Shu-Hsien Liao, Retno Widowati and Wei-Can Lin
As of December 2021, WeChat had more than 1.2 billion active users worldwide, making it the most active online social media in mainland China. The term social commerce is used to…
Abstract
Purpose
As of December 2021, WeChat had more than 1.2 billion active users worldwide, making it the most active online social media in mainland China. The term social commerce is used to describe new online sales through a mix of social networks and/or peer-to-peer communication or marketing strategies in terms of allowing consumers to satisfy their shopping behaviour through online social media. Thus, given the numerous active users, the development of online social media and social commerce on WeChat is a critical issue of internet research.
Design/methodology/approach
This empirical study takes WeChat as the online social media research object. Questionnaires for WeChat users in China were designed and distributed. All items are designed as nominal and ordinal scales (not Likert scale). The obtained data was put into a relational database (N = 2,342), and different meaningful patterns and rules were examined through data mining analytics, including clustering analysis and association rules, to explore the role of WeChat in the development of online social media and social commerce.
Findings
Practical implications are presented according to the research findings of meaningful patterns and rules. In addition, alternatives to WeChat in terms of further development are also proposed according to the investigation findings of WeChat users’ behaviour and preferences in China.
Originality/value
This study concludes that online social media, such as WeChat, will be able to transcend the current development pattern of most online social media and make good use of investigating users’ behaviour and preferences, not only to stimulate the interaction of users in the social network, but also to create social commerce value in social sciences.
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Longwei Tian, Yucheng Ma, Wei Hu and Yuan Li
This paper aims to, from a Taoism perspective, one of Chinese inveterate cultures and mindsets, add knowledge into how Chinese indigenous cultures and mindsets will affect the way…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to, from a Taoism perspective, one of Chinese inveterate cultures and mindsets, add knowledge into how Chinese indigenous cultures and mindsets will affect the way of Chinese people perceive and process guanxi. Specifically, this paper outlines the mechanism of guanxi from a culture perspective. Cultures significantly affect local people behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods survey (Study 1) – analyzed with one-way ANOVA – and interview (Study 2) – analyzed with grounded theory – were used to answer the research questions. In total, 248 surveys were collected for Study 1, and 34 interviews for Study 2 that were transcribed into a word file, which consists of 609 pages with 327,463 Chinese characters, were processed.
Findings
The findings show that guanxi is determined by positive and negative forces between instrumental and affective components. Further, two essential conditions – fitness of personality and clear contract, which would determine when a positive or negative force would emerge in a guanxi – were identified.
Originality/value
The main contribution is that this paper clarifies the guanxi mechanism based upon one of the most significant Chinese cultures and mindsets. Or guanxi is viewed from a new perspective – how Taoism affects Chinese people’s perception and evaluation of guanxi. This paper also finds evidence for the main arguments based upon the two studies.
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Shanchun Wei, Hongbo Ma, Tao Lin and Shanben Chen
Recognition and guidance of initial welding position (IWP) is one of the most important steps of automatic welding process, also a key technology of autonomous welding process…
Abstract
Purpose
Recognition and guidance of initial welding position (IWP) is one of the most important steps of automatic welding process, also a key technology of autonomous welding process. The purpose of this paper is to advance an improved Harris Algorithm and grey scale scanning method (GSCM) to raise the precision of image processing.
Design/methodology/approach
Through the configuration of “single camera and double positions,” a new set of image processing algorithms is adopted to extract feature points by using the pattern of rough location and subtle extraction, so as to restructure three‐dimensional information to guide robot move to IWP in the practical welding environment.
Findings
Experiments showed that mean square errors (MSEs) in X, Y, Z‐directions for both flat butt joint and flat flange are 0.4491, 0.8178, 1.4797, and 0.5398, 0.4861, 1.1071 mm, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
It has a limitation in providing guidance for only one step, and would be more accurate if fractional steps are adopted.
Practical implications
Guidance experiments of IWPs on oxidant tank's simulating parts are carried out, whose success rate is up to 95 percent and MSEs are 0.7407, 0.7971, and 1.3429 mm. It meets the demands of continuous and automatic welding process.
Originality/value
Improved Harris Algorithm and GSCM are advanced to raise the precision of image processing which influenced guidance precision most.
