measures and reclaimed land use forms. Non‐filling methods, supplemented with filling methods, are main engineering measures for AER. Reclaimed land use types include planting vegetable, wheat, rice, cotton, soybean, and treating the foundations used for new village sites. This paper introduces the experimental effect of drainage, construction methods and planting in the Tongshan reclaimed area.
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TrungTuyen Dang, Zhang Caihong, ThiHong Nguyen, NgocTrung Nguyen and Cuong Tran
This study aims to examine the transmission mechanism of factors on the characteristic fluctuation of Vietnamese coffee bean export price (PVN).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the transmission mechanism of factors on the characteristic fluctuation of Vietnamese coffee bean export price (PVN).
Design/methodology/approach
Applying Markov switching–vector autoregressive model.
Findings
Significantly, the empirical results showed that the transmission of independent variables on PVN is non-linear, and the fluctuation of PVN is affected by many factors, especially PVN in the previous period. In addition, the effect of Robusta coffee price was the greatest with coefficient is 0.28785, and the correlation between PVN and it was also the highest in both regimes with coefficients are 0.5317 and 0.3959, respectively.
Originality/value
These obtained results are in accordance with reality, as Vietnam is the largest exporter of Robusta coffee in the world.
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Yungchul Kim, Ting Hin Ho, Lay Peng Tan and Riza Casidy
Consumer forgiveness is an important concept in service failure and recovery research. To advance knowledge and develop future research agenda in this domain, this paper provides…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumer forgiveness is an important concept in service failure and recovery research. To advance knowledge and develop future research agenda in this domain, this paper provides a systematic review of the literature on factors influencing consumer forgiveness while adopting the customer journey perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted of 102 peer-reviewed journal articles, on factors influencing consumer forgiveness, published between January 2000 and December 2020.
Findings
The authors' analysis offers a detailed account of the factors influencing consumer forgiveness across the three stages of the service journey: pre-transgression, transgression and recovery. From the review, the authors identified significant gaps relating to the interactions between the relevant factors influencing forgiveness throughout the various stages of the consumer service journey. Based on the findings, the authors offer several research questions to help managers optimize customer forgiveness following a service failure throughout each stage of consumer service journey.
Originality/value
The authors' review synthesizes the literature on factors contributing to consumer forgiveness and integrates these factors into the customer service journey. The authors' findings inform directions for future research and provide insights regarding the measures that service providers should take to understand and encourage consumer forgiveness.