Chun-Shun Yang, Pauline Ford, Xiaoman Liu, Shaneen Leishman and Lisa Schubert
The appearance of a rapidly expanding range of ready-to-drink packaged beverages in the marketplace has been met with widespread consumer acceptance. The aim of this study is to…
Abstract
Purpose
The appearance of a rapidly expanding range of ready-to-drink packaged beverages in the marketplace has been met with widespread consumer acceptance. The aim of this study is to profile the nutritional composition and dental erosive potential of a sample of beverages sold for consumption in Brisbane supermarkets.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 44 beverages were assessed to determine their pH and titratable acidity. Information relating to nutritional composition was also collected.
Findings
Milk-based beverages had the highest energy concentration, while soft drinks, energy drinks, flavoured milk, and fruit and vegetable juice categories contained products with very high sugar concentrations (>10g/100ml). All beverages, except milk-based products and still water, had a pH of less than 4.8. Titratable acidity was highest for energy drinks and fruit and vegetable juices.
Research limitations/implications
Energy drinks and fruit and vegetable juices had the highest sugar content and titratable acidity of all the beverage categories and so would be expected to have the greatest potential to cause oral health problems. Milk drinks had the highest energy concentration, but the lowest erosive potential. Regular consumption of many ready-to-drink pre-packaged beverages is therefore inconsistent with recommendations in current dietary and oral health guidelines.
Originality/value
Rather than considering nutritional composition alone, this study examined both nutritional and physicochemical properties of ready-to-drink packaged beverages to reach a more holistic assessment of their health impact.
Details
Keywords
Xiaoman Wu, Jun Liu and Yulian Peng
Without damaging and consuming natural resources, green computing technology can meet the needs of society for a long time. This paper discusses how to realize the sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
Without damaging and consuming natural resources, green computing technology can meet the needs of society for a long time. This paper discusses how to realize the sustainable development of social economy through the innovation of green computing technology.
Design/methodology/approach
For the green computing technology and sustainable social and economic development problems, it builds back propagation (BP) neural network model and analyzes the topological structure of the network model as well as the impact of the training errors allowed by the network on its performance.
Findings
By optimizing the number of input nodes, the number of hidden nodes and the target value, the genetic algorithm (GA) can get the optimal neural network model. The simulation experiment proves that the proposed model is effective.
Originality/value
It can not only reduce the possibility of falling into local optimum, but also optimize the initial weights and thresholds of BP neural network and further improve the stability and test effect of BP neural network model.
Details
Keywords
Zhou Yang, Minghe Chi, Xiaorui Zhang, Jiahao Shi, Xue Sun, Xiaoman Zhang and Qingguo Chen
Epoxy resin (EP) is a thermosetting resin commonly characterized by its inherent brittleness, which limits its widespread application. To overcome this limitation, a novel…
Abstract
Purpose
Epoxy resin (EP) is a thermosetting resin commonly characterized by its inherent brittleness, which limits its widespread application. To overcome this limitation, a novel flexible chain-blocking hyperbranched polyester (HBP) was conceptualized and synthesized to enhance the toughness and dielectric properties of EP.
Design/methodology/approach
Using P-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA) as the catalyst and Bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (DMPA) as the branching unit with pentaerythritol (PER) as the core, an experimental synthesis was conducted. Subsequently, n-hexanoic acid was introduced separately to produce hyperbranched polyester with n-hexanoic acid capped structures. Microstructural, mechanical, insulating and dielectric analyses of the composite were performed to determine the optimal proportion of HBP.
Findings
Recent research has demonstrated that the flexible segments within hyperbranched polyester create an interpenetrating network structure with the molecular chains of epoxy resin, thereby effectively augmenting the toughness of the epoxy resin. Additionally, HBP has reduced the ε and tgδ values of the epoxy-anhydride cured product by decreasing the number of polar groups per unit volume of EP through the introduction of free volumes.
Originality/value
Currently, HBP serves as an innovative toughening strategy and modifier for epoxy resin. The toughening mechanism involves the generation of free volume by HBP, providing space for EP molecules to maneuver under load. Additionally, the free volume contributes to a reduction in the dielectric constant of EP by diminishing the polarizable group content. Simultaneously, the incorporation of HBP features flexible chains grafted onto the epoxy resin.
Details
Keywords
Xiaoman Li, Xinxin Yang and Qi Zheng
Based on traditional Chinese filial piety, this article examines the impacts and mechanisms of the two-dimensional filial piety concept “Qinqin – Zunzun” on gender wages in China…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on traditional Chinese filial piety, this article examines the impacts and mechanisms of the two-dimensional filial piety concept “Qinqin – Zunzun” on gender wages in China via China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) conducted in 2014 and 2018.