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Leilei Wei, Xindong Zhang and Yinnian He
The purpose of this paper is to develop a fully discrete local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) finite element method for solving a time‐fractional advection‐diffusion equation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a fully discrete local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) finite element method for solving a time‐fractional advection‐diffusion equation.
Design/methodology/approach
The method is based on a finite difference scheme in time and local discontinuous Galerkin methods in space.
Findings
By choosing the numerical fluxes carefully the authors' scheme is proved to be unconditionally stable and gets L2 error estimates of O(hk+1+(Δt)2+(Δt)α/2hk+(1/2)). Finally Numerical examples are performed to illustrate the effectiveness and the accuracy of the method.
Originality/value
The proposed method is different from the traditional LDG method, which discretes an equation in spatial direction and couples an ordinary differential equation (ODE) solver, such as Runger‐Kutta method. This fully discrete scheme is based on a finite difference method in time and local discontinuous Galerkin methods in space. Numerical examples prove that the authors' method is very effective. The present paper is the authors' first step towards an effective approach based on the discontinuous Galerkin method for the solution of fractional‐order problems.
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Yu-Chen Wei, Carolyn P. Egri and Carol Yeh-Yun Lin
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which societal culture has a moderating effect on the business benefits of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which societal culture has a moderating effect on the business benefits of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-national research design was conducted using survey data collected from 164 firms in Taiwan and 196 firms in Canada.
Findings
We found societal differences in the positive influence of CSR on corporate image and employee commitment. Specifically, we found that the relationships between CSR (customer-oriented and employee-oriented) and corporate image were stronger for Taiwanese firms than for Canadian firms. In addition, employee CSR was found to be more strongly associated with higher employee commitment in Taiwan than in Canada. While customer CSR was associated with enhanced customer loyalty, this relationship was similar for firms in both countries.
Research limitations/implications
Multi-informants for data collection and longitudinal research design in future research would be required for further understanding of the relationships among the variables in this study.
Practical implications
This paper suggests that the business benefits of customer and employee CSR practices may yield relatively greater competitive advantages in East Asian countries where CSR is not as established or taken for granted as in Western countries.
Originality/value
This study draws on the strategic perspective to investigate the value of CSR practices yielding different business benefits in contrasting cultural contexts.
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Chong Chin Wei, Chong Siong Choy and Paul Heng Ping Yeow
This paper aims assess to the perceived importance (PI) and actual implementation (AI) of five preliminary knowledge management (KM) success factors, i.e. business strategy…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims assess to the perceived importance (PI) and actual implementation (AI) of five preliminary knowledge management (KM) success factors, i.e. business strategy, organizational structure, knowledge team, knowledge audit, and knowledge map in the Malaysian telecommunication industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted on telecommunication organizations located in the capital of Malaysia. Data were analyzed using indices and parametric statistics.
Findings
The results show that the organizations are aware of the importance of all the KM factors but fall short of implementation. The implemented factors consist of business strategy, organizational structure, and knowledge team. Knowledge audit and knowledge map are perceived as important but are the least implemented factors.
Research limitations/implications
This study was conducted in only one industry in Malaysia. Furthermore, it focuses on the preliminary success factors of KM implementation rather than on learning and knowledge utilization.
Practical implications
Telecommunication organizations have to overcome resources problems and enhance implementation level in order to narrow the gaps for effective, full scale KM implementation in the later stage. Such viable practice will significantly help the industry not only to compete more effectively within Malaysia, but also to position itself as a global player in the world.
Originality/value
This study is perhaps one of the first to address the preliminary steps to be dealt with prior to KM implementation. Moreover, it attempts to compare the PI and AI of the five proposed success factors, which has received very little attention to date.
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Shanchun Wei, Meng Kong, Tao Lin and Shanben Chen
This paper aims to develop a method to achieve automatic robotic welding and seam tracking so that three‐dimensional weld seam could be tracked without teaching and good welding…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a method to achieve automatic robotic welding and seam tracking so that three‐dimensional weld seam could be tracked without teaching and good welding formation could be accomplished.
