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1 – 10 of 22Expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment is one of the crucial factors for multi-national corporations’ (MNCs’) global success, which if neglected can lead to poor performance and…
Abstract
Purpose
Expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment is one of the crucial factors for multi-national corporations’ (MNCs’) global success, which if neglected can lead to poor performance and increased turnover rates. On the other hand, cultural intelligence (CQ) is an important perspective for understanding international business success. Utilizing a relatively large sample of foreign professionals (n = 402) working in Mainland China, this study aims to test the effects of cultural intelligence on expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment and their turnover intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected via a cross-sectional survey, and the hierarchical multiple regression technique was used to test the hypotheses. The facets of cross-cultural adjustment were treated as potential predictors of turnover intentions and mediators in the relationship between CQ and turnover intentions.
Findings
With the exception of CQ-behavioral, the other three dimensions of CQ had varying positive effects on the three facets of expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment. When the variable of turnover intentions was regressed on the four dimensions of CQ, the motivational dimension was the only predictor. Also, general and work adjustment facets had strong effects on turnover intentions, thus when they entered in the third step after CQ-motivational, they provided full mediation.
Practical implications
Given the strong and positive effects of all CQ dimensions on all facets of cross-cultural adjustment, MNCs should assess and select individuals with high CQ levels for international assignments. Based on the correlations of the control variables, age and level of education, MNCs should keep an eye on those who are young and those with higher levels of education as they are more likely to leave their international assignments prematurely. Expatriates themselves should set long-term personal plans for acquiring the needed cultural knowledge.
Originality/value
This research extends the relationship between CQ and cross-cultural adjustment to expatriates’ turnover intentions, a very costly problem for MNCs, yet barely researched in the context of CQ. This study also extends the geographical validity of CQ to Mainland China, a very lucrative market for global MNCs, yet a challenge for Western expatriates in particular.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a new approach towards the understanding of teacher‐student relationships in the context of management education in China, and to promote…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a new approach towards the understanding of teacher‐student relationships in the context of management education in China, and to promote collaborative learning.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper critiqued the current model of management education in China and highlight the reasons from a cultural and historical perspective. With examples from her teaching practices the author argued why a new teacher‐student relationship is necessary in developing China's future managers.
Findings
Creativity and innovativeness of Chinese learners can be fostered by a collaborative approach of teaching and learning.
Practical implications
Management educators in China need to challenge their deeply held assumptions about teaching and learning, and actively experiment with new approaches towards developing students' critical thinking ability and creativity rather than reinforce the established power relations between teacher and student.
Originality/value
This paper offers a new perspective towards understanding teacher‐student relationships in China which has the potential to transform both teachers and students, and to contribute to the development of a new generation of competent Chinese managers.
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Shimin Liu and Russ Vince
Currently, learning in international joint ventures between developing and developed countries tends to be viewed as a one‐way process, with Western partners assuming superiority…
Abstract
Currently, learning in international joint ventures between developing and developed countries tends to be viewed as a one‐way process, with Western partners assuming superiority in both technology and management. Learning is often dominated by the rational drive to achieve organisational effectiveness without sufficient attention to cultural differences, which has created problems of mutual understanding. In this paper we examine learning processes in Chinese‐Western joint ventures as well as the cultural context where learning is taking place. We argue that improved management of joint ventures lies in the process of collective learning of joint venture partners. To achieve this, it is important for partners from diverse cultures and socio‐economic backgrounds to understand the different modes of managing and organising. We illustrate this with examples from our study of Chinese‐Western joint ventures.
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William H.A. Johnson and Joseph W. Weiss
The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual stage model of education and innovation type. The model depicts the influence of education on innovation and the paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual stage model of education and innovation type. The model depicts the influence of education on innovation and the paper aims to discuss the implications of it for the national competitiveness of China.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a newly created conceptual stage model of education and innovation supported by observations and a literature review based on past and present innovation efforts in China.
