Weiping Li, Huirong Li, Xuan Sean Sun and Tairan Kevin Huang
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (D&O insurance hereafter) on corporate governance and firm performance, with a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (D&O insurance hereafter) on corporate governance and firm performance, with a specific focus on investment efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed firms from the period 2007 to 2020, this study uses Ordinary Least Squares regressions to investigate the research questions, as well as moderating and mediating effects. Additionally, alternative measures of investment efficiency are used, and the Heckman two-stage model and propensity score matching model are used to demonstrate the consistency of the findings and to mitigate the risk of endogeneity.
Findings
The findings of this study suggest that purchasing D&O insurance has a detrimental impact on corporate investment efficiency, particularly in the context of over-investment activities; robust internal governance mechanisms, exemplified by a higher shareholding ratio of the top shareholder and enhanced internal control quality, alleviate this negative effect; and financing constraints act as a mediating factor in the association between D&O insurance and investment efficiency.
Originality/value
Corporate investment efficiency is of significant importance for both national macroeconomic growth and micro-enterprise development. Notably, the prevalence of D&O insurance among Chinese firms is progressively increasing, thus exerting a growing influence. This study contributes to the existing literature on D&O insurance and corporate investment efficiency, providing valuable insights into the economic impact of D&O insurance on Chinese firms. The empirical evidence presented herein facilitates future reforms and adjustments.
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Jie Gong, Zhifeng Zhang, Zhaoyang Zhu, Jun Wan, Niannian Yang, Fang Li, Huiling Sun, Weiping Li, Jiang Xia, Dunjin Zhou and Xinguang Chen
The paper seeks to report data on cigarette smoking, anti‐smoking practices, physicians' receipt of anti‐smoking training, and the association between receipt of the training and…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to report data on cigarette smoking, anti‐smoking practices, physicians' receipt of anti‐smoking training, and the association between receipt of the training and anti‐smoking practice among physicians in Wuhan, China.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants were selected through the stratified random sampling method. The questionnaires were completed by the sampled physicians and the response rate of the survey was 98.1 percent.
Findings
Among the total sample, 11 percent were current smokers. Significantly more male physicians than female physicians were current smokers (31.6 vs 0.9 percent, p<0.001). In total, 41 percent of physicians always or often asked patients about smoking habits, and 61 percent of them often advised patients to quit. Receiving anti‐tobacco training significantly increased the likelihood for physicians to ask patients about smoking (odd ratio=2.55, p<0.001) and to advise patients against smoking (odd ratio=4.05, p<0.001) with and without controlling gender, age, education, type of hospital and medical services specialty.
Practical implications
More effort should be devoted to training for physicians with focus on anti‐smoking practice and smoking cessation counseling in addition to assist physicians themselves to quit smoking.
Originality/value
The findings of this study update the data regarding cigarette smoking among physicians in Wuhan, China, and their practice of anti‐tobacco counseling. It indicates that it is very important to provide the training regarding anti‐smoking counseling among physicians.
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Shihchieh Chou and Weiping Chang
The purpose of this paper is to identify distinguishing term characteristics from among the information of term appearance situations (tas) residing in the relevant/irrelevant…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify distinguishing term characteristics from among the information of term appearance situations (tas) residing in the relevant/irrelevant documents retrieved for use. Terms with specific characteristics could be used in the distinguishing of user profiles, documents, pages or concepts to assist in information retrieval.
Design/methodology/approach
First, a method to apply the potential term characteristics in the distinguishing of user profiles in the information retrieval environment is designed. Then, an information retrieval system is developed to demonstrate the realisation and sustain the study of the method. Formal tests are conducted to examine the distinguishing capability of the potential term characteristics proposed in the method.
Findings
The results of the tests show that the potential term characteristics proposed in this study are successfully applied in the distinguishing of user profiles in the information retrieval environment.
Originality/value
Identification of distinguishing term characteristics would expand the ground for the IR community in the design of feature‐extraction algorithms or systems that try to cull information from structured or unstructured documents.
