Tonglong Zhang, Xiaowen Huang, Lina Zhang and Linxiu Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to assess the development of China's rural labor markets and the identification of the important factors that affect rural labor's off-farm employment…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the development of China's rural labor markets and the identification of the important factors that affect rural labor's off-farm employment and migration.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a set of long-term panel data, this paper makes a clear judgment on the trend of rural labor transfer. High-quality survey design makes it possible to examine the development of the rural labor market from multiple dimensions. Adding household fixed effects to the empirical model alleviates endogenous problems.
Findings
The authors find that the increasing trend toward off-farm employment, which is dominated by migration, has continued. There are some other important findings: (1). young male workers dominated off-farm employment, but the gap between groups continues to narrow; (2). the structure of employment is a good response to the economic transformation and (3). the quality of off-farm laborers, especially in terms of human capital, has also enhanced significantly and has continued to support off-farm employment and migration. These findings all indicate that the China's rural labor markets have been constantly improving in recent years, although there is still segmentation.
Originality/value
It is the first paper that uses a nationally representative survey data to address the development of rural labor market in the 21st century. With the help of a long-term panel data structure and by controlling the household-level fixed-effect, the authors obtained a deeper and more robust conclusion. Specifically, this article finds that whether it is for the off-farm transfer or the migration, the influence of labor age, gender, human capital and marital status is gradually weakening.
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W. Rocky Newman, Mark D. Hanna, Thomas Gattiker and Xiaowen Huang
This paper proposes a framework that describes the boundary spanning supply chain management (SCM) initiatives taken by leading companies. Supported by existing literature and…
Abstract
This paper proposes a framework that describes the boundary spanning supply chain management (SCM) initiatives taken by leading companies. Supported by existing literature and interviews with managers from large companies reflecting a cross section of businesses, the framework suggests four motivating domains or factors that could support SCM initiatives. They are supply chain understanding, design, improvement, and coordination. Based on the sand cone model, the framework also suggests four levels of SCM integration over which these motivating factors are relevant to the firm and/or supply chain. They range from no integration outside the functional silos of a single firm to a fully integrated multi‐tier supply chain. Unlike existing frameworks that are based upon the flow of material and information through the supply chain, our framework is derived by combining the concept of integration with the motivating domains that characterize SCM initiatives. It captures the combined and overlapping impact of supply chain initiatives from a more strategic perspective and is a useful additional resource for practitioners who seek to chart potential improvements to their supply chain from a competitive standpoint.
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Mehmet Murat Kristal, Xiaowen Huang and Roger G. Schroeder
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of quality management (QM) in the development of mass customization (MC) capability. QM is modeled as a second‐order construct…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of quality management (QM) in the development of mass customization (MC) capability. QM is modeled as a second‐order construct reflected by six QM practices (small group problem solving, top management leadership for quality, information and feedback, process management, customer focus, and supplier involvement). The paper proposes that these six practices reflect the core principles of QM, and in turn QM contributes to the development of MC capability.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the survey data collected from 167 manufacturing plants in three industries and eight countries, structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results provide empirical evidence supporting the proposed relationships between QM and MC capability.
Research limitations/implications
The dataset for this paper is cross‐sectional. Future studies should consider a longitudinal setting that would provide a deeper understanding of causal relationships. Second, an existing database was used, thereby limiting the choices of variables analyzed.
Practical implications
The findings of empirical support for the positive impact of QM practices on MC capability provide guidance for managers in the allocation of resources for QM efforts in their pursuit of MC capability.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies to shed light on the effects of QM on MC capability. The paper presents an explanation on how QM helps to develop MC capability and also finds empirical evidence supporting such a relationship.
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Xiaowen Huang and Byron J. Finch
The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the validity of a two‐factor theory for seller service quality in the online auction context.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the validity of a two‐factor theory for seller service quality in the online auction context.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 2,000 buyer feedbacks about seller performance (1,000 positive and 1,000 negative) was collected from eBay. Content analysis of positive and negative feedback was conducted and the frequencies of mention of specific service quality attributes were compared.
Findings
Analysis of total mentions and exclusive mentions of service quality attributes showed significantly different content for positive and negative feedback, supporting the validity of two‐factor theory in this context and adding to the understanding of customer expectations in this environment.
