Zhao Duan, Yajuan He and Yuan Zhong
Based on the text mining tools, this paper aims to propose a new method to evaluate the subjectivity and objectivity of corporate social responsibility information disclosure.
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the text mining tools, this paper aims to propose a new method to evaluate the subjectivity and objectivity of corporate social responsibility information disclosure.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors build up a text subjectivity evaluation model of corporate social responsibility reports through meta-analysis; a text mining is conducted to all sample CSR reports released by Chinese listed companies untill March 2016[1]. Furthermore, the authors made an overall and quantitative analysis of the situation which contained changing state, characteristics and abnormal value on the subjectivity and objectivity of information disclosure.
Findings
The results show that the subjectivity scores of social responsibility reports of Chinese listed companies are generally in a normal distribution. The diagram turns out to be a rising trend over the years and increases linearly from 2011 to 2013. Also, the industry heterogeneity and policy control are the main reasons for the formation of the differences, which are significant between different industries and different years.
Originality/value
This paper provides not only an important empirical basis for the research of corporate social responsibility but also a new idea for the non-financial information disclosure as well as objective evaluation of normative text.
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Yajuan Zhang, Xiaoyan Song, Haibin Wang and Zuoren Nie
The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel method to prepare pure Ti powder for 3D printing with tailorable particle size distribution.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel method to prepare pure Ti powder for 3D printing with tailorable particle size distribution.
Design/methodology/approach
The main procedures of the present method consist of gas state reaction to synthesize TiH2 nanoparticles, agglomeration to obtain micronscale powder particles by spray drying, and densification of particle interior by heat treatment.
Findings
The prepared Ti powder has a specific bimodal particle size distribution in a range of small sizes, good sphericity and high flowability. Particularly, this new technique is capable of controlling powder purity and adjusting particle size.
Originality/value
To the best knowledge of the authors, the approach for preparing 3D printing metallic powders from nanoparticles has not been reported in the literature so far. This work provides a novel method that is particularly applicable to prepare 3D printing metallic powders which have small initial particle sizes and high reactivity in the air.
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Shilei Cui, Donasius Pathera, Yajuan Li and Xiaoqiang Jiao
Smallholders are essential in ensuring food security; however, smallholder-dominated food production often involves high resource-environmental costs. This study analyzed the…
Abstract
Purpose
Smallholders are essential in ensuring food security; however, smallholder-dominated food production often involves high resource-environmental costs. This study analyzed the factors that differentiate horticultural practices, willingness to adopt technology and social networks between optimized practices (OPT) and farmer practices (FP) to provide localized and systematic solutions for the sustainable apple production.
Design/methodology/approach
To explore the approach of smallholder-dominated sustainable apple production, 257 apple producers in the Bohai Bay region, a major apple planting area in China, were investigated. Life cycle assessment (LCA), emergy analysis and social network analysis methods were used for evaluation.
Findings
The results showed that the net economic profit and emergy sustainability index (ESI) in OPT was 15.8 × 104 RMB·ha-1 and 1.2, respectively, which were 126.9 and 128.0% higher than FP. In contrast, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under OPT was 29.3% lower than those under FP. OPT has a higher percentage of adoption of scientific fertilizer application and water-saving irrigation technologies compared to FP. OPT has strong learning abilities, more social resources (such as technical training and sharing technical experience with others) and connections with stakeholders in the apple supply chain. Optimizing smallholders' social capital, willingness to adopt technology, behavioral willingness and technological awareness can promote sustainable apple production.
Originality/value
Considering the horticultural practices employed by smallholders in conjunction with their social networks, these factors contributed to the transition of smallholder-led apple production toward sustainability. The findings provided viable options and a theoretical basis for smallholder-dominated crop production to move toward sustainability, with significant implications for policymakers.
