Shuting Fang, Xiang Ji, Xinghua Ji and Jie Wu
The purpose of this paper is to develop a suitable framework of sustainable urbanization performance evaluation from the view of efficiency for mitigating the unbalance between…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a suitable framework of sustainable urbanization performance evaluation from the view of efficiency for mitigating the unbalance between the theoretical research of sustainable urbanization and the practical need of sustainable urbanization.
Design/methodology/approach
A slack-restricted slack-based measure data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and two sustainable urbanization benchmarking methods with individual and centralized view, respectively, are developed based upon the classical DEA theory.
Findings
The empirical results show that China is now suffering a relatively low level of sustainable urbanization. Too much waste water emission, too small an urban population proportion, and too much resource wastage are the major factors that drive China’s urbanization away from sustainability.
Originality/value
Having the overall aim of practical urbanization, the proposed framework can help stakeholders recognize different sustainable urbanization performance levels by offering them accurate sustainable urbanization performance scores. The framework can also direct governments to improve the sustainable urbanization performance. The empirical analysis of China’s provincial region sustainable urbanization performance with the proposed framework further demonstrates the theoretical and practical value of this research.
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Manzhi Liu, Yaxin Yang, Yue Ren, Yangzhou Jia, Haoyu Ma, Jie Luo, Shuting Fang, Mengxuan Qi and Linlin Zhang
As information technology advances, the prevalence of AI chatbot products is on the rise. Despite optimistic market projections, consumer skepticism towards these agents persists…
Abstract
Purpose
As information technology advances, the prevalence of AI chatbot products is on the rise. Despite optimistic market projections, consumer skepticism towards these agents persists. This paper aims to expand the scope of the technology acceptance model by integrating the aspect of appearance. It examines the influence of different attributes of AI chatbot, such as usefulness, ease of use and appearance, individually and in combination, on consumers' intentions to share and purchase.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an exploratory study of Web Texts, a 2 (usefulness: high vs low) × 2 (ease of use: high vs low) mixed design and a 2 (usefulness: high vs low) × 2 (ease of use: high vs low) × 2 (anthropomorphism appearance: humanoid vs cartoon) for between-subjects designs and the price level (high vs low) for within-subjects designs. The hypotheses were tested by Octoparse and SPSS 22.0.
Findings
The research highlights the significant role of usefulness, ease of use and anthropomorphic appearance in shaping consumer attitudes towards AI chatbots, thus influencing their intentions to share information and make purchases. Grouped regression analysis reveals that lower prices exert a more pronounced positive influence on consumers' inclinations to both share and purchase, compared to higher prices. Moreover, novelty-seeking behavior moderates the effect of perceived usefulness or ease of use on attitude. Specifically, heightened novelty-seeking tendencies mitigate the impact of low perceived usefulness or ease of use, leading to sustained positive attitudes towards AI chatbots among consumers.
Originality/value
This study innovatively incorporates product appearance into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), considering both the functional attributes and appearance of AI chatbot and their impact on consumers. It offers valuable insights for marketing strategies, extends the scope of TAM application and holds significant practical implications for enhancing enterprise product planning.
研究目的
随着信息技术的进步, AI聊天机器人产品的普及正在增长。尽管市场对这些代理人持乐观态度, 但消费者对这些代理人的怀疑仍然存在。本文旨在通过整合外观方面来扩展技术接受模型的范围。它考察了AI聊天机器人的不同属性(如有用性、易用性和外观)对消费者分享和购买意图的影响, 单独以及组合。
研究方法
使用Web文本的探索性研究, 一个2(有用性:高vs低)× 2(易用性:高vs低)的混合设计和一个2(有用性:高vs低)× 2(易用性:高vs低)× 2(人格化外观:类人形vs卡通)用于受试者间设计和价格水平(高vs低)用于受试者内设计。通过 Octoparse 和 SPSS 22.0 测试假设。
研究发现
研究突出了有用性、易用性和拟人化外观在塑造消费者对AI聊天机器人态度方面的重要作用, 从而影响了他们分享信息和购买的意图。分组回归分析显示, 相对于高价格, 低价格对消费者分享和购买的倾向产生了更为显著的正面影响。此外, 新奇寻求行为调节了感知有用性或易用性对态度的影响。具体来说, 增强的新奇寻求倾向减轻了对低感知有用性或易用性的影响, 导致消费者对AI 聊天机器人持续保持积极态度。
研究创新
本研究将产品外观创新地纳入技术接受模型(TAM)中, 考虑了AI 聊天机器人的功能属性和外观以及它们对消费者的影响。它为营销策略提供了有价值的见解, 拓展了TAM的应用范围, 并对增强企业产品规划产生了重要的实际影响。
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The authors aim to measure the effects of ambidextrous innovation and its mix strategy on organizational obsolescence with the moderating roles of environmental turbulence.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors aim to measure the effects of ambidextrous innovation and its mix strategy on organizational obsolescence with the moderating roles of environmental turbulence.
