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1 – 10 of 47Yong Qin, Xinxin Wang, Zeshui Xu and Marinko Skare
The debate over differences in the behaviors of firms facing globalization is ongoing. This study examines whether globalization impacts the behavior of family firms and if this…
Abstract
Purpose
The debate over differences in the behaviors of firms facing globalization is ongoing. This study examines whether globalization impacts the behavior of family firms and if this influence differs between family and non-family firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on panel data from the Amadeus database on 62 family firms and 98 non-family firms in Europe, the authors employ panel vector autoregression estimation and the Wald test of Granger causality to verify our conjecture. Additional impulse response functions and the forecast error variance decomposition technique were applied to illustrate complementary shock dynamics. Additionally, the KOF globalization index is used as a proxy for globalization.
Findings
The results show that globalization visibly impacts family and non-family firms, but the polarity and extent of the effect are different. The authors demonstrate that family firms are in a more favorable position regarding globalization and are less vulnerable to the adverse effects of the globalization process. In contrast, non-family firms fare worse, generating adverse effects. Non-family firms take a more open stance toward globalization than family firms' more conservative behaviors.
Research limitations/implications
Of course, there are some limitations to the work presented in this paper. On the one hand, the authors’ data span only ten years due to data limitations. This causes the generalizability of the results to be hindered. Therefore, the authors encourage scholars to collect more time series data to increase confidence in the empirical results in future studies. On the other hand, the selection of proxy indicators concerning family firm behavior is mainly focused on financial and employment facets. A multidimensional selection of indicators could make the findings of this study more convincing. Despite its limitations, the study certainly adds to the authors’ understanding of its behavior and globalization activities.
Practical implications
The authors’ findings have twofold theoretical and practical implications, as they highlight the necessity of developing specific policies aimed at reducing the gap between family and non-family facing globalization and promoting sustainable operations of non-family firms. Although family firms tend to be more frugal and conservative in their overall decision-making, it should be acknowledged that stockholder and stakeholder interest-oriented corporate management policies have made them more capable of steadily improving corporate performance in the sweep of globalization.
Social implications
To this end, this study deepens the authors’ understanding of the theory of global governance of family firms. It also provides possible paths and directions for future theoretical research on family firms. Globalization affects both family and non-family firms, but our results suggest that family firms are better able to withstand the adverse effects of globalization shocks and adopt efficient governance paths and strategic thinking to gain a competitive advantage. In this regard, the authors encourage non-family firms to actively learn from family firms' operational practices and systems to achieve better adaptability.
Originality/value
This study provides strong empirical evidence on the effectiveness of family firms' governance patterns and business behavior under globalization. Additionally, this study also reveals that managers can learn from the practical experience of family firms to help them confront business crises and gain a sustainable competitive advantage.
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Village-level archives are the most basic construction unit of rural archives in China, yet the village-level archival work is the most poorly delivered. However, the evolution of…
Abstract
Purpose
Village-level archives are the most basic construction unit of rural archives in China, yet the village-level archival work is the most poorly delivered. However, the evolution of the laws and rules on village-level archival work in recent years signal that Chinese village-level archival work has stepped into a new era. In this context, this article aims to review the detailed history of village-level archival legislation, examine the legislation’ implementation effect and discuss the existing problems with a view to providing improvement measures.
Design/methodology/approach
A historical research method is used to review the legislation’ history, and the analysis involving the implementation effect is mainly based on literature of two kinds, which are investigation reports on sample villages’ archival work carried out by scholars, and summary reports and work schemes on national or local village-level archival work given by the archival management or administrative management departments at various level.
Findings
At first, China only issued non-legal administrative orders toward village-level archival work. Later, some regions issued local rules, and finally the national rules and even Archives Law with relevant provisions were promulgated. However, their implementation faced two fundamental problems; firstly the insufficient endogenous demand for archival work in some villages, and secondly the mechanism problem involving village level archives management. The countermeasures are also discussed building on these two points.