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Jianbin Luo, Yuanhao Tie, Ke Mi, Yajuan Pan, Lifei Tang, Yuan Li, Hongxiang Xu, Zhonghang Liu, Mingsen Li and Chunmei Jiang
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the optimal average drag coefficient of the Ahmed body for mixed platoon driving under crosswind and no crosswind conditions using the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the optimal average drag coefficient of the Ahmed body for mixed platoon driving under crosswind and no crosswind conditions using the response surface optimization method. This study has extraordinary implications for the planning of future intelligent transportation.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the single vehicle and vehicle platoon models are validated. Second, the configuration with the lowest average drag coefficient under the two conditions is obtained by response surface optimization. At the same time, the aerodynamic characteristics of the mixed platoon driving under different conditions are also analyzed.
Findings
The configuration with the lowest average drag coefficient under no crosswind conditions is 0.3 L for longitudinal spacing and 0.8 W for lateral spacing, with an average drag coefficient of 0.1931. The configuration with the lowest average drag coefficient under crosswind conditions is 10° for yaw angle, 0.25 L for longitudinal spacing, and 0.8 W for lateral spacing, with an average drag coefficient of 0.2251. Compared to the single vehicle, the average drag coefficients for the two conditions are reduced by 25.1% and 41.3%, respectively.
Originality/value
This paper investigates the lowest average drag coefficient for mixed platoon driving under no crosswind and crosswind conditions using a response surface optimization method. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results of single vehicle and vehicle platoon are compared and verified with the experimental results to ensure the reliability of this study. The research results provide theoretical reference and guidance for the planning of intelligent transportation.
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Prabhakar Nandru, Madhavaiah Chendragiri and Velayutham Arulmurugan
This paper aims to measure the extent of digital financial inclusion (DFI) and examine the effect of socioeconomic characteristics on using government remittances and the adoption…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to measure the extent of digital financial inclusion (DFI) and examine the effect of socioeconomic characteristics on using government remittances and the adoption of digital financial services (DFS) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
The World Bank Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) database 2021 is used in this study, with a sample size of 3,000 Indian individuals. The study measured the demand-side analysis of DFI, namely, accessibility and usage of DFS with selected socioeconomic characteristics such as gender, age, income, education, being in the workforce and residential status of respondents. The dependent variable is binary in nature; therefore, the logistic regression model is used for the data analysis.
Findings
The results of the study reveal that individuals’ socioeconomic factors, such as female, all the age groups, tertiary education, third- and fourth-income quintile and workforce, are found to have a significant association with “accessibility,” an exogenous variable of DFS. Besides, respondents’ socioeconomic attributes, namely, female, tertiary education, income for all quintiles and workforce, are more likely to use DFSs in the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also finds the residential status of individuals is influencing the accessibility and usage of DFS.
Practical implications
The findings of the study provide valuable insights to the service providers and policymakers regarding the rapid expansion of DFS by digital infrastructure, simplifying the banking procedures and highlighting the importance of digital financial literacy to accomplish government goals through serving the unbanked population and also design strategies for achieving the objectives of Digital India: “Faceless, Paperless, and Cashless” of DFI across the country.
Originality/value
Notable studies used World Bank Findex survey data to explore the determinants of financial inclusion in general. This research is one among the few studies to explore the determinants of India’s DFI. Moreover, this study measured the effect of individual socioeconomic attributes on the adoption of DFSs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not been included in prior studies. Therefore, this study has added value to the existing literature on financial technology innovation and DFS for the sustainable development of emerging nations.
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Shweta Jha and Ramesh Chandra Dangwal
This paper aims to conduct a systematic literature review on the fintech services and financial inclusion of the developing nations that particularly focuses on lower…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to conduct a systematic literature review on the fintech services and financial inclusion of the developing nations that particularly focuses on lower middle-income group nations (LMIGN) and upper middle-income group nations (UMIGN) to highlight the research areas that have not received attention and present opportunities for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a systematic approach to examine 65 research articles published from 2016 to 2021, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
Findings
The study identifies research gaps in two key themes: backward and outward linkages. In backward linkages, the literature on UMIGN should pay attention to the behavioural patterns associated with lending, investment and market provision-related fintech services. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between fintech services on the usage and quality dimension of financial inclusion in both LMIGN and UMIGN. For outward linkages, future research work should explore the role of fintech and financial inclusion in the development of LMIGN. This study provides valuable insights and guides future research directions by comprehensively mapping the existing studies.