Practical implications
The paper's findings can guide sellers' allocation of efforts in service design, so they can establish and maintain the reputation necessary to attract bidders and successfully compete in high‐risk online environments like eBay.
Originality/value
The paper extends the understanding of quality determinants in a service environment substantially different to traditional environments because of the risks to which buyers are exposed, information asymmetry, and the lack of previous experience with buyers. In addition, the finding of support for two‐factor theory is in a direct contrast with the conventional, one‐factor model subscribed by most quality researchers in the operations management field, and highlights the importance of investigating customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction separately in the online auction environment.
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D Backham, F Boyle and M Wiechers
The University of Liverpool Library like other large academic libraries is constantly looking at the resource implications of supporting and maintaining a growing portfolio of…
Abstract
The University of Liverpool Library like other large academic libraries is constantly looking at the resource implications of supporting and maintaining a growing portfolio of electronic resources within the hybrid library. The streamlining of the maintenance of electronic journals within the Innovative Interface Inc. Innopac environment is described, as are local cataloguing procedures. The practical solution of one point of record maintenance whilst maintaining two routes to resource‐linking is outlined.
Xuwei Jin, Shize Huang, Xiaowen Liu, Jing Zhou, Jinzhe Qin, Decun Dong and Xingying Li
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) on communication systems of unban rail transit can hardly be clarified because of complicated factors around railways. This paper aims to target…
Abstract
Purpose
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) on communication systems of unban rail transit can hardly be clarified because of complicated factors around railways. This paper aims to target this issue and extend experimental and theoretical analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper take the Nanjing Dashengguan Bridge as an example, because it carries the most tracks in the world and bears three kinds of trains running through, providing a perfect complex environment. First, it investigates the three communication systems, terrestrial trunked radio, communications-based train control (CBTC) and passenger information system (PIS) that Nanjing Metro uses, and select appropriate devices accordingly. Second, it establishes a system level platform and conduct three tests to analyze their respective operating principles and performance difference under common electromagnetic environments. Third, it adopts theoretical formula to verify test results.
Findings
The experiment results and theoretical analysis mutually corroborate each other and present practical recommendations: an 8 m or more distance between two tracks will ensure no obvious EMI created by a passing train on communication systems; two certain communication systems should not share the same frequency band; interference level is more related to field strength than weathers and building materials; and CBTC DSSS waveguide mode as well as PIS LTE mode are preferred.
Originality/value
This research also provides a practical method of investigating EMI for other complex situations.
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Haijie Huang, Changjiang Lyu and Xiaowen Zhu
The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of second generation involvement on corporate innovation in Chinese family firms.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of second generation involvement on corporate innovation in Chinese family firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the manually collected sample of listed Chinese family firms from 2003 to 2014, the study empirically examines the impact of second generation involvement on corporate innovation. The authors apply a difference-in-differences research design and a Heckman two-stage least squares regression to relieve the endogeneity concerns.
Findings
The research finds a positive relationship between second generation involvement and corporate innovation. This effect is more pronounced among the firms appointing second generation family members with overseas training experience and firms with weak external monitoring. Further analysis shows that the curtailment of related party transactions and the improvement of accounting information quality are important channels.
Practical implications
The findings provide several practical implications for Chinese family firms to survive the succession process and maintain competitive advantages across generations.
Originality/value
First, this study is helpful to understand the strategies adopted by family firms to maintain their long-term competitiveness and pursue continuing growth across generations. Second, the findings are also consistent with the transfer cost hypothesis of Fan et al. (2012) and Bennedsen et al. (2015). Finally, the findings imply that second generation involvement has a substitutive effect for external monitoring mechanisms.
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Zhenzhong Zhu, Xiaowen Zhao, Minghui Shan and Haipeng (Allan) Chen
Language styles of online reviews are becoming increasingly important in consumers’ purchase decisions. However, there are inconsistencies in research on the effects of literal…
Abstract
Purpose
Language styles of online reviews are becoming increasingly important in consumers’ purchase decisions. However, there are inconsistencies in research on the effects of literal and figurative language styles in online reviews on service consumption. Drawing upon construal level theory, this research explores the effects of literal and figurative online reviews on consumers’ word-of-mouth recommendations and their internal mechanisms in the context of service consumption. In addition, this research identifies service types (experience vs credence services) as boundary conditions under which online review language styles play a role.
