Wenjing Han, Zhengfeng Zhang and Xiaoling Zhang
Farmland transfer choice is strongly associated with the livelihood strategies of rural households. The 2014 Three Property Rights Separation (TPRS) reform has legalized farmland…
Abstract
Purpose
Farmland transfer choice is strongly associated with the livelihood strategies of rural households. The 2014 Three Property Rights Separation (TPRS) reform has legalized farmland transfer practices in rural China, hence stimulating the farmland transfer market at the national scale. This paper aims to determine the extent to which rural family livelihood strategies are influenced by their participation decision in farmland transfer practices. Further, the authors examined the effectiveness of the TPRS reform on the impact of farmland transfer participation on rural household livelihood strategy choices.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the sustainable livelihood approach (SLA) using data from a national rural household survey, the authors employ the logit model and the propensity score matching (PSM) method to estimate the impact of household farmland transfer participation. Its interaction effects with household livelihood capital on their livelihood strategy choices and diversification level are also investigated. The difference-in-difference (DID) model is employed to assess the effectiveness of the TPRS reform.
Findings
The results indicate that the participation in transferred-out farmland could improve rural households' non-agricultural livelihood strategies. While the participation in transferred-in farmland could improve the probability of rural families' engaging in pure-agricultural (PA) or agricultural-dependent (AD) livelihood strategies, the TPRS reform can attract specialized farmers to increase their farm size through the market solutions and encourage small farmers to leave their farmland to engage in more off-farm work.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on farmers' livelihood by exploring the role of farmland transfer decision and the effectiveness of 2014 TPRS reform through the SLA approach.
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Hong Zhang, Sheng Han, Wenjing Hu and Jiusheng Li
The purpose of this paper is to improve the properties of metal nanoparticles which are easy to agglomerate and hard to disperse evenly, thus limiting the application of metal…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the properties of metal nanoparticles which are easy to agglomerate and hard to disperse evenly, thus limiting the application of metal nanoparticles in grease. A novel technology was proposed for modifying metal oxide to improve the dispersibility of nanoparticles.
Design/methodology/approach
SA-TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using an in-situ esterification method followed by surface modification with stearic acid. The microstructure of the nanoparticles was characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and their thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetric analyzer. The tribological properties of the SA-TiO2 nanoparticles as additives in lithium grease were evaluated with a four-ball tester and TE77 reciprocating friction tester. The worn surfaces of the steel balls were investigated by EDS and XPS.
Findings
The prepared nanoparticles can be well dispersed in the lithium grease and possess much better tribological properties compared to traditional nanoparticles. The results indicated that the excellent tribological performance of SA-TiO2 was attributed to the chemical reaction film composing of Fe2O3, iron oxide and other organic compounds.
Originality/value
This paper provides a method to prevent the agglomeration of nano-TiO2 by surface modification with stearic acid. And the prepared nanoparticles can effectively improve the tribology performance of lithium grease.
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Fujuan Tong, Wenxuan Gou, Lei Li, Zhufeng Yue, Wenjing Gao and Honglin Li
In order to improve the engine reliability and efficiency, an effective way is to reform the turbine blade tip conformation. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Abstract
Purpose
In order to improve the engine reliability and efficiency, an effective way is to reform the turbine blade tip conformation. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The present research provides several novel tip-shaping structures, which are considered to control the blade tip loss. Four different tip geometries have been studied: flat tip, squealer tip, flat tip with streamwise ribs and squealer tip with streamwise ribs. The tip heat transfer and leakage flow are both analyzed in detail, for example the tip heat transfer coefficient, tip flow and local pressure distributions.
Findings
The results show that the squealer seal and streamwise rib can reduce the tip heat transfer and leakage loss, especially for the squealer tip with streamwise ribs. The tip and near-tip flow patterns at the different locations of axial chord reflect that both the squealer seal and streamwise rib structure can control the tip leakage flow loss. In addition, the analysis of the aerodynamic parameters (the static pressure and turbine efficiency) also indicates that the squealer tip with streamwise ribs obtains the highest adiabatic efficiency with an increase of 2.34 percent, compared with that of the flat tip case.
Originality/value
The analysis of aerothermal and dynamic performance can provide a reference for the blade tip design and treatment.
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Wenjing Chen, Bowen Zheng and Hefu Liu
Employee voice is crucial for organizations to identify problems and make timely adjustments. However, promoting voice in organizations is challenging. This study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Employee voice is crucial for organizations to identify problems and make timely adjustments. However, promoting voice in organizations is challenging. This study aims to investigate how social media use (SMU) in the workplace affects employee voice by examining its intrinsic mechanisms and boundary conditions. Specifically, this study examines the mediating roles of social identifications and the moderating effects of job-social media fit on the relationship between SMU and social identifications.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted a survey of 348 employees in China.