Design/methodology/approach
This article construct regression models to examine the relationship between filial piety concepts and wages. Also, it uses unconditional quantile regression and decomposition to explore the impact of filial piety concepts on the wage gap.
Findings
It is found that: (1) The effects of two-dimensional filial piety are heterogeneous in terms of gender. Specifically, authoritarian filial piety significantly suppresses individual wages and has a stronger suppressive effect on women’s wages, whereas affinity filial piety significantly enhances individual wages without gender heterogeneity; (2) Parents' time support in the intergenerational exchange model is a crucial mechanism by which filial piety affects wages, exhibiting significant gender heterogeneity; (3) Regarding wage distribution, authoritarian filial piety mainly widens the gender income gap in the low and middle income-groups, while affinity filial piety narrows the gender wage gap by “raising the floor”, with its converging effect being most significant in the middle and high-income groups. This article deepens the understanding of the gender wage gap and intergenerational income mobility, providing policy references for better utilizing the social governance function of culture.
Originality/value
The article deepens the understanding and mechanisms of the gender wage gap and inter-generational income mobility, providing policy reference for better utilizing the social governance function of culture.
Details
Keywords
Xiaoman Zhou, Yaou Hu, Yaoqi Li and Biyan Wen
Promoting interns’ organizational socialization has become an urgent concern for the hotel industry. Building on career construction theory, this study aims to use a time-lagged…
Abstract
Purpose
Promoting interns’ organizational socialization has become an urgent concern for the hotel industry. Building on career construction theory, this study aims to use a time-lagged design to investigate the interrelationships among perceived organizational support (POS), psychological capital and organizational socialization and their consequent effects on interns’ intention to stay in the hotel industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Panel data were obtained in three waves from hotel interns from 21 upscale hotels located in 13 cities in China with a time lag of 10 weeks (N = 369). The structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.
Findings
POS has a significantly positive effect on interns' psychological capital. Additionally, both POS and psychological capital contribute to the intention to stay in the hotel industry through the mediation of organizational socialization.
Practical implications
Hotels should communicate with interns more explicitly, provide assistance programs to alleviate uncertainty and reward interns on their excellent service performance to improve POS. Moreover, setting up psychological capital programs and empowering interns to be involved in task development is beneficial for enhancing psychological capital. Hotels should also consider mentoring as a socialization approach. Further, career planning and counseling programs should be provided for interns’ long-term hospitality career development.
Originality/value
A time-lagged research method is adopted to provide a new approach to improve interns’ intention to stay in the hotel industry from the interactionist perspective. This study enriches research about psychological capital, POS and organizational socialization.
Details
Keywords
Yaoqi Li, Lixin Peng, Shuang Ma and Xiaoman Zhou
Limited research has paid attention to the physical attractiveness stereotype in peer-to-peer sharing accommodation settings. Since the high-risk situations in sharing…
Abstract
Purpose
Limited research has paid attention to the physical attractiveness stereotype in peer-to-peer sharing accommodation settings. Since the high-risk situations in sharing accommodations, this paper aims to exam whether beauty premium is still relevant in peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation.
Design/methodology/approach
The mixed method, including 2,506 secondary data analysis and two scenario experiments, is carried out to test the research framework.
Findings
The results show that both beauty premium and beauty penalty exist in the e-commerce context. Excessively high attractiveness and plain looking of hosts are likely to decrease consumers’ booking decision while moderately attractive hosts will stimulate more booking behaviors. Moreover, perceived trustworthiness mediates the effect of physical attractiveness on booking decision. Additionally, similarity between hosts and consumers plays a moderating role in the relationship between physical attractiveness and perceived trustworthiness.
Research limitations/implications
This study reveals the physical attractiveness stereotype effects in P2P accommodation and carry implications to P2P platforms and hosts for providing moderately attractive profile photos, enhancing trustworthiness and similarity between hosts and consumers. Further studies can investigate the robustness of the findings as well as more possible reasons for its occurrence.
Originality/value
The research provides a clearer understanding of physical attractiveness stereotype effect in peer-to-peer sharing accommodation platforms. Besides, the linkage between physical attractiveness and perceived trustworthiness is dynamic; a high host – consumer similarity weakens the negative impact of both excessively high attractiveness and plain looking on consumers’ perceived trustworthiness.