Design/methodology/approach
Three studies are designed to verify the effect of language style in online reviews on consumer word-of-mouth recommendations. Study 1 (N = 195) tests the interaction between construal level and (literal vs figurative) language style on consumers’ word-of-mouth recommendations. Study 2 (N = 191) identifies the depth of information processing as an underlying mechanism. Study 3 (N = 466) examines the boundary condition due to service type. The main methods used are independent sample t-test, ANOVA and bootstrapping.
Findings
The results illustrate that (1) consumers at different construal levels prefer online reviews with different language styles, and this can influence their word-of-mouth recommendations: consumers with a low construal level prefer online reviews with a literal language style, while those with a high construal level prefer online reviews with a figurative language style; (2) the depth of information processing plays a mediating role in the above interaction effect and (3) service type serves as a boundary condition such that the preference for literal (vs figurative) language style among low- (vs high-) construal-level consumers holds only for experience services; for credence services, online reviews with a literal language style enhance word-of-mouth recommendations, regardless of consumers’ construal level. The findings shed light on the drivers of word-of-mouth recommendations and provide insights to promote more effective word-of-mouth recommendations.
Originality/value
Drawing upon the construal level theory, this research explores the factors that influence online review language styles on consumer word-of-mouth recommendations and their underlying mechanisms and discusses the moderating effects of different service types (i.e. experience services and trust services). It not only sheds light on the contradictions in the previous literature but also provides new insights for academics and business managers to deepen their understanding of facilitating word-of-mouth recommendations.
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Bing Xu and Xiaowen Hu
– The purpose of this paper is to find alternative strategies to change negative output gaps in China.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find alternative strategies to change negative output gaps in China.
Design/methodology/approach
A path Philips curves approach is proposed to investigate output gaps, which develops hybrid Philips curves with the control variables of money, house prices and interest rates.
Findings
An alternative strategy to stop the decline in output gaps rate is to perform interest rate, house price, and money growth rate about 3, 1 and 15 percent, respectively. The results also indicate that only one of monetary increase, changes in interest rates, and house price adjustments are difficult to change the negative output gap.
Practical implications
Alternative strategies cannot only change the negative output gap, but also succeed in pushing the inflation rate down to 3 percent.
Originality/value
This study provides a new path Philips curves to simulate how the macroscopic control variables influence output and inflation. It provides a useful insight for stopping the decline in output gaps.
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Tomoya Kawasaki, Takuma Matsuda, Yui-yip Lau and Xiaowen Fu
In the maritime industry, it is vital to have a reliable forecast of container shipping demand. Although indicators of economic conditions have been used in modeling container…
Abstract
Purpose
In the maritime industry, it is vital to have a reliable forecast of container shipping demand. Although indicators of economic conditions have been used in modeling container shipping demand on major routes such as those from East Asia to the USA, the duration of such indicators’ effects on container movement demand have not been systematically examined. To bridge this gap in research, this study aims to identify the important US economic indicators that significantly affect the volume of container movements and empirically reveal the duration of such impacts.
Design/methodology/approach
The durability of economic indicators on container movements is identified by a vector autoregression (VAR) model using monthly-based time-series data. In the VAR model, this paper can analyze the effect of economic indicators at t-k on container movement at time t. In the model, this paper considers nine US economic indicators as explanatory variables that are likely to affect container movements. Time-series data are used for 228 months from January 2001 to December 2019.
Findings
In the mainland China route, “building permission” receives high impact and has a duration of 14 months, reflecting the fact that China exports a high volume of housing-related goods to the USA. Regarding the South Korea and Japan routes, where high volumes of machinery goods are exported to the USA, the “index of industrial production” receives a high impact with 11 and 13 months’ duration, respectively. On the Taiwan route, as several types of goods are transported with significant shares, “building permits” and “index of industrial production” have important effects.
Originality/value
Freight demand forecasting for bulk cargo is a popular research field because of the public availability of several time-series data. However, no study to date has measured the impact and durability of economic indicators on container movement. To bridge the gap in the literature in terms of the impact of economic indicators and their durability, this paper developed a time-series model of the container movement from East Asia to the USA.