Design/methodology/approach
Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses on the basis of the survey data of 198 firm employees in China.
Findings
Both exploratory and exploitative innovations significantly restrain organizational obsolescence. The complementary strategy of ambidextrous innovation is negatively correlated to organizational obsolescence, but the impact of balanced strategy is not significant. Environmental turbulence negatively moderates the relationship between exploratory innovation and organizational obsolescence, whereas it cannot moderate the effect of exploitative innovation.
Originality/value
The empirical and conceptual findings have important implications for organizations countering obsolescence through the construction of a mix strategy of ambidextrous innovation. This study enriches and extends obsolescence theory by introducing the joint mechanism of ambidextrous innovation and environmental turbulence.
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Sheng-Fang Chou, Jeou-Shyan Horng, Chih-Hsing Liu, Tai-Yi Yu, Yung-Chuan Huang, Quoc Phong La and Yen-Ling Ng
Since the COVID-19 epidemic, the number of restaurant service quality studies has continued to increase. However, until now, there has not been an overall perspective or accurate…
Abstract
Purpose
Since the COVID-19 epidemic, the number of restaurant service quality studies has continued to increase. However, until now, there has not been an overall perspective or accurate instructions for research on restaurant service quality and experiential value enhancement. This study conducts multiple comparison studies to discover differences between consumer-perceived service quality and satisfaction perspectives on hotel fine dining and chain restaurants.
Design/methodology/approach
This study integrates a hotel’s fine dining and chain restaurant to obtain 636 participants (e.g. Study 1 has 318 hotel fine dining customers; Study 2 has 318 chain restaurant customers), mainly expanding the SERVQUAL model and stimulus–organism–response (S–O–R) theory.
Findings
The results of Study 1 show that value co-creation has a mediating effect on the relationship between service quality and satisfaction. In addition, customer experiences have a significant moderating effect on customer satisfaction. The outcomes of Study 2 showed that experiential value has a significant mediating effect on the relationship between service quality and satisfaction. In addition, customer relationship quality is a critical criterion in regulating the process of experience value delivery.
Practical implications
Hotels’ fine dining should pay attention to the item risk in the value co-creation factor, while chain restaurants should enhance the item service excellence in the experiential value factor to satisfy the changing customer requirements.
Originality/value
This study provides several alternative models to verify the robustness of the empirical results.
Highlights
This research has brought clarity to the diverse mediation-moderation models that compare of hotel fine dining and chain restaurant consumer perceived service quality and satisfaction predictions.
These models delve into how different service quality requirements after the epidemic that affect customer satisfaction, as perceived by customers consumed in hotel fine dining and chain restaurant.
Value cocreation and experiential value emerge as pivotal factors, they act as mediators between service quality and satisfaction.
They demonstrate a moderation effect of customer experiences between value cocreation and satisfaction, as well as customer relationship quality between experiential value and satisfaction.
This research has brought clarity to the diverse mediation-moderation models that compare of hotel fine dining and chain restaurant consumer perceived service quality and satisfaction predictions.
These models delve into how different service quality requirements after the epidemic that affect customer satisfaction, as perceived by customers consumed in hotel fine dining and chain restaurant.
Value cocreation and experiential value emerge as pivotal factors, they act as mediators between service quality and satisfaction.
They demonstrate a moderation effect of customer experiences between value cocreation and satisfaction, as well as customer relationship quality between experiential value and satisfaction.
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Rosalyn D. Lee, Xiangming Fang and Feijun Luo
Research suggests social exclusion is linked to violence. To expand what is known about risk factors for violence, this study investigates links between having a parent with a…
Abstract
Research suggests social exclusion is linked to violence. To expand what is known about risk factors for violence, this study investigates links between having a parent with a history of incarceration and experiencing social exclusion. Data from waves 1 and 4 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used to conduct regression analyses to assess associations between parental incarceration and social exclusion adjusting for child, parent, and family factors. Results indicate that compared to individuals whose parents had never been incarcerated, those who reported a parent had been incarcerated were at greater risk of experiencing material exclusion, incarceration, and multiple forms of exclusion. When assessing differences by parent gender, results indicate that those who reported their mother had been incarcerated compared to those who reported their father had been incarcerated had higher risk of being incarcerated themselves and experiencing multiple forms of exclusion. Since research suggests social exclusion increases violence risk, studies are needed (1) to identify mechanisms linking parental incarceration to offspring social exclusion and (2) to increase understanding around differential impact by parent gender. Such studies can inform development of interventions to promote better outcomes in this vulnerable sub-population of children.
