Gerard Paul Prendergast, Sze Sze Li and Connie Li
The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the homophily theory and the related concept of source similarity which predict that a male salesperson is more effective in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the homophily theory and the related concept of source similarity which predict that a male salesperson is more effective in serving male customers, and a female is more effective with females. For products designed to enhance female attractiveness, however, Darwinian theories of reproduction suggest that a male may be more effective than a female in dealing with female customers. This study of Hong Kong consumers examined the possibility and, in doing so, challenged the assumed utility of homophily in selling cosmetics.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies were conducted. The first was an experiment where female subjects were asked to report their responses to female and male salespersons selling cosmetics. The second study was a phenomenological study exploring the responses of female customers who had encountered male salespeople in cosmetics shops.
Findings
The experiment found that a male salesperson tended to induce significantly stronger purchase intention than a female, and that salesperson credibility (specifically, trustworthiness and attractiveness) plays a significant role in mediating the impact of salesperson gender on purchase intention. The follow-up phenomenological study of female customers who had encountered male salespeople in cosmetics shops supported the experimental findings and offered additional support for their evolutionary basis.
Research limitations/implications
Darwinian theories of reproduction and source credibility together offer a more complete explanation for the effectiveness of salespeople in the gender-sensitive cosmetics market. However, the experiment involved creating fictitious salespeople matched for trust, expertise and attractiveness. The artificiality of the treatments was necessary to construct a controlled scenario to uphold internal validity, but it may limit the generalizability of the results.
Practical implications
To encourage a positive consumer response, retailers need to consider salesperson gender and training. In some specific contexts (such as the selling of products designed to enhance female attractiveness), male salespeople ought to be used ahead of female salespeople, and those male salespeople need to have high credibility to be effective. However, as such, salesmen may not be seen as more expert than saleswomen; expertise needs to be an area of focus in terms of salesperson training.
Originality/value
The results of previous research testing homophily theory suggest that a salesperson of the same gender as the customer ought to induce stronger purchase intentions. This study has shown that for the selling of appearance-related products, gender heterophily may be more effective than homophily. Darwinian interpretations of intrasexual rivalry and courtship might help explain why males sell cosmetics more effectively.
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Purpose – Intersections are hazardous locations and to improve their safety we need to understand the factors contributing to crashes at these locations and provide evidence-based…
Abstract
Purpose – Intersections are hazardous locations and to improve their safety we need to understand the factors contributing to crashes at these locations and provide evidence-based recommendations to reduce them. This chapter provides a summary of the findings on infrastructure-related factors contributing to crashes at urban and rural intersections and some discussions on the implications and potential countermeasures.
Approach – A review of the literature on intersection crashes was performed to identify the infrastructure-related crash-contributing factors. Some discussions on the implications and potential countermeasures are then provided.
Findings – The factors contributing to road crashes are diverse and complex. While the safety effects of a few factors (e.g., exposure and speed) are relatively consistent, many factors have different impacts on crash frequency and severity (e.g., types of intersection) and different impacts on urban and rural intersections (e.g., bus stops).
Research Implications – More studies are needed on developing a stronger theoretical or conceptual foundation on the effects of roadway designs and traffic controls on different dimensions of safety (e.g., exposure, frequency, severity, etc.), types of crashes (e.g., head-on, rear-end, etc.) or road users involved (e.g., drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.).
Practical Implications – Transport engineers need to be aware that some treatments may have different effects on different crash types and road users involved. Even though the overall safety may be improved by the treatments designed, they need to consider and mitigate any unintended consequences to satisfy the Pareto improvement principle and the social equity criterion.
