Search results

This paper aims to understand the role that money plays in polygamous marriages among the Hui ethnic group in Northwest China.

This study conducted in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations based on snowball sampling of individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate from June to December 2010, and during the summer of 2011, in Qinghai in Northwest China. Follow-up interviews and observations were conducted in 2015.

This study examines how love and money intersect and work together to sustain the participants’ polygamous marriages. The study concludes that material desires unite love with money to make love consumable. With the help of money, love between the sexes is transformed into desirable consumption through economic activities associated with leisure, gift giving and religious beliefs to articulate individualism

This study is the first to explore money’s role in the experience of polygamy among the Hui ethnic group in China.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influencing factors of new logistics service product design (NLSPD) in China to establish a theoretical framework for the future development of the logistics industry.

The paper adopts the multi-case study method based on a sample of four Chinese logistics enterprises, in which the authors consider the logistics service maturity (LSM), a distinct characteristic of logistics enterprises.

NLSPD is directly related to the degree of supply–demand matching (SDM) and LSM. Customer demand, service capability and peer competition influence the performance of NLSPD through the SDM degree, whereas LSM moderates these influencing mechanisms. Moreover, the degree of SDM has a positive impact on LSM.

The findings can help the managers of logistics enterprises and practitioners in the logistics industry understand the complexity of NLSPD. First, they should broaden and deepen their service offering to enhance the degree of LSM. Second, they should pay attention to the factors that affect SDM systematically. Finally, it is vital to balance the relationship between LSM and SDM.

NLSPD has become an important tool affecting the competitiveness and sustainability of logistics service enterprises. This is the first paper to propose a theoretical framework for NLSPD that considers the characteristic of the logistics industry. It clarifies the mechanisms of influencing factors, and contributes to the literature by filling the research gap.

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the selection of a distribution channel strategy for a non‐profit organization selling products or services to its end customers.

Two channel strategies are generally considered: an integrated channel where the non‐profit organization sells its products or services using its own selling departments or branches; and a decentralized channel where the non‐profit organization sells through a for‐profit retailer. The fundamental question is: how should a non‐profit organization select its distribution channel strategy under certain market conditions?

It was found that selecting a decentralized channel strategy results in an optimal retail price that is higher than that under an integrated channel strategy, which results in lower customer welfare under the decentralized channel. It was also found that a decentralized channel behaves as an integrated fully for‐profit channel. Thus, whether a non‐profit organization should choose an integrated or a decentralized channel when facing competition from an integrated or a decentralized fully for‐profit channel depends on its cost structure and the level of substitutability of the products or services offered by the two channels.

When competing with an integrated fully for‐profit channel, the non‐profit organization is better off using an integrated channel under strong competition or a decentralized channel under weak competition. When competing with a decentralized fully for‐profit channel, the selection is more complicated. It was found that a decentralized channel is the best choice if the price competition factor, where threshold value depends on the cost structure, is large.

Non‐profit organizations have a clear (perhaps increasing) need for distribution centers or retailers in order to reach people who need their products or services. Moreover, it has been reported that the interactions between for‐profit and non‐profit sectors continue to grow, thus increasing the forms of community involvement available to reach people. It is thus clear that additional research is needed to better understand the selection of a distribution channel strategy for a non‐profit organization selling products or services to its end customers, and also the related managerial implications.

This study aims to gain a better understanding of artificial serendipity – pre-planned surprises intentionally crafted through deliberate designs – in online marketplaces. By exploring the key features of artificial serendipity, this study investigates whether serendipity can be intentionally designed, particularly with the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The findings from this research broaden the scope of serendipity studies, making them more relevant and applicable in the context of the AI era.

A narrative study was conducted, gathering insights from 32 Chinese online consumers through diaries and interviews. The data were analysed in close collaboration with participants, ensuring an authentic reflection of their perceptions regarding the features of artificial serendipity in online marketplaces.

Findings reveal that artificial serendipity, particularly when designed by AI, is still regarded by online consumers as genuine serendipity. It provides a sense of real surprise and encourages deeper reflection on personal knowledge, affording the two central qualities of genuine serendipity: unexpectedness and valuableness. However, since artificial serendipity is pre-planned through intentional design, consumers cannot have entire control over it. Therefore, compared to natural serendipity – fortune surprises arising from accidental correspondence between individuals and contexts – artificial serendipity tends to be more surprising yet less valuable.

For research, it highlights the potential of intelligent technologies to facilitate genuine serendipity, updating our understanding of serendipity.

Also, the study provides practical insights into designing serendipity, especially in online markets. These contributions enrich both the theoretical framework and practical strategies surrounding serendipity in the era of AI.

This study stands out as one of the few to provide a nuanced understanding of artificial serendipity, offering valuable insights for both research and practice. For research, it highlights the potential of intelligent technologies to facilitate genuine serendipity, updating our understanding of serendipity. Also, the study provides practical insights into designing serendipity, especially in online markets. These contributions enrich both the theoretical framework and practical strategies surrounding serendipity in the era of AI.

The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of agricultural internet information (AII) acquisition on climate-resilient variety adoption among rice farmers in the Jianghan Plain region of China. Additionally, it explores the influencing channels involved in this process.

Based on survey data for 877 rice farmers from 10 counties in the Jianghan Plain, China, this paper used an econometric approach to estimate the impact of AII acquisition on farmers’ adoption of climate-resilient varieties. A recursive bivariate Probit model was used to address endogeneity issues and obtain accurate estimates. Furthermore, three main influencing mechanisms were proposed and tested, which are broadening information channels, enhancing social interactions and improving agricultural skills.

