Ying Guo, Ting-Tsen Yeh, David C. Yang and Xiao-Yan Li
The purpose of this study is to understand the current trends and development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in emerging and developing economies and analyze…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the current trends and development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in emerging and developing economies and analyze 106 Chinese central enterprises (CEs) that disclose CSR reports from 2004 to 2015.
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzes all the CSR reports available to the public from CEs between 2004 and 2015 in China. This paper carefully examines the reporting patterns and standards in those CSR reports. CEs in China are focused on because state-owned companies account for a large proportion of the Chinese stock market because of their social and economic institutional characteristics.
Findings
The results in this paper confirm a growth trend in the numbers of CSR reports, as predicted. The results also suggest that the number of CSR reports from the CEs containing some assurance has dramatically increased. However, the findings indicate that the current content of the CSR reports may not fully meet the needs of users of information from different industries, regions and interests, as more than 20 CEs have formulated their own CSR framework. The lack of unified, sustainable reporting and assurance may reduce the comparability and effectiveness of CSR reporting.
Social implications
This study provides evidence of the trends and development of CSR reporting in China.
Originality/value
The findings extend the understanding of CSR reporting by analyzing Chinese CE data. The results also provide decision-useful information for the government and other policymakers when considering CSR reporting and assurance standards.
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Clark Shi-Ming Tang, Thomas Li-Ping Tang and Xiao-Yan Li
This study aims to develop a Chinese core self-evaluations scale (CCSES) (Study 1) and examines the relationship between CCSES and self-reported job performance among…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a Chinese core self-evaluations scale (CCSES) (Study 1) and examines the relationship between CCSES and self-reported job performance among entrepreneurs in private small and medium enterprises in People's Republic of China (Study 2).
Design/methodology/approach
In Study 1, the paper incorporated two indigenous Chinese constructs, team-based self-esteem and personal integrity, into the existing literature of CSE and developed a new CCSES using a sample of 300 Chinese entrepreneurs in Hangzhou, China. In Study 2, the paper validated the CCSES in a separate sample of 306 entrepreneurs and investigated the relationships between CCSES and self-reported job performance.
Findings
The paper identified four sub-constructs in the 13-item CCSES: personal self-esteem, team-based self-esteem, personal integrity, and self-competence. Results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed good psychometric properties and high reliability in Study 1. In Study 2, the paper found a good fit between the measurement model and the data, and a significant relationship between CCSES and the overall measure of job performance and its three components. Males had significantly higher Chinese core self-evaluations (CCSE) scores than females. There were no differences in CCSE scores across age and educational background.
Originality/value
Borrowing the CSE construct in the Western literature, the paper includes two indigenous Chinese constructs, team-based self-esteem and personal integrity, provides a new perspective of the CSE construct for entrepreneurs, and investigates its relationship with job performance in China.
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Xiao-Yan Ma, Yi-Wen Ren, Hui Li, Wei Li, Yanli Liang and Wenjiang Zheng
Silicon-containing groups were introduced into fluoroacrylate polymer to further improve the comprehensive performance of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) for expanded…
Abstract
Purpose
Silicon-containing groups were introduced into fluoroacrylate polymer to further improve the comprehensive performance of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) for expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) bonding.
Design/methodology/approach
A series of silicon-containing fluorinated acrylic copolymers were synthesized through free radical solution polymerization with vinyloxy trimethylsilane, allyltrimethylsilane, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate or 1,3,5-tris(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) methylcyclotrisiloxane as silicon monomers, and comprehensive performance of the copolymers was evaluated based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), gel permeation chromatography, glass transition temperatures (Tg), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, water contact angle, the track, 180° peel strength, and shear holding power.
Findings
Based on the FTIR and XPS results, it is confirmed that the silicon monomers were successfully introduced into the fluorinated acrylate copolymer. XPS analysis indicated that the silicon groups had the tendency to enrich on the surface of the film, thereby reducing the F content on the film surface. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the PSAs increased when silicon monomers were introduced, while the thermal stability declined. The contact angles of the acrylic PSA films were increased with the introduction of silicon monomers. From the perspective of bonding performance, the track, 180° peel strength and shear holding power decreased to varying degrees compared to silicon-free PSA, except significantly elevated holding power with MPS as the silicon monomer.
Originality/value
Silicon-containing fluorinated acrylic copolymers were synthesized, and the comprehensive performance was evaluated as PSAs of ePTFE for the first time.