Research limitations/implications
This study does not use quantitative tools, such as meta and bibliometric analysis, to validate the findings.
Originality/value
This research paper offers new perspectives that introduce a novel framework for analysing literature on fintech, financial inclusion and its impact on the overall development of UMIGN and LMIGN.
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Xu Li and Shumin Sui
The development of digital inclusive finance (DIF) has increased households' financial investments and consumption. However, few studies have considered whether DIF strengthens…
Abstract
Purpose
The development of digital inclusive finance (DIF) has increased households' financial investments and consumption. However, few studies have considered whether DIF strengthens the substitution of household financial investment for consumption behavior. To clarify the relationship between DIF, household financial investment and household consumption behavior, the authors combine matched data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and Peking University Digital Inclusive Finance Index (2011–2018) to explore the impact of DIF on household financial substitution. This study aims to discuss the aforementioned objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
This study's empirical analysis applies ordinary least squares (OLS) to answer how DIF affects household financial investment substitution for consumption. This study uses three approaches to examine the robustness of the benchmark regression model. These three approaches are replacing the core explanatory variables, using the lagged Digital Inclusive Finance Index and using the data of additional years. This article also assesses endogeneity by applying the instrumental variable method.
Findings
The results indicate that DIF significantly enhances household financial substitution. This article also assesses endogeneity by applying the instrumental variable method and robustness test methods. The impact mechanism test shows that DIF positively affects household financial substitution, by improving information dissemination efficiency and enhancing financial participation. Further research finds that the impact of DIF on household financial substitution is more pronounced in households with low to moderate savings rates, low to average income households and homes without family members who start their businesses.
Research limitations/implications
This study analyzed the effect and mediating mechanisms of digital financial inclusion on household financial substitution. Like all studies, the research had some limitations. First, due to differences in culture and infrastructure development, people do not understand and judge economic behaviors, such as household financial investment and consumption, in the same way. It can lead to certain biases in their understanding and study responses. Second, the study is mainly based on data from China. Future studies should be extended to foreign countries for comparative analysis. Third, the development of DIF has not yet completed a full cycle, and many problems have not been fully identified.
Practical implications
This study provides some practical implication. First, the public sectors should effectively weigh the spending relationship between household financial investment and consumption. Second, the public sector should focus on the policy optimization and consistency of DIF. The public sector should both enhance the breadth of coverage and depth of impact of DIF and focus on long-tail groups to fully reflect the equity and inclusiveness of DIF.
Originality/value
This study responds to the discussion on the relationship between financial investment, saving and consumption games in household expenditures and enhances our understanding of how DIF affects households' complex economic behavior. The most revealing finding is that DIF reinforces the substitution of household financial investment for household consumption. DIF positively affects household financial substitution by improving the efficiency of information dissemination and increasing financial participation, which is a valid extension of the study on the mechanisms of information dissemination and financial participation in financial investment and consumption proposed.
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Shailja Badra, Sarika Jain and Sarita Vichore
This study aims to explore the themes of “Fintech” and “Financial Inclusion” since their inception using bibliometric analysis and pave the way for future research agenda.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the themes of “Fintech” and “Financial Inclusion” since their inception using bibliometric analysis and pave the way for future research agenda.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on 351 publications from the Scopus database, covering timespan from 2007 to September 2023. The bibliometric analysis involves performance metrics (e.g. publication year, notable articles, leading journals and influential authors) and scientific mapping (e.g. word map analysis, three-field plot, bibliographic coupling, co-occurrence network analysis and thematic mapping). Tools used include Biblioshiny for performance analysis and VOSviewer for visualization.
Findings
The bibliometric analysis reveals the publication trends, most influential authors, articles, journals, countries and important keywords. Subsequently, it presents the network connections among them in the “Fintech” and “Financial inclusion” fields. It identified emerging research diversifications in the literature on fintech and financial inclusion, while performance and citation analysis reveal significant growth in publications since 2019. Science mapping identifies four major clusters of research themes: measuring financial inclusion, leveraging data and analytics, technological change through infrastructure and access and usage of financial services. The study emphasizes the importance of Fintech in enhancing financial inclusion, particularly in developing regions.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation of this study is the extraction of research articles from a single database, Scopus. The study emphasizes the importance of Fintech in enhancing financial inclusion, particularly in developing regions. Future research could explore the role of Fintech in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals and the G20 High-Level Principles for Digital Financial Inclusion. Additionally, there is a need to examine the behavioral changes induced by Fintech in traditional financial institutions and end-users across different economies.