Findings
The paper demonstrates the importance of linking creative education with radical innovation that is associated with higher value‐added economic activities. The findings of the empirical studies to date in China suggest that such a change will not be easy. There is a need to increase the propensity towards creative thought processes even if this is considered “undesirable behavior” both in the Chinese classroom and for the Chinese Communist party. Evidence suggests that without such creativity, self‐initiated radical innovation is not possible across a broader spectrum of the educational system, and that break‐through inventions in value‐added technology and design industries will be limited in China.
Originality/value
The model in the paper is designed to stimulate further research, initiate discussion and encourage action on driving creativity in Chinese educational policy and practices. The paper's analysis and findings will be of interest to managers and government policy makers in China that are charged with developing new programs to spur value‐added innovation. Researchers will find the ideas for further empirical research potentially valuable in helping them to design studies surrounding the phenomena of creativity, education and innovation practices.
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Wen Yang, Sherong Hu and Shimin Ma
The purpose of this paper is to find the relationship of palaeontology, palaeobotany and coal thickness of Taiyuan Formation during Late Carboniferous – Early Permian Period in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find the relationship of palaeontology, palaeobotany and coal thickness of Taiyuan Formation during Late Carboniferous – Early Permian Period in Shanxi Province.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper selects three regions, namely, Baode, Xishan and Lingchuan, to analyse the distribution characteristics of palaeontology, palaeobotany and variation of coal thickness.
Findings
It was found that in a certain period of geological history, palaeontology and palaeobotany play a dominant role in shaping of a coal-bearing basin. Coal seam thickness changes largely from the northwest to the southeast, gradually thinning in Taiyuan Formation.
Originality/value
Palaeontology and palaeobotany play a dominant role in the shaping of a coal-bearing basin.
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Kang Zhang, Xiaoxiao Zhu, Shimin Zhang, Qingxin Ding and Zichen He
Pipeline maintenance technology using smart isolation tool is becoming more widely used in the global scope. This paper aims to investigate the effects of parameters on the…
Abstract
Purpose
Pipeline maintenance technology using smart isolation tool is becoming more widely used in the global scope. This paper aims to investigate the effects of parameters on the frictional resistance between the slip and pipeline and the frictional characteristics under different lubrication films.
Design/methodology/approach
An experimental platform consisting of slip, pipeline and data acquisition system was developed, wherein the slip slips on the pipeline under different normal forces and velocities. In addition, three lubrication conditions, namely, dry wall, oil liquid and black powder on the wall, were investigated to study the effects of lubrications on the frictional coefficient and characteristics.
Findings
Research results indicate that the frictional force and coefficient were sensitive to normal force. The crude oil affected the frictional coefficient within a certain range of normal force, and the black powder enhanced the surface roughness in the natural gas pipeline. However, velocity had no effect on them. In addition, different contact behaviors could be observed from the frictional coefficient curves.
Originality/value
In this paper, the effects of normal force and velocity on frictional resistance of sliding slip during decelerating process in pipeline were investigated, and the effects of lubrication films on frictional characteristics were also revealed. The research results are of great value to improve the prediction accuracy of smart isolation tool, and also provide a guiding significance for the development of maintenance operation in pipelines.
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Peng Xiao, Haiyan Zhang, Shimin Yin and Zhe Xia
This study aims to explore the role of international ambidexterity (IA) in improving the innovation capability of emerging market multinationals. In particular, the main purpose…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the role of international ambidexterity (IA) in improving the innovation capability of emerging market multinationals. In particular, the main purpose of this research is to study the relationship amongst digitalisation, IA and innovation performance (IP) amongst multinational enterprises in China’s healthcare industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for this investigation were collected from 134 listed companies in China’s healthcare industry during the study period. This study tested the hypotheses by constructing a two-way fixed-effects model.
Findings
The results show that both the balance dimension and the combined dimension of IA have significant positive effects on IP. Digitalisation not only has a direct positive effect on IP but also positively moderates the positive correlation between IA and IP.
Originality/value
Previous studies have not captured the relationship between ambidexterity, digitalisation and IP, and this study helps to fill in the gap and examine these associations in China’s healthcare industry. The results of this study provide valuable insights for healthcare industry managers to understand the role of ambidexterity and digitalisation in innovation in the context of internationalisation.