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Xiangru Wu, Kun Wang and Xiaowen Fu
This chapter reviews the competition between full-service carrier (FSC) and low-cost carrier (LCC) in China. More importantly, we discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on…
Abstract
This chapter reviews the competition between full-service carrier (FSC) and low-cost carrier (LCC) in China. More importantly, we discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on FSC–LCC competition. Specifically, the airlines' route choices and also the market contact between FSCs and LCCs in China are examined and discussed. Our review results suggest that, despite the rapid growth of the independent LCC Spring Airlines and the establishment of new subsidiary LCCs by FSCs, China's LCC sector still plays relatively minor roles compared with many fully deregulated markets. Subsidiary LCCs serve more as competitive tools for their parent FSCs, primarily deployed on their parent FSCs' routes to jointly compete against rival FSCs. This competition is primarily focused on niche regional markets rather than engaging in full-scale competition. Spring Airlines also strategically avoided direct head-to-head competition with FSCs before the pandemic by mainly connecting with the secondary cities. However, the pandemic has introduced significant changes, notably the network differentiation between FSCs and LCCs in mainland China. With the relaxation of government's regulations on airline route entries into hub airports during pandemic, Chinese LCCs have shifted their focus toward serving more dense routes, especially those connected to the top five cities. This shift has led to an intensified head-to-head competition between LCCs and FSCs following the outbreak of the pandemic. Such a process is likely to continue in the years to come. This chapter's discussions could also provide new insights into LCC development and the impact of the pandemic on FSC–LCC competition interactions to supplement existing literature studying other major airline markets.
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Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the…
Abstract
Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore aims to give the reader an encyclopaedic view on the subject. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains 2,025 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with the analysis of beams, columns, rods, bars, cables, discs, blades, shafts, membranes, plates and shells that were published in 1992‐1995.
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Sze Chin Chong and Narentheren Kaliappen
This paper aims to examine the key antecedents and challenges faced by Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the suggestion for the government to support SMEs in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the key antecedents and challenges faced by Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the suggestion for the government to support SMEs in implementing sustainable practices.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth interviews were chosen and conducted with seven SME owner-managers from Kuala Lumpur or Selangor, chosen through a purposive sampling technique. The data was analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 software. The study also extended the resource-based view theory by incorporating sustainable practices as an advantage for SMEs in the competitive business environment.
Findings
This study discovers the antecedents of sustainable practices are awareness, pressures, competitiveness and company image. According to the data, all SME owner-managers indicate that awareness is the main reason for implementing sustainable practices. The consequences of implementing sustainable practices in SMEs are financial issues, limited knowledge and skills and a lack of resources when implementing sustainable practices. The current study also suggests the government provides financial and non-financial support to encourage sustainability among the SMEs.
Practical implications
This paper may also provide the policymakers, SME Corporations, investors and SME owner-managers with an understanding of the current sustainable practices among SMEs. It also helps formulate policies, plans and actions to support SMEs in implementing sustainable practices.
Originality/value
The findings of this study contribute to the existing literature by highlighting the role of sustainable practices in enhancing firm performance while advancing the RBV theory in the context of Malaysian SMEs. This research fills a research gap by examining sustainability’s specific antecedents and consequences within this sector.
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Camelia May Li Kusumo, Hema Letchamanan, Sze-ee Lee and Liang Jun Gooi
Aligned with the United Nations 2030 agenda of leaving no one behind, a project called The Nest was initiated to create an in-house intentional learning space at two public…
Abstract
Purpose
Aligned with the United Nations 2030 agenda of leaving no one behind, a project called The Nest was initiated to create an in-house intentional learning space at two public housings in Klang Valley. In a small unit of public housing, most children in these houses sit on the floor in the living room to do their schoolwork or study with the TV switched on. Poor indoor environmental quality and lack of personal space are among the main reasons that lead to children not being able to study at home comfortably.
Design/methodology/approach
The research employed a quasi-experimental approach as the research field setting was not randomly assigned. Observation on the change in the quality of space and post-evaluation interviews with beneficiaries were conducted.
Findings
The findings show that besides the tangible space that the Nest project has created, it also has created in-tangible space. It has shown that even small spatial changes to existing spaces could improve children's active learning and the participation of parents in their children's learning.
Research limitations/implications
This study focuses on the home learning experience and parental involvement in their children's learning, so perhaps future research can be done to measure the impact of home learning space on academic achievement.
Practical implications
The research outcomes show that a good quality of learning space influences the children's learning experience at home and the parents' involvement. It will also contribute to the development of the building regulation for high-rise affordable housing in Malaysia. Particularly in improving the optimum requirement to achieve better comfort quality for the learning space at the residential unit.
Social implications
The Nest project will contribute to raising the awareness among all residents of public housing on the importance of in-house learning space and encourage them to build their own learning spaces through the Do-It-Yourself Guidelines.
Originality/value
The research outcomes show that both parental involvement and the quality of learning space influence the children's learning experience at home. It will contribute to the development of the building regulation for high-rise affordable housing in Malaysia. Particularly in improving the optimum requirement to achieve better comfort quality for the learning space at the residential unit.