Details
Keywords
Jing Huang, Jingxian Liu and Wensheng Yang
Inventory pledge financing (IPF) serves as an effective means to address the financial constraints faced by supply chains. This study develops an IPF system involving a bank, SMEs…
Abstract
Purpose
Inventory pledge financing (IPF) serves as an effective means to address the financial constraints faced by supply chains. This study develops an IPF system involving a bank, SMEs and a third-party logistics provider (3PL) to explore the impact of varying cost structures and regulatory environments, specifically the strategic interactions within IPF system before and after the blockchain implementation. Also, provides theoretical foundations for improving the overall efficiency of financing and advancing the application of blockchain technology.
Design/methodology/approach
An evolutionary game framework is employed to analyze the dynamics of financing behaviors before and after the blockchain implementation. Simulation methods are utilized to examine how different factors, including concealing costs, penalty structures and disposal prices, influence decision-making processes within IPF system.
Findings
Under IPF, the interactions of participants are shaped by asset management capabilities, reinvestment returns and penalties for fraud. As concealing costs increase, the likelihood of reaching a (loose regulation, compliant pledge) equilibrium rises. Post-blockchain implementation (IPFB), the equilibrium is influenced by default losses and compliance gains. Blockchain technology enhances regulation, effectively reducing fraud risks.
Originality/value
This study bridges significant gaps by offering a dynamic and behavioral perspective on IPF in the context of blockchain technology. Using an evolutionary game framework, the study uncovers how blockchain reshapes decision-making processes, mitigates fraud risks and enhances regulatory efficiency. By integrating cost structures and compliance incentives, it offers novel insights into behavioral shifts and systemic improvements in financing ecosystems.
Details
Keywords
João Francisco Pinto Anaruma, Jorge Henrique Caldeira de Oliveira, Francisco Anaruma Filho, Wesley Ricardo de Souza Freitas and Adriano Alves Teixeira
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and map the main areas of the Circular Economy literature of the first two decades of 21st century, offering a broad vision about the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and map the main areas of the Circular Economy literature of the first two decades of 21st century, offering a broad vision about the growth of the theme during these years.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was divided into two stages: the first was a systematic review of literature and the second consisted on generation and analysis of bibliographic maps.
Findings
The publication indicates the prominence of China and European Union countries in the production of articles about Circular Economy. Furthermore, the topic is restricted to academic area, and that research on Circular Economy is still very focused on theory studies, even with exponential growth in the number of published articles about the theme since 2015. Finally, it also provides a collection of information as the principal authors, the most cited publications, citations, co-citations and countries that have most published beyond which are the most discussed topics.
Research limitations/implications
A possible limitation of the research is that it was performed only in the Scopus database. It may be suggested as future searches that other databases are included as well, and another suggestion is to reduce the time period between research samples due to the exponential increase in the number of publications and topics discussed lately.
Practical implications
The results of this paper can guide future researches about the development of Circular Economy during the next decades or years and serve as a facilitator for researchers and for managers that want to know more about the topic.
Originality/value
A mapping of the principal players and main discussions about Circular Economy made in the first two decades of the 21st century and an analysis about the growth and changes about the theme.
Details
Keywords
Minhaj Ali and Dervis Kirikkaleli
In order to achieve sustainable development objectives, safeguard the ecosystem, combat global warming and preserve biodiversity for a more sustainable and secure future, the…
Abstract
Purpose
In order to achieve sustainable development objectives, safeguard the ecosystem, combat global warming and preserve biodiversity for a more sustainable and secure future, the ecological footprint (EF) must be reduced. Therefore, embracing holistic methods, emphasizing renewable energy (RN) and environmental taxes (ET) is crucial. Therefore, the present study aims to capture the effect of ET and RN on EF in Germany.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve this aim, the novel Fourier-based Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ADL) cointegration and the time and frequency-based connections among the variables are investigated in this work throughout the 1994–2021 time span using the wavelet analytic methods, including wavelet power spectrum (WPS) and wavelet coherence (WC) methods, respectively.
Findings
The study’s results express that (1) RN, ET and EF are cointegrated in the long run; (2) EF and RN have volatility; (3) RN use in Germany prevents environmental deterioration and (4) ET decreases EF.
Practical implications
The research findings imply that Germany needs rigorous environmental restrictions and enforcement of alternate energy sources for energy use plans and sustainable production objectives.
Originality/value
To the best of our knowledge, the effect of RN and ET on EF in Germany has not been comprehensively explored by using newly developed econometrics techniques and a single dataset. Therefore, the study provides important policy implementations for the German government and is also likely to open debate on the concept.