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Nigar Ahmed and Mou Chen
The purpose of this research paper is to design a disturbance observer-based control based on the robust model reference adaptive backstepping sliding-mode control for attitude…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research paper is to design a disturbance observer-based control based on the robust model reference adaptive backstepping sliding-mode control for attitude quadrotor model subject to uncertainties and disturbances.
Design/methodology/approach
To estimate and reject the disturbance, a disturbance observer is designed for the exogenous disturbances with perturbation while a control criterion is developed for the tracking of desired output. To achieve the control performance, backstepping and sliding-mode control techniques are patched together to obtain robust chattering-free controller. Furthermore, a model reference adaptive control criterion is also combined with the design of robust control for the estimation and rejection of uncertainties and unmodeled dynamics of the attitude quadrotor.
Findings
The findings of this research work includes the design of a disturbance observer-based control for uncertain attitude quadrotor system with the ability of achieving tracking control objective in the presence of nonlinear exogenous disturbance with and without perturbation.
Practical implications
In practice, the quadrotor flight is opposed by different kinds of the disturbances. In addition, being an underactuated system, it is difficult to obtain an accurate mathematical model of quadrotor for the control design. Thus, a quadrotor model with uncertainties and disturbances is inevitable. Hence, it is necessary to design a control system with the ability to achieve the control objectives in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances.
Originality/value
Designing the control methods for quadrotor control without uncertainties and disturbances is a common practice. However, investigating the uncertain quadrotor plant in the presence of nonlinear disturbances is rarely taken into consideration for the control design. Hence, this paper presents a control algorithm to address the issues of the uncertainties and disturbances as well as investigate a control algorithm to achieve tracking performance.
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Jingru Li, Jian Zuo, Weiping Jiang, Xizeng Zhong, Jinggang Li and Yulun Pan
This study aims to identify and quantitatively evaluate the factors that influence the construction and demolition waste (CDW) policy instrument choice, and provide a systematic…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify and quantitatively evaluate the factors that influence the construction and demolition waste (CDW) policy instrument choice, and provide a systematic framework for local governments to select the appropriate policy instruments with a consideration of their specific situations.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature review and expert interviews were conducted to identify the key factors. These factors were quantitatively evaluated via a questionnaire survey. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to explore the underlying structure of these variables and organize the factors into a systematic framework.
Findings
Resource, clarity of policy problem and goal, legitimacy, acceptance of targeted group and environmental concern of public are the five top variables, which should be emphasized in the selection of CDW policy. The respondents with experience in policymaking and those without experience had slightly different views on the importance of these variables. A total of six latent factors were identified and organized into a framework.
Research limitations/implications
The questionnaire survey was conducted with government staff via a snowball sampling method, which may affect the representativeness of conclusions to a certain extent.
Practical implications
This study provides a useful reference for local government to choose appropriate policies to address the CDW problem. Matching attributes of policy instruments with the policy goal and the problem is the starting point in choice of the CDW policy. The matched instruments will be further narrowed by social context, i.e. environmental concern and socioeconomic situation. The final selection must undergo bargaining between policymakers and targeted groups.
Originality/value
Policy instruments choice is a complicated process, which is shaped by the interaction of many influential factors. However, the impact of these factors on CDW policy choice is largely overlooked. This study will contribute to the knowledge body pertaining to policy selection in the CDW field.
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Run Chen, Qixin Zhao, Sisi Wang, Zhonglue Hu, Weiping Dong, Xiping Li, Shiju E and Linlin Wang
This study aims to explore the impact of printing parameters, specifically raster angle and layer thickness, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of green and sintered…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the impact of printing parameters, specifically raster angle and layer thickness, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of green and sintered parts produced through filament-based fused filament fabrication (FFF) using a self-developed filament. The goal is to improve the quality and performance of the final sintered components.
Design/methodology/approach
A filament containing 92 Wt.% 316L stainless steel with polyoxymethylene (POM)-based binder was formulated and evaluated for flexibility through a buckling resistance test. Green parts were printed with varying raster angles (+45°/−45°, 0°/90°) and layer thicknesses (0.2 mm, 0.3 mm), followed by catalytic debinding and high-temperature sintering. Microstructure, dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties, including microhardness, tensile strength and elongation at break, were analyzed to identify optimal parameters.