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Alene Sze Jing Yong, Rosamund Wei Xin Koo, Choon Ming Ng, Shaun Wen Huey Lee and Siew Li Teoh
Dyslipidaemia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Calorie restriction and adopting a heart-healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet are the main dietary…
Abstract
Purpose
Dyslipidaemia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Calorie restriction and adopting a heart-healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet are the main dietary interventions for dyslipidaemia. Other dietary behaviours, such as changes in meal frequency and timing, are not included in the major dietary advice guidelines despite the potential correlation between eating patterns and lipid metabolism. This overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses aims to summarise the effect of meal timing and frequency on lipid profile and make possible recommendations on which meal timing pattern is superior in reducing lipid levels.
Design/methodology/approach
According to the protocol published on PROSPERO (CRD42021248956), five databases were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the effects of meal timing and frequency on lipid profile in adults.
Findings
Five reviews were included, with two reviews on breakfast skipping and meal frequency, respectively, and one review on night-time eating. Increasing meal frequency while maintaining the total calorie intake was reported to reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels with low- to moderate-quality evidence. There was a correlation between breakfast skipping and an undesirable increase in LDL levels with low-quality evidence. However, there needs to be more high-quality evidence to conclude the effect of dietary behaviours on blood lipid levels.
Originality/value
This overview provides a comprehensive summary of evidence examining the effects of meal timing and frequency on adult lipid profiles. The current low- or moderate-quality evidence could not support the recommendation of alteration of meal frequency as an alternative to conventional non-pharmacological treatments for dyslipidaemia.
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Zhi Li, Song Cen and Chenfeng Li
The purpose of this paper is to extend a recent unsymmetric 8-node, 24-DOF hexahedral solid element US-ATFH8 with high distortion tolerance, which uses the analytical solutions of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend a recent unsymmetric 8-node, 24-DOF hexahedral solid element US-ATFH8 with high distortion tolerance, which uses the analytical solutions of linear elasticity governing equations as the trial functions (analytical trial function) to geometrically nonlinear analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the assumption that these analytical trial functions can still properly work in each increment step during the nonlinear analysis, the present work concentrates on the construction of incremental nonlinear formulations of the unsymmetric element US-ATFH8 through two different ways: the general updated Lagrangian (UL) approach and the incremental co-rotational (CR) approach. The key innovation is how to update the stresses containing the linear analytical trial functions.
Findings
Several numerical examples for 3D structures show that both resulting nonlinear elements, US-ATFH8-UL and US-ATFH8-CR, perform very well, no matter whether regular or distorted coarse mesh is used, and exhibit much better performances than those conventional symmetric nonlinear solid elements.
Originality/value
The success of the extension of element US-ATFH8 to geometrically nonlinear analysis again shows the merits of the unsymmetric finite element method with analytical trial functions, although these functions are the analytical solutions of linear elasticity governing equations.
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Jiutong Luo, Pui-Sze Yeung and Hui Li
The longitudinal impact of media multitasking on the development of executive function has been understudied, as most of the existing studies are cross-sectional. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The longitudinal impact of media multitasking on the development of executive function has been understudied, as most of the existing studies are cross-sectional. This longitudinal study addresses this research gap and uses multiple measures, i.e. behavioral and self-reported, to explore the impact of media multitasking on the executive function of Chinese adolescents.
Design/methodology/approach
This study followed 99 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 14.41, SD = 1.10; 42 boys and 57 girls) for one year using both behavioral (2-back, Stroop Color and Number-letter tasks) and self-reported (questionnaire) measures. The adolescents were categorized as either heavy/high media multitaskers (HMMs; 19 boys and 29 girls) or light/low media multitaskers (LMMs; 23 boys and 28 girls). They were tested at baseline, 6 months later and 12 months later.
Findings
The results indicated that the accuracy scores for all cognitive tasks differed with age, but the switch-cost in the shifting task and the self-reported measures of executive function did not. And there were consistent differences between the HMMs and LMMs in the self-reported measures and 2-back accuracy. However, the interaction effect was found only in shifting ability, indicating a decline in the LMMs' self-reported problematic shifting behavior in daily life.
Originality/value
This study used behavioral and self-reported measures to confirm the longitudinal impact of media multitasking on executive function. The impact of media multitasking on executive function is more apparent in daily-life behavior than in cognitive task performance.