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Wei Gong, Xiao-Yan Wang, Xiao Wang, Wen Wang and Yan-Li Yang
To ensure the reliable and safe operation of elevated-temperature pipes and equipment in the long term, it is essential to thoroughly assess the creep rupture life. Nevertheless…
Abstract
Purpose
To ensure the reliable and safe operation of elevated-temperature pipes and equipment in the long term, it is essential to thoroughly assess the creep rupture life. Nevertheless, there is currently no design code that specifies a creep rupture life evaluation method for non-nuclear elevated-temperature equipment. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
An analysis was conducted to compare the differences and conservativeness in calculating creep strain using three major codes (ASME-CC-2843, API-579 and BS-7910) based on the results of the 316H creep constitutive model and creep strain prediction. In addition, the creep resistances of 316H, 304H and 347H were compared. Subsequently, the ANSYS Usercreep subroutine was developed to compare the discrepancies between different codes under multiaxial stress conditions using numerical simulations.
Findings
BS-7910 employs the Norton creep model with calculation parameters for the average creep strain rate, which is not applicable for the engineering design stage. ASME-CC2843 code primarily focuses on the primary and secondary creep stages, making it more suitable for non-nuclear pipeline and equipment design. For 316H, the creep strain curves predicted by ASME-CC2843 and API-579 typically intersect at a specific point. By combining the creep strain predicted by ASME-CC2843 and API-579, 347H exhibits superior predicted creep resistance compared to 316H, whereas 316H exhibited better predicted creep resistance than 304H.
Originality/value
This study provides a guide for future evaluation methods and material choices for non-nuclear equipment and pipelines operating at elevated temperatures.
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Ge Zhang, Liang Ma, Xin Zhang, Xiao Yan Ding and Yi Ping Yang
An increasing number of users join and become immersed in WeChat official accounts, but many users quit using these services as well. Nevertheless, most of the previous studies…
Abstract
Purpose
An increasing number of users join and become immersed in WeChat official accounts, but many users quit using these services as well. Nevertheless, most of the previous studies mainly focussed on the usage behavior. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by examining factors affecting users’ unfollow intentions for WeChat subscriptions in a Chinese context.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation modeling is used in our study. A field survey with 260 WeChat users is conducted to test the research model and hypotheses.
Findings
The results show the following interesting key findings: first, the effect of actual cost on users’ unfollow intentions is larger than the effect of opportunity cost; second, users’ unfollow intentions will decrease with the increase of users’ perceptions of information usefulness; third, the results of the control variables showed that only landing frequency has a negative effect on users’ unfollow intentions; and fourth, users’ demographic differences are also examined in regard to how they may affect users’ unfollow intentions.
Originality/value
First, this paper studies factors influencing users’ unfollow intentions for WeChat subscriptions from a social exchange theory perspective; the authors considered both extraneous factors and users’ internal perception factors potentially affecting users’ unfollow intentions, which has rarely been researched. Furthermore, the authors examined significant differences among users’ demographic characteristics in affecting users’ unfollow intentions. The results of the study provide a more comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors of users’ unfollow intentions.
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Liang Ma, Xin Zhang and Xiao Yan Ding
The rise of social media has gained increasing attention in recent years; however, few studies have focused on social media users’ specific behavior and subjective well-being. To…
Abstract
Purpose
The rise of social media has gained increasing attention in recent years; however, few studies have focused on social media users’ specific behavior and subjective well-being. To fill this research gap, the purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated model to investigate factors that affect social media user’s share intention and the relationship between user’s share intention and subjective well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation model is used in this study. A field survey with 398 WeChat users is conducted to test the research model and hypotheses.
Findings
The empirical results show that: utilitarian value, hedonic value, user satisfaction and information source credibility are important factors affecting users’ share intention; users’ share intention positively affects user’s subjective well-being; moderating effects show that relative significance positively moderates the relationship between utilitarian value and users’ share intention; and users’ demographic characteristics differences actually exist in users’ share intention.
Originality/value
First, the authors clear that factors affect social media users’ share intention from the perspective of customer-perceived value. The results deepen our understanding about the factors that affect WeChat users’ share intention. Second, the authors focus on the effect of users’ specific behavior on users’ subjective well-being and found that users’ share intention is one of the important aspects that affect user’s subjective well-being. More importantly, the authors tested users’ characteristic differences in social media users’ share intention, which have previously received limited attention.
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Wei Zhu, Chen-yu Li, Xiao-yan Xiao and Wen-bin Xu
– The purpose of this paper is to develop an effective treatment to analyze and diagnose urban rail transit (URT) vehicle maintenance strategy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an effective treatment to analyze and diagnose urban rail transit (URT) vehicle maintenance strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the technique of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is introduced into the examination of URT trains, first. Then the method of fuzzy-set-based assessment for FMEA is presented, which is the quantitative tool of Fuzzy-Set-based treatment for FMEA in analysis and diagnoses to URT maintenance strategy. Moreover, recommendations for further improvement of the proposed approach are also provided. Initial application into the vehicle maintenance of Shanghai URT System shows, that the proposed approach has a good performance and consequently is worth further development.