Findings
First, SMU affects voice through social identifications. Second, distinct identifications have different effects on voice, such that organizational identification positively affects employee voice, while relational identification positively affects promotive voice and negatively affects prohibitive voice. Third, when social media is highly suitable for the job, the positive effect of work-related SMU on organizational identification is strengthened, while the positive effect of social-related SMU on organizational identification is weakened.
Originality/value
The results indicate that different identifications have distinct impacts on voice. Additionally, this study reveals a double-edged sword effect of SMU on voice through different social identifications. Further, job-social media fit moderates the relationship between SMU and social identifications. These findings have important implications for organizations adopting social media.
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Wenjing Guo, Yuan Jiang, Wei Zhang and Haizhen Wang
Research on the effects of feedback frequency has reported mixed findings. To tackle this problem, the current study focuses on specific feedback signs (i.e. negative feedback)…
Abstract
Purpose
Research on the effects of feedback frequency has reported mixed findings. To tackle this problem, the current study focuses on specific feedback signs (i.e. negative feedback). By integrating the face management theory and attribution theory, this study examined the mediating effect of trust in supervisors and the moderating effect of employee-attributed performance promotion motives for negative feedback.
Design/methodology/approach
A field study with 176 participants and two supplemental experiments with 143 and 100 participants, respectively, were conducted to test the theoretical model.
Findings
Results revealed that the frequency of supervisory negative feedback negatively influenced employees’ trust in supervisors, which in turn influenced employees’ perceptions of feedback utility and learning performance. These indirect effects can be alleviated when employees have high degrees of performance promotion attribution for supervisor motives.
Originality/value
This research extends feedback research by integrating feedback frequency with a specific sign of feedback and revealing a moderated mediation effect of the negative feedback frequency.
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Feiqiong Chen, Jieru Zhu and Wenjing Wang
The purpose of the paper is to examine the coevolutionary dynamics between multistage overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) integration and knowledge network reconfiguration and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to examine the coevolutionary dynamics between multistage overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) integration and knowledge network reconfiguration and the impact of this coevolution on industrial technology innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper builds a coevolution analysis framework in stages and constructs structural equation models for empirical tests using the Chinese technology-sourcing overseas M&A events that occurred from 2001 to 2012.
Findings
Overseas M&A integration and knowledge network reconfiguration are in a coevolutionary relationship, driving industrial technology innovation. The acquirer adopts initial integration degree that matches the resource relatedness between the acquiring and acquired parties, promoting initial industrial technology innovation through initial knowledge network reconfiguration. Initial knowledge network reconfiguration will feed back to the M&A integration decision in the mid-to-late stage through increasing knowledge similarity and narrowing network position difference. The higher the improvement of mid-to-late integration degree, the more it can drive mid-to-late industrial technology innovation through mid-to-late knowledge network reconfiguration.
Research limitations/implications
Future research can accurately classify overseas M&A integration stages through case tracking and explore other network attributes.
Practical implications
Practical guidelines are provided for managers on how to implement a multistage overseas M&A integration strategy, optimize knowledge network reconfiguration and promote industrial technology innovation. Significant practical implications are presented, especially in academia, society and quality of life.
Originality/value
Different from the previous research considering M&A integration as a single-stage decision, this paper emphasizes the dynamics of the M&A integration process and explores the coevolution mechanism of multistage overseas M&A integration and knowledge network reconfiguration.
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Feiqiong Chen, Jieru Zhu and Wenjing Wang
This paper aims to investigate whether executive compensation and internal control can prevent overseas compliance risks through the mediating influence of multinational…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate whether executive compensation and internal control can prevent overseas compliance risks through the mediating influence of multinational corporation (MNC) legitimacy and the moderating role of institutional distance.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a law and economics perspective and the “bad apple,” the “red barrel” and the “bad cellar” theory of business misconduct, this paper constructs a systematic framework of “compliance motivation MNC legitimacy overseas compliance risk prevention” from the individual, organizational and systematic levels and uses data of Chinese MNCs for empirical analysis.
Findings
Empirical data from Chinese MNCs show that overseas compliance risks are comprehensively affected by the factors of the individual, organizational and systematic levels. Higher executive compensation and internal control will reduce MNCs’ overseas compliance risks through MNC legitimacy acquisition; institutional distance hinders the positive effect of internal control on MNC legitimacy and therefore aggravates overseas compliance risks.
Practical implications
This paper contributes to the understanding of the overseas law-abiding and offence behavior of MNCs from a law and economics perspective and offers valuable insights on how to prevent the ever-increasing overseas compliance risks.
Originality/value
Although the literature has analyzed the factors of compliance behavior, they are not interrelated, let alone integrated in a systematic risk prevention framework. This paper applies a law and economic analysis framework to the study of the overseas compliance risks for the first time.
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Hongya Niu, Zhaoce Liu, Wei Hu, Wenjing Cheng, Mengren Li, Fanli Xue, Zhenxiao Wu, Jinxi Wang and Jingsen Fan
Severe airborne particulate pollution frequently occurs over the North China Plain (NCP) region in recent years. To better understand the characteristics of carbonaceous…
Abstract
Purpose
Severe airborne particulate pollution frequently occurs over the North China Plain (NCP) region in recent years. To better understand the characteristics of carbonaceous components in particulate matter (PM) over the NCP region.