Originality/value
This is one of the comprehensive studies to explore “Fintech” and “Financial Inclusion” from a bibliometric lens. The study highlights and discusses the recent themes in fintech and financial inclusion from broader social and managerial perspective.
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Nurul Shahnaz Mahdzan, Mohamad Fazli Sabri, Abdul Rahim Husniyah, Amirah Shazana Magli and Nazreen Tabassum Chowdhury
The first objective of this study is to analyze whether financial behavior (FB), financial stress (FS), financial literacy (FINLIT) and the locus of control (LOC) influence…
Abstract
Purpose
The first objective of this study is to analyze whether financial behavior (FB), financial stress (FS), financial literacy (FINLIT) and the locus of control (LOC) influence subjective financial well-being (SFWB) among low-income households in Malaysia. The second objective is to investigate whether the use of digital financial services (DFS) moderates the influence of FB and FS, on SFWB.
Design/methodology/approach
Motivated by the literature on transformative service research (TRS), this study examines how the use of DFS impact SFWB among low-income households in Malaysia. Low-income households are chosen as they are more likely to be financially excluded and lack financial knowledge and skills. Using an interviewer-administered survey, trained enumerators collected data from 1,948 low-income households in Malaysia, selected using a two-stage sampling based on the National Household Sampling Frame obtained from the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Findings
Results reveal that SFWB is positively influenced by FB and the LOC, and is negatively impacted by FS and FINLIT. The evidence shows that the use of DFS counterintuitively weakened the strength of the relationship between FB and SFWB, but effectively reduced the adverse effect of FS on SFWB.
Practical implications
To reverse the signs of relationship, financial services marketers need to identify the specific types of DFS that low-income households use in order to provide targeted marketing efforts and financial education to promote the use of DFS on a more holistic basis to increase financial well-being.
Originality/value
The findings of this study add to the body of knowledge deliberating on the opposing effects of technology on consumers' welfare and well-being. This study focuses on the lower-income stratum of Malaysian households as this group of the population is more likely to be financially excluded and have deficiencies in financial knowledge and skills. Findings of this study show that DFS use can actually diminish the positive impact of FB on SFWB while reducing the adverse effect of FS on SFWB.
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Shweta Jha and Ramesh Chandra Dangwal
This paper aims to examine the level of awareness and determinants of the actual adoption of fintech services. This paper further focuses on how usages of different kind of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the level of awareness and determinants of the actual adoption of fintech services. This paper further focuses on how usages of different kind of fintech services fulfills the business needs of the micro-entrepreneurs of urban slum dwellers of Uttarakhand.
Design/methodology/approach
The research investigated the predictive significance of actual adoption of fintech services using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and prospect theory framework. Data was collected from 80 micro-entrepreneurs of urban slum areas of Uttarakhand, using an adapted semi-structured questionnaire. For analysis of data partial least square structural equal modeling has been used.
Findings
This paper finds that different fintech services have different levels of awareness whereas payment, regulation and market provision-related fintech services have high awareness. The main drivers for adopting fintech are services trust (ST) and behavioral intention (BI). BI significantly influences fintech adoption, while ST positively impacts BI, actual usage and facilitating conditions; perceived risk, however, negatively affects ST. The widely used fintech services are payment-based fintech (unified payments interface), followed by regulatory fintech (Khatabook app). Fintech effectively serves the business needs of micro-entrepreneurs in the urban slums of Uttarakhand with innovative product solutions.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study are valuable for various fintech providers. These results can serve as a roadmap to strengthen fintech services in the broader population, including niche market segments.
Originality/value
This study uniquely contributes to the literature that addresses the issues of entrepreneurs of the lower strata of society through the use of fintech services.