Findings
The paper presents a FMEA and fuzzy-set-based theoretical approach for analyzing and diagnosing current methods in URT vehicle maintenance strategy.
Practical implications
With rapid development of URT systems in the world especially in those highly populated areas, much more attentions are turning to researches on URT maintenance, nevertheless, few quantitative research achievement are mentioned or applied. This paper is a tentative attempt at introducing fuzzy-set theory into quantitative analysis and diagnoses of URT maintenance strategy.
Originality/value
The study in this paper is helpful in theory and practice of URT maintenance and its methodology could be further applied into a broad family of facility group or system in other engineering fields.
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Ma Liang, Zhang Xin, Ding Xiao Yan and Fei Jianxiang
While prior research provides interesting insights into the effect of social media use in enterprises, there is limited research on how use of different social media platforms…
Abstract
Purpose
While prior research provides interesting insights into the effect of social media use in enterprises, there is limited research on how use of different social media platforms affects employee job satisfaction and work efficiency. This study developed a research model to investigate how public and private social media platforms used for different motivations affect employee job satisfaction and work efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
Online surveys were conducted in China, generating 453 valid responses for analysis. Structural equation modeling is performed to test the research model and hypotheses.
Findings
The results suggest that (1) public social media used for both work- and social-related motivations positively affects employee job satisfaction, while private social media only used for social-related motivations can contribute to employee job satisfaction. (2) Public and private social media used for work-related motivations can contribute to employee work efficiency, while social-related motivations for use of public and private social media and employee work efficiency are not significant. (3) In the process of social media usage influencing employee job satisfaction and work efficiency, employees of different genders show significant differences.
Originality/value
First, this paper contributes to information systems social media research by examining the joint effects of different motivations for public and private social media usage on employee job satisfaction and work efficiency in organizations. Second, it contributes to uses and gratification theory by clarifying the relationship between different motivations for enterprise social media use and its needs.
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Yanqin Wang, Lulu Wang, Xiao Yan Liu, Hongru Yang, Yuan Zhang and Xiaosong Zhu
The effects of the thermo-mechanical treatment on the properties and microstructure of the Al–Cu–Mg–Ag alloy were investigated.
Abstract
Purpose
The effects of the thermo-mechanical treatment on the properties and microstructure of the Al–Cu–Mg–Ag alloy were investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
A short-duration preprecipitation process is designed prior to predeformation aging. The novel predeformation aging (solution treatment + holding at 185 °C for 15 min+ rolling deformation + aging at 185 °C, also named T8) was performed on a heat-resistant Al–Cu–Mg–Ag alloy.
Findings
The purpose of this study indicate that a short-duration heat treatment before predeformation is beneficial to the precipitation of O during the aging process. The precursors of O during this process might pin the dislocation and cause the grains to orient along some specific direction, which might be advantageous to the precipitation of O while disadvantageous to that of θ′. This novel thermal-mechanical process could result in an increase in the quantity and decrease in the size of the precipitation of O, which leads to a remarkable strength effect. The potential increases while the current density decreases with an increase in the deformation amount, which implies a smaller intergranular corrosion rate. The fine deformed structure leads to an opposite behavior in the exfoliation corrosion test compared with that for intergranular corrosion.
Originality/value
The intergranular corrosion resistance of the Al–Cu–Mg–Ag alloy is enhanced, whereas the exfoliation corrosion resistance is reduced by novel predeformation aging.
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Keywords
Li Zhijun, Wang Weiwei and Chen Mian‐yun
The purpose of this paper is to present a method to accurately forecast the tendency of the gross amount of energy sources consumption of the country and construct a new kind of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a method to accurately forecast the tendency of the gross amount of energy sources consumption of the country and construct a new kind of algorithm for forecasting that synthesizes the advantages of the grey model, Markov chains, and least square method.
Design/methodology/approach
With the application of this new algorithm, this paper have forecasted the trend of the gross amount of energy sources consumption of the country and come to the conclusions that the new algorithm is more precise than the grey model. It is proved that the improved grey‐Markov chain algorithm is effective and can be used by authorities to make decision.
Findings
It was found that combining the grey model, Markov chains, and least square method, can be a new algorithm for forecasting the trendency of the gross amount of energy sources consumption.
Research limitations/implications
The new algorithm is only suitable for the short‐term forecast.
Originality/value
The grey forecasting method reflects the overall tendency of primitive data sequence of the gross amount of energy source, and the Markov chain forecasting method reflects the effect of the random fluctuation. The least square method reflects the tendency of increase. The new algorithm is more precise than the grey model.