Shuchih Ernest Chang, Yi-Chian Chen and Tzu-Ching Wu
The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of blockchain technology in international trade process from a perspective of letter of credit payment.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of blockchain technology in international trade process from a perspective of letter of credit payment.
Design/methodology/approach
A blockchain-based re-engineering process is designed by employing the blockchain and its affiliated smart contract technology to harvest the benefits of distributed ledger and distributed business workflow automation.
Findings
Comparative analysis and feasibility study were conducted to identify and validate the prospects, in terms of facilitating process flow and enhancing overall trade performance, of the proposed blockchain-based international trade process model.
Practical implications
Traditional trade processes suffer from a great number of issues about intermediaries, information latency and trust, which, in turn, hinder overall process efficiency. The emerging blockchain technology may have potentials to mitigate those issues by revolutionizing business processes across enterprise borders in various industries.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the conceptual design of a blockchain- and smart-contract-based process along with a provision of practical case in business process re-engineering. Further endeavors devoted to blockchain research and application across different sectors are suggested to reach better performance of business process operations.
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Han-Yee Leong, Ren-Fang Chao and Tzu-Ching Wu
This study explores how egoism and altruism as knowledge sharing motivations influence consumers’ electronic word of mouth (eWOM) intentions on food platforms. It also…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores how egoism and altruism as knowledge sharing motivations influence consumers’ electronic word of mouth (eWOM) intentions on food platforms. It also investigates the interaction effect of egoism and altruism on eWOM intentions through attitude toward use (ATU).
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted with 523 consumers who posted reviews on Taiwan’s two leading food platforms. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to examine the relationships between knowledge sharing motivations, ATU, and eWOM intentions.
Findings
Egoism and altruism influence eWOM intentions through ATU, with altruism having a more substantial impact. Their interaction further enhances the positive relationship between ATU and eWOM intentions.
Originality/value
This study fills the empirical gap by demonstrating the interaction effect of egoism and altruism on eWOM intentions. It highlights the role of intrinsic motivations in shaping consumer behavior on digital platforms and offers insights for businesses aiming to foster consumer engagement.
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Po-Yi Hsu, Edward C.S. Ku, Tzu-Ching Lai and Shih–Chieh Hsu
This study investigated how customer orientation and relationships influenced relational benefits via employees' attitudes toward travel agencies and partnership management.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated how customer orientation and relationships influenced relational benefits via employees' attitudes toward travel agencies and partnership management.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey questionnaires were mailed to experts of travel agencies in Taiwan. The hypothesis of this study was tested and used a research model characterized by the SEM-PLS approach.
Findings
The findings of this study indicate that the travel service involves a wide range of firms, regardless of internal or external partner management, and to develop the Muslim tourism market sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
From a theoretical perspective, it was found that customer orientation of travel agencies and relationship selling among travel agencies affects partnership management of travel agencies and their employees' attitudes, which were positively associated with the relational benefit of travel agencies.
Practical implications
Travel agencies must maintain continuous collaborative relationships to ensure the sustainable development of the Muslim tourism market.
Originality/value
This study provides a meaningful model for investigating the trend and tourism products of the Muslim tourism market regarding collaboration between travel agencies and partners.
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Han-Shen Chen and Ching-Tzu Chao
The purpose of this study was to explore Taiwanese consumers attitudes toward upcycled food as a viable and economically sustainable solution to food waste within the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore Taiwanese consumers attitudes toward upcycled food as a viable and economically sustainable solution to food waste within the context of global environmental pressures caused by the food system. This study applied the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the value-attitude-behavior (VAB) model to explore the factors shaping consumer behavior toward upcycled food.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted using convenience sampling to collect 295 valid responses from Taiwanese consumers. The questionnaire was designed to measure the relationships among dietary values, moral attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and consumers intentions toward the consumption of upcycled food. The data were analyzed using statistical methods to verify the hypotheses derived from the TPB and VAB models.
Findings
The findings revealed that dietary values significantly influence moral attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, highlighting their pivotal role in consumer behavior toward upcycled food. Moral attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, perceived responsibility and thriftiness were positively associated with the intention to consume upcycled food, indicating the potential of these factors in fostering sustainable consumption practices.
Originality/value
This study is unique in its application of the TPB and VAB models to examine the acceptance of upcycled food among Taiwanese consumers, contributing fresh insights into the field of sustainable consumer behavior. This highlights the significance of aligning dietary values and moral attitudes of consumers with sustainable consumption practices, offering a new perspective on promoting upcycled food in Taiwan and potentially in other regions with similar cultural and environmental frameworks.
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Ching-Tzu Chang and Sheng-Fen Cheng
Taiwan promotes social enterprises with the Social Enterprise Action Plan and Social Innovation Action Plan, focusing on solving social problems and achieving sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
Taiwan promotes social enterprises with the Social Enterprise Action Plan and Social Innovation Action Plan, focusing on solving social problems and achieving sustainable development goals. This study aims to clarify the impetus for the above policies and determines whether the relevant policy tools can achieve the established policy goals.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts the in-depth interview method and uses the “social impact investment framework” constructed by OEDC and Dunn’s definition of public policy stakeholders to select 22 respondents, who were divided into three groups.
Findings
Taiwan’s decision-making in social enterprise policy is mainly driven by the pressure of youth unemployment and the 318-student movement. Intrinsic motivation strategies popularized the concept of social enterprise. Various strategies are used to break the limitations and diversify the organization, trigger more diverse social investments, broaden the goals of investment and complete the social enterprise ecosystem through these. Taiwan’s social enterprise policies are consistent with the global trend of “replacing subsidies with investment.”
Originality/value
This study shows that social enterprises generate mutual benefits between investors and social enterprises, that is, achieve free matching through external mechanisms. This study fills the gaps in Oliver’s “behavioral cube” framework of policy instruments. A “behavioral four-dimensional matrix” composed of nudge, shove, budge and reciprocity is proposed to complete the framework for social enterprise policy analysis tools.
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Diin Fitri Ande, Sari Wahyuni and Ratih Dyah Kusumastuti
This study aims to fill several gaps in the literature. First, it examines the Umrah industry from the supply side, investigating the pivotal factors for travel agencies’…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to fill several gaps in the literature. First, it examines the Umrah industry from the supply side, investigating the pivotal factors for travel agencies’ performance. Second, it empirically investigates service leaders’ competencies specific to the hospital and tourism industry. Third, it clarifies whether there is a direct impact of organisational service orientation on business performance. Fourth, it explores the influence of network capabilities in a service context, specifically in travel agencies, which has rarely been discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a mixed-method study with sequential explanatory research design. First, a quantitative approach was conducted with 150 authorised travel agencies in Indonesia, with two manager-level employees representing each agency. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. A qualitative study was conducted to enrich the findings by interviewing the Director of Umrah and Hajj Development of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and three other respondents.
Findings
Service leaders’ competencies and resource capacity significantly influence organisational service orientation, leading to enhanced perceived service quality and performance. In addition, resource capacity influences network capabilities, improving performance.
Originality/value
This study identifies factors affecting the performance of Umrah travel agencies in an intensely competitive environment, which has rarely been discussed. This sheds light on how travel agencies can survive and succeed in this competitive industry. Moreover, this study provides evidence regarding the role of network capabilities in the tourism industry and the impact of organisational service orientation, both directly and indirectly, on performance.