Findings
A raster angle of (+45°/−45°) produced denser interlayer bonding and a more compact green part structure, whereas a thicker layer (0.3 mm) resulted in a looser structure with larger pores. The optimal combination of +45°/−45° raster angle and 0.2 mm layer thickness achieved the highest relative density (99.37%) and superior mechanical properties: microhardness (216.83 HV), tensile strength (467.59 MPa) and elongation at break (16.81%).
Originality/value
A 92 Wt.% 316L stainless-steel filament for FFF was independently developed and near dense steel components were successfully fabricated. This study provides new insight into developing a novel formula of filament and optimizing printing parameters for FFF technology.
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Lulu Zhou, Jin Li, Yan Liu, Feng Tian, Xufan Zhang and Weiping Qin
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effect of information search effort on the relationship between leader narcissism and team creativity in China based on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effect of information search effort on the relationship between leader narcissism and team creativity in China based on attention theory. The paper also explores participative decision making as a moderator in the relationship between team leader narcissism and information search effort.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a survey of 667 team members and their team leaders from 96 research and development teams at 23 high-tech enterprises in China with paired samples, cross-time data were collected. Confirmatory factor analysis, hierarchical regression and path analysis were adopted to analyze the data.
Findings
This paper found that leader narcissism had a positive impact on team information search effort, thereby promoting team creativity, and the effect of leader narcissism on team information search effort is more positive in the context of high participation in decision making.
Practical implications
Narcissism should be a noteworthy trait in manager selection and promotion especially for the departments and teams which focus on innovation and creation. And companies should pay attention to the team work processes to ensure that team members have the opportunity to participate in decision making for promoting the team leader’s narcissistic “bright” side in the institutional environment and avoiding the “dark” side.
Originality/value
This paper discusses how and when leader narcissism influences team creativity in Chinese high-technology enterprises based on attention theory. This research expands the application of attention theory at the team level.
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Tiancong Hao, Weiping Wang, Geng Wang, Qiuyue Yang and Kang Ma
This paper examines students’ educational choices in vocational education and training (VET) to understand the low reputation of vocational education in China. By analysing the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines students’ educational choices in vocational education and training (VET) to understand the low reputation of vocational education in China. By analysing the individualisation of these choices within structural and individual relationships, the study explores how the decline of state endorsement and the shift towards rational, individualistic actions influence students' decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple types of data were collected in this study, including administrative records, interviews and autobiographical stories, which were analysed using individualisation theory.
Findings
The research indicated three historical periods of the educational choice of Chinese VET students. Stage one (1978–1991) saw vocational education treated as “the first choice” for graduates. Stage two (1992–2000) was marked by the polarisation of educational choice during the social transition from a socialist planned economy to a market economy. During this period, more students started to choose academic high schools over vocational schools, even though the latter still had certain advantages for attracting the better-performing students. The third stage (2001-now) is a time in which vocational education is viewed as “the last choice” under the socialist market economy system. During this period, junior high school graduates prefer to enrol in academic high schools rather than in vocational schools. Aligned with the overall individualisation trend in Chinese society, vocational education decisions situated between societal structures and individuals are also experiencing a shift towards more micro-level individualized behaviours.
Research limitations/implications
The paper provides a historical analysis of education and training provision in China and the complexity of students’ educational choices, revealing the influencing factors across different stages.
Originality/value
This paper draws a comprehensive analysis of the developmental trajectory of vocational education in China across different historical periods, notably under the socialist planned economy and the socialist market economy systems.
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Traces China’s foreign debt policy from 1978 to the present and compares its short and long term debt structure with Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Phillippines and Thailand…
Abstract
Traces China’s foreign debt policy from 1978 to the present and compares its short and long term debt structure with Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Phillippines and Thailand (i.e. five countries suffering from the Asian economic crisis). Points out that in the 1980s, when all six had high growth rates, China had a severe financial crisis while the others did not: a situation reversed in the 1990s. Compares four debt service capacity indicators for the six, using data from 1983‐1990 and 1991‐1997 to explore the factors causing financial crisis and shows that the ratio of short‐term to total debt is the most important indicator. Discusses the implications for the policies of developing countries and warns that “the hot‐bed for...financial crises still exists”.