Design/methodology/approach
Adaptive image processing method was used for various types of weld seam. Also the relationship between welding height and arc signal was calibrated. Through the decomposition and synthesis, three‐dimensional space type weld seam could be extracted and tracked well. The workpiece without teaching was finally tracked precisely and in a timely way with use of the fuzzy controller.
Findings
Composite sensing technology including arc and visual sensing had obvious advantages. Image processing method could be used for tracking plane weld seam efficiently while arc sensing could characterize welding height. Through the coupled controlling algorithm, arc sensing and visual sensing could be fused effectively.
Research limitations/implications
How to couple information more accurately and quickly was still one of the most important problems in composite sensing technology.
Practical implications
Composite sensing technology could reduce costs to achieve weld seam instead such expensive device as laser sensor. The simulating parts of scalloped segment of bottom board for rockets were tracked in the project. Once more adaptive algorithms were developed, more complicated practical workpieces could be dealt with in robotic welding which promotes the application of industry robots.
Originality/value
A useful method for three‐dimensional space type weld seam tracking without teaching was developed. The whole procedure of adaptive image processing method was simple but efficient and robust. The coupled controlling strategy addressed could accomplish seam tracking by composite sensing technology.
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This paper seeks to investigate some current issues of ownership structure and corporate governance in China.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to investigate some current issues of ownership structure and corporate governance in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is a review, analysing issues of ownership structure and reviewing problems in corporate governance, followed by some suggestions for improvement.
Findings
It is found that the heavily concentrated equity ownership in the hands of large state‐owned shareholders mainly decides the status quo of the corporate governance system in China. In order to improve the effectiveness of corporate governance of Chinese‐listed companies, it is imperative to restructure roles of the government, restrict hands of controlling shareholders, enhance independence of the board of directors, reform the supervisory board, set up independent directors‐dominated sub‐committees and align the interests of managers with those of the shareholders.
Research limitations/implications
This paper only investigates Chinese‐listed companies because of data availability.
Practical implications
It has implications for policy makers in China insofar as it offers evidence concerning ownership structure and corporate governance of Chinese‐listed companies. It also helps investors and trading partners (especially foreign ones) understand corporate governance and the investment environment in China.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by extending the mainly US‐based board literature to China where there are important institutional differences in ownership structure and corporate governance system.
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Xinmin Huang, Lingling Meng, Qufu Wei and Linyu Wang
Nanoscale copper (Cu) films were deposited onto the surface of polyester fabrics with different structures using radio frequency magnetron sputter coating system at room…
Abstract
Purpose
Nanoscale copper (Cu) films were deposited onto the surface of polyester fabrics with different structures using radio frequency magnetron sputter coating system at room temperature. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to observe the surface morphology of substrates and the structures of the deposited copper particles, respectively. The capillary flow pore instrument was used to measure pore sizes distribution of polyester substrates.
Findings
The experimental results revealed that the fabric structures had a more significant role on the conductivity and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of samples. The porosity had more apparent effect on ultraviolet transmittance of samples.
Originality/value
The results have some theory values on the development of functional textiles.
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This comment aims to join the discussion raised by Peng et al. regarding the social responsibility of international business (IB) scholars in the case of Chinese outward foreign…
Abstract
Purpose
This comment aims to join the discussion raised by Peng et al. regarding the social responsibility of international business (IB) scholars in the case of Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), and to provide a subject overview about it.
Design/methodology/approach
In response to Peng et al.'s paper, this comment focuses on three issues, i.e. the myth of Chinese OFDI, round‐tripping, and state‐owned enterprises (SOEs).
Findings
Owing to a short period of accumulation, the scale of Chinese OFDI stock is small compared to the global total. However, with its momentum, it may become a threat in the long term. Apart from round‐tripping, tax havens such as Hong Kong have multiple functions for Chinese companies to invest in. Although the size of foreign investments conducted by private companies remains small, their role in Chinese OFDI should not be ignored.
Research limitations/implications
The arguments made in this comment are mainly built upon the data from the official publications, which could present a broad but superficial view of the Chinese OFDI. In order to fill research gaps such as the internationalisation behaviour of Chinese OFDI in tax havens, more stories need to be explored.
Originality/value
This comment discusses several issues that have been mentioned by Peng et al. but have been explored less in the literature, such as how to view Chinese OFDI in Hong Kong, and how to view the role of private companies.