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Tingting Wang, Shimin Dai, Hailong Liao and Haihong Zhu
To fabricate high performance parts, this paper aims to systematically study the pores characteristics and their formation mechanisms in selective laser melting (SLM) AlSi10Mg.
Abstract
Purpose
To fabricate high performance parts, this paper aims to systematically study the pores characteristics and their formation mechanisms in selective laser melting (SLM) AlSi10Mg.
Design/methodology/approach
Cubes of 10 × 10 × 5 mm were manufactured in different laser power, scan speed and scan space. Optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) were used to observe morphology of pores.
Findings
Round or irregular pores were found in SLMed AlSi10Mg parts. All the round pores have smooth inner walls and locate in the melt pool. The formation mechanisms of the round pores are contributed to the evaporation of elements in the melt pool, H2O, high laser energy input and hollow powder. Irregular pores have rough inner walls. Big scan space, unevenness of the upper surface, large layer thickness, spatter and oxide are the main reasons of generating irregular pores which outside the melt pool. Instability of keyhole leads to the irregular pores locate in the bottom of keyhole mode melt pool.
Originality/value
Relationship between pores and melt pool were studied systematically for the first time. Researches of pores characteristics and their formation mechanisms in SLMed AlSi10Mg would be a valuable reference for researchers to obtain an important insight into and control the defect in SLMed Al alloy.
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Shimin Yin, Bin Li and Qi Zhou
Skippable video advertising offers users the option to skip directly to their desired video content after viewing a limited amount of advertising and is becoming a format…
Abstract
Purpose
Skippable video advertising offers users the option to skip directly to their desired video content after viewing a limited amount of advertising and is becoming a format increasingly preferred by advertisers. This study constructed a mediator model based on advertising attitude to examine the influence of users' perceived control and perceived intrusiveness on brand attitude and advertising avoidance intention in skippable video ads.
Design/methodology/approach
The study considered the structural equation model using a self-reporting measure method. The research model was tested using a sample of 302 respondents.
Findings
The results showed that perceived control positively affected ad and brand attitude and negatively affected advertising avoidance intention. Perceived intrusiveness negatively affected attitudes toward the advertising and the brand but positively affected advertising avoidance intention. Ad attitude and brand attitude had no significant influence on advertising avoidance intention. The results also confirmed that ad attitude mediates the path from perceived control and intrusiveness to brand attitude.
Originality/value
This study further enriches the theoretical development of skippable video ads and expands the perspective and scope of interactive advertising research.
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Shimin Dai, Hailong Liao, Haihong Zhu and Xiaoyan Zeng
For the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology, the side surface quality is essentially important for industrial applicated parts, such as the inner flow parts. Contour is…
Abstract
Purpose
For the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology, the side surface quality is essentially important for industrial applicated parts, such as the inner flow parts. Contour is generally adopted at the parts’ outline to enhance the side surface quality. However, the side surface roughness (Ra) is still larger than 10 microns even with contour in previous studies. The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of contour process parameters, laser power and scanning velocity on the side surface quality of the AlSi10Mg sample.
Design/methodology/approach
Using L-PBF technology to manufacture AlSi10Mg samples under different contour process parameters, use a laser confocal microscope to capture the surface information of the samples, and obtain the surface roughness Ra and the maximum surface height Rz of each sample after analysis and processing.
Findings
The results show that the side surface roughness decreases with the increase of the laser power at the fixed scanning velocity of 1,000 mm/s, the side surface roughness Ra stays within the error range as the contour velocity increases. It is found that the Ra increases with the scanning velocity increasing and the greater the laser power with the greater Ra increases when the laser power of contour process parameters is 300 W, 350 W and 400 W. The Rz maintain growth with the contour scanning velocity increasing at constant laser power. The continuous uniform contour covers the pores in the molten pool of the sample edge and thus increase the density of the sample. Two mechanisms named “Active adhesion” and “Passive adhesion” cause sticky powder.
Originality/value
Formation of a uniform and even contour track is key to obtain the good side surface quality. The side surface quality is determined by the uniformity and stability of the contour track when the layer thickness is fixed. These research results can provide helpful guidance to improve the surface quality of L-PBF manufactured parts.
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