The results show that acquiring AII can overall enhance the likelihood of farmers adopting climate-resilient varieties by 36.8%. The three influencing channels are empirically confirmed. Besides, educational attainment, income and peer effects can facilitate farmers’ acquisition of AII, while climate conditions and age significantly influence the adoption of climate-resilient varieties.

Practical recommendations are put forward to help farmers build climate resilience, including investing in rural internet infrastructures, enhancing farmers’ digital literacy and promoting the dissemination of climate-resilient information through diverse internet platforms.

Strengthening climate resilience is essential for sustaining the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring national food security; however, the role of internet information has received limited attention. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the casual relationship between internet information and climate resilience, which fills the research gap.

This study investigated the intention of carriers to switch to green vehicles in last-mile delivery (GVLDs) in an emerging market.

A research model was developed based on the association between consumption value theory (CVT), perceived GVLD knowledge and environmental concern. An online survey was administered to carriers who use conventional vehicles for last-mile delivery. This study examined the model using structural equation modeling.

Results indicate that environmental concern and attitudes toward adopting GVLDs are significantly cultivated through consumption value. Specifically, epistemic value was the most significant in promoting environmental awareness, while social value was paramount in fostering attitudes toward GVLDs. Furthermore, perceived GVLD knowledge motivated consumption value. Similarly, environmental concern positively impacted attitudes toward adopting GVLDs. Finally, environmental concerns and attitudes induced carriers’ intention to switch to GVLDs.

The findings can help policymakers, manufacturers and logistics providers understand carriers’ decisions of shifting to GVLDs from a perspective of perceived consumption value, green product knowledge and environmental preservation while discussing practical recommendations for promoting the switch to GVLDs.

This study is an early endeavor that elucidates the switching behavior toward adopting GVLDs. It emphasizes incorporating perceived GVLD knowledge and environmental concern into CVT in the context of a developing country. This study enriches the understanding of how to promote environmental awareness and attitudes toward adopting GVLDs.

Design, fabricate and evaluate all-solid-state wearable sensor systems that can monitor ion concentrations in human sweat to provide real time health analysis and disease diagnosis capabilities.

A human health monitoring system includes disposable customized flexible electrode array and a compact signal transmission-processing electronic unit.

Patterned rGO (reduced-graphene oxide) layers can replace traditional metal electrodes for the fabrication of free-standing all solid film sensors to provide improved flexibility, sensitivity, selectivity, and stability in ion concentration monitoring. Electrochemical measurements show the open circuit potential of current selective electrodes exhibit near Nernst responses versus Na+ and K+ ion concentration in sweat. These signals show great stability during a typical measurement period of 3 weeks. Sensor performances evaluated through real time measurements on human subjects show strong correlations between subject activity and sweating levels, confirming high degree of robustness, sensitivity, reliability and practicality of current sensor systems.

In improving flexibility, stability and interfacial coherency of chemical sensor arrays, rGO films have been the developed as a high-performance alternative to conventional electrode with significant cost and processing complexity reduction. rGO supported solid state electrode arrays have been found to have linear potential response versus ion concentration, suitable for electrochemical sensing applications. Current sweat sensor system has a high degree of integration, including electrode arrays, signal processing circuits, and data visualization interfaces.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the hotel growth model including hotel brand, culture and life cycle phases of the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the fastest growing tourism destination in the United States.

Culture reflecting consuming behaviour of low-context innovators and high-context imitators is measured by the price elasticity of demand (PED). Hotel brand reflecting guests’ hotel class is measured by the income elasticity of demand. Autoregressive distributed lag has been conducted on the Smith Travel Research data in 33 years (1989–2022) to determine the relationship among hotel brand, culture and life cycles.

Skilled labour is the key to make hotels grow. Therefore, increase room rates when hotels possess skilled professionals and decrease room rates when hotels have no skilled professionals. During the rejuvenation in Myrtle Beach (1999–2003), hoteliers increased room rates for innovators due to skilled professionals to increase revenue. Otherwise, a decrease in room rates due to lack of skilled professionals would lead to increase revenue.

(1) Although Myrtle Beach is one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the US, it has a relatively small geographic area relative to the country. (2) Data cover over one tourist life cycle, so the time span is relatively short. Hoteliers can forecast the number of guests in different culture by changing room rates.

To optimize revenue, hoteliers can select skilled labour in professional design hotel brands which could make an increase in demand for leisure transient guests no matter what room rates increase after COVID-19 pandemic.

The study has considered the applied ethical processes regarding revenue management that would maximize both revenue and customer satisfaction when it set up an increase in room rates to compensate for professional hotel room design or it decreases room rates for low-income imitators in exploration and development.

This research highlights that (1) skilled design in the luxury hotel brand is the key for the hotel growth and (2) there is a steady state of the growth model in the destination life cycle.

The communication link in the engineering of Internet of Vehicle (IOV) is more frequent than the communication link in the Mobile ad hoc Network (MANET). Therefore, the highly dynamic network routing reliability problem is a research hotspot to be solved.

The graph theory is used to model the MANET communication diagram on the highway and propose a new reliable routing method for internet of vehicles based on graph theory.

The expanded graph theory can help capture the evolution characteristics of the network topology and predetermine the reliable route to promote quality of service (QoS) in the routing process. The program can find the most reliable route from source to the destination from the MANET graph theory.

The good performance of the proposed method is verified and compared with the related algorithms of the literature.

The purpose of this paper is to improve the lattice Boltzmann method’s ability to simulate a microflow under constant heat flux.

Develop the thermal lattice Boltzmann method based on double population of hydrodynamic and thermal distribution functions.

The buoyancy forces, caused by gravity, can change the hydrodynamic properties of the flow. As a result, the gravity term was included in the Boltzmann equation as an external force, and the equations were rewritten under new conditions.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first attempt to investigate mixed-convection heat transfer in an inclined microchannel in a slip flow regime.