Design/methodology/approach
PM samples were collected at a typical area affected by industrial emissions in Handan, in January 2016. The concentrations of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM of different size ranges (i.e. PM2.5, PM10 and TSP) were measured. The concentrations of secondary organic carbon (SOC) were estimated by the EC tracer method.
Findings
The results show that the concentration of OC ranged from 14.9 μg m−3 to 108.4 μg m−3, and that of EC ranged from 4.0 μg m−3 to 19.4μg m−3, when PM2.5 changed from 58.0μg m−3 to 251.1μg m−3 during haze days, and the carbonaceous aerosols most distributed in PM2.5 rather than large fraction. The concentrations of OC and EC PM2.5 correlated better (r = 0.7) than in PM2.5−10 and PM>10, implying that primary emissions were dominant sources of OC and EC in PM2.5. The mean ratios of OC/EC in PM2.5, PM2.5–10 and PM>10 were 4.4 ± 2.1, 3.6 ± 0.9 and 1.9 ± 0.7, respectively. Based on estimation, SOC accounted for 16.3%, 22.0% and 9.1% in PM2.5, PM2.5–10 and PM>10 respectively.
Originality/value
The ratio of SOC/OC (48.2%) in PM2.5 was higher in Handan than those (28%–32%) in other megacities, e.g. Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang in the NCP, suggesting that the formation of SOC contributed significantly to OC. The mean mass absorption efficiencies of EC (MACEC) in PM10 and TSP were 3.4 m2 g−1 (1.9–6.6 m2 g−1) and 2.9 m2 g−1 (1.6–5.6 m2 g−1), respectively, both of which had similar variation patterns to those of OC/EC and SOC/OC.
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Wenjing Li, Qi Wang, Yongshan Ma, Tianyi Jiang, Yanyan Zhu, Yuanyuan Shao, Cuizhen Sun and Junsen Wu
Self-organization has been regarded as a tool for the synthesis of well-defined organic nanostructures. Heterocyclic annulated perylene diimides are the subjects of considerable…
Abstract
Purpose
Self-organization has been regarded as a tool for the synthesis of well-defined organic nanostructures. Heterocyclic annulated perylene diimides are the subjects of considerable current research studies. The purpose of this study is to reveal the photophysical property, electronic structure and solid-state packing of O-heterocyclic annulated perylene diimide.
Design/methodology/approach
Asymmetrically five-membered O-heterocyclic annulated perylene diimide (OAPDI) was synthesized. Structure and purity of OAPDI were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and mass spectral techniques. Photophysical properties of OAPDI were studied using UV–vis absorption and fluorescence in both solution (CHCl3) and solid state. Scanning electron microscopic and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the surface morphology of OAPDI. Conducting properties of the OAPDI were evaluated by current–voltage measurements. The compounds geometries were also optimized at 6-31G* using density functional theory.
Findings
The UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectra of OAPDI in solution are blue-shifted in comparison with that of unsubstituted perylene bisimide. Solid-state UV–vis measurements of OAPDI indicate that it is capable of forming highly ordered structure. The non-covalent interactions, electrostatic attraction and p-p stacking moieties of OAPDI synergistically guide assembly and domain growth while maintaining the interpenetrating network of nanofibers in the solid film. The OAPDI gave higher current at −2.0 V (0.68 µA) and 4.0 V (1.0 µA).
Originality/value
This study will be helpful for exploring feasible routes to acquire soluble perylene diimides and well-defined organic nanostructures. Furthermore, such molecular tailoring approach would be helpful for designing and synthesizing novel organic semiconductive materials with excellent charge-transporting and light-emitting capabilities.
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Jingyu Dong, Beth Clark, Wenjing Li, Shan Jin and Lynn J Frewer
Unhealthy diets are associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and present a significant public health challenge. When developing effective interventions and…
Abstract
Purpose
Unhealthy diets are associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and present a significant public health challenge. When developing effective interventions and policies, consideration must be given to the unique social culture in which food choice is embedded. Health vulnerabilities to poor nutrition exist throughout life but may be influenced by socio-cultural factors such as age. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of older or younger Chinese consumers towards healthy eating and explore the factors influencing their food choices.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Wuhan, China, with 20 consumers aged 18–25 (Group A) and 20 consumers aged 65 and over (Group B).
Findings
Thematic analysis revealed that the two groups had positive attitudes towards healthy eating, although Group A participants were more knowledgeable. Time pressure, food prices and social networks differentially influence healthy eating practices across age groups.
Originality/value
Given China’s economic and cultural context, healthy eating interventions should consider the individual characteristics and food preferences of the different age groups. This approach can optimize targeted healthy eating interventions, and media communications related to healthy eating.