Originality/value
This is the first article to systematically combine a review of the history of Chinese village-level archival legislation and in addition to examine their implementation effect including analyzing the existing problems from the macro level.
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Liping Ding, Jiangshan Li, Yuqing Wang, Jing Shuai and Xinxin Xu
Under the pressure of environment degradation and energy consumption rises, solar photovoltaic power generation (SPPG) has been seen as a strategic emerging industry in China…
Abstract
Purpose
Under the pressure of environment degradation and energy consumption rises, solar photovoltaic power generation (SPPG) has been seen as a strategic emerging industry in China. However, the SPPG projects have many uncertain factors in the process of the life cycle. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the investment risk comprehensively.
Design/methodology/approach
Specifically, this paper firstly identified the risk factors and consequences of SPPG project investment and constructed the investment risk factor evaluation index system. Secondly, the factor analysis method was used to reveal the key investment risk factors and risk consequences. Then, the research hypotheses and conceptual model were proposed, and the empirical analysis was conducted based on the structural equation model (SEM).
Findings
The results showed that the six key risk factors (political, economic, technological, management, market and natural) have a significant impact on the risks during the whole period. The influence degree of risk factors in the operational period is such that market factor > political factor > economic factor > management factor > natural factor > technical factor. In addition, the risk of constructional period has a significant impact during the risk of operational period. Except for natural factors, all risk factors are correlated among the mutual influence relationship of risk factors. Finally, this paper puts forward management implications based on the above conclusions: effectively identify investment risk factors and comprehensively improve risk management ability; (refine the risk factors of SPPG project investment and develop targeted risk prevention and control strategies; define risk management objectives and make relevant strategic plans.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.
Practical implications
It can also help stakeholders propose risk prevention strategies throughout the entire process, to promote the sustainable development of SPPG projects.
Originality/value
This study focuses on the investment risk of SPPG projects, by building an evaluation index system to identify key risk factors, and then establishes a SEM covering constructional period risks and operational period risks to better explore SPPG project risks, in an effort to reveal the mutual influence relationship and influence path of investment risk factors of the projects.
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Jianbin Liao, Xinxin Liu, Shengzui Xu, Liangyu Liu, Yunxiang Li, Wei Wang and Zhiqiang Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the oscillating trajectory of the paddle of a fin-wheel underwater robot to enhance its propulsion efficiency in water. This robot can…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the oscillating trajectory of the paddle of a fin-wheel underwater robot to enhance its propulsion efficiency in water. This robot can be used for underwater detection and military operations.
Design/methodology/approach
By studying the propulsion mode of underwater fin-based robots, it is found that such robots periodically generate a large reverse thrust during the swing process, resulting in low propulsion efficiency. Therefore, according to the propulsion characteristics of the oscillating paddle in the underwater environment, the hydrodynamic model and physical constraints of the oscillating paddle are established. Then, the oscillating gait trajectory of the paddle is optimized by the trajectory optimization method. The performance of the optimized trajectory was tested in the simulation environment and the actual underwater environment.
Findings
The prototype of the robot was built and tested in a small swimming pool. The research results confirm that the propulsion efficiency of the optimized trajectory is higher than that of the traditional trajectory under the condition of the same amplitude and period. Specifically, the maximum speed of the robot can reach 0.24 m/s when using the optimized trajectory, which is about 50% higher than that before optimization.
Originality/value
The optimized trajectory with the generated impulse as the optimization target is applied to the paddle oscillation, which can improve the thrust impulse generated by the fin-wheel underwater robot during underwater motion, thereby greatly improving the underwater propulsion efficiency and moving speed.