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Shuting Li, Mark H. Haney, Gukseong Lee, Mingu Kang and Changsuk Ko
This paper aims to investigate the antecedents of manufacturing firms’ long-term orientation towards their suppliers in the context of outsourcing relationships in China.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the antecedents of manufacturing firms’ long-term orientation towards their suppliers in the context of outsourcing relationships in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on survey data collected from 224 manufacturing firms in China, this study examines the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
The results show that task conflict has a negative effect on long-term orientation, both Chinese guanxi and formal control are useful governance mechanisms to enhance long-term orientation, and the negative effect of task conflict on the long-term orientation weakens as Chinese guanxi between a manufacturer and its supplier increases.
Originality/value
This study contributes to a better understanding of conflict management in outsourcing relationships in China.
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Li Wang, Yanhong Lv, Tao Wang, Shuting Wan and Yanling Ye
The purpose of this research is to address the existing gap in the study of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) by focusing on its impact on human health throughout the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to address the existing gap in the study of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) by focusing on its impact on human health throughout the entire life cycle. And this research provides a comprehensive assessment model that incorporates the release of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter during the whole life cycle of C&DW, thereby contributing to a more holistic understanding of its impact on human health.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was conducted in two stages. Firstly, the quantitative model framework of pollutants emitted by C&DW was established. Three types of pollutants were considered, namely nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and inhalable particulate matter (PM10). Second, disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and willingness to pay (WTP) assessments were used to provide a monetary quantified health impact for pollutants released by C&DW.
Findings
The results show that the WTP value of PM10 is the highest among all pollutants and 8.68E+07 dollars/a, while the WTP value in the disposal stage accounts for the largest proportion compared to the generation and transportation stage. These findings emphasize the importance of PM10 and C&DW treatment stage for pollutant treatment.
Originality/value
The results of this study are of great significance for the management department to optimize the construction management scheme to reduce the total amount of pollutants produced by C&DW and its harm to human health. Meanwhile, this study fills the gap in existing research on the impact assessment of C&DW on human health throughout the whole life cycle, and provides reference and basis for future research and policy formulation.
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Udechukwu Ojiako, Stuart Maguire and Shuting Guo
The purpose of this paper is to examine the key practical factors that confront global businesses as they attempt to improve all aspects of their operations including emerging…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the key practical factors that confront global businesses as they attempt to improve all aspects of their operations including emerging areas of the customer experience. The paper focuses on the way various organisational capabilities such as information systems/information technology have been adopted in order to provide an enhanced operational and strategic control over key areas of business.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts a case‐based participation observation study which explores the global operations of a major restaurant brand. This approach enables it to explore several concepts which examine the behaviour of global operations at a time of major change.
Findings
The paper has focused on the application of change principles in the restaurant and hospitality industry and its importance for business performance and marketing strategy. The paper shows how adapting business strategy to incorporate key cultural sensitivities can pay major dividends for organisations. This strategy appears to be contrary to the general approach of standardisation adopted by other franchises in this key market sector.
Research limitations/implications
It will be necessary to increase the range of this research to ensure any real certainty regarding its implications.
Originality/value
The paper identifies a number of interesting changes to preconceived ideas of standardising product portfolios in the restaurant sector. It shows the need for a balanced “mix” of menu products to satisfy local and national requirements.
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Yonghui Han, Shuting Tan, Chaowei Zhu and Yang Liu
Carbon trading mechanism has been adopted to foster the green transformation of the economy on a global scale, but its effectiveness for the power industry remains controversial…
Abstract
Purpose
Carbon trading mechanism has been adopted to foster the green transformation of the economy on a global scale, but its effectiveness for the power industry remains controversial. Given that energy-related greenhouse gas emissions account for most of all anthropogenic emissions, this paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this trading mechanism at the plant level to support relevant decision-making and mechanism design.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper constructs a novel spatiotemporal data set by matching satellite-based high-resolution (1 × 1 km) CO2 and PM2.5 emission data with accurate geolocation of power plants. It then applies a difference-in-differences model to analyse the impact of carbon trading mechanism on emission reduction for the power industry in China from 2007 to 2016.
Findings
Results suggest that the carbon trading mechanism induces 2.7% of CO2 emission reduction and 6.7% of PM2.5 emission reduction in power plants in pilot areas on average. However, the reduction effect is significant only in coal-fired power plants but not in gas-fired power plants. Besides, the reduction effect is significant for power plants operated with different technologies and is more pronounced for those with outdated production technology, indicating the strong potential for green development of backward power plants. The reduction effect is also more intense for power plants without affiliation relationships than those affiliated with particular manufacturers.
Originality/value
This paper identifies the causal relationship between the carbon trading mechanism and emission reduction in the power industry by providing an innovative methodology for identifying plant-level emissions based on high-resolution satellite data, which has been practically absent in previous studies. It serves as a reference for stakeholders involved in detailed policy formulation and execution, including policymakers, power plant managers and green investors.