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Qiao Liang, Yining Xu, Xinxin Wang and Songqing Jin
This paper explores the effect of financial support on farmer cooperative development in the Chinese context, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of public inputs and draw…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the effect of financial support on farmer cooperative development in the Chinese context, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of public inputs and draw implications for the sustainable development of cooperatives. The variance of the effect in different sectors, i.e. crop, forestry, husbandry, fishery and services, is investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Provincial-level panel data from 2007 to 2017 are used for this study. A linear dynamic panel regression model is estimated using multiple estimation methods, i.e. the generalized method of moments (GMMs), fixed-effect model and ordinary least squares (OLS) are applied.
Findings
The empirical analyses indicate that the role of the government is important for the development of farmer cooperatives but limited in some specific aspects. First, the coverage of financial support is positively associated with the growth of cooperative population and membership size, but the strength of financial support, measured by the total amount of financial support divided by local agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), has no statistically significant effects on the development of cooperatives. Second, financial support does not exhibit significant influence on the revenue of cooperatives. Third, the magnitude of the effect of government support on cooperative development is heterogeneous across different sectors.
Originality/value
The research study adds to the institutional economics literature on the association between institutional environment and organization development by focusing on a particular and an important type of organization, i.e. farmer cooperatives. It is one of the attempts and a most extensive study to empirically investigate the role of financial support in the development of farmer cooperatives.
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Xuecheng Fan, Xinxin Wang, Zeshui Xu and Marinko Skare
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the food price inflation convergence across countries and regions. This study aims to identify the key drivers for food price inflation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the food price inflation convergence across countries and regions. This study aims to identify the key drivers for food price inflation across countries and regions.
Design/methodology/approach
We test whether the international food price inflations are converging over time using the log t convergence test and clustering analysis. These inflation data are collected from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Findings
The test results suggest that there is little evidence of overall convergence. Then we utilize a clustering algorithm and the results support that there is strong evidence of multiple convergence clubs. In addition, we examine the transition path of the various convergence and find that social stability regulation together with economic conditions are important determinants of convergence club membership.
Research limitations/implications
First off, local conflict and economic environment result in food supply and prices, but this study is limited to the dynamics of prices.
Practical implications
Food prices inflations are not converging to single common price inflation, but there exist subgroups of countries or regions within which food price inflation tends to converge. These groupings tend to be related to the economic development and social stability of countries and regions.
Social implications
The authors believe that any analysis of food price inflations that does not consider the political environment and economic conditions dynamics will likely be omitting important components of food price dynamics.
Originality/value
This study uses a unique data set covering 198 countries and regions and provides a comprehensive analysis of international food price inflation convergence identifying the key drivers of convergence club membership.
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Na Hao, H. Holly Wang, Xinxin Wang and Wetzstein Michael
This study aims to test the compensatory consumption theory with the explicit hypothesis that China's new-rich tend to waste relatively more food.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to test the compensatory consumption theory with the explicit hypothesis that China's new-rich tend to waste relatively more food.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors use Heckman two-step probit model to empirically investigate the new-rich consumption behavior related to food waste.
Findings
The results show that new-rich is associated with restaurant leftovers and less likely to take them home, which supports the compensatory consumption hypothesis.
Practical implications
Understanding the empirical evidence supporting compensatory consumption theory may improve forecasts, which feed into early warning systems for food insecurity. And it also avoids unreasonable food policies.
Originality/value
This research is a first attempt to place food waste in a compensatory-consumption perspective, which sheds light on a new theory for explaining increasing food waste in developing countries.
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Social participation (SP) has been shown to have a favorable impact on health status, particularly among elders in developed countries. However, empirical study is scarce for…
Abstract
Purpose
Social participation (SP) has been shown to have a favorable impact on health status, particularly among elders in developed countries. However, empirical study is scarce for China. This study explores the relation between social participation (SP) and health status among middle-aged adults and elders in China when controlled socioeconomic characteristics of individuals.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper employs an empirical study based on the data from a three-wave national longitudinal survey: the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011, 2013 to 2015. It collects data from 28,895 individuals aged 45–84. It uses lagged variable method (LV) to address the reverse causality problem, and the random-effects model or fixed-effect model to address the heterogeneity problem.
Findings
The paper finds the social participation positively affect self-reported health statistically. The influence of social participation on self-reported health flows through two channels: the improved mental health effect (SP-MH-SRH channel) and the increased income effect (SP-income-SRH channel). In comparison with the SAP-income-SRH channel, the influence of the SP-MH-SRH channel l is greater.
Research limitations/implications
First, the absence of other measures of volunteering, such as hours of social participation that are not available in the employed dataset. Second, even though the LV model and FE model are used in the paper, there may remain the endogeneity problem in the results. Third, the influences of formal and informal social participation should be distinguished in the future research.
Social implications
Social participation may improve the self-reported health status. The influence of SP on health may be due to the improved mental health effect (SP-MH-SRH channel). In order to improve the mental and physical health status of middle-aged adults and elders the government should consider even more promotion of social participation.
Originality/value
First, this paper focuses on the correlation between social participation and well-being (self-reported health) of middle-aged adults and elderly in China, the previous studies on the issue for China are scarce. Second, this paper uses the lagged variable method (LV) to address the reverse causal relation problem, and the fixed-effects model or the random-effects model to address the heterogeneity problem. Third, the two channels (the improved mental health effect and the increased income effect) are firstly investigated in this study.
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Xinxin Fu, Yanjun Chen, Minggang Sun and Tengjiang Yu
The service performance for colored asphalt pavement is inevitably affected by the addition of different colorants, especially the challenge of low temperature environment in cold…
Abstract
Purpose
The service performance for colored asphalt pavement is inevitably affected by the addition of different colorants, especially the challenge of low temperature environment in cold regions. Therefore, the purpose of study is to explore the effects of different colorants on the service performance for colored asphalt pavement and to provide a foundation for improving the applicability of colored asphalt pavement in cold regions.
Design/methodology/approach
In the study, three kinds of colorants (iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide green) were used to compare the influence of different colorants amounts and different colorants kinds on the service performance for colored asphalt pavement in cold regions. According to the characteristics of low temperature in cold regions, the effects of different colorants on the low temperature performance for colored asphalt pavement were studied.
Findings
The study shows that different colorants have different effects on the service performance of colored asphalt pavement. The high temperature performance increases with the increase of the colorants amount, but the low temperature performance is opposite. Additionally, the yellow colored asphalt pavement has more advantages of low temperature adaptation than the red and green colored asphalt pavement.
Originality/value
The study results provide a certain theoretical foundation for the application of colored asphalt pavement in cold regions and have certain value and significance for the further development of colored asphalt pavement.
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Short-form videos have gradually become important marketing tools for tourist destinations. However, chaotic sources and homogenized content have led to poor user experiences…
Abstract
Purpose
Short-form videos have gradually become important marketing tools for tourist destinations. However, chaotic sources and homogenized content have led to poor user experiences. Taking Kulangsu and Xi'an City Wall in China as examples, this study explored the influence of matching short-form video sources with destination types on user engagement and visit intention.
Design/methodology/approach
This study selected three short-form videos from different sources for each destination on TikTok and conducted an empirical research using a 3 × 2 experimental design to examine the proposed research model.
Findings
The results showed that the matching effect between short-form video sources and destination types will positively affect user engagement and visit intention. (1) the short-form videos with user-generated content (UGC) or professional user-generated content (PUGC) in hedonic destinations can obtain higher user engagement and visit intention; (2) the short-form videos with professionally generated content (PGC) or PUGC in utilitarian destinations can obtain higher user engagement and visit intention and (3) perceived credibility and perceived usefulness played mediating roles in these interactions.
Originality/value
This study considers short-form video sources as antecedent variables influencing user engagement and visit intention and confirms the matching effect between short-form video sources and tourism destination types. The findings will help researchers and marketers better understand the impact of short-form video on destination marketing.
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